News from Arusha and Kilimanjaro, Tanzania

Pertinent news for the region of Tanzania that we visit.

BY ADAM IHUCHA, ETN STAFF WRITER | JUL 23, 2009
"Arusha, Tanzania (eTN) – Drought in Tanzania’s northern highlands has reached deadly proportion, killing nearly 100 cattle in Longido and wildlife along the sprawling borderline of Kilimanjaro and Amboseli National parks." Click here to read the rest of the story.

BY ADAM IHUCHA, ETN STAFF WRITER | JUN 24, 2009
"Arusha, Tanzania (eTN) - As the impact of the ongoing economic crisis hits Tanzania's fragile tourism industry, nearly 1,160 breadwinners have lost jobs." Click here to read the rest of the story.

Adam

Updated photos of the future Mt. Rainier Photography Gallery

Not pretty yet, but pretty empty. Moving along on the Gallery. Time to start putting things back in........



Still on the two year plan!!!
Just received some free scaffolding from Pat Hart. Thanks Pat!

Adam

June 2009 Kilimanjaro Climb

Absence does make the heart grow fonder. Three years after my last Kilimanjaro expedition I returned with a fantastic group of IMG climbers to go to the top once more.The hiatus renewed my excitement in the mountains, wildlife, and people of Tanzania. The specialness of the region was more apparent than ever to me this time. My understanding of this place, fortified over previous expeditions, gave it a certain familiarity, the kind of familiarity that relaxes you. North Central Tanzania is a fertile, vibrant, organic place. Kilimanjaro sustains it’s rivers during the dry seasons. Our journey takes us from the mountain top glaciers to the heart of one of the most amazing ecosystems in the world, the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem. As a photographer, I returned with a new eye, as a climber I returned with a renewed desire to stand upon the “Roof of Africa.”
Our local staff of 45 porters, cooks, and guides worked hard for us on the mountain. We arrived in each camp to the smell of fresh coffee and popcorn, our tents already set, and washing water soon on the way. Our team made it to each camp in record time and was very proud of their effort. (That was until I pointed out that their average age was about 25 years younger than our typical climb!! Then it didn’t seem so impressive…..:-)
We had great weather the whole climb and the scenery was as good as it gets. All 12 of us made it to the top in good style. Congratulations, Thea Handelman, Mary Grendell, Ashley Ryniak, Suzzane Weinstock, Steve Huff, Dan Talbert, Helen and Charles Frohlich, Jonathan Halata, and Bill and Will Bavinger for making to the top, Uhuru Point. I won’t forget it.

Safari was a blast as usual and a more than adequate reward for the sweat left on the mountain during our climb. Oh, and what happens on safari stays on safari…………..
~Adam Angel

Kilimanjaro, Serengeti, Ngorongoro and Tarangire 2009

We are leaving for Tanzania tomorrow and will return the on the June 28th. I'm looking forward to the trip and will post images when I return. All emails (to info@mtrainierphoto.com) and phone calls to the Mt. Rainier Institute of Photography will be forwarded/answered to/by my apprentice, Greg Lund. While Greg might not have all the answers, (because I know that you can think up some pretty tough questions) he can answer many of your basic questions, and if he doesn't know the answer he will parlé your question to me, via my almost daily satellite phone contacts.

All emails to Adam@AdamAngel.com will be answered as soon as possible by me, but that might not be until end of June or early July.

Adam

Paradise Valley Road Open

The Paradise Valley Road is open today for the 2009 Summer Season on Mt. Rainier.
Stevens Canyon Road is anticipated to remain closed until the end of July.

Adam.

2010 Kilimanjaro Photography Expedition.

For 2010, we plan to offer a "Photographer's Extension" to International Mountain Guides' regularly scheduled June Kilimanjaro Expedition. The price and length is yet to be determined, but please contact us if you are interested in more information as it becomes available. East Africa offers one of the best environments in the world for an enriching cultural and wildlife experience. This is the only photography workshop in Tanzania that features a summit climb of Kilimanjaro with an experienced high altitude climbing guide and professional photographer. Please contact Adam if you want to be added to the Kilimanjaro contact list.

Chinook Pass opens Friday, May 22 at noon.

Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, Chinook Pass will open Friday, May 22 at 12:00.
Providing some of the best views of Mt. Rainier from the east side of the mountain, it's a sure sign that summer is on the way here in the park! One of my most popular images was made on Chinook pass, but don't expect to see the ground up there for a long time yet, there is still almost 13 feet of snow!!!!

For Chinook Pass telemetry click here.

Adam

Ken Burns, The National Parks, and America's Best Idea.

Last night over 2000 Washingtonians and I had the privilege of attending a presentation at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.  The presentation, hosted by KCTS 9, was an splendid evening with Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan who discussed and presented clips from their upcoming epic documentary The National Parks, America's Best Idea.  I knew that Burns made wonderful films, but after listening to him speak and gaining a smidgeon of insight on his world view, I am further impressed.  Ken is truly a visionary, not just in the media of film, but in humanity, and as he said last night, these documentaries are ultimately about us.  He confessed that he has been telling the same story about us over and over again, just with different packaging.

