The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team departed Camp 1 today to continue their acclimatization rotation up to Camp 2. With some fresh snow on the route, but blue skies shining down on them, the team moved smoothly up to their next camp situated above 5,000 meters. Tomorrow, the team plans to take an active-rest day before continuing on up the mountain. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this brief message from Camp 2 via Garmin InReach:
Hello from Camp 2 at 5,400m! Today we had great weather as we climbed here from Camp 1. Blue skies and a dusting of fresh snow on the glaciers. We’re settled into our tents now and looking forward to an active rest day tomorrow. We’ll be in touch then!
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https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpg00Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-07-09 13:50:222026-07-09 14:10:23Camp 2 on Peak Lenin
The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team will be on the move again soon! After a few nights in Advanced Base Camp, they plan to climb on to Camp 2 tomorrow. In a few days time, they’ll return back to Camp 1 after wrapping up their acclimatization rotation. The team is all in good spirits and doing great! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Advanced Base Camp on Peak Lenin:
Today we went for a walk part way up the route toward Camp 1 (4400m/14,435ft) in the morning, and then returned to Camp 1, our Advanced Base Camp, and spent the rest of the day getting ready for our acclimatization rotation on the mountain.
Tomorrow we’re planning to move to Camp 2 (5300m/17,388ft), where if all goes according to plan, we’ll spend two nights. Then bump up to Camp 3 (6100m/20,013ft) for one night, summit Razdelnaya Peak (6148m/20,170ft), and then return down to Camp 1, Advanced Base Camp, to rest for our summit push.
It’s been a beautiful day! Now, a little bit of snow this evening, but mostly clear skies for most of the day. And we’re looking forward to an alpine start tonight! We’ll be in touch.
Hiking just above Advance Base Camp. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)
Hiking just above Advance Base Camp. (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:
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The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team took to the glacier that sits near Advanced Base Camp for some technical skills review. The morning was spent practicing the skills needed for the climbing to come. That way, we’ll all feel sharp and ready to go when we climb to Camp 2 and on the way towards the summit! With good weather ahead, the team plans to continue their acclimatization rotation up the mountain. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Peak Lenin:
Today we headed out 15 minutes along the route that we will take when we move to Camp 2 (5300m/17,388ft) onto a glacier with a nice location for technical skills training. We spent the morning practicing fixed-line ascent and descent techniques, rappelling, footwork, ice axe technique, moving as a rope team, and other skills. Then we came back to advanced base camp (4400m/14,435ft) for lunch.
We’re relaxing this evening, and tomorrow, we plan to prepare for the first day of our rotation if conditions permit us to move up the mountain in two days.
All is well here in Kyrgyzstan. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!
Guide Andrei Kuznetsov working with Chris, one of our Lenin Peak climbers. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)
Our climber, Chris, rappelling. (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:
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The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team ascended Yukhin Peak today under wispy skies with more great views of the mountains surrounding. After about an hour on the summit, the team shouldered their packs and descended back down to Camp 1 for lunch and to get ready for some technical training tomorrow! The initial acclimatization rotation has been smooth sailing so far, and technical training will be an important piece of the puzzle as we gear up for the climbing to come. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Peak Lenin:
Today, we went for an acclimatization hike to the top of Yukhin Peak (5130m/16,831ft) at 5,100 meters. The weather continued to be really nice this morning: a few cloud wisps on the mountaintops around us, but basically blue skies. We lingered on the top of Yukhin Peak for about an hour. And then we descended back to Camp 1 (4400m/14,435ft) in time for lunch.
This afternoon, we’ve been prepping our climbing gear for our day of technical skills training tomorrow.
Everything is going well here at Peak Lenin. It’s snowing lightly this evening. We’ll be in touch tomorrow.
