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Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Hello everyone,
We spent our final day yesterday touring Tarangire National Park, which is home to more elephants 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 which was amazing. There were also plenty of the other large African mammals, including a bunch of Giraffes and even a leopard napping in a tree.
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 and smells of Africa in.
It's been a memorable experience for everyone with great friendships forged. But finally it's time to return home to our families and loved ones.
Thanks for following!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew!
Hello again everyone!
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.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and Crew!
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
Posted by: Walter Hailes, JM Gorum
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,000'
Sending big love; so proud of you guys; we’re cheering you on!
Posted by: Taina on 6/7/2018 at 3:01 pm
Better to be in your tent, wishing you were on the mountain, than on the mountain, wishing you were in your in your tent. Slow and steady. Well done!
Posted by: Tom Power on 6/7/2018 at 8:54 am
Hello friends, family and all other followers! The team is currently at Refugio Ruales Oleas Bergé, situated at 15,100’ on the SW flank of Volcán Cayambe. We arrived yesterday afternoon in good spirits after pushing through a few downpours on the 4x4 truck ride to the hut. A late dinner was accompanied by tales of past climbs and some impromptu mountain trivia. Other teams in the hut were prepping for a summit bid, we headed to bed early and wished them good luck.
This morning we woke up to some fresh snow and in and out of a cloud. No big deal, our primary goal was to get to the toe of the glacier and do some skills training. Our review of climbing skills was a success, the guides looked at each other in astonishment as literally every team member performed a textbook team arrest position on the first try!
Weather-wise it has been a pretty good day, giving us high hopes for tonight’s climb. The team is fit and seems to be acclimating well, tonight will be the true test!
RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Dustin Wittmier
On The Map
Hello everyone…
I’m as impressed as your guides are. You’re an awesome team!!! Believe in your ability. You got this!
You can take a man/woman and measure them, examine them, analyze them and dissect their statistics but you cannot look into their heart. That’s where the thirst is—-the hunger. That’s where desire turns to fire.
By M. L. Carr
LUMTA 1TF
Posted by: Geri Kuehn on 1/28/2020 at 9:29 am
Wishing all a successful summit and a safe trip. Thx for the great blogs!!! Mom
Posted by: Jane on 1/27/2020 at 6:40 am
Despite going to bed socked in at 14,000ft, we woke to clear skies and put on our boots in the early, cold and dark hours just after midnight. Fortunately for us, the freeze line was low the night prior, so we walked into snow just out of Piedra Grande up into the the rocky maze known as the Labyrinth portion of the route. This made the approach to the glacier much easier than the usual condition or ball-bearing like rocks. At the toe of the glacier we were greeted with howling winds out of the west. Based off of the plums of snow rocketing off the upper mountain, any snow that had fallen the day before was surely sublimating in the atmosphere. Nonetheless we pushed upward, armed with our crampons, ice axes, and goggles.
After a few more hours of getting blasted by the veracious winds, the team dug deep and hit the summit crater just before 8:00 am.
The team made light work of the descent and got back to high camp in good style. We quickly loaded camp into the 4X4s and hit the dusty road back to Tlachichuca where we were greeted by the friendly staff at the Reyes’ climbers hostel. We enjoyed our final delicious Mexican dinner together and toasted to stories and laughs over well deserved beverages. Tomorrow we will head back to Mexico City, homebound with new friends and memories to share!
On The Map
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 10,550'
Windy windy windy. We left Pampa de Lenas amd continued our journey up valley. What started as a light breeze grew stronger and stronger throughout the day. The wind whipped down valley creating dust clouds. Our mouths became gritty. Our skin felt rough. Our bare skin got sand blasted. It felt like tiny stings on our shins. It was as if mother nature was trying to push us away. But we put our heads down and leaned into it. Right before camp we were rewarded with our first views of Aconcagua and her neighboring peak Amigino. They look so big from where we stand. Towering 12,000 feet above us sits the summit. Fingers crossed, all the stars align and we will be standing up there in just shy of two weeks. But before that we are going to focus on our next goal, arriving at basecamp.
Talk to you all tomorrow from Plaza de Argentina,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
sounds wonderful ! Brave and strong describes you all! A special hello to Tim!!
Posted by: Connie Riddle on 1/10/2020 at 5:11 pm
Happy Base Camp Everyone!
Sue! Bad intel.. sorry..you know..
Hannah.. dinner at Brickhouse 737 when you get to Colorado..
Avery..well… I still love my Baker Buddy..
Everyone else? Kick butt!
Posted by: Rhonda McCormick on 1/10/2020 at 4:13 pm
On The Map
Very excited for you to get into Base Camp. Casey Grom, leave some chocolate cake for the rest of the team, and watch out for the probiotics!
All my love and warmth.
Posted by: Sydney on 3/30/2015 at 8:22 am
All so us following from home are so excited for the team to reach base camp! Those of us at sea level are living vicariously through you all so absorb everything so you can tell us about it. Be safe. Special thoughts to my sweetheart Tom.
Donna
Posted by: Donna Mann Belt on 3/29/2015 at 6:19 pm
Posted by: Casey Grom, Geoff Schellens
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
AWESOME! So proud Patrick, John and Joseph!
Posted by: Darlene Halloran on 9/22/2014 at 12:46 pm
Great photos and I enjoyed the daily stories. I’m looking forward to hearing about this epic adventure from Suzanne Rust when I see her again next summer in Talkeetna, AK. I’ve been considering doing this trek as well so it will be nice to get a first hand impression from someone who has done it with RMI.
Posted by: Gregory Beckstrom on 9/29/2023 at 8:06 pm
What a lovely way to end your adventure. I was hoping to see some gin and tonics around the fire. Last night I was standing outside in Colorado, looking at the full moon and wondering if you were seeing the same thing in Tanzania. Looking forward to seeing you soon, Natasha!
Posted by: CHERYL BUHLER on 9/29/2023 at 11:08 am
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