Climbing team gearing up for Camp 1

Today was our third day training on the edge of the Khumbu Icefall, with our climbing team gearing up for their first rotation to Camp 1 early this coming week. On the course today we had multiple ladder crossings and fixed rope circuits that continued to challenge the team and allowed each climber to grow stronger. Tomorrow we will rest up and go for a short hike around base camp. All of the climbing team’s in base camp are taking the day off from climbing in the icefall tomorrow in remembrance of the 2014 icefall avalanche.

The weather has been beautiful in the mornings with snow clouds rolling in early afternoon and  throughout the evening. All members of the team are in good health and are excited to begin the next stage of their journey. Our meals are plentiful and delicious, we are all convinced that we will be gaining weight on this expedition.

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Glacier training with evening snow showers at Everest Base Camp

Today our team had another great day training on the ice with evening snow showers picking up after dinner. Each day we set up progressively more difficult training courses along the Khumbu Icefall that challenge each of the climbers with different techniques and provide safe procedures for navigating across the ice. Everyone is doing very well and enjoying the training circuits that we have put together. With a couple inches of fresh snow on the ground the views are spectacular with stars in the sky and some of the largest mountains in the world surrounding our camp. Tomorrow we will continue our glacier training and design a new course to challenge each of the climbers. We plan to move to Camp 1 in early next week to begin the acclimatization rotations.  Onward!

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Last bridge into Lukla!

Last bridge into Lukla! The team finished the trek in great shape and good spirits. Yesterday we headed down from the mountains and ran into our first real weather of the trip. Starting out as rain and then light to moderate snow as we arrived back in Namche. The mist and cloud made for beautiful scenery and perfect hiking temps. We enjoyed hot showers and good food with our friends at the Tibet Hotel.

If the weather holds we will fly early back to Kathmandu and many will soon be on their way home. Fantastic group and an unforgettable experience! We hope that you all continue your adventures and to see you all again very soon.

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Successful second day of training in the Khumbu Icefall!

Today we woke up to a great breakfast and headed back onto the ice for our second day of training in the Khumbu Icefall. We practiced the rope techniques on ice and ladders and all of the team members are learning and growing stronger. The weather was beautiful and some of the climbers took to their flip flops and shorts to fully enjoy the warmth of the sun. For dinner we had one of our best meals yet with fresh chicken and sides that came out on fire, actually! Tomorrow we will continue to train in the icefall and look forward to another exciting day at Mount Everest Base Camp.

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Climbers train in the Khumbu Icefall at the foot of the Western Cwm!

Today we woke up to fresh powder on our Trango 3 tents and a bright sun in the sky before heading up for icefall training at the foothills of the Western Cwm. All of the team members checked their harnesses, crampons, carabiners, and other technical gear as a group before making our first journey into the icefall to train. The team did very well and will continue to train as a team over the next week. Our strong sherpa team will leave in the early morning to do a carry up to Camp 1 with gear and food. The climbing team will begin their first rotation up Mt. Everest within the week. We are all very excited and look forward to continuing our journey to the top of the world!

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Lama comes to Everest Base Camp for Puja Ceremony!

Today we said goodbye to the trekkers and prepared for the Puja Ceremony. A Lama came into our base camp and was assisted by sherpa to bless our team and equipment for safe passage to the top of Mt. Everest. We had a wonderful time and enjoyed the ceremony! Through the afternoon the weather slowly shifted to clouds and then to snow. In base camp we received a couple inches of snow and the temperature dropped considerably. Good thing we are well equipped! The weather report is calling for snow over the next few days and the possibility of sun in the morning hours. At dinner we celebrated Nick’s Birthday with a large cake and we all sang happy birthday together!

Tomorrow we will continue to sort our gear and prepare the communication equipment. Our team will conduct training in the icefall to prepare for the first rotation up to Camp 1. The team is doing very well and we are all in good health. Onward and upward!

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICK!!

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Wonderful time together at Everest Base Camp!

The 2016 Mount Everest trekkers had a wonderful time together at base camp! After our James Bond movie night everyone made their way back to their tents and got a good night sleep at 17,000ft. Throughout the night we could hear the cracks of the ice around us as the glaciers moved. What an adventure!! Getting up at sunrise we enjoyed a warm breakfast and clear skies across the mountains that surround base camp. We met many new friends in base camp and it has been a great time engaging with the climbers that will begin their first rotations up Mt. Everest in the days to come. It has been a wonderful jounrey and the team will now trek back through the Khumbu Valley toward Lukla. Congrats team! Onward!

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Trekkers and Climbers arrive to 2016 Mount Everest Base Camp!

Today both our trekkers and climbers arrived together to the Madison Mountaineering 2016 Mount Everest Base Camp!! We have been hard at work preparing the camp and are very excited to be able to come together and enjoy a night at base camp together. All team members picked out their tents and enjoyed spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The weather was beautiful with the sun shining throughout the afternoon. We all enjoyed a great dinner together before our much anticipated movie night. We watched James Bond and had a welcome cake as well. Tomorrow the trekkers will depart from Everest Base Camp and make their way toward Lukla. Our climbers are excited to begin training in the icefall in the days to come before making their first rotations.

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Climbers and Trekkers climb Kala Patthar!

Today both the climbing & trekking teams hiked up from Lobuche to village Gorak Shep and had a nice lunch, then trekked up Kala Pattar peak (18,315′) for a spectacular view of Mount Everest! This is one of the most beautiful day climbs as our teams make their way toward Everest Base Camp. We had clear skies and a bit of wind at the top, but they views were most definitely worth it! The climbers & trekkers are all together now at our lodge and will trek to Everest base camp tomorrow. We are all very excited to finally reach Mount Everest base camp!

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Climbers and Trekkers climb Kala Pattar peak!

Today both the climbing & trekking teams hiked up from Lobuche to village Gorak Shep and had a nice lunch, then trekked up Kala Pattar peak (18,315′) for a spectacular view of Mount Everest! This is one of the most beautiful day climbs as our teams make their way toward Everest Base Camp. We had clear skies and a bit of wind at the top, but they views were most definitely worth it! The climbers & trekkers are all together now at our lodge and will trek to Everest base camp tomorrow. We are all very excited to finally reach Mount Everest base camp!

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