Tag Archive for: 7 Summits

More good news from Carstensz Pyramid!

Garrett, Frank, and Fatima on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid!

More good news coming in from Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp… We’re happy to report that the rest of the Madison Mountaineering team successfully reached the summit today and are back in base camp safe and sound! That marks 100% summit success again for the team. While the celebration is already underway, the team looks forward to celebrating some more back in Bali!

This concludes the March, 2026 Carstensz Pyramid expedition. We’ll be back again this October… Reach out to our team to learn more and to join us on this exciting adventure!

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from the Yellow Valley Base Camp:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) Expedition – first one of 2026.

I’m happy to report that we’re all back in base camp (4285m/14,050ft) after a successful summit, 100% success! All six climbers, plus myself, and two local Indonesian guides made the summit this trip. So we are very stoked, very happy.

Half of our team made it down by helicopter to Timika (31m/103ft), and the other half of us, including myself, are hoping to fly out tomorrow morning down to Timika!

It’s been a grand adventure up here! Crazy weather today. We got some snow, some rain, some sun, some good views. We’re looking forward to getting down and being reunited with our climbers, and heading back to Bali (0m/0ft) for some celebrating. Woohoo! 100% success.

Onwards and upwards.

Fatima ascending up fixed lines in wintery conditions

Fatima ascending up fixed lines in wintery conditions

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse.

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse.

Fatima on the summit!

Fatima on 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.“

– Instagram:

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First team of climbers summits Carstensz Pyramid!

Summit photo atop Carstensz Pyramid!

It comes with great excitement to share that the first of our climbers have safely and successfully topped out on the highest peak in Oceania, Carstensz Pyramid! Meanwhile, the second half of our team was able to helicopter up to base camp and enjoyed technical skills review on the lower mountain while basking in the sunshine. With good weather ahead, the team plans to make their summit push soon! Congratulations to todays summiteers. Fingers crossed for more summits in the coming hours! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – first one of 2026.

We made it up to base camp (4285m/14,050ft) today! Our team is together. And actually, first half of our team went for the summit today, and made it to the top and all the way back down. So congrats to Frank, John, and Mickey!

The second half of the team with myself, will be going up tonight! That’s Fatima, Denisa, and Pratyay. Fingers crossed for good weather, and some good views. We’ve done our training here on the wall and the climbing route, practicing ascending, descending fixed lines, and just enjoying the nice views up here in the Yellow Valley Base Camp on Carstensz Pyramid.

Wish us luck tonight on our climb! We’ll check in soon.

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse

Crossing the famous tyrolean traverse

Climbing through the clouds towards the summit

Climbing through the clouds towards the summit

High up on Carstensz Pyramid

High up on Carstensz Pyramid

Carstensz Pyramid summiteers: John, Mickey, and Pratyay.

Carstensz Pyramid summiteers: John, Mickey, and Frank.

The team together in base camp!

The team together in base camp!

All smiles in the sunshine!

All smiles in the sunshine!

Technical skills review on lower sections of the climbing route.

Technical skills review on lower sections of the climbing route.

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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Making moves to Yellow Valley Base Camp!

Landing in the Yellow Valley Base Camp

The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team is making moves up to the Yellow Valley Base Camp at the foot of the peak! Those that were able to fly enjoyed a spectacular flight before touching down in camp, settling in, and then going out for some training. The rest of the team is awaiting their flight in Timika, with hopes that they’ll be able to fly and come together again tomorrow! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Timika:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition, first one of 2026.

Well, today was a good day! We got two helicopter loads of our climbers and gear into base camp (4285m/14,050ft). And doing some training and getting ready for the summit attempt. We’re going to acclimatize probably a day or so up here at base camp.

The rest of us are still down in Timika (31m/103ft), hoping to fly in tomorrow. Fingers crossed for good weather, and we’ll all be up there soon! Alright.

Beautiful flight up from Timika to base camp!

Beautiful flight up from Timika to base camp!

Getting systems dialed before going out onto the mountain for some technical skills review.

Getting systems dialed before going out onto the mountain for some technical skills review.

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 Carstensz climb of 2026 has begun!

