Puja Ceremony at Manaslu Base Camp

Our climbing team, post-puja.

This morning the team was greeted with sunshine upon emerging from their tents, which they followed with a puja ceremony. The team came together to take part in this spiritual ceremony to ask the mountain for safe passage in their journey ahead, which is happening in the coming days! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s September 9th.

Today, when we woke up the sun was shining so we started the day early with our pre-climb puja; that’s a way of asking the mountain permission for safe passage and it’s also a great way for the whole team to come together before a climb.

Now that that’s done, our sherpa team and our climbers will start moving up the mountain. We’ve spent the rest of the day getting our gear together for our sherpa team who will do a carry to Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft) tomorrow, then hopefully our climbers will start going to Camp 1 soon after that.

So now we’re just relaxing until dinner! We’re planning to watch National Treasure 2, the Nicholas Cage movie, after dinner.

All is well! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Preparing for the puja in our base camp. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Preparing for the puja in our base camp. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Ngodup Lama leading todays puja. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Ngodup Lama leading todays puja. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our team's climbing gear soaking up the blessings. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our team’s climbing gear soaking up the blessings. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Sirdar and guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa making an offering. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Sirdar and guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa making an offering. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Lakpa Sherpa receiving a tsampa mustache, a blessing for a long and healthy life. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Lakpa Sherpa receiving a tsampa mustache, a blessing for a long and healthy life. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Today's puja. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Today’s puja. 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:

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Full Day at Manaslu Base Camp!

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu Base Camp, high above the clouds. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The team had a great day today complete with technical skills training, beautiful weather, good food and a movie! Tomorrow, their preparation will continue with a puja ceremony. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 8th.

Today we woke up and had a great breakfast of french toast, bacon and fried eggs. Then, we hiked a little ways up above camp (4859m/15,944ft) to a good spot on the Manaslu Glacier to review technical skills. We worked on fixed line ascending and descending techniques, rappelling, and footwork.

The we returned to base camp, had lunch and have been relaxing since then. We’re just about to start dinner and then looking forward to a movie afterward.

So today was a great day; beautiful weather, sunny skies and we’re looking forward to our puja day tomorrow. All is well here! We’ll be in touch.

Mount Manaslu. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Mount Manaslu. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Nancy, hiking below Camp 1 with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Nancy, hiking below Camp 1 with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Good times and sunshine while reviewing technical skills! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Good times and sunshine while reviewing technical skills! 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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Settling into Manaslu Base Camp

Photo from Madison Mountaineering archive. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Today, the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team continued to settle into their base camp and prepare for the days ahead! Inspiring views of Manaslu continue to keep spirits high, going into skills training on the glacier tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 [inaudible] – today is September 7th.

Today we took a rest day in camp (4859m/15,944ft); we did some laundry, finished getting moved into our tents, took some nice walks around camp with some views of Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) starting to emerge above us [inaudible]. We watched the classic [inaudible] national treasure.

We’re just going to bed now and looking forward to some skills training on the glacier near camp tomorrow.

[Inaudible].

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, Manaslu Base Camp!

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

Today, the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team continued their journey on up to base camp, ascending to 4859m/15,944ft! After setting up camp, they enjoyed lunch, the new views presented from their temporary home, and were just about to sit down for dinner. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini with this brief update:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 [inaudible] – September 6th.

Today we had great weather for our [inaudible] camp. We left Samagaun (3530m/11,581ft) [inaudible] for most the hike and then [inaudible].

The team is doing well! We moved into our tents, had a nice lunch and we’re just about to sit down for dinner.

All is well here and we will 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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Exploring the Punggen Valley!

Hiking into Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Today, the team explored the Punggen Valley by visiting an ancient monastery and gompa – all in while continuing their acclimatization efforts up to 13,300 feet! 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 5th.

Today we started the day with a blessing at the old gompa here in Samagaun (3530m/11,581ft), then we went for an acclimatization hike up the Punggen Valley down towards Shala. It was a beautiful hike – we went up to about 13,300 feet! At the top of the valley is an ancient monastery where we lit a few butter lamps before returning to Samagaun.

So, all is well here and we’ll be in touch with an update tomorrow!

Hiking up the Punggen Valley. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Hiking up the Punggen Valley. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Buddhist mantras along the trail to Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Buddhist mantras along the trail to Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The gompa in Punggen. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The gompa in Punggen. 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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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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