Entries By mark tucker
This is not any surfing safari, although that doesn't sound too bad either. Our goal is not to catch the perfect wave, but it is to find the perfect sighting of so much wild game on a beautiful day. I'll take it. We forced ourselves to leave one lovely lodge to end up at another. We are at the Plantation Lodge situated midway between Lake Manyara and Ngorongoro Crater, which is the location of tomorrow's safari. The team did well making the transition from climbing to safari. Although that trigger finger took a hit today taking so many pictures, I have confidence it will pull off some amazing shots tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
We are getting ready for dinner here just outside of Arusha in the lowlands of Tanzania. Everybody is healthy and happy. It’s crazy to think where we were just yesterday--what a great climb. We moved up the hill like clockwork. I was very impressed by the strength, both mental and physical, by one and all during such an arduous task.
This morning we had a nice walk in the cloud forest, and yes we were in the clouds. It was so lush and pretty. After reaching the Mweka Gate and having lunch, we said farewell to our local staff and a “thank you so much” to the staff of the Dik Dik Hotel—one of the best outfitters for Kilimanjaro. They offer great support and I will defiantly use them again. How about next week? Is that soon enough? But first I will spend a few days on safari game viewing with the team. We’ve made some great memories already and more are yet to come. I will do my best to keep you in the loop on phase two of the “A Team” in East Africa.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
July 29, 2014
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 10,000'
Hello!
I hope our phone call from the summit was received. We had a great climb and are now checking in 10,000' later. All is well here at the Mweka camp, our last camp of the climb. What a night for the summit. The temperatures were chilly, but there was very little no wind and lots of sunshine, you can't complain about that. The team did great up and down. Sixteen hours is a long day for anyone, so we are feeling a bit beat up right now. But we are all healthy and happy. We will wake up early tomorrow for a short three hour descent to the Mweka gate where we will meet our vehicle and driver. Once we load up, we will leave the Kilimanjaro National Park Gate and head back to the Dik Dik Hotel. The lap of luxury awaits.
On The Map
July 29, 2014
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 19,340'
Mr. Mark Tucker here on the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro a beautiful day and a fantastic team. Everyone wants to say hi to the family.
Hey -With Mark Tucker and “Tuck’s Tucklings” on the summit of Kilimanjaro. It’s a beautiful day up here.
Hey it’s Maryann standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro – it’s pretty awesome.
We are having some fun.
Hey it’s Laura here on top of Africa. Hello to everyone back home.
Well we are going to wrap it up and start working our way downhill in a good safe manner. And we will check in from Mweka Camp at 10,000’. That is 9,420’ below here. We are doing great. Thanks for checking in.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and the July 21st Team call from the summit of Kilimanjaro.
On The Map
July 28, 2014
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 15,000'
Hello from 15,000' on Mt. Kilimanjaro.
All our team is here at High Camp, Barafu Camp (15,000'), in great shape and ready to go. We left from Karanga Camp this morning and made it to our new camp in good time. We enjoyed another nice lunch from our mountain staff and spent time organizing and packing up to make our early morning departure quick and easy. Here at Barafu Camp life is good. There are a few clouds around but that is not unusual and we are in hopes of a clear windless night ahead. We had a relaxing afternoon with lots of tent time, putting our feet up and drying out the boots, reading, writing, and maybe a bit of cards. We are taking it easy and making sure everyone is rested and ready for our upcoming adventure.
We will try and give you a shout out from the Roof of Africa tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
July 27, 2014
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 13,000'
Hello!
We are checking in from high on Mt. Kilimanjaro. Here in the alpine desert there is a stark reminder that only the heartiest survive at this altitude. That is just what we are doing and in great style, mind you a hearty group we are. After a great climb of the famous Baranco wall early this morning led to the traverse below the southern side of the summit massive. We had intermittent clouds that made for nice climbing to the Karanga Camp. The Diamond, Balletto, Heim, Decken, and Kersten glaciers loom just above reminding us that we still have a ways to go. The team continues to do well, all is good
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
July 26, 2014
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,800'
Another very nice day on Mt. Kilimanjaro. We set out at 8 am after yet another delicious breakfast we are definitely not losing any weight on this trip. We left the moorland zone of vegetation and moved into the alpine zone meaning not much living up there. A couple of white necked ravens would visit us at our breaks thinking they may get a hand out but doing our best at the leave no trace policy they would have to rummage else where for a snack. Right at high noon we hit the high mark of just under 15,000' which was a new altitude record for most of the team. We then descend down to 13,000' where the Baranco camp is and home for the night. The whole team is feeling good and climbing with great style.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
On The Map
July 25, 2014
Posted by: Mark Tucker
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Elevation: 12,500'
The gnarled trunks of giant heather disappeared as we entered the area of the mountain called the Moorlands. We enjoyed nice weather conditions during our 5 hour climb to the Shira Camp at 12,500 ft. Situated on a plateau we are enjoying a great 360 view as we snack on peanuts and popcorn. Once again the team did fine and pulled into camp in great shape.
Our local staff continues to assist us in a seamless manor and we appreciate it very much.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team
On The Map
Hi Mark- hope I got your group-a dream of a lifetime for you- we stayed at the foot of Mt. Kilimanjaro when we were in that area- great memories - we will be following you. Good luck.
Posted by: Vi on 7/26/2014 at 8:05 am
Our team has gathered in Arusha, Tanzania and we are sorting our gear, weighing our mountain duffels and getting ready to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro! We also took a little time for golfing and goofing around. We need to get away from this lap of luxury we find ourselves in and start climbing, we are eating way to much.
Tomorrow we will wake early, enjoy our last restaurant meal for a while and then take a drive to the Machame Gate. Here we will register our team with the Kilimanjaro National Park, don our packs and begin our climb toward the Roof of Africa, Mount Kilimanjaro.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Way to go Brian & Christy. Anxious to see pictures.
Posted by: Jeff & Anita Sheridan on 7/25/2014 at 3:59 pm
Happy belated birthday, Brian! Enjoy it all!
Posted by: Karen Easterday on 7/24/2014 at 8:13 pm
On March 21, RMI Trekker Susan R left her home in Florida en route to Kathmandu, Nepal. Susan would be joining RMI Guide Mark Tucker and their team on a 21 day adventure through the Khumbu Valley. From Kathmandu the team would fly to Lukla and begin their trek to Everest Base Camp at 17,575'.
Along with the jackets, hiking boots, sleeping bags and other items needed along the trail, Susan brought with her a special Courage Quilt. This quilt was given to her by Mrs. Hixon's 4th Grade class from Oakton Elementary School in Oakton, Virginia. Mrs. Hixon and her class did a project on Nepal and the Himalaya. " It certainly helped me and I think it helped the other team members as well." said Susan.
The students were asked the following questions:
What is courage?
What does it look like?
What do you think about when you need to be courageous?
The photo below is of the Courage Quilt given to Susan which she brought with her to Nepal.
Have fun with Tuck on the trek. He was a blast on Kilimanjaro 2 years ago.
Posted by: Dick Davies on 5/10/2014 at 12:32 pm
Been checking on your progress everyday Brian and Christy! Safe travel my friend! Share the love of MPACT in areas that may need it.
Posted by: Klay on 7/26/2014 at 8:08 pm
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