First Views of Manaslu!

Photo from Madison Mountaineering archive. Photo: Terray Sylvester

While continuing their acclimatization in preparation to continue up to base camp in just a few days, the team had their first views of Manaslu today! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s September 4th.

Today we hiked part way up to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) as we continue to acclimatize before we actually move up there. It rained all night, but as we were eating breakfast, the clouds began to clear. As we walked out of Samagaun (3530m/11,581ft), we got our first views of the upper mountain of Manaslu – beautiful views of the summit and the Manaslu Glacier below it. That was a real treat! The hike was fantastic. We had partly sunny skies throughout, went up, relaxed in the sun for a little while, and then returned to Sama village.

We’ve just spent the rest of the day resting and we’ll continue to acclimatize tomorrow!

Beautiful views in the Nupri Valley above Samagaon. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Beautiful views in the Nupri Valley above Samagaon. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Climbing towards base camp with Manaslu towering above. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Climbing towards base camp with Manaslu towering above. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Nancy, hiking toward base camp with Aang Phurba Sherpa. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Nancy, hiking toward base camp with Aang Phurba Sherpa. 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:

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Acclimatizing in Samagaun!

A Buddhist monastery above Samagaun, and below Manaslu. 📸: Terray Sylvester

The team spent today acclimatizing around Samagaun at over 3,530m/11,500ft. During their acclimatization hikes, our team visited a glacial lake at the foot of the Manaslu Glacier, as well as an ancient monastery in Samagaun. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from Samagaun:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition – It’s September 2nd.

This morning we had breakfast, then hiked up to Birendra Tal (3,691m/12,110ft), which is a glacial lake just below the bottom of the Manaslu glacier, a little ways above the town of Sama where we’re staying. It’s a beautiful glacially tinted lake – bright green! So we rested there for a bit, then came back for lunch.

In the afternoon we walked down towards Shala, which is the next town below Samagaun. The weather was really nice this morning, just partly cloudy with some sunny skies.

We’re looking forward to another day of acclimatization here in Samagaun tomorrow! We’ll be in touch.

Birendra Tal. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Birendra Tal. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Aang Phurba Sherpa lighting butter lamps in a Buddhist gompa in Samagaun. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Aang Phurba Sherpa lighting butter lamps in a Buddhist gompa in Samagaun. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Exploring the ancient monastery at Samagaun. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Exploring the ancient monastery at Samagaun. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Acclimatizing in Samagaun. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Acclimatizing in Samagaun. 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:

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The Journey Continues into the Mountains!

Photo taken from Madison Mountaineering archive.

Today, the team departed from the lowlands of Kathmandu Valley and arrived at the next stop on their way to Manaslu (8163m/26,781ft)! The helicopter flight to Samagoan (3530m/11,581ft) followed a beautiful river up through a gorge, passing many waterfalls along the way. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft):

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition – today is September 2nd.

Today we took a helicopter from Kathmandu to the village of Samagoan at about 11,500 feet. It was a beautiful flight with fantastic views of waterfalls and the spectacular gorge of the Budhi Gandaki River. We’ll spend a few days acclimatizing here and then we’ll move up to base camp (4,800m/15,750ft) – just a days walk away from us.

So, all is well here! 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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The Adventure Begins in Kathmandu!

The brilliant costumes of Hindu ascetics known as "sadhus" at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. (📸: @terray_s)

The team spent the day relaxing and visiting some of the sites in the beautiful city of Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft)! With good weather tomorrow, the expedition will continue to the next stop of Samagoan (3530m/11,581ft), the gateway to Manaslu (8163m/26,781ft). Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from Kathmandu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition – it’s September 1st.

Today we spent the morning exploring some of the sites here in Kathmandu Valley. We visited two of the valleys seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. We started off the day at Boudhanath Stupa, which is one of the biggest Buddhist stupa’s in the world. Then we went over to Pashupatinath Temple which is very sacred to the valley’s Hindus. Then we got a great lunch at Fire and Ice, now we’re just relaxing until we hopefully fly out tomorrow. If the weather allows, we will fly to the village of Samagoan, just to the northeast of Manaslu tomorrow morning.

So, all is well! Beautiful weather here in the Kathmandu Valley at the moment. We’ll be in touch.

Monkeys at Pashupatinath Temple. 📸: Terray Sylvester

Monkeys at Pashupatinath Temple. 📸: Terray Sylvester

Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world's largest Buddhist stupas. 📸: Terray Sylvester

Boudhanath Stupa, one of the world’s largest Buddhist stupas. 📸: Terray Sylvester

A Ganesh statue at Pashupatinath Temple. 📸: Terray Sylvester

A Ganesh statue at Pashupatinath Temple. 📸: Terray Sylvester

A thangka painting demonstration at Boudhanath Stupa. 📸: Terray Sylvester

A thangka painting demonstration at Boudhanath Stupa. 📸: Terray Sylvester

Boudhanath Stupa. 📸: Terray Sylvester

Boudhanath Stupa. 📸: 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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2022 Manaslu Expedition Kicks Off!

Picking up our climbing permit at the Nepali Ministry of Tourism!

The 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition has begun and members of our team have started to arrive in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft), the capital city of Nepal! Today the team went through a gear check and enjoyed a nice dinner at a local restaurant. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from Kathmandu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition – it’s August 31st.

Today, our first climber arrived here in Kathmandu. We spent the day doing a gear check, then we went out for a nice welcome dinner at Mezze – not too far from our hotel, the Yak and Yeti.

The weather is beautiful here in Kathmandu right now! The monsoon is tapering off and the temperature is perfect, with just scattered showers and beautiful, clear air. We plan to do a city tour tomorrow and then hopefully fly to Samagoan (3530m/11,581ft) where we’ll start our trek the following day.

So, all is well here and 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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