Jambo
Our team arrived safely in Arusha, Tanzania on July 24th. We spent two nights at the beautiful Dik Dik Hotel resting and recovering from our long flights and adjusting to this new climate and time zone. After sorting our gear, repacking our bags are readying ourselves for the mountain, our trek of Kilimanjaro has finally begun. The Dik Dik hotel is fantastic but it is great to get started on the mountain. We enjoyed perfect climbing conditions today. We drove from the Dik Dik Hotel to the Machame Entrance of Kilimanjaro National Park. We donned our day packs and started out, enjoying the feel of our feet on the trail after so many hours of travel. From the entrance to our first camp, the Machame camp, we gained about 3,800'. We pulled into the Machame Camp (9,800') in good style. We are resting, eating popcorn in our nice dining tent and enjoying each others company.
Everybody feels great and did just fine today. We are looking forward to a good nights sleep and another good day on the trail tomorrow.
We will check in again soon.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
It's been a long day that started in the wee hours of the morning. The alarm sounded about 2 hours after I sent our last dispatch. 2:00 am was a harsh hour of the day to begin our final walk out the Kahiltna Glacier, but essential to safely navigate and cross the crevasses on our way to the airstrip.
At that time the day is about as dark as it gets, which is to say it's about as dark as 1/2 hour after dusk, perhaps. Combined with cloudy, overcast weather, I wasn't entirely psyched for the walk out. But, as the morning developed things began looking brighter. We finally started off at 4:20 am and initially encountered great walking conditions. Unfortunately, as we lost elevation the snow became softer and softer, having not frozen hard overnight because of the cloud cover holding the earth's heat in. This resulted in a few minor crevasse 'falls' where some individuals broke through crevasse bridges up to their waste at most. Of course, by the time you hear their stories, these crevasse falls will have taken on epic proportions. (A night at the bar can have the same effect)
Well, we finally arrived at Base Camp with our weather outlook improving and hopes to be flown off in short order high in everyone's mind. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had something else in store for us, as it's now evening and raining out. Although comfy and snug in our tents, and happy we're not enduring a big storm up high, we of course would rather be back in Talkeetna, and a little closer to you.
Hope to see you soon!
RMI Guides Brent, Leon and Maile
Advanced Basecamp sits along a rocky moraine overlaying dense glacial ice.
The rock comes from Everest' immense and steep Southwest Face and a few million avalanches. Once at the base of the Face it is plowed into a neat ridge by the motion of the Khumbu Glacier. I suppose though, that the ridge is only neat in geological terms. Yesterday as we walked the 30 minutes from the tent at its lower end, to our tents near the moraine's upper end, we were treated to views of old sneakers, pots, pans, shredded tents and crushed stoves mixed in with the rock and ice. Fifty seven years worth of Advanced Basecamps in the same slow moving place have made this spot one of the worst on the mountain in terms of ecological damage. A number of those decades of mountaineering were before any ethics existed governing which items should and shouldn't be left in the hills.
Our camp was already up and running and deluxe by Camp I standards. There we were cooking in our tents - here we have Maila, the Camp II Chef, in a comfortable dome dining tent with chairs. We rested through much of yesterday afternoon when it was hot enough to fry eggs on the tents. When the sun ducked behind Nuptse, we each came out in our down suits to watch the light fade on Lhotse and Everest.
It would be normal, after a first night spent at this altitude to do some damage control. Somebody would, quite reasonably, have had a terrible night of headaches and insomnia and would be packing their gear at first light for a fast escape. Not so with our gang. In the cold 6 am shadows this morning, Seth, Kent and Erica emerged looking well rested and comfortable. Along with Ang Kaji, we ate a quick breakfast and then got out for a hike to the foot of the Lhotse Face. I wanted the team to wear their down suits - since that is what we'll wear on the next rotation when we actually tackle the Lhotse Face. We could see several dozen climbers on the new ropes on the Face - and way up high - between Camp III and the Yellow Band at 25,000 feet - we could see dots representing today's fixing team. One of those dots was our own Nga Tenji, pitching in to further the route. Nga Tenji made it all the way to the South Col, at 26,000 feet, staking out a site for our High Camp before heading back to ABC.
