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Kilimanjaro: Grom & Team Explore Ngorongoro Crater & Visit Maasai Village

January 16, 2019

Posted by: Casey Grom

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Hello again everyone After a good nights rest and rain all night, we were not sure what to expect after all the rain from the famous Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is roughly 100 square miles and is home to roughly 30,000 mammals that reside here year round, as its one of the few places that has natural springs and water year round. We started early with hopes of catching the big cats as they are more nocturnal animals. We saw many hyenas, jackles, ostrich, plus countless other huge birds, and even manage to get close to a pride of 12 lions with very full bellies. There were 3 Black Rhino spotted also which was a highlight. We wrapped up the day with a visit to a Maasai village not far from the craters rim. The Maasai people are a semi-nomadic tribe that exist almost entirely off of their cattle. The team spent time asking questions and enjoyed being shown around their small and simple village. We have just finished another wonderful meal here at the Plantation Lodge and the team is off to bed after a long, but very rewarding day on safari. RMI Guide Casey Grom and the safari crew

Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Enjoy Last Day in Africa

August 11, 2018

Posted by: Brent Okita

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro

Before parting ways the team had one last day to see animals. It had been a really busy trip so far so half the group opted to sleep in while the other half got up early in search of some more close encounters. We were not disappointed. First, we spent 10-15 minutes within 10 yards of a huge giraffe. Not bad, but our next big break came when we got surrounded by a family of elephants, including the cutest little baby. These critters were sometimes no more than 5' away. And we were in their midst for over half an hour. Incredible! Then, getting to watch a huge herd of water buffalo heading to the river, again at unreal distances, was darned special. The herd must have numbered around 100. This, in addition to seeing countless other animals made our last day wonderful. The only animal we missed out on that day was seeing a lion. But, wouldn't you know that the sleepyhead crew found a beautiful lioness that hung out right next to their Landcruiser! So we all had a great last day. We then drove back to the hotel, with a short break at a cultural center, to relax and shower before getting our evening flights out of Tanzania. Most of the crew actually built in an extra day or three to maximize their time abroad. Smart people! The two weeks went by quickly, as they tend to do when we're as busy as we were. I think I speak for the whole team when I say what a great time it was. A fun adventure with a great bunch of folks. This is what climbing trips are all about, and what keeps me doing this for as long as I have. I know I'll be climbing with the team again on a new adventure sometime. I hope you've enjoyed these posts of our adventures. Perhaps I'll see you on a climb sometime. Kilimanjaro in 2019 anyone??? Take care and safe travels, RMI Guide Brent Okita

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Mt. Rainier: Five Day Summit Climb Reaches the Summit

July 1, 2018

Posted by: Chris Ebeling

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

This morning RMI Guide Chris Ebeling led his Five-Day Summit Climb team to the Mt. Rainier summit. They began their descent at 8:00 a.m. and will be staying at Camp Muir for an additional night before descending tomorrow.

Aconcagua: Gorum & Team Enjoy Sunshine and Good Food in Mendoza

January 3, 2018

Posted by: JM Gorum, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Aconcagua

We have shifted back to city life, and the intent of the blog has shifted as well. Some of the team members have changed their flights and gone home early, and while we miss them dearly, we want nothing more than to make them jealous, because that's what friends are for. So Kevin, Casey, and Patty, we're glad you made it home safely, and we hope you're enjoying the below zero temperatures in Minnesota and the NE. Because today we sat by the pool, soaked up some sun, and enjoyed a delicious southern summer feast for dinner. Tomorrow I think we might travel around and sample the Mendoza regions fine wines, while enjoying the sun's warming rays, and a nice cool breeze. We'll let you know how it goes. RMI Guide JM Gorum

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Denali Expedition: Hahn & Team Retreive Cache Return to 14,000’ Camp

June 26, 2017

Posted by: Dave Hahn, Hannah McGowan, Hannah Smith, Avery Parrinello

Categories:

Elevation: 14,000'

June 25, 2017 Our weather was just plain old "good" today. No winds, some high cloud and some low cloud, but no clouds that mattered. We were up at a leisurely 7:30. The sun came around about 9:30 (from behind the mountain) and we set out to retrieve our 13,500 ft cache at 10AM. It only took twenty easy minutes of downhill walking to reach it, but it was a full hour of climbing to get back up with loaded packs. So our workout was done by noon -the approach to the mountain is now complete with the team and the precious (and heavy) fuel and food all in place for the climb. In the afternoon, we reviewed techniques for climbing the "fixed rope" section between 15,000 and 16,000 ft. as well as working through methods for climbing along the exciting ridge to 17,200... our high camp. Dinner was relaxed and relatively comfortable in our dining facility. The team stood outside enjoying views and conversation right until the last warm rays quit as the sun ducked behind the West Buttress. We'll look at carrying up onto the buttress tomorrow. Best Regards, RMI Guide Dave Hahn

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Mt. Rainier: Four Day Summit Climb Team Reaches Summit!

June 26, 2017

Posted by: Tyler Jones, Steve Gately, Ben Ammon

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier

Elevation: 14,410'

The Four Day Summit Climb June 23 - 26, 2017 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning with cold temperatures and slight winds. RMI Guide Tyler Jones and team were on their descent by 7:15 am and returning to Camp Muir. The team will take a short break to eat and re-pack before continuing their descent to Paradise. Congratulations to today's Summit Climb team!

Denali Expedition: Van Deventer & Team Summit!

June 2, 2016

Posted by: Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Jess Matthews

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 20,310'

June 1, 2016 - 11:47 p.m. PDT Summit days don't get any better than what we had today. There wasn't a breath of wind, and the warm temperatures let us leave early and get out ahead of other teams. It was the warmest summit day any of the guides remember, and the team did spectacularly. Seven and a half hours of climbing had us standing on the summit taking photos, and then we boogied back to camp. It was well worth the wait and we certainly did our penance and deserved a day like today. With the summit achieved, everyone is more than ready to get back to town and home. We'll pack camp tomorrow and get down to warmer, thicker air, and with luck be at the airstrip first thing the day after tomorrow. But first we'll sleep tonight, and dream of the highest summit in North America. Best, RMI Guides Pete Van Deventer, Robby Young, Jess Matthews, and team

On The Map

Denali Expedition: Walter & Team Camped at 11,000’ on West Buttress

May 8, 2016

Posted by: Mike Walter, Billy Haas, Blake Votilla

Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley

Elevation: 11,000'

May 8, 2016 - 9:05 am PT We are writing from our new home for the next few nights, 11k on Denali's West Buttress. We has splitter weather today and made slow, but efficient progress up the Kahiltna Glacier. Now we're in our sleeping bags after setting up camp, rehydrating, and watching the sunset. Tomorrow, we plan to return down the Kahiltna to retrieve the cache of food and fuel we left there yesterday. Thanks for checking in. RMI Guide Mike Walter and the team

On The Map

Mt. Shuksan: Nugent & Team Summit!

August 26, 2015

Posted by: Billy Nugent

Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades

Elevation: 9,127'

Update - August 26th 5:35 pm Just checking in from camp! All our safe and sound after our successful summit of Mt. Shuksan earlier today. Original Dispatch Hey everybody! It is Billy checking in here from the summit of Mt. Shuksan with 100 percent of our crew. We all styled our way up the Central Gully. And yeah, we're enjoying a nice sunny day on top, a little bit of smoke in the air but not too bad, a little bit of breeze but again not too bad. We'll check in once more when we get back into camp safe and sound. So that's all for now. Whelp, see ya. RMI Guide Billy Nugent

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