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Entries from Kilimanjaro


Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Reach Summit of Kilimanjaro

Saturday, August 5, 2023 - 9:38 pm PT

Hey, this is Brent Okita with the RMI Kilimanjaro team. We are on the summit of Kilimanjaro right now. It's, oh, I don't know what time it is, a couple of hours after sunrise.  We have a beautiful day up here. Everyone did great and we are looking forward to coming down and celebrating. Congratulations to the whole team. All right, that's all for now from the summit of Kilimanjaro, 19,340'. We will talk to you later.


RMI Guide Brent Okita calls from the summit of Kilimanjaro.

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wow that’s awesome, congratulations! That’s an altitude few people outside an airplane ever achieve! Impressive hiking. You’ll remember this day forever! Well done.

Posted by: Judy Woellner on 8/6/2023 at 12:58 pm

Yahoo!!!!  So excited to hear you achieved the summit.  What a great feat for you all.  Proud of those brave hearts that follow the sport of climbing.  I give you all a a lot of credit for the commitment to challenge these mountains and volcanos you so love to conquer.
Have a safe and fun trip on the descend.  Can’t wait to see photos of the summit.
Cheers,
Barb

Posted by: Barbara Heck on 8/6/2023 at 12:29 pm


Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Reach High Camp

Barafu Camp 15,200’

We're here! High camp on Kilimanjaro where we'll be going for the summit tonight.

The walk here was straight forward and everyone is in good shape. We again walked like the seasoned climbers that we have become.

It's busy on the mountain and even our amazing camp staff couldn’t hold the prime spot we usually use this time around. It's hard work supporting us climbers. Not only is our entire camp transported each day, but something as simple as water needs to be brought in from someplace. Today at Barafu, the porters must go back to Karanga Camp, then another 30 minutes just supply us. How amazingly strong and hard workers our porters are, and so kind and generous too! 

Today we’ll have a hearty lunch, followed by a very light dinner so we can hit the sack by 6:00. Our plan is to wake up at 11:30 pm and be walking at 12:30 am. This should allow us to hit the summit rim around sunrise, and the summit, Uhuru Point an hour later.

Wish us luck! I'll be in touch at the summit.

RMI Guide Brent Okita & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Wow Julie and Brent you never seize to surprise me with your athleticism and enthusiasm for the great outdoor. Love to join you one day. Jody

Posted by: Jody Jacobs on 12/2/2023 at 7:18 am

Thanks so much for the great updates and beautiful pictures. You are all climbing to the summit right now. I’m so excited for you! Thank you so much to the guides and staff for making this an amazing experience for my family. Happy trails!

Posted by: Lisa Corcoran on 8/5/2023 at 4:08 pm


Kilimanjaro: Okita and Team Scale the Baranco Wall

We awoke to clear views around camp, a nice change from yesterday's cold, wet cloud that enveloped us. On stage was the Baranco Wall, our first climb. The crew had no problem with the 8:00 start, though there was some anxiety because the trail up the Wall seemed to cling to a vertical rock face. Only after getting onto the Wall was it clear that the climbing is pretty manageable, with just a handful of spots that demanded our keen attention. To safeguard the passage of each team member we always had a guide or two present at each of these spots. By the top of the Wall big smiles were plastered on everyone's faces. I think we all had fun on this stretch. As a reward we had a surprise at the top. Our camp staff had set up a table with tea and snacks for us, which we enjoyed under the mighty presence of the Heiman glacier and the upper reaches of Kilimanjaro. Two hours later we rolled into camp.

Another wonderful lunch is sitting in our bellies as we spend a relaxing afternoon reading, writing, or just relaxing. We're saving energy for our hike to high camp and our climb tomorrow night.

The summit is getting close!

RMI Guide Brent Okita & Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Must be a cool experience, climbing thru 5 climate zones! Good luck to all!

Posted by: John B on 8/5/2023 at 7:03 am

Carry on!!! Must be the elevation!!

