RMI Expeditions Blog
Good evening from Base Camp!
We just returned from Camp 1, all the way into
Shishapangma Base Camp. The day has been mellow by Himalayan standards, as the great distance to cover or the big elevations to save are just a part of the game that this team is facing with style.
We're heading into bed, looking forward to a couple days of rest while we let our bodies adapt to the new elevation reached.
Suva Rattri!
RMI Guide Elias de Andres Martos
RMI Guides Brent Okita and Paul Rachelle were unable to make a summit attempt with their
Four Day Summit Climb September 14 - 17 teams due to poor weather. A large system moved into the area last night bringing heavy rains. The teams are safe and dry at Camp Muir but will be starting down to Paradise later this morning.
We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp today and we hope they enjoy participating in the events of the Rainier Mountain Festival.
Early adventure through
Tarangire as we made our way back to The Dik Dik Lodge. The team put a good dent In the waffle iron before we left the Kikoti property. It's those little things that really make a difference out in the bush and a good waffle can set the tone for a fine finish to an amazing Safari. How appropriate to see our little mascot, the Dik Dik, just before leaving the park, a touching send off if you ask me. Some gear shuffle, a shower and one last delicious dinner here at the lodge before the team starts making their way home. A few will visit Zanzabar, others a stop in Amsterdam. Overall a feeling of accomplishment rounded out with a nice sense of connection to the basic elements of nature are packaged nicely for the travel abroad. Sad to have it come to a close, excited to start yet another chapter in the book of life soon!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Namaste from Camp 1! A gelid evening is already in place here at 6,500m, but the warmth of our bags, the water boiled in the vestibule of the guides' tent, and camaraderie around, are definitely bringing up the adventure temperature.
We had a long day climbing to here, as crossing the penitentes field is no joke; a super involved section that gains you no elevation but puts your endurance to the test. But we made it and now is time to go to bed, all while contemplating the summit, and in closer proximity, the location of
Camp 2. "Suva Rattri"!!!
RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and Team
Today RMI Guide Billy Nugent and the
Mt. Shuksan team reached the summit! Climbing the Sulphide Glacier Route, the team's round-trip was eight hours and 40 minutes. The weather was sunny and not a breath of wind. After returning to camp, safe and sound, Billy was able to send us the photo below.
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
We had a few things to accomplish today so we set out early to shop the local markets. We found masks, bowls, knives, salad forks, necklaces, paintings, carvings made of soapstone, bone, ebony and rosewood. We also shopped for Tanzanite, the beautiful blue stone found only in this country. We visited a Masai village and took a grand tour of their community. Then made a stop for treats and drinks to enjoy while we traveled along. We entered
Tarangire National Park and encountered a large herd of wildebeests. We took a break and enjoyed a picnic lunch in the bush followed by a pleasant afternoon of driving the roads of this amazing park looking for more animals.
Tonight is our last night in Africa and we get to spend it at the beautiful Kikoti Tented Camp. I can hear some animals snorting just off my porch. There is a bright moon illuminating the night, I think I'll go check it out.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
The
Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir reached the crater rim at 7:30 am.
RMI Guide Mike King reported no wind, a great route and a beautiful morning! With such amazing weather, the team stayed on the summit until 9:00 am and will check in once they are back to Camp Muir. They will stay one more night at Camp Muir and descend from the mountain tomorrow.
Good evening!
We're on the move to Camp 1, spending the night at
Depot Camp at the moment. It is hard to describe how small we feel, at the feet of this colossal peak, within a stone throw of its northwest glacier, flanked by huge penitentes of disproportionate dimensions, which we'll have to cross tomorrow. The winds stopped shortly after dinner, and the plumes from the summit disappeared, allowing us to get a glimpse of the top, right before we crawled into our sleeping bags.
Two of our Sherpa just came by, descending from setting up Camp 1 and reporting good snow conditions, while the other three will remain there for the night, hoping to reach Camp 2 tomorrow while we climb to Camp 1. The plan is to all sleep together at 1, and descend to Base Camp the following day. As you can imagine, with this first rotation, we're all in "game on" mode, and the anticipation is getting us semi-ecstatic.
More tomorrow from Camp 1,
RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and the Shishapangma crew
Another good day of African hospitality. We ate so many crepes at breakfast I figured the Land Cruisers were going to have a tough time hauling this load of intrepid bush game viewers in and out of the Ngorongoro Crater. The clouds engulfed the crater rim all morning making for a cool game drive to start. Also creating a surreal atmospheric event of tumbling clouds down the walls and dissipating before reaching the valley floor. It looked so much like Jaws Maui Hawaii breaking on a 200 foot day. I was longing for my what surfers call a "Rhino chaser" surfboard, specially made for large swell waves. I can't believe I didn't pack some wax. How ironic, for in fact that was the main focus of today the elusive Black Rhino. During the hunt for the Rhino so many other creatures got in the way that camera batteries were getting drained quick. Thank goodness for the back up battery. We returned to the lovely Plantation Lodge in the early evening to enjoy the fabulous grounds we call home for one more night. No crepes tonight but another four courses of fine dining will have to do. Maybe waffles in the morning to mix it up before we head to our next National Park, Tarangire. All is well with the team. Having a gas, wish you were here.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Hi!
Not much to report today, folks. We took a rest day at
Base Camp, in preparation of tomorrow's move. Packing food and gear, and rigging our ascension hardware took most of the morning. After another great lunch from our cooks, the afternoon was spent resting to tea and snacks, and even some ventured to the shower tent for the first time. The plan is to move to Depot Camp tomorrow morning and spend the night there, and then carry and move to Camp 1... the excitement is on!!!
Stay tuned for our first news from the glacier,
RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team.
Keep up the great work and progress. I hope everyone is feeling better and acclimating to the altitude. I wish I could see the beauty you wake up to everyday. Enjoy the gorgeous full moon! It must be spectacular from your location!
Xoxo, Trish
Posted by: Trish Deerwester on 9/18/2016 at 4:21 am
Continued success, congrats to all. Safe travels and enjoyable rest. Thinking of you each and every day.
Jane Nelson
Posted by: Jane Knoff Nelson on 9/17/2016 at 6:13 pm
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