Annapurna Camp 1

Efforts from phase 1 of the Mountain Cleanup Project last fall (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team made the decision to drop down to Camp 1 where they’ll continue their acclimatization efforts for the night. Tomorrow, they plan to return back to the comforts of their base camp for more clean-up efforts before setting their sights on the next rotation up the  mountain. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1 on Annapurna:

Hello from Camp 1. With snow inbound and some avalanche hazard at Camp 2, we decided to spend the last night of our rotation back here at Camp 1, where we should still see some acclimatization benefit since Camp 2 is only a few hundred meters higher. After a peaceful afternoon snowstorm, we’re settling in for the night and looking forward to returning to BC 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.“

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Cleanup efforts in higher camps

Efforts from phase 1 of the Mountain Cleanup Project last fall (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team awoke to more beautiful weather today in Camp 1! Emerging out of their tents, the team took in the views and sunshine before collecting trash in Camp 1, packing up, and making the move to Camp 2. With camp set up, the team has crawled into their sleeping bags for the night and looks forward to another great day tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 2 on Annapurna:

Another spectacular day on the north side of Annapurna. We woke to sunny skies and spent the morning picking up trash on the rocky terrain around Camp 1. We then made the relatively short ascent to Camp 2 at just over 5,500m, chopped out our tent platforms and settled in. We plan to stay here tonight and perhaps tomorrow night to maximize our time above base camp, weather permitting. We’ll be in touch!

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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Camp 1 on Annapurna

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive.

The first rotation is off! The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has departed from their base camp and climbed up to Camp 1 on Annapurna, settling into their tents for the night, prepared to make the move to Camp 2 tomorrow. Good weather today made for pleasant climbing conditions and great views as the team ascended to their first camp. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1 on Annapurna:

Namaste from Camp 1 on Annapurna 1! This afternoon we enjoyed a beautiful ascent to the relatively low first camp here at just over 5,000m. The weather was perfect. We’re looking forward to our climb to Camp 2 tomorrow. We’ll be in touch then!

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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Puja Day

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

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team held their Puja ceremony today as they prepare for their move to Camp 1 on Annapurna, enjoying great weather and views of the surrounding Himalayan peaks! With the move to Camp 1 scheduled for tomorrow, the team ended their day by gathering their kit and packing their bags for the start of their first rotation on the mountain. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Annapurna Base Camp:

Today was a beautiful day in base camp (4130m/13,549ft) with clear, sunny skies giving us great views of the surrounding peaks. It was perfect weather for our Puja, which is a ceremony to ask the mountain for safe passage. We spent the rest of the day preparing our kit for the move to Camp 1 tomorrow, which will be the first day of our acclimatization rotation. 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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Cleanup has commenced!

Efforts from phase 1 of the Mountain Cleanup Project last fall (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has started their cleanup efforts in Annapurna Base Camp! Meanwhile, preparations continue to progress as the team gets ready for their first rotation on Annapurna. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Annapurna Base Camp:

We awoke to clear skies with excellent views up toward the Nilgiri Range (7061m/23,166ft), Tilicho Peak (7134m/23,406ft), and the Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) massif directly above us. We spent the morning on three tasks: cleaning trash from a trekkers’ campsite near the lake at the terminus of the massive glacial system that pours off the north face of Annapurna, Khangsar Kang (7485m/24,557ft), and the heights that connect over to Tilicho Peak; getting settled into camp and starting preparations for our first rotation. In the evening we hunkered down as a thunderstorm rolled over the mountains leaving a dusting of graupel on our tents. We’re looking forward to our pre-climb puja tomorrow. We’ll be in touch!

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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Annapurna Base Camp!

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

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has arrived at Annapurna Base Camp! After several days of being delayed due to weather, the team laced up their shoes and hit the trail once again. Today’s push led the team through a deep valley with spectacular views in every direction. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this brief dispatch from Annapurna Base Camp:

We had a beautiful hike to base camp (4130m/13,549ft) through the scenic Mistri Khola gorge, with waterfalls and views of Tilicho Peak (7134m/23,406ft) and Nilgiri (7061m/23,166ft). Now we are getting settled and looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. All is well and 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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Waiting to Fly

Our climber Nelly Attar, Sirdar and Guide Aang Phurba Sherpa, plus the film crew documenting our waste clean-up and climbing expedition awaiting clear weather for a heli flight to Annapurna base camp. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team continues to wait for a weather window that would allow them to make the move to Annapurna base camp. While they wait, the team has made the most of their time by enjoying good food and rest as they prepare for the climbing and cleaning activities ahead. Climber, Nelly Attar checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello, this is Nelly! I’m reporting live from Tatopani, today is March 28th.

