Tag Archive for: Ama Dablam Base Camp

Looking Strong

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archives.

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team headed out for an acclimatization hike today in the direction of Camp I. Strongly and smoothly up the trail they went before turning back and descending down towards base camp. It was another productive day on the mountain! Everyone is doing great and excited to get the climbing underway. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 29th.

Today was partly overcast here in base camp (4600m/15,100ft). So we went for an acclimatization hike up to about 5,000 meters on the trail toward Camp I (5791m/19,000ft). Then we returned to base camp for lunch and we spent the afternoon relaxing.

It started to snow this evening just before dinner. Not much accumulation yet, but more snow is supposed to fall overnight and should get some more centimeters tomorrow. So we’ll play it by ear! Tomorrow might be a rest day before we start our first rotation.

The team’s doing well. Everyone moved really well today and we’re having a good time here at Ama Dablam! 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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Skills review for Ama Dablam

The team taking a break from training.

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team had another excellent day in the Himalaya today, practicing technical skills and cleaning up trash from around base camp and higher up the mountain. Everyone is doing great and looking sharp for the climb ahead! With some weather forecasted tomorrow, the team will wait to see how conditions shape up before going ahead with their plan for the day. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 28.

Today was another beautiful day here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. So we spent the morning practicing technical skills in the training zone on the outskirts of base camp (4600m/15,100ft). We practiced fixed-line ascent and descent techniques. The team did really well! And then we spent the afternoon resting.

Tomorrow, we will play it by ear. It looks like some snow is coming our way as a result of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. So depending on how much snow falls, we may head out for an acclimatization hike, or maybe we’ll just hunker down in base camp and wait out the weather.

Today we also did another day of cleanup. Our crews picked up about 20 kilos of trash from above base camp and up toward the base of the ridge below Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft). So that feels good and we’ll keep working on that as the expedition progresses!

We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Our climber, Calvin, getting ready to rappel.

Our climber, Calvin, getting ready to rappel.

Good times in high places!

Good times in high places!

Our climber, Naomi, practicing technical skills at the foot of Ama Dablam.

Our climber, Naomi, practicing technical skills at the foot of Ama Dablam.

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 Base Camp

Beautiful weather for today’s puja in Ama Dablam Base Camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team has arrived in their base camp at the foot of the mountain! Widely considered one of the most beautiful peaks on the planet, it’s not a bad place to call home for the next few weeks… The team moved strongly and swiftly up the trail from Pangboche, even collecting some trash along the way as we kick off our cleanup efforts. After dropping our bags and settling into our tents in camp, the team came together for the pre-climb puja ceremony, which is an important piece of our expeditions in the Himalaya and Karakoram. It’s good to be in base camp! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition 2026 edition. Today is the 27th of October.

This morning, we left our lodge in Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft) around 8:00 a.m. and hiked up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4600m/15,100ft). It took us just about two and a half hours to get here. Overall, our team is really strong and they made great progress today. Ama Dablam Base Camp is about 4,500 meters, but temperatures were really nice when we arrived. It was another clear, sunny day.

We had some ramen, some tea, rested a bit, and then we had our pre-climb puja. Today’s a very auspicious day for ceremonies, according to the Tibetan calendar. So we had our regular expedition puja to ask the mountain for safe passage. That went really well! And then we’ve spent the rest of the afternoon resting. We’re about to have dinner and then we’ll head to bed. We’re expecting a beautiful night tonight! The skies are clear, so the stars should be really brilliant this evening.

In other news, we started our cleanup effort today. We collected trash as we hiked up to Ama Dablam base camp, just what we could find along the trail. It was good. We got two small bags full and we’ll continue that in the days to come as we do our first rotation on the mountain and then possibly during summit push. But our crews will head out tomorrow to begin picking up trash above base camp.

We’re going to partner with Sagarmatha Next for this. In the past, we’ve donated old fixed-lines and other gear from Ama Dablam and other mountains to Sagarmatha Next. And when we visited them while we were in Namche (3440m/11,290ft) on our trek up the valley, they said that they can definitely use some more equipment, which is excellent material for their resident artists! We also partner with the SPCC on these cleanups, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee.

