Entries By casey grom
January 10, 2024
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 9,890'
Happy new year everyone!
The team finally made to Tanzania despite cancelled flights and some crazy reroutes. Our normal 2 days turned into just a few hours on the ground before heading to the mountain.
Today the team did a great job of getting everything organized before leaving the beautiful River Trees Lodge. We then made our way to the base of Kilimanjaro to meet our awaiting staff that will assist us along this journey.
It was an enjoyable ride as we headed northeast of Arusha through rural Tanzania passing many coffee plantation and banana farms along the way.
We were fortunate to hike a few hours before the rain started and the trail turned muddy. Nonetheless, the team did great and we were all elated to reach our camp and hopped into some dry clothes and have a warm meal before heading to bed.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Persevering Crew!!!
Sign Up For Kilimanjaro January 6, 2024 Emails
Hello everyone,
We spent our final day yesterday touring Tarangire National Park, which is home to more elephants per square kilometer than any place on earth and it didn’t disappoint. There were plenty of other animals as usual, and we got pretty close which was amazing. There were also plenty of the other large African mammals, including a bunch of Giraffes and even a leopard napping in a tree.
We ended our day at a remote and off grid camp within the National Park and surrounded by wildlife. The camp has screened in rooms that allow the night sounds and smells of Africa in.
It's been a memorable experience for everyone with great friendships forged. But finally it's time to return home to our families and loved ones.
Thanks for following!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew!
Great photos and I enjoyed the daily stories. I’m looking forward to hearing about this epic adventure from Suzanne Rust when I see her again next summer in Talkeetna, AK. I’ve been considering doing this trek as well so it will be nice to get a first hand impression from someone who has done it with RMI.
Posted by: Gregory Beckstrom on 9/29/2023 at 8:06 pm
What a lovely way to end your adventure. I was hoping to see some gin and tonics around the fire. Last night I was standing outside in Colorado, looking at the full moon and wondering if you were seeing the same thing in Tanzania. Looking forward to seeing you soon, Natasha!
Posted by: CHERYL BUHLER on 9/29/2023 at 11:08 am
Today we visited the famous Ngorongoro Crater, considered by many to be the eighth natural wonder of the world. The crater is roughly 100 square miles of what was once an enormous volcano similar to Kilimanjaro that erupted and collapse on its self. It is known for its abundance of animals that call the crater home with some estimates as high as 30,000 mammals.
We hit the road early with hopes of catching a few of the big cats before the heat of the day.
There were many sightings today of hyenas, zebras, wildebeest, Cape buffalo, ostrich, and countless other birds. We managed to see several lions, including one huge male very close.
We also saw a few Black Rhinos far in the distance, which have become very rare due to poaching.
We have just finished another wonderful meal here at the Plantation Lodge.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Today was the start of our safari adventure and we visited the beautiful Lake Manyara National Park. The lake is a brief stopping ground for many migratory animals and home to more than 350 different birds. Everyone enjoyed the day cruising around in our safari vehicles with cold beverages in hand while seeing a few animals up close.
We didn’t see a ton of animals today, but we did get up close to a few elephants, baboons and 6 beautiful lions! Also managed to see a couple of zebras and a giraffe off in the distance.
It was a nice introduction to the incredible diversity of wildlife that Africa has and the team is looking forward to seeing more tomorrow.
We wrapped up the evening with a wonderful meal at our new lodge www.plantation-lodge.com see for yourself!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the Safari crew
Our final day on the mountain!
Today the gang got up at 6:30 refreshed after a much needed nights sleep, we had breakfast, then hit the trail one last time. It took just around three hours to reach the park gate where the team had lunch and said our final goodbyes to our amazing crew that took such great care of us on the mountain.
We finished the little celebration by handing out their well deserved tips and then hopped aboard our awaiting bus for the ride back to the lodge.
Finally we are all safe and sound, cleaner, and smelling fresh after an exciting seven day journey up and down Kilimanjaro.
Stayed tuned, Safari starts tomorrow!
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
September 24, 2023
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19, 340'
The RMI Kilimanjaro September 16th team reached the summit of Kilimanjaro, 19.340'! All team members climbed strong and were all at the summit together.
The team has descended and is currently at Mweka Camp, 10,000', their final camp of the climb.
Way to go team!
Congrats to everyone…my son and I accomplished the climb exactly 6 years ago… unforgeteble
Posted by: Steve Wahman on 9/27/2023 at 4:27 pm
Way to Go Lacey!!!
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 9/25/2023 at 3:42 am
Hello again everyone,
The team had a good nights rest last night and today was just a short 3 hour hike up to 15,000' to our high camp. Everyone is excited and maybe just a touch nervous, which is very normal!
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 10:30pm and have a quick breakfast at 11, then hopefully hit the trail around 11:30pm. It’s looking a little busy, so will hit the trail a little early to hopefully avoid any traffic jams and allow us to cruise at our own steady pace.
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.
We had trivia challenge, and one lucky 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 7hrs ahead of the east coast time zone.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and the RMI summit bound team!
Lacey + Team
Hope your summit sunrise was stupendous.
Congratulation from the flatlands of Indiana.
Walter, Uhuru Peak 2009
Posted by: Walter Glover on 9/24/2023 at 2:40 am
Natasha,
We’re thinking of you on this big day & praying for safety. Happy birthday to Reagan! Hugs to all of you.
XO
Posted by: Cheryl Buhler on 9/23/2023 at 6:11 pm
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 1,000ft 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.
RMI Guide Casey Grom and crew
Looks like you are making great progress. Great job! Enjoy the journey. I will echo what Chad said, do what Casey tells you to do.
Posted by: Dylan Reingold on 9/23/2023 at 5:42 am
Great to see the progress! Love the pictures of the team! To the RKN girls proud of you, such an accomplishment and lifetime adventure! Keep safe everyone.
Posted by: Bevan on 9/22/2023 at 8:57 am
September 21, 2023
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 8 am 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 6 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
Climb Lacey Climb!!! :)
Farmer Dave
Posted by: Dave Kestel on 9/22/2023 at 3:13 am
Looks like it’s getting chilly! What temps are you seeing?
Posted by: Patti Tito on 9/21/2023 at 7:37 pm
September 20, 2023
Posted by: Casey Grom
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,550'
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 Kili 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 4 hours before reaching our 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
Woohoo Lacey!! Love seeing that classic smile of yours! So excited for you.
Posted by: Jen Killion on 9/21/2023 at 8:30 pm
Keep looking up Lacey! Dad and I love you!!
Posted by: Pam Holt on 9/21/2023 at 9:20 am
Enjoy your time on the mountain. Stay safe.
Posted by: Ruth Baldock on 1/11/2024 at 6:13 am
Glad the first day went well! Can’t wait to read more about it. Happy climbing!
Posted by: Alyson Van Hoorn on 1/10/2024 at 7:47 pm
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