Checking in from Namche!

Crossing the Ed Hillary suspension bridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team has arrived in Namche Bazaar, which is a favorite stop for many while trekking up the Khumbu Valley! They left Phakding under beautiful, blue skies and had excellent views and temperatures the entire was as they navigated the trail and suspension bridges which lead to their next stop. After dropping their packs, the team followed their noses to Sherpa Barista for coffee, pastries, and some time relaxing. With full bellies after a nice dinner, they are off to bed and looking forward to an active rest day tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the fall 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 23rd.

Today was another beautiful day here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. We woke up early and walked from Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). There wasn’t a cloud in the sky today and we had a really nice time! We stopped for tea and pastries in Monjo (2835m/9,301ft), then entered Sagarmatha National Park, then stopped for a light lunch in Jorsale (2740m/8989ft), and climbed the hill to Namche, along the way, passing the famous Ed Hillary Suspension Bridge.

We spent the afternoon relaxing in Sherpa Barista, one of our favorite hangouts here in Namche Bazaar. And then had a nice dinner and we’re heading to bed now.

Tomorrow we will spend an active rest day above Namche. We’ll be in touch then!

Beautiful views in the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Beautiful views in the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A warm welcome to the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

A warm welcome to the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

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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Clear skies en route to Lukla

Departing Lukla en route to… Ama Dablam! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team enjoyed crystal clear skies and views of the Himalaya hanging high overhead as they buzzed towards Lukla. After touching down, the team fueled up for the day with a nutritious breakfast and began the trek! The team navigated their way through Lukla before trekking down towards the Dudh Khoshi river, across several suspension bridges, and into the next tea house situated within earshot of the river in the village of Phakding. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the autumn 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 22nd.

Today, we left our hotel in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) at about 5:45 AM, and by just after 8 AM, we were touching down in Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). It was a beautiful day for a heli flight. We had really clear skies and great views of the spine of the Himalayas, all the way from Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) in the west, to Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) in the east. As we turned into the lower Khumbu Valley, we had really nice views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) straight up the valley ahead of us!

After a nice breakfast in Lukla, we hiked to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) and arrived in time for a good lunch. Now we’re just relaxing before dinner.

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to our trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft), the famous town in the heart of the Khumbu Valley.

So all is well here in Nepal, and we will be in touch tomorrow!

Approaching Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Getting ready to board the helicopter en route to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Getting ready to board the helicopter en route to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Calvin and Rhonda before flying to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Calvin and Rhonda before flying to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, just before lifting off from Kathmandu. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, just before lifting off from Kathmandu. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team crossing the Dudh Khoshi River in Phakding. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team crossing the Dudh Khoshi River in Phakding. (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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Ama Dablam team in Kathmandu!

Welcome dinner with the team!

The 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition is officially underway! The team gathered in Kathmandu over the last few days, going out to tour some of the cities most important religious sites, and getting ready for the expedition to come! With gear checks and an orientation behind them, the team is packing their bags once again and getting ready to fly into the Himalaya tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the autumn, 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 21st.

Today we kicked off our expedition. Over the last couple of days, our climbers arrived here in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft). So today we visited two UNESCO World Heritage sites here in the valley: Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath, the major Buddhist zone in Kathmandu and the most important Hindu temple in the Kathmandu Valley. Then we came back to our hotel, the Yak and Yeti, for our orientation and gear checks. And we just wrapped up dinner at our favorite restaurant here in this part of Kathmandu, Mezze.

Tomorrow morning, we have an early flight scheduled to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). So hopefully we’ll have great views of the Himalayas during that helicopter ride. It’s just beautiful here in Nepal right now. Today was a really nice, peaceful, sunny day, blue skies. And if we’d been just a little higher up, I think we would have had great views of the Himalayas!

So we’re looking forward to getting the trek to base camp (4600m/15,100ft) underway 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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Coming back to climb another day

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

The mountains always have the final word.

After continued snowfall, high winds, and challenging conditions, the 2026 Manaslu season has come to a close. Turning around is never easy, but bringing everyone home safely will always come first.

A huge thank you to our climbers, guides, Sherpa team, and everyone who worked so hard this season.

The mountains will always be there—and so will we.