March, 2026 Carstensz Pyramid expedition team

Here we go! Another Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition has gotten underway in Bali. Not a bad place to start a climbing expedition if you ask us! The team gathered together, conducted a gear check, orientation and welcome dinner before setting off as they continue their journey to the highest peak in Oceania, and one of the famed ‘seven summits‘. The team is en route to Timika where they’ll then wait for their helicopter flight up to the Yellow Valley Base Camp. More to come! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checked in with this dispatch from Indonesia:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition – our first of 2026.

Our team has assembled in Bali, Indonesia (0m/0ft); beautiful paradise to begin the climbing expedition. And we are now en route to Papua, in Timika (31m/103ft), where we will meet up with our local outfitter and spend a day or two before hopefully, helicoptering up to the Yellow Valley Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft)!

All six climbers, plus myself, arrived with all of our gear. We’re happy to be here and looking forward to the experience. Hopefully we’ll have some good weather and conditions ahead! 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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Back to high camp from the summit!

Some of the team on the summit of Mount Vinson!

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team safely descended from the summit back to their high camp. The celebration continued on here with recounts of the day and a well-deserved meal of mac and cheese with pork chops! A good nights rest will lead into the teams continued descent back to Vinson Base Camp, where preparations will be made for the return to Union Glacier Camp, then Punta Arenas, and on to everyones home countries. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson High Camp:

Hello! This is the Madison Mountaineering Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) team. We are back in high camp (3536m/11,600ft)!

We had a great summit. It was calm and warm up there, and we’re all back in high camp now safe and sound. (We) just had dinner, pork chops and mac and cheese!

We’re going to have a long night of rest and then wake up and head down to base camp (2140m/7,020ft) tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll get a flight back to (700m/2,297ft) Union Glacier in the next couple of days and can head on home to South America and onwards.

All is 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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Madison Mountaineering team summits Mount Vinson!

Summit photo! 100% summit success for the final Madison Mountaineering team of the season.

We are excited to share that the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team successfully reached the summit on Sunday, January 18 and safely descended back to their high camp! Everyone did great, coming together on the summit for a celebration and summit photos before turning back towards high camp. We are filled with gratitude to have the opportunity to get to share these amazing experiences with awesome people every season in Antarctica! Awesome work, team. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the summit of Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition climb number four, the last of the season.

Today is Sunday, January 18. It’s 4:30 p.m. and we are at the summit of Mount Vinson! Everyone made it today. (I’m) very proud of our team. We’ve got Susan Agar up here, who was with us on Everest (8848m/29,032ft) this past spring, and a bunch of other great climbers on the team here: Jamie, Ashley, Pascale, Richard. Just a wonderful crew with Aang Phurba Sherpa and myself! We’re looking forward to a safe descent back to high camp (3536m/11,600ft) tonight and base camp (2140m/7,020ft) tomorrow.

So all is well here! We’ll check in soon. Beautiful day on 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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Mount Vinson High Camp

Nearing the top of the fixed-lines and our high camp.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team settled into their high camp on Friday, January 16 after a fun day of climbing the fixed-lines that separate low camp from high camp. The team had excellent views and climbing conditions, making for an unforgettable day of climbing in one of the most magical places on Earth! After settling in and fueling up with a warm meal, the team plans to take a rest-day tomorrow and eyes a summit push the following day! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition, our final expedition for this season.

We are at high camp (3536m/11,600ft)! We had a great day climbing from low camp (2774m/9,100ft) yesterday up to high camp and taking a rest day today. Good weather up here and going for a summit attempt tomorrow. So wish us luck! Hopefully we’ll get some good views. Seems to be fairly warm and calm for Antarctica this time of year up on Mount Vinson here, almost 4,000 meters, 12,500 feet or so.

We’ll check in soon.

Looking out on endless ice from the fixed-lines.

Looking out on endless ice from the fixed-lines.

Beautiful day with excellent views while climbing from low camp to high camp.

Beautiful day with excellent views while climbing from low camp to high camp.

Enjoying an awesome day of climbing in Antarctica!

Enjoying an awesome day of climbing in Antarctica!

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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Last team of the season has arrived at Vinson Base Camp!

All smiles in Antarctica!

