Tag Archive for: Gorak Shep

Cleanup and climbing team has arrived in base camp!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archives. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has arrived in Everest Base Camp! The team left Lobuche Village and set forth on the path to their next stop under clear, blue Himalayan skies. Fueled by tea and the excitement of moving into their temporary home, the team stepped into base camp ready for their climbing and cleaning activities on Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 25th.

Today we left Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft) under warm, sunny skies and walked up to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) with a short break for tea in Gorak Shep (5164m/16,942ft) along the way. We got to base camp just before lunch, moved into our tents, and then had a great lunch. We’ve been relaxing and getting settled this afternoon.

It’s great to be here and great to meet the rest of the team! We’re looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, then a little bit of training and skills review. As soon as possible, we’ll start heading up the mountain to begin our cleanup work and our climbing! So, all is going really well here and we’ll be in touch in the future.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Everest Base Camp

The team at base camp! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering team reached Everest base camp today with beautiful weather! This marks their turn around point, where our trekkers will trek down the valley back to Lukla, and board their flight out of the Himalaya. Meanwhile, our Lobuche East and Island Peak climbers still have more to do before making their departure. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Lobuche village:

Hello! This is Terray calling in from Nepal for the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp (5364m/17,598ft) trek, and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) climbs – today is October 30th.

Today we had a big day! We touched Everest base camp, we left Gorak Shep (5164m/16,942ft) early and enjoyed solitude on the trails to base camp, as well as more fantastic weather. We arrived in base camp around 9:30, enjoyed the sun, took a lot of pictures, and then we walked back to Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft). We’re getting ready for dinner here in Lobuche now. We had light snow this evening, but also some alpenglow on Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) high above us.

We’re looking forward to tomorrow! Tomorrow our trekkers will continue down the valley to Deboche where they’ll enjoy some hot showers and cozy accommodations at the Rivendell Lodge. Our Lobuche East climbers will move up to Lobuche East high camp!

So, we’ll be in touch! All is well in Nepal.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Perfect day on Kala Patthar!

The team topping out on Kala Patthar with excellent views of Mount Everest (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp trekking team reached their high point today, ascending Kala Patthar which is considered a trekkers peak that overlooks Everest base camp and with 360 degree views of the mountains, valleys and glaciers all around. The team could not have asked for better weather and took their time while they soaked up the sun and views at over 18,000 feet. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp (5364m/17,598ft) trek, and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) climbs – today is October 29th.

Today we trekked from Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft) to Gorak Shep (5164m/16,942ft). We had a nice lunch and then we hiked up to the top of Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft), which is higher than 18,000 feet – about 5,500 meters which would make it just about as high as the third highest peak in North America, but here of course, it’s just a foothill among giants. However, we had excellent views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Pumori (7161m/23,494ft), and even just a peak of Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft)! It can be pretty cold on Kala Patthar at times, but we got really lucky with the weather. We were able to bask in the sun for a little while, take some pictures, and then we hiked down to Gorak Shep where we’ll spend the night!

Tomorrow we’ve got another exciting day! We’ll go to Everest base camp and then we’ll start trekking back down the Khumbu Valley. So, we’re all doing well here in the Khumbu and I’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Everest and Nuptse, with Lhotse just barely visible (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest and Nuptse, with Lhotse just barely visible (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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More perfect weather in the Himalaya!

Crossing Thuk La Pass (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The excellent weather continues for our teams in the Himalaya this fall! Today, the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp trekkers, along with our Island Peak and Lobuche East climbers trekked up the Khumbu Valley from Pheriche to Lobuche village. They took in surrounding views, stopped at the climbers memorial on Thuk La Pass, and settled into their rooms for the night before following their noses to the famous bakery in Lobuche village for a treat! Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp (5364m/17,598ft) trek, and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) climbs. Today we trekked from Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) to Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft). We stopped for lunch at Dughla (4620m/15,160ft), then climbed over the Thuk La Pass and spent a few moments at the climbers memorial there, and then continued to Lobuche village.

The great weather has continued! We had excellent panoramic views of all the high peaks from Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) to Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft) to Pumori (7161m/23,494ft) and over to the west shoulder of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) as we approached Lobuche.

