Entries By casey grom
We caught our first views of Kilimanjaro today while on our two-hour drive to the park gate. Looming in the distance it was almost mistaken as a cloud. We spent about an hour getting checked in and all of our gear weighed. All in all there are 55 porters, guides, cooks, waiters and camp crew bringing our group total to 66. The majority of folks are porters who are carrying much of our gear, fresh food and most importantly fresh ground coffee!
The first day always feels like the toughest as we try to get into the swing of things and find our legs under us. The team did great today and made good time from about 6000' up to 10,000' in about six miles. It took a little over five hours and thankfully didn't rain on us. We have just finished a well cooked meal with curried vegetables, fried chicken breast, potatoes and a nice slice of cake for dessert. Bellies are full and everyone is in their tent getting ready for some well deserved sleep.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
The team is all here and our adventure starts tomorrow!
Today we rested from the long flights and prepared our gear for the climb. We took a short ride into Arusha, did a little shopping and visited the school that Clement's (our driver) children attend. Some of the team members brought gifts and candy that we handed out to the kids. Plenty of smiles there!
Everyone is doing well, a little nervous as usual! But ready to stretch the legs tomorrow.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Hey, Holley! You look awesome! We miss you! Have fun and come back safe and soon!
Posted by: Amy Craft on 2/13/2013 at 9:07 am
You all look fabulous and like pros!!!! So glad your first day went well!!!!! Love ya, Leslie
Posted by: Leslie DeCillis on 2/12/2013 at 8:36 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today we spent the day visiting Tarangire National Park, home to more elephants per square mile than any place on earth. We saw hundreds of elephants and finished off the Big 5 with two leopard sightings. Plus we even managed to spot a cheetah relaxing in the shade of a small tree. We are spending the night in a tented camp called Kikoti tonight.
Three days safari has been a great way to recoup from the climb and bring our wonderful African adventure to a close. Everyone has had a great time and are looking forward to getting back home and sharing some of the stories and photos.
The team flies home tomorrow.
Thanks for following,
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We visited Ngorongoro Crater conservation area today. It's around two million years old and is home to an abundance of wildlife. The big five live there year round and we saw four of them. Rhino, elephant, cape buffalo, and lions but no leopards. We are hoping to see one tomorrow and we're still looking for a cheetah too. It was a long day that started early and thoroughly wore us out riding around in our land cruiser standing up in the intense sun.
We have just finished a great meal here at the plantation lodge and everyone is doing well.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
We visited Lake Manyara National Park today. It sits about 75 east of Arusha and boarders the Great Rift escarpment.
It is known for its tree climbing lions and it didn't disappoint either. We saw lions, elephants, giraffes, hippos, gazelles, zebras, wort hogs, wildebeest, baboons, and plenty of other animals too. It was a great day of relaxing and everyone enjoyed the beautiful day. We even ran into the infamous Dave Hahn too.
Enjoying the good life!
RMI Guide Casey Grom
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Back to civilization and freshly showered!
We have returned from the mountain and are doing great. It's been a long day but we smell clean and our bellies are full after another wonderful meal from the Dik Dik staff.
Everyone is looking forward to the safari tomorrow.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
CONGRATS YOU HAVE DONE great DANIEL
Posted by: w. d. cate on 2/5/2013 at 3:24 pm
The team is safe and sound after our successful summit of Kilimanjaro - and a little tired at 10,000'. Everyone did great and we are ready for a little sleep after 15 hours of climbing. It's been a wonderful experience the last six days and we are all looking forward to the icing on the cake - safari and more importantly SHOWERS!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
RMI Guide Casey Grom checks in from the summit of Kilimanjaro.
On The Map
Congratulations Casey Groom and your group for your hike to the roof top of Africa. KARIBU TENA TANZANIA
Posted by: ELIAZA MMBAGA (ELLY) on 2/5/2013 at 7:42 am
Beautiful! Congrats to Holly and the whole team!
Posted by: Chris C. on 2/3/2013 at 8:19 pm
We're at high camp!
It was another beautiful morning and the team made good time to our high camp which sits just over 15,000'. We are currently sitting in our hot tents awaiting lunch. Then we'll have a summit talk to make sure we are all prepared for tomorrow. Everyone is feeling well and looking forward to tonight's climb. We'll be up early and try to be walking just after 1:00 a.m. If all things go according to plan, then we should reach the summit sometime after 7:00 and hopefully before 9:00 in the morning.
We had a trivia challenge that will allow the winner a one minute call from the summit. So, if you live in Texas and your significant other has uttered "my bad baby" then keep your phone handy. And remember Texas is 9 hours behind.
That's all for now. We'll try to call from the top.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
On The Map
That was pretty cool Dan b safe God bless
Posted by: Tony Carrillo on 2/3/2013 at 10:11 am
Watching your posts; watching the clock. Hopefully you have reached the summit by now. Congratulations to the entire crew on a fantastic achievement! Love you, Dan Man.
Posted by: Linda Cate on 2/2/2013 at 8:44 pm
Hello Everyone,
We woke to mostly clear skies for the first time since leaving our hotel. We had the normal tea in our tents just before 7 and had another enjoyable breakfast of fresh fruit and eggs for breakfast. We then hit the trail shortly after 8 and made good time up the Barranco Wall. This wall is about 1,000' high and is the steepest part of the entire climb requiring hands in a few places to assist us up a few steep steps. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and change of the new terrain. It was amazing to watch the porters easily navigate this terrain with their loads carefully balanced on their heads. We made good time and arrived in a little over 3 hours to our new home sitting at just over 13'000'.
We are incredibly thankfully to all of our porters and crew who have been working so hard to keep us well feed and comfortable thus far. You can't imagine how they dismantle one camp shortly after we leave, to then have it reassembled before we arrive.
Enjoying being spoiled!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and Crew
A Special note:
I hope all is well back home and appreciate the updates from you guys. To mom and my two wonderful brothers. Its been a memorable experience. Built a cairn in honor of dad at camp 4. To "G" in Washington - All is well. ; )
Holly, through this blog I love climbing vicariously with you…you’re my heroine!
Posted by: Gretchen "G" on 2/2/2013 at 8:22 am
We departed the Shira Plateau this morning in a light mist. Last night brought significant precipitation and muddied the trails a bit. However, the night rain afforded us a beautiful view of the mountain and its new snow. The day's traverse provided great views of the landscape and curious vegetation. About five hours from the onset, we walked down through rolling fog to our camp nestled underneath the Barranco Wall. Spirits are high and bellies are full. Tomorrow, we wake up early to traverse beneath the Southern Breach Wall.
Stay tuned,
RMI Climber Dan C.
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Thinking of you both. Good luck Maria & Pete - have fun!
Posted by: Kate W on 2/14/2013 at 9:42 am
Larry and Crew
It sounds like things are going great! I hope you have a safe and memorable climb.
Fred K
Posted by: Fred Klingbeil on 2/13/2013 at 8:13 am
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