The fourth Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team of the season is on the move! After a few days of anxiously preparing in Punta Arenas while they awaited their flight, the team boarded the plane, filled with excitement, out of South America and flew onto the frozen continent. Upon taking their first steps onto the ice, the team was greeted by their guides and moved into their tents, all in while trying to take in the incredible views of the magical place they just arrived in. But the team couldn’t get too comfortable… The next morning, we were boarding our next flight – this time to Mount Vinson Base Camp. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the foot of the highest peak in Antarctica:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for our last, and fourth, Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition of the season.

We just arrived in Mount Vinson Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft) and the team is doing well. We spent a night at Union Glacier Camp (700m/2,297ft) after the team got in, and our last group flew out. And then this morning, after breakfast, we got ready, flew over to Vinson, settled in here, had a few hours of rigging with our sleds and harnesses, and getting ready for our move up to low camp (2774m/9,100ft) tomorrow. (We) had a nice dinner, and now we’re all tucked into bed.

So, everyone’s doing well! Fingers crossed for good weather ahead, and we’re really happy to be back on the mountain. We’ll check in soon.

The team aboard the DHC-6 Twin Otter flight to Mount Vinson Base Camp

The team aboard the DHC-6 Twin Otter flight to Mount Vinson 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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The whole team tops out on Vinson!

Madison Mountaineering climbers on the summit of Mount Vinson!

It comes with great excitement to share that the entire Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team topped out on Antarctica’s highest peak yesterday and has safely returned to their high camp! The team enjoyed a beautiful day on the mountain, taking in great views and sunshine as they pushed to the summit. Once standing on top, we celebrated together while relishing in the beautiful moment and place before shouldering packs once again and starting down the mountain. The team had a good nights rest and plans to continue on down to Vinson Base Camp today. Way to go, team! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with the celebratory dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition, third trip of the season.

Yesterday, we summited Mount Vinson! Everyone made it to the top. It was a beautiful day and we got some great views from up there! So, just a spectacular summit day. Couldn’t ask for better weather: calm, with some low clouds below on the mountain and great views above.

Today, we just woke up at high camp (3536m/11,600ft), and we’re gonna head down to base camp (2140m/7,020ft) and probably spent a night there. Fingers crossed we’ll get flights back to Union Glacier (700m/2,297ft) to rest up a few days before heading onwards.

Looking forward to our last and final upcoming Vinson climb of the season, our fourth expedition on Mount Vinson this season starting January 10th! So, hopefully we’ll have good weather and looking forward to another group coming to Antarctica. We’ll check in soon!

Expedition guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa and team on the summit!

Expedition guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa and team on the summit!

On the move under clear blue Antarctic skies!

On the move under clear blue Antarctic skies!

Looking down the route as the team climbs toward the summit.

Looking down the route as the team climbs toward the summit.

Beautiful views!

Beautiful views!

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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New Year’s Eve in Antarctica!

On the move from Vinson Base Camp to Low Camp

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team is on the move after a fun New Year’s Eve celebration on the frozen continent! After celebrating the new year in Union Glacier Camp, the team hopped aboard their twin otter flight which transported them to Vinson Base Camp at the foot of the continents highest peak. After some skills review and one night in base camp, the team took to the route and climbed up to Camp 1. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett and Aang Phurba Sherpa checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition – this is our third program of the season here in Antarctica on Vinson. We are up at low camp (2774m/9,100ft)!

We arrived in Vinson Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft) yesterday from Union Glacier (700m/2,297ft). (We) had a great New Year’s Eve there with all of the ALE staff, and we’re lucky enough to fly yesterday afternoon over to Vinson, settled into our base camp, had a good night there, and today climbed up to low camp. The team did great! We had a little cloud, and some sun, and it was a great day overall.

So we settled in, had dinner, and heading to bed here. Looking forward to a nice rest day tomorrow!

All is well here on Mount Vinson. We’ll check in soon!

Our Mountain Hardwear Trango tents set up in Mount Vinson Low Camp

Our Mountain Hardwear Trango tents set up in Mount Vinson Low Camp

Guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa posing for a quick photograph in the team dining tent

Guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa posing for a quick photograph in the team dining tent

Climbing between camps under beautiful, clear blue skies

Climbing between camps under beautiful, clear blue skies

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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