Next up: Ama Dablam in late October. We’re incredibly excited to get back to Nepal and take on one of the most beautiful mountains in the world!

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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Great views of Manaslu from Camp I

Clear skies over Manaslu (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team is settled into Camp 1, and the first rotation on the mountain is officially underway! After a big breakfast, the team shouldered their packs and climbed under mostly clear skies to their next camp. The weather provided excellent views of the mountain and nearby glacier to further motivate the team as they climbed into Camp I. Now settled in, the team will continue to rest and acclimatize the rest of the day before climbing higher tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp I on Manaslu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) Expedition. Today is September 17.

This morning, we had a nice breakfast in base camp (4859m/15,944ft): french toast, homemade yogurt, bacon, omelets. And then just after 9 AM, we climbed to Camp I (5700m/18,700ft). We had a really nice day for it! Today was the driest day so far since we moved to base camp; a few passing clouds, but really nice views of the Manaslu Glacier and the north face of the mountain.

We arrived in Camp I at just under 5,800 meters and we’ve been resting since then. We just had some ramen soup and we’re looking forward to dinner in a little while. And then a night of acclimatization at Camp I before we venture into the ice fall between Camp I and Camp II (6400m/21,000ft) tomorrow.

Everything’s going well here in the Himalayas in Nepal. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Climbers Woodie and Myles ensconced in Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climbers Woodie and Myles ensconced in Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Camp 1 (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climbing on the lower Manaslu Glacier (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climbing on the lower Manaslu Glacier (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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Getting ready to go up!

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team is prepared to start their first rotation on the mountain! While the Sherpa team has been hard at work making carries to prepare the higher camps, our climbers sorted gear and chose their meals, getting mentally prepared for the climbing to come. After a good nights sleep, we’ll be on the move tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Manaslu Base Camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition. Today is September 16.

This morning was a nice day here in Manaslu Base Camp (4859m/15,944ft)! We had a little bit of rain in the afternoon, but the morning was partly clear with some nice views up the north face of Manaslu. And we spent the day preparing for our rotation. We’re planning to move up to Camp I (5700m/18,700ft) tomorrow. The team chose their meals for Camp I and got gear sorted out. And our Sherpa team will do another carry this evening up to Camp I, up to Camp II (6400m/21,000ft). So things are looking good for progress above base camp!

Everything’s going well here in Nepal, 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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Pre-Climb Puja Ceremony

The team after a successful ceremony!

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team had a busy day in base camp! After a good breakfast, the team jumped into some technical skills review to dial in all of their systems before heading out on the nearby glacier tomorrow. Not long after that, we were met by a Lama from Samagaun who led the team through their Puja Ceremony, which is an important part of our climbs in the Himalaya and Karakoram. The rest of the day included more acclimatizing, nutritious meals, and relaxing following another good day in Nepal! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Manaslu Base Camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) Expedition. Today is September 15.

Today was a busy day here in Manaslu Base Camp (4859m/15,944ft). After breakfast, we did a technical skills review session, right here in base camp. We just dialed in our technical climbing gear and reviewed ascent and descent techniques. Tomorrow, we’ll do a longer session – probably half a day on the Manaslu Glacier itself.

And then after that technical skills session, we had our pre-climb Puja. A Lama from Sama Village (3530m/11,581ft) came up and led that. This Puja was a Tibetan-Buddhist ceremony to ask the mountain for safe passage. It’s always a really nice way to kick off the climbing phase of an expedition and for the whole team to come together: both our climbers and climbing Sherpas, as well as our base camp staff. So that was really nice!

Then we had a good lunch: chicken burgers, salad, fresh fruit, and a few other items. And after lunch, we headed out for a hike to the top of base camp, and then about halfway toward Crampon Point. We turned around around 5,050 meters or so, came back to camp.

We’ll spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing. And then we’re looking forward to dinner and a movie on our base camp cinema!

So, all is going well here at Manaslu. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Pre-climb puja (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Pre-climb puja (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Myles, receiving a blessing during the puja (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Myles, receiving a blessing during the puja (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Woodie, receiving a blessing during the puja (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Woodie, receiving a blessing during the puja (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers participating in a technical skills refresher before tomorrow’s session on the Manaslu Glacier

Our climbers participating in a technical skills refresher before tomorrow’s session on the Manaslu Glacier

Our climbers participating in a technical skills refresher before tomorrow’s session on the Manaslu Glacier

Our climbers participating in a technical skills refresher before tomorrow’s session on the Manaslu Glacier

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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Manaslu Base Camp!

