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100% on Top! Yesterday we had a beautiful long day climbing to the summit of Kilimanjaro. Today we started at 7:00 feeling good and refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then enjoyed some goodbye songs and dance from our amazing African crew of porters, cooks, and local guides numbering 51. We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hit the trail one last time. It took a little over three hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch 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. RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kilimanjaro crew

July 1, 2017 10:53 pm PST As expected, we took a final rest/acclimatization day at 17,000 ft. The weather was very much in the same pattern we've been experiencing, some cloud, some sun, some breeze... All in all not bad for a "storm". We had surprisingly good views down the 47 mile length of the Kahiltna Glacier and all the way down the Alaska Range to the Tordrillos. We did the usual things to prepare for a big day... eat, sleep, drink and strategize. Dinner in our high altitude posh pit was relaxed and comfortable with sun filtering through the tent wall. We are enjoying far milder conditions than many Denali 2017 climbers with lows being just a balmy -5 to -10 F. Conditions at the moment (10 PM) are perfect making us very hopeful for tomorrow. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn & Team

Safari! Today was the first day of safari for us and we headed east to visit Lake Manyara, which is known for its tree climbing lions, flamingos, and more than 400 different species of birds. The day started with a slight sprinkle of rain, and slowly increased to nearly a full-on downpour. Thankfully the weather broke and we had a really nice rest of the day viewing the wildlife that hardly seemed to notice us, despite being only feet away at times. We didn't manage to see any of those famous lions, but we had a very close encounter with elephants. Nothing dangerous, but they passed close enough that we could have almost touched them. We did manage to see wildebeest, zebras, Cape buffalo, giraffe, hippos, baboons, impalas and so many birds we 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, the Plantation Lodge. Clearly, we are no longer "roughing it". RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew

Judging by the conversation over our evening campfire at Kikoti Safari Camp, this was a great day. The team recalled a fine night at the Plantation Lodge and a great start to the day there. We then drove a couple of hours to reach Tarangire National Park. We'd only been in the park boundaries for a few minutes when we got to watch a beautiful lioness clear a waterhole of a hundred zebras and wildebeest. She only had to take a step in their direction to get the herds running frantically and kicking up dust. She did this in a few directions, seemingly just to buy herself some space. We left her in charge and then went exploring, over Tarangire's great savannah expanses, through forests of Boabab trees, across rivers and alongside vast swampland. We saw herd after herd of wildebeest and zebra. There were waterbucks and impalas and elan. There were elephants and giraffes and more lions. There were Cape buffalo and birds of great variety. There were Dik Diks and mongoose. And just when we thought we'd seen everything the park intended to show us for the day, Joseph -our driver and guide- made a typically astounding discovery of a beautiful leopard. None of us could understand how he'd seen her at the distance that he did. She was on a red-dirt termite mound next to the road and she permitted us to get fairly close, which was thrilling. When she moved off the mound, it turned out that she was minding a leopard cub. This final treat of the day made for a sensational finish. The "big five" completed at 5:50 PM. Sunset was at about 6:30 and not at all dull and boring either. We pulled into friendly and tranquil Kikoti Camp then and discovered yet another place we'd all like to spend more time in. Such things are on our minds now, of course, because we are running out of time. Tomorrow evening we'll be jetting back to the world. But first, we'll wake out in this wilderness and see just what we can find in a final morning on Safari. Best Regards RMI Guide Dave Hahn

The Expedition Skill Seminar - Paradise met in Ashford on Sunday to being their week of training. After a full day on the grounds of Rainier BaseCamp getting ready for their trip, they left early the following morning to begin their climb. The weather was beautiful and the team spent their days training on the glacier of Mt. Rainier. Yesterday the team ascend to Camp Muir where they spent the night. With an alpine start they left Camp Muir to make their summit attempt. The team enjoyed the views from the top of Mt. Rainier with clear skies and light winds. Nick and team will return to Camp Muir to re-pack their gear and make their final descent to Paradise. Congratulations to the Paradise Seminar Team!

