Everest Base Camp, Lobuche and Island Peak 2023.10

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)

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:

October 29, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest Base Camp, Lobuche and Island Peak 2023.10

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)

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

The trail to Lobuche (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:

October 28, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2023

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:

April 21, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2023

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)

The team ascending 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:

April 12, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2023

First Views of EBC!

Passing Cholatse en route to Lobuche. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

The team has arrived in Lobuche! After this morning’s walk from Pheriche where they’d spent the last few days, the team settled into their rooms at their next stop before continuing on towards Everest Base Camp (EBC). Fueled by treats from “the highest bakery in the world” the team hiked up a moraine bordering the Khumbu Glacier, which revealed the team’s first views of EBC. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with this dispatch from Lobuche:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2023 Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition – today is April 11th.

This morning we walked from Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) to Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft)! Along the way we stopped and had a nice brunch in Dukla, and then in the afternoon we visited the bakery here in Lobuche, which advertises itself as the highest bakery in the world at over 5,000 meters! We hiked up on the lateral moraine next to the Khumbu Glacier and got our first view of Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft), plus great views of Pumori (7161m/23,494ft), Lingtren (6749m/22,142ft), Nuptse and Changtse (7543m/24,747ft) out on the Chinese border.

So, tomorrow we’ll continue to Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft) and up to Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) where we’ll get more great views of Everest and base camp!

All is well here in Nepal! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Climber, Erwin Visser, and expedition leader, Garrett Madison, leaving Pheriche. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Pieter Swart, sightseeing on a lateral moraine of the Khumbu Glacier. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Peter Horsman, and expedition leader, Garrett Madison, taking in the view near Lobuche! (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:

April 11, 2023/2 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2022

Everest 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

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

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:

April 12, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2022

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

Approaching the Khumbu Glacier

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:

April 10, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2018

Great views of Mount Everest!

View of Mount Everest From Kalapatthar

View of Mount Everest :

Today we trekked from Lobuche to Gorak Shep and then hiked up Kala Patthar (18,160 ft. /5550m) and had excellent views of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Mount Nuptse. We are about to go to bed after another great day, everyone is doing well and very excited to reach Everest base camp tomorrow!

April 11, 2018/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2018

Day 7 & 8 of Trek to Everest

We left Lobuche, and heading towards Gorak Shep as we make our way closer to Everest. Yesterday we had a light snow in the evening so today its blue sky with the sun reflecting off the new snow. Furthermore, Everyone is doing well and we are excited to climb Kala Pattar this afternoon! Tomorrow we plan to reach Everest base camp.

April 10, 2018/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2017

Team arrives to Mount Everest 2017 base camp!

After an amazing trek through the Khumbu Valley, our team of climbers and trekkers have arrived safely to Mount Everest 2017 base camp. As we arrived to camp we caught two time Grammy Award nominee Paul Oakenfold playing a set at Everest base camp. Our Sherpa team danced along with fans from around the world as we laughed and enjoyed the beautiful setting.

With a warm welcome from our chef (Antony Dubber), we all enjoyed fresh Norwegian salmon and a tasty variety of side dishes. I think we will be eating well on this expedition! The weather here at Mount Everest base camp has been warm and sunny the past few days, allowing for ample reading outside with magnificent 360 degree views of some of the tallest mountains in the world. Today we are having a personal day where we are able to do laundry and set up personal tents. Over the next few days we will start training in the Khumbu icefall in preparation for our first rotation to Camp 1 on Mount Everest. We are excited to be here and look forward to making our ascent. Onward!

Follow us on social media @MadisonMtng on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Thank you Mountain Hardwear, MusclePharm, Thuraya, Wicis and Modern Oats for your support on this expedition!!

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Kala Patthar, meaning ‘black rock’ in Nepali and Hindi, is a notable landmark located on the south ridge of Pumori in the Nepalese Himalayas. Thank you to our expedition friend Rob Mens for sharing these.

Mount Everest 2017 Kala Patthar