July 3, 2016

July Kili Team (Photo: Charlotte Austin)

We heard from Charlotte this morning (Seattle time) and sounds like her second trip is off to another good start.  Her morning email is below.

As Charlotte begins the Kilimanjaro Expedition with her second group, IMG and she would like to congratulate and thank all the members of her first team one last time.  Nikolai, Aleksandr, Raymond, Sophia, Vivian, Phyllis, Michael, John, Paul, Thomas, Brandon and Jeffrey – congratulations and thanks for being such a great team!!

Hey Phil,

Checking in for the day. All good here — we did gear checks this morning, then headed into town for some souvenir shopping and a pizza lunch at the Union Cafe in Moshi. Tiffany (on the far right of the photo) bought a huge hand-made elephant painting. We stocked up on snacks and other last-minute supplies at the grocery store, and now are doing some last-minute packing before heading up the hill tomorrow. Weather is gorgeous and the team is healthy and strong.

Thanks!
Charlotte

July 1, 2016

Charlotte touched base this morning to say simply – “All’s good here”!  The team enjoyed Olduvai Gorge and a great tour of Ngorongoro Crater.  They even saw the elusive black rhino.  By my count, that wraps up the Big Five (do a quick Google, if you don’t know).  They are spending their final night at a lodge called The Farmhouse, and will head back to Arusha tomorrow for a bit more shopping and something to eat before beginning the trip home.  As Charlotte said – “everyone’s tired and happy”.  That works for us.

Charlotte will meet her next Kilimanjaro Expedition group shortly and begin another African adventure.  One ends and another begins.

Phil Ershler

June 29, 2016

The team leaving on safari.

We spoke with Charlotte today from the Serengeti.  The safari has begun.  Biggest problem with the flight from Arusha was making sure the elephant weren’t too close to the runway as they landed.  It’s a bit of extra effort to go all the way out to the Serengeti but an airplane makes short work of the distance and being there makes it all worthwhile.  Charlotte said everyone’s totally psyched but definitely ready for another long night’s sleep.  The nervous anticipation of the climb is gone and now it’s all just fun.

Phil Ershler

June 28, 2016

Charlotte checked in this morning, Pacific time.  Word was that the team is back at their hotel in Moshi and they’re actually clean again.  No small feat!  All the climbing gear is now stuffed into one duffel bag that they won’t bother opening again until they’re home.

It’s time for their celebratory dinner, the award of summit certificates and some sleep.  Tomorrow morning is SAFARI TIME.  By the end of the day, they will have shopped in Arusha, flown out to the Seregenti, had a drink by the camp fire and probably already have spotted many of the Big Five.  I absolutely love the first day of safari.  A TON going on.

~Phil Ershler

June 25, 2016

Charlotte checked in from Karanga Camp (13,500’) after a beautiful day on Kilimanjaro.  Blue skies and warm weather for the team as they climbed through the Barranco Wall.  The team is feeling great and moving well; so well that they had lunch in camp!

Tomorrow is another short day in preparation for their summit attempt.  The team is moving into position and everything is looking great up high on the mountain!

Greg Vernovage