Entries By Brent Okita
Posted by: Brent Okita, George Hedreen, Nicole De Petris, Mitch Valaitis, Margo Kerr, Fitz Elder, Mark Tucker, Imogen Von Mertens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 3 - 6 led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and George Hedreen reached the summit of Mt. Rainier. The ropes teams were walking into the crater rim around 6:30 am PT. It's a beautiful day with clear skies. This marks summit #599 for RMI Guide Brent Okita. Wow!
After enjoying some time in the crater the teams will descend to Camp Muir and then Paradise later today.
Congratulations to all of today's climbers.
Posted by: Brent Okita, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb with Brent Okita and Henry Coppolillo reached the Summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Brent reported a clear, calm, and beautiful day on top.
The team spent time on the summit signing the summit registry, taking pictures, and celebrating before starting their descent back to Camp Muir.
Congratulations Team!
Thanks for guiding my girl (Lily) to the summit and back down safely!!! WooHoo!!!!
Posted by: Mary Benson on 5/30/2025 at 3:30 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Dustin Wittmier, Dylan Anderson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb from May 19–22, led by RMI Guide Brent Okita, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning!
At 7:40 AM, the team was at 13,500 feet and continuing their ascent. Conditions were snowy, but the team was doing well. Camp Muir reported high clouds and no wind at that time. By 9:15 AM, the team had successfully reached the summit.
They will return to Camp Muir to pack up their gear before continuing their descent to Paradise later today.
Nice work, team!
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Our last full day of our safari did not disappoint. After a morning of souvenir hunting we arrived at Tarangire National Park ready for more action, and got it within minutes of going through the gate.
Warthogs, elephants and a bunch of other critters came our way in the first hour. A lot of close up encounters with giraffes and elephants stole the show, with the finale happening in the final minutes as we drove adjacent a huge and incredibly green swamp area and had a herd of elephants cross in front of us and proceed to cover themselves in mud and even dunk themselves in the water like kids at a pond. An amazing site!
Our 'camp' in the middle of the Park is pretty cool too. Like all these camps in the bush, our living quarters are screened in canvas tents enclosing some high end furnishings. Kind of swank and kind of fun.
One last morning of safari awaits us as sadly our trip comes to a close.
Until tomorrow.
Jambo!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
PC: Shout out to Jeff Tracy, on his 3rd Kilimanjaro climb, for the beautiful photos!
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Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
A spectacular day! But this doesn't even do justice to what we saw in the crater. Besides the thousands of animals we saw all day, we were especially lucky to see three black rhinos, which are exceptionally rare. And better yet, we got up close to a pride of lions. Like 30 or so feet away! Wildebeast, zebras, ostriches and a bunch of other critters also a close up show.
Following our safari we visited a Masai village which helped us understand better their culture and life.
And tomorrow ... Tarangire!
All for now since I'm falling asleep.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team
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Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - 8:09 am PT
Today was the first day of our safari following a well-deserved night of sleep. Our drive to Lake Manyara offered up the sights of Arusha and the Masai land the lie between the Park and our hotel. Life and commerce is just so different from what we have at home. So much more personal and social. So much happens on the street.
Our safari guides, Jafari and Comfort, are huge reservoirs of information and ready to speak on just about anything. But of course, they shine when they speak of the flora and fauna we're seeing.
Jafari indicated up front that the rains and flooding of winter and spring have led some animals to leave Lake Manyara National Park, and have forced the closure of some roads elsewhere, but that didn't keep us from being entertained by baboons and elephants, up close and personal. (Have you ever heard an elephant pass gas? A first for me!). Monkeys, cool birds, more elephants and an excellent lunch followed. And now we're at our hotel, the Plantation Lodge. Check it out. It's wonderful! So nice to be able to relax in perfect weather at this amazing lodge.
Truth be told, I'm writing this from a comfy chair poolside where Jeff, Alan and Kevin just stopped by after their run.
Next up: an early start for the Ngorongoro Crater, which is truly a wonder of the world for the wildlife that calls the crater home. We're psyched!
