Tag Archive for: Himalaya

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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Up to Camp 1 Tomorrow!

Returning from Camp 1 while acclimatizing today!

The team acclimatized one last time today before they plan to move up to Camp 1 tomorrow. Spirits are high and the team enjoyed a good meal while relaxing this evening! 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 17th.

Today our second wave of climbers, Becks and Chase, acclimatized by hiking up to lower Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) and back down to base camp (4859m/15,944ft). Then we had dinner – hamburgers with strawberry cake afterward, and we’re just relaxing watching Wedding Crashers.

Tomorrow in the afternoon, we plan to move on up to Camp 1.

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

Leaving Base Camp en route to Camp 1.

Leaving Base Camp en route to Camp 1.

Aang Phurba Sherpa and our climber, Becks, with tonights strawberry cake!

Aang Phurba Sherpa and our climber, Becks, with tonights strawberry cake!

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 Above Manaslu Base Camp

Acclimatizing above Manaslu base camp.

The Madison Mountaineering team spent today acclimatizing above base camp as they excitedly wait to move up to Camp 1 on the planets eighth highest peak. 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 September 16th.

Today, we acclimatized above base camp (4859m/15,944ft), then returned, rested, had a good dinner and watched a movie. We’re just heading to bed and looking forward to another acclimatization hike tomorrow, as we prepare to move to Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft).

We’ll be in touch!

Fresh apple pie to welcome our climbers, Chase and Becks, to base camp!

Fresh apple pie to welcome our climbers, Chase and Becks, to base camp!

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 Team Primed for First Rotation

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

The team welcomed in more climbers to the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition today! Now fully assembled, the team will continue their acclimatization efforts in the next few days, before ascending to Camp 1. 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 Thursday, September 15th.

Today our second wave of climbers arrived at base camp (4859m/15,944ft) – they hiked up from Samagaun (3530m/11,581ft) in slightly rainy weather. So, we’re looking forward to starting the acclimatizing from here, and then heading up to Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft) in not too many days.

So, all is well here in base camp 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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More Strong Climbers Joining the Expedition!

Mules laden with supplies on the trail to base camp. (📸: Terray Sylvester)

Today, our second wave of climbers made the helicopter flight from Kathmandu to Samagaun – we’re excited to have them join us in base camp in the next few days! The team already settled into base camp is resting and preparing for their move up to Camp 1. 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 14th.

Today, our second wave of climbers took a helicopter from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) to Samagaun (3530m/11,581ft). They plan to acclimatize there and then move up to base camp (4859m/15,944ft), hopefully soon. Meanwhile in base camp, our other climber has been resting after acclimatizing for the move to Camp 1 (5700m, 18,700ft).

So, all is well here! We just finished dinner, are watching a movie and are heading to bed soon. 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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Resting Up at 15,000 Feet

Our Mountain Hardwear Space Station dome in Manaslu Base Camp. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team took a rest day today in base camp as they continue to prepare for their climb in the coming days. 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 10th.

Today we took another rest day in base camp (4859m/15,944ft). It was sunny in the morning and then rained a bit in the afternoon. We just wrapped up dinner; we had some curried chicken, fresh vegetables, and then a strawberry cake for dessert. Then we watched Aquaman and we’re heading to bed now.

So, we’ll be in touch tomorrow from Manaslu!

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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