Into the Himalayas!

Our team in Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The team had spectacular flying conditions today with views of the towering Himalayas before landing in Lukla! Upon their arrival, a few moments were spent in town before hitting the trail and heading to their next stop, Phakding. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with todays dispatch:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – it’s October 21st.

Today we had excellent weather for our helicopter flights from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). Our entire Ama Dablam team plus our Everest Base Camp trekkers touched down in Lukla at about 2,900 meters in, yeah, just beautiful weather with excellent views of the mountains to the north. We had a great view of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) just before we touched down.

Then we hiked to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft). We’ve had a relaxing evening here with a walk up to the monastery above town. We just wrapped up dinner and we’re looking forward to a nice peaceful night, with the sound of the Dudh Koshi River below us.

We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Inbound to Lukla. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Inbound to Lukla. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Climbers Jocelyn, Serge, Stephane and Alix after touching down in Lukla! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Climbers Jocelyn, Serge, Stephane and Alix after touching down in Lukla! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Walking to Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Walking to Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Visiting the monastery above Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Visiting the monastery above Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Ama Dablam climber, Stephane en route to the helicopter pad. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Ama Dablam climber, Stephane en route to the helicopter pad. 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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Ama Dablam Expedition Underway!

Team dinner in Kathmandu!

The 2022 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition has officially begun! The team all arrived in Kathmandu today, excited for the journey ahead. After arriving at the Yak and Yeti hotel, our team held a gear check and orientation to go over details of the expedition. With good weather tomorrow, the team will fly to Lukla and continue on their way towards Ama Dablam. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in from Kathmandu with todays dispatch:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition 2022 – today is October 20th.

The team is all in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft)! We had our gear checks today, had an orientation, talked through logistics, the itinerary and just finished our team dinner! Everyone’s feeling good and pumped to fly up to the Khumbu Valley tomorrow to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft), and start our trek along the way to base camp. So fingers crossed for good flying weather tomorrow morning! Hopefully we’ll be in Lukla for breakfast and on our way.

We’ll check in soon!

Gear check at the Yak and Yeti hotel - the climbers classic!

Gear check at the Yak and Yeti hotel – the climbers classic!

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison and guide, Terray Sylvester picking up the Ama Dablam climbing permits!

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison and guide, Terray Sylvester picking up the Ama Dablam climbing permits!

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 Expedition Conclusion

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (📸: Terray Sylvester)
Our Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) team is now safely off the mountain and heading home. We are grateful they were lucky to have missed the avalanches reported in recent days. All equipment has been carried down from our high camps, and the base camp (4859m/15,944ft) crew is beginning to pack up.

Due to the lingering monsoon and heavy precipitation in western Nepal, as well as the continuous snowfall and bad weather, the route conditions on Manaslu are unsafe for us to proceed. There have been multiple avalanches in recent days causing fatalities and injuries. We are saddened by the events that have transpired and our hearts go out to those who have lost a loved one in these events.

The Madison Mountaineering team went into this expedition very excited to climb to the true summit of Manaslu. However, the mountain had other plans. We are thankful we can walk away and return to climb another day.

Up next is our Ama Dablam expedition beginning October 20th in Nepal. Our fingers are crossed for good weather and route conditions… Stay tuned!!!
Prayer flags among foliage during the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

Prayer flags among foliage during the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

Prayer flags hung below Manaslu. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

Prayer flags hung below Manaslu. (📸: 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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Madison Mountaineering Team Safe on Manaslu

Mount Manaslu. Photo: Terray Sylvester

There was an avalanche reported on Manaslu on September 26th – we are still learning the details around what’s transpired. The Madison Mountaineering team is all safe in base camp and is providing assistance where they can. Our thoughts go out to those affected by these recent events. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

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

This morning we received the incredibly sad news of an avalanche above Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) on Manaslu. We’re very saddened by this and we’re still learning details of what’s happened. We’ve been providing resources as needed and as we can.

But we also want to say that fortunately, our entire sherpa team, our climbers and our guide team are all safe on the lower mountain and in base camp (4859m/15,944ft). So, our team is out of harms way and we’re providing assistance as we can.

