Carstensz climb comes to a close!

Our Carstensz Pyramid expedition has come to a close! That marks the second successful climb in 2025, with two more climbs scheduled later this year. Today, the team flew back to Bali where they’ll spend one last night before saying their goodbye’s and heading back home, with good memories from their time on the highest peak in Oceania. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this closing dispatch for this Carstensz climb:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 12th!

Yesterday morning we woke up to starry skies a little bit before dawn in Yellow Valley Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft) up at Carstensz Pyramid. By a little after 6:00 helicopters were landing in base camp, so we caught a really scenic flight over the mine and down across the forests of West Papua and back to Timika (31m/103ft)! When we arrived here, it was a bit too late for flights back to Bali (4m/13ft), so we spent one last night in our really pleasant hotel here in Timika and this morning we’re getting ready to catch out flight back to Denpasar and the beaches of Bali.

So, all in all it’s been a really great trip and successful summit. I’m looking forward to coming back again! So, this will be the last dispatch of this trip.

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:

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Waiting out the weather

Final steps to the summit! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team spent the day relaxing in base camp and recounting good memories from the day prior up on the mountain. While the team hoped that they’d be able to fly back to Timika today, some clouds prevented helicopters from flying. But, that didn’t stop them from soaking in the sunshine and making the most of their time as the expedition nears its end. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 10th.

Today we hoped to fly by helicopter back to Timika (31m/103ft). But, although the morning was sunny, a few clouds lower in the valley prevented helicopters from getting through. So instead,  we spent a peaceful day here in base camp (4285m/14,050ft) and we will try again tomorrow.

So all is well and we’ll be in touch!

Flying to base camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Flying to base camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Scott, climbing the systems of ledges that leads to Carstensz’ summit ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Scott, climbing the systems of ledges that leads to Carstensz’ summit ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Gaining the summit ridge at about 15,500’ (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Gaining the summit ridge at about 15,500’ (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The famous cable crossing (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The famous cable crossing (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Negotiating the ridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Negotiating the ridge (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.“

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Another successful climb on Carstensz Pyramid!

Summit photo atop Carstensz Pyramid!

It comes with great excitement to share that another Madison Mountaineering team has successfully reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid! This marks the last of the ‘seven summits‘ for our climber, Scott, and the last of our climbs on the highest peak in Oceania for the current season. A huge congratulations goes out to our team who enjoyed excellent weather for the their time on the mountain, making great time up the route as they navigated engaging terrain on their way to the summit. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this celebratory dispatch following their summit on Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 9.

Today we summited Carstensz Pyramid, the highest point in Oceania and one of the ‘seven summits‘, depending on how you count. It was a fantastic climb! We left camp a little after 3:30 and stood on the summit around 7:00. It was a quick climb and excellent conditions! There was a high overcast which kept things cool as we came down, but the rock was dry and the route was in great shape. It was really spectacular moving up the fun and varied terrain that takes you up the series of ledges and steep sections up to the summit ridge, and then across the famous cable crossing, and then along the ridge winding around towers with a few crack step overs, and onto the summit!

We dropped back down in time for lunch and just had a nice meal of potato-beef soup, fresh greens, curried chicken, and rice! So, now we’re heading to bed and we’re looking forward to hopefully, hopefully flying out tomorrow depending on the weather.

Okay, yeah! Great news and the last element of this is that this was the final one of the ‘seven summits‘ for our guest, Scott! So, it was great to be able to join him for that milestone.

All is well here in West Papua 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.“

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From the Yellow Valley Base Camp on Carstensz Pyramid!

Our team's heli arriving in Timika.

The second of the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition teams arrived in their base camp, filled with energy and excitement after a short delay in Timika while awaiting their flight to the mountain.  Once settled into their tents, the team laced up their shoes and took to the route, making a trip up the lower section of the mountain which they plan to repeat again in the near future, only this time on the way to the summit. The weather for our arrival on the mountain was magnificent, offering unobstructed views from the air and once we touched down on the helipad in our temporary home. With more good weather in the forecast, the team looks forward to making their summit push! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) private climb – today is March 8.