Posted by: Terri Woellner on 8/4/2023 at 3:59 pm


Kilimanjaro: Okita and Team Climb Lava Tower to reach Barranco Camp

Our day started in the cloud layer we were hoping to escape, but clear weather seemed imminent. An hour later we finally found sunshine. What was really cool today was that Ken was able to rejoin our team at Shira Camp last night after his health improved following a major GI problem.

The Shira Plateau we were ascending was far gentler on our legs and lungs than yesterday's climb. This was nice since we had a long way to go today. Our destination: Barranco Camp. But first we had to get past Lava Tower, 15,200'. The team climbed well on this terrain and by noon we were feasting on the sack lunches prepared by our kitchen staff. The descent into the Barranco Valley proved just as beautiful as I recall. We're hoping this cold mist at camp goes away with the coming evening so we can enjoy this beautiful camp. This might be my favorite.

Goodnight from Barranco Camp. The dinner bell is about to sound.

 

RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

Exciting to hear the group’s progress!
The summit is nearing!
Sending good vibes!

Posted by: Vish Subramanian on 8/3/2023 at 9:54 pm

Thank you, Brent, for your updates with pictures!! It is interesting and helpful to learn about the team’s journey!
Wishing everyone the very best for the rest of the hike!
Best wishes,
Suganthi

Posted by: Suganthi Subramanian on 8/3/2023 at 7:17 pm


Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Ascend to Shira Camp

Wednesday, August 2, 2023

Leaving Camp at 8:15 the going gets steep right off the bat. But, as we say on Kili, pole, pole - slowly,slowly. It's a refrain we hear all the time, and is one of the secrets to summitting this 19,340' mountain. We are thankful we started out dressed lightly as this trail makes you work for every step. Luckily, the clouds overhead keep the temp pleasantly cool. The clouds also offer some protection from the high altitude sun. Approaching 12,000' we note that the giant heathers are getting smaller. The wildflowers are getting more common, with the beautiful and hearty Everlasting flowers. It's beautiful! Fun rock steps provide interesting hand and footwork. Then, magically, Shira Camp appears.  Once settled lunch is announced. We're treated to potato, leek soup, French fries and sautéed herb chicken. Amazing!

Time for a siesta.

RMI Guide Brent Okita

Leave a Comment For the Team (1)

Fantastic! Lunch sounds tasty. Really enjoying these updates. Wishing you all a great next day!

Posted by: Akila Subramanian on 8/2/2023 at 6:09 pm


Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Enjoy Good First Day on the Trail

Tuesday, August 1, 2023 

The walk thru the rainforest from the Machame Gate was nice with typically cloudy skies, but no rain. Freddy, a local guide who has been working with RMI for over 30 years set a perfect pace so we could all arrive in camp feeling good. The highlight of the evening was the surprise birthday cake the mtn staff carried up to celebrate Mike’s special day. We're hoping to get above these clouds tomorrow, but for now our sleeping bags beckon us to rest our tired bodies. The chatter of camp, and laughter of our staff, slowly ebbs as fatigue overcomes us after a good day.

Goodnight.

RMI Guide Brent Okita

Leave a Comment For the Team (1)

Loving the updates! Praying for you all to get great rest tonight and have a fantastic day tomorrow!

Posted by: Heidi Tully on 8/2/2023 at 7:15 am


Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Packed and Ready to hit the trail

A painless 1 1/2 hr drive has brought us to the start of our climb, the Machame Gate. Registration with the Park Service is dealt with before we venture into the rain forest. The lush farms and vegetation here is a result of the clouds of moisture that hang at this elevation. We'll get above this climate zone at our first camp, the Machame Camp, at 10,000'.

We have met some of the mountain staff that will help us get to the top as pleasantly as possible. Many of them are friends from past trips, including Naimen, the head of our local guides staff. Our wait staff - yes, we have waiters - will keep the food chef Benson creates coming our way to keep our energy levels up. Alfred leads this team, and has been with me on every trip I've done. 

We've devoured part of the sack lunches our outfitter had provided us and are now ready to rock. 

Catch up with you at the next camp! 

