Tag Archive for: Everest Base Camp

Safely back in Base Camp

The team together earlier in the expedition.

With happy hearts, we’re excited to report that the entire Madison Mountaineering team is now safely off of the mountain and heading home! Some of the team is back in Kathmandu, reintroducing themselves to the comforts of life in the city. A few team members, guides, the Sherpa team, and base camp staff are wrapping up the season in Everest Base Camp! While climbers are quick to pack their bags one last time before boarding their flights back home, there are sure to be many hugs and ‘see you laters’ as this special season comes to a close. We are so proud of the entire team for another incredible season in the Himalaya! With over 30 summits on Mount Everest, memories, and new friends that will last a lifetime, the past month and a half is one we won’t soon forget. With that, we are proud to present the 2026 Mount Everest summiteers list:

# Name Nationality
1 Francisco Arenas United States of America
2 Richard Draves United States of America
3 Ashley Keightley United States of America
4 Brandon Scott Canada
5 Andrew Green United States of America
6 Frank McCarthy Ireland
7 Pratyay Poddar United Kingdom
8 Tomas Walsh United States of America
9 Jeffery Arnold Canada
10 Reid Tileston United States of America
11 Garrett Madison United States of America
12 Terray Sylvester United States of America
13 Juan Pablo Escobar Argentina
14 Javier Beiza Argentina
15 Aang Phurba Sherpa Nepal
16 Dawa Sange Sherpa Nepal
17 Dorchi Sherpa Nepal
18 Chhong Ngima Sherp Nepal
19 Ngima Tashi Sherpa Nepal
20 Sumba Sherpa Nepal
21 Shere Thapa Magar Nepal
22 Ngima Sona Sherpa Nepal
23 Lale Tamang Nepal
24 Dawa Sungder Sherpa Nepal
25 Nima Sange Sherpa Nepal
26 Pemba Sherp Nepal
27 Pemba Serwa Nepal
28 Chheten Dorgee Sherpa Nepal
29 Dorchi one Sherpa Nepal
30 Siddhi Tamang Nepal
31 Hira Bhote Nepal
32 R D Tamang Nepal
33 Mane Tamang Nepal
34 Santosh Bhote Nepal

Bookings for the 2027 Mount Everest expedition are OPEN! Reach out to our team to learn more. We are already looking forward to coming back again next year!

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this closing dispatch from Mount Everest:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition team.

We are all down off the mountain now. The last of us, myself, Terray, Reid, and Jeff, along with our incredible Sherpa team came down to base camp (5364m/17,598ft) today from Camp IV (7900m/25,919ft). Everyone’s down from Camp II (6500m/21,325ft). And we’re happy that the whole crew is safely down off the mountain.

Most of our main team is already down in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft), enjoying the city life, and hot showers, warm beds, and looking forward to getting home soon.

It’s been a great expedition! Just incredible success all around. Everybody who went for the summit made it. That’s 10 clients, four guides, and, over 20 Nepal Sherpa. So just an amazing expedition! Very thankful, very grateful we were so fortunate and had so much success and safety all around.

So it’s been a great season here in Nepal. So fortunate, so thankful, and we’ll check in soon.

(From left to right) Aang Phurba Sherpa, Garrett Madison, and Jeff Arnold nearing base camp after descending from Camp IV.

(From left to right) Aang Phurba Sherpa, Garrett Madison, and Jeff Arnold nearing base camp after descending from Camp IV.

Looking up at the summit from the South Col.

Looking up at the summit from the South Col.

The team moving together beneath the Lhotse Face.

The team moving together beneath the Lhotse Face.

 

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:

/0 Comments/by

More Everest Summits on May 27!

Summit! Some of the team at the top of the world...

At 18:57 NPT, we received word from the South Col that the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team had successfully reached the summit and made it back down to Camp IV! It comes with great pleasure to share this exciting news that nine climbers, guides, and Sherpas topped out at the world’s highest point today, adding to the total from a few days prior. The team enjoyed excellent views and no crowds while climbing on the way to the summit. With the summit to themselves, the celebration commenced, summit photos were taken, and the moment cherished before turning back. What an incredible way to finish the 2026 climbing season on Mount Everest! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in from Camp IV:

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

We have great news to report… Today, the last members of our expedition, Everest team all reached the summit! That’s myself, Jeff Arnold, Terray Sylvester, Reid Tileston, along with the incredible Sherpa team: Siddhi Ghising, and Mani, and Ardi, and Hira, and Santosh. And we are all back in Camp IV (7900m/25,919ft) now, safe and sound, resting, recovering, and planning to head down to Camp II (6500m/21,325ft) and base camp (5364m/17,598ft) the following day.

