Africa Archives

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

100% Summit Success on Kilimanjaro!!

Yesterday our Kilimanjaro team put everyone on the Roof of Africa, the 19,341 ft. summit of Kilimanjaro’s highest point: Uhuru Peak on Kibo’s crater rim. Congratulations one and all, you are on your way to your Seven Summits quest. 🙂

After a very long descent this morning from Millenium Camp (3820 m / 12,533 ft), where they spent a solid night resting up from the summit push, all the way down to the Mweka Gate (1638 m / 5,375 ft). Once at the gate, it was party time with a wonderful and joyous luncheon.

The team is now back at the hotel in Arusha, where they enjoyed a celebration dinner and are resting up before they head out tomorrow morning to start their 5-day safari of Tarangire National Park, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and the mighty Serengeti. Enjoy! You’ve definitely earned it.

High camp on Kilimanjaro

Sunset over Kilimanjaro

Yeah Kilimanjaro Team!!

Kilimanjaro Dance Party!

Savoring success at the trail end of Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro Dance Party!

One last view of Kili

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 21, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

Kilimanjaro Summit Push is ON!

Our Kilimanjaro team is just finishing up breakfast and getting ready to leave Kosovo high camp and head for the summit! The Summit Push is on! You can follow the team in real-time with our location tracking map: https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

Godspeed Kili team, godspeed!

(photo: Madison Mountaineering photo archive)

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 19, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

Summit Day is Next!

Everyone together for a Kilimanjaro team picture!

Today the Kilimanjaro team climbed to high camp. They left Karanga camp and crossed the barren hillsides to reach Barafu camp, and continued on to the Kosovo camp, our special high camp that rarely sees any other climbers. This camp puts the team in a position above most other climbing parties so that the summit day is shorter and they can get out ahead of any potential crowds at the start. Before bed, the team talked through the summit day strategy, then went to bed early in preparation for an ‘alpine start’ tomorrow morning. Everyone’s hoping the weather will be good for summit day!

Here’s a short message from the team:

Sun’s up and we’re on the trail. This afternoon high camp and midnight tonight our summit push begins! Over and out. Team Madison Mountaineering Africa

Stats for day 5:
Start: Karanga Camp, 13,335’
Finish: Kosovo Camp, 15,700’
Distance Traveled: 3.5 miles

The flora and fauna of Kilimanjaro

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 19, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

Karanga Camp

After breakfast, the Kilimanjaro team left camp and began the ascent of the Great Barranco wall! This scramble provided a great morning workout as they topped out at 14,500’ with spectacular views of the plains below! Then they descend to the Karanga river and hiked up a short distance to Karanga camp.

Here’s a short message from the team:

Today clear, breezy, and a pinch of big mountain chill setting out for the scramble up the legendary Barranco wall!

Stats for day 4
Start: Barranco Camp, 13,066’
Finish: Karanga Camp, 13,335’
Distance: 3 miles

Truckin’ up to Karanga Camp on Kilimanjaro!

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 18, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

Barranco Camp

Today the Kilimanjaro team left Shira Camp and traversed the mountain, working their way up to the base of “The Lava Tower” at approximately 14,800 ft. They made a quick ascent of the lava tower, a fun scramble up with great views from the top, then descended down to Barranco Camp. From camp, the team enjoyed a great view of the Great Barranco Wall, the challenge for tomorrow morning!

Here’s a short message from the team:

Team Madison Mountaineering up with sunrise after a clear night packed with stars and the Milky Way! Today up to 15,000ft. A height record for nearly all!

Stats for day 3
Start: Shira Camp, 12,355’
Finish: Barranco Camp, 13,066’
Distance Traveled: 6 miles

Enjoying the beautiful Senecio trees on Kilimanjaro

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 17, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

Shira Camp

Today, from the Machame camp the team started hiking up the trail through the forest and gained elevation very quickly, as the landscape changed from the lush forest to moor lands with large Senecio trees dotting the hillsides. They gained the Shira Plateau and enjoyed a great view over the valley below. Each day upon arriving at camp in the afternoon the team celebrates by dancing and singing with the staff, learning the dance and songs of the Chagga tribe! The team is doing great and are having a wonderful time on Kilimanjaro!

Here’s a short message from the team:

Out of the jungle and camped above the clouds at 12,000 ft. Happy team relaxing in the sun. Over and out. Team Madison Mountaineering!

Stats for day 2
Start: Machame Camp, 9,927’
Finish: Shira Camp, 12,355’
Distance Traveled: 5 miles

(photo: Madison Mountaineering archives)

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 16, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

Kili Team Arrives and Heads Up the Mountain!