RMI Guide Brent Okita

Leave a Comment For the Team

Kilimanjaro: Okita & Team Arrive in Tanzania

Coming off the plane in Arusha, the city in Tanzania where we base from to go to Kilimanjaro, the first thing that strikes the senses is the smell of trees and vegetation we simply don't have in the northern hemisphere. There, too is a subtle, but pervasive smell of the wood and charcoal many people use to cook with. It smells wonderfully of Africa to me.

Our group all arrived at least a day early to take advantage of their time here in this beautiful country, and so we were able to meet one another earlier than usual. This was a good thing because it allowed some lost luggage to be recovered and a GI problem to resolve itself, two problems I rarely see, but that are not unknown when travelling halfway across the globe.

Our team is a nice mix of veteran climbers with Mt. Rainier under their belt and folks who have rarely spent time in a tent. But everyone is engaging and interesting, and conversation is easy. A good sign of things to come.

While half the group opted to get their equipment check done yesterday so they could get in a day safari in the local Arusha National Park, the other half chose to do their check today and enjoy a leisurely afternoon before we begin our expedition up the flanks of Kilimanjaro. Both great options.

Our team breakfast this morning will be followed up with a group dinner tonight, enjoying the amazing food here at the Rivertrees Country Inn. Normally we would lament leaving such fine food during our week of climbing, but not this time. The chef taking care of our food needs this week is amazing! Gourmet dinners and hearty breakfasts await us at every camp, prepared by an incredibly talented chef by the name of Benson. You'll hear more about this guy later, but for now we're doing well and eager to start our climb. 

Word has it that upon making the summit, a couple of our climbers are going to reward themselves with some beautiful Tanzanite jewelry. I love the idea!

Wish us luck as we begin our big adventure! We've been waiting for this climb to all come together for a long time, and in a few hours, we will be taking our first steps up towards the summit of this wonderful mountain.

Jambo!

RMI Guide Brent Okita

Leave a Comment For the Team (2)

How exciting!
Wishing you all an enjoyable Day 1 of hiking!
Wishing everyone an incredible experience hiking up to the peak and coming back!
With cheers, good luck, and best wishes,
Suganthi Subramanian

 

Posted by: Suganthi Subramanian on 7/31/2023 at 10:50 pm

I am so excited for all who are about to embark on this wonderful journey.  Wishing you all a great climb and hope this trip is all you hoped it would be and more.

Good luck to all.
Cheers,
Barb

Posted by: Barbara Heck on 7/31/2023 at 1:17 pm


Kilimanjaro: Grom and Team Spot More Elephants than They Can Count

Hello everyone,

Today, we are headed to Tarangire National Park; known for its abundant animals and plentiful elephants, and it did not disappoint.

Not sure how many elephants we saw, probably several hundred at the least. It wouldn’t seem like we could get tired of seeing elephants, but there were so many that eventually we had to keep driving so we could see other animals. There were lots of giraffes, impalas, monkeys, ostriches, and many others. The highlight today was seeing 11 lions shortly after entering the park.

We are spending our last night here in Africa at Lolkisale Camp, which has beautiful tented rooms with screen windows to allow the sounds of the African night in.

Everyone is doing great and hoping to see a few more big cats on our way out tomorrow! Then it will be back to our main lodge near Arusha for a quick shower before catching our evening flights home.

 

Come join us for an adventure sometime!

 

Casey and the safari crew

Leave a Comment For the Team

Kilimanjaro: Grom & Crew Enjoy Visit to Ngorongoro Crater and Maasai Village

Today we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is roughly 100 square miles and is known for its abundance of animals that call the crater home, some estimates are as high as 30,000 mammals. 

We hit the road early with hopes of catching a few of the big cats before the heat of the day. 
There were many sightings today of hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, ostrich, and countless other birds. We managed to see several lions, including 2 up very close. Apparently it was date night, and things got a little exciting.

We also saw two Black Rhino not too far in the distance, which have become very rare due to poaching.  

We wrapped up the day with a visit to a Maasai village not far from the crater 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 

RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew

Leave a Comment For the Team (1)

Wow such great pictures - you all look like you are having an epic time - once in a lifetime memories people xxx

Posted by: Deb Toft on 2/1/2023 at 7:25 pm

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