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Posted by: Dave Hahn
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
A great day on Safari, according to our Kili climbing team. We got out early (7:15 AM) on the drive to Ngorongoro Crater. It takes a bit to drive the rough road up onto the crater rim, to cruise along that rim for miles and miles and then to drop down the steep road into the caldera itself. Immediately upon hitting the valley floor, we saw two male lions a few hundred feet from the road. But they might as well have been rocks. They were sleeping so hard that we never even saw an ear twitch. We moved on and began to encounter everything from wildebeest to jackals to hippos and Corey bustards. The abundance of zebra and Cape buffalo and gazelles was stunning. There were herds beyond herds stretching to the distant crater walls. We cruised amongst the ostriches and wart hogs for hours, at one point getting great views of a Cerval Cat on the prowl. Finally we stopped for a picnic lunch and then began our exit of the crater. We stopped at a Maasai village on the crater rim and spent an hour with the villagers as they danced, sang, made fire, threw spears and generally explained why they choose to hang on to their traditional methods in a modern world. Then we went back to that modern world, relaxing for the evening at the very comfortable Plantation Lodge.
Best Regards
Done and dusted! The team just crushed what is objectively the most difficult day of the trip outside of summit day. The packs are the heaviest, the altitude change is the hardest, and nerves and anxiety are usually pretty high. Everyone is always wondering how they will perform. Well, every member of this crew absolutely styled the carry! I couldn’t be prouder of all of them and all of you friends and family at home should be equally as proud. Now they have the rest of the afternoon to chill and enjoy a huge BBQ lunch prepared by our killer basecamp crew. Woohoo! Feels good to have the first one done. We will be taking another rest day tomorrow to help increase our chances of better acclimating before making the move to Camp one. High fives all around!
Ode to the Rest Step
My dearest rest step, you are the absolute best
With every foot placement you give us a micro rest
These tests that make climbing the alpine possible
Even with the heaviest pack you make us feel invincible!
And when you remember to pressure breath we can climb with no reprieve.
Oh rest step, with you we will never stop,
And we will always make the mountain top!
Signed
-unknown 42yr old Portland Poet
Go TEAM GO!
Especially Jake!
Posted by: Team Pizza on 1/15/2022 at 9:47 pm
Congratulations everyone! The rest is well deserved!
Posted by: Coeli Scott on 1/15/2022 at 6:54 am
Posted by: Mike Haugen, Jenny Konway, Grayson Swingle
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 17,200'
On The Map
Hi Megan, thinking of you and so proud of your accomplishments!! Glad u missed the earthquake. I hope Vicky is ok. Xo Gayle
Posted by: Gayle C on 7/5/2019 at 1:18 pm
Welllllllllllll. Lying in my comfy bed reading this and not wishing I was you guys, but then again you are all my hero’s so I guess I totally am wishing I was one of you. That’s exactly who you all are….the people the rest of us imagine to be or aspire to be. So for us….go get that mountain for all of us! You got time, tenacity and tons of people cheering you on….Mother Nature will give you her window soon. You got this, side salad!
Posted by: Shannon Henn on 7/4/2019 at 11:32 pm
On The Map
George,
we have been following your progress. We weren’t able to write from Pinetop but could log on at the rec center and see where you and the other two teams are at. Laura says it seems as if the trail never ends…Kids miss you. I do, too. God’s willing the weather cooperates for your summit. take a lot of photos.
Hugs and kisses from the three of us
Posted by: janina on 5/30/2012 at 8:41 pm
To Paul from Chloe:
I can’t wait for you to get to the top & come home. I really miss you. xoxo air kiss and air hug
Posted by: Regan on 5/30/2012 at 6:23 pm
Posted by: Walter Hailes
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Hey Guys!
Thinking about all of you and hoping you are doing well. Can’t wait to hear the stories :) Be safe!
Posted by: Wanda on 6/5/2011 at 12:51 pm
Great job guys. keep it up.
Posted by: Colin Talbot on 6/5/2011 at 11:47 am
Posted by: Mike King, Avery Parrinello
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14, 410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Mike King and Avery Parrinello reached the summit of Mt. Rainier at 4:30 am today. Mike reported 40 mph winds, clear skies, and a good climbing route. The team is in route to Camp Muir where they will take a well-deserved rest break, pack up and descend to Paradise. Then its back to Rainier Basecamp in Ashford, WA for burgers, cold drinks, and a little team celebration.
Good job everybody! Amazing team of guides across both groups
Posted by: Wes on 7/30/2022 at 5:56 pm
On The Map
Rock on…haha BTW, I recognize the guy in the climbing picture. Hiking behind Hans. Give him a hug for me. Safe travels to Camp 1. xoxo
Posted by: Bonny Rogers on 4/21/2015 at 3:36 pm
Hi all together, great pictures from the icefall!!!
You are in and everybody is well and feel fine - I hope so! And thank you Dave and JJ, you are responsible guides - safety first!!!
Good weather and good luck for your next steps.
Best wishes to Hans from hot and sunny Germany - Ute
Posted by: Ute Novak on 4/21/2015 at 11:58 am
By popular request we are instituting a daily stoke meter, to share with the world the level of excitement the team is currently feeling. We'll be using a numeric scale that corresponds to a specific level of stoke, defined as follows: 0-2= no stoke. 3-5= semi-stoke. 6-8= stoked. 9-10= TOTALLY STOKED! Today's stoke meter is a healthy 6, which is pretty nice after the climb.
Stay tuned for more updates from the team!
RMI Guides Gabriel Barral and Garrett Stevens
Our team took a well-deserved rest day in Puebla, sleeping in, enjoying the warm weather and soaking in the colorful city.
Folks explored, some finding fresh fruit stands, massages and local shops for souvenirs. Others relaxed and connected with loved ones back home, letting them know about the adventures so far. Tonight we filled up on traditional mole, discussed other climbing trips and swapped many stories.
Tomorrow we head off for our final objective. Orizaba!
RMI Guide Abby Westling
On The Map
Congrats on the summit dr. bruce and freed! Can’t wait to hear all the stories and see you guys in va or even at the bay house this spring/summer!
Posted by: Deek on 2/15/2012 at 5:16 am
Thanks for the updates! Good luck and have fun! x
Posted by: Tina Bark on 2/9/2012 at 10:28 am
Thank you Dave for the colorful and informative blog. We really enjoyed reading it and following you guys ,especially Andrew and Kylie, on this incredible experience.
Posted by: Bruce on 8/11/2022 at 6:09 pm
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