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Monday, January 13, 2025
Jambo everyone,
We started the day waking at 6:30 to start packing up before moving into our dinning tent for a nice breakfast with porridge, fried eggs, toast, avocado and even some fresh fruit, and most importantly plenty of hot coffee. So clearly we are really roughing it here.
Today had a really nice day here on Kilimanjaro, waking to clear skies and a beautiful view of the mountain looming in the distance. We fortunately had a light cloudy layer which helped keep us cool while on the trail, which was nice as the sun can be quite intense here near the equator.
We hit the trail shortly before 8am and slowly made our way up the rocky trail with occasional views of Kili above. The trail climbs up a blunted ridge and eventually out of the trees and allowed for some truly spectacular views of the valley below. The team hiked for a little more than 4 hours before reaching out next camp that sits on the Shira plateau, which is the remnant of an ancient lava flow.
Everyone is doing very well and we are currently relaxing in camp.
RMI Guide Casey and crew
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari January 9, 2025
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Monday, August 5, 2024 - 7:47 PM PT
After a slippery walk down from Mweka Camp we made it to the Mweka Gate in good shape. Legs were feeling the 13,000' descent of the past two days but smiles were broad as we knew we had done it.
A celebratory lunch and fun farewell festivities with our mountain crew closed out this wonderful climb. Riding back to the hotel thought of a shower was not the only thing on the team's mind as I know I wasn't the only one thinking back on our time on the mountain.
After we exhausted the hotel of all its hot water washing off layers of dust from our bodies, we enjoyed a dinner celebration to recognize our huge accomplishment. Yes, we climbed a big mountain but more, we had an incredible experience where we made new friends, shared time with folks from a very different culture and maybe even learned a little something about ourselves too.
Then we headed to the soft, cushy bed our tired bodies craved after a week of sleeping on a 1" pad. What luxury!
And now... another beginning: the safari!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Mitch Valaitis, Robert Whyte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz July 5 - 10 led by RMI Guides Dustin Wittmier, Lacie Smith, Mitch Valaitis and Robert Whyte reached the summit of Mt. Rainier just before 8 am today. Dustin reported a beautiful day and warm temperatures. The team was going to spend a few minutes in the crater before starting their descent. They will return to their high camp for one more night on the mountain and some additional training. Tomorrow they will retrace their steps to Paradise and conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp in the afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Kautz team!
Posted by: Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 13,800'
Giddy up! We woke to a chill in the air and ice where there was once a puddle of water. Today we turned off the Vacas Valley and headed up the Relinchos Valley. Several ribbons of water separated us from where we wanted to go. Instead of rolling our pants up and confronting the painfully cold water, we opted to hop onto mules and ride them across. For a brief moment we all got to pretend we were an Argentinean cowboy. Back on two feet, we spent the day making our way to basecamp. The views were jaw dropping and Aconcagua stayed in our view the entire day. Her summit calls but not just yet can we go. First we must rest from a day well done. Tomorrow we will soak in basecamp and also start preparing our loads for our carry to Camp 1 the following day.
Nighty night,
RMI Guide Hannah Smith and team
On The Map
So cool you got to ride mules! Good job, great to follow your progress !
Posted by: All Creatures on 1/11/2020 at 2:07 pm
Amazing job everyone! We are enjoying the updates and hearing a bit of what you’re doing each day. We will continue to pray for safe trails.
We love you Pops!
Love, Noel, Xander, and Nora
Posted by: Noel Imfeld on 1/10/2020 at 10:56 pm
Posted by: Mike Walter
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Posted by: Brent Okita, Pete Van Deventer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
Nice work Hamilton & Alex!! Cant wait to hear about it, and see some pics!
Posted by: Russ on 6/23/2019 at 10:21 am
Congratulations mark great job!
Posted by: Rob Evans on 6/23/2019 at 9:22 am
Posted by: Tyler Jones, Bryan Mazaika, Nick Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,200'
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I should read my voice recognition typo’s before I send. That first line was supposed to have read:
YOU ARE ALL SO AMAZING!!!
Posted by: Liuise (again) on 6/15/2018 at 7:29 pm
You are also amazing!!
It seemed that everything was going so smoothly at first but it is these days of enduring this storm that will probably the story that gets told a lot. Too bad you can’t package the cold and bring it back with you to Las Vegas, huh Marc! We’re cheering you on from down here in the Rockies!
Posted by: Louise on 6/15/2018 at 7:26 pm
Posted by: Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 18,000'
I can feel the excitement building even in Watertown, WI
Posted by: Geri Kuehn on 1/27/2018 at 6:46 am
Posted by: Mark Tucker, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua
Elevation: 19,600'
Sounds like this is a great climb. Weather has cooperated for the most part. Stay strong!!! Onward and upward. I’m so proud of each and every one of you.
Posted by: Geri Kuehn on 1/25/2018 at 9:12 pm
Nice!
(Although I am totally jealous. Lol.)
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 7/9/2024 at 12:06 pm
Awesome job, team!!
Posted by: Scott on 7/9/2024 at 9:08 am
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