Tag Archive for: 7 Summits

Rest day in Namche Bazaar!

The team at the Everest View Hotel with Ama Dablam and Everest peaking out from the clouds behind.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team spent the day acclimatizing around Namche Bazaar. After fueling up with breakfast, we took to the trails that lead up and out of Namche, towards the Everest View Hotel which offers excellent views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and more! Not to mention, a great spot to rest and enjoy tea and snacks on our active rest day. After descending back down to the team hotel, climbers rested, visited local cafes and got ready to continue on up the valley tomorrow. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) team.

Today we had a great day! We hiked up from Namche (3440m/11,290ft) to the Everest View Hotel. We had wonderful views of Mount Everest, Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft), and the other surrounding peaks. It was great to hike up and check out Sagarmatha Next; the waste, recycling, and art facility. Then, we came back down for lunch.

Everyone’s doing great! It’s so nice to be up in the mountains. We’re having a wonderful time trekking in the beautiful Khumbu Valley. We’re looking forward to more great views tomorrow! We’ll check in soon.

First views of Everest!

First views of Everest!

Ama Dablam as seen from the trail.

Ama Dablam as seen from the trail.

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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Checked in at the Panorama Lodge in Namche!

One of the many suspension bridges on the trail to Everest Base Camp!

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team checked into one of our favorite places to stay in the Khumbu Valley today, the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar! With no shortage of good weather and excellent vibes, the team is doing great and looking strong on the trek so far. We’ll spend two nights in the bustling village of Namche to acclimatize before packing our bags and continuing on up the valley! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft) team.

Today, we trekked up to the village of Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). We’re really happy to be here, staying in the Panorama Lodge with our good friends, Mingma Sherpa and his family. We’ve stayed here for many years and it’s just wonderful to return every year, and get to be with them and enjoy their beautiful lodge, and the town of Namche!

Great views today, some epic suspension bridges we crossed over. A few other teams and yaks on the trail, but we’re looking forward to a hike up to the Everest View Hotel tomorrow; hopefully get a view of Everest if it’s clear! And visit the Sagarmatha Next Foundation building that we work with with with our nonprofit, the Madison Mountaineering Foundation.

So, the team’s doing well! We’re happy to be here. We are having some great weather. We’re just heading uphill, living the dream!

We’ll check in soon.

All smiles and prepared to cross another suspension bridge.

All smiles and prepared to cross another suspension bridge.

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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2026 Mount Everest Expedition Team is off!

Team photo in front of the Yak and Yeti Hotel.

It’s good to be back! The 2026 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has begun their journey to the highest point on Earth. The team gathered together in Kathmandu after long flights from their homes around the globe. With gear checks done and a welcome dinner shared, we’ll continue the adventure, step by step towards Mount Everest. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison kicks off the expedition with this inaugural dispatch from Kathmandu:

Happy New Year from Kathmandu, Nepal (1400m/4,600ft)!

Our team is here, and we are excited to be flying into Lukla (2860m/9,383ft) today. The first wave of our team flew by helicopter just a few minutes ago, and the rest of us are heading out shortly. So, fingers crossed for good weather; and we’ll be up in the Khumbu Valley with some clear skies and great mountain views. 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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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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