A white Christmas on Mount Vinson!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team celebrated Christmas today with a good meal, friends, and in one spectacular place! While friends and family are missed, we are grateful for this time spent together as a team sharing memories we won’t soon forget. The team is settled into their base camp and will return to Union Glacier Camp soon, followed shortly after by making the return trips home, marking the conclusion of our first Mount Vinson expedition of the season. The Mount Vinson expedition team checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Antarctica:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in from Mount Vinson Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft). Merry Christmas! We’re all here just having a great meal and celebrating our climb of Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft)!

“Yeah, it was a good outing on the mountain – oh, I’m Benny (Lieber)!  We’re here with Sanjeev, Art, Kevin, and Garrett, and we had great weather. We’re having a big Christmas dinner and wanted to say “hello” to all of our families and friends, love you, and we are enjoying the holiday!” ~ Madison Mountaineering guide, Benny Lieber

“Hey, everybody – Kevin here! Thrilled to be on the adventure, the double header with Art. (Ski) the last degree went well, and now here we are doing post Vinson summit celebration! Benny and Garrett could not have looked after us better. Miss everybody, wish we could have been home for Christmas as well, but we’ll see you soon enough. Lots of love, all the best.” ~ Madison Mountaineering climber, Kevin Walsh

“Hi! It’s Art Muir and it’s a wonderful way to spend Christmas. I miss my family, but I couldn’t think of a better way to (garbled) great adventure, great success, a 5-star operation run by Garrett Madison of course. We’ve had a wonderful time here, so hopefully everybody comes to visit Antarctica, which Garrett says is “a magical place.” ~ Madison Mountaineering climber, Art Muir

“Hi, Sanjeev here! We’ve just had this out of this world experience. It felt like we were on a different planet! Thank you so much Garrett, Benny, and two great friends I’ve made, Art and Kevin. (garbled)” ~ Madison Mountaineering climber, Sanjeev Banga

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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Summit success on Mount Vinson!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive.

It’s with great excitement to share that the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team has reached the summit of Mount Vinson, the highest point in all of Antarctica! The team could not have asked for a more perfect day, climbing in one of the most remote and pristine places on the planet under beautiful, clear-blue skies. Not a bad way to celebrate the holiday! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the summit of Mount Vinson with climbers, Art and Kevin:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition – today is Christmas Eve and I am up here at the summit of Mount Vinson with Art and Kevin! We have a beautiful day here, almost all to ourselves and couldn’t ask for better conditions. What a great team and great company to be up here with! Here’s Art:

“Hey everybody, Christmas Eve! I’m really grateful to my family for letting me be here. It’s a special experience, beautiful day, a “magical place” as Garrett calls it… Antarctica is a magical place, very much worth seeing. I just love it! We are very, very happy. Here’s Kevin!” ~ Madison Mountaineering climber, Art Muir

Merry Christmas everybody! We’re on the top of Antarctica. Garrett got us up here again in stellar form! It’s a beautiful day, we miss everybody lots… Loves and hugs and kisses to everybody! Thanks Stacey for yeah, holding the fort while I’m here. Happy birthday Maddy! We’ll see everybody real soon. All the best!” ~ Madison Mountaineering climber, Kevin Walsh

Right on! Well, such a beautiful moment to share up here with Art and Kevin. Highest point in Antarctica, bluebird day, no clouds as far as the eye can see, and just a really awesome experience. We’ll savor it, and of course looking forward to getting down safe. Check in soon!

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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In position for the summit push!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Ted Hesser)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team has reached their high camp and crawled into their sleeping bags for the night. Today, they climbed under a beautiful, Antarctic sky making for near-perfect climbing conditions. The team is moving well together and will look to make their push for the summit in the coming days! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hey, this is Garrett calling in from high camp (3536m/11,600ft) on Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft), here with Benny! Our first Mount Vinson expedition of the season, we’re up here with Art, Kevin, and Sanjeev.

We had a good day climbing from low camp (2774m/9,100ft) up to high camp – beautiful, sunny weather, calm winds, great views all around! It was a long day with heavy packs, but we got up here in good style, set up camp, had some dinner, and now we are off to bed. We’re going to see how conditions look tomorrow. We might go for the summit or we might take a rest day, so to be determined.

But, all as well. Everybody is doing good up here at high camp and we are excited to see what tomorrow brings! We’ll check in soon.

