Tag Archive for: Camp 2

Summit Rotation has Begun!

Members of our team near Camp 2! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Today, the team started their summit rotation on Ama Dablam! The team is healthy and in good spirits with hopes to make the summit in the coming days. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with todays dispatch from Ama Dablam:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) team – today is November 3rd.

We are heading up from base camp (4600m/15,100ft) to begin our summit rotation! We’ve had a nice couple of rest days here and lots of good food, watching movies, hanging out, recharging. And today we’re gonna head up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) and tomorrow Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) or 3 (6277m/20,594 ft), and then go for the summit! So, hopefully we’ll summit around November 5th or 6th, be back in base camp a day or so after. And then, some of us will be heading towards an unclimbed peak in Nepal!

Weather’s looking great! The route conditions are looking great. The team is strong and healthy, so we’re excited for this opportunity and looking forward to getting our climb underway!

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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Perfect Conditions on the First Rotation!

Madison Mountaineering climbing team high on the southwest Ridge of Ama Dablam! Photo: Terray Sylvester

The Madison Mountaineering team has returned from their first rotation on Ama Dablam, experiencing perfect conditions and reaching Camp 2 before returning to base camp. Over the next few days, the team will rest up and continue to prepare for their summit push. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in with todays dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:

Hello and Happy Halloween! This is Garrett calling in for the Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition team – today’s October 31st.

Today we descended from Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) to our base camp (4600m/15,100ft) here at Ama Dablam. We had a great rotation – spent a couple of nights up at Camp 1 and climbed up to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) yesterday. Beautiful weather, great views all around, the team did awesome and enjoyed the fun mixed climbing on the southwest ridge – mostly rock, but a little snow. Hung out at Camp 2 for a bit yesterday, had some lunch and then descended back to Camp 1. We’re all back down in base camp now!

Gina is heading up for her summit attempt. She’s at Camp 1 tonight, but the rest of us are hanging out here in base camp, resting up and gonna make our plan for a summit attempt here over the next few days.

All is well here at base camp!

All smiles during the first rotation!

All smiles during the first rotation!

Above the clouds on Ama Dablam.

Above the clouds on Ama Dablam.

The Madison Mountaineering team on the famed 'yellow tower!'

The Madison Mountaineering team on the famed ‘yellow tower!’

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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Fantastic Weather for the First Rotation!

Our climber, Krisli, acclimatizing above base camp with Ama Dablam in the background. Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering archive. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The team awoke this morning to kick off their first rotation under crystal clear, blue bird skies with plans to spend a few nights up in Camp 1. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with a dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:

Hey! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) team.

We are heading up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) today and have a perfect day – great weather, team’s doing awesome. We’re excited to get up there for a couple of nights to acclimatize and climb up on the route towards Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft), and then we’ll be back down in base camp (4600m/15,100ft) to rest up before our summit push.

So, all good here in base camp! Everyone’s doing well. Beautiful weather – just solid, blue bird days, sunshine every day. Just feeling so lucky for this great weather and happy to be here.

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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Primed for First Rotation!

Members of our team during todays puja. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The team has arrived in base camp and is all set to begin their first rotation tomorrow! Over the course of the last few days, the team’s spent their time relaxing, doing trainings, sorting gear, acclimatizing, and taking part in a puja ceremony. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in from base camp with todays dispatch:

Hey! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition team – today is Friday, October 28th.

We arrived in base camp (4600m/15,100ft) a couple of nights ago, had a nice trek up here and base camp’s just been a great place to move into, relax, enjoy – the team’s doing well! We did some training, some gear sorting after we got here, and an acclimatization hike. Today, we did our puja ceremony!

Our plan is to head up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) for a couple of nights, starting tomorrow on our first rotation. It’ll be good to get up higher, acclimatize and check out some of the climbing route from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft). We’ll be back down in a few days!

Everyone’s doing well! We’ll check in soon. Thanks!

Acclimatizing above base camp! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Acclimatizing above base camp! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Rich, reviewing technical skills. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Rich, reviewing technical skills. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Rock, near Ama Dablam base camp! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Rock, near Ama Dablam base camp! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Stephane, receiving a blessing for long life during today's puja! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climber, Stephane, receiving a blessing for long life during today’s puja! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Puja ceremony in base camp! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Puja ceremony in base camp! Photo: 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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Sunshine, Fried Chicken, and Showers!

A little snowy weather doesn't stop the fun! Our climbers, Chase and Becks, moving to Camp 1 with Aang Phurba Sherpa. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The team had a busy day today taking advantage of the good weather on Manaslu! While one climber continued acclimatizing at Camp 3, the rest of the team spent today enjoying the sunshine in base camp, eating a good meal, and preparing for the summit push ahead. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s Thursday, September 22nd.