This morning we woke up at 4:45, caught a ride from our hotel in Timika (31m/103ft) at 5:30, and a couple hours later we were on a helicopter en route to Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft)! It was a beautiful day for the flight, clear skies as we flew with excellent views of the rainforest and the canyons, the spectacular canyons beneath Carstensz Pyramid with towering waterfalls and amazing cliffs. Anyway, we came in over the mine and then landed here at base camp in the Yellow Valley.

We got settled into our tents and then we went for a foray up the beginning of the climbing route. We went as high as the second terrace. The route follows a system of ledges up to the summit ridge, and we went up to the second one of those ledges. It was really fun climbing, very textured limestone, lots of handholds and footholds. Since the weather has stayed good, we had great views of the surrounding ridge lines and peaks.

So now we’ve had lunch! It was really nice – some sautéed vegetables, rice, and prawns. And, we’re relaxing until this evening! We are trying to decide weather or not we will go for the summit this evening. But, so far all is well. We’re both feeling great! So most likely, we will make our summit attempt tomorrow morning. So, we will be in touch tomorrow and all is well here in West Papua in Indonesia!

Our climber, Scott, in the air over the rainforest.

Our climber, Scott, in the air over the rainforest.

Follow the Oromana River toward the highest peak in Oceania.

Follow the Oromana River toward the highest peak in Oceania.

Our climber, Scott, getting a taste of the limestone climbing on Carstensz Pyramid.

Our climber, Scott, getting a taste of the limestone climbing on Carstensz Pyramid.

Our climber, Scott, soaking up some Papuan sunshine and good vibes with guide Terray Sylvester.

Our climber, Scott, soaking up some Papuan sunshine and good vibes with guide 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.“

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Standing by in Timika

Madison Mountaineering guide, Terray Sylvester with our climber, Scott at the hotel in Timika after their flight from Bali!

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team has arrived in Timika and is awaiting their flight to the mountain! There, they’ll settle into the Yellow Valley Base Camp, do some acclimatization, and technical skills review before making their summit push. In the meantime, the team is enjoying lots of oxygen down low, and the luxuries of what feels more like a vacation than a mountaineering expedition at our hotel! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Timika:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the next Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid  (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – today is March 3rd.

Last night we headed to the airport in Bali and this morning, we arrived in West Papua! Our flights were uneventful, smooth all the way around. We just got settled in at the Ossa de Villa Hotel which is very pleasant here in downtown Timika (31m/103ft). We’re surrounded by tropical plants and the sound of birdsong. So, we’ll get sorted out here and be prepared to fly to the mountain as soon as possible!

All is well here in Indonesia 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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Expedition wrap-up!

The Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid on February 27, 2025!

The first of our Carstensz Pyramid expeditions in 2025 has come to a close. Despite a delay getting to the mountain, our team remained patient and were treated with a glorious summit day climbing through the night and emerging above the clouds as they topped out on the highest peak in Oceania! The team is now making their way back to Bali and then onto their homes, with good memories and new friends from the expedition. Congratulations to everyone on the team, and a special shoutout goes out to our climbers, Jeff and Bjarni who successfully completed their ‘seven summits‘ journey! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition team.

We had a great climb of Carstensz Pyramid! Everybody who stuck with the expedition and made it up to base camp made it to the summit! Congratulations to our team, Robin and Lauren, Daniel, Bjarni and Jeff. Awesome climb, very winter-like conditions up there, and was the last of the ‘seven summits‘ for Bjarni and Robin. Big congrats finishing the ‘seven summits!’

We’ve been delayed a little bit on the flight out of here due to weather and some situation on the mountain. But fortunately, three of our team got off a few days ago and myself, Jeff, and Bjarni are waiting to fly out, hopefully tomorrow. Fingers crossed, hopefully good weather in the forecast!

We’re looking forward to our next Carstensz Pyramid team with Terray starting up here shortly!

The team en route to the summit!

