Tag Archive for: Cholatse

Tengoche Monastery

Entering Tengboche Gompa (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team took to the trail again today, leaving their stay in Namche Bazaar and continuing on to Deboche. The team trekked under clear skies and with excellent views of the surrounding peaks, and some wildlife too! Along the way, we stopped at Tengboche Monastery which is the largest gompa in the region, then made our way to the neighboring cafe to fuel up before pushing onto our next stop. 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 25th.

Today we trekked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). It was another fantastic day here in the Khumbu Valley; blue skies, not a cloud in sight! So we had great views of some of the many giant peaks in this region including Taboche (6495m/21,309ft) and Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), Thamserku (6623m/21,729ft), Kangtega (6782m/22,251ft), Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and our objective, Ama Dablam.

We stopped for lunch in Phunki Tenga (3250m/10,663ft), and then we climbed the hill through the rhododendron forests to Tengboche Monastery. We toured the monastery, and then afterwards we relaxed at the cafe next door, had some espresso drinks and pastries.Then we descended to Deboche.

We also had two wildlife sightings today. We saw Himalayan Goral in the rhododendrons below Tengboche, and we spotted a Danphe as well. Those are also called Himalayan Monal, it’s a brightly colored bird that is the national bird of Nepal!

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to moving to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). Well be in touch then!

Our climber, Calvin, exploring Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Calvin, exploring Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Rhonda, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Rhonda, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, visiting Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, visiting Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A massive prayer wheel at Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A massive prayer wheel at Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Great weather in the Khumbu Valley! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Great weather in the Khumbu Valley! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Departing from the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Departing from the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

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 views of Ama Dablam!

First views of Ama Dablam (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team finally laid eyes on their objective after several days trekking up the valley. Let’s just say it was worth every step to get there and the team is more excited than ever! After a nice hike, the team sat down for a break to take in the views and some tea, then returned back down to their hotel where they’ll spend one more night before we pack our bags and continue on our way towards the mountain. 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 24th.

Today we had an active-rest day here in Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). We hiked up to the Everest View Hotel, relaxed there, had some tea, and then visited Sagarmatha Next, an environmental NGO in Syangboche, just above Namche Bazaar. And then returned to our lodge and rested for the rest of the afternoon. Today was a beautiful day; clear blue skies, not a cloud in the sky. So we had great views of Ama Dablam, plus Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Taboche (6495m/21,309ft), Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), and many other peaks surrounding us.

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to moving to Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). We’ll be in touch then!

The team at the Everest View Hotel with views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team at the Everest View Hotel with views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Views of the Everest Massif (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Views of the Everest Massif (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A spectacular day in the Khumbu (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A spectacular day in the Khumbu (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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Acclimatization Day in the Khumbu

Excellent Himalayan views during our acclimatization day

What a day! The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team continued their acclimatization efforts by doing a hike that climbs high above the Khumbu Valley, before descending back down for another night in Pheriche. The team was treated to awesome views of many of the peaks that line the valley below, and then had a well-deserved lunch at Cafe 4411; one of our favorite places to stop on the trek to Everest. Onwards and upwards again tomorrow! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checked in with this dispatch from Pheriche:

Hey, this is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition!

Today, we went for an acclimatization hike out of Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft), climbed up to about 16,800 feet. We had some great views today! Beautiful views of the surrounding peaks: Makalu (8463m/27,766ft), Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft), Taboche (6495m/21,309ft), Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft). We came back down for lunch in Dingboche (4410m/14,470ft) at Cafe 4411. And now we’re settling in for dinner here tonight in Pheriche.

So tomorrow, our plan is to head up to Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft) for a night or two, and then on to base camp (5364m/17,598ft).

Everyone’s doing well! We are just having a wonderful time up here, beautiful days. Happy to be in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal!

Views during an acclimatization hike above Pheriche

Views during an acclimatization hike above Pheriche

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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Visiting Sagarmatha Next

The team on the way to the Everest View Hotel (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering environmental restoration team had another great day while acclimatizing in and around Namche Bazaar! After enjoying a hearty breakfast at their tea house, the team hiked up to the Everest View Hotel for acclimatization, tea, and snacks. On the way back to their lodge, they stopped by Sagarmatha Next, one of our partners in removing waste from the region—ensuring it is either properly disposed of or transformed into art by the organization’s resident artists. Expedition Leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Gokyo Ri, Lobuche East and Island Peak environmental restoration trek – today is October 22nd.

Today we had a nice breakfast here at the Panorama Lodge where we’re staying in Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft), and then we hiked up to the Everest View Hotel. It was another beautiful morning here in the Khumbu Valley! And so this morning we had our first clear views of the Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) Massif. Everest itself was partly obscured by a lenticular cloud, but really nice views of Lhotse and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), as well as Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) and Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), and Taboche (6495m/21,309ft), plus other peaks around the Khumbu Valley.

And then after the Everest View Hotel, we walked over to Sagarmatha Next. Sagarmatha Next is an NGO that raises awareness around waste management issues here in the Khumbu. Since this is an environmental restoration trek, we’ll be partnering with them, yet again, for the third time on this itinerary. We plan to pick up trash at Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft), and perhaps other locations around the Khumbu. Then, if we find any clean mountaineering equipment, such as old ropes or crampons, or other items, we’ll send those over to Sagarmatha Next, where it will be turned into art by their resident artists. So it’s great to partner with them again!

We headed back down to the Panorama Inn for lunch and we rested the rest of the evening. We’re looking forward to trekking to Dole (4038m/13,248ft) tomorrow! We’ll be in touch.

Visiting Sagarmatha Next, and one of its founders, Tommy Gustafsson (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Visiting Sagarmatha Next, and one of its founders, Tommy Gustafsson (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Steve McConnell at Sagarmatha Next (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Steve McConnell at Sagarmatha Next (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Beautiful views above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Beautiful views above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam towers high above the valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam towers high above the valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Rick Irvine enjoying the beautiful fall weather (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Rick Irvine enjoying the beautiful fall 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 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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