Lenin Peak climbers Jeff and Chris on the summit of Yukhin Peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Our climber, Bruce, approaching the top of Yukhin Peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Our climber, Chris, summiting Yukhin Peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Views of Peak Lenin (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:
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.“
The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team hiked to the summit of Domashniy Peak over the weekend as they continue their acclimatization efforts. It was a beautiful day that presented excellent views of Peak Lenin, as well as the other surrounding peaks and valleys. In fact, the weather was so good that the team was able to spend extra time at their high point for the day basking in the sunshine and examining the route up Peak Lenin. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checked in with this dispatch from Camp 1:
Today we went for an acclimatization hike up Home Peak, Domashniy Peak (4700m/15,420ft), right above Camp 1 (4400m/14,435ft). We came back down in time for lunch, and we lingered for a long time on the summit, because the sky is completely clear today! So we had great views of the whole face of Peak Lenin up to almost Camp 2 (5300m/17,388ft), which was hidden from sight. And then, the summit ridge as well, all the way up to almost the summit of Peak Lenin. We can’t quite see the true summit from here.
We came down for lunch, and we’ve been relaxing this afternoon. Tomorrow, we’re planning another acclimatization hike up Yukhin Peak (5130m/16,831ft). And after that, we’ll be preparing for our first rotation.
Everything’s going really well here in Kyrgyzstan. We will be in touch tomorrow.
Excellent views of Peak Lenin! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)
Our climbers, Jeff and Fatima, with guide Andrei Kuznetsov (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Morning views of Peak Lenin from Camp 1 (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:
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.“
The Madison Mountaineering team is on the move to start their acclimatization rotation! The team moved to Camp 1 from base camp over the weekend, where they’ll continue their acclimatization efforts and technical training before starting their summit push. Everyone is doing great so far, and motivated with the mountain hanging high above them. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1 on Peak Lenin:
This morning, we left base camp (3600m/11,800ft) at 8.30 a.m. We drove to the trailhead, to the trail to Camp 1 (4400m/14,435ft). (We) started walking around 9:00, and by 12:30, we were in Camp 1 at 4,400 meters. We had a really nice walk. The team was super strong, did a really good job. We had a nice lunch in Camp 1 and settled into our tents, and then relaxed for most of the afternoon. And now we just finished dinner, and we’re enjoying a non-alcoholic beverage in the cozy bar here at Camp 1.
We had some really nice views of Peak Lenin just above us, but now it’s a little socked in. However, we can see down the valley toward the peaks above base camp, and it’s really beautiful down there, alpenglow on the peaks.
We’ll be here in Camp 1 for at least five nights. We’ll be doing some acclimatization hikes and some training before we head on up to Camp 2 (5300m/17,388ft).
So everything is going really well here in Kyrgyzstan, and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!
The team trekking to Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)
A pack train en route to Camp 1 (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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PHOTO-2026-07-04-07-39-17.jpg6841024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-07-04 14:34:162026-07-06 13:52:56Camp 1 on Peak Lenin
The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team took an acclimatization hike today above their base camp. Despite some rainy weather to start the day, the team pushed on and were treated with sunny skies as they reached their high point for the day. The views opened up more so as they started their descent, all the way to base camp. With views of Peak Lenin hanging overhead, the team now prepares for their move to Camp 1, which is set to start tomorrow. Stay tuned! Expedition Leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Peak Lenin:
This morning we had a nice breakfast here in base camp (3600m/11,800ft), and then we went for an acclimatization hike up to 4,000 meters on a ridge below the summit of Petrovsky Peak (4825m/15,830ft). Then we walked back down. The weather was a little bit rainy in the morning, some light sprinkles, but by the time we approached our high point on the ridge, the sun was coming out and we had beautiful views of the Alay Valley as we descended.
It’s been clear and sunny the rest of the day, and we’ve had great views of Peak Lenin and the 5,000-meter peaks near it; and then also views all the way across the Alay Valley to the Pamir-Alay Range, far to the north.
All in all, it was a really nice day! The team is doing really well, and we’re looking forward to moving up to Camp 1 tomorrow. We’ll be in touch then!