(We) had a great day! The weather cooperated, winds dropped down, and we had some great views on the way up. It was a little cloudy up top, but not crowded at all, and we just had a wonderful time up there. A great way to conclude our expedition with all the members that were up here at the South Col, and going for the summit, topping out on Everest!

So, been a fantastic expedition, and we will check in soon.

Summit photo atop Mount Everest!

Summit photo atop Mount Everest!

Clear skies and excellent views while climbing high on Everest.

Clear skies and excellent views while climbing high on Everest.

Garrett Madison on the summit for his 16th time.

Garrett Madison on the summit for his 16th time.

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:

/0 Comments/by

Summit rotation about to begin!

Oxygen systems briefing in Everest Base Camp.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team is about to begin their summit rotation! In a few short hours, the team will emerge from their base camp tents, shoulder their packs, and begin their final rotation on the mountain. The team has put in the work, and are feeling strong and ready! To start, we’ll climb through the Khumbu Icefall to Camp 2. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition team.

We are off tonight, heading up from base camp (5364m/17,598ft) on our way up the mountain towards Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft). We’re tentatively targeting May 25th for a summit date. So we’ll get up to Camp 2 over the next couple days and recheck the weather forecast, reevaluate, fine tune our summit plan.

But everyone is doing great! The team is in good spirits. Everyone’s very healthy, well nourished, strong, and excited for what lies ahead. So, fingers crossed, we’ll get lucky with some good weather and good conditions. And looking forward to the climb ahead! 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:

/0 Comments/by

Back in Everest Base Camp!

Returning back to Everest Base Camp after a successful acclimatization rotation.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team made it back to their base camp safe and sound, marking the end of their acclimatization efforts on the mountain. With clear skies overhead, the team made their way down from Camp 2, through the Khumbu Icefall and into Everest Base Camp. Next up, the team will rest, recover, and start to prepare for their summit rotation! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in from Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft).

We had a great first rotation up to Camps 1 (6050m/19,849ft) and 2 (6500m/21,325ft), touched Camp 3 (7230m/23,720ft) yesterday. Great views up there, and made our way down to base camp today.

The team’s all back here. We just had dinner, resting up. Actually, Terray and Reid stayed up at Camp 2 and slept at Camp 3 last night, and made it back down to Camp 2 today. So they’re doing great, and we’ll check in with them tomorrow.

But, all’s well here! The weather’s cleared up, so we got some nice views. Everyone’s happy to be down, and we’ll check in soon!

Headlamps line the Lhotse Face under a clear night sky.

Headlamps line the Lhotse Face under a clear night sky.

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:

/1 Comment/by

Through the Icefall

Camp 1 on Mount Everest

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has embarked on their next acclimatization rotation, through the Khumbu Icefall and into Camp 1. They’ll spend time here acclimatizing before packing up, once again, and moving higher up the mountain. This time is an essential part of our Everest expedition. The team is in good spirits and excited to be climbing! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in from Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft) on Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft), 19,450 feet.

Today, we departed base camp (5364m/17,598ft) at 1:00 AM and climbed up through the Khumbu Icefall. It was pretty snowy and cloudy, but the route was in really good condition. Great conditions all around, seemed really safe, comparably, and good time! We made good time getting up to Camp 1.

So everyone’s doing great up here! We just finished dinner. The clouds have parted, we have some great views of Everest, Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), surrounding peaks, Pumori (7165m/23,507ft). So, beautiful evening up here in Camp 1.

We’re going to take a rest day tomorrow. All is well here in Camp 1 on Mount Everest! We’ll check in soon. Thanks!

Crossing a crevasse in the icefall

Crossing a crevasse in the icefall

Navigating the Khumbu Icefall

Navigating the Khumbu Icefall

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:

/0 Comments/by

First steps into the Khumbu Icefall

First foray into the Khumbu Icefall (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Today, the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition took their first steps into the Khumbu Icefall. With clear skies and solid trainings under their belt, the team moved efficiently through the lower section of the route. It was a good taste of the climbing to come in the next few days when they’ll shoulder their packs and climb to Camp 1 (and beyond) as part of another acclimatization rotation. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this update after a fun day in the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition.

Today, we had a training climb up through the Khumbu Icefall, partway to get familiar with the route. It was great! We had perfect weather, and nice views all around. It was really fun climbing up the steep sections, around seracs, crevasses, and back down the fixed ropes to our base camp (5364m/17,598ft)!

So all’s well. We are going to take a rest day tomorrow and plan to head up the following day to Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft), start our first rotation! Everyone’s doing great and we’ll check in soon.

Climbing up the lower section of the route with Everest looming high above.

Climbing up the lower section of the route with Everest looming high above.

First steps into the icefall.

First steps into the icefall.

