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Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
Seth Waterfall checks in from the Jose Ribas Hut on Cotopaxi
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Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Good job guys you are doing great I would never be able to climb this moutain like you guys are and you are really brave to sleep out there in the camp with noises and animals! I hope so far you had a good time climbing the moutain I miss you daddy. Keep up the good work and be brave not scard. P.S i read the blog everyday. Enjoy your climbing. I will let you go.
Love, Alexa
Posted by: Alexa McClane on 7/7/2011 at 7:03 am
Looking forward to the details of the adventure. Be safe and enjoy every minute.
The Adair Avenue Hiking Club
Posted by: Keith Ellenberg on 7/6/2011 at 4:14 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Jambo again everyone!
Today was our first day of safari and we headed west to visit the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is known for its many migratory animals and home to more than 300 different birds.
Everyone enjoyed our first day cruising around in our safari vehicles with cold beverages in hand while seeing the animals up close, and I do mean close! I have to report that we got “crop dusted”
by one of the big elephants from about 8 ft away. That wasn’t on our bucket list.
We also manage to see a lots of baboons, a few impalas, warthogs, lots of birds, but unfortunately no big cats.
All in all it was a really nice introduction to the incredible diversity of wildlife that Africa has and the team is looking forward to seeing more tomorrow.
We wrapped up the evening with a few cocktails and a wonderful meal at our new lodge https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.plantation-lodge.com%2F&data=05%7C02%7Clacey%40rmiguides.com%7C844ba615f8c544a7d1b608ddf2254931%7C5ec23eb0d7634906bc868c9089e10b92%7C0%7C0%7C638932964140148354%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=vgySL3HZ4UsZ%2F0BB%2FaJDvr%2FjhmwB9Q88d6hRRTG113o%3D&reserved=0 see for yourself!
Casey and the Safari crew
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari September 2, 2025
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Our final day on the mountain!
Today the team got up at 6:30 mostly refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took just around 3 hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch and said our final goodbyes to our amazing Tanzanian crew of 51 that took such great care of us on the mountain.
We finished with a little celebration singing from our crew and by handing out their well deserved tips, then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge.
Finally we are all safe and sound, cleaner, and smelling fresh after an exciting 7 day journey up and down Kilimanjaro.
Stayed tuned, Safari starts tomorrow!
Casey and Crew
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari September 2, 2025
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello everyone
We spent yesterday and this morning touring Tarangire National Park which is home to many elephants, in fact, it has more per square kilometer than any place on earth and it didn’t disappoint. There were plenty of other animals as usual, and we got pretty close to a few lions, which was amazing. We also managed to see a leopard and a Pearl Spotted Owlet, which were some of the highlights.
We ended our day at a remote and off grid camp within the National Park and surrounded by wildlife. The camp has screened in rooms that allow the night sounds of Africa in.
It's been a memorable experience for everyone and great friendships forged. But finally it's time to return home to our families.
Thanks for following
Casey and the Safari crew!
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
The team has arrived at High Camp on Chimborazo, 17,300. It has been a roller coaster of emotion watching the weather. One minute it looks perfect and the next it is cloudy and windy. So we are just doing everything we can to be ready for a summit push tonight. Dinner will be ready at 5:30 pm, with a little charcuterie spread preceding. We be sleeping in tents on a gritty, windy mountain but we are not barvarians! We will eat the finiest dried meats, cheese and olives the Mega Maxi grocery store has to offer.
We will be up climbing under the stars (hopefully) on the switchback deprived trail tonight. It literally goes straight up.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Dustin Wittmier
Hoping all has gone well. Enjoying your descriptive blogs.
Posted by: Jane on 1/19/2020 at 6:06 am
Mac and cheese with bacon?? Set another place, I’ll stop by.
I hope the good weather holds up for you guys.
-Larry Seaton
Posted by: Larry Seaton on 6/25/2013 at 8:45 am
Tommy, it’s awesome to hear you had a great day of rest! I hope you were able to find some special quiet time to journal and reflect in the amazing beauty that surrounds you. I was so happy to be able to see Brandon last night for prom. He was so handsome, just like his dad. It brought back special memories! I will be praying for the tough day ahead. I know how strong you are, though, and that gives me strength. I love you!
Rhonda
Posted by: Rhonda Kitchen on 6/25/2013 at 7:21 am
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