Entries from Kilimanjaro
August 9, 2017
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,200'
We had fantastic weather making for a fantastic day. We are so happy it is silly! Out here in the office we could not have had a better day. This morning we had a steep start right out of the gate but no problem for the "A team". There are a couple scrambling sections, and the team took it bite for bite, chewed it well. Thanks to the amazing work of our porter and our Camp and meal were waiting when we arrived. We now sit at Shira Camp, just over 12,000'. We had a great lunch now are relaxing and letting our bodies adjust to our new altitude.
Tomorrow we will head up to over 14,000'. and then down in to camp at just below 13,000'. Stay tuned!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team!
August 8, 2017
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,800'
All is well at Kilimanjaro Camp 1; otherwise known as Machame Hut. We are already at 10,000 feet for our first night on the mountain. Interestingly 10,000 feet here is still below tree line, whereas on Mt. Rainier 10,000 feet is way above tree line and glaciated.
The hiking today was great with a little cloud cover, which helped with very pleasant temperatures and not a whole lot of mud to get here. We are still recovering after our team member Barbara's 75th birthday party last night. We have a real fun group, everyone was chatting away between themselves and with our African guides who will accompany us the whole time up the mountain. We spent a total of about six hours on the trail and combined with jet lag should make for good sleeping tonight.
Until tomorrow,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
August 8, 2017
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19,340'
Last night at 9:30 pm PST Dave Hahn called from the Kilimanjaro summit! Please click the audio button below to listen to his update from the Roof of Africa.
7:48 am PST
By any measure, this was a big day. For one thing, it began yesterday. At 11:30 PM precisely, we woke at 15,200 ft to begin our summit attempt. The moon was brilliant, high clouds and wind were non-existent... It was the perfect night for climbing. Our team assembled in the dining tent at midnight to swill coffee and porridge. By the time we were walking out of camp at 12:30, we'd already sung a few rounds of happy birthday to the 18 year-old twins, Max and Simon. Philip Mbise, our lead guide, brought the team skillfully, politely, and steadily through a hundred potential traffic jams. Everybody was out and on the move, but many were having the normal difficulties with the altitude, the terrain and the cold, so by merely keeping our team at a rock-steady "Pole Pole" pace, Philip passed team after team as we worked higher. Most of us didn't turn our headlights on until just before the crater rim, when we tore through a moon shadow. We hit Stella Point -on the rim- at 5:30 AM, still in darkness, but with an enchanting light show going on between imminent daybreak in the east and moon mania in the west. One hour later... at exactly 6:30, the sun rose and our entire team arrived together at Uhuru... The true summit of Kilimanjaro and Africa. It was cold, we'd been wearing down jackets for the last few hours to the top, but it was an absolutely magical and beautiful moment. There, at 19,340 ft, we celebrated those birthdays, the bonds of family and close friendships, and the wonders of the world. As we watched, a shadow of Kilimanjaro formed in the atmosphere to the West, exactly coinciding with the only landform breaking the surface of the cloud sea, the 16,000-foot pyramid of Mount Meru. As if that weren't enough, the full moon sat just above the twin apexes of ethereal and stone summits in the sky. We took pictures, hugged one another and wandered about wide-eyed and exhilarated. We left the summit at 7:00 and two hours and fifteen minutes later, this strong team was back in high camp. We had a grand feast of a brunch, capped off with a birthday cake which was hand delivered to Barafu from Arusha just yesterday. And then, at 11 AM we skedaddled and headed for Mweka Camp. Walking in pleasant weather, we reached camp at about 10,000 feet by 2:15 -earning a restful afternoon lounging in our forest camp.
The shoutouts today go to our own team... All of whom broke their previous altitude records. Special mention to 14 year-old Ella Green who absolutely crushed the day. To 16 year-old Zach Ginn, who would have gone on for another 5,000 feet if the mountain hadn't abruptly ended at 19,340. To our three 18 year-old brothers... Tyrone Green, Simon and Max Mount each of whom demonstrated uncommon discipline, maturity and good humor on a long tough day.
The loudest of shoutouts to Philip, to Freddy Kileo, to Gama Samvel, to Naiman Metil, to Venance Vicent, and Said Mwanja for flawless guidance.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
RMI Guide Dave Hahn calls in from the Kilimanjaro summit!
On The Map
Congratulations! Happy birthday to the twins! Sounds truly amazing! I can’t wait to hear about the details and see the pictures when you return! What a team! I’m so proud of Ella! You guys rock!!
Posted by: Lisa on 8/9/2017 at 4:56 am
Congratulations team Taos!
Fantastic achievement.
Safe journey back down.
Posted by: Deon on 8/9/2017 at 12:19 am
Jambo!
