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Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Today we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is roughly 100 square miles and is known for its abundance of animals that call the crater home.
We hit the road early with hopes of catching a few of the big cats before the heat of the day.
We managed to see several lions, including two young males up close. We also saw seven Black Rhino, which have become very rare due to poaching.
We wrapped up the day with a visit to a Maasai village not far from the craters rim. The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic tribe that exist almost entirely off of their cattle. The team spent time asking questions and enjoyed being shown around their small and simple village.
We have just finished another wonderful meal here at the Plantation Lodge
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Last night our team endured the first full night at what many would consider a serious altitude. 15,200 feet to some serious mountain people would be cause for a scoff and teenage eye roll but for us, it means lots of huffing and puffing on top of waking up with a hangover that is not alcohol induced. We look forward to that headache later but for now we are holding fast to acclimating and training.
So after shaking out the webs we ate a good breakfast, suited up and made the 1.5-hour hike to the toe of the glacier. The wind blew hard all night and did not let up during the day. This made reviewing skills a bit challenging but true-to-form everyone did great.
After returnimg to the hut we enjoyed a great lunch, some life giving cola cola and a nice power nap.
Now we are packing for the summit climb hoping the wind will die down just a bit. Right now it is blowing a steady 25 miles per hour making the thought of 19,000 feet a little cold.
So wish us luck as we climb through the night tonight. We will let you know tomorrow how it goes.
RMI Guide Adam Knoff
On The Map
I echo Jean and Rich. Guides were A+—they knew when to encourage and challenge. A great experience—thank you.
Posted by: Ken Keatly on 10/16/2013 at 5:57 pm
I want to personally Thank the BEST Guides ever ! Billy, Robbie and Chase are very professional and have great personalities. We learned a lot on our Expedition Skills Seminar and now have new skills. Thanks again, Jean and Rich
Posted by: Rich Krohn on 8/27/2013 at 7:09 am
The biggest day of the trip was enormous. We were up at 11 last night and walking uphill from our 15,200 ft camp just after midnight. Conditions were perfect. It was cold but dead calm. And we had most of the moon shining, so headlights were helpful but not essential. We targeted an ascent lasting about seven hours but as it turned out we were a little faster than that -unintentionally. We stopped for rest a few times, naturally, but the cold and the traffic on the route (all teams were basically on the same schedule) meant our breaks needed to be darn quick. The team was up to the task. Our guides threaded us through the “crowds” and helped us in a million ways, singing to entertain us as we trudged up endless, steep paths through the rock and scree. It was still dark when we hit the crater rim at Stella Point but a cold wind with a wisp of cloud made us skip the normal rest break there. We just marched along the rim -the roof of Africa- as the light and colors came up in a magical display. The entire team hit Uhuru -the summit- at 6:50 AM. 19,341 ft never felt so good. We loved it… and we loved that the sun was starting to warm things up. Our descent to high camp was completed at 10 AM and we tried to wrap our heads around the idea that we still had to climb all the way down to 10,000 ft to finish the day. Tosha and Michael, our world class chefs made it all possible by serving us pizza for brunch and fortifying us for the four hour journey. Clouds had come in to Barafu Camp and at noon, we were eager to get walking as it had gotten quite cold. We ducked out of those clouds in the first hour and by the time we reached Mweka Camp it was sunshine and blue sky again. We’re breathing thick air again and relaxing… and still a little amazed that we reached the highest point in Africa this morning.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
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Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari August 5, 2025
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Absolutely amazing Safari photos. Have a safe trip home everybody! May God be with you!
Posted by: Tami Reitinger on 7/25/2019 at 8:31 pm
Safe travels to all on your expedition. I look forward to joining the roof of Africa club with you hopefully next season.
Posted by: Jory on 7/25/2019 at 3:52 pm
On The Map
So happy to hear everything is going well. Baby Patrick and I love you and miss you guys so much!
Posted by: Chelsea Miller on 7/17/2014 at 7:01 am
What a ride and scenery you must have had. How does the container feel to sleep in rather than tents? Take care Love Mom and Granny
Posted by: Cornelia on 7/16/2014 at 4:15 pm
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On The Map
Dawn-Hope the weather “smiles” for the rest of your climb!!
I’m living vicariously…
Posted by: Dana Marie Buchanan on 6/8/2014 at 8:31 pm
Sending George and Everyone lots of positive thoughts .... xxx Rosemary and Larry
Posted by: Rosemary and Larry on 6/8/2014 at 10:53 am
So excited for you all. Mike G. Is a friend from our church. Hoping and praying that you will continue to the top & be able to tell friends and family all about this wonderful climb.
Posted by: Janet Robb on 1/13/2020 at 1:07 pm
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