Entries By casey grom
September 4, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19,340'
Sunday, September 4, 2022 - 12:45 am PT
Team is all safely back at high camp, a little tired but full of smiles.
Everyone did an amazing job climbing and stayed positive even though it was a tough climb. It was a cold night and busier than we would have liked, but the team persevered and we were able to get 9 out of 10 climbers to the summit!
We spent about about 30 minutes on the summit celebrating, taking photos and even made a few phone calls to loved ones back home.
We are headed down the mountain to our final camp in the thick warm air at 10,000 ft, where we’ll have dinner then head off to bed for some well deserved sleep.
Also to note…Buckeye’s won! O..H
RMI Guide Casey Grom and a happy Kilimanjaro summit crew!
September 3, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,000'
Hello again everyone,
The team had a good night’s rest last night and today was just a short 3 hour hike up to 15’000' to our high camp. It started out sunny, but then quickly clouded up thankfully for great hiking temperatures. The Equatorial sun at this elevation is quite intense, a little break was needed.
The team has just wrapped up lunch and discussed in great detail the plan for tomorrow’s climb. Everyone knows what we’ll be wearing, what will be in the pack, as well as the schedule.
Our game plan will be to wake at 11pm and have a quick breakfast at 11:30pm, then hopefully hit the trail right at midnight. The team has been doing great thus far and I’m expecting us to reach the summit in 7 to 8 hours if things go according to plan.
As per usual on a Casey climb, one lucky trivia winner will get a phone call from the summit.
So everyone back home please keep your phones handy and if you receive a call from a strange number please answer. We are 8+hrs ahead of the east coast time zone.
Wish us luck!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Summit Bound Crew
Congratulations Eric, what an amazing accomplishment! Can’t wait to see the pictures and hear the stories!
Posted by: Kim and Jack on 9/4/2022 at 8:24 am
Great job John and Bob and all the climbers!! I hope you loved the summit!!
Posted by: Brigid Miller on 9/4/2022 at 7:10 am
September 2, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,030'
Hello everyone!
Right out of camp we were faced with the only significant technical obstacle for this climb. This hurdle is the great Barranco Wall, which rises about 1,000 ft and looks as intimidating as it sounds. Thankfully there is a nice narrow trail that weaves its way up and through the wall and all the way to the top. Most of it feels more like steep hiking, but there are a few places that require the use of our hands to help us climb up.
The team did a good job of moving steady and allowing a few porters through with their loads precariously balanced on their heads. Which was astonishing to see!
After reaching the top we took a nice break and enjoyed the amazing views of the ice-ladened south face and valleys below. The team continued our hike for a few more hours up and down through a few valleys before reaching today’s endpoint.
All in all, it took only about 4 hours for us to reach our next camp called Karanga, named for the big and beautiful valley which it overlooks.
Casey and crew
You’re reaching new heights of both the mountain *and* your life. Way to go, and keep those steps humming!
Posted by: Gloyboy on 9/3/2022 at 5:17 am
Congratulations on scaling Barranco wall! Continued prayers for all the crew.
Posted by: Elaine on 9/2/2022 at 2:25 pm
September 1, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,030'
Howdy everyone back home.
All is well in Tanzania. We’ve had great weather and the team is humming along really well.
We hit the trail just after 8am and hiked for an hour before taking our usual 15 minute break, then back on the trail for another hour and so on. All total today we hiked for just over six hours before reaching Barranco Camp. Our gracious Kilimanjaro porters have been working very hard and we arrive once again to a camp set up and ready for us.
Along the way we passed around the famous Lava Tower reaching just over 15,000' setting new altitude records for many. We also passed by many of the giant groundsels and towering Senecio trees that made us feel as if we were in some crazy Dr. Suess story.
The team is in good spirits and doing great.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew
Karl, Derek,
Congrats to the Summit!!!! What an achievement! Cheers! Jack & Mary
Posted by: Jack on 9/4/2022 at 6:48 am
To Eric: We all look forward to reading the updates each day and can’t wait to hear all about the trek! We miss you and love you. Stay safe.
Posted by: Vicki Sutton-Beattie on 9/2/2022 at 9:36 am
August 31, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,570'
Hello again everyone
The team had a really nice day here on Kili today, waking to clear skies and a beautiful view of Kilimanjaro looming in the distance. We had a light cloudy layer which helped keep us cool while on the trail, which was nice as the sun can be quite intense here near the equator.
We started the day waking at 6:30 to start packing up before moving into our dinning tent for a nice breakfast with porridge, fried eggs, toast, avocado and even some fresh fruit, and most importantly plenty of hot coffee.
We hit the trail shortly after 8am and slowly made our way up the rocky trail with occasional views of Kilimanjaro above. The trail climbed up a blunted ridge and eventually out of the trees and allowed for some truly spectacular views of the valley below. The team hiked for a little more than four hours before reaching out next camp that sits on the Shira plateau, which is the remnant of an ancient lava flow.
Everyone is doing very well and we are currently relaxing in camp.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Guten tag Herr Stowers-
We’re rooting for you in Clinton.
What an awesome experience!!
Can’t wait to hear all about it when you return.
