Hey again from Mt. Kilimanjaro checking in with our evening update. From the Karanga Camp, hovering around 13,000'. Well we had another great day, can't help but reported it. We climbed the Barranco Wall, which was a half hour of fun. I can't tell you how many pictures I shot and they are going to be looking good in the old photo album, I guarantee it. It was getting a little bit dusty so we called upon the rain god. We got a little sprinkle then we got into camp and the sky opened up a bit. It didn't really soak things but just enough to kind of keep the dust down. Now I see the summit above me, a billion stars out, a little cloud layer below, temperatures not too bad. We are all in good shape. There was no wet gear created. We were perfect timing on that so we are looking really good for our push up to high camp tomorrow. We are all thrilled. Had a great meeting. Went over a lot of details and as a team are doing very well. Don't you worry, we are having a good time and everything is A OK.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in from Karanga Valley.
Hi Steve - Judy has her first two open water dives tomorrow. We’ll take lots of pictures:-). Pulling for you to have the best experience ever tomorrow. Enjoy! Love you! Shari, Connor, Judy, and Micro
Posted by: Shari Fox on 8/11/2012 at 5:05 pm
Hi Steve!
Glad all is well and trust the rest of the trip will be equally if not more so…
We're half way through the second day of safari and we are off to a great start. We had an early breakfast at our safari lodge and then drive to Ngorongoro crater. Before entering the crater we visited a Maasai village. Once inside the crater we got lucky and have been able to see some of the big cats. We're about to have lunch now and then we'll do some more game viewing.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Mark Tucker checking in from the Barranco Camp, Kilimanjaro climb extraordinaire. Well, I'm looking at about ten jillion stars, beautiful night. Let's see here, about 10 days ago I think it was quite windy and a lot of dust. Not tonight, not today. Very comfortable climbing conditions and not to worry, the team is doing just fine. We are looking forward to the short hike tomorrow, a late start to let the other teams get a head start on this little more rocky climb section. Not to worry, doing great, having fun, wish you were all here. See you tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in from Barranco Camp.
This is Seth checking in from the shores of Lake Manyara. We have officially started our safari! We had a nice morning at the hotel. Then said goodbye to Matt, who is headed home, and drove out to the edge of the Great Rift Valley. Once in the national park we started our game viewing with what Eddie calls 'bamboons'. We've also seen elephants, water buffalo, giraffes and many others. It's a great warm up for our visit to Ngorongoro crater tomorrow.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Hi Tamara-
I’m so excited for you! Have fun and be safe!
Jo
Posted by: Jo Guscott on 8/9/2012 at 7:09 pm
Hi Tamara and Jerry,
Glad to see that you and the team are relaxing after your climbing adventure. Tamara, that’s a great shot of you and the elephant. We’re looking forward to seeing your photos.
Mark Tucker checking in from Camp 2, Kilimanjaro, the Shira Camp. Well over 12,000'. You can see your breath tonight, a little bit chilly. What a great day. Perfect climbing conditions. We received a little sprinkling yesterday so the dust has been settled. We had a little cloud cover so it made quite comfortable climbing up to camp today. Then it started to rain just a little bit when we arrived so we are already in the tents. We were fortunate enough that the mountain popped out right at sunset tonight. We have now seen the peak. Everybody is quite thrilled with that. Lots of pictures as you can well imagine. The team is doing very well. Everybody's healthy and we've been moving nice and smooth and we're all developing these great techniques for the summit to come. We have a clear night and we'll talk to you tomorrow after a pretty good-size day. We're all looking for it.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker checks in from Shira Camp on Kilimanjaro
We're back at the hotel!!! We awoke early this morning and everyone was psyched to get on the trail. The thought of a hot shower and a cold beer was all it took to motivate the group.
After a wrap up ceremony with our crew we dispatched with the last few thousand feet of Kilimanjaro in 2.5 hours. Our truck met us at the national park gate and delivered us to the Dik Dik hotel. Everyone is now prepping for a celebration dinner. Safari starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Mark Tucker checking in from 9,999'. Camp 1 on Kilimanjaro on the Machame Route in the Machame Camp reporting all is well. We just had a great day. A little bit overcast. It actually sprinkled just enough to keep the dust down. Last trip it was quite a dusty monster but boy, conditions just couldn't be better. The team is climbing very well, no issues. Great meal, no headaches. Everybody is just climbing into their tents and looking forward to a nice rest. Big day tomorrow but nothing these guys can't handle. Obviously I've got a couple of layers. I've got my heavy coat on just to stay comfortable but it is very pleasant out tonight. The clouds have now blown out and it is a very starry, starry night. We have a real nice camp, a little higher than most groups, so we have our own little private Idaho, which is sort of a bonus. As usual there are a few other teams out here but they are doing okay as well. We are having a blast and we appreciate you guys keeping tabs on us. We'll report back sooner than later.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Hey mom! Looks like you’re having a smooth start and that’s awesome. We are all keeping updated on the blog. We really liked the look of the jungle! Lots of love.
-Evan, Connor, Grandma, Grandpa
Posted by: Evan Aseltine on 8/8/2012 at 3:24 pm
Dick, Brad and Tyler - Looks like you are enjoying your trip so far. Sending this blog to all our friends. Hugs, Gayle
Jambo! We have descended past high camp and are on our way to our last camp, Mweka. The summit was beautiful with zero wind and sunny skies. We topped out on Stella Point at sunrise and reached Uruhu Peak one hour later. As we descended a cloud layer built over the mountain and we're currently getting snowed on. We're all looking forward to a nice rest.
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall checks in from the Kilimanjaro Summit
So, our team is now assembled at the Dik Dik Hotel in Tanzania, getting ready for our climb of Kilimanjaro. It is a long way from the US and sometimes mother nature makes getting where we want to go (out of Chicago in a windstorm) a bit more difficult. Nonetheless, we are all here and with most of our luggage......two of the team are missing bags. Our local staff has worked hard to assist us by making additional transfers to the airport to pick up our gear. We have it pretty good in the ol' USA, just some of the places we wish to visit are not at the same level of infrastructure and support we are used to. I look at it that we are a guest in their country and appreciate any help I can get. Bottom line two more equipment checks tonight and some late night packing. Then we will be good to go in the morning.
We celebrated two birthdays tonight with cake, candles, singing and presents. Not a bad place to celebrate! This is adventure travel at its best and tomorrow we start on the mountain.
It doesn't stand a chance against this team!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
We're on the way to high camp on Kilimanjaro! The sun is out and it's a beautiful day. We'll be on the trail for about three hours today and then we'll begin our final prep for the summit push. If all goes well we should be on top of Kilimanjaro within 24 hours!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Tamara and Jerry - You are both AMAZING, what an awesome experience, I assume by now you are on the top of Kilimanjaro! I can’t say we know anyone else that has accomplished this challenge. Travel safely. Loev, Cathy and Bob
Posted by: Cathy on 8/7/2012 at 8:47 am
Jerry you are almost there!
Go team Go!
have a wonderful day… love, Lynn. :)
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Hi Steve - Judy has her first two open water dives tomorrow. We’ll take lots of pictures:-). Pulling for you to have the best experience ever tomorrow. Enjoy! Love you! Shari, Connor, Judy, and Micro
Posted by: Shari Fox on 8/11/2012 at 5:05 pm
Hi Steve!
Glad all is well and trust the rest of the trip will be equally if not more so…
Happy Trails! Love, Dad and Cindy
Posted by: Carl and Cindy on 8/11/2012 at 9:30 am
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