Entries from Kilimanjaro
The Taos Team crushed it today, hitting all the targeted times for being up and packed and ready to roll out of the comfy Arumeru River Lodge. We hit the road at 8:15 and rolled along in our bus under cloudy skies. We never did catch a glimpse of the well-camouflaged Kilimanjaro, but the cruise through corn fields and villages was interesting none-the-less. As the road climbed higher we seemed to be passing thousands of banana trees mixed with coffee shrubs. Finally, at the 5,900 ft park entrance -the end of the road- we were simply in a thick and foggy rain forest. After a bunch of paperwork, at long last we were properly permitted, in place and ready for walking. We began shortly after 11 AM. The gang, accompanied and coached by an all star cast of local guides, gained altitude steadily. In fact, we came up 4000 feet in six miles, taking just five hours. The clouds were with us all day but that seemed to keep things comfortably cool. The trail was a little greasy and muddy from recent rains, but we got through without a slip.
We arrived to find our camp already built by our capable staff. After moving in, we got together in the dining dome tent and had an afternoon tea and then a sumptuous dinner while we chatted and laughed.
Philip, our lead guide, gave a thoughtful talk and laid out plans for tomorrow's journey.
All agreed that day one was a great success. Tyrone, in particular, wanted his pal, Makaela to know he was thinking of her and that the climb was going forward as planned.
Best Regards,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
On The Map
Hello Mark Tucker checking in from the Ngorongoro Crater event. A little IT problem, but we're going to get that worked on in the morning. Just wanted to let you know that everybody's doing great. Had a wonderful day down in the crater. Saw thousands and thousands of animals up close and in person. It was a wonderful day; everybody had a gas and we're heading to Tarangire in the morning. We'll get you back in the loop on the dispatches. All is well here in Tanzania.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker from the Ngorongoro Crater.
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
Go Zach! Can’t wait to hear more and share with Maddy and the rest of the crew here in Italy. All the best!!!!
Posted by: Erin on 8/3/2017 at 9:32 am
So excited to be part of your journey by following this blog! Wishing all of you the most amazing time on this epic adventure!
Posted by: Nedra on 8/3/2017 at 4:45 am
Everyone and everything made it through. Through Amsterdam, through immigration, through customs, through the baggage carousels. We've got a climbing team ready to begin the Kilimanjaro odyssey. These folks all know one another... a good number are related... and absolutely everybody was ready to sleep at midnight when dinner broke up. Long flights and lots of movies, miles and time zones between Taos, New Mexico, USA and Usa River, Tanzania. We'll dive into the details of getting set to climb -tomorrow.
Best,
RMI Guide Dave Hahn
Lots of eyes on you guys, green with envy and sparkling with vicarious excitement.
Posted by: Ann Blake on 8/2/2017 at 7:11 am
Safari time at Lake Manyara National Park. The drive into the park took us a couple hours. The animals were out in force and a few clouds helped keep the temperature nice. Our all wheel-drive Land Cruisers took us comfortably very close to thousands of native creatures. This was a pretty nice introduction to the incredible bio-diversity that Africa has, and everyone enjoyed the day. We had a nice lunch in Campsite 1 but no tent time for the team on phase two of the trip. Our lodge has received thumbs up from all. Very comfortable here at the Plantation Lodge, and the dinner could not have been better. Up early for our next park in the morning.
All is well here in Africa,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
July 30, 2017
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19,340'
On Saturday, July 29th at 9:15 pm PST, RMI Guide Mark Tucker called from the Kilimanjaro summit! Please click the link below to listen to the call.
Update 7:44 am PST:
The team is all here at the last Camp Mweka. At about 10,000ft it is very comfortable compared to where we have been recently. It was a tough day and everybody is in tents resting before our last dinner on the hill. Everybody did great and is in good health. More details tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
RMI Guide Mark Tucker calls from the Roof of Africa
On The Map
Pongezi Annie & Phillip!!! The view looks amazing.
Have a great adventure!
Posted by: Åsta on 7/30/2017 at 8:03 pm
Congrats & Way to Go to everyone on the team for summiting Kilamanjaro!!
Glad to hear it was a safe trip!
Hope you all will have lasting memories of this trip.