Just tracked down the last missing bag so the whole team and gear are here.
We are packed and ready to go to Kilimanjaro tomorrow.
Everyone minus one arrived late last night and after a few hours of sleep, we met up for our first meeting and then a session on packing our gear for the next week on the mountain.
We spent the afternoon finalizing the preparation. Tomorrow we will get up at 6am and depart for the mountain around 8am. We have a five-hour climb to get to camp so a busy day ahead. With not a lot of clouds tonight, we watched the lunar eclipse. The weather looks good for now.
All is well with the team.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Thinking of you all as you get started on this amazing climb!
Posted by: Rhonda Bolton on 8/8/2017 at 7:48 am
Happy Birthday Barbara!! We love you and hope you and Ben have a wonderful trip!
Posted by: Christy Ramineni on 8/8/2017 at 7:15 am
August 7, 2017
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,200'
Karanga Camp was kind to us. After a calm, full moon night there, we had an easy and pleasant morning above the clouds. Those that got up in the night even glimpsed the lights of Moshi and other cities shining up from far below. We left just before 9 AM and made our way up broad and open terrain with the great cliffs and glaciers of Kibo towering overhead. With little or no vegetation in this alpine zone it was possible to see hundreds of porters, climbers, guides and assorted staff stretching out forever ahead of and behind us.
We made good time on the relatively easy path and pulled into our 15,200 ft high camp at noon with everybody feeling strong and cheerful. Barafu Camp is on a rock ridge with grand views of the climb to come and of just about everything else in the universe. Clouds built up in the afternoon, which we welcomed for giving a little relief from the strong high altitude sunshine. We ate, and ate, and ate as Tosha Minja, our remarkable chef served up a feast to remember. We'll rest a bit now, eat an early supper and turn in early as well. We've got big work to do in the night, a climb to the Roof of Africa... Luckily, we've got 11 strong and eager climbers and seven capable and enthusiastic guides to help get the job done.
Best regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Happy Birthday, Max and Simon. What a memorable way to celebrate your 18th. Hugs and high 5’s all around. Grandpa and GrannieAnnie.
Posted by: Grandpa and Annie on 8/8/2017 at 7:54 am
Happy birthday Simon and Max!!!! Miss you guys. Love you lots Simon.
Posted by: Isabelle on 8/7/2017 at 6:05 pm
August 6, 2017
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,161'
Greetings from Karanga Camp. We'll be spending the night at the same elevation as Wheeler Peak -at 13,161 ft, the highest point in New Mexico (which most of us call home). The day began back in the cold and shady Barranco Valley. We were at the upper edge of the clouds this morning and we got swallowed up by them shortly after our 9 AM departure. There was plenty of anticipation and perhaps a little trepidation at the chance to come to grips with the great Barranco Wall. The team handled the rough and rocky "trail" well, moving safely from ledge to ledge while dodging hundreds of heavily laden, hard charging porters. We spent a fair bit of time simply standing and waiting in line at the various bottlenecks that developed around the dicier moves. But our gang was patient and sure-footed... The perfect mix of traits and talents for getting through the day. We were cloaked in thick fog for our entire walk beyond the wall. The team never saw the Karanga Valley itself -our last encounter with Lobelias and Senecios. We just knew we were in it by the steep descent and just as steep ascent out the opposite side. And that put us in a fog shrouded camp at 2 PM where our tents were already up and the table was set for lunch. The afternoon was spent resting. Some enjoyed the quiet of their tents while others played a laugh-filled Uno tournament with the local guides and waiters. Just before sunset, the clouds dropped away to reveal unreal views of Kibo bathed in golden light. It was one of those magical times when we didn't know whether to focus on the setting sun, the rising moon or the glowing glaciers above. It all added up to another great day on a mountainside in Africa.
Today's shoutouts... TG loves MV... and a long distance happy birthday to my brother Hal.
Best Regards,
Dave Hahn
Bravo to the team! Sounds like my friend Sara is in good hands ! What a fab experience!
