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Hello again everyone. The weather continues to be beautiful here on Mt. Elbrus for us. We started the day with a nice breakfast and then set out on our last acclimatizing hike just before 9:00. The team did a great job as we made our way up to a little over 15,300', setting a new record for some and it took us only about three hours. We stopped along the way to take a few breaks and enjoy the view as well as chat with the other climbers that are from all over the world. After reaching our high point we made our way back to camp just in time for another enjoyable lunch. Since then it's been nap time for some or just relaxing in our little huts as there was a small snow squall that blew through this afternoon. Everyone is doing well and in good spirits. RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Good evening from Alpamayo Base Camp. We had a productive day today, carrying a load to Camp 1 at 4900meters. We set a tent up and deposited half our kit. After that, we remained up there for a while, breathing the thin air and letting the body and lungs get a taste of what's coming up. Some clouds and a drop in temps let us know it was time to head back down to base camp, and a light drizzle materialized around dinner time. Tomorrow we're going to take a rest day here at base, as we are getting excited to get moving up higher soon. That's all for now, RMI Guide Elías de Andres Martos and team

A very nice cup of dark roast Tanzania coffee fresh out of my French press sits next to me as I write this blog. Big climbs like this,when given the option to have a few creature comforts, do wonders for the mental and physical. It has been another perfect weather day with a little breeze here at high camp, Barafu at 15000'. The team had yet another restful and healthy night making the challenge of 2,000 feet of elevation gain no problem, or as we hear about a hundred times a day "Hakuna matata". If you can envision the 8 man varsity Harvard crew boat rowing for yet another crushing victory, that is pretty much what our team looks like. Perfect rest step in unison just like team strokes, a thing of beauty to watch. Only thing a bit funny is our coxswain (me) not weighing in at that perfect 119 to 123 lbs. The incredible meals that continue coming out of the kitchen tent assures me that the loss of any pounds is impossible. Resting, sorting, packing summit lunches are the duties for the day. Our wake up call at 11:30 pm is going to arrive soon and then the start of our summit push. The entire team is in great shape to safely give it a shot. We hope the next time we check in we will be on the summit of Kilimanjaro. RMI Guide Mark Tucker

On The Map

Today’s Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Geoff Schellens reached the summit of Mt. Rainier around 7:30 am. Casey reported winds up to 30 mph and clear skies. The teams will spend some time on the summit before beginning their descent. We look forward to seeing the teams in Ashford later today. Congratulations climbers!

Well we didn't beat yesterday for game-viewing, but nobody seemed to mind giving it a try today. It was great to wake up in Tarangire National Park and get started in the cool of the day with the place to ourselves. We went down to the edge of a gigantic marsh (a mostly dry marsh at the moment -the rains will come soon) and cruised for cats. We did see a gigantic lioness hanging out peacefully in the branches of a tree -guarding here recent kill, but not much other action. Just animals and herds sprinkled about as far as the eye could see. At midday we left the park and headed toward Arusha, stopping at the cultural center for some culture and keepsakes. Back at Arumeru River Lodge by three, we thanked Juma and Edson and told them we'd see them on our next Safari. Then it was time for repacking and gearing up for international flight. One more great team dinner and we boarded the bus, saying goodbye to the hotel staff and to several of our team who have different flight schedules. Back now to lines and security and insecurity and schedules... but we'll have the morning out in a beautiful place to sustain us. It has been a wonderful adventure, thank you for keeping track of us. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn

We began and ended the day far above a sea of clouds. But of course, our end to the day was farther still above the clouds, since we are now at 15,200 ft. High Camp. Last night's camp -Karanga- was kind to us. It was calm and quiet through the night and into our 8 AM breakfast. We were on the road to Barafu -the "Ice" camp, before nine and into our new digs by about noon. There were no longer any pretty plants to linger over as we've entered the Alpine zone. We concentrated on the steady walking and breathing techniques that we'll employ tomorrow. The afternoon was spent in strategizing our summit bid and streamlining our packs. We rested and ate and ate some more before turning in early. Most could not resist staying up for the sunset though as the big ball of fire sank into clouds between Mt. Meru in the distance and Kibo up close. We are ready for an early start and a big day tomorrow. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn

On The Map

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Four Day Summit Climb July 1-4, 2016 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The cloud deck was at 8,800' and the windy conditions from last night had subsided enough for the team to make their attempt. They reported breezy conditions on the summit and everyone was doing well. They started their descent from the crater rim at 7:30 am PT. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb team and Happy Independence Day!

RMI Guide Pete Van Deventer and the Four Summit Climb team were unable to summit this morning. They encountered avalanche hazard that forced them to turn at 12,500.’ They began their decent at 7:05 this morning and should be back at Rainier Basecamp early this afternoon.

Hi all! Your intrepid team woke this morning after a solid night's sleep to mostly dry gear (although there were some attempts to dry gloves out the window of the bus) and enjoyed a nice breakfast at our hacienda before heading south towards our next objective. Many hours of transit later we've made camp in a beautiful alpine meadow on the side of Antisana and are about to enjoy our first night in tents. The weather currently has cleared significantly and the wind has calmed to nearly a standstill but things weren't looking so good for most of the day today. Rain plagued our spirits for most of the drive from Guachalá to Antisana and while setting up tents in a bit of drizzle we weren't so sure that we were going to be so lucky. Knock on wood. Hopefully this improving trend will continue and we will get to take an honest shot at the summit. But first tomorrow calls for a day trip up above our camp to the glacier where we hope to practice our crevasse rescue among other technical skills before returning to camp on the eve of our climb. We enjoyed a tasty spaghetti dinner and are now all tucked in in anticipation of tomorrow's early rise. All for now! RMI Guide Billy Nugent

The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb teams, led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Robby Young, turned due to snow and route conditions. The team was back to Camp Muir at 7:55 a.m. They will spend about an hour there and then begin their descent to Paradise.