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Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 10:36 pm PT
Sometimes it’s not so fun to be right. Turns out we were right about the incoming snow storm. We moved to Camp 1 at 7,800' today through continuous snowy weather. The guide team safely navigated us across the Kahiltna, while Eric proved he was a talented linguist by regaling us with stories during our breaks. Tomorrow we hope to cache food and extra equipment above Ski Hill and then return to our camp.
RMI Guides Eric Frank, James Bealer, Jack Delaney and team
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leah Fisher
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
Hi to Jeff Hooper from sis - I think this is the right team! Hope you are having a great time, looks cold! Take care, thinking of you. Jill and Dad (via phone)
Posted by: Jill Cathey on 5/26/2013 at 7:59 pm
Hello Monica,
Wow the pictures are beautiful! Kathy,Maribeth and I are so proud of your accomplishments!
Praying for you,
Jimmy Rx
Posted by: Jim Gentle on 5/26/2013 at 6:44 pm
On The Map
Ken and Leeza! I believe you are at the summit right about now. :-). Thinking of you and best wished to all! Sabine and Larry
Posted by: Sabine Calkins on 9/22/2012 at 6:01 pm
We are thinking of you all & sending good vibes for endurance and ease! We love you, Jordan!
xoxox
Posted by: Susannah Wally on 9/22/2012 at 3:16 pm
Friday, September 4, 2025 - 10:11 pm PT
Hello again everyone
The team had a really nice day here on Kilimanjaro today, waking to clear skies and a beautiful view of Kili right above camp. We had a light cloud layer which helped keep us cool while on the trail, which was nice as the sun can be quite intense here near the equator.
We started the day waking at 6:30 to start packing up before moving into our dining tent for a nice breakfast with porridge, fried eggs, toast, avocado and even some fresh fruit, and most importantly plenty of hot Tanzanian coffee.
We hit the trail shortly after 8 am and slowly made our way up the rocky trail with occasional views of Kili above, while sharing the trail with all the porters.
The trail climbed up a blunted ridge and eventually out of the trees and allowed for some truly spectacular views of the valley below. The team hiked for a little more than four hours before reaching out next camp that sits on the Shira plateau, which is the remnant of an ancient lava flow.
Everyone is doing very well and we are currently relaxing in camp.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari September 2, 2025
Great fun following Casey’s posts and the team’s adventures. Greetings to Dena and Rusty from Grammy and Gramps. Yet another mountain on the bucket list to scratch off
Posted by: Ron Frishmuth on 9/6/2025 at 2:50 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Base Camp : Rest Day Before Moving to Camp 1
We spent the first true “rest day” since leaving the trailhead 5 days ago. Yesterday’s carry to Camp 1 was challenging. This was and will be the most elevation gain in a single day aside from Summit Day. Combine the gain with the continued challenges that come with acclimatization and it was tough. The downtime on the legs and lungs has been greatly appreciated by all.
Whether it was reading, visiting with new friends, playing Kings in the Corner and Farkle, hiking, or just taking some time for self care, we each found something to enjoy and make the most of our time together on this Mountain.
Climbing forces one to be in the “now”. Focusing on each step to sure our footing. Employing the rest step to sustain and finish a long, steep ascent. The kind that has you praying for a “long” traverse. Pressure breathing to best utilize the oxygen available to you. You focus on what you can control. Not what happened yesterday, or possibly what greater challenges await tomorrow. You tend to the now. Conversely, you “let go” of what you can’t control and you practice trusting others to handle those things. As such, each day the bond of the team grows stronger.
Tomorrow we move to Camp 1 and “really” begin to climb this mountain. We will Largely be out of touch except for text messages from a satellite device. We will have minimal creature comforts like the ones we enjoyed on the trek in and at Base Camp. We embrace the challenge however.
We will do this one step at a time … together!
PS . Molly - Give Hadley Bear a huge hug and kiss from Daddy!!
