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The whole group is here and today we put skis on our feet for the first time. We found some nice corn on the lower flanks of Lonquimay that made for smooth turns. Now we're settled into our casa at the Suizandina Lodge here in Malalcahuello, next to a warm fire. The crackling of logs is interrupted by sizzling water droplets, vaporizing as they fall from our damp skins onto the hot stove. Life is good! RMI Guide Tyler Reid & Chile Ski Team

A few days back we were on the summit of one of the world's biggest volcanoes... Today we spent our time happily plumbing the depths of a collapsed volcano. Ngorongoro Crater is a caldera teeming with the classic wildlife of Eastern Africa. We went to the crater rim this morning in thick cloud, unable to see more that a hundred feet, but we had hopes that situation would change. While still on the rim, we visited a Massai Village and were introduced to the customs and traditions of the dominant tribe in this area. We then piled back into our Land Cruisers and began the 600 meter descent into the crater as the weather rapidly improved. Within 20 minutes, we were seeing lions, jackals, Cape buffalo, zebras, hippos and ostriches... To say nothing of gazelles, wildebeest, and hyenas. The constant water supply within the crater keeps the herds from migrating, the presence of the herds makes the predators happy, the addition of roads lets us see it all. We even saw a couple of the resident (and rare) black rhinos, but they were at a distance and sleeping hard. Lunch was on the shores of a lush hippo hangout and then we circled the caldera (about 15 miles across) one final time. With each sighting of a new species, the driver/guides would cut the engines and let us snap pictures as they described what we were seeing. Finally, we spiraled up and out of the crater as the sun was getting low in the sky. By this point we had the big view that had been denied in the misty morning. Clement and Joseph had us back to the Kirurumu lodge by six thirty PM where we washed off the road dirt and put on clean shirts for some fine dining. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team

After going to bed last night to the sound of heavy rain and hail, we were unsure what we would find this morning. Waking up to blue skies and warm weather was a pleasant surprise. Once the team had finished breakfast, we set about the arduous process of sorting through gear to carry uphill. Up until now mules have carried our gear, so weight was not a concern. Folding chairs, speaker boxes, cotton clothes, hardback books...anything was fair game. Now that we are carrying the gear on our backs, loads needed to be cut to a minimum and luxury items were left behind. With the packs trimmed to a reasonable size we made the two-hour climb up to our camp at 16,200'. Currently the team is resting and looking forward to moving up again tomorrow. RMI Guide Eric Frank and the Alpamayo team

Greetings from Ecuador! Our team all arrived in Quito, Ecuador yesterday, and we met for our first official team meal this morning. After introductions and reviewing trip logistics, we departed the hotel and spent the day on a city tour of Old Town Quito. We visited the Basilica, the presidential palace, and various other historically significant locales while learning about the foundation and history of Quito and Ecuador from our very knowledgeable local guide, Jorge. After lunch we headed north to the Equator, and visited an ethnographic museum where we were able to straddle the Equator, as well as learn about various native cultures of Ecuador. A fun day of sight seeing was just what we needed, as we get used to the altitude of Quito (9,000') and recover from a long day of travel yesterday. Tomorrow we will venture out on our first acclimatization hike up the Volcano Rucu Pichincha. We'll keep you posted with updates along the way. Hasta luego! RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

May 21, 2014 - 10:15 pm We rested today at the 14,000' Camp, with plans in place to move up to high camp tomorrow and go for the top on Friday. We'll see how that shakes out, as the latest weather forecast is calling for extreme winds up high for the next few days. This is a drastic change in the forecast from yesterday, which called for 10-15 mph summit winds for the next few days. If any body out there can pull any strings with the weather gods, now would be a good time. We'll continue to keep you up to date with our progress. Cheers, RMI Guide Mike Walter

On The Map

We had a productive day today on the slopes of Denali. We moved camp to 9,500 ft and made one of the mental transition to life on the mountain. By that I mean that we started talking about food cravings. Today it was differrent types of potato chip. We are all tired from our 6 hours on the trail but we are all healthy and happy. RMI Guide Walter Hailes

Friday, June 6, 2025 - 10:37 PM PT

We could hear it before we could see it, the dreaded wind. It woke us this morning, before we saw it moving snow all across the mountain. We drank some coffee, and watched to see if the winds would die down - but they stayed elevated. Drifting snow all around camp. By 10:00 am it became obvious it was going to be a weather day here at 11 Camp for our team. We had another egg and hashbrown scramble and then spent a few hours out of the wind in our tents. By the mid-afternoon, we layered up and reviewed some of the skills that will make the next day of climbing go smoothly - from running belays, to cramponing techniques, it was nice to get a refresher. After sharpening our skills we rolled into another dinner of mac and cheese and loaded our packs with the group loads for tomorrow. Though there's a little snow in the forecast, winds look more favorable for carrying.