Our climbers, Fatima and Bruce, ascending Petrovsky Peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)
High on Petrovsky Peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Wildflowers along the way (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Views of Achyk-Tash, “onion valley,” base camp for Lenin Peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Descending to base camp with the Alai Valley in the distance (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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PHOTO-2026-07-03-01-09-35-1.jpg6821024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-07-03 14:58:112026-07-03 17:50:12Acclimatizing in the Pamirs
We’ve arrived in base camp at the foot of Peak Lenin! The Madison Mountaineering team enjoyed an adventurous drive today, with new views around every corner and several obstacles along the way. As we neared camp, Peak Lenin came in to view, offering the team a good look at the climbing to come! Everyone is doing great and looks forward to a day of active-rest tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from base camp:
Today we drove from Osh (963m/3,159ft) to Peak Lenin Base Camp (3600m/11,800ft) in Onion Valley at the foot of the mountain. The drive took about five hours, and it was very beautiful. From Osh, we drove up through lush, green river valleys, over two high passes, where we had great views of the Pamir, and the Alay Pamir, a subrange of the Pamirs. We passed nomads tents on the way, many horses, and cows, and other livestock grazing on the steppe. Then we descended down into the massive Alay Valley with the Trans-Alay on the far side and Peak Lenin.
It’s beautiful in base camp right now. A warm, sunny evening. We can see Peak Lenin up the valley above us, and we’re just about to head in for dinner. Tomorrow, we’re planning an active rest day here at base camp.
We’ll be in touch tomorrow!
Achyk Tash Base Camp at the foot of Peak Lenin
Winding roads between Osh and Base Camp
The team on a 4,000m / 13,000’ pass en route to 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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PHOTO-2026-07-02-08-04-32.jpg10671600Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-07-02 12:31:472026-07-02 15:21:51Peak Lenin Base Camp
We are happy to share that the Madison MountaineeringMount Elbrus expedition team reached the summit of the highest peak in Europe on July 1! The team switched to the south side of the mountain after experiencing high winds while gearing up for their summit push from the north side. It was a beautiful climb with the entire team topping out. Congratulations to everyone on the team and to those who completed their seven summits journey: Robert, Meredith, and Josh. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Mount Elbrus:
Today we summited Mount Elbrus! 100% of the team made the top; Seven climbers, plus myself, and two Russian guides. We had a great day. We were the first team up there, had the summit all to ourselves, no clouds, so beautiful views all around! Little bit of wind, but not too much. And then we made our way back down and back to Pyatigorsk (500m/1,600ft). A few of us flew out today to Istanbul (537m/1,762ft), and the rest are flying out tomorrow.
So it’s been a great trip! We started off on the north side of Elbrus. And we’re getting ready for our summit attempt, but the winds were very high. So, we came off the mountain and then reverted to the south side of the mountain. We got lucky with the weather, good conditions, and had a great climb!
Three of our climbers finished their seven summits today. That would be Robert Alt, Meredith Mercer, and Josh Gates. Big congratulations to those three climbers on our team for finishing their seven summits!
It was a great trip and we’re looking forward to coming back to Mount Elbrus later this summer.
Sunrise while climbing towards the summit.
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:
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.“
The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team caught an early flight from Bishkek to Osh today. Tomorrow, they’ll begin the drive to Peak Lenin Base Camp, but spent today touring the city; it was a great way to stretch the legs after several days of flying in the last week! The team enjoyed several different stops around the city, with beautiful blue skies overhead. The journey continues tomorrow with hopefully many more views to take in. Everyone is in good spirits and excited to move into their base camp at the foot of the mountain tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Osh:
This morning we woke up early and flew from Bishkek (800m/2,600ft) south to Osh (963m/3,159ft). We got settled into our hotel here, and then we walked just around the corner and had breakfast in a nice little Italian restaurant. After that, we headed out to explore the city. Osh has a lot of history; it was a major stop on the Silk Road, and just a few minutes walk from our hotel is a UNESCO World Heritage site called Mount Sulaiman. We spent most of the morning there. There are petroglyphs there that date back 3,000 years. There are two mosques on the site that date back to the 16th century. And up on the shoulder of the mountain is a great viewpoint where we had really nice views of the Fergana Valley. That’s where Osh is located.
We’re looking forward to more great views tomorrow. Tomorrow we drive to Peak Lenin Base Camp (3600m/11,811ft). The drive will take most of the day, and we’re looking forward to getting moved into our tents and starting the expedition.
So we’ll be in touch tomorrow!
Relaxing in Osh
A petroglyph exhibit in Sulaiman Mountain
Our climber, Mike, visiting a sacred cave on Sulaiman Mountain
Our climber, Chris, visiting a mosque at the foot of Sulaiman Mountain.
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:
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.“
