There was a lot more fog and cloud around basecamp this morning, which was predicted, but it had many of the guides (there are four separate teams) looking for more information before committing to a move up to Low Camp (aka camp one). The consensus was that the weather is deteriorating and that waiting for an improving trend would be a good thing. Low camp isn’t often windy, but when it is, it is often really windy. For our team, we decided to go ahead with a carry of food, fuel and equipment. Our goals were modest. We figured we’d aim for caching halfway along the route to Low Camp and then returning to base. We pulled out of VBC at 2:20 PM. But at that halfway point, the team was doing great and the weather was holding steady. So we kept on moving our packs and sleds higher. There were signs of the overall weather situation worsening, but it was wonderfully calm where we were and we kept making good progress. We pulled into Low Camp at 7:30 PM and took about thirty minutes to secure the cache. Then, with lighter packs, we skedaddled. In two hours and twenty minutes, we were back at base (at 10:20 PM). The sun hadn’t been getting through the clouds much in those hours and we were cold and tired after our eight hours of exercise in the freezer. But also quite satisfied with our accomplishment. We ate a quick dinner and climbed into our tents at our typical midnight target. We’ll rest at base tomorrow in order to let the bad weather play through.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Greetings friends and family. Today marks the start of our great African adventure to climb Mount Kilimanjaro. It's with much excitement that the team has finally come together here in Tanzania at the beautiful Arumeru River Lodge.
Although some of the team braved long 20+ hour flights from home in getting here, others took advantage of being this far from home to enjoy time in Amsterdam, Monaco and Tuscany before arriving. A few folks just arrived early to the hotel and were able to relax by the pool after what can be an exhausting trans continental flight.
The wonderful staff at our hotel restaurant even stayed open late when the last of the crew didn't get here from the airport until 10:30 pm last night. We're off to a great start as we prepare for a full morning tomorrow. We'll review our itinerary and what we can expect on the mountain, and then do a thorough equipment check to make sure we have everything necessary to have a fantastic expedition as we scale the heights Kilimanjaro over the course of the next seven days.
Following a bustling morning we'll be treated to a relaxing afternoon before we get underway the following day. Mmm... a cold drink by the pool might just be the ticket to rid myself of the last of my jet lag.
We'll talk again soon,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
RMI Guide Bryan Mazaika led his Five Day Summit Climb June 30 - 4 July to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Bryan reported light winds and partly sunny skies as the team was on the summit. They were able to enjoy some time in the crater rim before beginning their descent to Camp Muir. After a stop at Muir to repack the team will continue down to Paradise. We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later today.
Congratulations to the Five Day Summit Climb team!
Congratulations Brittain and the rest of your team for successfully making it to the top of Mt. Rainer.
We had our fingers crossed the whole time with the weather. How lucky to have light winds and to have
time at the crater rim.
Way to go team! Make it down safely.
Thank you Bryan for your hard work and being their guide.
Congratulations again.
Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 6:21 PM PT
The snow that started last night continued into the morning, necessitating a 3:00 am shoveling session to dig out our tents. We picked up a little over a foot of snow over night, with no wind.
We had a rest day planned for today anyway, so the snow was of little consequence. We simply ate a leisurely brunch and lounged around our tents, resting and acclimating.
Tomorrow, if the weather allows, we plan to move camp up to Genet Basin, at 14,200'. We will let you know how that plays out.
RMI Guide Mike Walter
Awesome progress and so good to hear about the good weather!! -10 sure beats -70 that was showing on the weather reports a week ago! Wahoo! Be safe and know we are all thinking of you and following your progress each day! We hope the climb to the summit is spectacular and weather remains good!
Hugs from Larkspur!
Susan
Posted by: Susan on 5/25/2018 at 8:56 pm
Alex and Tom!
Keep up the great work and motivation! You all are truly amazing and such an inspiration to me!!
Hey, this is Mike with Aconcagua #4. We are standing on top of the tallest mountain outside of the Himalaya. It's a beautiful day, near windless, you could be wearing a bikini on top today and get a sun tan. Everyone that's on top today, is doing great. We'll send a dispatch in once we descend back to our High Camp. Thanks for following along on the blog. We will descend to Plaza Argentina (Base Camp) tomorrow morning. Thanks.
RMI Guide Mike King
RMI Guide Mike King calls from the summit of Aconcagua.
Today was the perfect catch-up day. We had a leisurely breakfast at the Arumeru River Lodge and then got down to business for a little while with a team meeting. We discussed the climb to come and how to prepare for it. Those preparations didn't take very long and equipment checks were easily completed by lunch. The team took walks through the park-like grounds to see the monkeys, tortoises, exotic birds and dik diks that roamed freely about. Low clouds kept things pleasantly cool but prevented us from catching a glimpse of Kilimanjaro. Our gang enjoyed the swimming pool, which made up -somewhat- for the limited views. By evening, with all in order for the adventure to come, we simply ate, drank and relaxed... laughing over shared memories of our previous adventures.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guide Robby Young led the Four Day Summit Climb July 30 - 2 August to the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. The team reached the crater rim around 5:30 am and enjoyed the blue skies and warm temperatures before beginning their descent from the crater rim. The teams will descend 9,000 vertical feet today reaching Paradise (5,400') this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb Team!
Sara and Dieter, so PSYCHED for y’all! It’s been quite a journey. So proud of both of you. You went to climb the mountain. It gave you its good tidings.
With love from Kim, Daveed and Olive
Posted by: Kim, Daveed and Olive on 8/3/2017 at 7:01 am
So proud of you guys!! You both are truly inspiring. Si se puede!! <3
RMI Guide Christina Dale led the Five Day Summit Climb June 15-19 on Mt. Rainier. The team ascended to Camp Muir on Saturday and spent the following day training at Camp Muir. This morning they made their summit attempt but due to new snow over the last few days the conditions today did not allow their team to summit. They have safely returned to Camp Muir. They will repack their gear and continue their descent to Paradise later today.
RMI Guides Adam Knoff and Mike King led their Four Day Summit Climb June 6 - 9 Teams to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The teams ascended to Camp Muir yesterday in wet conditions so we were glad to hear that the weather had improved for their summit day. After enjoying some time in the crater the teams will return to Camp Muir and then continue their descent to Paradise.
We look forward to seeing them at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's Summit Climb teams!
I was part of the team that past you yesterday on the snowfield in the rain storm. Felt so bad for you guys. I was soaked. But to see that you made it gives me great joy. Congrats!! I am so happy for you!!
Posted by: Joe Seguin on 6/9/2017 at 9:06 pm
Congratulations to our friend we met at the Missoula gas station.
Posted by: Dorothy M Hammons on 6/9/2017 at 1:46 pm
Hello from our beautiful camp in the Ishinca Valley. This morning the team packed up our gear, and bussed two valleys to the north of Huaraz to the Pashpa trailhead. There we loaded the equipment onto our trusty little mountain burros and hiked along a turquoise blue stream to the very top of the valley at 14,200ft.
After multiple hours of hiking at altitude to get to camp, the team was ready for a solid dinner and our cocinero (camp cook) didn't disappoint. We were treated to a hearty meal of beef, potatoes and rice, plus desert!
Currently we are tucked into our sleeping bags being lulled to sleep by a nearby glacial river and anticipating a full day of training tomorrow. Thanks for following along.
RMI Guides Robby Young, Eric Frank and the Peru Seminar Team
Have you got Matt and Jenny Davis? News please!
Posted by: Liz Wordsworth on 12/8/2018 at 1:06 pm
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