RMI Guide Nikki Champion and Team

Saturday, September 14, 2024 - 4:46 am PT

Hello again everyone 

The team had a good nights rest last night and today was just a short three hour hike up to 15,000' to ou high camp. It has been full sun with amazing views most of this trip, and the equatorial sun at this elevation is quite intense, but thankfully there was a gentle breeze to keep temperatures enjoyable for hiking. 

The team has just wrapped up lunch and discussed in great detail the plan for tomorrow’s climb. Everyone knows what we’ll be wearing, what will be in the pack, as well as the schedule. 

Our game plan will be to wake at 10:30pm and have a quick breakfast at 11 pm, then hopefully hit the trail right before midnight, to hopefully avoid some of the traffic as it looks a bit busy here at camp. The team has been doing great thus far and I’m expecting us to reach the summit in 7 to 8 hours if things go according to plan. 

As per usual on a Casey climb, one lucky trivia winner will get a phone call from the summit of Kilimanjaro. 

So everyone back home please keep your phones handy and if you receive a call from a strange number please answer. We are 7+hrs ahead of the east coast time zone. 

If you receive a call it will be on Saturday late evening 

Wish us luck!

RMI Guide Casey Grom and the summit bound crew

Hello from Tanzania! The last two members of our team have arrived in good spirits and with all their luggage. So, it's all systems go. A late dinner after a long flight was eagerly taken after their 24 hour flight from the States. Any residual stress from the day was completely eased out of the system by the exceptional South African wine Darren generously shared with Bill and me. The rest of the group got here at different times today, with the Craig, Patti, and Joe arriving on the 4:00 AM flight. Mary, Shavran, and Liz arrivied from a nearby hotel just after lunch, having wisely chosen to arrive earlier to adjust to the time zone and relax a bit before the climb. It was great to catch up with my friend Craig, along with Joe and Patti today at breakfast and lunch. The later group joined us at the lunch table when they arrived, allowing us to get to know each other better. I think we have an exceptional group of individuals that will become a fun team in the days to come. Once again I'm exited to be back in Tanzania. Stepping off the plane and breathing in the wonderful smells of this country bring back good memories. I'm constantly reminded that it's the people, as much as the mountain, that makes this such a special trip. Tomorrow morning we get busy as we get together to discuss our upcoming climb of Kilimanjaro, including checking and organizing our gear. Well, I should get some rest too. Good night for now. RMI Guide Brent Okita

As it turns out, it WAS a white Christmas. Still some clouds and a few flakes in the air this morning, but it was calm and quiet and obviously improving. We greeted one another with Merry Christmases and smiles and suggestions that “today could be the day.” As the sky began to go blue and the sun came out, everybody took to walking around outside... then skiing and biking and simply hanging out and conversing. It was such a pleasure to see the surrounding mountains again that folks were reluctant to go inside. The decision was still to be made concerning the Ilyushin, but there was plenty to do as we waited. There were outings in the camp vehicles to surrounding hillsides, there was exercise to be had on the snow roads within camp and as the afternoon went on, there were skydivers to watch. A group revved up one of the Twin Otters, climbed 10,000 feet overhead, and jumped out. Twice, with each skydiver landing perfectly in control and on target. At our excellent Christmas Dinner, the word came that the flight was on. The Ilyushin left Punta Arenas at 8 PM and is expected in at half past midnight. We’ll be in South America by morning. My team is excited, naturally. And relieved. And ready to get back to see loved ones and friends. But there is also a little sadness at leaving our Antarctic home and friends. Not exactly what we’d have chosen, but this will definitely be a Christmas to remember. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn