RMI Expeditions Blog
With sadness we bid adieu to six of our teammates from the climb as they embarked on their short day safari before flying off tonight. But with much excitement we started our own four day safari with some new folks. The Cognetto's added a couple of family members (wife/mom, son/bro), plus Nick's girlfriend. But first we had to celebrate another birthday, George's, at breakfast. In typical Tanzanian fashion the staff came out to sing the national feel good song Jambo Bwana, plus Happy Birthday. Of course, candles and cake were on hand too.
Our visit to Lake Manyara didn't disappoint as we got into elephants and baboons within five minutes of entering the gates of this cool national park. But, quite frankly, the giraffes, hippo, Buffalo, eagles and other animals, while great, were somewhat eclipsed by the actions of a couple of our team. A marriage proposal was made, knee bent and ring offered, in the middle of this amazing part of Africa, and was accepted! This, to the enthusiastic approval of dozens of on lookers at our lunch spot. Yeah, I must admit to becoming an emotional marshmallow seeing this proposal unfold as I joined in the clapping of support for these two wonderful people. And again, that incredible Tanzanian spirit of celebration and happiness came out as the group of safari guides that happened to be at the lunch site with their clients, broke into the Mambo Bwana song to recognize this special occasion.
Congratulations Jess and Nick! Cheers to a long and happy life together!
RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team
From the Plantation Lodge near the Ngorogoro Crater, Tanzania
July 26, 2022
Posted by: Dave Hahn, Pete Van Deventer, Jess Wedel, Joey Manship, Cal Seeley, Mike Bennett
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 23 - 27 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. RMI Guides Dave Hahn and Pete Van Deventer and teams reached the summit around 6:30 am under calm winds and warm temperatures. The teams will return to Camp Muir where they spend the afternoon to relax and recover after their efforts today. The teams will descend the remaining 4,500' to Paradise tomorrow morning.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Courtney & Kyle,
Congratulations! Awesome work. What are going to do tomorrow?
Posted by: Cole Fricke on 7/28/2022 at 7:34 am
Woohoo!! Congrats to Amy, Celine and the rest of the team! Enjoy the rest of your adventure!
Posted by: Mary Petersen on 7/26/2022 at 10:44 am
July 26, 2022
Posted by: Mike Walter, Leif Bergstrom, Ben Luedtke, Sam Marjerison
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Expedition Skills Seminar - Kautz July 22 - 27 led by RMI Guide Mike Walter reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. The team reached the crater rim at 6 am and tagged Point Success. They will return to their high camp for their final night on the mountain and descend tomorrow to the trailhead.
Nice work team!
July 25, 2022
Posted by: Seth Burns, Tatum Whatford, Ellison Boord
Categories: Expedition Dispatches North Cascades
Elevation: 10,781'
It was a successful summit for all team members on the Mt. Baker Easton Glacier Climb July 22 - 24. RMI Guide Seth Burns reported a beautiful day filled with lots of smiles!
Nice work team!
July 25, 2022
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 6,000'
Our climb kept pushing us as we descended from our high camp at Barafu (15,200') all the way to Mweka Camp (10,000'). The feet and knees were talking to us and what they were saying would be inappropriate for the ears of young children.
But we all made it, in part to the fantastic pizza our chef Tosha made us for lunch. Pizza, at 15,200'! On a two burner stove, no less.. Incredible!
At Mweka the gods were smiling down on us, granting a rare sunny day at this place that exists on the edge of the rain forest where clouds always seem to hang. Of course, Tosha beat us to Camp to prepare another wonderful dinner.
Last night brought everyone a night's sleep they haven't had since they were bouncing about in diapers. 10+ hours of solid sleep was had by all, just the right medicine for our tired bodies. It was amazing to see a bunch of mostly middle aged men bounce back from an intense 13-14 hour day and trot down a slick, slightly muddy trail to the Park gate at 6000'. In fact, they even beat many of our porters down. A first!
At the Mweka gate we were greeted by our outfitter and the busses and enjoyed our last meal 'on the mountain.' This time cold drinks were available, and many bottles of the local brew were consumed. The gift shop was happy to provide some the chance to get something special to bring home.
The highlight of this time was certainly the singing and dancing our mountain crew did celebrating our week together. The joy and kindness these hard-working individuals shared with us all week was distilled into a few minutes, and really reminded us of how special this trip was.
