Bolivia Team Roughing It On Sun Island

August 12, 2015

Lake Titicaca from Copacabana (Photo Viki Tracey)

Andy checked in from Sun Island.Â This is a great opportunity to take in local culture and see some history. Â The acclimatization hike takes the team to nearly 14,000 feet and on their return we have a picnic including local food including trout and different kinds of potatoes.Â It is a great experience on Lake Titicaca, boat rides, islands and great history.

Tomorrow, the team will load up and head to the first camp at Tambo Condoriri.

Great day in Bolivia!

Greg Vernovage

Kili Team Wraps Up Their Safari In Good Form

August 12, 2015

Rhino in Ngorongoro Crater (Eben Reckord)

The final day of safari brought the team to the Ngorongoro Crater.Â Another big day for the wildlife viewing in front of the team and the big question for the day.Â Will this be a complete trip?

100% on top with good weather, smooth safari with 4 out of the big 5 and many lions.Â Will the gang see a Rhino on their last day? Yup! They sure did!

Nice job everyone.

Greg Vernovage

The Altiplano And Copacabana

August 11, 2015

: Copacabana (Greg Vernovage)

: Altiplano & Huayna Potosi (Greg Vernovage)

Andy called in from the shores of Lake Titicaca after a scenic drive through the Altiplano.Â The team had the chance to see a lot of the Cordillera Real Range during the drive.Â After arriving at the Lake, they will tour the town of Copacabana (not the one from the song but equally as exciting).

Tonight a little hike up to a view point and early dinner.Â Tomorrow is Sun Island!

Greg Vernovage

Kings Of The Jungle Prove Their Point

August 11, 2015

Lion without a care in the world.

Dustin called in pretty excited today.Â The team is camped in the Serengeti and having a great time!Â How do we top 100% on top and then 4 of the Big 5 on the first day of safari? Well, Dustin mentioned that the team was in camp last night when a pride of 16 lions walked right through the middle of camp.Â I think that is a pretty good way to chase the summit and 4 out of 5.

Oh yeah, the team decided to go for an early morning hot air balloon ride.

I canâ€™t wait to hear what they have up their sleeve for tomorrow!

Greg Vernovage

Witches Market Today; Lake Titicaca Tomorrow

August 10, 2015

The team on the tour of the city.

Andy checked in today from La Paz after a great city tour.

Clear skies and a happy group already.Â All duffle bags arrived with the climbers!Â Gear checks complete and the city tour to acclimatize.Â The city tour is as important in La Paz as it is in any other city we visit.Â Landing at 13,500 feet and dropping into La Paz at 12,000 feet is a pretty good jump when you are coming from the United States.

After walking through the Witches Market and grabbing lunch, the team will finish packing for Lake Titicaca and the first couple climbs.

Weather is looking great for the next few days!

Greg Vernovage

Happy Hour Awaits The Kili Team

August 10, 2015

: Dustin’s Kili Team on the summit.

: A look at the sign before the overhaul. Taken in 2006.

Dustin managed to get a few pictures sent off in between the celebration dinner and the flight into the Serengeti.

The team had a great climb and Dustin snapped a great summit photo. You just have to love the â€œNewâ€ Summit sign on the roof of Africa. For those of you who climbed it in the past, this summit sign looks pretty similar. Where are all the stickers?

These guys look like they had a great time and it is continuing on the safari. Dustin said that they have already seen 4 of the big 5 and the quote of the day was, â€œI had no idea that we would get so close to the animals!â€

It was a quick phone call by Dustin, he said that he couldnâ€™t be late to happy hour!

An early day tomorrow because there is so much to see!

Greg Vernovage

Celebration in Moshi!

August 9, 2015

: Airport in the Serengeti (Greg Vernovage)

: Giraffe in the Serengeti (Greg Vernovage)

100% on top is grounds for celebration and Dustin and the Kilimanjaro Team have earned it.

Â Dustin called in to report that the team was way ahead of schedule and arrived back to Moshi in fine form.Â After a clean-up and the duffle shuffle, all talk has shifted to departure for the safari in the morning.

Â A drive up to Arusha and a short airplane ride and the team will be in the Serengeti.

Â We are on a roll with the weather in Tanzania!Â Keep it coming!

Greg Vernovage

100% On The Roof Of Africa!

August 8, 2015

: Kilimanjaro through the trees (Greg Vernovage)

: Kilimanjaro shadow at sunrise (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin called in from the summit of Kilimanjaro!Â â€œ100% on top.â€Â I donâ€™t know if there are better words to hearâ€¦

Actually, the word a few hours later from Dustin at Mweka Camp was that the team is all in camp and going to eat and a well-deserved sleep.Â Perfect weather, a great team that reached the summit together and will celebrate with their summit certificate.

Where better to celebrate?Â Back at the hotel as they get ready for the safari.

Nice job everyone!

Greg Vernovage

High Camp Today, Summit Tomorrow

August 7, 2015

Sunrise on Kilimanjaro (Greg Vernovage)

Dustin called in with a happy team from Barafu High Camp at 15,000 feet.Â The team had the best day of the climb today.Â A gorgeous sunrise and above the clouds all day.

The team is heading to bed early, they will all get up at 10:30 and head towards the summit.Â Dustin said that the team is really coming together and are all very strong right now.

â€œWe canâ€™t wait to get up and take a look at the top of Africa!â€

Go get it!

Greg Vernovage

Barranco Wall Scramble With A Side Of Fries

August 6, 2015

The Team’s view of Kilimanjaro today

The team had a nice day hiking together up to Karanga Camp at 13,000 feet.Â Dustin said the group moved well through the Barranco Wall section of the climb.Â This is a fun section of the climb.Â A little rock scrambling to get your heart rate up and then breaking out onto a wide area with great views.

The team pulled into camp for lunch and were surprised with fried chicken and French fries.Â Not a bad afternoon!

After the team rests a little bit, Dustin is going to pull them together and start talking about the summit day.

Nice job all around!

Greg Vernovage