We’re actually supposed to be on base camp at the moment, but because of weather conditions, we haven’t been able to fly out. So instead, we spent a rest day in Tatopani. We ate, we slept, and we’re getting ready to move tomorrow! So, it’s either a long hike up to Annapurna 1 base camp (4130m/13,549ft), or we’re going to take a chopper if weather conditions permit. Stay tuned for exciting updates! Buh-bye.

The valley leading to Annapurna Base Camp. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The valley leading to Annapurna 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:

– 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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Acclimatizing on Thorang La

Sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa, climber Nelly Attar, and guide Terray Sylvester on the Thorang La. (Photo by Tenzi Sherpa)

Topping out at over 5,400 meters, the team enjoyed excellent weather and views during their final acclimatization hike before moving to Annapurna base camp. With good weather tomorrow, the team will make the move and begin their climbing and cleanup efforts shortly after. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) expedition and clean up – today is March 26th.

Today we woke up early and hiked from Thorung Phedi up to Thorang La (5416m/17,769ft), the main pass on the north side of Annapurna. That was a great hike! We topped out at about 5,400 meters. So with that, we are well acclimatized for the move to base camp (4130m/13,549ft). Weather dependent, we will fly into base camp early tomorrow morning and then we’ll start picking up trash in base camp and higher on the mountain, and preparing for our first rotation on the mountain.

So, everything’s going well here in Nepal and we will be in touch tomorrow!

The team ascending the Thorung La. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team ascending the Thorang La. (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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Thorung Phedi

Sirdar, Aang Phurba Sherpa hiking with climber, Nelly Attar below the Thorung La. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team continued their acclimatization efforts today by moving up to Thorung Phedi, passing through the Muktinath shrine again under beautiful weather, sharing good conversation, many smiles, and laughs along the way. It won’t be long before the team arrives in base camp where climbing and cleanup efforts will get underway! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) expedition and clean up – today is March 25th.

Today we hiked from Ranipauwa (3700m/12,140ft) up through the Muktinath shrine and up to Thorung Phedi where we’ll spend the night at about 4200 meters. We’re just continuing to acclimatize before we move to Annapurna base camp (4130m/13,549ft).

All is well here! We had a little bit of rain and snow yesterday afternoon, but today was beautiful. Tomorrow, we’re planning to hike up to Thorung La (5416m/17,769ft) over 5000 meters, and then we’ll begin descending back down into the bottom of the Kali Gandaki Valley, and eventually catch a helicopter to base camp.

So, all is well here and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Climber, Nelly Attar spinning a prayer wheel in the famous Muktinath shrine. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Nelly Attar spinning a prayer wheel in the famous Muktinath shrine. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sirdar, Aang Phurba Sherpa and guide, Terray Sylvester relacing in Thorung Phedi. (Photo by Nelly Attar)

Sirdar, Aang Phurba Sherpa and guide, Terray Sylvester relacing in Thorong Phedi. (Photo by Nelly Attar)

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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Acclimatizing in Muktinath

Acclimatizing above Muktinath with views of Dhaulagiri! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The mountain cleanup project expedition team spent today acclimatizing in Muktinath, visiting the area’s sacred shrine, and taking in the views of the surrounding Himalayas! Everyone is in great spirits and looks forward to continuing their move towards base camp tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) expedition plus cleanup – today is March 24th.

Today we acclimatized above Muktinath (3762m/12,343ft) here in the Mustang region of Nepal. We started by going up to the famous Muktinath Shrine which is very sacred to Buddhists and Hindus, and then we hiked another few hundred meters up into the hills.

It was a beautiful day with excellent views of Dhaulagiri (8167m/26,795ft)! It was really fun and spectacular to visit the Muktinath Shrine where there are 108 sacred fountains that people bath in, and two pools that people bath in as well.

So now we’re just resting and tomorrow we’re looking forward to moving up to Thorong Phedi where we’ll spend the night tomorrow evening! We’ll be in touch.

Climber, Nelly Attar approaching Muktinath. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Nelly Attar approaching Muktinath. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sirdar Aang Phurba Sherpa bathing in the sacred fountains of Muktinath. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sirdar Aang Phurba Sherpa bathing in the sacred fountains of Muktinath. (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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