The team en route to the summit!

Crossing an airy traverse on the way to the summit.

Crossing an airy traverse on the way to the summit.

All smiles amongst the clouds!

All smiles amongst the clouds!

Above the clouds and clear visibility of the route to the summit.

Above the clouds and clear visibility of the route to the summit.

Another airy traverse that must be crossed to get to the summit.

Another airy traverse that must be crossed to get to the summit.

Climbers nearing the top!

Climbers nearing the top!

Climbers, Lauren and Robin celebrating the completion of Robin's 'seven summits' journey on top of Carstensz Pyramid! Nice job, Robin.

Climbers, Lauren and Robin celebrating the completion of Robin’s ‘seven summits’ journey on top of Carstensz Pyramid! Nice job, Robin.

Summit!

Summit!

More summit photos.

More summit photos.

A climber crossing one of the traverses en route to the summit.

A climber crossing one of the traverses en route to the summit.

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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Another Carstensz climb is underway!

Carstensz Pyramid as seen from afar.

The second of our Carstensz Pyramid expeditions in 2025 is off! After 100% of our team who left base camp on the first climb successfully reached the top of the highest peak on the continent on February 27, 2025, another team has come together with their sights set on the summit. With a gear check complete and final logistical items now in place, the team looks to move to their base camp soon! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester check in with this dispatch from Bali:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the next Madison Mountaineering Carstensz peak (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – today is March 2nd here in Bali, Indonesia.

The team arrived here over the last 24 hours or so. So, we spent most of yesterday getting ready to move on closer to the mountain, doing gear checks and making other arrangements. This evening, if all goes according to plan we will fly over to the island of New Guinea to Timika (31m/103ft). We’ll arrive there early tomorrow morning and then as soon as possible, hopefully we’ll fly on to Yellow Valley Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft) at the foot of the peak.

So far, all is well! It’s been really beautiful weather here in Bali, perfect temperatures in our hotel right on the beach! It’s a really nice place to start a mountaineering expedition. And when we arrived, we were lucky enough to coincide with our guests arriving back from the previous successful ascent of Carstensz Pyramid! So, we spent the last day and a half socializing with them as they prepare to head off home!

So, all is well and we’ll be in touch from Timika!

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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Hello from Yellow Valley Base Camp!

Great views while approaching Carstensz Pyramid from the helicopter!

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team has arrived in base camp after being delayed for several days before flying over the jungle and to the mountain! It feels good to be back once again after our return to Carstensz last October where 100% of the team reached the summit. Now settled into our base camp, the team is psyched and ready to start their climb! With good weather ahead, the team plans to make their summit push with hopes of topping out on Puncak Jaya, one of the famed ‘seven summits!’ Expedition leader, Garrett Madison check in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – our first trip of the season here in February.

We made it up to base camp today! We were so happy to finally be able to fly up by helicopter from Timika (31m/103ft) airport to the Yellow Valley base camp (4285m/14,050ft) at the base of Carstensz Pyramid. So, we are all here and we are so pumped and ready to get our climb underway! We got our camp set up, we had a nice dinner, all moved into our personal tents. It’s raining hard, but thankfully we have our Mountain Hardwear Space Station dining tent set up where we’re staying dry inside and we have our Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 personal tents staying dry, so that’s good, warm and dry! The rain should let up tonight, so we’re going to go for the summit early tomorrow morning and hopefully summit sometime after sunrise. Then make it back here to camp and then see when we can get back down!

But, everyone’s doing great! We’re excited to finally be up here after a nearly one week delay due to political conditions in Timika between the national park and the military, the police, the tribe, and the local entities. There’s a lot of different stakeholders and factors that can contribute to tricky politics here. But it all worked out, so we’re very happy to be here and can’t wait to climb tomorrow! Hopefully we’ll have a good summit day.

We’ll check in soon. Thanks!

Our Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 tents in the Yellow Valley Base Camp!

Our Mountain Hardwear Trango 4 tents in the Yellow Valley Base Camp!

Technical skills review in Timika!