The whole team in base camp!

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team has arrived in base camp! With the final member of our team now on-site, it’s time to get to work. After fueling up for the day in Sama Village, we shouldered our packs and hit the trail en route to base camp. The team is settled in there now, and looks forward to the days ahead as they prepare to take to the climbing route and start making their way toward the summit! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Manaslu Base Camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition. Today is September 14th, 2026.

This morning, we walked from Sama Village (3530m/11,581ft) up to base camp (4859m/15,944ft). We left Sama just before 8 a.m. and arrived in base camp in time for an early lunch. It was a really nice walk! The weather was a little rainy in the morning, but after an hour or so the rain dissipated, and for the rest of the way to base camp we had dry air, and really nice views down into the Nubri Valley far below us.

We’ve been resting this afternoon since arriving in base camp, and we’re looking forward to our Puja tomorrow! In other big news, our express climber, Woodie, arrived in Sama yesterday. He touched down in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) yesterday morning, then went straight to the helipad and flew to Sama. So he joined us for the hike up to base camp today!

We’re looking forward to getting the climbing phase of the expedition underway, and we’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Our climbers Myles and Woodie en route to Manaslu Base Camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Myles and Woodie en route to Manaslu Base Camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Nubri Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Nubri Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking above Sama Village and the terminus of the North Manaslu Glacier (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking above Sama Village and the terminus of the North Manaslu Glacier (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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Milarepa Cave

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team kept up the acclimatization work with a hike to a sacred cave nearby their tea house. The team enjoyed views of Manaslu high above them throughout the day. Everyone is doing great so far! It won’t be long before they make the move up to base camp in just a few days time. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition. Today is September 12th.

Today, we woke up to a nice day: partly cloudy, blue sky, some sunshine. So we went for a hike up to the Milarepa Cave, which is a sacred cave between Sama Village (3530m/11,581ft) where we’re staying, and Samdo, the next village up the valley toward Larkey Pass (5106m/16,752ft). The cave is really nice, very peaceful, set in the forests at about 4,000 meters. And then after spending some time at the cave, we came back down to our lodge, and we’ve been resting this afternoon.

Today was another good acclimatization day for the team. Yesterday, we climbed to above 4,000 meters in the Pungen Valley, and today we went above 4,000 meters again. That’s about 13,000 feet plus.

So, we’re preparing well for our move to base camp in a couple of days. The team’s doing well and we’re looking forward to a rest day tomorrow. Maybe we’ll visit the monastery complex here in Sama, before we potentially move to base camp the next day! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Sama Village (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sama Village (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching 4000m (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching 4000m (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Lush forests in the Nubri Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Lush forests in the Nubri Valley (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 in the Punggen Valley

Our climber, Myles, with sirdar Aang Phurba Sherpa on the way to Punggen Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering team wasted no time this morning getting out to start their acclimatization efforts in preparation for the climb to come. After fueling up with some breakfast, we departed the tea house for a leisurely hike in the Punggen Valley and visit at an ancient monastery that calls the valley home. It was a great day kicking off the acclimatization efforts, with more of the same planned for tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition. Today is September 11th, 2026.

This morning we woke up early and went for an acclimatization hike up into the Punggen Valley, which is a side valley just below Sama village (3530m/11,581ft), where we’re staying until we move up to base camp. We left our lodge at about 7:45, 8 o’clock, and a few hours later, we were up above 4,000 meters in the Punggen Valley, which is a summer pasture, high altitude summer pasture for yaks. There’s also an ancient monastery there, which is really neat to visit. We came back down to Sama for lunch and we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing.

We just wrapped up dinner. It’s beautiful night here: clear skies and mild temperatures. Tomorrow we’re looking forward to another acclimatization hike while we prepare to move up to base camp (4859m/15,944ft)! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Into the Punggen Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Into the Punggen Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Departing from Sama Village (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Departing from Sama Village (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Punggen Monastery at 4,100m (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Punggen Monastery at 4,100m (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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