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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Aconcagua Summits!

Summit photo on Aconcagua!

Cumbre! We’re thrilled to announce the Madison Mountaineering team’s recent success on Aconcagua (6961m/22,837ft) – the first of five expeditions this season!

Reaching the summit on December 19, the team battled through windy weather conditions throughout the expedition. Their hard work, determination, and well-thought-out strategy put them in a position to make a summit push when a window presented itself. While many other teams and climbers on the mountain were unable to reach the summit, our team persevered and earned themselves a spot on top of South America’s highest peak, and one of the famed ‘seven summits!’

We’re very proud of the teams’ efforts and look forward to the expeditions ahead now that everyone is off the mountain. Strong work, team!

Climbing with beautiful views of the surrounding Andes!

Climbing with beautiful views of the surrounding Andes!

Sunset from one of the team's camps on Aconcagua.

Sunset from one of the team’s camps on Aconcagua.

Climber, Matthew Russell on the summit of Aconcagua!

Climber, Matthew Russell on the summit of Aconcagua!

Climbing amongst penitentes

Climbing amongst penitentes.

Climber, Matthew Russell descending with a heavy pack down the mountain.

Climber, Matthew Russell descending with a heavy pack down the mountain.

360-degree views of the surrounding Andes from high on Aconcagua!

360-degree views of the surrounding Andes from high on Aconcagua!

Guide, Cacho Beiza cooking up a warm meal!

Guide, Cacho Beiza cooking up a warm meal!

Celebrating back in base camp!

Celebrating back in base camp!

Beautiful weather after an unforgettable climb on South America's highest peak!

Beautiful weather after an unforgettable climb on South America’s highest peak!

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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Cozied up in Low Camp!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Ted Hesser)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team has left their base camp and settled into their temporary home at low camp! Here, they’ll spend another day resting and reviewing technical skills that they’ll need higher on the mountain. With great weather so far, the team hopes for more sunny skies as they continue to ascend Antarctica’s highest peak. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in from Low Camp (2774m/9,100ft) on Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) with our first expedition team of the season. We had a great day coming up from base camp (2140m/7,020ft) – myself, Benny with Art, Kevin, and Sanjeev. It was nice, sunny weather, and then clouds came in for a little bit and cooled off. By the time we got to camp, the skies parted and the sun came back out! So we had a nice evening here getting camp set up, digging out our cache, cooking dinner, and now we are off to bed a little after midnight.

So, we are excited to take a rest day tomorrow, which is really today, and review some fixed-climb climbing techniques, check the weather forecast, and see if we can move up the following day if everything looks good.

So everyone is doing great and we are excited to be here! We are enjoying some fabulous views and lots of other nice teams and climbers on the mountain. So we are having a great time here! We’ll check in soon.

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Ted Hesser)

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Ted Hesser)

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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Vinson Base Camp

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Ted Hesser)

After a short stay in Union Glacier Camp, the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson team has, once again, packed their bags and flown to Mount Vinson Base Camp! The team will officially start the climb from here, spending the coming days ascending the frozen continent’s highest peak. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Vinson Base Camp:

Hey, this is Garrett calling in for the first Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition of the season! We just arrived in Union Glacier (700m/2,297ft) and met our fellow climbers, Art Muir and Kevin, who just came off ski last degree. They had a great ski to the South Pole, flew back to Union Glacier a day ahead of us. Also, we flew in with Sanjeev. So the five of us flew from Union Glacier to Mount Vinson (2140m/7,020ft), arrived today, set up our camp, had a nice dinner, and we are heading to bed.

We’re really happy to be here! It’s just beautiful weather, spectacular scenery, and we are ready and very excited to get our climb underway! All as well here on Vinson. We’ll check in soon!

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 Antarctica!

Guides, Garrett and Benny with Mount Vinson climber, Thais after landing on the ice!

The first of the 2023 / 2024 Madison Mountaineering teams have arrived in Antarctica for Mount Vinson, ski the last degree, and Mount Sidley expeditions! We are more excited than ever to be back on the ice and look forward to a great season ahead. Expedition guide, Benny Lieber checks in with this dispatch from Union Glacier Camp:

Today we made the flight from Punta Arenas (34m/112ft) to Antarctica. Flying across the frozen continent and into the mountains, landing in the Boeing 757 on the blue ice runway was a surreal experience.

