Entries from Kilimanjaro
August 1, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,030'
Thursday, August 1, 2024
What a spectacular day! The weather and temps have been perfect. Our gradual grind up the Shira Plateau took a while as we were pacing ourselves for the long run. Our goal: Lava Tower at 15,200'. A new altitude record for most of the group. Lunch, or course, was prepared and served to us when we got there. Quite a few of us felt the elevation and were happy to just lie down. The descent to Barranco Camp revived many of us. We're psyched for tomorrow's big climb up the Barranco Wall!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024 Emails
July 31, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,500'
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
The route to Shira Camp is interesting and beautiful. The sharp ascent out of camp wakes the body to the challenges ahead. The wonderful views of Mt Meru and the lowlands below us highlight the cool rock formations we need to climb and traverse to get to the Shira Plateau. The view of Kilimanjaro's summit with her sadly disappearing glaciers get closer and more evocative as we get higher and higher. The team is doing well as the camp staff do their best to fatten us up for the summit in a few days. At 12,500' we are getting our first taste of real altitude, and are tactics for dealing with it are working well. Tonight will be the first of a few chilly nights, but our bodies are gradually acclimating to it, as to mountain life in general. We're looking forward to a big day tomorrow. 15,200' will be an altitude record for many. Next: Barranco Camp! Good night!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024 Emails
So proud of you Myriam! You got this! Keep pushing and have fun!!!
Love Randy
Posted by: Randy Seay on 7/31/2024 at 6:54 pm
Way to go Kayla! So excited to hear about your adventure when you return.
Posted by: Mike Byrnes on 7/31/2024 at 4:51 pm
July 30, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,890'
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Machame camp! The day was perfect for our hike to camp just below 10,000'. As the giant Heather replaced the canopy of the rain forest, the sun turned. We have great weather here with a view of the summit of Kili we rarely see through the clouds.
Our chefs worked their magic and beautifully replaced the energy we burned getting here. Now it's time for bed. We're all sleepy from our early start.
Good night!
RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024 Emails
I’m so amazed by you Kayla! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventure! Hope all of you are having an amazing time!
Posted by: stephanie psick on 8/1/2024 at 7:38 am
Look at you guys go! We knew Jeff could do this but I’m SO PROUD OF YOU! What a role model. GO CARRIE! Stay safe both of you!
Posted by: Annette Reaves on 7/31/2024 at 11:50 am
Monday, July 29, 2024
This morning breakfast lasted until lunchtime almost. Yes, we were talking about the climb to come, but with this amiable group discussions eventually turned into conversations and time flew by.
The sun finally broke through the cloud deck, and we actually felt great wearing shorts out. This worked well for our equipment check, and I was pleasantly surprised that folks had what they needed to climb this mountain.
Following a late lunch, we met up with a couple Tanzanian friends, one of whom offered to drive some of the group into town for a little sightseeing.
All our mtn duffels have been packed and weighed, our packs loaded and we're ready to start climbing!
To the Machame Gate!!!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024 Emails
Sunday, July 28, 2024 - 12:39 pm PT
At last the team is all together and ready to begin this extraordinary African adventure. As many people came in earlier they lost no time figuring out how to explore and learn more of this amazing country. Guided town walks were a big hit, as was a safari into our own nearby Arusha National Park.
Last night four of us were met by Emmanuel, the manager of Barking Zebra Tours, two of us enduring 24 hour straight push from Seattle.
Our last climber came in this afternoon, luggage in hand, so we're set for Day 1 of the trip.
Now, to catch up on some sleep and hope the jet lag keeps getting better.
Talk tomorrow!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024 Emails
So proud of you Alan and can’t wait to see and hear all about it! With you in spirit! Love and miss you lots! Pierre, Coco and little Bert say hi :)
Posted by: Brenda Cowe on 7/30/2024 at 5:48 am
You got this Mimi (Myriam)! Push hard and see you when you get home. Love, Randy
PS. I hope you have the time of your life … Miss you!!!
