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Today we started at 7 a.m. feeling good and refreshed after a much needed night of sleep. We had breakfast and then enjoyed some goodbye songs and dances from our amazing African crew of porters, cooks, and local guides (numbering 50 in total). We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips before hitting the trail one last time.
It took a little over three hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch before hopping aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge.
We are all safe and sound, cleaner, and smelling fresh after an exciting seven day journey up and down
Kilimanjaro.
Stayed tuned, our safari starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide C
asey Grom and the Kilimanjaro crew
Our last morning on the mountain was an easy and enjoyable one. Everyone reported getting some real sleep for a change -a great thing about 10,000 feet as opposed to 15,000 feet- and when we woke, the weather was perfect. After a relaxed breakfast, we gathered outside to meet with our entire staff. They gave us a wonderful send off, singing and dancing with much laughter as "Bongo" -a porter and talented performer- came out in costume and led the team through a few favorite ballads. We then distributed tips and tried to verbalize just how grateful we were to the entire staff. We began walking downhill at 8:30 and soon went from a forest of heather to a jungle of giant trees. Trail conditions were nice and dry and the walking went well. We caught sight of velvet monkeys and even a family of colobus monkeys playing in branches overhead. Making fine progress, we left the park at 11:30. Our staff hosted a last picnic lunch for the team at a venue just a few minutes down the road from the
Mweka Gate, and then our bus took us on the long road back to the Arumeru River Lodge. We were hoisting "welcome" drinks at 2:30 and heading for showers soon after. The gang that showed up at dinner bore little resemblance to the mob that had checked in. Hair was clean and beards were gone... clothes were free of dust and grime. But the team was still recognizable by their smiles. Earlier we'd been smiling because the hard work had been completed, now we were smiling because of indoor plumbing and electricity and internet and the way things feel so easy after you've gone without for a time. We aren't done adventuring though... safari begins tomorrow, but we'll miss Joe, who is flying out tomorrow as planned.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
We are all nestled in at our high camp on
Ixta at 15,500ft. The team carried heavy packs while taking in the amazing vistas with a cool breeze keeping the temperature manageable.
We will plan on getting an early start for our summit bid so the team can pack up camp and descend into the rest day and tacos al pastor that awaits us in Puebla. Getting to the top of Ixta is just another step in acclimating for our chance at standing on top of Pico de Orizaba, the third highest peak in North America.
Everyone is doing well and sends their best back home.
RMI Guide Mike King
On The Map
The
Four Day Summit Climb Teams led by
RMI Guides Jake Beren and Paul Rachele reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Jake reported a "super beautiful" day with light winds, and a cloud layer at about 8,000'. The teams have started their descent and will be back at Rainier Basecamp this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's teams!
The Mt. Rainier
Four Day Summit Climb teams led by RMI Guides Jake Beren and Geoff Schellens reached the summit crater around 7:45 a.m. Jake reported light winds and pleasant conditions. The teams spent about an hour on the summit before beginning their descent just after 9:00 a.m.
We look forward to seeing all of the climbers back in
Ashford later today.
Hello from 16,400 feet on blustery Aconcagua.
After a successful carry to Camp 2 yesterday we all took a well deserved rest day today. We slept in, which proved difficult to do because of the winds trying to huff and puff and blow down our houses. Then after hot drinks we took a small walk to a beautiful spot overlooking the valley. There we got the blood flowing by doing some high altitude yoga. Now we're back to the tents for an afternoon nap to prepare for a big move day tomorrow. Everyone says hi and is doing well.
RMI Guides Christina von Mertens and JJ Justman
On The Map
The
Four Day Summit Climbs led by
RMI Guides Mike Walter and Mike King reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning and were leaving the crater rim at 7:09 am. Mike King reported light winds and overall a beautiful day. The teams will be back in Ashford later today.
Congratulations climbers!
The
Expedition Skills Seminar - Muir May 21 - 26, 2017 led by
RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Steve Gately have spent the week training at Camp Muir. Today they made an alpine start for their summit attempt. The team reached the summit around 8 am and was able to enjoy the views. Dave Hahn reported a light cloud cap on the summit and otherwise good conditions. The team will return to Camp Muir today for their final night on the mountain. They will complete their program tomorrow and wrap up with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's team!
Jambo everyone!
Yesterday we had a wonderful albeit long day climbing to the
top of Africa.
We started shortly after midnight beneath a sky full of stars and climbed for a few hours before the moon came out to help light our way. As per usual we climbed in hour increments with 10-15 breaks in between. The weather was very calm allowing us to take our time and not feel too cold which we are thankful for. The climb took about 7 1/2 hrs to reach the crater rim, where we were greeted with a moderate cold wind, but also the warmth of the sun to keep it tolerable. Then came our final stretch over to the top of Kilimanjaro also called Uhuru peak. Once there, we had the place mostly to ourselves and we hugged each other, enjoyed the view and took plenty of pictures.
It was a true test of endurance for most of the crew, and I'm really proud of everyone. We descended back to high camp, had a quick lunch, repacked and continued further down the mountain to our final camp on the mountain, where we had dinner and then headed to bed for some well deserved sleep.
Today we woke at 7am feeling good, had breakfast, then enjoyed a goodbye song and dance from our gracious crew of posters, cooks, and local guides numbering 46. 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, and a little less odorous, after an amazing seven day journey up and down Kilimanjaro.
The team is currently relaxing and looking forward to Safari which starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kilimanjaro crew
The
Four Day Summit Climb led by RMI Guide
Mike Walter radioed into the RMI Office at 7:15 am to let us know they were leaving the Summit of Mt. Rainier. Mike and team had a successful climb to the summit with bluebird skies.
Congratulations to today's team!
Congratulations to the team, especially Grant and Bridget! Can’t wait to hear from you and see your pictures from the climb. Have a great time on the Safari! Love, Mom
Posted by: Shelly Thomas on 9/11/2018 at 7:09 am
I love the pictures so much!!!! Thanks to the whole crew, for guiding this awesome bunch of people, and for feeding them and bringing them back safe! Love the smiles!!!! Have a blast on the safari!!! xoxo
Posted by: Shelby Schneider on 9/10/2018 at 3:05 pm
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