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Wednesday, August 23, 2023 - 10:00 am PT
Good weather and good walking brought us up to 12,500 ft today. When we woke at 6:15 the clouds had sunk way below our 10,000 ft camp to form a uniform surface. Above it was crystal clear and we could see Kibo, Kilimanjaro’s central peak, with its great cliffs and ice fields. We ate a full breakfast and got walking at 8 AM with our lead guide, Naiman, taking a turn out front. Immediately, the track was steeper than what we’d done yesterday. Like a giant staircase in the giant heather. After about 90 minutes we were on a ridge crest, still climbing, but now with big views all around us. We got off the ridge at nearly 12,000 ft and began traversing toward the North. The team didn’t slow down or hesitate when it came to putting hands on rock for some steeper sections. We saw our first Giant Senecios -cactus like trees which are only found on Kilimanjaro- before we turned a last corner onto the Shira Plateau. The final few minutes into camp were easy downhill walking. We made it in under five hours to this westernmost point of our journey. Tosha had a fine lunch for us in the dining tent and we spent the rest of the afternoon lounging and rehydrating. The sun setting in the clouds and peaks of Shira was beautiful as we moved toward dinner. But the stars when we came out were even more spectacular.
Best Regards,
Great job
Strong team
Way to go
Posted by: John Zabinski on 6/1/2018 at 7:19 pm
Wow!!! Great Job Team! From Anna, Shelby and Sammie!!!
Posted by: Anna Baldwin on 5/31/2018 at 6:09 pm
Congratulations Maahi! All the best for your hike to the summit. Head back safely. Missing you…..
Neil and Sush
Posted by: Susmita Jasti on 8/29/2016 at 7:01 pm
And congratulations on what you achieved ...
Posted by: Jeevan Yarlagadda on 8/29/2016 at 4:40 pm
On The Map
On The Map
Hey Stefan! I was just thinking….. that’s all. Did it make you smile??
Posted by: Martha on 1/8/2014 at 9:39 am
Stefan and group. Keep up the hard work you can do this:-) Hope you are having a great time. It is freezing here in Florida.
Posted by: Martha on 1/8/2014 at 4:18 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Rosie Hust, Jack Ritterson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar Team, led by RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier, reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today via the Emmons Glacier.
Over the past week, the team has been training on the upper slopes of Mt. Rainier, honing a variety of advanced alpine techniques. Today, they put those skills to the test and successfully climbed to the top of the mountain.
The team will spend one more night at Camp Schurman before descending and returning to Rainier Basecamp tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations to the entire team on a successful summit!
Great job team! Thanks again Dustin, Lacie, Rosie, and Jack.
Posted by: Paul Morgan on 7/5/2025 at 4:53 am
Friday, January 24, 2025 - 2:48 am
Hola!
We awoke early in the morning with the beautiful southern hemisphere stars shining above us. I attempted to point out constellations like the southern cross. Odds are I have lied to everyone because my memory for constellations is as bad as my Spanish. The day starts out with the team stylishly dressed in various water shoes for the crossing of the braided streams of the glacially cold Vacas river. This ice bath for our feet and calves is stronger than any cup of coffee. Everyone is now very much wide awake. Then we begin our slow but steady ascent up the Ralenchos valley. I will not bore you with all the fine details of the stunning geology, the panoramic views of Aconcagua and various sightings of adorable guanacos. All you need to know dear reader is that the trek was hard but we suffered well surrounded by incredible beauty.
Do you remember when you came home from college for the first time and your mom kept hugging you and then made all your favorite foods but like way too much? Our arrival at Plaza Argentina was just like that. We spent the rest of the afternoon waddling around camp getting settled in while taking many deep breaths as our bodies adjusted to our new altitude of nearly 14,000 feet. Finally after another incredible dinner provided by the always stellar Grajales staff, everyone was ready for sleep. It was a long day.
RMI Guide Jack Delaney and the Sassy Six (Anne, Bill, Chris, Elburz, Jess and Tom)
P.S. they don’t know I call them that
New Post Alerts:
Aconcagua Expedition January 18, 2025
Posted by: Mike King, Nick Scott, Gloria Roe
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Gloria, you are AWESOME!!! We are ALWAYS so proud of you (and team) whether you make it to the top or not. We can’t wait to see more pictures. Dana says it’s exciting to live his climbing dreams vicariously through you. :-) BIG HUGS!!!!!!
Posted by: Susan and Dana on 12/30/2018 at 5:18 pm
Posted by: Tyler Jones, JM Gorum, Bryan Mazaika
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
Thanks for the progress updates! I’m sure Matt is wondering how the kickball team is faring without him, and we want him to be fully focused on your dangerous mission, so if you could let me know we have won the past 2 games. We are ranked 7th in the league (of 11) heading in to playoffs next week.
Stay safe & have a great time!!
Posted by: Denise on 6/1/2017 at 11:27 am
Hi John and Team!
Impressed with your progress so far… and love seeing the posts… it looks very very cold! Be safe!
Southwire Groupies
Posted by: Southwire Groupies on 6/1/2017 at 6:43 am
This is just so cool! Looks like the weather has been great thus far! Praying the weather stays like this for your entire trip! #geauxcindee&amanda;
Posted by: Allie Frankie & Tillie on 8/26/2023 at 12:44 pm
Love the photos! Thank you Cindee for wearing a different color hat so I can find you easily in the photos! lol Very exciting to see the progression and hear what you are seeing and experiencing as you go!
Posted by: Kasey Oldham on 8/24/2023 at 6:03 pm
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