July 2021 Kilimanjaro team at Machame Gate ready to start day one!

All of the team members for our first Kilimanjaro climb and safari expedition for 2021 have arrived in Tanzania and have headed up the mountain from the trailhead at Machame Gate (1814 m / 5,950 ft).

This morning the team traveled by Land Crusier from Arusha through forests and coffee fields to the Machame trailhead, where they checked in with the Park HQ and sorted loads for the local porters, the Chagga people. They hiked through the lush rain forest and finished the day at the Machame Camp. Everyone is doing well and had a great first day on the climb of Mount Kilimanjaro!

Stats for Climb day 1
Start: Machame Entrance, 5,718’
Finish: Machame Camp, 9,927’
Distance Traveled: 6 miles

July 2021 Kilimanjaro team arriving Arusha

July 2021 Kilimanjaro ready to leave the hotel for the trailhead!

July 2021 Kilimanjaro team ready to leave the hotel for the trailhead!

July 2021 Kilimanjaro team photo!

Kilimanjaro team loading up to head to the trailhead and get climbing!

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 15, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kilimanjaro 2021.07

July 2021 Kilimanjaro Climb and Safari Kick-off!

Climbers Barranco camp to Karanga Kilimanjaro

Our initial 2021 Kilimanjaro expedition and safari kicks-off in one week with the team members arriving to Tanzania on Monday! Expedition leader, Mara Larson, and the team of climbers are excited to return to Tanzania and reach the Roof of Africa! Follow their progress with our daily dispatches and real-time map updates: https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07.

Our expeditions to Kilimanjaro are truly an experience of a lifetime in journeying to Tanzania and undertaking one of the Seven Summits. Climbers experience first-hand the five ecosystems and game parks that Kilimanjaro towers over as we climb the mountain slopes on our way to the summit. For those in good shape who can trek a few hours per day, Kilimanjaro is an accessible mountaineering objective. Although Kilimanjaro is considered a non-technical climb, roughly 1/3 of the visitors do not reach the summit. While some circumstances are out of the climbers’ and guides’ control, a lot of this has to do with the expertise of the climbing company one chooses. Our guides are among the finest in the world, through our expertise and adherence to safety, we have a 100% success rate on Kilimanjaro over the last seven years.

By the way, it’s not too early to start making your plans to join us on Kilimanjaro or any of our other expeditions in the 2021 season! Contact our office for details.

Approaching the summit of Kilimanjaro

If climbing Kilimanjaro is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kilimanjaro-2021-07

July 6, 2021/0 Comments/by Kurt

Kenya 2021.01

Mount Kenya Expedition Photos and Recap

With the expedition complete and the team relaxing in a comfortable hotel with great Wi-Fi, expedition leader Garrett Madison provided this expedition recap and a cache of amazing climb photos:

Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Kenya expedition. We are back in Nanyuki, Kenya at the base of Mount Kenya. We had a wonderful climb yesterday to the summit – all three high points were reached on the peak: Lenana, Nelion, and Batian, the highest point on Mount Kenya. It was a beautiful 18-pitch technical rock climb and rappel back down. It was about a 16-hour day for us.

Today we descend down, back into the lush forest, and to the Soames Hotel here, a very comfortable place to stay in Nanyuki. Tomorrow, we’ll head back to Nairboi and fly back to the USA.

It’s been a great trip and we look forward to returning to Kenya at some point in the future.

Comfortable breakfast in camp

Chase on the climb!

On one of the traverse sections of the route

Making our way to the Batian summit of Mount Kenya

Climbing the final pitch of snow

At the summit of Mount Kenya, Africa’s 2nd highest peak

The final 18 pitches of 5.6 – 5.7 rock climbing on summit day

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/kenya-2021-01

January 21, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Kenya 2021.01

Mount Kenya Summit!

Congratulations to our team on reaching the highest point in Kenya and the second-highest in Africa, Mount Kenya! With yesterday’s Point Lenana (4985m) summit and this morning’s top out on both the summits of Nelion (5188m) and Batian (5199m), our team touched all three of Mount Kenya‘s high peaks. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, provides the happy news from the very top of Mount Kenya via satellite phone:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Kenya team! Today is January 20th and myself and Chase are up here on the summit of Mount Kenya – the Batian summit. We reached Point Lenana yesterday and the Nelion summit today and we got up here (Batian summit) about 2:00 PM Kenyian time. Great climb — took us 8-1/2 hours, 18+ pitches of technical rock and a little snow.

We are looking forward to heading back down, getting a good night’s rest, and then trekking out tomorrow back to the trailhead. So, all’s well here on Mount Kenya. We’ve had a great climb and we’re looking forward to heading home soon.