Today, our climber on the mountain continued her acclimatization by moving from Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft) to Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) in beautiful weather! She’ll spend one night up there and then come back down to base camp (4859m/15,944ft).

Our climber in base camp rested after his acclimatization rotation. It was a beautiful day in base camp – fully sunny for the first time in a couple of weeks! So it was great opportunity to wash clothes, take a shower, and rest up for the summit push which we’ll start soon.

We just finished dinner – fried chicken! Then we watched the Mark Wahlberg movie, Ted afterward.

We’re heading to bed now. All is well here in Nepal!

Madison Mountaineering Manaslu Base Camp (📸: Terray Sylvester)

Madison Mountaineering Manaslu Base Camp (📸: 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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First Rotation Wrapping Up!

Back in Manaslu Base Camp. Photo pulled from Madison Mountaineering Archive (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The teams first rotation is coming to an end having spent multiple nights up on the mountain between Camps 1, 2, and 3. Over the course of the next few days, the team plans to rest up in base camp while they wait for a weather window to make their summit push! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in from Manaslu base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – it’s September 21st.

Our climbers here on the mountain are wrapping up their acclimatization rotations. One of our climbers returned to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) today after having spent nights at Camps 1 (5700m/18,700ft) and 2 (6400m/21,000ft). We have another climber who’s still on the mountain planning to spend one additional night up at Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft).

So, we’re looking forward to some rest time here in base camp and then keeping our eyes out for a weather window to head for the summit!

All is well and 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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Cozy in Camp 2!

Photo from Madison Mountaineering archive. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu team arrived in Camp 2 today, under wintery conditions. While the views were few and far between, the temperature was perfect while they ascended to 21,000 feet. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini from Camp 2:

Hello from Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft)! Today is September 20th.

Our team moved well from Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft) this morning through a wintery wonderland of softly falling snow. The views were limited, but the temperature was perfect. We’ve cooked lunch, settled into our tents and are looking forward to a nice rest.

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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Blue Skies in Camp 1!

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

After multiple days of weather on the mountain, the skies opened up and the team enjoyed a beautiful rest day in Manaslu Camp 1. Views of the surrounding mountains emerged from the clouds that kept them in hiding the past few days while the team basked in the sun. Tomorrow, the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu team will continue up to Camp 2! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini from Camp 1:

We spent a pleasant rest day in Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) today, with excellent views of the upper mountain. After several days in a row with steady precipitation and no sun, the sun came out this morning and shone most of the day. We warmed up, dried out and took in our surroundings, including the beautiful snow- and ice-crusted pinnacles of Naike Peak, Larkya Peak, and Manaslu North.

Tomorrow we move to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft)!

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 is Underway!

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering Archive. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition teams’ first rotation is underway! The team has ascended to Camp 1 and is settled into their tents for the night. Tomorrow, they’ll take an active rest day while they prepare to push further up the mountain. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini from Camp 1:

Hello from Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft)!

We made good time here today from base camp (4859m/15,944ft). We’ve now settled into our tents and are eating dinner. We’re looking forward to a good nights sleep and an active rest day tomorrow before we move up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft).

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 2022 K2 Summiteers List

Members of the Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of K2!

We are pleased to announce the following Madison Mountaineering team members successfully obtained the summit of K2 (8,611 m / 28,251 ft) on July 22, 2022 at approximately 3:00 AM PKT (local time):

# Name  Country
1 Mr. Terray Ellington Sylvester USA
2 Mr. Claudio “Cacho” Javier Beiza Argentina
3 Ms. Nelly Attar Lebanon
4 Ms. Krisli Melesk Estonia
5 Mr. Aang Phurba Sherpa Nepal
6 Mr. Siddhi Bahadur Tamang Nepal
7 Mr. Dorji Gyeljen Sherpa Nepal
8 Mr. Kamdorji Sherpa Nepal
9 Mr. Lhakpa Wongchu Sherpa Nepal
10 Mr. Mingdorji Sherpa Nepal
11 Mr. Lakpa Bhote Nepal
12 Mr. Rinji Sherpa Nepal
13 Mr. Temba Sherpa Nepal
14 Mr. Lakpa Sherpa Nepal
15 Mr. Inayat Ali Pakistan

All members are now back safely in camp 4 (7681m/25,200ft) and will continue their descent to camp 2 (6700m/21,980ft).

Sunrise on summit day from above the serac.

Sunrise on summit day from above the serac.

Climbers on the upper slope of K2, above the serac.

Climbers on the upper slope of K2, above the serac.

Members of the team at the top of the bottleneck.

Members of the team at the top of the bottleneck.

Climbers making their way down from the summit!

Climbers making their way down from the summit!

Looking down from the summit of K2!

Looking down from the summit of K2!

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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