Posted by: Randy Seay on 7/30/2024 at 5:35 am
Hello everyone,
Today we headed to Tarangire National Park known for its abundant elephants, and it didn’t disappoint. Not sure how many we saw, but it was quite a few, and we got pretty close to boot. There were lots of giraffes, impalas, monkeys, ostriches, and many, many birds. We did manage to see a leopard, unfortunately it wasn’t that close and seemed to just be napping in the afternoon heat.
We are spending our last night here in Africa at Nykani Tented Camp, which has beautiful tented rooms with screen windows to allow the sounds of the African bush in. Everyone is doing great and hoping to see a few more big cats on our way out of the park tomorrow morning. Then it will be back to our main lodge near Arusha for a brief stop before catching our flights home.
Thanks for following,
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jess Wedel and crew!
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, January 20, 2024 Emails
Day 2 on Safari had us visiting the world famous Ngorongoro Crater. The crater is what remains of a once massive volcano that erupted. In the two million years since then, hundreds of animals have taken up residence and have created one of the best safari options in Africa.
We hit the road early with hopes of catching a few more animals before the heat sent them in search for shade. Not long after descending down into the crater we came upon several lions with three cute cubs. We continued driving around trying not to stop at all the zebra, wildebeest, and Cape buffalo that were nearly in the way.
There were many sightings today of hyenas, jackles, ostrich, and countless other birds. One of the highlights was seeing seven Black Rhino which have become very rare.
We have just finished another wonderful meal here at the Plantation Lodge and are looking forward to what tomorrow may bring as we head to Tarangire National Park.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, January 20, 2024 Emails
Our first day on safari brought us to Lake Manyara. A small national park that boarders Lake Manyara known for its tree climbing lions. The team spent about four hours driving around the park and saw a fair amount of wildlife. Zebra, Cape buffalo, hundreds of baboons, Vervet monkeys, Blue monkeys and lots of exotic birds. Everyone had a great day and enjoyed just relaxing while taking in the views.
We then headed to our home for the next two days at an amazing lodge called The Plantation Lodge.
The team just finished a wonderful meal and are off to bed as we are headed out early hoping to see some big cats!
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jess Wedel and the Safari crew
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, January 20, 2024 Emails
January 28, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19, 340'
100% on top
Team is doing well. Tired but in great spirits.
We’ve descended back to high camp where we’ll have lunch to refuel and then hit the trail and head to thicker air.
Tonight we’ll spend our last night on the mountain before heading out of the park tomorrow.
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jess Wedel and the summit team!!!
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, January 20, 2024 Emails
Ian & Erin, I’m so proud of you! Congratulations on reaching the top! Can’t wait k hear all about your adventures.
Posted by: Kim Clark on 1/29/2024 at 3:59 am
Yay Crigler’s!!!! What an amazing accomplishment and can’t wait to hear all the wonderful stories.
Safe travels home!!
XO
Francine
Posted by: Francine on 1/28/2024 at 2:00 pm
January 27, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,200'
Saturday, January 27, 2024, 7:26 am PST
We've arrived at high camp! Summit push tonight!
It was a short and uneventful move from Karanga camp up to Barafu camp, which is our launching point for the summit. The team did great, and we arrived in just over 3hrs with amazing views most of the way.
We've had our summit talk where we discussed our plan and the teams strategy for tomorrow. Final packing is taking place as I write this and we'll have dinner shortly, then it's off to bed for a little sleep before the climb. Weather permitting, we'll be up at 10:30pm, have breakfast, and hopefully hit the trail around 11:30pm. As per usual, I'm expecting the ascent to take around7-8 hours with breaks to the "Roof of Africa".
Keep your fingers crossed for us, and there's a chance, if time allows some of you back home might receive a satellite phone call from the summit. So keep your phones handy. My best guess is we'll be on the summit around 7-7:30 in the morning, Tanzania time.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kilimanjaro Crew
You are amazing Kayla climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. Stay safe and enjoy the adventure of a life time.
Maxine
Posted by: Maxine Byrnes on 8/1/2024 at 6:24 pm
Your trip looks amazing Alan! So happy for you all. What a fantastic life-changing experience :) Good luck tomorrow!
Posted by: Brenda Cowe on 8/1/2024 at 2:37 pm
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