...Kili Team Waves Goodbye & Another Arrives...
Another successful expedition on Kilimanjaro wraps up with an incredible safari, whilst our private team arrive in Arusha today...
Guide Fred's checked in to say all the bags have arrived and they're making their way through gear checks to get their African Adventure underway.
...Elbrus 100% on Top...
Stoked for our second Elbrus team who have summited in the most perfect, bluebird, t-shirt weather!
Special shout out to Ashley who tagged both West & East Summits
Well done crew! They are back safely at the mountain hut and will descend to the valley to celebrate today.
Cheers
Caroline
...Elbrus Team Readies for the Summit...
Our second Elbrus team have woken up to perfect weather and will be departing on their summit bid in 20minutes.
They have a long night of climbing ahead of them but with great weather the sunrise over the Caucasus Mountains should be spectacular and a welcome sight in a few hours.
The route takes them up past Pastokov Rocks where they'll climb for another hour or so before beginning the traverse into the Col where they'll take a nice break before ascending up the steeper fixed lines to the summit plateau, one last quick break there before attaining the summit and descending.
Under Sasha's expert leadership, it's no doubt going to be a great day for our climbers. Good luck!
Cheers,
Caroline
...Kilimanjaro Team Off the Mtn...
The team are now off the mountain safely and heading out on safari today! They'll do game drives and tour Tarangire National Park and then head onto Ngorongoro Crater where they'll stay in a fabulous game lodge before returning to Arusha and home to you all.
Here's a few quick snaps of their trek - more to come.
Cheers
Caroline
...100% Summit Success on Kilimanjaro...
Thrilled to report that the whole team have all successfully summited and are now back at Millennium Camp resting up.
Special shout out to Mother & Daughter Duo the LaClairs & Father & Son team, Tammen Family both make the summit. What incredible family memories for them to create.
They'll make their way off the mountain today and start celebrating with a well deserved hot shower, a great meal and then off on Safari...
Cheers
Caroline
...Elbrus 2 Team on the Mountain...
Our second Elbrus team are in Terskol having toured St. Petersburg and flown into the Elbrus region. They have been acclimatizing and will be heading up the hill today for the first time to do their snow school and training.
They'll return to the hotel tonight before moving up to the mountain huts tomorrow to continue their acclimatization and preparations for a summit bid.
Yesterday they hiked to Cheget and were very all feeling strong. Here are a few quick snaps - looks like they are being blessed with some stunning weather over there.
Cheers
Caroline
...Kilimanjaro Team Gearing Up for Summit...
The team have had a great weekend of climbing and will be moving up on their summit bid in the early hours from High Camp (Barafu Camp at 4,680m) to the Summit today before dropping back down to Mweka Camp to rest and coming off the mountain tomorrow to celebrate on Safari.
The trek up today is steep and will take about 6-8 hours to reach the top of the crater rim and Stella Point just below the summit where they will rest before pushing up to the true summit (Uhuru Peak) at 5,895m.
Riding on the elation of the summit they still have a pretty long day ahead with an 11km descent back to Mweka Camp (5-8hrs) which is in the upper part of the rainforest zone but down at a comparatively luxurious altitude of 3,100m.
An exciting day for the team - we can't wait to share their news and photos with you.
Cheers
Caroline
...Kili Team Tackling Barranco Wall Today...
Today the team are waking up and will move from Barranco Camp at 3,900m up to Karanga Camp which is 3,960m.
First up the Barranco Wall which is a 257m rock scramble to the top of Karanga Valley. Their day should take them about 6-7 hours.
All well on the mountain.
Cheers
Caroline
...Kili team heading up to Barranco Camp...
The Kili team will be rising early today and preparing their gear for a 5-7hr (11km) trek up to Barranco Camp.
A nice, challenging day today that will take them up to the Lava Tower and the Shark's Tooth rock formation at 4,600m and then dropping back down to sleep at Barranco Camp (3,900m) aiding in their acclimatization by reaching a new high point and then retreating to a lower altitude to rest.
Yesterday they came up from Machame Camp at (2,835m) to Shira Camp (3,850m)t through the low alpine grasslands. Shira Camp has some pretty spectacular views of Mount Meru in the East and Kibo in the North West so we'll be looking forward to seeing their photos.
All well from Kili,
Cheers
Caroline
...Kili Trip Arrives in Arusha...
The African Adventure begins!
The team have arrived safely into Tanzania with all their bags and are ready to climb.
Today they'll head off to the mountain to start their climb which is approximately 62kms gate to gate.
First stop is Machame Camp which is approximately 5-7hours from the start gate, climbing up through the rainforest that covers the South West of the mountain and arriving at Camp which sits near the border of the rainforest and the low alpine zone. Today their start altitude is approximately 1,640m with Camp up at 2,835m so plenty of vertical to get them started.
I've put a little route map below so you will be able to visualise where they are as they move along.