Okay, 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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Blessings at the Pangboche Monastery

Crossing the Imja Khola River (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team had a short day on the trail, moving from Deboche to Pangboche. More beautiful weather shined overhead as the team moved efficiently while taking in the views surrounding them. There’s been no shortage of amazing views so far! After settling into our lodge, the team made their way towards the Pangboche Monastery, where they received a blessing from the Lama. Now, the team is settled in for the evening and looking ahead to the move to base camp tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 26th.

Today, we trekked from Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). We arrived in Pangboche mid morning, had some nice ginger lemon tea. And then we went up to the Pangboche Monastery, which is the oldest one in the Khumbu Valley, and received a blessing from the Lama there. After that, we headed down to our lodge, the Shyar Khumbu, and had a nice lunch. And now we’re relaxing until dinner!

Today was a shorter day, which is nice. It gives us a bit more time to rest before we move to base camp (4600m/15,100ft) tomorrow. The weather was great again here in the Khumbu Valley, and we’re looking forward to more of the same for the next couple of days. Well be in touch tomorrow.

Ama Dablam rising above the team (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam rising above the team (photo by 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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Check in from the Ama Dablam team!

The team on the summit of Ama Dablam with Everest and Lhotse in the background! From left: Guide Terray Sylvester, our climber, Joe, and Sirdar and Guide, Aang Phurba Sherpa. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Safely back in base camp, the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team spent the day re-introducing themselves to the luxuries of life off of the mountain! After a great day successfully reaching the summit on the day prior, the team relaxed, celebrated, and began getting prepared to make their way back down the valley. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the autumn 2024 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – today is November 8th. Today, we had a rest day here in base camp (4600m/15,100ft) after our successful summit push. Yesterday, we topped out on Ama Dablam at about 7:30 AM in the morning, and then we descended all the way back down to base camp and had a nice dinner here and got a good nights sleep.

So, we spent today taking showers and getting packed and prepared for our trek back down the valley to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). Our plan is to leave for Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) tomorrow morning and then finish off the trek the following day.

All in all, we had a fantastic summit push! Two days ago, or three days ago on November 5th, we moved up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft). The following day, we moved to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft), rested most of the day, and then that evening at about 11:00 PM we started our summit climb and topped out at about 7:30 AM in the morning! The climbing conditions were perfect – zero wind and perfectly clear skies, which meant we had great views of the peaks around us and before the sun came up, excellent views of a brilliant, starry sky over the Himalayas!

So, all is well here in base camp and we’ll be in touch from Namche Bazaar tomorrow!

Our climber, Joe, stepping onto the summit! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Joe, stepping onto the summit! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Camp 2. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Camp 2. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Celebratory cake back in base camp the evening after our team summited!

Celebratory cake back in base camp the evening after our team summited!

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 Summits!

It comes with great excitement to share that at 7:36 AM local time on November 7, the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team successfully reached the summit! The team left their tents at Camp 2 and climbed through the night, navigating technical terrain under starry skies. In the morning hours, the sun began to come up revealing excellent views of many surrounding peaks and the route below. It was near perfect weather and route conditions for our summit day! After taking the final few steps onto the summit, the team shared hugs and high-fives in celebration before reporting the good news to our other teams in the Khumbu region. The team is now safely back in base camp and will begin to pack their bags and start their departure from the Himalaya soon! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam:

Hello from base camp! This morning we summited Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) from Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) in excellent weather. We left Camp 2 at about 11 p.m. and stepped onto the summit not long after sunrise in perfectly clear skies without a breath of wind. After soaking up the views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Makalu (8463m/27,766ft), Kanchenjunga (8586m/28,169ft) and other peaks, we descended all the way here to base camp (4600m/15,100ft). We just wrapped up dinner and we’re looking forward to some well-earned sleep!

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 summit rotation on Ama Dablam has started!