Climber Cameron Presley
Go go go! Rest, you are strong!. You got this! I am so proud of you. You are the best!! Move forward with confidence you have done the work to be ready!
Hugging you from afar!
Teri
Posted by: Teri Derr on 1/30/2023 at 4:14 pm
Tim, I am amazed and inspired by your incredible drive to win! Love you! Teri
Posted by: Teri Derr on 1/28/2023 at 7:55 am
Posted by: Mike King, Dominic Cifelli, Jack Delaney
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
We made our carry to high camp at 19,600' today. The mornings continue to be clear, calm and provide spectacular views of the Central Andes. The afternoon blizzards with scorching heat and thunder snow continue as if set by a Swiss watchmaker.
We will rest tomorrow and see what the winds do. The consensus of longtime local guides is this amount of snow, lack of wind and heat is unique when compared to the last 15-20 years.
RMI Guide Mike King and Team
Get some rest tomorrow. Hope the weather cooperates. Chloe says “Tell Daddy I love him”.
Posted by: Emily on 1/9/2023 at 1:38 pm
That is the strangest combination of weather that we’ve ever heard! Thunder snow?! Praying this isn’t met with lightening as well.
You picked the best time to be gone, weather is dreary (of course everything is dreary compared with what you are reporting!) and not enough snow to do much. Having to resort to trail walks and indoor track for exercise.
Alison, you’ll be happy to know we took the Christmas tree down yesterday. Never as exciting as decorating, but Dad was a champ on the first round of tree needles throughout the living room - he even got one jammed under a fingernail!
Continue to have a great trip! Sending our love! Momma & Dad XOXOXO
Posted by: Momma & Dad on 1/9/2023 at 11:47 am
Posted by: Seth Waterfall, JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Elbrus Northside
Elevation: 12m,300'
On The Map
Im so glad to hear the weather is clearing up for you guys. Keep it up!
Posted by: Rachel Kayatin on 8/31/2012 at 9:59 am
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Have fun Steve!
Posted by: Kim Anglemyer on 8/7/2012 at 5:31 pm
Eddie, Bob and Tom - great job!!! We can’t wait to hear all about it when you get back . Have a great time and keep climbing !!!!!!
Posted by: Sheila on 8/7/2012 at 4:36 pm
Lee,
Enjoy every moment. Would be awesome to take in that much of creation’s beauty…so untouched by humans. Can’t to see your photos. We are praying for your safety. love the Ortmeiers:)
Posted by: maren ortmeier on 7/2/2012 at 5:23 am
Great to hear some news! I will certainly be praying for you, Lee, and all your compatriots. You’re as high now as I’ve ever gotten . . . keep going! I can only imagine what it actually looks like seeing it with one’s own eyes. And I suppose the Creator must be bigger than this, since He made it! :-}
Posted by: Fr Paul Duchschere on 6/28/2012 at 8:45 am
Hello again from Nepal -
Today was another beautiful day here in the Himalayas albeit just a little windy.
The team had breakfast and lots of coffee and hit the trail just around 8am. It was enjoyable hiking in the warm of the sun except for when the wind would howl a bit.
It was a relatively short day as we bumped up to just over 16’000ft. It took the team about 4.5 hrs to make it to Loboche, named after the mountain that looms above us. Along the way we pass over Thukla pass where there is a memorial to those lost on Everest over the years. It’s a pretty somber place with over 50 chortens built in memory to the climbers.
Once at our new tea house we had lunch, napped, and then walked over to view the Khumbu Glacier, wehere we could just barely make out Everest Base Camp far off in the distance.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the BC Crew!
Go Heidi!!! We are following along as well! :)
Carol & Huay
Posted by: Huay on 5/22/2021 at 6:00 pm
Elliot
Loving the updates. Stay strong and tap into your tenacious spirit. Our best to you and your fellow travelers.
Love
Mom and Daf
Posted by: Susan and Bert Campos on 5/22/2021 at 9:57 am
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