We’ll post updates on our social media accounts and here on our blog as necessary in the days and hours to come. 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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Sunny Skies Ahead!

Evening in Camp 1. Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The team spent another stormy day nestled into base camp, but enjoyed a good meal, and are looking forward to better weather in the days ahead! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 25th.

We spent today in base camp (4859m/15,944ft) preparing for our summit push. Then we had dinner, it was pizza, watched a movie, and we’re just heading to bed! Today was another good day. Still stormy – rainy and snowy here in base camp, but it looks like the clouds are going to start to part tomorrow.

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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Fine Dining in Base Camp!

Sunrise over Manaslu Base Camp (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The team spent today resting in base camp and has identified their weather window in which they intend to go for the summit! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s September 24th.

Today we had another rest day in base camp (4859m/15,944ft) while we wait for our summit window, which looks like we’ll depart from base camp in just a few days! We’re just about to have dinner – it’ll be chicken sizzlers and then watch a movie.

So all is well here in base camp! 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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Waiting for the Weather Window

Clear skies made for beautiful light on Manaslu this morning. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The team all gathered today in Manaslu base camp as they keep their eyes peeled for a weather window to make their summit push. It was a nice day in base camp, spent resting, watching a movie, and eating good meals! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s September 23rd.

Today our climber who’d been up in Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) came down to base camp (4859m/15,944ft). So the whole team is here in base camp now and we’re planning to rest for a few nights before starting our summit push – we’re still looking for a nice weather window for that.

Today was a pleasant day in base camp – sunny skies in the morning, then a bit of rain during the day, and now clear, starry skies at night. We just finished dinner – it was barbecue chicken, watched Deadpool, and now we’re heading to bed.

All is well here in Nepal! 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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Sunshine, Fried Chicken, and Showers!

A little snowy weather doesn't stop the fun! Our climbers, Chase and Becks, moving to Camp 1 with Aang Phurba Sherpa. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The team had a busy day today taking advantage of the good weather on Manaslu! While one climber continued acclimatizing at Camp 3, the rest of the team spent today enjoying the sunshine in base camp, eating a good meal, and preparing for the summit push ahead. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s Thursday, September 22nd.

Today, our climber on the mountain continued her acclimatization by moving from Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft) to Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) in beautiful weather! She’ll spend one night up there and then come back down to base camp (4859m/15,944ft).

Our climber in base camp rested after his acclimatization rotation. It was a beautiful day in base camp – fully sunny for the first time in a couple of weeks! So it was great opportunity to wash clothes, take a shower, and rest up for the summit push which we’ll start soon.

We just finished dinner – fried chicken! Then we watched the Mark Wahlberg movie, Ted afterward.

We’re heading to bed now. All is well here in Nepal!

Madison Mountaineering Manaslu Base Camp (📸: Terray Sylvester)

Madison Mountaineering Manaslu Base Camp (📸: 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 Rotation Wrapping Up!

Back in Manaslu Base Camp. Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The teams first rotation is coming to an end having spent multiple nights up on the mountain between Camps 1, 2, and 3. Over the course of the next few days, the team plans to rest up in base camp while they wait for a weather window to make their summit push! 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 21st.

Our climbers here on the mountain are wrapping up their acclimatization rotations. One of our climbers returned to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) today after having spent nights at Camps 1 (5700m/18,700ft) and 2 (6400m/21,000ft). We have another climber who’s still on the mountain planning to spend one additional night up at Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft).

So, we’re looking forward to some rest time here in base camp and then keeping our eyes out for a weather window to head for the summit!

All is well 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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Cozy in Camp 2!

Photo from Madison Mountaineering archive. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu team arrived in Camp 2 today, under wintery conditions. While the views were few and far between, the temperature was perfect while they ascended to 21,000 feet. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini from Camp 2:

Hello from Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft)! Today is September 20th.

Our team moved well from Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft) this morning through a wintery wonderland of softly falling snow. The views were limited, but the temperature was perfect. We’ve cooked lunch, settled into our tents and are looking forward to a nice rest.

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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