Entries from Kilimanjaro
Aug 7, 2023 1:55PM PT
A sound sleep and much needed recovery was had by the team after our descent to Mweka Gate and the thin air of 6,000'. Negotiating a slick, slippery path down the 4000' to our waiting bus and celebratory lunch proved tricky, but no casualties were had.
We said our goodbyes to our new friends who supported us this week on Kilimanjaro. We all welcomed the showers, dancing, and comfort at our hotel - plus the ability to connect with friends and family.
Tomorrow our safari begins the second half of our adventure. Catch you then!
August 6, 2023 12:28PM PT
By late afternoon, our Kilimanjaro climbing team had formed up in Usa River, Tanzania. Not without some missed flights and reroutes of course… and the airlines are still hanging on to one duffel bag of gear, but the team is together and ready to launch this adventure. We began with a pleasant dinner outside in the garden of the Rivertrees Inn. There were certainly some yawns and bleary eyes from jet lag, but we also shared some good laughs and a few somber and serious moments as the nine of us introduced ourselves and tried to explain why Kilimanjaro has come to mean so much in our lives. We’ll get into the nuts and bolts of packing and prepping for the mountain tomorrow…
after a little sleep and some morning coffee.
Best Regards
Allison!! Seeing your smiling beautiful face is the best sight!!! You are amazing, we love you so much and Chris is truly with you every step of the way. Cannot wait to continue to keep up with your adventures - love ya mama!!
Posted by: Melena on 8/10/2023 at 4:25 pm
Allison, what an adventure! We are looking forward to following your progress through the blog. Stay safe…our thoughts and prayers are with you every step of the way.
Love, Mom and Bill
Posted by: Diane MacLaren on 8/8/2023 at 7:10 am
August 6, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 10,000'
Summit day! Waking up at 11:30pm the moon and stars were in full force. Everyone was nervous and excited to start climbing. After breakfast we began. As we ascended the altitude and cold really challenged us. Finally, the horizon started getting light as sunrise greeted us. As we got to Stella Point fantastic views of the crater showed up, bathed in the early morning sun. The climb to the summit, Uhuru Peak, was beautiful as we traversed past the summit icefields. The climb was tough, but to be expected of a 19,340' mountain.
RMI Guide Brent Okita
August 6, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19, 340'
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.
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
August 5, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,200'
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
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
August 4, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,030'
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
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
August 3, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,570'
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
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
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.
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
August 2, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,890'
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.
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
August 1, 2023
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 10,000'
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
Welcome back down to earth where the breathing is easy. Congratulations to all who make this climb. What a great feeling you must all have.
Glad there were no casualties. A good week for you all.
Cheers,
Barb
Posted by: Barbara Heck on 8/7/2023 at 2:49 pm
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