Climbers navigating the Khumbu Icefall with blue skies overhead.

Climbers navigating the Khumbu Icefall with blue skies overhead.

Back for dinner!

Back for dinner!

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:

/0 Comments/by

Almost ready for the next rotation!

The team together on an acclimatization hike as they await the next rotation.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has been busy in base camp, as well as higher on the mountain. While the climbing team continues their technical trainings and acclimatization efforts, the Sherpa team has been hard at work up in Camp 2 preparing our camps staged higher up the route. Our climbing team plans to follow the Sherpa teams path soon so that they can continue to adapt their bodies to the higher altitudes and familiarize themselves with the route. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition team.

We are in Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) and the team is doing well. We’ve been training the last few days, going on acclimatization hikes, and enjoying the comforts of base camp here: great meals, hot showers, movies, a lot of good times, good camaraderie here in base camp.

Our Sherpa team, meanwhile, has been hard at work. They’ve been up to Camp 2 twice in the last three days carrying loads, working to get our Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) set up. We’ve had 28 of our Nepal Sherpa staff up there each time.

We’re looking forward to starting our first rotation here in a few days time, getting our team up there to acclimatize to gain some familiarity with the climbing route and to see the upper mountain!

So, all is well here at Everest Base Camp. We’re definitely psyched the season is progressing well and we’ll check in soon! 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:

/0 Comments/by

Full Steam Ahead!

The team together following our Puja ceremony (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has been hard at work in Everest Base Camp! Following the first rotation on Lobuche East, the team welcomed our express climbers, continued their technical trainings and acclimatization efforts, and took part in the Puja Ceremony where we ask the mountain for safe passage. Meanwhile, our Sherpa team loaded up and left for Camp 2 where they’ll start to establish our higher camps. It won’t be too long before we start the move up for our next rotation! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Everest:

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

We’ve had a great couple days training here in base camp (5364m/17,598ft) practicing ascending fixed-lines, traversing, arm repelling, descending. (We’ve) enjoyed some great weather here, some really good technical training, which also helps us with our acclimatization.

Our Sherpa team went up to Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) today and established our campsite there, and is building Camp 2 in preparation for us to move up in a weeks time, approximately. So, everything’s going smoothly here!

We’re glad the Khumbu Icefall is open, and the route is clear, navigable, and seems very safe. So everything is going full steam ahead here on Mount Everest!

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:

/0 Comments/by

Weekend Update from Mount Everest

Summit photo atop Lobuche East!

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition teams have been keeping busy all over the Khumbu Valley! Over the weekend, our main team successfully summited Lobuche Peak, which is where we hold our first acclimatization rotation. Meanwhile, the Everest Express team flew from Kathmandu to Pheriche and are working their way up towards Everest Base Camp. Not too far away as the crow flies, we also had successful summits on Island Peak! Wherever the teams were at, we enjoyed excellent weather and had lots of fun in such a special place. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

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

Our main team returned back to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) after climbing Lobuche Peak (6119m/20,075ft) with great conditions and great views up top – a nice way to continue working on skill development, and getting some acclimatization and training in!

Our Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) team just summited Island Peak. Congrats to Sandra and CR!

Myself and three of our express climbers are now in Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft) heading to Everest Base Camp! So we’ll all be together in Everest Base Camp tomorrow.

The weather’s been great; blue skies, clear views. We’re just patiently keeping an eye on the Khumbu Icefall route, that currently has an impasse, watching and waiting, as the ice fall doctor team continues to try to find a safe way up through the difficult section.

All is well here at Everest Base Camp in Nepal! We’ll check in soon.

Technical training in Everest Base Camp

Technical training in Everest Base Camp

Technical training in Everest Base Camp

Technical training in Everest Base Camp

Technical training in Everest Base Camp

Technical training in Everest Base Camp

Excellent views while climbing Lobuche East!

Excellent views while climbing Lobuche East!

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:

/0 Comments/by

Checked into the Madison Mountaineering Everest Base Camp!

The Madison Mountaineering team in Everest Base Camp!

Welcome “home” to the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team! We’ve arrived in Everest Base Camp and are getting ourselves familiar with our home for the next month or so. The team finally got to meet our Sherpa team, who’s been hard at work getting base camp setup. Everyone is in good spirits and excited to be here! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition team.

We have reached Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft)! Had a beautiful day trekking up from Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft) with wonderful views of Everest and the surrounding peaks. It’s really nice to meet our Sherpa team and start to settle in. We’re gonna wake up tomorrow, see off our trekkers, and start dialing in our systems here and getting familiar with our home for the next month.

Everyone’s doing great! We’re excited to be here and we’ll check in soon.

Living the base camp life!

Living the base camp life!

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:

/0 Comments/by