Tag Archive for: Camp 2

Checking in from Camp 3!

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team checked in from Camp 3 today after finding a bit of cell service at over 22,000 feet! Good weather throughout this rotation has allowed the team to move between base camp and Camp 3, where they reached their high point on the expedition so far. They’ve returned to Camp 2 for one last night of acclimatization and sleep before they plan to return to base camp tomorrow, where they’ll begin to get ready for their summit push! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 17th.

We are currently just a few meters below Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) and we happen to have a bit of cell service, so I thought I’d send in a dispatch from here. Everything’s been going really well on this rotation! We spent a night at Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft), and then we bumped up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft). We’ll spend one more night at Camp 2 after we touch Camp 3, and then we’ll head back down to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) tomorrow, the 18th. The weather’s been really good! We had perfectly clear skies for a lot of yesterday as we climbed up to Camp 2 and we woke up to a beautiful, clear morning today as well.

So, all is well here in Nepal and we will 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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Manaslu Camp 2

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team reached Camp 2 today in good form and near-perfect conditions on the mountain! We plan to continue up tomorrow towards Camp 3 with hopes of more good weather in the forecast. The intermittent views of the peaks surrounding continue to inspire the team and spirits are staying high! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 2:

Hello from Camp 2 (6270m/20,550ft)! Today we enjoyed a fun climb here from Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) in almost perfect weather: no precipitation and a light overcast to moderate the heat. Now we’ve moved into our camp here at 6,270m / 20,550′ and we’re relaxing until dinner, with occasional views of the upper mountain above us, plus Manaslu North (7157m/22,946ft), Larkya Peak (6249m/20,501ft), Naike Peak (6211m/20,377ft), and Samdo Peak (5177m/16,985ft). Tomorrow we’re looking forward to an acclimatization hike toward Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) on Manaslu’s North Col.

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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Second rotation is underway!

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team is back on the mountain! The climb to Camp 1 marks the start of their second rotation on the world’s eighth-highest peak and the team is feeling strong with the acclimatization they gained from their first few days in Camp 1, just a short time ago. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1:

Hello from Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft)! This morning we climbed back to our tent platforms here at 5700m under sunny skies. There was a layer of clouds below extending down the Nubri Valley — a beautiful sight as we made our way up the Manaslu Glacier. In the words of our climber, James, the team is ‘highly motivated,’ feeling the benefits of the extra red blood cells we gained on our previous rotation, and glad to settle back into Camp 1 in great weather. 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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Rest Day on Manaslu!

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team took a well-deserved rest day today following their first rotation on the mountain! The team won’t be getting too comfortable as they plan to move back up the mountain soon to continue their acclimatization efforts. Nutritious meals, showers, and a movie are welcome comforts at nearly 16,000 feet above sea level. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hi! This is Terray calling in from Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) base camp (4859m/15,944ft) – today is September 14th.

Today we had a rest day here in BC. It was a really nice day! We dried out our things, got some showers, had some nice meals, and we’re just about to have dinner and then watch a movie. Tomorrow, we plan to move back up to Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) to start another rotation. We’ll spend one night at Camp 1 and then likely head on up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft) for one or two nights. After that, we’ll return to base camp and we should be in good shape at that point for our eventual summit push!

So, all is well here in base camp! Today was really a nice day and 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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Back in Base Camp after the first rotation!

Two of our team members amid dramatic scenery above Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team has returned to base camp after a successful first rotation on the mountain, climbing above Camp 1 and into the icefall that separates Camp 1 from the next camp. With some weather in the forecast over the next few days, the team plans to rest and prepare for a second acclimatization rotation before leaving on their summit push. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 13th.

Today we woke up to about a foot of fresh snow up in Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft). It was still snowing heavily and there was more snow in the forecast, so we decided to descend to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) instead of continuing up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft). We got here a bit before lunch, dried out, and we just wrapped up dinner and a movie.

We’re going to spend tomorrow resting and then prepare for our next rotation as soon as the weather permits! But, we had a really great rotation up to Camp 1. We spent two nights there and made a foray up into the icefall between Camps 1 and 2, so it was a good step as we acclimatize for our eventual summit push.

All is well here in Nepal and we will be in touch tomorrow!