- Mike Gary (Kevin’s brother)
P.S. Happy belated birthday, Kevin! :)
Posted by: Mike Gary on 7/30/2017 at 7:34 pm
July 29, 2017
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,000'
It was a short and uneventful move from Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp,which is our launching point for the summit. The team did great and we arrived in right around three hours. Perfect weather, in fact a bit hot with how intense the sun is here at around 15,000ft. Not much atmosphere above us to filter the sun. We've had our summit talk where we discussed our plan and the team's strategy for tomorrow. Final packing is taking place. Relaxing and of course eating is the job for the rest of the day, then early dinner, off to bed for more rest. Weather permitting, we'll be up at 11pm, have breakfast and hit the trail around midnight. As per usual I'm expecting the ascent to take around eight hours, breaks included, to the Roof of Africa.
My goal will to give a call from the top of conditions allow.
The team is in great shape and high spirits.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
What a way to start a new day! Cheers to all of you.
Posted by: Anna Marie McCormick on 7/29/2017 at 11:22 am
July 28, 2017
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,000'
Today the team did a fantastic job climbing the intimidating looking Barranco Wall. It is the technical hurdle of this expedition and everyone did great. Everybody enjoyed the challenge; of course, the porters made it look easy as they climbed the wall with their loads carefully balanced on their heads.
Once above the wall we took a well-deserved break to enjoy the valleys below and the peak above. Yet another day of great hiking conditions. We are now at about 13,000ft at the Karanga Camp. High camp tomorrow and the team is looking good.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
July 27, 2017
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,800'
It was clear and cool last night with temperatures right around freezing. Our team kept warm with hot water bottles and warm sleeping bags. We left Shira Camp and slowly climbed uphill before we started our traverse over to Barranco Valley across the volcanic plateau and just below the remaining glaciers that cling to Kilimanjaro's slopes. As we approached camp we were all amazed to see the giant groundsels and famous senecio trees that look like something out of a Dr Suess book. Once again we pulled into camp and our stellar crew had camp all set up and were ready with hot drinks and snacks after a solid six hour day. The team is in good shape and ready for the Barranco wall which sits just above camp and will be our first objective as we continue up hill tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
Enjoy this special time together!! Looks so exciting. Be Safe and send pics!! xxoo
Posted by: Aunt ME & Uncle Gene on 7/28/2017 at 5:44 pm
Way to go Annie, Philip, and team! It is warm here in Minnesota.
Posted by: Kay Weaver on 7/28/2017 at 10:43 am
Awakening at Mweka Camp early, the feet and legs had miraculously recovered from our sixteen hour summit day. Ok, maybe not completely recovered, but everyone was moving quite well after such a huge effort. Of course, a little vitamin I (Ibuprofen) never hurt.
Breakfast awaited us, to be followed by song and dance from our mountain staff in celebration of a wonderful week on the mountain. In return we expressed our appreciation of the tremendous care they gave us with tokens of gratitude.
Our three hour hike to the Mweka gate ended in a final meal together. This time the food reflected the local cuisine, and was delicious!
Goodbyes were made and a two hour bus ride brought us back to the comforts of the hotel and the showers everyone had been looking forward to for days. I guess the three hundred baby wipes some folks took weren't quite enough.
We celebrated in style. Not just our success on the mountain, but also the birthday that motivated this whole affair, getting a group of individuals way out of their comfort zone and learning what it means to climb a mountain.
The hotel staff graciously set up tables outside and built a roaring fire so that we might enjoy a final night together feasting and indulging in fabulous wines brought in special for the occasion.
Toasts were made and reflections on our trip shared, all the while the Blue monkeys and little Dik Dik antelopes watched on, visible in the glow of the flickering flames, no doubt wondering what all the fuss was about.
But we know what the fuss was all about. It was about an adventure shared by family and friends, and challenges that were quite hard at times, and the lessons and memories made over the course of an incredible week on Mount Kilimanjaro.
Habari ya asubhui and asante sana,
RMI Guide Brent Okita
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There’s Sara always with the best and brightest smile! Best of all to the whole team❤️!
Posted by: Andrea and Scott on 8/6/2017 at 5:29 am
Good luck everyone, it’s really amazing!
Sarah, I enjoy reading about your climb from my couch with my glass of wine. Miss you :)
Posted by: Fiona on 8/6/2017 at 12:24 am
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