Eric & Daniela
Posted by: Eric and Daniela on 9/1/2022 at 8:13 am
Bob and John,
That photo is heaven!!! I can’t imagine the beauty of that moment!!! Eat well and wish you both the strength to continue forward!!!!
Sending hugs
Mom Candy
Posted by: Candy Sinner on 8/31/2022 at 8:06 pm
August 30, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 10,000'
Hello everyone,
Today the we had an early start and left behind our beautiful lodge as we have headed to the mountain towards the start of the climb. We left around 8am and drove along the rural country side and small villages for 2 hours before reaching the Kilimanjaro National Park entrance.
Most of the area surrounding Kilimanjaro has been cultivated and primarily used for coffee and banana production, plus a variety of other agriculture needs. There are still a few areas that have been untouched and resemble more of a savannah that Tanzania is known for. Kilimanjaro’s base is mostly forested and resembles more of a jungle, this area is called the cloud forest.
Once we arrived at the park gate we had all of our gear weighed and divided into loads for our porters and other staff to carry before hitting the trail. Once everything was in order we started our climb slowly making our way up the winding trail that ascends continuously through the thick forest. Thankfully the overhead canopy provided a bit of relief from the hot sun overhead.
The team hiked for about five hours, reaching 10,000' and arriving at our first camp. After settling into camp and get situated the team was served a nice warm meal for dinner.
Everyone is doing well and looking forward to a good nights rest.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Wow, looks like a lot of fun! I hope you are having a great time Katy!
Posted by: April M on 9/2/2022 at 3:50 pm
Go Sultan - You got this!
Posted by: Jimmy on 8/31/2022 at 7:21 am
Jambo (Swahili for hello/greetings) from Tanzania
All is well here in Tanzania and the team has finally all safety arrived after some very long flights. It was a short and peaceful ride to our lodge that is nestled in between Arusha and Moshi and not so far from the base of Kilimanjaro. The team had a quick dinner and headed for bed as the time change had us all feeling just a little off and pretty tired after all the traveling.
Today we had a leisurely morning with our group meeting after breakfast , where we did a round of introductions and then discussed the upcoming program for the days ahead. The team spent the remainder of the day getting our gear packed up, exploring the grounds of our peaceful lodge and dodging the gaggle of monkeys patrolling the grounds.
We wrapped up the evening with a delicious meal and plenty of friendly conversations.
Seems the team has had their fill of cake since we enjoyed celebrating our 2nd birthday in a row already.
Everyone is doing well and excited to be here.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Kili crew!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CASEY GROM!
Great to see the group picture! Looking forward to following your climb!
Posted by: Alicia Avila on 8/30/2022 at 8:11 am
Love the pictures of this adventurous group! What great memories you will create with these wonderful companions. I know Katy will keep you highly entertained and motivated. Have a safe and joyful climb!
Posted by: Cindy White on 8/29/2022 at 6:42 pm
August 22, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom, Dustin Wittmier, Emma Lyddan, George Hedreen, Jenna Burkey, Mira Schoeberlein
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb August 19 - 22 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Dustin Wittmier reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. As of 7 am the teams were enjoying time in the summit crater. There are currently a few broken clouds but otherwise a clear and sunny day. Teams will be returning back to Camp Muir and then descending the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise. There program will conclude with a celebration at Rainier BaseCamp later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
My son Lucas was roped up with each of the guides at some point during the climb and had nothing but praise for all of them. My wife and I want to thank Mira, George, Casey, and Dustin for leading a safe, informative, and successful climb! Cheers to all of you!
Mark & Erin
Posted by: Mark A Swanson on 8/23/2022 at 6:54 pm
August 10, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom, Ben Ammon, Erika Birkeland, Trevor Katz, Evan Sather, Ellison Boord
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climbs August 7 - 10 led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Ben Ammon reached the summit of Mt. Rainier this morning. As of 7:30 am the teams were at 13,100' on their descent. They will return to Camp Muir for a short break before continuing down to Paradise.
The program will conclude this afternoon at Rainier BaseCamp.
Congratulations to today's climbers.
Thanks for a fantastic adventure! Guides Casey, Erika and Evan were great!
Posted by: Darrell Jesse on 8/11/2022 at 3:06 pm
Way to go Brian! We are so proud! Love, Mom and Dad
Posted by: Joan Schneider on 8/10/2022 at 8:55 am
August 6, 2022
Posted by: Casey Grom, Ben Ammon
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410"
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Casey Grom and Ben Ammon reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. It was a cool morning until the sun came up. Ben reported a cloudless sky with very light winds. The team is in route back to Camp Muir and will return to Paradise in the early afternoon.
Congratulations Team!
Congratulations to Andrea and Matthew and the whole team!
Posted by: John and Kate on 8/7/2022 at 2:13 pm
Hope you are having a great adventure Kassandra and Chris!! Can’t wait to hear about it!!
Posted by: Lisa Tapia on 8/7/2022 at 7:20 am
Amazing photos! Congrats to all!
Posted by: Brigid Miller on 9/4/2022 at 5:06 pm
Woohoo congratulations team! Well done! To hear the elation and excitement in Karl’s and Derek’s voices from the summit sent shivers down my spine and tears to my eyes as I was so filled with happiness and thanksgiving to God. Cheers to all!!!
Posted by: Kim on 9/4/2022 at 11:55 am
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