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Jambo from Kikoti Camp, Tarangire National Park did not disappoint us today! There were big herds of elephants all day long, as well as lions, bush bucks, impalas, gazelles, baboons, giraffe, and ostriches. While the park was very active with lots of animals and birds, our time to see a leopard was quickly running out. It was getting pretty late in the day and we almost conceded that it wasn't meant to be. Fortunately, we decided to take a small detour on the way to our camp, and just before we were going to turn around, we spotted a leopard in a nearby acacia tree. We had an unobstructed view of the leopard, no more than 30 feet away, and took so many pictures that we almost drained our camera batteries. The real find for the day however, came right before camp when we spotted a pack of wild African dogs. Seeing these dogs is very rare, as they were almost completely wiped out from human pressures in this area, but have been trying to make a small comeback. There were about 15 in total in the pack. Now we are sitting around the campfire and reminiscing about the animals we saw over the last few days. The stars are out and the sounds of the African night make this the perfect setting for our last night in Tanzania. Tomorrow we head back to Arusha, pick up our climbing gear and repack for our flights home. Twenty-four hours from now we will be on the plane to Amsterdam and then onto our connecting flights. It has been a great adventure and everyone will have lots of stories to tell about our climb and safari when they get back home. Thanks again to everyone for following along with our dispatches and for leaving all of your comments. Best regards, RMI Guide Jeff Martin

Expedition Skills Seminar – Emmons June 10 – June 12,  2025

We left Ashford early this morning, buzzing with anticipation and a healthy dose of nerves. By 9:00 AM, we had arrived at White River Campground, ready to begin our ascent. The trail greeted us with dry forest paths, but it wasn’t long before we were surrounded by high alpine meadows still blanketed in snow.

From there, we climbed up the Inter Glacier and made camp at 7,800 feet. It was our first real day of glacier travel, and it didn’t disappoint. We learned a lot—some of it the hard way—but two lessons stood out:

1. Never stretch, ever.
2. Just keep breathing.

Tomorrow, we’ll move up to Camp Schurman, spend the day training, and prepare for our summit push on the 12th.

Summit Day: June 12

At 10:40 AM, every single member of our team stood on the summit of Mount Rainier.
100% success.
6 hours and 45 minutes to the top.
One strong, determined team.

The climb was tough, but the views—and the feeling of standing on top—made every step worth it. We’re currently descending back to Camp Schurman, tired but proud.

Tomorrow, we’ll descend to the trailhead and wrap up this unforgettable journey. This climb tested us, taught us, and brought us closer together. We’ll carry these memories (and a few sore muscles) with us for a long time.

Until the next adventure,
 

Nick, Mac, and the Crew

A lovely day out.

After a night of less than stellar sleeping due to gusty winds and adjusting to the altitude we awoke to still skies and lovely sunshine. We ate a quick breakfast and we packed up all the gear we would carry up to cache at Camp 2 (Guanchos 3). The slow trudge uphill was a test and a new highest altitude reached for a majority of the team. Even though the air was thinner by the step we moved smoothly and efficiently. 

Once we arrived at Camp 2, we sorted our gear and lounged about for an hour stressing our bodies to ready them to stay at this new altitude of 18,000'. Tomorrow we will move to up to make this camp our home, but today we followed the tried and true acclimatization method of climbing high and sleeping low. After returning to Camp 1, everyone relaxed for the rest of afternoon and enjoyed the now thick seeming air. After a hearty dinner of loaded mac and cheese it was off to bed for what will hopefully be a more restful night of sleep.

RMI Guide Jack Delaney and the team

We are off the grid! Battling through holiday traffic as the bus was continually sprayed with celebratory foam and squirt guns, we made it beyond the hoards. Arriving at Antisana Base Camp was a welcome relief as we showed up to our private camp and pitched tents in the páramo. The mountain was out, and we caught glimpses of Cotopaxi as well. The team spent several hours learning how to rappel safely and added to our knowledge a couple more hitches.

Now we are settled into our tents, waiting for dinner. Tomorrow morning will include more training before we rest in the afternoon in preparation for our climb.

RMI Guide Dustin Wittmier & Team

A big thanks to everyone back home! All your wishes for good climbing weather were answered! We woke up at midnight after a deafening storm of rain and hail to perfectly clear skies and calm winds. The ascent took us just over eight hours and we spent over 45 minutes on the summit enjoying some of the warmest, calmest, conditions I've experienced at 18,600'! After taking photos and celebrating, we descended in just over three hours. We are all now safely back in town enjoying showers, cervesas, and awaiting a delicious dinner at the Reyes Compound. Tonight we are looking forward to a well deserved rest and then heading home tomorrow! Thanks for following along, RMI Guide Solveig Waterfall

Another restful rest day on Aconcagua! We had a leisurely morning breakfast in bed followed by a warm but windy day of lounging, reading, telling stories, and near constant eating. We also celebrated New Year's Eve with a toast of fancy glasses (plastic cups) and bubbly (orange Fanta). We all wish you at home a happy new year. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

Summit! The Mt. Rainier Summit Climb, led by RMI Guide Billy Nugent, reached the top with crystal-blue skies all around. The team began their descent at 8:20 a.m. from the crater rim. Congratulations!

RMI Guide Mike Walter checked in. After a successful summit of Sharkfin Tower yesterday afternoon the team headed over to Sahale Mountain and reached the summit at 10:46am PT this morning. At 2:02pm PT Mike Walter and Team reported that "All is well" and they are back in camp.

Another successful push up the hill brought us to our 14,000' Camp. The team performed wonderfully even with the big loads we were carrying. 14,000' Camp is a huge flat area that has a view up towards the summit looking one way and a view out towards Mt. Foraker and Mt. Hunter the other way. What an incredible place! The sun reflecting off of the snow that surrounds us causes it to be quite hot during the day. When the sun tucks behind the mountain around 9:00 PM, it gets COLD. Like Alaska cold! Go figure. Although our team is a bunch of animals, we are taking a rest day tomorrow. RMI Guide Mike Haugen

On The Map

A spectacular day! But this doesn't even do justice to what we saw in the crater. Besides the thousands of animals we saw all day, we were especially lucky to see three black rhinos, which are exceptionally rare. And better yet, we got up close to a pride of lions.  Like 30 or so feet away!  Wildebeast, zebras, ostriches and a bunch of other critters also a close up show. 

Following our safari we visited a Masai village which helped us understand better their culture and life. 

And tomorrow ... Tarangire!

All for now since I'm falling asleep. 

Cheers,

RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team