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

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team has started their summit rotation! After several days of rest and relaxation, we’ve shouldered our packs and left the comforts of our base camp. With good weather ahead, we plan to continue climbing up the mountain, with hopes of standing on the summit in just a few days time! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam:

Hello from Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft)! This morning we moved here from base camp (4600m/15,100ft) through a dusting of fresh snow. Now we’re settled in our tents and waiting for our dinners to cook.

The team is doing well. We’re looking forward to a pleasant night here and a scenic climb to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) 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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First rotation complete!

Views of Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team is safely back in base camp after completing the first rotation on the mountain! Weather has continued to be excellent so far, offering the team beautiful views and climbing conditions as they climbed their way up the mountain. With some rest and recovery ahead, we’ll begin to prepare for the summit rotation starting soon! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the autumn 2024 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – today is November 1st.

Over the last few days, we completed our acclimatization rotation. The team spent two nights at Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) and we made a foray up toward Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft), and now the whole team is back down in base camp (4600m/15,100ft). We’re resting now and we’ll be preparing for our summit push which is coming soon!

All in all, it was a great time up on the mountain, really beautiful weather! The good days have just continued, clear skies and great views. And, really fun scrambling on the way up to Camp 1 and up to Camp 2.

So, all is well here in Nepal and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Our climbers, Joe and Thierry, in Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers, Joe and Thierry, in Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Kat, Joe, and Thierry approaching Camp 1! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Kat, Joe, and Thierry approaching Camp 1! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

All smiles back in base camp! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

All smiles back in base camp! (Photo by 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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Training and Puja Day!

The team after their puja in base camp, with Ama Dablam in the background!

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team had a busy day in base camp as they prepare for their first rotation! After awaking to sunny skies, the team conducted their pre-climb puja ceremony to ask the mountain for safe passage before heading up. Following the ceremony, the team went out into the field for technical training to review and simulate the route that lies ahead. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the fall 2024 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – today is October 29th.

Today, we had a really nice day actually, a nice busy day! This morning was our pre-climb Puja. So, that’s our ceremony that we do before every climb to ask the mountain for safe passage before we start moving up above base camp (4600m/15,100ft). Then we had a nice lunch of salmon steaks, and sandwiches, and a good beef and tomato soup! And then, after lunch we headed over to the training location not far from base camp and we practiced our technical skills: ascending fixed lines in steep terrain, rappelling, transitions, all of the above. Everyone did really well with that! Now, we’re just walking back to base camp. It’s a little misty and we’re looking forward to moving up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) tomorrow to start our rotation.

Also tonight, we will have another movie night. So far we’ve watched Top Gun: Maverick, and then last night we started The Godfather, but that’s a really long movie, so we made it about halfway through. We’ll probably finish it off tonight! And that’s about it.

So, all is well here in Nepal and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Our climber, Tom, practicing technical skills with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Tom, practicing technical skills with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Joe, one of our Ama Dablam climbers practicing technical skills! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Joe, one of our Ama Dablam climbers practicing technical skills! (Photo by 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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Acclimatizing for Ama Dablam!

Evening light on Ama Dablam above our base camp.

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team spent the day acclimatizing as they continue to prepare for their climb! More beautiful views fueled the team as they climbed up towards Camp 1. The team couldn’t ask for better weather on the expedition so far and with more good weather tomorrow, the team will conduct their Puja ceremony along with technical skills training near their base camp. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the fall, 2024 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – today is October 28.

Today, we woke up to another beautiful day here – no wind, nice sunshine. So, we went for a hike up to Yak Camp, which is about a little over halfway, two-thirds of the way up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft). It was a really nice hike, great views all around the valley, Thamserku (6608m/21,680ft), Kangtega (6782m/22,251ft), up toward Cho Oyu (8188m/26,864ft), Cholatse (6440m/21,130 ft), Taboche (6495m/21,309ft) – all the beautiful peaks around here! Then, we came down for a nice lunch and we’ve been relaxing this evening.

Tomorrow, we are looking forward to our Puja, our pre-climb ceremony to ask the mountains for safe passage! Then, we’ll be doing some technical training later in the day.

So, all is well here and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Fresh apple pie for dessert in base camp this evening!

Fresh apple pie for dessert in base camp this evening!

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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