So this afternoon we’ve been relaxing in the bakery cafe here in Lobuche, reportedly the highest bakery on the planet and we’re looking forward to dinner tonight! Tomorrow we’ll move to Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft) and hike up Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) where we’ll get an excellent view of the summit of Everest! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Lobuche East and Island Peak climber, Thomas hiking out of the Pheriche valley (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Lobuche East and Island Peak climber, Thomas hiking out of the Pheriche valley (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Fun in the sun on the way to Lobuche Village (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Fun in the sun on the way to Lobuche Village (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The trail to Lobuche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The trail to Lobuche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Thuk La Pass (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Thuk La Pass (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Snow in EBC

Our 'second wave' of climbers on top of Kala Patthar this afternoon, after hiking to Gorakshep!

While snow fell over base camp, our first team rested today and prepared for their first rotation through the Khumbu Icefall! They plan to wake up around midnight to start their climb towards Camp 1, knowing that they may push back their plan another day due to the fresh snowfall. Not far away, our second team reached Gorakshep and hiked up Kala Patthar. Despite the limited views, the team is in good spirits and psyched for the days ahead! Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from the Khumbu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2023 Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expeditions – today is April 21st.

Today we took a rest day here in base camp (5364m/17,598ft) while we packed and prepared for our first rotation up to Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft) for two nights, and then Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) for two nights, and then back down. However, this evening it’s snowing hard in base camp, so there’s a chance we’ll wake up at midnight and defer the beginning of that rotation for another day.

Meanwhile, the other group of climbers here in the Khumbu Valley is in Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft)! Today they hiked up Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) – great acclimatization hike even though their views were limited due to the storm. And tomorrow they plan to move to base camp!

We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Into the Icefall!

The team climbing into the Khumbu Icefall! Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Today, the team made their first trip into the Khumbu Icefall to start to get a sense of what moving through the beautifully complicated terrain will be like on future rotations as they make their way higher up the mountain. Further down the valley, our second team has arrived in Lobuche, and is set to meet the rest of the team in Everest Base Camp (EBC) in just a few days! Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from EBC:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition – today is April 20th.

Today our team here in base camp (5364m/17,598ft) got up early and hiked maybe a fifth to a quarter of the way up to Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft). So we went part way into the Khumbu Icefall – it’s a really nice way for our climbers to start to get acquainted with the terrain that we’ll climb through in the dark in a couple of days when we head up to Camp 1 before dawn.

Meanwhile, our other group here in the Khumbu Valley hiked to Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft). They’ll stay there tonight, and then they’ll move to Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft) tomorrow, and hopefully make it to base camp the day after that!

We had a little light snow this evening and we might get a little bit more snow tomorrow, but for the group here in base camp, tomorrow will be a rest day. All is well here in Nepal! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Climber, Debbie Bulten, descending out of the icefall with Sange Sherpa. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Debbie Bulten, descending out of the icefall with Sange Sherpa. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Rick Irvine, rappelling in the icefall. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Rick Irvine, rappelling in the icefall. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Hello from Everest Base Camp!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

After over a week on the trail trekking up through the Khumbu Valley, the team has arrived in Everest Base Camp (EBC)! After a warm welcome from the team of base camp staff and Sherpas, the team took a tour of their home for the next few months, and settled in to their tents – some also treating themselves to a hot shower! With dinner and a movie scheduled for the evening, the team is in good spirits and excited to be one step closer to their objectives. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with todays dispatch from EBC:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition – today is April 13.

This morning we walked from Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft) to base camp (5364m/17,598ft)! We arrived in base camp at about noon to a warm welcome from our staff who have been working hard here over the past month, or a little more, to make base camp the wonderful place it is. (We) did a little base camp tour when we arrived, and then  our climbers moved into their tents. We had a nice lunch of sandwiches, and fresh salad, and soup. Our climbers have been relaxing since then and some of them have gotten a hot shower, which always feels good after the trek up here to base camp!

So, tonight we’re looking forward to a good dinner and then the first of our movie nights, which will happen every night here in base camp with our projector, and screen, and surround sound system!

All in all, it was a great day! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Climber, Rick Irvine receiving a warm welcome to base camp from sirdar and guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Rick Irvine receiving a warm welcome to base camp from sirdar and guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering dining tent beside the ice pinnacles of the Khumbu Glacier. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering dining tent beside the ice pinnacles of the Khumbu Glacier. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Some of our climbers' personal tents. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Some of our climbers’ personal tents. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Our rockstar Nepali staff, including our very strong Sherpa team and base camp staff! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Our rockstar Nepali staff, including our very strong Sherpa team and base camp staff! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Everest Base Camp Awaits!