Yes, the mountain was fantastic, but it was the people we shared this time with that proved to be the most special part of the climb. These people, who lack so much in material things compared to us Westerners, are so rich in spirit and generosity that we as a team were all moved and reminded of what's really important in life.
And in the end, there was this team of climbers that came together to climb a mountain and left as friends, sharing an amazing story that will never be forgotten.
Hope to see you all again!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
Happy Birthday, Geo! Congrats on reaching the summit. We’re still standing here for now. See you soon!
- The Sales Pod
Posted by: Kourtni Kesler on 7/26/2022 at 6:53 am
I have tears in my eyes from reading this. Congratulations to all of you! So inspiring!
Posted by: Andrea Murphy on 7/25/2022 at 11:53 am
July 25, 2022
Posted by: Nikki Champion, Joe Hoch, Augi Fleer, Brian Walters, Trevor Katz, Sam Hoffman
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 21 - 25 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning led by RMI Guides Nikki Champion & Joe Hoch. The teams reached the summit early this morning and were well on their descent around 7 am. RMI Guide Trevor Katz provided the photos from the teams descent from the crater rim. Once back at Camp Muir everyone will repack and continue another 4.5 miles to Paradise. They will then transfer to Rainier BaseCamp for a celebration and conclusion of their program.
Nice work everyone!
July 24, 2022
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19,348'
Hi! This is Brent Okita from Barranco Camp on Kilimanjaro, we just wanted to let folks know that we are back down from the summit. We reached the summit this morning under really nice conditions, and everyone just crushed the summit. So, 100% of the team on the summit this morning, we are back at camp taking a little breather now, going to have some lunch and in an hour or so we are going to descend to our lower camp where we will be tonight, before heading back to the hotel tomorrow.
Congratulations to the whole team, they did really well today.
RMI Guide Brent Okita checks in after summit day on Kilimanjaro.
Outstanding and congratulations!
Posted by: Scott Kenny on 7/25/2022 at 6:47 pm
Congratulations Norm, Nick, and the team!!!
Posted by: Linda Hill on 7/25/2022 at 8:44 am
July 23, 2022
Posted by: Henry Coppolillo, Kiira Antenucci, Roland Scott
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
With a thick marine layer of clouds below Paradise, Camp Muir and the upper mountain enjoyed clear skies and sunshine. The Four Day climbs led by RMI Guides Josh McDowell and Henry Coppolillo reached the summit this morning and were beginning their descent from the crater rim around 7 am. Teams will return to Camp Muir then continue the remaining 4,500' down to Paradise to conclude their program at Rainier BaseCamp this afternoon with a short celebration.
Congratulations to today's Four Day Climb teams!
July 23, 2022
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,200'
Saturday, July 23, 2022 - 4:48 am PT
Excitement is building for all of us on the team. Our summit bid comes in a short 12 hours and the camp crew is hustling to get all ready for our efforts.
Our climbing team is equally excited as we move into our tents and get organized for the climb tonight. The good weather we've been enjoying has gotten even better the past two days and looks to hold for us tonight. We'll be doing lunch shortly where we'll have time to go over all the details that will help us be successful tonight. Then, some time to organize, an early dinner and bed by 6:00pm.
We're all ready to climb this mountain after an easy day today. Less than three hours of slow walking was a perfect way to get to this camp. We're in the volcanic zone now and have left the shrubs and greenery behind for more. Everyone is in excellent shape and feeling well at our High Camp at 15,200'.
Wish us luck!
Should be summiting right about now! Continued prayers!
Posted by: Caitlin Neal on 7/24/2022 at 6:13 am
Praying for great summit climb.
Posted by: Karen Szczesniak on 7/23/2022 at 4:50 pm
July 22, 2022
Posted by: James Bealer
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb of Mt. Rainier reached the 14,410' summit at 7:20 am today. James Bealer, RMI's lead guide for the climb reported a great day of climbing. The heavy marine layer that is sitting around 8,000' was no problem for the team. They climb in near perfect conditions, light winds, clear skies and warm temperatures, and everyone made it to the top!! The team started their descent from the summit at 8:27 am and are in route to Camp Muir.
Congratulations team!
The excitement continues. Congratulations Jess and Nick!
All of this the happy reward celebration of a climb accomplished.
Can’t wait to hear all about it all Glen and Thomas.
XOXO Mom/ aka Moma
Posted by: Ginee Philippy on 7/27/2022 at 9:03 am
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