Exploradus is an innovative travel exploration company, delivering enlivening experiences in extraordinary destinations. www.exploradus.com Mt. His summit of Mt.
Jackson local Jim Williams could truly be called a guide's guide. Simply, there's no one better, nor more experienced. With a career that has spanned three decades, all continents, and many of the world's hidden corners, Jim has forgotten more campfire stories than most of us remember. Competing equally with stories about his far-flung accomplishments is his renown as an extraordinary chef. Jim’s
lifelong intrigue with world cultures and place inspired him to found Exploradus, an exploration travel company dedicated to exploring remote areas of the world, both for their natural, as well as cultural, beauty. In the summers for the past 25 years, Jim has covered the territory of his own backyard, guiding clients up and down the Grand Teton with Exum Mountain Guides. Over the course of his career, Jim has led major expeditions to Chile, Peru, Africa, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, and Tibet. In 1989, he was the co-leader of the initial Ski Expedition to the South Pole, the first overland crossing to the South Pole from the South American side. Because of his familiarity with the extreme landscape and hazards of the Antarctic, he was selected as one of the leaders for the first commercial crossing of South Georgia Island along the route taken by Ernest Shakleton on his epic Endeavor expedition. Everest, Nupste, Lhotse, Mt. McKinley, Ama Dablam, Carstenz Pyramid, Elbrus, and Aconcagua—Jim has guided them all and more. Everest in 2000 with clients inspired him to become the first person to successfully guide all "Seven Summits", the highest point on each of the Seven Continents, in less than one year. Jim has been honored numerous times for his prowess and dedication: recipient of the National Park Service Search and Rescue Award – 2003; Named a member in 2005 of the “Durable Dozen" in Best Life Magazine (along with Ulysses Grant, Ernest Shakleton, Chuck Yeager, and others) for Seven Summits guiding achievement; AMGA Certified Alpine and Rock Guide: Vice President of the American Mountain Guides Association (AMGA). There's no one better to share stories of distant lands, extraordinary accomplishments and exotic peoples. Jim's anecdotes and perspective from a life of exploration are unique and thoroughly enriching entertainment.
Our expedition to Kilimanjaro in January 2023 isn’t just about the summit🏔️ After we conquer the climb, the 6 day safari adventure begins🦒🐘🐆
We’ll experience the wonders of Serengeti - home to all of Tanzania’s most iconic animals from the towering African elephants and giraffes to the diminutive dik-dik.
This is a trip you don’t want to miss. Take a look back on last year’s trips to Kilimanjaro, and head to our website for more details!
🏔️The Ultimate Everest Trek🏔️
It’s time for a new adventure, and Everest is calling your name.
Interested in this once-in-a-lifetime expedition? Head to our website for a full itinerary and claim your spot.
Repost from .yoga
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All of our experiences in the Galápagos Island’s were incredible except for one.
Witnessing the very common abandonment of Sea lion pups by their mother’s was hard to see & comprehend from these loving & social animals.
Sometimes the circle of life is so hard to accept!
Orphaned Sea lion pups would gladly take any milk and protection they can get, but decades of behavioral research has shown females viciously reject any unrelated pups who wander too closely.
There are many different reasons for abandonment.
The slide you see here was heart breaking.
The pup in the background had been abandoned by his mom & begged & cried for milk from the mother lying next to him.
The much older pup still nursing and his mother viciously attacked the smaller one. He will eventually starve to death.
The Sea lion colonies thrive in the Galápagos tho and fortunately for us they like people & love to interact!
We swam with them twice daily & even had one kiss my toes!
Let’s set the scene💭
You're traveling over dry, arid African plains inhabited by a large variety of wildlife. Everything is flat. There’s not a hill in sight. And then you see…🏔
We’re taking on one of the world’s largest extinct volcanoes and highest freestanding mountain - Mt. Kilimanjaro. With a 15,000 ft. vertical gain from the plains to the summit, Kilimanjaro is a spectacle of diversity as the 9 day climb will take you through its many ecosystems and climatic changes.