It’s a beautiful evening here. No wind. We had a big dinner – uniting with Art & Kevin who are back from skiing the last degree to the South Pole. We are all so excited for the mission ahead on Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft)!

Flying over the frozen continent on the way to Union Glacier Camp (Photo: Benny Lieber)

Flying over the frozen continent on the way to Union Glacier Camp (Photo: Benny Lieber)

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison in Union Glacier Camp under clear blue skies!

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison in Union Glacier Camp under clear blue skies!

Guide, Benny Lieber is all smiles after arriving on the ice!

Guide, Benny Lieber is all smiles after arriving on the ice!

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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Summit Success on Ojos del Salado!

Warm meals in the dining tent, fueling us for the climb!

It’s with great excitement that we share the first of our Ojos del Salado expeditions this season has come to a close with a successful ascent of the world’s highest volcano! The team reached the summit on December 18 after several acclimatization hikes and climbs around the Atacama Desert. The team experienced great weather throughout the expedition and topped out on Ojos del Salado under beautiful, clear-blue skies on their summit day. It was the perfect way to end the expedition before returning back to civilization.

Going to the Atacama Desert is like traveling to another planet. It’s one of the driest places on Earth, and is world-renowned for some of the best star-gazing on the planet.

Coming up this February, 2024 we’ll head back to Chile for another expedition on Ojos del Salado. The dates are set for February 8 – 19, 2024 – come join us for an unforgettable expedition and see what the hype is all about!

Summit photo!

Summit photo!

Relaxing on the summit of Ojos del Salado under blue skies!

Relaxing on the summit of Ojos del Salado under blue skies!

On the shores of Laguna Verde.

On the shores of Laguna Verde.

Climber, Chuck Clement nearing Ojos del Salado.

Climber, Chuck Clement nearing Ojos del Salado.

The team nearing the summit!

The team nearing the summit!

Basking in the sunshine after a successful climb!

Basking in the sunshine after a successful climb!

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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Aconcagua season is underway!

The 2023 Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua expedition team loading up to leave Mendoza to begin their climb!

The 2023 / 2024 Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua (6961m/22,837ft) season is off in Argentina! We are thrilled to be back in the Andes and on the trail with our eyes set on the highest peak in all of the Americas, Aconcagua. After a long day of traveling, our climbers touched down in Mendoza (746m/2,449ft) and were picked up by private transportation and dropped off at the team hotel. After some rest, the team came together for the first time completing a gear check and orientation, before heading out for dinner and later going to bed with departure for the trailhead scheduled for the following day.

The team awoke to blue skies and pleasant temperatures as they loaded the truck and hit the road towards Los Horcones, the gateway to Aconcagua. We’ve arrived in Plaza de Mulas (4367m/14,327ft) which will serve as our base camp on Aconcagua, and are getting ready to continue on up the mountain to Camp Canada (5060m/16,600ft).

The team is doing well and are in good spirits! We hope for good weather in the coming days as we continue to ascend the highest peak outside of Asia.

Stay tuned for more!

Madison Mountaineering private transportation loaded up and ready to go!

Madison Mountaineering private transportation loaded up and ready to go!

Dawning packs and hitting the trail en route to Aconcagua!

Dawning packs and hitting the trail en route to Aconcagua!

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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Summit Success on Illiniza Norte!

Climbing Illiniza Norte with Illiniza Sur seen behind (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

The Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition team has completed their acclimatization hikes and are primed and ready for their upcoming attempts on Cayambe and Chimborazo! Weather and climbing conditions have been outstanding so far, and will hopefully continue for the climbs ahead. Expedition leader, Estalin Suárez checks in with this dispatch from Ecuador:

Hello! This is Estalin calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ecuador Volcanoes expedition.

Today, we summit the Illiniza Norte which is 16,800 feet with the summit. We finished our acclimatization process! The group is feeling pretty strong and motivated. We had a great day on the mountain and some really nice views of the other peaks around! Now everybody is resting at the lodge.

Tomorrow we are going to move to Cayambe volcano which is our first big mountain on this expedition. Stay tuned… Bye!

Summit photo on Illiniza Norte! (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

Summit photo on Illiniza Norte! (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

Ascending the ridge which leads the way towards the summit of Illiniza Norte with Cotopaxi behind (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

Ascending the ridge which leads the way towards the summit of Illiniza Norte with Cotopaxi behind (Photo by Estalin Suárez)

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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