RMI Expeditions Blog

Shira Plateau, 12,600 ft.  After a calm night at 10,000 ft, we woke to see Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s central peak, shining in the clear morning air.  Below, there was still a sea of clouds but that wasn’t bothering us.  We got walking uphill at 8 AM and started climbing up a giant stairmaster of rock through a short forest of Heather.  Before long we’d crested a ridge which we then followed in toward Kibo.  Finally, we made a turn to the west, putting our hands on rock to get up some blocky sections.  We turned a last corner and found ourselves on the Shira Plateau and we strolled into our new camp a few minutes later.  It was then an easy afternoon of resting, eating and playing games.  The team is primed to watch the sun set out beyond Mt Meru, the 15,000 ft volcano on our western horizon.

- RMI Guide Dave Hahn and Team

The Four Day teams led by Jess Wedel and Hannah Blum summited Mt. Rainier this morning. They were descending from the crater rim around 7:30 am. The teams reported a perfect day. We'll see both teams back in Ashford later today. 

Day one on Kilimanjaro!  We left the comfort of Rivertrees Inn at 8 AM under cloudy skies.  The bus ride to the Machame Gate of Kilimanjaro National Park took about two hours.  It then took us fully ninety minutes to jump through the administrative hoops of completing the permitting process and getting admitted to the park. But then we were off.  Twelve climbers and fifty one local staff.  We were still under cloud cover and then sometimes in the clouds, but it never actually rained as we worked steadily uphill in the rainforest.  The team made it up 4000 vertical feet to 10K in 5 hrs and twenty minutes. All were happy to come into a fully built camp and to take tea and dinner in a spacious dining tent. Tomorrow is another big day, perhaps we’ll even get to see the mountain.

- RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team

The Five Day Climb led by Will Ambler and Avery Stolte reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning and enjoyed a bit of time in the summit crater.  They started their descent from the crater rim shortly after 7 am. The teams will have a short break at Camp Muir and then continue to Paradise later this afternoon.

Congratulations to today's climbers!

As promised, we got to work today, packing and prepping for Mount Kilimanjaro.  After a great breakfast at Rivertrees Inn, sitting outside under cloudy skies, our team of 12 got to know each other a little while we discussed the climb and how to get ready for it.  Next came a gear check to ensure that climbers weren’t bringing either too much or too little on our week-long expedition.  Folks then used the afternoon to get packs and duffels ready. 

We enjoyed a great dinner together, received the last missing bits of luggage from the airlines and then turned in, ready to get on the bus tomorrow and get walking. 

Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
 

Our Kilimanjaro climb began taking shape today. The entire twelve person team assembled -as scheduled- in Usa River, Tanzania at the Rivertrees Inn. Not all of the luggage followed the team to the assembly point, but we’re optimistic for tomorrow. Tomorrow is when we’ll get serious about planning and packing for the mountain, tonight it was enough to get together in one place. First priority now is sleep after the gargantuan transcontinental flights that got us here. 

Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn

The RMI team on Mt Shuksan reached the summit via the Fisher Chimneys. They are on their descent back to the trailhead today. 

Great work everyone!

8.22.26

Mountains, marmots, and bears, oh my. What an adventure. Huge shout out and thanks to our climber Josh for an incredible trip. We laughed, we almost cried, and we had the time of our lives.  After a few thunder showers and some park requests that may have been answered, we finally got the meal of Mexican food we deserved. Until next time, thanks for tuning in!

RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Josh Osborne 

8.21.26

Today was a day for adventure. We took off in the morning and climbed a very loose, but entertaining piece of rock called Tepeh Towers. We then roamed the vast snow covered slopes of the Inspiration and McAllister glaciers, poking our heads in places maybe no one has ever been?! A bit smoky, quite warm, and weather looming in the future, we decided to bump back down to our low camp and keep yogi company for another night. Did I mention our nap?! We're productive AND efficient. One last request for the park service would be a water slide at the base of the Eldorado glacier; people would love it, and so would we. Off to bed, early to rise.

- RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Josh Osborne

8.20.26
1. Blueberry pancakes for breakfast with 2 black bears. Check.
2. Move to high camp and enjoy lunch with an epic view. Check.
3.Summit Eldorado and enjoy a sunset dinner there. Check.
It's all about the meals y'all. Oh and we got a bathroom with a killer view and a toilet seat. We are living large.

-RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Climber Josh Osborne

8.19.26
Just 2 guys out looking for an adventure. Josh and I quickly found one trying to cross the creek 1 min from the parking lot. Given the steep nature of the trail for the first 2 miles on this trip, we have come up with a list of suggestions for the Park service:
1.Keep the air on please, it's too hot.
2. A lot of the steps are too big, can we make them shorter?
3. More shade, where did all the trees go?
4. What's with all the loose boulders in the boulder field?

All jokes aside, we ate some berries, stole a marmot's lookout to enjoy dinner with a view, and we can't get over the pure beauty of this place. Tomorrow we move up to high camp for further exploration and at least a summit or 2, maybe more.

-RMI Guide Ben Luedtke and Climber Josh Osborne

RMI guide Dustin Wittmier and his team reached the summit of Mt Shuksan on August 18th via the Sulphide Glacier. 

Great work up there!

The Four Day climb led by RMI guides George Hedreen and Joe Crawford reached the summit of Mt Rainier this morning around 6am. They reported cool temperatures, but a lovely morning. They are currently on their descent back to Camp Muir and will be returning to Ashford this afternoon. 

Great work up there, team!