Entries By brent okita
Thursday, August 1, 2024
What a spectacular day! The weather and temps have been perfect. Our gradual grind up the Shira Plateau took a while as we were pacing ourselves for the long run. Our goal: Lava Tower at 15,200'. A new altitude record for most of the group. Lunch, or course, was prepared and served to us when we got there. Quite a few of us felt the elevation and were happy to just lie down. The descent to Barranco Camp revived many of us. We're psyched for tomorrow's big climb up the Barranco Wall!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
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Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
The route to Shira Camp is interesting and beautiful. The sharp ascent out of camp wakes the body to the challenges ahead. The wonderful views of Mt Meru and the lowlands below us highlight the cool rock formations we need to climb and traverse to get to the Shira Plateau. The view of Kilimanjaro's summit with her sadly disappearing glaciers get closer and more evocative as we get higher and higher. The team is doing well as the camp staff do their best to fatten us up for the summit in a few days. At 12,500' we are getting our first taste of real altitude, and are tactics for dealing with it are working well. Tonight will be the first of a few chilly nights, but our bodies are gradually acclimating to it, as to mountain life in general. We're looking forward to a big day tomorrow. 15,200' will be an altitude record for many. Next: Barranco Camp! Good night!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
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Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
So proud of you Myriam! You got this! Keep pushing and have fun!!!
Love Randy
Posted by: Randy Seay on 7/31/2024 at 6:54 pm
Way to go Kayla! So excited to hear about your adventure when you return.
Posted by: Mike Byrnes on 7/31/2024 at 4:51 pm
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
Machame camp! The day was perfect for our hike to camp just below 10,000'. As the giant Heather replaced the canopy of the rain forest, the sun turned. We have great weather here with a view of the summit of Kili we rarely see through the clouds.
Our chefs worked their magic and beautifully replaced the energy we burned getting here. Now it's time for bed. We're all sleepy from our early start.
Good night!
RMI Guide Brent Okita and Team
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Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
I’m so amazed by you Kayla! I can’t wait to hear all about your adventure! Hope all of you are having an amazing time!
Posted by: stephanie psick on 8/1/2024 at 7:38 am
Look at you guys go! We knew Jeff could do this but I’m SO PROUD OF YOU! What a role model. GO CARRIE! Stay safe both of you!
Posted by: Annette Reaves on 7/31/2024 at 11:50 am
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Monday, July 29, 2024
This morning breakfast lasted until lunchtime almost. Yes, we were talking about the climb to come, but with this amiable group discussions eventually turned into conversations and time flew by.
The sun finally broke through the cloud deck, and we actually felt great wearing shorts out. This worked well for our equipment check, and I was pleasantly surprised that folks had what they needed to climb this mountain.
Following a late lunch, we met up with a couple Tanzanian friends, one of whom offered to drive some of the group into town for a little sightseeing.
All our mtn duffels have been packed and weighed, our packs loaded and we're ready to start climbing!
To the Machame Gate!!!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
Posted by: Brent Okita
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Kilimanjaro
Sunday, July 28, 2024 - 12:39 pm PT
At last the team is all together and ready to begin this extraordinary African adventure. As many people came in earlier they lost no time figuring out how to explore and learn more of this amazing country. Guided town walks were a big hit, as was a safari into our own nearby Arusha National Park.
Last night four of us were met by Emmanuel, the manager of Barking Zebra Tours, two of us enduring 24 hour straight push from Seattle.
Our last climber came in this afternoon, luggage in hand, so we're set for Day 1 of the trip.
Now, to catch up on some sleep and hope the jet lag keeps getting better.
Talk tomorrow!
RMI Guide Brent Okita
New Post Alerts:
Kilimanjaro Climb & Safari, July 27, 2024
So proud of you Alan and can’t wait to see and hear all about it! With you in spirit! Love and miss you lots! Pierre, Coco and little Bert say hi :)
Posted by: Brenda Cowe on 7/30/2024 at 5:48 am
You got this Mimi (Myriam)! Push hard and see you when you get home. Love, Randy
PS. I hope you have the time of your life … Miss you!!!
Posted by: Randy Seay on 7/30/2024 at 5:35 am
Posted by: Brent Okita, Dominic Cifelli, Ben Thorneycroft, Joey Manship, Dylan Anderson, Bailey Servais
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 12,300'
The Four Day Climb July 22 - 25 led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Dominic Cifelli reached the top of Disappointment Cleaver at 12,300' this morning before windy conditions and route conditions forced them to turn back. The teams are now back at Camp Muir. They will continue their descent to Paradise later this morning.
Posted by: Brent Okita, Raymond Holt, Mac Nolde, Casey Grom, Roland Scott, Miles Watson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mt. McKinley
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb Led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Roland Scott reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Brent Okita reported a beautiful day on the summit with great route conditions. The team is on the descent and will be back at Rainier Basecamp this afternoon to celebrate.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Brent Okita, Sam Hoffman, Will Ambler, Roland Scott, Stella Johnson, Hannah Billings
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Five Day Climb July 11 - 15 led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Sam Hoffman reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today on a beautiful day. The team is currently on their descent. Their patience paid off as they waited yesterday for many RMI Guides to reestablish the route to the summit. The teams will return to Camp Muir to repack and rehydrate before continuning down the remaining 4.5 miles to Paradise later today.
Congratulations climbers and a HUGE thank you to all the guides working on the route over the last several days!
PC: Stella Johnson
Shoutout to Sam and Roland for making this an incredible experience! The fact that you worked longer hours to ensure we had an alternative route to reach the summit is what made this entire trip! I have nothing but great things to say about you both! I hope to climb a different destination with you both one day in the future! Thank you again!
Posted by: Jade Craig on 7/16/2024 at 8:23 pm
I won’t be on the DC route next week when I climb, but wanted to thank the guides for working hard to re-establish the route around what sounded like a gnarly crevasse collapse. Congrats to the climbers that reached the summit. Enjoy the Rainier Beer and cider.
Posted by: Constantine Velentzas on 7/15/2024 at 2:10 pm
Posted by: Brent Okita, Leif Bergstrom, Evan Redman, Bailey Servais, Claire Pennell, Dylan Anderson
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Leif Bergstrom reached the summit of Mt. Rainier early this morning. Brent reported bluebird skies, and that the entire team 100% stood on TOP!! The team is on their descent and in route to Camp Muir.
Congratulations Team!
Posted by: Brent Okita, Josh McDowell, Calvin Jiricko, Roland Scott, Stella Johnson, Claire Pennell
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Mount Rainier
Elevation: 14,410'
The Four Day Climb June 24 - 27 reached the summit of Mt. Rainier today led by RMI Guides Brent Okita and Josh McDowell. The team enjoyed clear skies above Camp Muir during their climb while the lower elevations were covered with low clouds and precipitation. The climbers reached the crater rim around 7 am today and enjoyed some time on top before starting their descent. The climbers have returned to Camp Muir where they will pack gear and continue another 4.5 miles back to Paradise later this afternoon.
Congratulations to today's climbers!
Amazing!!! Jealous!
Posted by: Renae Grady on 6/27/2024 at 3:17 pm
Amazing team!!!
Posted by: Katie Hernandez on 6/27/2024 at 2:44 pm
You are amazing Kayla climbing Mt Kilimanjaro. Stay safe and enjoy the adventure of a life time.
Maxine
Posted by: Maxine Byrnes on 8/1/2024 at 6:24 pm
Your trip looks amazing Alan! So happy for you all. What a fantastic life-changing experience :) Good luck tomorrow!
Posted by: Brenda Cowe on 8/1/2024 at 2:37 pm
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