Entries from Expedition Dispatches
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Our last full day of our safari did not disappoint. After a morning of souvenir hunting we arrived at Tarangire National Park ready for more action, and got it within minutes of going through the gate.
Warthogs, elephants and a bunch of other critters came our way in the first hour. A lot of close up encounters with giraffes and elephants stole the show, with the finale happening in the final minutes as we drove adjacent a huge and incredibly green swamp area and had a herd of elephants cross in front of us and proceed to cover themselves in mud and even dunk themselves in the water like kids at a pond. An amazing site!
Our 'camp' in the middle of the Park is pretty cool too. Like all these camps in the bush, our living quarters are screened in canvas tents enclosing some high end furnishings. Kind of swank and kind of fun.
One last morning of safari awaits us as sadly our trip comes to a close.
Until tomorrow.
Jambo!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
PC: Shout out to Jeff Tracy, on his 3rd Kilimanjaro climb, for the beautiful photos!
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Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Daniel May, Mike Bennett, Erika Birkeland, Will Ambler, Mac Nolde, Avery Stolte
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
RMI Guides Dan May and Mike Bennet led their Four Day Climb August 5 - 8 to the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. Skies are clear with a light breeze. The teams were able to spend some time in the crater before starting their descent from the crater rim around 7 am. They will return to Camp Muir, take a short break and then continue down to Paradise.
Nice work today teams!
Thursday, August 8, 2924 - 5:11 am PT
Hola!
We left Cusco early this morning, taking a bumpy and winding road into the heart of the Andes. We were all a little queasy from the bus ride but when we opened the door to views of Tukarway (19,499ft) and Salkantay (20,574ft) all was okay. There are no words for the feeling of being surrounded by jagged peaks with glaciers, snow and ice. The views were beyond beautiful.
After a second breakfast, we started our trek. Winding through the valley with mountains reigning above us at every turn. After a few hours we stopped for lunch. We promise not to tell you all because we want you to think we’re hardcore but we did indeed have a 3-course meal seated at a table right in the middle of the trail. Fresh avocado and vegetables, warm soup, followed by mashed potatoes and beef medallions. Okay, okay, okay. I’ll move on, but it was divine.
After lunch we had a steeper climb for a couple hours to our camp at 15,500 feet!! Right at the toe of the Salkantay Glacier. Our tents opening up to the mountain before us, we saw ice falls and avalanches cascading down the slopes. We are all exhausted after little sleep last night and our first big day on the trail.We’re tucked in now with hot water bottles and sleeping bags fully zipped - it’s likely our chilliest night of the whole trek.
Tomorrow we’ll head over Salkantay Pass at nearly 16,000 feet and then descend around the mountain to our next camp.
With tired feet and big smiles,
RMI Guides Jess, Casey and team
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 5:55 pm PT
Today we left our island paradise for the mountains! After a quick boat ride we made a quick stop in the famous town of Copacabana to walk around the local market. Then it was back on the road for a few hours which brought us to the base of the Condoriri group. It's nice to be back in the mountains meeting our local support crew that will help support our climb and get our gear up to base camp at 15,500'. The team is looking forward to stepping onto the glacier for the first time and attempting our first peak on Friday!
RMI Guide Henry Coppolillo
New Post Alerts:
Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
A spectacular day! But this doesn't even do justice to what we saw in the crater. Besides the thousands of animals we saw all day, we were especially lucky to see three black rhinos, which are exceptionally rare. And better yet, we got up close to a pride of lions. Like 30 or so feet away! Wildebeast, zebras, ostriches and a bunch of other critters also a close up show.
Following our safari we visited a Masai village which helped us understand better their culture and life.
And tomorrow ... Tarangire!
All for now since I'm falling asleep.
Cheers,
RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Joe Hoch, Pete Van Deventer, Raymond Holt, Jack Ritterson, Nicole De Petris, Tom Skoog
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Joe Hoch and Pete Van Deventer reached the summit of Mt. Rainier Early this morning. The team enjoyed the views and spent about an hour on the 14,410' summit before starting their descent. The team will be back in Ashford this afternoon to celebrate their success at Rainier Basecamp.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Tatum Whatford, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,741'
RMI Guide Tatum Whatford and the Mt. Baker Leave No Trace (LNT) team were on the summit of Mt. Baker at 6:41 am today. The team climbed via the Coleman Demming Route.
This program equips participants with the skills and knowledge needed to achieve an LNT Level 2 Instructor certification, and empowers them to effectively teach and certify individuals in Leave No Trace Level 1 Instructor courses and Awareness Workshops. The terrain covered on Mt. Baker serves as an ideal classroom, offering diverse environments such as old-growth forests, heather meadows, and immense glaciers, allowing us to focus specifically on LNT techniques relevant to alpine environments.
Reaching the summit of Mt. Baker is a great way to end the week! Congrats Team!
Posted by: Andy Bond, Henry Coppolillo
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Bolivia
Our team enjoyed the sunrise at La Estancia Eco Lodge this morning. We then toured La Chincana (the Labyrinth) which dates to 800 AD and was a sacred place people traveled to from the Andean Region. Then a walk back to the harbor to catch a boat ride to lunch. It has been another great day here in Isle del Soul.
RMI Guide Andy Bond & Team
New Post Alerts:
Bolivia Expedition, August 3, 2024
Good luck team! Katie Forsyth, I M pulling for you!
Love,
Aunt Kate
Posted by: Kate Graham on 8/7/2024 at 11:47 am
Posted by: Casey Grom, Jess Wedel
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Machu Picchu
Hello again everyone!
It was another beautiful day here in Cusco Peru. The team spent the morning visiting several more interesting Incan archaeological site above the city with massive stone structures and panoramic views of the valley.
We then headed to the old town and visit the Sun Temple and then made to the beautiful basilica that sit in the main square of Cusco.
It was another busy day and the team spent the remainder of the day packing up and then headed out for one more fantastic Peruvian fusion dinner.
It’s off to bed we go as tomorrow we head out early for the start of our Trek!!!
RMI Guides Casey Grom, Jess Wedel and the Inca crew
New Post Alerts:
Machu Picchu Trek, August 3, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - 8:09 am PT
Today was the first day of our safari following a well-deserved night of sleep. Our drive to Lake Manyara offered up the sights of Arusha and the Masai land the lie between the Park and our hotel. Life and commerce is just so different from what we have at home. So much more personal and social. So much happens on the street.
Our safari guides, Jafari and Comfort, are huge reservoirs of information and ready to speak on just about anything. But of course, they shine when they speak of the flora and fauna we're seeing.
Jafari indicated up front that the rains and flooding of winter and spring have led some animals to leave Lake Manyara National Park, and have forced the closure of some roads elsewhere, but that didn't keep us from being entertained by baboons and elephants, up close and personal. (Have you ever heard an elephant pass gas? A first for me!). Monkeys, cool birds, more elephants and an excellent lunch followed. And now we're at our hotel, the Plantation Lodge. Check it out. It's wonderful! So nice to be able to relax in perfect weather at this amazing lodge.
Truth be told, I'm writing this from a comfy chair poolside where Jeff, Alan and Kevin just stopped by after their run.
Next up: an early start for the Ngorongoro Crater, which is truly a wonder of the world for the wildlife that calls the crater home. We're psyched!
Way to go Benjamin! We are so happy for you and proud of you!
Posted by: Julie Andrews on 8/7/2024 at 12:44 pm
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