The team on top of Kala Patthar, with Pumori in the background! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

After one final acclimatization hike to the top of Kala Patthar, the team is eager to arrive in base camp tomorrow! Today presented more incredible views of Everest Base Camp and the surrounding sights, giving the team a preview of what’s to come. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with todays dispatch from Gorakshep:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2023 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition. Today is April 12th!

Today we moved from Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft) to Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft), and then we hiked up Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) to just about 5,500 meters. From there we had our first really good views of the summit of Everest plus Nuptse, and just a little corner of Lhotse peaking out in the distance. Beautiful day today, yet again – clear skies and pleasant temperatures!

We’re going to spend a night here in Gorakshep, and then tomorrow we’ll head over to base camp (5364m/17,598ft) and finally move into our tents there. So, that’s exciting! (We) can’t wait to get into camp at the foot of Everest.

The team is doing well and we’re looking forward to tomorrow! We’ll be in touch then.

Mount Everest (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Mount Everest (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

The team ascending Kala Patthar! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

The team ascending Kala Patthar! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Nearing the top of Kala Patthar! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Nearing the top of Kala Patthar! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear our daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Everest Base Camp!

The climbing team at the entrance to base camp

Today our trekking and climbing teams completed the final segment of trekking to reach Everest Base Camp!  Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester provides a recap of the day:

Hello!  This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition!  It’s April 12th.

Today our climbing and trekking teams walked from Gorak Shep (5170m/16,962ft) to Everest Base Camp (5310m/17,421ft).  It was a beautiful day for the walk – really nice sunny weather.  Everyone stopped for some group photos at “Trekker’s Rock” right at the bottom of base camp and then came on up to camp and we started moving into our tents.

Tomorrow our trekkers will fly out in helicopters back to Kathmandu and our Island Peak and Lobuche Peak climbers will head off down the valley.  Then our Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse climbers will start getting into the routine of preparing for the ascent.  So, tomorrow we’ll go over some climbing skills, make sure our gear is dialed in, and potentially take a little foray into the Icefall.

So, all is well here.  Everyone is heathly.  And yeah, it was a beautiful day here at just over 5000m.

So, we’ll be in touch!

Nearly to Everest Base Camp

Nearly to Everest Base Camp

The trekking team at the entrance to base camp

The trekking team at the entrance to base camp

Garrett and Rob welcoming Everest climber Roi Negri base camp

Garrett and Rob welcome Everest climber Roi Negri to base camp

The climbing team at the entrance to base camp

The climbing team at the entrance to base camp

Night shot looking up into the Khumbu icefall from our base camp

Night shot looking up into the Khumbu icefall from our base camp

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Pheriche to Lobuche

Sara Safari at Thok La Pass on the way to Lobuche

Today our trekking and climbing teams move up along the Khumbu Glacier from Pheriche (4280m/14,042ft) to Lobuche (4940m/16,207ft).  Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester provides a recap of the day:

Hello!  This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition!  It’s April 10th.

We are just walking into Lobuche village at about 16,000ft.  The weather is beautiful – mostly sunny, the air is crisp and cool.  It feels good to be in the valley of the Khumbu Glacier.  We’re getting our first close up views of Pumori, Mount Lingtren, and Nuptse.

Tomorrow we’ll, hopefully, get a great view of the summit of Everest when we hike to Gorak Shep and then up to Kala Patthar for the sunset.

The whole team is in good spirits.  Everyone’s healthy and we’re looking forward to getting to base camp.

So, we’ll be in touch!

Josh Garrison crossing a stream en route to Duk La

Josh Garrison crossing a stream en route to Duk La

Approaching the Khumbu Glacier

Approaching the Khumbu Glacier

Garrett crossing a small glacier bridge

Garrett crossing a small glacier bridge

In addition to these expedition dispatches, you can also follow our teams as they make their attempts on the world’s most formidable mountains on:

– Amazon Alexa devices with the Madison Mountaineering Flash Briefing skill:

  • Enable the skill and add to your flash briefing to hear Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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