Join us in January 2023 for this life-changing 15 day exploratory expedition to the summit of Kilimanjaro and a wildlife safari through Serengeti.
Look back on last year’s expedition, and head to our website to claim your spot!
Yoga has a place on the mountain🏔️🧘🌍
Our extraordinary trips now offer yoga from world-class certified yoga instructor Kristi Paxton. We’ve all heard that yoga is good for the mind, body and soul, but here are some of the potential benefits Kristi’s flows bring to our bodies while we hike, climb, trek and summit:
▪️ Improves concentration and endurance while climbing
▪️ Builds pre-trek energy by igniting the agni (fire) in the body
▪️ Provides cooling effects for post-trek recovery
▪️ Strengthens ligaments and tendons allowing for greater balance on uneven terrain
▪️ Supports high altitude lung function, blood pressure and brain function
▪️ Provides improved circulation to all fatigued extremities during treks
This could be your view🏔️
During our 26 day expedition, we’ll see many
stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, classic
scenery of Everest and breathtaking perspectives
of the entire region - but this one might be one of
our favorites.
The view from the top of Renjo La with Everest,
Lhoste and Makalu standing tall and proud.
See the beauty of the Himalayas for yourself. Join
us in October for a trip of a lifetime as we trek
Mount Everest Base Camp and climb Lobuche
East. Only 12 spots available - head to our website
to reserve yours now.
Discover the world’s most magnificent peaks with our crew as we trek to Mount Everest’s base camp area and climb Lobuche East in October🏔️
Nepal’s breathtaking scenery, deep-rooted spirituality and timeworn temples and towns are something you don’t want to miss.
Head over to our website for more details!
Flash Sale: 30% Off The Galápagos Islands (June 29 — July 11, 2022)
The Galápagos Islands is a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean. It's considered one of the world's foremost destinations for wildlife viewing. Cruise on the S/S Mary Anne, the only sailing cruise ship operating in the Galápagos Islands, on this 13-day all-inclusive program. Original cost is $7,844 per person but we are currently offering 30% off the cruise price for a special rate of $6,350 per person. Cost excludes international airfare.
Follow link in bio to exploradus.com to reserve your space.
Reserve now: https://exploradus.com/trips/galapagos-islands/
Repost from .yoga
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This crazy crew climbed Mt Kilimanjaro with us this past December!
I think you can tell we might have had a good time & for sure created a lifelong bond❣️😜🤩🥳
Making friends on one of the is making friends for a lifetime!
Hit us up if climbing the tallest freestanding mountain in the world 🌎 is on your
Client testimonial! 🤩👌🏻💯
with
・・・
Day 8 and one hell of a 15 hr day!! Summit day!! As you can see my bad ass tent mate and I were super stoked to be awake and starting our hike at midnight, on what I would consider very little sleep.
This was the most exciting day, but also the most challenging. From what seemed like a fairly easy trek turned into one of the hardest treks I’ve done but also the most beautiful. Starting at midnight we began our first leg, 7hrs to the summit, walking a narrow step trail. Switch back, after switch back, after switch back. You would look up and see the outline of the peak that appeared to be fairly close in distance. However, the headlamps from other hikers far ahead of us told a different story as the lights looked like flashing stars far off into the distance. A complete mind game of how far we actually were from reaching the ridge and our first check point, Gilman’s point. Not to mention the physical toll our bodies were experiencing from the elevation, the cold, lack of nutrients, and hydration, bc some of water froze from the serious wind chill we had going on. But… totally worth every bit of discomfort and pain. Yes, I would totally do it again. The pictures honestly don’t do the experience justice.
Bc of our amazing team 8 of us made it to the first two points, Gillman’s point 18,652ft fallowed by Stella Point 18,885ft. From Stella 6 of us continued to the Roof of Africa, to see as far as the eyes can see. Uhuru Peak 19,342ft!!
