January 24, 2013
Elephants on safari (Eric Simonson)
The first day of our safari was so amazing I wondered how day two would measure up. It did not disappoint. More lions (including 3 sleeping in a tree), hundreds of thousands of wildebeest, hundreds of zebras, gazelles and impalas, hyenas, mongoose, jackals, ostriches, flamingos and a rare black rhino. There is currently a herd of elephants just outside our camp!!
Jenni Fogle
January 23, 2013
Wildebeest.
George just called from the bush to let us know that the team’s first day on safari has been hugely successful. The weather is fantastic and the team is getting ready to sit down to dinner at their private camp. George said the team had seen practically every kind of animal in just the few short hours since they touched down in Serengeti National Park.
Tonight they’ll listen to distant animal calls as they rest in their deluxe tents and in the morning they’ll head out for a full day of game viewing. We look forward to hearing more about the “action” soon!
Clarissa Morford
January 22, 2013
Up next... Safari!
George and Jenni report that the team’s descent to Moshi went smoothly, and that everyone is doing well. Tonight the team enjoyed a big celebration BBQ dinner, before heading to bed for some well earned rest. Tomorrow morning they will travel to Arusha, for the 45 minute flight out to the Serengeti.
Once in the bush, the team will be staying at our luxury tented camps, for an authentic safari experience. We’ll look forward to getting some good animal viewing stories!
Eric Simonson
January 21, 2013
The new (improved?) summit sign on Uhuru Peak, which was replaced this past year. (Eben Reckord)
George called on the sat phone to report that the whole team made it to Uhuru Peak, the true summit of Kilimanjaro. The weather was good and they were getting ready to start their descent. First they will go back down to Barafu for some rest and lunch, then continue on down to the Mweka Camp at the treeline. It makes for a long day, but everyone will feel so much better to get down to 11,000 feet, where the air is much thicker. Way to go, team!
Eric Simonson
January 19, 2013
Barafu Camp (15,000 feet) on Kilimanjaro (Eric Simonson)
George and Jenni called from Karanga Camp at 13,000 ft to report that the team was doing well. Today they will move up to Barafu Camp (15,000 ft) and prepare to climb to the summit tomorrow. After reaching the Camp and having a meal, the plan calls for getting off the feet this afternoon and resting, followed by an evening meal and another rest. Then, they will be up early, shooting to be walking around midnight for the trek to Uhuru Peak. So far so good!
Eric Simonson
Traverse into Shira Camp
January 17, 2013
George called from about 12,600’ on Kilimanjaro at Shira camp. The team did very well moving up to camp keeping a nice steady pace. The weather has been cooperating for the most part, though, they’ve experienced a bit of rain in the afternoon the last two days. In spite of the damp weather, the team is doing great and staying dry. They look forward to some better weather in the forecast and to a good day tomorrow as they head to Barranco Camp. Along the way they’ll enjoy getting a glimpse of Lava Tower and will push up to about 15,100’ before rolling into Barranco at about 13,000’. A great acclimatization day! Stay tuned for more.
Clarissa Morford
January 15, 2013
IMG guides George Dunn and Jenni Fogle report that the IMG team have all made it to Moshi and are doing well. Today they did equipment checks, packed up their duffel bags and took a trip into town to look around and pay a visit the Kilimanjaro Porter Assistance Project office. George says the weather is good and everyone is all set to start their climb in the morning tomorrow. So far, so good!
Eric Simonson
January 2, 2013
Kilimanjaro and Mawenzi at sunset from near the JRO airport (Eric Simonson)
Ang Jangbu reports from Kilimanjaro airport that the final day of the safari went smoothly and that everyone made their flight connections. They started with a 7:30am departure from Ngorongoro crater, then headed back to Arusha for lunch, repacking, and some shopping, and finally continued on to JRO airport later in the afternoon. Most of the team head for home while a few of them are heading to the beach (Zanzibar!). Ang Jangbu Sherpa will be traveling back to Kathmandu, where he will be getting ready for the IMG Everest programs starting in March. Despite hitting some bad weather on the climb, it sounds like a great trip. Well done team!
Eric Simonson
December 31, 2012
Happy New Year from the Kili Team (Ang Jangbu)
Ang Jangbu reports: “We had an amazing day. Visited Olduvai Gorge, Masai village, and saw all the animals that live in the Crater. Our Safari guide/driver surprised us just before climbing up from crater to the rim – they pulled out a couple bottles of wine! We celebrated the good safari and just checked into Sopa Lodge. We are celebrating New Years Eve and Josh’s birthday tonight. Here is a photo of the team.” – Ang Jangbu
Eric Simonson
December 30, 2012
Young giraffe (Phil Ershler)
Just in from Jangbu and our Kilimanjaro team. Here’s what he had to say:
“We had a great day today. Left the Serengeti Sopa at 8 am and arrived at the Ndutu Safari Lodge at 3 pm, seeing countless numbers of animals, as usual. Saw leopard twice, one in Seronera and one in Ndutu, two prides of lions and cheetah. We plan to leave here soon after breakfast at 6:30 am tomorrow and head to the Crater, with a stop at one of the Masaai Villages and the Olduvai Gorge. Will send you an update from Ngorongoro tomorrow evening.” – Ang Jangbu
Phil Ershler