Rock Stars...

The head guide for our Kilimanjaro trip is Mark Tucker. I haven't met Mark or “Tuck” as he’s called but check out his resume:

- 10 expeditions on Mt. Everest (29,035’): Five-time Expedition Leader, Member, Tri-nation Peace Climb (summit 1990)
- 100 summits of Mount Rainier, Washington (14,410’)
- 6 expeditions on Mount McKinley, Alaska (20,320’)
- 23 expeditions on Kilimanjaro, Tanzania (19,340’)
- Ecuador Volcanoes: 1 expedition on Chimborazo (20,208’), 3 expeditions on Cotopaxi (19,348’)
- 12 expeditions on Aconcagua, Argentina (22,841’)
- Mexico Volcanoes: 8 expeditions on Pico de Orizaba (18,410’), 2 expeditions on Popocatepetl (17,930’), 4 expeditions on Iztaccihuatl (17,160’)
- Bolivia: 12 expeditions on Huayna Potosi (19,870’), 5 expeditions on Illimani (21,201’)
- 5 expeditions on Mt. Blanc, France (15,770’)
- Gunnjornsfjeld, Greenland (12,168’) - Tallest peak in the Artic Circle
- 8 expeditions on Mt. Elbrus, Russia (18,481’)
- 4 expeditions on Mt. Vinson, Antarctica (16,067’)
- Antarctic Peninsula (ski mountaineering)
- Mt. Aspiring, New Zealand (9,944’)
- Carstanz Indonisia
- 5 summits of Mount Hood
- 3 summits of Mount Baker
- 4 summits of Mount Adams
- 4 summits of Mount Whitney
- Mount Shuksan
- 3 treks/climbs on Dolimites Via Ferrata
- 2 climbs on Island Peak, Nepal
- Peak Loboche, Nepal
- Mount Kenya, Africa - Technical route up Nelion

That’s right…he’s done this Kilimanjaro trip 23 times and Everest 10 times and McKinley and Aconcagua. It’s amazing but this isn't the only impressive list of accomplishments at RMI. Rainier Mountaineering Inc was founded back in 1968 by Lou Whitaker, twin brother of Jim Whitaker, the first American to summit Mt. Everest in 1963. Lou led the first ascent of the North Face of Everest in 1984, and the first American ascent of Kanchenjunga, the world's third highest peak, in 1989. This sort of thing seems to run in the family.

Also, at RMI are legendary guides like Dave Hahn who has climbed to the top of Mt. Everest 12 times and Ed Viesters who was the first American to climb all fourteen of the world's highest mountains (elevations over 8,000 meters) without the use of supplemental oxygen. RMI is the best and their guides are like the rock stars of the mountain climbing business. Check out the A-team right here: RMI Guides.