All this made possible by the amazing people including .yoga
And our Tanzania team huge thanks to the guides and porters. The experience wouldn’t of been as good without the amazing locals we had with us on our journey.
The beautiful Maasai Tribe of East Africa! ♥️ 🇹🇿
We fell in love with the beautiful nomadic people on our last trip to Tanzania in July & most recently this past December!
Their way of life is held deep in extraordinary culture.
We visit them while on Safari just on the outskirts of the Ngorongoro Crater after our 9 day trek on Mt Kilimanjaro.
Some of the unique traditions of the Maasai includes a diet consisting of six basic foods: meat, blood, milk, fat, honey, and tree bark. They drink both fresh and curdled milk. The fresh milk is drunk from calabash and sometimes it's mixed with fresh cattle blood. The blood is obtained by nicking the jugular vein. Mixed blood and milk is mostly used as a ritual drink and as nourishment for the sick. Bulls, oxen and lambs are slaughtered for meat on special occasions and for ceremonies. The by-products of the animals – skin and hides are used as bedding while cow dung is used for building (it is smeared on the walls). The Maasai’s entire way of life truly revolves around their cattle. More recently, the Maasai people have supplemeted their diet with farm crops such as maize meal, rice, cabbage among other food crops.
The Maasai are joyous, warm, independent, welcoming, proud, beautiful, entrepreneurial people!
They sing, dance, work & celebrate with deep passion!
You leave part of your heart with the little children!!!
♥️♥️♥️🇹🇿
We don’t explore only places, mountains and summits… We explore and immerse in the cultures and people we are fortunate to meet and rely upon during our journeys!
This extraordinary person is 61 years old ☝️ his joy and happiness, while serving our Team on Kilimanjaro as porter, is best summed up by his singing and dancing… while balancing a large load on his head!
Incredible Tanzanian people! 🏔🇹🇿 Incredible Kilimanjaro
Wait for the end… “in one week I’m coming to USA, okay!” And then he takes off running with his load at 13,000 feet AMSL.
Team Exploradus! Join us to experience extraordinary people and places around the world 🌎
Team Exploradus at work 🏔
A journey of exploration… a journey of friendship and humor.
"Climb the mountain not to
plant your flag, but to embrace the
challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view.
Climb it so you can see the world, not so the
world can see you."
- David McCullough Jr.
The wonder and awe of Kilimanjaro 🇹🇿🏔
It is the highest mountain in Africa and the highest single free-standing mountain in the world: 5,895 metres (19,341 ft) above sea level and about 4,900 metres (16,100 ft) above its plateau base. Kilimanjaro is the fourth most topographically prominent peak on Earth.
Exploring Kilimanjaro, it’s many ecosystems, and culture is at the heart of Team Exploradus. Our founder - has been visiting here for almost 30 years.
DM us to learn more about our next 2022 program on Kilimanjaro, or other extraordinary locations like Patagonia, Machu Picchu, Galapagos and others!
To reach is only possible with the extraordinary skills, hard work and joy of our local Kilimanjaro partners.
Exploradus has been working with Kibo Slopes of Tanzania for well over 20 years. They are the backbone of our logistics and our Kilimanjaro guides. Some of the Kibo team have supported us many times on past exploration of the mountain, and have helped many of our clients reach the Summit!
Aside from their superhuman strength and mountain work, their joy and gratitude is boundless. We return home with their songs and smiles forever in our hearts. 🇹🇿🏔
This dance celebration is a welcome message to our clients and a song of joy about Kilimanjaro and the climb ahead! Pure happiness!
Interested in joining us for future trips to Kilimanjaro, Galapagos, Patagonia and Machu Picchu… visit Exploradus.com
The open arms embrace as you wake up to the sun caressing the mountain you are about climb! 🌅
Check out our female porters in the next slide. 👉🏻
The strength of these women is just mind blowing!