My small team climbed perhaps a 1,000 ft above ABC, to 22,000 ft and were treated to new views of Cho Oyu, the worlds 6th highest mountain, 20 miles distant. Nobody felt like doing cartwheels or jumping jacks at the new altitude - but such tricks weren't required. We were perfecting our one and only most important trick: walking higher when walking lower is easier. And we did fine with it. We didn't concern ourselves too much with the next big hurdle - we'll get on the Face next time, after a Basecamp rest.
For today the morning hike was enough. We spent the afternoon tinkering with the solar charging and radio systems at ABC, while drinking liter after liter of water -always trying to counteract the dehydrating effects of high dry air. Tomorrow it will be back to the comforts of Basecamp - provided we watch every single important and awkward step down through the Khumbu Icefall.
Right out of camp the team was faced with the only significant technical obstacle for this climb. This hurdle is the great Barranco Wall, which rises about 1000ft and looks as intimidating as it sounds. Thankfully there is a nice narrow trail that weaves its way up and through the wall and all the way to the top. Most of it feels more like steep hiking, but there are a few places that require the use of our hands to help us climb up.
The team did an amazing job of moving steadily and allowing a few porters to pass with their loads precariously balanced on their heads. It was incredibly busy, but the team cruised through easily. Everyone said it was the highlight thus far!
After reaching the top we took a nice break and enjoyed the intermittent views of the ice ladened south face and valleys below between the passing clouds. The team continued our hike for a few more hours up and down through a few valleys before reaching today’s endpoint.
All in all, it took only about 4 hours for us to reach our next camp called Karanga, named for the big and beautiful valley which it overlooks.
Elliot Merrill said you better pay your dues
Or your house you’ll lose, you’re a weird mountaineer
Mount Kilimanjaro is where your adventure will start
So climb it, just climb it
Get your gear, show no fear and summit
Don’t wanna hear excuses, cuz you’re a Florida mountaineer
Seeking tanzanite, not at a cruise site
So climb it, and reach the mountain’s peak
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it, uh)
The mountain’s expanse brings me no fear
I left the sandy shores of Florida to get here
Back at home, my wild little dog doesn’t even care
So Climb it, just climb it
My eyes on the peak, taking one step at a time
With the heat of Africa pulsing through my veins, I’m aflame
My air gets even thinner as I ascend
But I know I will contend
So Climb it, show how much fun it is
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it),
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it, climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
3x’s
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it), just climb it (climb it)
Posted by: Heather Reingold on 9/9/2023 at 9:18 am
I don’t know if the climbers can see these comments (hopefully they can at some point/someone is reading these to them) but wanted to let my mom (Rebecca) know I’m proud of her and wishing her well! I’m in good spirits for my MCAT tomorrow — going to give it my all and make it to the end of that test just like you’re going to make it to the top of that mountain. You’re forever my biggest role model. Love you!!
Monday, June 17, 2019 - 1:06 AM PT
After a rainy arrival in Talkeetna last night, we had a nice day to get our massive amount of gear ready to be flown on the glacier tomorrow. Our meeting with the Denali National Park rangers was great as always and we were rewarded with 20 CMC's (clean mountain cans) to make sure that all of our human waste gets removed from the mountain. Denali is a pristine mountain and the park service does an incredible job of making sure it stays that way.
We are scheduled to fly into base camp tomorrow morning. The group is hopeful that the weather allows us to fly at some point tomorrow so our adventure can begin and all of our climbers' hard work and anxious packing can start to pay off. Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Mike Haugen & Team Siete
Best wishes for good weather and a safe flight. I think I am as excited for the team as you are!
