We’ve had a great day in Moscow. The weather was perfect for the whole tour day around Red Square and the Kremlin. It is amazing to see these wonders of mankind in person. We finished the evening at one of the nicest restaurants in Moscow, if you like borsch we know the place! We have a 5 am wake up call for the next part of the journey off to the mountains. A couple hour flight and a few hour drive and we will be staring up at the big hills of the Caucasus range. The mountains are our playground for the next several days, we have a lot to look forward to.
Stay tuned,
RMI Guide Mark Tucker & Team
Down and clear as we say in the ski patrol world when everybody is off the mountain. We are now showered and rested. What a climb it was. It is such an amazing experience in so many ways. Climbing Kilimanjaro is a great challenge both physically and mentally. The skills you learn, the people you meet along the way, the one word that comes to mind is enrichment. A big thanks to Barking Zebra and its mountain staff, a job well done men - you all are top of the heap. We start our journey back home tomorrow but the team's flight isn't till the evening so our team is going to visit the local game park at the base of Mount Meru. It takes 19,000' to slow these guys down. They have the right attitude ....Get Out While You Can!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Mark thanks for taking such good care of our wonderful guys. know they will be talking about climb and you for a long time.and we will all be listening attentively for every detail.
June 18, 2017
Thick air and mild temps surround the team at this moment. A different story just a few hours ago when we were standing on the summit of Kilimanjaro. We are all settled in here at the 10,000' Mweka camp the last stop before we leave Kilimanjaro National Park tomorrow. We started the climb around midnight under clear skies and a mild breeze . It was pretty cold the last couple of stretches and a few of the team climbed with their down parkas on which we usually put on at our breaks and take off when climbing. Seven hours later we were on the summit of Kilimanjaro, the Roof of Africa, with beautiful weather and a very elated team. It's a big climb and a long descend. We didn't arrive to this camp till after 3 pm with a tired team. Everyone did great and the stories are already starting to fly. I am going to roust the napping guys soon so we can all enjoy another great meal which is currently getting set up in the dining tent. All is well on the hill.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Please listen to the audio link below from the team calling from the summit of Kilimanjaro.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker and team call from the summit of Kilimanjaro with Father's day greetings.
The clouds disappeared last night and stars were out in full force. We left the Karanga Camp a bit after 9 and landed here at high camp right at noon. Lunch went well at 15,000ft and we have been busy preparing for the summit push tonight. Preparations, which seem to be a long time ago back in the states, are paying off here with the team in fine shape along with a great attitude. Some down time in the tents for now before an early dinner then a good nap right into early wake up call around midnight. Weather is nice- fingers crossed. I will try and give a call from the summit tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
We are experiencing a bit of wet weather, a cloud mist almost rain here at Karanga camp 13,000' on Kilimanjaro. We did not let the weather spoil the climb today for it held off until we arrived at camp. The infamous Barranco Wall would not have been as much fun this morning had it been wet but with perfect conditions and a strong team we cruised up the wall in about 30 minutes first thing this morning. After a couple more stretches on the trail, we arrived to a great lunch as usual with camp all set upon arrival. What a nice way to rough it! The team is resting now in our tents until the next meal. All is well here on Kilimanjaro.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
We enjoyed yet another perfect day of climbing. After a nice four course breakfast at the Shira Camp the team shoulder their packs and ascended to over 14,500', a high point for all team members. After a nice break and taking in some great views above and below we then had to descend into our new camp, Barranco. Situated in an amazing valley at just under 13,000' we are here enjoying more fantastic vistas. As usual our fabulous local outfitter had camp and snacks all set upon arrival. We have had a few intermittent showers of a mixture of snow and rain but overall it's not too bad. Everyone is doing well and we are enjoying our time on the mountain.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
A great day in the mountains . We had a nice breakfast then a two-hour ride to the Kilimanjaro Park entrance. The check in process went smooth as can be and off we went to start uphill. Clouds but no rain made for perfect conditions. The team crushed it and here we are at 10,000ft in our very comfortable dining tent. A big shout out to all the moms out there. Your boys are a-ok.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Jambo!
Our team has gathered in Tanzania and everyone is looking good and is ready for our adventure. We took it easy today but we did spend time organizing and packing our gear for our climb of Kilimanjaro. We may have also enjoyed a nice afternoon nap to help recover from our international flights.
It has been a pleasant first day for our crew, the sunshine has peeked through the clouds a bit and we did have a little rain, but that's to be expected. We are being well taken care of here at the very nice Arumeru River Lodge. It is tranquility at the foot of Kilimanjaro but we are looking forward to getting onto the mountain tomorrow.
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
look out each day to see how you all are doing. so fun to receive Mark’s posts. hang in there, stay well, have fun :) so proud of you all!
Love you,
Mom ( Mimi )
Dad sends his thoughts and prayer too.
Posted by: Mimi on 6/14/2017 at 12:06 pm
Hey 3 Toms and a Meyer!
I am looking forward to following you up the hill…in spirit! In the wise words of Cele S., with whom I climbed my first mountain, just put one foot in front of the other and you will be at the top before you know it!
The whole team has returned to city life.
A spectacular accomplishment on this, the tallest mountain outside the Himalayas. We spent our last night on the mountain looking up at the sky sleeping tent less under the stars,it's amazing to take in such a view--without the obstruction of any city lights. We were all awestruck as we looked out at the breathtaking scene--imagining the others worlds out there, just like the one we experienced at over 22,000 feet on the summit of Aconcagua.
The day hike to what was our first camp and our last was a healthy 18-miles. Upon arrival an amazing open fire meal of filet and chicken with potatoes, corn and onions thrown on the fire by our gear-carrying mule drivers. We gulped back various beverages and ate barehanded with Neanderthal dining manners!
At the end of it all, we had a four-hour hike to the trail head, where our local service folks Grajales Expeditions had a perfect hand off, gathering us up and transferring us on to the our three-hour drive to Mendoza. Thankfully, that included a snack of 60 empanadas along the way.
What we come away with from these sometimes grueling, expedition style climbs is tough to explain. As the team members make there way home the folks at security check at the airport can't imagine what immense power is being brought on board the plane today
Congrats team!
RMI Guide Mark Tucker
Congratulations Pepper and the entire team on your incredible success!! An outstanding accomplishment to be celebrated and cherished.
Posted by: Chi Dees on 1/26/2017 at 12:28 pm
Team,
You did a fantastic job. To get everyone, just think about that: everyone, to the top of the highest mountain outside of the Himalayas, is just outstanding.
Today our team enjoyed the long, meditative walk from base camp down the Relinchos Valley, and then down the Vacas Valley to our very first camp here at Las Leñas. Our trekking efforts were rewarded with a delicious asado dinner, and our whole team is stretched out under the stars tonight enjoying a last night out in the mountains. Tomorrow we head down to Penitentes, then Mendoza, and civilization, but for now everyone is savoring a last moment on the trail.
RMI Guides Mark Tucker & Pepper Dee
way to go guys!
Mark thanks for taking such good care of our wonderful guys. know they will be talking about climb and you for a long time.and we will all be listening attentively for every detail.
Congratulations to all!
xxoo
Mimi
Posted by: Mimi on 6/19/2017 at 11:03 am
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