RMI Expeditions Blog

Elevation: 19,340'

Summit Day is a wrap! We started our day with a midnight wakeup and a lite 'breakfast' of cakes and cookies. Everyone was ready quickly and we hit the trail at 12:45. The moonless night gave us great stargazing as we ascended the many twists and turns of the summit route and while there was no wind it was very chilly before sunrise. As we neared the crater rim a crescent moon, Venus and Mercury all came up just before the sun. That was a spectacular sight. Everyone went on to Uhuru Peak (19,340') where we had several waves of summit photos. The descent of the summit cone was as smooth as can be and everyone was back in camp before 10 AM. Now we have reached Mweka, our last camp on Kilimanjaro. The team did great coming down in what turned out to be tough conditions. Sunny skies gave way to thunder showers as soon as we left Barafu. This turned the trail slick with mud and wet stones but everyone just buckled down and dispatched with the task of getting down. We made good time and have just finished a great lunch in camp. Tomorrow we hit the trail for the final leg of our trip. We will drop down to the national park gate, check out, and head back to the Dik Dik Hotel for the night. Everyone is looking forward to starting the next phase of our adventure... safari! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

RMI Guide Seth Waterfall checks in from High Camp after the group returns from the summit of Kilimanjaro.

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Yay, Roger! You did it! What an amazing accomplishment! We are so thrilled for you and can’t wait to heard your mountain climbing stories. Hope the next part of your adventure is relaxing and unforgettable! Safe travels

Posted by: Susan on 8/25/2014 at 2:44 pm

What a spectacular adventure!!! Thanks you Seth and the entire team for helping us reach the summit in record time! Congratulations to the Team!!!

Posted by: Seth Casden on 8/25/2014 at 7:18 am

Mt. Rainier: Summit Climbs Teams on Top!

August 24, 2014

Posted by: Dave Hahn

Elevation: 14,410'

RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Garrett Stevens led their Four Day Summit Climb teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reached the crater rim around 7 am and were able to spend some time on the summit taking photos and enjoying the views. Both teams began their descent from the crater rim and will return to Camp Muir for a short rest before continuing down the mountain. We look forward to seeing everyone back at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb team.

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So thrilled for John and team- What an amazing experience!! Can’t wait to see pics and hear all about your adventures. Be safe- see you soon- Love you!!

Posted by: Amy on 8/24/2014 at 10:15 am

This is the news I’ve been waiting for-I can’t wait to see the photos! The view must’ve been magnificent!!
congratulations Jason-and team!!

Posted by: Anna Marie Brick on 8/24/2014 at 9:28 am

Kilimanjaro: Waterfall & Team Summit!

August 23, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 19,340'

Hey this is Seth checking in from the top of Kilimanjaro! We had a great day. Super nice weather, really sweet. No wind when we left camp, just a little breeze when we hit the crater rim. We were all walking into the crater rim when the sun came up and we have been enjoying the top for a little while now. We are going to head down. Go back to camp and spend a few hours packing up and then we'll be down to about 10,000 feet, back where trees grow out of the ground. All is well. We'll check in later today. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

RMI Guide Seth Waterfall calls from the Kilimanjaro summit!

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Congrats to you all! Such a terrific accomplishment.

Posted by: Tricia Blaney on 8/24/2014 at 9:05 am

Amazing pictures. Great accomplishment. Kudos to all. CB

Posted by: Cam on 8/24/2014 at 6:51 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Team Reaches High Camp

August 23, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 15,000'

Another fine day on Kilimanjaro's trails has led us to high camp. The name of this camp is Barafu which translates to 'ice'. So you can tell it is not always the warmest spot. True enough, we have been getting some ice pellets or graupel hitting the tents since we arrived. Hopefully we'll have the normal evening clearing and a nice climb tonight. The team members are all in our respective tents sorting gear and relaxing before we head out. Our crew just prepared a delicious lunch of hamburgers and macaroni salad. Perfect for the physical effort that awaits us. Our plan is to get up at midnight and get on the trail by 1 AM. It should take us somewhere in the neighborhood of 6 hours to reach the top. Wish us luck! RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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hello team, it is 10:44 in New York. Thinking about 6:30 where you all are. We are all so incredibly proud of all of you! summit or not. You all rock!! congrats on a great journey!!! xxoo lizzie , thomas, kit and mary :-)

Posted by: liz Blaney on 8/23/2014 at 7:49 pm

Be careful dad! Your 75 and you promised me if it was too much you would turn back. I would rather have you return home safely rather than lose you proving yourself on one of your adventures. Are we still on for running with the bulls in Spain next year?

Posted by: Roger Rathburn Jr. on 8/23/2014 at 7:07 pm

Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Teams on Columbia Crest!

August 23, 2014

Posted by: Brent Okita, Mike King

Elevation: 14,410'

At 6:45 am the Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Mike King were approaching the summit of Mt. Rainier, Columbia Crest. Brent reported a beautiful day with a slight cloud ceiling above them. The teams will enjoy the views from the top and then descent to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise this afternoon. We look forward to seeing the teams at Rainier BaseCamp later today.

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Fred,
Happy trails ... Up and down. Enjoy the view. Psalm 91.

Posted by: Jon and Cathy on 8/24/2014 at 10:34 am

Good luck everyone, especially Fred and Warren, have a wonderful experience!!!!! We we will be on the lookout from below ;)

Posted by: The Newmans on 8/24/2014 at 7:56 am

Mt. Rainier: Teams on the Summit!

August 22, 2014

Posted by: Billy Nugent, Zeb Blais

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide Billy Nugent along with the Expedition Skills Seminar - Paradise led by Zeb Blais reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams reported clear skies with cold temperatures on the summit. Both teams began their descent from the crater rim around 7:40 am. The teams will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise. The Expedition Skills Seminar - Emmons led by Solveig Waterfall checked in this morning from Glacier Basin. They will be descend from Glacier Basin back to the trail head and return to Rainier BaseCamp later today. We look forward to seeing all of the teams back in Ashford later this afternoon. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Teams!

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Hey Granps (Roger Rathburn),
I hope all is going well on your trip. Looks like a fun time based off the website.
Stay safe and keep your head up :)

Posted by: Matheson Rathburn on 8/22/2014 at 3:58 pm

Way to go #1!!

Posted by: alan on 8/22/2014 at 11:51 am

Mt. Kilimanjaro: Team Ascends the Barranco Wall

August 22, 2014

Posted by: Seth Waterfall

Elevation: 13,000'

Jambo from Mt. Kilimanjaro! We are on the trail. Last night was wonderful at Barranco camp and this morning we slept in a bit before heading up the wall. The climbing was great and the group did very well. We can see the upper mountain glaciers and the high camp. We are getting close to our goal! We are now at our Karanga Valley Camp. The team did great on the trail into camp. We had a great lunch here and have been relaxing this afternoon. Everyone is psyched for the trip to high camp tomorrow morning. RMI Guide Seth Waterfall

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Everyone should be at camp by now resting and getting ready for the final push. I’m very hopeful everyone can make it. I’ll be thinking about you all a lot tonight. Best of luck!!!

Posted by: Rusty on 8/23/2014 at 5:14 am

So proud of you Josh. It’s great to see every step of the journey through these reports. We are bubbling with excitement for you here on the home front- everyone we see asking your report. Enjoy every moment- breathe deep- take it all in! Much love!

Posted by: Kristen on 8/22/2014 at 11:15 pm

Mt. Rainier: Mike Walter Recounts Their Week on the Kautz

August 21, 2014

Posted by: Mike Walter