Posted by: Kristi (AKA Tym's Mom) on 6/18/2019 at 5:52 pm
Mike and team,
Hope you landed safely. CMC sounds so 21st century. Lol! But hey, happy Denali is being kept clean. Everest peoples are trying so hard to clean mountain up, but it’s years worth of refuse, and the deceased. So basically, y’all have to carry your own doggie bags, I mean CMCs.
One and all were singing the praises of Jo's Garden in Phak Ding this morning. After confusing days of travel and hustle and bustle and jet lag, it was wonderful to sleep deeply with the sound of whitewater from the nearby rushing river masking everything. As is typical, it was a clear and crisp morning with plenty of blue sky when we started walking at 8:30 AM. The first hour of our six-hour journey was spent either in forest or in the gardens that pass for farms along the river. Magnolia and rhododendron were in bloom, but then so were the apple trees. Before long we were looking up at the glaciers and impossibly steep ridges of Thamserku, perched several vertical miles in the sky. Within a few hours we'd reached the National Park entrance at Jorsalle. Then it was time for a relaxing lunch at the last of the teahouses before we crossed the river and got busy with the Namche Hill. We crossed the ultra-high cable bridges near the start of the hill and then plugged away in the heat for several thousand feet of vertical gain through the pine forests. At one point we heard the thunderous crashing of tons of ice cascading down the steep gullies on the opposite wall of the canyon. Finally, we eased into the magical village of Namche Bazaar. The town is built as a series of concentric half circles, facing the giant peak of Kwangde, across the valley. We strolled through the tight "streets" (there are no cars and probably never will be) until we reached our hotel for the next three nights, Camp De Base.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Lovin’ the blog! It’s the first thing I check every morning and maybe several times throught out the day…yes, I know there is only one update per day. I’m enjoying living vicariously through this incredible journey. Keep changing with every step Robbie and Erin!
Posted by: Tiff on 3/27/2015 at 5:48 am
One of my dreams is to see Everest in person. I came across your blog and was stoked to know that I could read as your team progresses towards the final goal. Safe travels to you and your team Dave. Looking forward to many more pics and blog entries. Best regards Sir!!!!
The sun refused to shine today. At least in the Union Glacier region of Antarctica. Not so bright over at Vinson either, according to reports. No flying today as a system of moisture is moving through -at least we hope it is moving through. For all of that, it wasn't a bad day here, just cloud, murk and light snow. There wasn't any of the wind which usually is the main ingredient for making a miserable day in these parts. We got out this morning to review avalanche procedures and then went for a walk and talk on the 10 kilometer track which is groomed and marked out with flags on the immense flat surface of the glacier. Afternoon was spent on reading, mingling, chocolate and chess.
As usual, we are ready to fly out to Vinson for our climb. First thing tomorrow morning would be just fine, but the forecast is still calling for mank.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
That posted westher news for Mount Vinson is encouraging. Praying it holds. Patience.
Posted by: Bob Sullivan Sr on 12/11/2014 at 11:02 pm
I watched the weather report for Mount Vinson and there is sunshine for the next days and no wind or storm!!!
I wish you all good luck and specially all the best for Hans!
Ute
It was cold in Mt. Kilimanjaro's Barranco Camp this morning, but very beautiful. We still couldn't see the world below, due to clouds, but we could sure see the steep Southern walls of Kibo Peak above. Giant icicles hung down from the glaciers and snowfields in the early morning shadows. Just as the sun hit our camp at about 8:15 AM, we set off into the cool shadows again. We didn't stay cold though, since our first task was to climb the steep lava ledges of the Barranco Wall. Our local guides, Eric and Charles, along with Eliapende and Vendelin, made sure that all felt confident in reaching up for the rough handholds and stepping from block to block to pass this imposing barrier.
It took over an hour, as expected, to get up 800 vertical feet of relief, but we did it, earning even better views of Kilimanjaro's central peak and glaciers hanging thousands of feet above. Then it was relatively easy walking to reach the Karanga Valley, but by the time we made that combination steep descent and ascent -in and out of the narrow valley, we were in cloud. We made it to Karanga Camp at 13,160 ft by 1:15 PM and began our now familiar and welcome pattern of resting, recuperating, eating and drinking through the afternoon.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Brother Brad & Brother Brian,
I know you guys are wearin’ out the mountain! Looks like a great trek. Enjoy the journey and take lots of pics. Can’t wait to hear about the climb.
