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Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
It is always tough to leave the Plantation Lodge. It is just too comfortable and the people are way too kind and friendly. But we tore ourselves away because of Tarangire National Park. It is a worthy motivating force… the chance to see incredible numbers and varieties of wildlife on a seemingly unlimited expanse of beautiful land. We got rolling out of Karatu at 8:30 AM but couldn’t resist a fine shopping opportunity for some Tanzanian keepsakes a short distance out of town. We still made it out to Tarangire by late morning and immediately began seeing animals and then more animals and more animals still. At first it was just the flavors we’d already become familiar with (zebra, wildebeest, impala, waterbuck, eagles, vultures, giraffes) but then we started seeing new things. Family after family of elephants, each with a wee one just a few months old. We saw a python up a tree. We saw lions chewing on a zebra. We saw hartebeest and elan and bushbucks and Dik Dik. We looked up every likely tree for leopards… but they are still hiding from us. Then we finished the day at Lokisale Lodge, deep within the park. The staff gave us a friendly welcome and lit a fire for us to enjoy sunset by. They warned us gently of the wild animals roaming through the grounds of the lodge and then showed us to our deluxe tent cabins. We are about to eat our final dinner together, way out in East Africa.
Best Regards
Posted by: Geoff Schellens, Win Whittaker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Safari time!
Today was the first day of safari for us and we headed west to visit Lake Manyara, which is known for its tree climbing lions, and vast species of birds. We didn't manage to see any of those famous lions, but we had a very close encounter with a few elephants. Nothing dangerous, but they passed close enough that we could have almost touched them.
It was a pretty hot day here in Africa, so I'm sure that keep many of the animals hiding in the shade. We did manage to see a few zebras, Cape buffalo, giraffe, hippos, baboons, impalas and so many birds I lost count. It was a pretty nice introduction to the incredible bio-diversity that Africa has, and everyone enjoyed the day riding around in our safari vehicles.
We finished the day spending a few hours relaxing and exploring the grounds of our amazing lodge.
That's all for now,
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari Crew
The Mt. Baker - Easton Glacier September 11 - 13, 222 led by RMI Guides Seth Burns, Tatum Whatford and Nicole De Petris reached the summit of Mt. Baker yesterday. The team reported smoky conditions but they were able to practice their glacier travel skills and make it to the summit. The team descended from Sandy Camp today and are back at the trial head.
Congratulations to the team!
Posted by: Casey Grom, Ben Ammon, Erika Birkeland, Trevor Katz, Evan Sather, Ellison Boord
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climbs August 7 - 10 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Ben Ammon reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. As of 7:30 am the teams were at 13,100' on their descent. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise.
The program will conclude this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers.
Thanks for a fantastic adventure! Guides Casey, Erika and Evan were great!
Posted by: Darrell Jesse on 8/11/2022 at 3:06 pm
Way to go Brian! We are so proud! Love, Mom and Dad
Posted by: Joan Schneider on 8/10/2022 at 8:55 am
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ecuador
Elevation: 19,348'
Good morning,
I am happy to report that on a beautiful morning the team made the summit of Cotopaxi. Sunny skies and light winds made for great climbing conditions. The local guides have departed and the team is headed back to Quito for an afternoon of relaxation and a celebration dinner. This trip has thrown some curveballs, but I'm proud of the team for sticking with it and being flexible along the way. Everyone, regardless of whether they went to the summit of Cayambe or Cotopaxi did a really fine job pushing themselves towards goals they have worked so hard for. Cheers to this team!
Thank you for following along with our blog and please continue following the final RMI Ecuador trip of the season which starts next week!
RMI Guides Dustin, Avery and Team!
Awesome!! Sunny Summit!!!
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 2/4/2022 at 3:45 am
Congrats all! Great to see that mountain summited
Posted by: Sam on 2/3/2022 at 12:50 pm
Posted by: Robby Young
Categories: Guide News
With the summer climbing season on Mt. Rainier in full swing, it has become a bit more difficult to sneak away and enjoy the classic alpine routes in the North Cascades. My climbing partner, Mike, recently came to town and I wanted him to experience the beauty of the North Cascade Alpine Rock. Given that it was Mike’s first time in the range, we instinctively set our sights on the classic pinnacle summit of Forbidden Peak.
The beautifully long and committing North Ridge fit the bill for a true alpine adventure. Unlike its prestigious West Ridge neighbor, the north ridge route involved a more indirect approach, which required climbing up and over the Sharkfin Col and across the remote and broken Boston Glacier. It gave the route a more remote alpine feel. Once on the ridge proper, the climbing soon became uninterrupted and classic as we made “quick” work of the never-ending knife ridge and vertical gendarmes. As anticipated, the summit of Forbidden did not disappoint, gifting us with views of some neighboring North Cascade summits like Eldorado, Torment, Boston, Sahale, and Buckner. Our descent down the West Ridge and back into Boston Basin ended as often long North Cascade routes do, in the dark; leaving us exhausted but eagerly anticipating future adventures in this beautiful range.
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RMI Guide Robby Young leads climbs in Washington's Cascades and the Alaska Range. Robby is an an accomplished ski mountaineer, ski patroller and photographer.
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Way to go Adrian and your team!!!
Posted by: Rick H. on 8/31/2012 at 10:36 pm
Brian if this is your team I hope you make it to the top of the mountain safely you are in my prayers.
Posted by: Wanda Manderson on 8/29/2012 at 7:08 pm
SAAYYY!! i love you so much and im so proud of you!! All of us have been following you on the blog and i am so happy you are experiencing this because it sounds truly amazing! STAY STRONG AND KNOW THAT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERDAY BABY.
Posted by: Margaret Walker on 5/1/2011 at 10:09 am
Sara, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your father! It is truly amazing and inspiring to me! Keep your spirits high and stay strong. When you are back Angela and i will have to hear all about this amazing adventure!!! xoxo Heather
Posted by: heather yager on 5/1/2011 at 5:24 am
Way to go Pete Lynn! Want to hear all about it. Tracked all the way up.
Posted by: Bill Adkins on 8/1/2014 at 6:43 pm
Hi Arthur and Owen with team Emmons. Have been following you all the way to the summit (well at least since 6.00am!). That was so awesome to watch. Congrats to the whole team and a special thanks to whoever packed the GPS tracker! Can’t wait to hear all about it. Love M & D
Posted by: Shirley Eigenbrot on 7/31/2014 at 6:05 pm
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