Posted by: Andrea Blumberg on 8/7/2017 at 6:57 pm
Hi Lexi girl! This is the best bed time reading. Even has the whole “can’t wait to see what happens tomorrow” cliffhanger thing going. Pun intended :-) Sending you positive “you got this” thoughts and lots of sea-level Dallas oxygen :-) Enjoy and be safe Taos Team!! Donia XO
Posted by: Donia on 8/6/2017 at 7:35 pm
August 5, 2017
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,800'
A wind started up in Shira Camp last night, rattling the tents and nerves but not knocking down anything vital in the process. Once we were up and about in the cool morning air, we knew a little steady breeze wouldn't stop us from our day's mission. We were on the move at 8:20 and before long we're stripping off hats and gloves and superfluous clothing layers. The walking was much easier than on the last two days, even if it was at progressively higher elevations. We all found the rock and vegetation surrounding us to be remarkably similar to the sagebrush mesas of Northern New Mexico -home to the majority of the team. Once again, we were above a sea of cloud and once again Kibo was free of cloud and shining in the distance. This time though, the distance was steadily reduced as we walked directly toward Kilimanjaro's central peak and hanging glaciers. After just two hours, we'd managed to surpass all altitude records within the group, save one. Alexis had been higher in Peru. All others were breaking new ground as we hit 15,200 ft at the Lava Tower. We had a great lunch in the sun up there, checking out the formidable slopes of the Western Breach and the giant frozen waterfalls below the remnant glaciers. And then we got cruising downhill toward Barranco Camp and its lush gardens of Lobelias and Senecios. We dove back into cloud to hit camp at 13,000 ft. but were granted a stupendous evening look at our surroundings as the clouds broke at sunset and a giant moon rose over the fabled Barranco Wall -tomorrow's first goal.
A big shout out from the team to Grandma Yoohoo! All is well in Tanzania tonight.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Watching Sunset on the Sandias, remembering Peru, and thinking of you all on this long, challenging and beautiful journey. Savor every moment! Love, Z’s Gramma Jude
Posted by: Judith Roderick on 8/6/2017 at 7:20 pm
Good luck Sarah Sauce on the Barranco wall tomorrow, you can do it!
Posted by: Deon on 8/6/2017 at 11:11 am
The loop is complete. We are back at the Arumeru Lodge after a whirlwind Safari. We had a fine night in the bush of Tanzania. In those remote tented camps with all of their creature comforts prepared us well for our last safari. A delectable breakfast started our way back out through the park. Cloud cover did not lend to animal cover since we once again were overwhelmed by the abundance of game to be seen. A whole pride of lions doing some snacking was a wonderful touch to send us on our way. Took about three hours of us having to put up with nice smooth pavement to get us here. Repacking, showers, and of course more food has the team in good shape for travels abroad tonight.
The new stories from trips like these last a lifetime and we are all excited to get home and share them.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
August 4, 2017
Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,500'
The clouds blanketed Machame Camp for much of the night and we even had brief periods of rain... all of which made it feel wonderful to wake to crystal clear skies in the morning. We were just on top of thick layers of cloud, but finally we had unobstructed views of Kibo (Kilimanjaro's main peak) above.
We ate breakfast and marched out of camp at 8:20, immediately encountering a steep and rocky trail up through a forest of giant heather. There were large numbers of porters -ours and those of neighboring teams- balancing loads on their heads as they wove through the straight up stream of morning traffic. The clouds rose up and swallowed us again for several hours as we steadily gained altitude. Up around 12,000 ft we broke free again and had a better look at the exotic giant scenecios among the heather. 16,000 ft Mount Meru became visible to the west as another island in the cloud sea. We began a traverse along shelves of lava with the boys keeping a sharp eye out for crystals among the ancient flows. The gang easily handled a few steeper steps and we reached a high point of 12,800 ft before dropping down into Shira Camp at 12,500 ft. Then it was an easy and peaceful afternoon of eating napping eating and eating some more. We were treated to a magical evening as the
sun dropped into the clouds out beyond the Shira Plateau and the moon and stars took over at entertaining us.
Everybody is happy and healthy tonight and getting easily into the rhythms of camp and climbing life.
Best Regards
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Fascinated with your journey through an area that I have long found to be very interesting. Safe and enjoyable trip to you all!
Hal
Posted by: Hal H. on 8/4/2017 at 11:35 pm
Wonderful trekking along with Super Team Taos.
Posted by: Yolanda Deveaux on 8/4/2017 at 4:25 pm
Yesterday's visit to Ngorongoro Crater, considered by many to be the eighth wonder of the world, was a memorable experience. The crater is almost exactly 100 square miles and we did fine work of covering a big chunk of it. Today we left our lodge and traveled to Tarangire National Park. A bit of shopping on the way and a stop at a Masaai Village turned out to be a lot of fun. The local village opened their huts up for a visit from the team. These kind and gentle people shared their history and way of life. The rest of the drive took us through the park having to weave around hundreds and hundreds of elephants, zebras, gazelles, cats, and giraffes to name a few. A mild day with some cloud cover made for a pleasant game drive. We are in a luxury tented camp that pretty much knocks your socks off. Life is not to tough out here in the bush and the team is having a blast.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
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Happy birthday to Geoff Melrose. (8/10). Good climbing to all.
Posted by: Peter melrose on 8/9/2017 at 8:59 pm
Good luck Andrew and Nik!
Posted by: Steve Martin on 8/9/2017 at 8:48 am
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