Final slide is a boots off break from climbing on one of the warm days on the mountain.
Summit day!!! 🇹🇿
Reaching Uhuru:
(5895 meters) (19, 341 feet)
🇹🇿
Tyrell Akers 🙌🏻
Jason Wick 🙌🏻
Charlene Commerford 🙌🏻
Iain Pike 🙌🏻
Jim Sumpter 🙌🏻- team leader
Kristi Paxton 🙌🏻- team leader
(Yoga Instructor)
Reaching Stella Point:
(5730 meters) (18,799 feet)
Richard Shaver 🙌🏻
Pam Kain 🙌🏻
Reaching Hans Meyer Cave (5,150 meters) (16,897 feet)
Jim Kain 🙌🏻
Jim Williams 🙌🏻- Team leader & founder of Exploradus!
“The only limits you have are the limits you believe”
&
“treat the word impossible as motivation” was our team mantra!
Conquering the tallest free standing mountain in the world under extreme below 0 weather conditions is an undeniable extraordinary experience!
Of the Seven Summits, Mt Kilimanjaro is the most attempted & most failed mountain!
We are extremely proud of the entire team!!!!
🙌🏻🙌🏻
🇹🇿🇺🇸
Day 8 Summit Day
Congratulations to Team Exploradus for reaching the summit after an extraordinary day!
The final ascent started about midnight, with just stars and headlamps to light the path. They were led by Jim Sumpter, Kristi Paxton and lead African guide Augustine. They only have time to pause to watch a breathtaking sunrise over the magnificent Northern Ice Fields before continuing onto the Uhuru summit. After 7.5hrs and climbing 4,600 feet to a staggering 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) they have reached the roof of Africa to the highest point of Uhuru crater!!! The conditions were bright sun with high winds and cold at below 0 degrees. After spending time to celebrate their accomplishments and snapping some photos, the team descended to half the summit height to forest camp Mweka at 10,171 feet. Today was the most mentally and physically trying day with over 15hrs of hiking with major ascents and descents! Congratulations to everyone!!!
Current Conditions:
Weather: Sunny, HighWinds, Below 0
Distance Traveled: 9.56
Altitude: Summited at 19,341 feet and descended to 10,170 feet
Environment: All previous environments
Day 8 Summit Day
Congratulations to Team Exploradus for reaching the summit after an extraordinary day!
The final ascent started about midnight, with just stars and headlamps to light the path. They were led by Jim Sumpter, Kristi Paxton and lead African guide Augustine. They only have time to pause to watch a breathtaking sunrise over the magnificent Northern Ice Fields before continuing onto the Uhuru summit. After 7.5hrs and climbing 4,600 feet to a staggering 5,895 meters (19,341 feet) they have reached the roof of Africa to the highest point of Uhuru crater!!! The conditions were bright sun with high winds and cold at below 0 degrees. After spending time to celebrate their accomplishments and snapping some photos, the team descended to half the summit height to forest camp Mweka at 10,171 feet. Today was the most mentally and physically trying day with over 15hrs of hiking with major ascents and descents! Congratulations to everyone!!!
Current Conditions:
Weather: Sunny, HighWinds, Below 0
Distance Traveled: 9.56
Altitude: Summited at 19,341 feet and descended to 10,170 feet
Environment: All previous environments
Day 7
Today has been a “pole pole” day because the lack of oxygen for Team Exploradus. Climbing 900 meters in 6km with low oxygen levels. The team led by the two Jims successfully made it to their last camp before summit. The views are spectacular but probably won’t be completely enjoyed until they reach camp because of labored breathing. From now on they will be operating with half the amount of oxygen then what they started with. The journey ends at the School Hut, which is the base for the summit ascent. Team Leader Kristi Paxton will lead the team in restful yoga-nidra, helping the team to relax and recover. They will not have long to rest until they wake early for the big push to the summit at midnight!