The dog that climbed all the way from base camp to camp 1 the same day we did. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The dog that climbed all the way from base camp to camp 1 the same day we did. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team approaching the outskirts of Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team approaching the outskirts of Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Eyeing the path ahead... (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Eyeing the path ahead… (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Moving to Camp 1 from base camp in great weather. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Moving to Camp 1 from base camp in great weather. (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 in Camp 1

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team had a productive day in Camp 1! We started our day by taking an acclimatization hike further up the route, allowing our climbers to get familiar with the climbing still to come, all while building the red blood cells that help us to climb higher and higher on the mountain. Tomorrow, our team will descend back down to our base camp where we’ll rest and get ready for the next rotation! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1 on Manaslu:

Today we rested in Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft). In the morning we went for an acclimatization foray into the icefall that separates Camp 1 from Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft), then returned to our tents for a lunch of cheese and bacon quesadillas. With unexpectedly heavy snow in the forecast, we plan to descend to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) tomorrow to rest for our next rotation.

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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Broad Peak Summits!

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

It comes with great pleasure to share that the Madison Mountaineering Broad Peak expedition team has successfully reached the summit, standing atop the world’s 12th-highest peak! Climber, Matthew Holt alongside Aang Phurba Sherpa and Temba Sherpa gathered on the summit and shared hugs and high-fives before starting their descent. More updates and photos to come from their climb!

Meanwhile, the K2 expedition team climbed from Camp 2 to Camp 3 today, navigating the Black Pyramid – a steep rock face that separates the two camps. With another good day of climbing under their belts, the team has crawled into their tents for the night with plans to continue their climb tomorrow! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 3:

Greetings from Camp 3 (7250m/23,800ft) on K2 (8611m/28,251ft). All good here. Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft) team made summit today, Matthew, Aang Phurba & Temba Sherpa!

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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Camp 2 on K2

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

The Madison Mountaineering K2 expedition team has crawled into their sleeping bags after another great day of climbing in the Karakoram. The route from Camp 1 to Camp 2 involves climbing mixed-terrain and the famous House’s Chimney, one of the cruxes of the route! Spirits are high and the views from 6700m / 21,980ft can’t be beaten. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 2:

Greetings from camp 2 (6700m/21,980ft), all good here! Nice views, planning to head to camp 3 (7250m/23,800ft) 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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Down to Camp 2!

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

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team descended from Camp 4 today on Mount Everest, down the Lhotse Face and over 4,000 vertical feet back to Camp 2. Now back in the Western Cwm and the comforts of a heated dining tent, the team recounts the memories from yesterday’s summit day. Again, we are so proud of the entire team and their accomplishments this season! Climber, Courtenay Roche checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Camp 2:

Hello, friends of Madison Mountaineering! Courtenay here with a very exciting post-summit dispatch. As you probably heard from Garrett yesterday, all of our climbers and our amazing Sherpa team summited Everest (8848m/29,032ft) at 8:00 AM on Thursday, May 23rd – a day none of us will soon forget!

After basking in the warmth of our accomplishments and our -40 degree sleeping bags in Camp 4 (7900m/25,919ft) on Thursday night, it was time to head down the mountain. As my childhood idol and friend of Madison Mountaineering Ed Viesturs famously says, “Getting to the top is optional, getting down is mandatory.” Well, we have used his directive and have made it safely down to Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) losing over 4,000 feet of elevation in just a few hours.

I’m currently dispatching from the comfort of our heated Camp 2 dining tent – a luxury after four days of freeze-dried meals up high on the mountain! We are all certainly eager to be reunited with our base camp (5364m/17,598ft) friends and the amenities tomorrow. Thank you for following along with our many expeditions this season. We’ve got just one more dispatch to go!

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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100% Summit Success!

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

It comes with great pleasure to share that 100% of the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has successfully reached the highest point on Earth at 8,848 meters/29,032 feet – the summit of Mount Everest! The team all gathered on the top to share photos, hugs, and high-fives before safely making the descent back to Camp 4. After some well-deserved rest tonight, they’ll continue their descent tomorrow down to Camp 2. Congratulations to the entire team on this incredible achievement! We are so proud and look forward to welcoming everyone back into base camp soon. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 4:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition climb. Today is May 23rd and I’m happy to report that we all summited Mount Everest, 100 percent success and all safely back in Camp 4 (7900m/25,919ft)! That’s four climber/clients, myself as the guide/expedition leader, plus our stellar Sherpa team! We’ll put out that name list shortly, but all in all there was about 15 of us on the summit of Everest this morning.

We had a great day, a beautiful sunrise up on the Southeast Ridge! Not too many climbers on the route. It was very uncrowded, so we enjoyed the climb and the summit! We were all up there together to celebrate and savor the moment on top, and then of course made our way safely back down to Camp 4 by about midday here on May 23rd. Everyone’s just resting, rehydrating, eating some noodles and other food, and looking forward to a good night’s rest here on oxygen, then we’ll head down to Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) tomorrow!

All is well here! (I’m) really proud of our team. Great job to everyone! (We’re) looking forward to getting down to Camp 2 tomorrow and we’ll check in then. Thank you!

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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