Posted by: Steve on 8/1/2014 at 7:47 pm
Kevin! Hey babe! Got your vm today! Missed your call by 5 minutes as I was loading the car. :( you’re hiking a mountain and b is busy chasing h around the house and learning to walk better. That’s his mountain for now! :) h can’t even eat without b right there running him over! We love you and miss you! Keep going….. yall are getting close!
Checking in from Casa de Piedra, aka trekking camp 2 here in the Vacas Valley. Our crew had another great day moving well and enjoying near perfect weather. While the terrain was very similar to yesterday's hike the temperatures were considerably lower and there was a pleasant breeze all day that lessened the onslaught of the sun. Right before the Refugio we caught our first glimpses of the mountain without a cloud in the sky. The mountain looks a bit more dusty and dry than normal. The Polish Glacier also appears more broken up than normal. Still, we took a break to shoot some photos and let the size and grandeur soak in a little. After arriving in camp around 2:30 pm, we spent the afternoon lounging and some adventurous folks even went for a swim in the river. The river is running a fair bit deeper than normal so our team is going to ford it tomorrow on mules instead of on foot which will be a new experience for all of us.
All for now, will check in again tomorrow from basecamp...
RMI Guide Billy Nugent
I love reading your updates! Wishing you all a happy, healthy, safe and harmonious expedition. Thank you for these postings! Sending lots and lots of Love, BB
Posted by: Barbara Lynn Bloemsma on 1/8/2014 at 9:19 pm
Mountain river swimming? What could be better! I hope you brought your snorkel gear for such opportunities.
Thinking of you with pan flutes playing. Jealous of your sunshine and glad to hear about the breezy weather. -k
Hi this is Seth and the Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir. Today we climbed the Muir snowfield. We began at 9:45 a.m. from Paradise (elev. 5,420') and spent the day in the clouds with light snow flurries. It made for nice walking temperatures throughout the day and the sun actually came out to welcome us into Camp Muir (elev. 10,000).
Everyone is enjoying their dinner now and getting ready for our first night at Muir!
RMI Guide Seth Waterfall
Ode to Dylan Part 2 (To the tune of “Beat It”)
Elliot Merrill said you better pay your dues
Or your house you’ll lose, you’re a weird mountaineer
Mount Kilimanjaro is where your adventure will start
So climb it, just climb it
Get your gear, show no fear and summit
Don’t wanna hear excuses, cuz you’re a Florida mountaineer
Seeking tanzanite, not at a cruise site
So climb it, and reach the mountain’s peak
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it)
Just climb it (climb it, uh)
The mountain’s expanse brings me no fear
I left the sandy shores of Florida to get here
Back at home, my wild little dog doesn’t even care
So Climb it, just climb it
My eyes on the peak, taking one step at a time
With the heat of Africa pulsing through my veins, I’m aflame
My air gets even thinner as I ascend
But I know I will contend
So Climb it, show how much fun it is
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it),
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it, climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
Climb it (climb it, climb it)
3x’s
Just climb it (climb it), climb it (climb it)
We all want you to achieve it
Prove you’re no flunky and climb with your might
It doesn’t matter about the weather
Just climb it (climb it), just climb it (climb it)
Posted by: Heather Reingold on 9/9/2023 at 9:18 am
I don’t know if the climbers can see these comments (hopefully they can at some point/someone is reading these to them) but wanted to let my mom (Rebecca) know I’m proud of her and wishing her well! I’m in good spirits for my MCAT tomorrow — going to give it my all and make it to the end of that test just like you’re going to make it to the top of that mountain. You’re forever my biggest role model. Love you!!
Posted by: Sarah Torzone on 9/8/2023 at 3:56 pm
View All Comments