Current Conditions:
Weather: Cold and Windy
Distance Traveled: 6 km
Altitude: 4790 m (15,715 ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert
Day 6
Jim Sumpter and team traveled around the northern slopes of Kilimanjaro, while still ascending and descending frequently. Jim Williams helped to navigate around the numerous ravines with steep pitches while under the shadow of Kibo and Mawenzi’s volcanic cones looming majestically above. After making it from Bofu camp to Third Cave camp in record time, they have officially finished the northern circuit. No time to rest - Team Exploradus make a bonus acclimatization climb to help their bodies prepare for summit day.
Current Conditions:
Weather: Bright Sun and Wispy clouds High 50s
Distance Traveled: 7 km (4.34 miles)
Altitude: 3960 meters (12,990ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert
Day 5
It is a strenuous day for Team Exploradus as they make their way around Kibo’s northern face. Hiking in ever direction but straight they are constantly climbing and descending until they reach the base of Kibo. The terrain is tough as they cross ice fields and numerous steep climbs up ravines. Upon each crest of a ridge they are filled with beautiful views but are coming into the shadow of the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro. The team’s spirits remain strong and their bodies healthy but the weather is turning sour as the sky turns to grey and the air becomes misty and cold. They will weather the day at Bofu campsite a barren rocky ridge.
Current Conditions:
Weather: Misty and Cold
Distance Traveled: 12 km (7.46 miles)
Altitude: 4020 meters
Environment: Semi-Desert
Day 4
The Moir Camp has been reached! A three hour trek with 400m gain in elevation. Along the way, the team ran into the KiboSlopes summit team. After a brief rest and exchanges of good luck, our team traversed northwards into barren high altitude desert. Even though the land has become barren for the first time on this journey, the landscape has only become more diverse. The explorers will enter an other worldly environment filled with lava tubes, remnants of a dormant volcano, and glacially carved mountainsides.
After getting to camp, Team Leader Kristi Paxton led the group in a restorative and revitalizing yoga practice as they prepared for the first of many acclimatization hikes. These hikes are vital as the oxygen levels continue to get lower and some of our sea level living explorers have to work twice as hard to go half the distance. During the acclimatization hikes, they will find themselves higher then any mountain in Colorado!
Current Conditions:
Weather: Cold and Windy (Daytime low 40s)
Distance Traveled: 9km (5.59 miles)
Altitude: 4175m (13,700 ft)
Environment: Alpine Desert
Day 3
The team awoke to a frosty Kilimanjaro morning, but after a good breakfast and stretching their legs, they have successfully arrived at Shira Camp 2! Everyone is healthy and well! Climbed over 650 meters of elevation (or to get that in feet multiply meters by 3.281.) The route is becoming increasing exposed as there are no more trees and areas to escape the sun or weather. Team Leader Jim Sumpter took a team to Cathedral Point the highest point of the Caldera at 12073 feet. From this view at the edge of a collapsed volcano you get an unrivaled view of where you have come from and where you have yet to go.
Current Conditions:
Weather: Bright sun in the 60s. A little rain once in camp Night time is freezing temps
Distance Traveled: 8km (4.97 miles)
Altitude: 3850 meters (12631 feet)
Environment: Moorland
Day 1
Team Exploradus has successfully reached their first camp. Everyone is healthy and enjoying the trip. After meeting their mountain team and checking in at the Londorossi gate, they hiked from Lemosho gate to the Big Tree camp. The trek begins through dense and misty rainforest with abundant wildlife, but it quickly starts to climb giving everyone the chance to work out the stiff legs from a long plane ride. The team climbed for over 3hrs for 550m (1800ft). Big Tree camp is as the name implies, perched under a large tree. The team will hopefully get a good night rest if the many monkeys and birds that live in the tree let them.
