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Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
On The Map
What a great blog. Makes me a little less frightened to get all this information. Good luck tonight. Please be careful and come home !,
Posted by: Barbara on 7/14/2013 at 9:06 pm
Keep us posted! Be careful, enjoy and tell my brother Bob to we are all thinking of him!!!!!Joan
Posted by: Joan on 7/9/2013 at 8:52 am
Roger, can’t wait to hear about the whole trip and see the pictures since I’m climbing vicariously through you and your team. Way to go everybody!
Posted by: Renee on 6/2/2011 at 10:20 am
Tsiom, From what I undesrstand you guys are waiting for the fight weather to get out of the base camp. Cant wait to see you back home!!!
Posted by: Marina on 6/1/2011 at 5:24 pm
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Ben Luedtke, Michael Murray
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Today began with a team meeting at breakfast. Last night there was a possibility that mud slides in the Vacas Valley would prevent us from coming down the mountain the way we came. Fearless leader Dom confirmed we would not be able to backtrack the way we came and instead would go down the other side of the mountain to the Mulas base camp, a route known as the "360." Since we would not be able to go back to our original base camp, we'll have one of the helicopters pick up our duffels and bring them to us at the Mulas base camp.
Our carry day to Camp 3 today brought many us to new high points, with Camp 3 at nearly 19,600ft. Since we would have to carry all our gear up and over the mountain, as opposed to caching it at Camp 2, we all had pretty heavy packs. As we climbed today, the air got thinner and thinner, for most of us requiring a breath every step. Even though we have been at 18,000ft for almost two days, it still required significant fortitude to keep climbing.
High elevation does a number on your body. As you climb higher, the decreasing oxygen makes it difficult to even do the very basic tasks, you loose your appetite and have to force yourself to eat, and for most climbers there is a point where they need start taking Diamox to help prevent high altitude pulmonary and cerebral edema.
After a few days at a particular elevation, we get acclimatized and start feeling good. But we can only bring so many supplies and we have only so many days to get to the summit and back. So our schedule keeps us moving to a new higher point just as we were getting used to our current camp. This is mountaineering and one of the many things that makes it so difficult and the act of doing it so rewarding. Getting to a rest stop on a hike or the next-higher camp on a carry or move day brings a sense of relief that is hard to find in any other activity.
As we approach our last uphill move day, and followed soon after by our summit bid, it's important to remember what a great feat we have accomplished so far, and how lucky we are to be up here with the best climbing team you could ask for.
Climber Andy Green
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 12, 2024
This just got even more exciting. Mudslides, helicopter transport and an alternative route. You’re all so close!
Posted by: Ed DaPra on 1/25/2024 at 7:19 pm
Amazing! Difficult! Rewarding! And the VIEW!
Personally could have done without some of the detail on the altitude challenges on the body Dr. Green. I trust the spirit of the team to check on each other. Difficult day for sure.
And, best of all, The Summit is Just There!
Posted by: Michelle DeMers on 1/25/2024 at 4:04 pm
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
There were elephants walking between our tents in the night. We went to sleep to the sound of them eating grass and shrubs. Breakfast at Lokisale was just before sunrise and so we got the maximum value from our final day on Safari. We hated to leave such a comfortable camp, but we were excited to see what we could see. Within a few minutes drive, we’d crossed back into Tarangire National Park, but a considerable distance from the main gate. Our drivers took us along a gigantic swamp which was teeming with wildlife. We had the place to ourselves for hours. The team was still looking high and low for leopards when we found lions. Two big males, out for a mellow morning of hunting. They simply walked toward herds of hartebeest or Cape buffalo without much stealth, hoping to get lucky.
Then we saw a lioness and her two cubs laying about and doing cat things. Before the morning was out we’d gotten glimpses of another leopard and a couple of Cheetahs. Not close enough for photography but close enough that we felt very lucky to see them. We headed for the main gate eventually, after a hundred more eagles and giraffes, a dozen hippos, a million impala and wildebeest and zebra. There were hyenas and mongooses and darn near everything else… except bears and tigers. And mile after mile of beautiful East African savanna and forest.
By noon we were out of the park and driving east toward Arusha. We made a final stop at the cultural center on the city outskirts and stretched our legs while surveying the artwork. We reached our comfortable and familiar Rivertrees Hotel just after 3 PM. Then we started having to say goodbye to one another as our itineraries diverged. Some of us are flying today, some tomorrow, some are continuing the expedition to the shores of Zanzibar. It was a good team and so we are confident of seeing each other again on some future adventure. Even so, there is just a little sadness that it all has to end for now.
It was pretty fun. Thanks for following along.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team
We sure have enjoyed your blog and making us feel like we were on the journey with our friends! Congratulations to all on the tour! Safe travels home to everyone! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip and pictures on IG Cindee! Much love!
Posted by: Allie Frankie & Tillie on 9/2/2023 at 3:18 pm
Thank you, Dave for your wonderful blog. I think you should write for a travel magazine.Your comments and insights are so descriptive - all of us on the other side of the world could imagine being part of your expedition. Thank you for taking good care of our daughter Melanie, and her close friends, Debi and Dan. More travels in the future for these adventurers? You bet!! Wishing you all the best, Janice Smiley
Posted by: Janice Smiley on 9/1/2023 at 6:05 pm
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Pepper Dee, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
On The Map
Julian… AMAZING!!!
Nice work pulling it up to 17K on the big wall and fixed lines.
The photo back down at The Edge in 14 camp is spectacular. Happy that you and your team that have amazing weather. Saturday looks like it might dump metres of snow again, but then you’ll be back in the clear. Best of luck!!! Stay safe.
Stephen
Posted by: Stephen Wright on 6/28/2017 at 11:03 am
What kind of pose did you strike Gloria!
Posted by: Michelle Weekly on 6/28/2017 at 1:11 am
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Have fun!
Posted by: Maury & Evie on 8/15/2014 at 5:02 am
RMI Guide Casey Grom calls in from Chukung.
On The Map
So happy everyone is doing well. I’m sending my love and warmth your way!
xoxo
Posted by: Sydney on 4/3/2014 at 1:56 pm
GO DAD!! Just saw the pic of you and Lee at the base of the icefall- maybe that’s been a few days ago? Maybe you’re at the base of Island? Jealous, but so happy for you. Fond memories of a DECADE ago on Pisco- proud of you.
Left foot, right foot, breath, breath….repeat!
Love from Chicago,
chris
Posted by: Chris on 4/3/2014 at 10:34 am
What an accomplishment, Tim! We’re all really happy for you. Have shown Mom and Dad everything and they’re really proud and excited for you. Can’t wait to see all your photos!
Love, Margaret Ann
Posted by: Margaret Ann on 8/27/2013 at 11:46 am
Way to go!!! Now you get to say, “been there done that”!! haha. Love your smiling faces at the summit.
Posted by: Lorraine Bocci on 8/27/2013 at 10:30 am
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