Technical skills review in Timika!

Team dinner while we wait to fly to our base camp!

Team dinner while we wait to fly to our base camp!

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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All teams for the 2024 / 2025 Aconcagua season reach the summit!

The January 5, 2025 expedition team on the summit!

We are so proud of all our teams who climbed the mighty “Stone Sentinel” this season! The 2024 / 2025 Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua season has come to a close. Climbers have returned safely back to their homes where they recount memories with friends and family, and ease back into their daily lives. It was an excellent season on the highest peak in all of the America’s with every one of our teams landing boots on the summit, with nearly 100% summit success, climbed via two different routes on the mountain!

The season kicked off in early December, and four more teams reached the summit in January and February. Climbing via the Normal Route, the teams had favorable weather overall and were treated with days of sunny skies for their time in the Andes! The season was capped off with two teams reaching the summit in consecutive days on February 6 and 7. One of the teams was led by legendary mountaineer, Ed Viesturs climbing the Normal Route under clear, blue skies after several days of high winds near the summit. On the next day, a private team led by Garrett Madison stepped onto the summit after climbing the Polish Glacier Direct route, an aesthetic and far less climbed, technical route with similarities to K2. A special congratulations goes out to our guide Cacho Beiza who now has over 60 summits on Aconcagua!

We’re so thankful for the opportunity to share this time with amazing clients in a special place! It’s been another unforgettable year and we’re already looking forward to coming back next season. Reach out to our team now to get signed up! To higher places…

The December 7, 2024 expedition team on the summit!

The December 7, 2024 expedition team on the summit!

The January 24, 2025 expedition team on the summit!

The January 24, 2025 expedition team on the summit!

Climbing amongst penitentes on the way up the mountain.

Climbing amongst penitentes on the way up the mountain.

The team together on a beautiful day in the Andes!

The team together on a beautiful day in the Andes!

Our guide team, including Ed Viesturs on the summit on February 6, 2025.

Our guide team, including Ed Viesturs on the summit on February 6, 2025.

Sunset on Aconcagua!

Sunset on Aconcagua!

Our private team who climbed via the Polish Glacier on the summit, February 7, 2025.

Our private team who climbed via the Polish Glacier on the summit, February 7, 2025.

Up the Polish Glacier route!

Up the Polish Glacier route!

Climbing through technical terrain on the Polish Glacier.

Climbing through technical terrain on the Polish 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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Mount Vinson season has come to a close!

On the summit during our third Mount Vinson expedition of the season!

The 2024 / 2025 Antarctic season has come to a close for the Madison Mountaineering expedition teams! All three of our teams safely and successfully reached the summit of Mount Vinson, with 100% of our climbers and guides reaching the roof of Antarctica – a perfect season on the ice! Despite some challenging weather along the way, our teams had beautiful summit days and shared time well spent with friends new and old in a truly magical place. We’re already looking forward to heading back next season! Registration is open now to book your spot on one of next seasons climbs. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Aconcagua:

Hey! This is Garrett calling in just to conclude our Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition season. We had three incredible expeditions in Antarctica on Mount Vinson this past season!

All three trips had 100% success. We had beautiful summit days, great route conditions. We had to wait and have patience while some of the high winds dropped down up on the mountain. But, we put in the time and our climbers stayed positive. We all made it and just had spectacular summit days and a great time on the mountain in Antarctica, beautiful views, and good times meeting other climbers making lifelong friendships, hopefully, and climbing together again someday! So, just can’t reiterate what an awesome season it was in Antarctica!

Thanks again to Antarctic Logistics for their support and making it all happen for us! We can’t wait to get back to Mount Vinson next season. Join us for the most incredible, magical experience of a lifetime!

Alright, signing off for a successful Vinson season. Until next time!

All smiles under blue skies on Vinson Massif!

All smiles under blue skies on Vinson Massif!

En route to the summit!

En route to the summit!

The second Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Mount Vinson!

The second Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Mount Vinson!

The first Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Mount Vinson!

The first Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Mount Vinson!

 

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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