Current Conditions:
Weather: Sunny and 71 degrees F
Altitude: 2780m (9222 ft)
Distanced Traveled: 7km (4.34 miles)
Environment: Montane rainforest
Some of our group + team from our most recent trek up Mount Kilimanjaro! We love to host awesome people who do awesome things. 👍
Studies show that trying new things with our partners or loved ones is a great way to strengthen our connections. A wilderness exploration is a great way to take advantage of that. 😉
Tag a friend in the comments below who should come on our next trek with us! 🗻
Adventures are our specialty! Want to try exploring something new? 😊
With Exploradus, you can expect new experiences, new connections, and new stories you can tell for a lifetime!
To learn more about our upcoming trips, make sure to click the link and tag a friend in the comments below who you think would love a new adventure! Let's explore! 🌋 >> https://buff.ly/3xRJWo6
Meet trip leader and yoga teacher .yoga on their way to meet up with Jim Williams and the rest of the team in Kenya! Exciting times are ahead! 😊🗻🤍
Make sure to tag a friend in the comments below who would love to follow along with our adventures! ⬇️
Hiking offers more than just beautiful views. Spending extended time in nature supports mind, body, and spirit.
🧠 Your Mind
Any of you who've experienced the triumph of conquering a mountain knows that hiking is a remarkable workout! But it is also particularly beneficial for the brain. The combination of intense exercise and nature heavily supports cognitive health!
❤️ Your Heart
Hiking is a phenomenal way to improve your cardiovascular fitness and forces your heart to work harder. Furthermore, we often have a stressful daily life, which contributes to high blood pressure and heart disease risk. Spending time in nature eases stress levels, calms us down, and relaxes us. Who doesn't need a little extra calm in their life?
🌿 Your Lungs
As some of you may know, hiking can take your breath away! But in a good way! It actually increases lung capacity and strengthens them. With increased lung capacity, you'll breathe easier, and your lungs will stay healthier for longer.
Want to go on a hike now? 😄 Good thing we can help with that! 😉 Send us a message if you'd like to talk further about how we can support you to get started with your next trekking adventure.
Jackson, WY
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We don’t explore only places, mountains and summits… We explore and immerse in the cultures and people we are fortunate to meet and rely upon during our journeys! This extraordinary person is 61 years old ☝️ his joy and happiness, while serving our Team on Kilimanjaro as porter, is best summed up by his singing and dancing… while balancing a large load on his head! Incredible Tanzanian people! 🏔🇹🇿 Incredible Kilimanjaro Wait for the end… “in one week I’m coming to USA, okay!” And then he takes off running with his load at 13,000 feet AMSL. Team Exploradus! Join us to experience extraordinary people and places around the world 🌎
Team Exploradus at work 🏔 A journey of exploration… a journey of friendship and humor. "Climb the mountain not to plant your flag, but to embrace the challenge, enjoy the air and behold the view. Climb it so you can see the world, not so the world can see you." - David McCullough Jr.
To reach #theroofofafrica is only possible with the extraordinary skills, hard work and joy of our local Kilimanjaro partners. Exploradus has been working with Kibo Slopes of Tanzania for well over 20 years. They are the backbone of our logistics and our Kilimanjaro guides. Some of the Kibo team have supported us many times on past exploration of the mountain, and have helped many of our clients reach the Summit! Aside from their superhuman strength and mountain work, their joy and gratitude is boundless. We return home with their songs and smiles forever in our hearts. 🇹🇿🏔 This dance celebration is a welcome message to our clients and a song of joy about Kilimanjaro and the climb ahead! Pure happiness! Interested in joining us for future trips to Kilimanjaro, Galapagos, Patagonia and Machu Picchu… visit Exploradus.com #globaltravel #traveltheworld #gratefuleverydamnday #mtkilimanjaro #trekafrica #mountaineering #mountainlife #mountainadventures #travelcompany #traveltheworld #seetheworld #youonlyliveonce #lovelaughlive #campingvibes #camp #hikingadventures #hikersofinstagram #sevensummits #summiteers
