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Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Saturday, January 18, 2025 - 6:23 am PT
We’re back!
Yesterday’s climb was tough. Possibly the hardest climb of Kilimanjaro I’ve had out of 34 trips. It was very windy and cold all night as we tried to rest at high camp and unfortunately it continued howling for the majority of the climb. It took us about eight hours to successfully stand on the “Roof of Africa” and this team fought courageously the entire time.
After a few photos, phone calls, and just catching our breath, the team descended back down to our high camp where we greeted by our staff with songs and a little dance. It brought smiles and a much needed boost after all the hard work. We then descend for a few more hours to reach our last camp on the mountain. Amazing how 10,000' can feel so comfortable after such a big day.
Our final day on the mountain!
Today the team got up at 6 am mostly refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took about 3 hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch and said our final goodbyes to our amazing crew of 35 that took such great care of us on the mountain. We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and 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 seven day journey up and down Kilimanjaro that has no doubt bonded us from the experience.
I also asked the team for one word that best described their experience on this adventure.
And he’s what we all came up with.
Strength
Pride
Gratitude
Teamwork
Defining
Fortitude
Stayed tuned, Safari starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari January 9, 2025
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli, Seth Burns, Nicole De Petris
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 9,500'
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We awoke to another beautiful day, although day has lost all meaning without night. The clouds had lifted and the mountain that yesterday’s correspondent described as a bride in her white gown, now looked even better without it. Carrying half our camp on our backs and in sleds, we climbed almost 3000 feet up the Kahiltna Glacier. All around hanging glaciers were spread like coats of icing, melting over the ridges. Long after our altimeters told us we were at the cache, Dom lead our caravan up a cliff, our sleds nearly swinging in the void beneath us. He claimed he had taken us further than advertised because we were such a “Strong Team.” Such praise from an RMI Guide is an almost certain indication of a Full Team Summit.
Our round trip was a little over 7 miles. Yes, you heard right, round trip. We’re now back in our camp at the bottom of Ski Hill to make the same climb tomorrow with the other half of our camp. Sisyphus didn’t complain so neither will we. Unlike other beasts of burden, we know that the journey is the destination, and we appreciate each step. So, we accept every challenge because that’s who we are. To paraphrase David Lee Roth: We’re not like this because we’re climbing Denali. We’re climbing Denali because we’re like this.
RMI Climber Kris Reitz
New Post Alerts:
Denali Expedition June 9, 2024
The Expedition Skill Seminar - Emmons May 26 - 31, led by RMI Guide Seth Burns, Mike Bennett, Will Ambler and Thomas Skoog reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today via the Emmons Glacier route. The team hit the crater rim around 11: 30 am today and due to high winds and big gusts started their descent shortly after. They returned to Camp Schurman around 2:30 pm and will spend a final night at camp. They will start their descent tomorrow morning, getting back to the trail in the afternoon. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp tomorrow afternoon.
Congratulations team!
PC: Tom Skoog and Seth Burns
Strong work team. Props to Mike & the crew. Hope to see you out there in a month!
Posted by: Joe Mueller on 5/31/2024 at 8:45 am
Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello, Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 11,200'
On The Map
It sounds like an amazing experience. Please tell Allan Oliver and all the team that we’re following this. Huge adventure and bagels, cream cheese and salmon for breakfast! You all deserve a great climb and descent. We’re cheering for you.
Posted by: Stephanie and John Smith on 6/10/2019 at 3:15 pm
Great job everyone!! Keep kicking ass!! Hope you all are enjoying to the fullest
Posted by: Meagan Jones on 6/9/2019 at 12:14 pm
Posted by: Tyler Jones, Caleb Ladue, Blake Votilla
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
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On The Map
Welcome back, Bob. I hope you getting busy planning your next beautiful adventure on this wild planet. Cheers to you and the team!
Posted by: Emily Jenson on 6/14/2016 at 1:58 pm
Congratulations to all of you.. Very Cool and I am sure extremely GRATIFYING !!!
Posted by: Mary Anne Kyburz-Ladue on 6/13/2016 at 9:02 am
Posted by: Tyler Reid
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Chile Ski
The journey and people are usually the best part. And better to be back safely than not at all.
Posted by: Keith on 9/21/2015 at 2:22 pm
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos, JJ Justman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Posted by: JJ Justman, Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mexico
Elevation: 14,000'
JJ Justman and Team Calling in from High Camp on Orizaba
I’m not sure we entirely “Enjoyed some time on top”... but at least we made it.
Posted by: Christian Bruhn on 7/21/2014 at 7:29 am
Is this Bruhn/Garth/Andrews et al? If so, nice job! If not, congrats to whomever.
Posted by: Drew on 7/19/2014 at 9:33 am
Hope all went well today and wishing you a happy 3rd of July. We’ll set off some fireworks for you guys. Did anyone remember a flag to fly on the 4th? Keep up the good work.
Posted by: John and Lorraine on 7/2/2011 at 6:13 pm
...snow kitchen and camping stoves? It beats playing “Bocce on the beach” , but we’ll be thinking of you!
Posted by: laurie Colaneri on 7/2/2011 at 3:27 pm
What an adventure!
Posted by: Nick Reitz on 6/18/2024 at 4:58 am
So exciting to read the posts And a picture! The spectacular solitudes you travel through must be so inspiring and give a sense of humbling amazement. You’re all in our thoughts ( envious thoughts in there too!). Marv Goossen
Posted by: Marv Goossen on 6/15/2024 at 6:01 pm
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