May 31, 2016 - 5:52 pm PT Were back from our biggest day so far on this expedition. The train is very much on the track as we moved efficiently with perfect weather. The cold, crisp, and breathless air provided a flawless day. Not to mention the the rockstar crew we are climbing with - smooth operators. The route conditions from 11,200 - 14,200 ft camp are groomer. The views of the surrounding ridges, peaks, glaciers and distant rivers are proof we came to one of the most inspiring corners of the world. Now that we're back to camp, we will spend the afternoon chilling with our groceries and hydrating in hopes the splendid weather will continue. Tomorrow we look to move up to 14,200 ft camp and will keep you all in the loop as to our progress. Cheers, RMI Guide Tyler Jones

On The Map

May 19, 2016 - 8:25 a.m. PDT We are awaiting breakfast before heading to the airport to see if we can fly out today. The drizzle falling this morning hasn't gotten anyone's spirits down. We're all excited to get going! Update - 10:14 a.m. PDT The sun has been peeking out shyly this morning, which is a marked improvement from our earlier rain. The 'rampers' have just finished loading our gear into the two Otters that will fly the team onto the southeast fork of the Kahiltna Glacier from where we'll start our climb. Boots are at the ready for when we get the word that the weather's good enough to fly. For now we're in the good hands of K2 Aviation to make the right decision to fly. They're the experts, and share the same attitude towards safety that we do: it's our top priority. As I write sitting in the hangar, I'm watching a couple more sun breaks and hearing a plane warm up, droning out the classical music NPR is belting out on the radio. Both good signs, but not good enough yet to slip on the expedition climbing boots I'll have on for the next two - three weeks. With luck you'll soon be getting a short, curt dispatch from me announcing a move. If not, our next dispatch may be coming from from the dinner table between sips of an Ice Axe Ale. Such is the waiting game here in Talkeetna. RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team

On The Map

Hello again everyone After a good nights rest and a short hike up to 15,000' we’ve finally arrived at our High Camp. Thankfully the weather broke and today was sunny with great views of Kilimanjaro and our intended route for tomorrow’s climb. The team has just wrapped up lunch and discussed in great detail the plan for tomorrow’s climb. Everyone knows what what we’ll be wearing, what will be in the pack, as well as the schedule. Our game plan will be to wake at 11 pm and have a quick breakfast at 11:30, then hopefully hit the trail right at midnight. 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. Also to note! There have been several rounds of trivia with the winners getting a chance to make a satellite phone call from the summit. So everyone back home please keep your phones handy and if you receive a call from a strange number please answer. We are 7 hours ahead of the east coast time zone. So a 7 am arrival at the summit will mean a midnight phone call and 9 pm for pacific time. Wish us luck! And thanks for sending the good weather just in time! RMI Guide Casey Grom and the sunshine Kili crew!

On The Map

We got an early start today so the group could catch a mule ride across the Vacas River. We started our hike up the narrow mouth of the Relinchos valley and eventually made our way onto another high rolling plateau. The winds were calm and the view of Aconcagua just kept getting better. The mountain is holding a lot of winter snow and a descent amount of new snow. This should make climbing to Camp 1 easier on the Team as we hopefully won’t have as much loose scree to navigate. We are all settled in at Base Camp with darkening skies above. The first night at almost 14,000’ is always an adjustment so we will take a day off tomorrow to rest and pack for our carry to Camp 1. Everyone is excited to be here and actually start the climb. Thanks for following along. RMI Guide Mike King

On The Map

RMI Guide Eric Frank reported in from the summit of their first peak: Sahale Mountain. Sahale requires a strenuous glaciated climb up the Quien Sabe Glacier and a 300' scramble up a 4th class rock pyramid. Eric reported that the wind changed direction last night and the wildfire smoke rolled back over them; which made for tough, smoky climbing. However, the team is happy with their first successful summit and ready for more.