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Monday, August 5, 2024 - 7:47 PM PT
After a slippery walk down from Mweka Camp we made it to the Mweka Gate in good shape. Legs were feeling the 13,000' descent of the past two days but smiles were broad as we knew we had done it.
A celebratory lunch and fun farewell festivities with our mountain crew closed out this wonderful climb. Riding back to the hotel thought of a shower was not the only thing on the team's mind as I know I wasn't the only one thinking back on our time on the mountain.
After we exhausted the hotel of all its hot water washing off layers of dust from our bodies, we enjoyed a dinner celebration to recognize our huge accomplishment. Yes, we climbed a big mountain but more, we had an incredible experience where we made new friends, shared time with folks from a very different culture and maybe even learned a little something about ourselves too.
Then we headed to the soft, cushy bed our tired bodies craved after a week of sleeping on a 1" pad. What luxury!
And now... another beginning: the safari!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Sunday, August 4, 2024 - 1:13 AM PT
The team reached the summit of Kilimanjaro this morning at around 7:00am in sunny but cold and windy conditions. We reached Point Stella as the sun was rising above the horizon, offering us a much needed lift from the toil of climbing in the dark since midnight.
We just got back to camp and will be treated to a celebratory lunch before packing up and descending another 5,000' to the thick air of Mweka Camp. Then, finally, we'll be able to enjoy a much needed rest.
Jambo from Barafu Camp, 15,200'
RMI Guide Brent Okita
PC: Brent Okita
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Congratulations Alan Janecke, so happy for you!!
Posted by: Kyle Hall on 8/5/2024 at 10:38 am
Way to go Kayla never had any doubt you would reach the summit.
What an exhilarating experience.
Enjoy your travels back down the MT. Rest when you and your team are able.
Posted by: Maxine on 8/4/2024 at 3:12 pm
Jambo from Barafu Camp, 15,200', where we're getting ready to go to the summit tonight!
We enjoyed our shortest walk of the week this morning with the route being direct and quite enjoyable. Traversing around a significant bit of the mountain has allowed us to enjoy Kili from many aspects. And now we can finally see the route that will take us to crater rim, and from there, the summit!
The team is feeling well and we're all primed for tonight's midnight start. The weather has been incredible and I don't see it changing any time soon.
A hot lunch in half an hour will be followed by an early dinner then bed as we prepare ourselves for the big climb.
Wish us luck tonight and we'll follow up tomorrow.
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Great picture of the TEAM! Such an accomplishment! Keep on keeping on! Can’t wait to see the summit picture! Go Carrie and Jeff!
Posted by: Annette Reaves on 8/3/2024 at 4:16 pm
Prayers and good thoughts, Kayla, as you and your team begin your climb to the summit.
Maxine Byrnes
Posted by: Maxine Byrnes on 8/3/2024 at 3:53 pm
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The team is getting good at getting packed up and being ready to climb after breakfast. We left camp early to avoid some of the crowds we encountered on Barranco Wall. Although many in the team were anxious about this climb, everyone crushed it this morning! Our local guides were on it too, helping me spot the more challenging parts and coach those who needed a little more guidance. Our wonderful camp staff were at the top to celebrate our ascent with tea, chips, popcorn and shortbread biscuits.
Arriving at Karanga Camp we were treated to a hot lunch: Breaded pork cutlets. German potato salad, hot cucumber soup was on the menu, with banana fritters and apple tarts for dessert. Mmmmm. Now, a siesta before teatime and dinner. Yeah, tough life here at 13,100'!
One day closer to the summit!!!
RMI Guide Brent Okita & Team
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
So excited for you Carrie and Jeff. Looks like an amazing adventure!!
Posted by: Tammy Johnson on 8/3/2024 at 6:14 am
It looks appropriately chilly and rather treacherous!! So proud of you, Carrie and Jeff.
Posted by: Sherry Kennedy on 8/2/2024 at 1:56 pm
Brent is awesome!!! xox
Posted by: Jill Caven on 6/6/2025 at 10:02 am
Amazing!! Congrats !!
Posted by: Hélène Coulombe on 6/6/2025 at 8:47 am
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