After spending the night at the Dik Dik Hotel celebrating our summit success, our team loaded into “pop-top” Land Rovers to begin our safari. Today we explored Lake Manyara National Park and saw many animals, which some are included in the video below.
The team is doing great and enjoying the different landscapes that we are experiencing here on safari.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Hi there, we are all back at the Dik Dik Hotel and everyone is getting ready for their flights. In fact the first trip to the airport is about to leave.
We had a nice morning at Kikoti Camp and then made a quick lap back through Tarangire. On the way we saw a huge herd of elephants as well as a pack of jackals, giraffes, impala and a really impressive eagle. We also did some more shopping on the way back to town.
Everyone is talking about what a great trip it was and I have to agree it was a blast. We're all a little bummed that the trip is over but with this group, I know it won't be long before they're all on another adventure.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
This is JJ calling from the summit! Climbing Kilimanjaro we had a lot of wishes, but one of them was that our entire team would reach the summit of Kilimanjaro together. That is where we are right now. I can't say enough great things about this team. The entire gang did a amazing job today! We did a lot of hero shots by the sign at the summit. Going to spend a little more time on Uhuru Peak before we start our descent. The team all says hi to family and friends. We will touch base with you letting you know we are safe at camp. We had a fantastic day. Take care everyone.
Thank you for following a long on our summit day.
Ciao, ciao from Kili!
Update 1:40 a.m. PST
Hi everyone, this post is going to be brief. First, all Kili climbers are back in camp safe and sound. Everyone made the summit on a terrific day. We are now refueling and packing up camp. We will head down to 10,000 feet making tomorrow's exit of Kilimanjaro Park nice and casual.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Hey this is JJ Justman with the Kilimanjaro team here at High Camp. It is about 11:30 at night, and we are up and at’em! We’re getting some hot drinks and a little bit of breakfast. It is a beautiful night to start climbing Kilimanjaro, everyone is doing great. We are going to get headed out on the climbing route and hopefully in about seven hours from now we will give you a call and let you know we are on the summit and on top of the roof of Africa. We hope everyone is doing well back home. We will touch base will all of you soon.
Bye from Africa,
RMI Guide JJ Justman and Team
So glad the weather is clear for you all to begin the summit climb. Know it will be an experience of a lifetime. We are so proud of all the team- WOW!
Look forward to hearing all about it from Kalani and Dom!
Greetings from Kikoti Camp!
It was a great day on safari. We started at the Plantation Lodge with a nice relaxed breakfast and then hit the road for a little shopping before we began our game drive in Tarangire National Park. Once we went in the park our chef made us another terrific lunch. After that we started the game drive and it was excellent. We got very lucky with the cats today, seeing both lions and leopards. The giraffes were the highlight of the day for my car while the other car sniffed out an extra leopard. Of course the elephants were plentiful as they always are in Tarangire.
Tonight is our last night together and we're all telling stories about the trip. The last two weeks have literally flown by but we all feel like, paradoxically, it's been a long time too. The venue here at Kikoti Camp is perfect for bringing the trip to a close. It's very comfortable and it has a distinctive African flair. It's a beautiful 'camp' for sure.
Tomorrow we start heading back. Most people are flying out tomorrow night, the rest leave the day after. As for me I'll be staying on for another trip. Hopefully it's every bit as fun as this one was!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Here we go!
Our team is set at 15,000 feet at Barafu Camp on Kilimanjaro. Everyone is getting excited for a great summit day. The prediction is for sunny and clear skies. So it's down to business as usual here in camp. We are recovering with hot drinks and a great lunch prepared by our Camp Chef.
It is at this point that all our physical preparation pays off. However, as I told my team, at a certain altitude the physical shuts off and it turns all mental. You have to stay positive and have the strength to overcome adversity to summit the highest mountains in the world. And Kilimanjaro is no different.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Hi! We're all back at the Plantation Lodge after a great day in the Ngorongoro Crater. It was a lovely, if slightly cool, day there. The crater is truly one of the wonders of the world and the game viewing did not disappoint what-so-ever.
We're all loving the relaxed pace of the safari after a long climb on Kili and tomorrow we continue on to Tarangire National Park.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
We had our best day yet climbing on the lower slopes of Kilimanjaro today. By no means is it vertical rock climbing, however, ascending the Great Barranco Wall really makes you feel like you are climbing!
After we reached the top of the wall we traversed at an altitude of 14,500'. The weather didn't turn on us. However, the clouds rose up and engulfed us in a light mist as we climbed the final section into camp. We are now nestled in at Karanga Camp and the entire team is doing fantastic!
Tomorrow is high camp. An then the summit so don't go too far. We will have a summit report for you Sunday!!
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Kalani and Dom, wow! Way to go, so proud of both of you and happy to be able to follow your adventure and cheer you on from afar. Be safe and enjoy! We miss you!!! Warm aloha…Sioson ‘ohana.
Posted by: Kimi Rapada on 8/2/2013 at 6:46 pm
Dom and Kalani, Awesome climb so far, huh? Can’t wait to hear all the details. Be safe. Debbie V
We're on safari!
We didn't sleep in too much today. We left the hotel just after 9 AM and spent some time in the city of Arusha. We did some shopping and stocked up on drinks for the road. After about 2 hours of driving we had lunch and entered Lake Manyara National Park. The game viewing here is always great and the lake is very full these days. Here's a shot of a large elephant crossing the road in front of us.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Today was a fantastic day for the team as we achieved greater acclimatization. We entered the dry and rocky terrain of the Highland Desert Zone where large volcanic boulders dot the landscape. Our trail gently ascended the Shira Plateau and we the reached our high point near Kilimanjaro's Lava Tower at 14,900'.
After a long break to soak up the thin air we descended into the Barranco Valley. We are now comfy and cozy in our SlingFin dining tent drinking hot tea and eating popcorn at 12,800'. Everyone is having a great time and we are looking forward to another great day on Kilimanjaro.
RMI Guide JJ Justman
Kalani and Dom-
We are watching your progress and ascent with great excitement! Wow- way to go!
Susan and LHPS
Posted by: Susan Clayton on 8/2/2013 at 8:01 am
Dom and Kalani, thinking of you every day, every step of the way!! Living vicariously through the two of you. Enjoy every magnificent moment! Hugs, Diana
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Congrats to Dom, Kalani, and entire team! Makes 14rs look easy I bet. Best, Paul and Sherri
Posted by: Sherri Wilson on 8/5/2013 at 6:30 pm
Hey JJ: Please give our best to Dom and Kelani. They are our heros! Can’t wait for their return to FL to share their adventure. Clare and Warren
Posted by: Clare Hudson on 8/5/2013 at 10:01 am
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