Follow the journey for our Madison Mountaineering Spring Everest Trek 2016. Trekking through the Khumbu Valley to Everest base camp is a life changing experience for many. As the spectacular mountain scenery integrated with Sherpa culture and Buddhist religion makes for a truly engaging combination. We follow the same route to Base Camp as the Everest climbers and recount the historical ascents with the climbers who share our lodges along the way. We have the option to climb Island Peak, a beautiful glaciated climb at 20,350’. This is a great introduction to Himalayan climbing, as the terrain and climbing techniques resemble that of the nearby peaks of Everest and Lhotse.

Last bridge into Lukla!

Last bridge into Lukla! The team finished the trek in great shape and good spirits. Yesterday we headed down from the mountains and ran into our first real weather of the trip. Starting out as rain and then light to moderate snow as we arrived back in Namche. The mist and cloud made for beautiful scenery and perfect hiking temps. We enjoyed hot showers and good food with our friends at the Tibet Hotel.

If the weather holds we will fly early back to Kathmandu and many will soon be on their way home. Fantastic group and an unforgettable experience! We hope that you all continue your adventures and to see you all again very soon.

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Wonderful time together at Everest Base Camp!

The 2016 Mount Everest trekkers had a wonderful time together at base camp! After our James Bond movie night everyone made their way back to their tents and got a good night sleep at 17,000ft. Throughout the night we could hear the cracks of the ice around us as the glaciers moved. What an adventure!! Getting up at sunrise we enjoyed a warm breakfast and clear skies across the mountains that surround base camp. We met many new friends in base camp and it has been a great time engaging with the climbers that will begin their first rotations up Mt. Everest in the days to come. It has been a wonderful jounrey and the team will now trek back through the Khumbu Valley toward Lukla. Congrats team! Onward!

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Trekkers and Climbers arrive to 2016 Mount Everest Base Camp!

Today both our trekkers and climbers arrived together to the Madison Mountaineering 2016 Mount Everest Base Camp!! We have been hard at work preparing the camp and are very excited to be able to come together and enjoy a night at base camp together. All team members picked out their tents and enjoyed spectacular views of the surrounding mountains. The weather was beautiful with the sun shining throughout the afternoon. We all enjoyed a great dinner together before our much anticipated movie night. We watched James Bond and had a welcome cake as well. Tomorrow the trekkers will depart from Everest Base Camp and make their way toward Lukla. Our climbers are excited to begin training in the icefall in the days to come before making their first rotations.

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Climbers and Trekkers climb Kala Pattar peak!

Today both the climbing & trekking teams hiked up from Lobuche to village Gorak Shep and had a nice lunch, then trekked up Kala Pattar peak (18,315′) for a spectacular view of Mount Everest! This is one of the most beautiful day climbs as our teams make their way toward Everest Base Camp. We had clear skies and a bit of wind at the top, but they views were most definitely worth it! The climbers & trekkers are all together now at our lodge and will trek to Everest base camp tomorrow. We are all very excited to finally reach Mount Everest base camp!

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Climbers and Trekkers climb Kala Patthar!

Today both the climbing & trekking teams hiked up from Lobuche to village Gorak Shep and had a nice lunch, then trekked up Kala Pattar peak (18,315′) for a spectacular view of Mount Everest! This is one of the most beautiful day climbs as our teams make their way toward Everest Base Camp. We had clear skies and a bit of wind at the top, but they views were most definitely worth it! The climbers & trekkers are all together now at our lodge and will trek to Everest base camp tomorrow. We are all very excited to finally reach Mount Everest base camp!

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Everest Trekking team passes through Everest Climbers Memorial

After a rest day and acclimatization hike in Dingbuche the team moved further up the Kumbu Valley. We passed through the Everest Climbers Memorial where many large memorials are built. As the team moved onward they are surrounded and guarded on all sides by the tallest mountains in the world it is certainly one of the most stunning and beautiful monument locations on earth. We will spend the night in Lobuche and hopefully move futher up valley in the morning.

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We are enjoying the beautiful views and abundance of hot tea as we make our way toward Everest Base Camp! 

 

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Trekking team visits Lama Geshe in Pangboche

Today our trekking team hiked up the valley and visited Lama Geshe in Pangboche for a blessing, a very special occasion! Each trekker received a blessing and a special gift as we make our war toward Everest Base Camp. We then continued up to Dingboche to spend the night. We had another stellar day with great views of Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, and Ama Dablam! Everyone is doing great and we look forward to another wonderful day tomorrow! The weather has continued to be absolutely beautiful in the day with temperatures dropping once the sun goes down.

Photo: A spectacular view of Ama Dablam as our trekkers make their way toward Everest Base Camp!

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Everest base camp Trekkers go on acclimatization hike

Today our Everest base camp trekking team went on a nice acclimatization hike and had amazing views of the surrounding peaks. After a hearty lunch our trekkers enjoyed one of the local bakeries where they have fresh apple pie and great coffee! Looking forward to the trek to Lobuche tomorrow, everyone is doing well and in good health! The weather has been absolutely beautiful with great views of the surrounding peaks. The team should be arriving into Everest Base Camp on April 11th and will have the exciting opportunity to spend the night before heading back toward Lukla.

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Beautiful shot on one of our acclimatization hikes!

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Namche Bazaar is an ancient nexus of trade

Namche Bazaar is an ancient nexus of trade between the lower regions of Nepal and the Tibeten Sherpa people coming over the Nangpala pass. The team arrived early afternoon into Namche and will spend at least one night here resting, acclimatizing, and enjoying the shops and bakeries before moving higher. The weather has been consistently sunny with beautiful clear views in the morning with rolling clouds coming in throughout the afternoon. Everyone is healthy and strong and looking forward to continue the journey toward Everest Base Camp! The team plans to do a few short hikes above Namche and get a glimpse of Everest in the far distance.

Photo: the team on the trek today

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Trekkers Arrive In Lukla!

The weather cleared late morning in Phapolu and the team was able to arrive in Lukla and begin our trek toward Everest Base Camp. A three hour walk took us up to Phakding where we will stay for the night. It felt great to stretch our legs for a bit and take in the sites of the Dudh Koshi River valley and the many prayer wheels, flags and rock carvings that line the trail. Tomorrow the trek will begin in ernest as we will climb to Namche Bazaar at over 12000 feet. Below is a photo from today in the trek.

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