Entries by Kurt

Nepal Earthquake: Update #1

There has been a massive earthquake in Nepal. We have heard from our team that all of the climbing team is at Camp 2 and are fine. The earthquake struck while the team was climbing from Camp 1 to Camp 2 in the Western Cwm. There has been extensive damage at base camp and details […]

See Garrett on ESPN!

Be sure to catch Garrett Madison in the ESPN SportsCenter Featured episode “At the Top of the World” premiering this Sunday, April 12 on ESPN! “At the Top of the World”, a look at how the people of Nepal are trying to balance their lucrative livelihood catering to adventure‐seeking tourists with the inherent dangers of […]

Ama Dablam Summit Success!

We just received a sat phone call from the spectacular summit of Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft.). Garrett and team sounded fantastic and are enjoying a picture perfect summit day. A transcript of the call is provided below. Congratulations team! Transcript: This is Garrett Madison for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition and we are calling from […]

Ama Dablam Camp 2

After ascending to Ama Dablam Camp 1 yesterday from base camp, earlier today Garrett and team climbed on and established Camp 2 near 6000m (19,685ft.). Ama Dablam Camp 2 is stunningly located on the cap of a rock pillar with narrowly room for just a few tents. Weather continues to be favorable. Tomorrow the team […]

Makalu Summit Push!

Here we go! The summit push is on! We spoke with Garrett a little while ago from Makalu base camp. According the tracking map, the team has just left base camp and is heading up to Camp 1 (6150m / 20,177ft.). Weather and conditions pending, the rough target for summit day is currently October 24th. […]

Makalu ABC, Camp 1, Camp 2…

After moving base camp 5.5 miles and 3,100 vertical feet up the Barun glacier and then climbing up to Camp 1 at 20,100 ft. on the Makalu standard North West route, today the team established Camp 2 at 21,210 ft. Garrett called in the following dispatch via satellite phone. Transcript: Hi, this is Garrett Madison […]

Makalu: Final trekking day

Garrett called in the following dispatch via satellite phone: Hi! This is Garrett Madison calling in for Madison Mountaineering Makalu expedition. Today is Friday, September 26th and we are trekking from Yangle Kharka to Makalu base camp. We are excited to finally get to base camp later today. It has been a beautiful trek, up […]

Makalu: Base Camp trek

Starting out in foggy conditions, the team was hoping for clearing skies as today’s segment of the trek to base camp was posed to offer the first views of Makalu. Continuing to climb the ridge to the Shipton La high pass at 4145m / 13,600 ft. they passed Thulo Pokhari lake [third party photo] before […]

Makalu: Voice Mail from Garrett

Transcript: Hi, this is Garrett Madison calling in for Madison Mountaineering Makalu expedition. Today is Tuesday, September 23rd and we are currently in the village of Tashigaon and trekking up toward Khongma today. We’ve been trekking for two days now, this is our third day. We’ve gone through the jungle, along the river valley and […]

Makalu: Trek to Base Camp, Day One

After flying from Kathmandu to Tumlingtar and then travelling 32 miles overland by jeep to the village of Num, the team finally hit the trail. Today’s first segment of the trek to base camp started with a 2,400 ft. downhill hike to bottom of a river valley, cross the river and then a swift 2 […]