I must tell you that I left the presentation last night profoundly re-energized about the magnitude and importance of our National Park System.  I will certainly carry this with me this summer as we explore Mt. Rainier National Park photographing its wonders.

The documentary is 12 hours long and airs this fall on your local public television station.  The series will be available in High Definition (As Ken said, "5 times better") and is available on DVD and Blu-ray.  From the 6 short excerpts that were shown last night, I plan to add this series to my collection.  You can pre-order The National Parks, America's Best Idea from channel9store.com and save 25% with this promotional code: NPBURNS.  The offer is good until 9-15-09 and cannot be combined with other offers.

You can also hear a "Weekday" interview with Ken Burns here.

See you on The Mountain this summer.

Adam

Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari 2009. Tanzania, East Africa.

I have added another Kilimanjaro trip to my schedule this year with International Mountain Guides. The trip will depart on June 14 and return on the 28th. This expedition will not be a photography workshop, it will however include many of the same exciting elements. If you have any questions please drop me a line 206-497-9660, or shoot me an email, Adam@AdamAngel.com.  Again, for those of you who I have talked with, you know how excited I get about this trip.  This will be my 10th expedition to Kilimanjaro and Serengeti, and I remain excited.  This is truly the trip of a lifetime.  As of January 18, 2009 there are only 5 spots left.

Adam

Past Accolades for Kilimanjaro Climb and Safaris. Tanzania, East Africa.

"I wanted to let you know what a tremendous experience this was for us and how pleased we were with the whole IMG program from start to finish. From the initial contact with you (Eric Simonson) and Phil Ershler, through the whole trip planning process, to the expedition itself, everything was highly professional and first class in every respect. Your personal communications to me by email and rapid response to any questions or concerns in advance of the trip were greatly appreciated. The local arrangements through the Keys Hotel and the assistance of and experience with the African guides, cooks, and porters were beyond expectations. I also cannot speak highly enough about Adam Angel. Not only did he do a great job coaching us through our progressive trek into high altitude, but he also became a wonderful companion and friend, and undoubtedly greatly facilitated the camaraderie that quickly developed amongst the climbers.

I don't know when I may get another chance to climb, but when I do, you can be assured that if at all possible, it will be with IMG. It appears that you set the standard in guided mountaineering, and I thank you for making possible this once in a lifetime experience for my son and me."

—Michael B.

"We had an incredible experience on our trip. The climb was awesome! IMG had everything well organized from the excellent accommodations before and after the climb to the coordination of the porters and cooks on the climb. Adam was a pleasure to climb with. He took a personal interest in each person achieving their goals for the climb and did everything he could to help make that happen. He had a great sense for when he needed to provide specific direction to the group and when it was okay to let the group just experience the mountain. Hope we have the chance to climb with him again. We look forward to our next adventure with IMG."

—Rob & Julie L.

"What a fun trip. And all I have to say is who ever thought up the porter concept was brilliant. It's not bad strolling up and down a mountain when you don't have to schlep your own stuff. Seriously, Tanzania is an amazing country. Kili is a beautiful mountain and the safari was just the right length of time. I also very much enjoyed climbing with Adam Angel. He's a very nice guy and excellent tour guide. The group was lots of fun and got along very well. Just a wonderful trip all the way around."

—Monica R.

"I just wanted to send a short letter to thank you and Adam for a excellent trip to Kilimanjaro. Adam did a great job throughout the climb and I would definitely recommend IMG and Adam for anyone wanting to do a climb."

—John S.

"I think I should first speak of Adam, for without his expert guidance and leadership, our climb could have been quite different and not as successful... at least for me. Although I have done some climbing, I was perhaps the least experienced of the group. And although I had trained religiously for months, I was not prepared for many of the challenges that confronted us. Adam was there for me and everyone, for every step of the way.

Not a headache was to go by without him knowing about it. When they did occur, Diamox was not the preferred cure; rather going back to the basics of breathing and drinking. He talked about what we should wear each day and how often we should snack and drink water. He instructed us as to the use of our poles: how long or short they should be or if we needed one or both. And when I encountered some problematic spots on the Baranco Wall or wherever, he was there to get me safely to the next point. By the time we had reached Barafu Hut, he had laid the groundwork: he had instilled so much confidence in us of his abilities as a leader. Little did we know how important that confidence in him was for us to reach the summit.

I know that Adam spoke to you about the wind and the less than perfect conditions on summit night. Regardless, Adam was unbelievable. He was decisive. He shouted out instructions all along the way: to eat, to drink, to breathe, to rest step and for me to stand up straight. He was quick to have our packs taken off and carried by a Chagga, when we were being carried and thrown down by the wind. And he yelled encouraging words that we were doing so well and that our bodies could do it and not to let our minds tell us it couldn't!! And because of his leadership and good judgment, no one was hurt, and we reached the summit safely.

All in all, it was an experience of a lifetime. And I thank you for including me in the group."

—Susan G.