Tag Archive for: Khumbu Valley

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:

/0 Comments/by

Moving up from Namche

The team together in front of the Tengboche Monastery

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team took to the trails once again over the weekend to continue their trek towards Everest Base Camp! After fueling up for the day in Namche Bazaar, the trail climbs up and out of the village before making its way down to the river below, and climbing back up towards the Tengboche Monastery. The trail offers excellent views of Ama Dablam and other surrounding peaks, along with ample time share conversations, laughs, and smiles en route to the next stop. After a visit at the monastery and some tasty treats at a neighboring bakery, we continued on, excited for some good rest at the Rivendell Lodge. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

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

Today, we trekked from Namche (3440m/11,290ft) over and across the river, up the big hill, to Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft). That was fun to visit! We went to a bakery nearby for some coffee and pastries, then dropped down into the rhododendron forest of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to one of our favorite lodges: the Rivendell!

Everyone’s doing great! It was a wonderful day, great views, sunshine, fresh air, good exercise, and we’re in really good spirits. So, looking forward to another great day in the Khumbu Valley, trekking uphill tomorrow.

Taking to the trail with Ama Dablam towering high above

Taking to the trail with Ama Dablam towering high above

After receiving a blessing from our friends at the Panorama Lodge

After receiving a blessing from our friends at the Panorama Lodge

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

Rest day in Namche Bazaar!

The team at the Everest View Hotel with Ama Dablam and Everest peaking out from the clouds behind.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team spent the day acclimatizing around Namche Bazaar. After fueling up with breakfast, we took to the trails that lead up and out of Namche, towards the Everest View Hotel which offers excellent views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam, and more! Not to mention, a great spot to rest and enjoy tea and snacks on our active rest day. After descending back down to the team hotel, climbers rested, visited local cafes and got ready to continue on up the valley tomorrow. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

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

Today we had a great day! We hiked up from Namche (3440m/11,290ft) to the Everest View Hotel. We had wonderful views of Mount Everest, Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft), and the other surrounding peaks. It was great to hike up and check out Sagarmatha Next; the waste, recycling, and art facility. Then, we came back down for lunch.

Everyone’s doing great! It’s so nice to be up in the mountains. We’re having a wonderful time trekking in the beautiful Khumbu Valley. We’re looking forward to more great views tomorrow! We’ll check in soon.

First views of Everest!

First views of Everest!

Ama Dablam as seen from the trail.

Ama Dablam as seen from the trail.

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 in at the Panorama Lodge in Namche!

One of the many suspension bridges on the trail to Everest Base Camp!

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team checked into one of our favorite places to stay in the Khumbu Valley today, the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar! With no shortage of good weather and excellent vibes, the team is doing great and looking strong on the trek so far. We’ll spend two nights in the bustling village of Namche to acclimatize before packing our bags and continuing on up the valley! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

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

Today, we trekked up to the village of Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). We’re really happy to be here, staying in the Panorama Lodge with our good friends, Mingma Sherpa and his family. We’ve stayed here for many years and it’s just wonderful to return every year, and get to be with them and enjoy their beautiful lodge, and the town of Namche!

Great views today, some epic suspension bridges we crossed over. A few other teams and yaks on the trail, but we’re looking forward to a hike up to the Everest View Hotel tomorrow; hopefully get a view of Everest if it’s clear! And visit the Sagarmatha Next Foundation building that we work with with with our nonprofit, the Madison Mountaineering Foundation.

So, the team’s doing well! We’re happy to be here. We are having some great weather. We’re just heading uphill, living the dream!

We’ll check in soon.

All smiles and prepared to cross another suspension bridge.

All smiles and prepared to cross another suspension bridge.

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

2026 Mount Everest Expedition Team is off!

Team photo in front of the Yak and Yeti Hotel.

It’s good to be back! The 2026 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has begun their journey to the highest point on Earth. The team gathered together in Kathmandu after long flights from their homes around the globe. With gear checks done and a welcome dinner shared, we’ll continue the adventure, step by step towards Mount Everest. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison kicks off the expedition with this inaugural dispatch from Kathmandu:

Happy New Year from Kathmandu, Nepal (1400m/4,600ft)!

Our team is here, and we are excited to be flying into Lukla (2860m/9,383ft) today. The first wave of our team flew by helicopter just a few minutes ago, and the rest of us are heading out shortly. So, fingers crossed for good weather; and we’ll be up in the Khumbu Valley with some clear skies and great mountain views. 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

Makalu team en route to Base Camp!

The team at breakfast in Pangboche!

The Madison Mountaineering Makalu expedition team said ‘see you later’ to our Everest and Lhotse teams and are on their way towards Makalu! After a pleasant trek to Everest Base Camp and some productive days there spent  training and acclimatizing, they headed back down the Khumbu Valley and await their helicopter flight to their base camp. The climbing is set to start soon and everyone is excited for what’s to come! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Pangboche:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) expedition – today is April 26.

Yesterday, we departed from Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft). We trekked as far as Everest Base Camp with the main Everest (8848m/29,032ft)-Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) team to acclimatize, then we spent a few days there training and going for hikes, getting some higher altitude. But, yesterday we left and we headed down to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). We rested here last night. We’ll spend one more night here tonight, and then if the weather permits, we hope to fly to Makalu Base Camp tomorrow morning!

It’s a beautiful day here – breezy, warm, spring weather. And, we’re really looking forward to heading over to Makalu and getting started with the climbing! So, all is well here in Nepal 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:

/0 Comments/by
,

Skills training in the icefall!

Technical skills review in the lower Khumbu Icefall!

After saying ‘so-long’ to our trekking team today, our Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu teams took to the lower Khumbu Icefall to practice technical skills that they’ll use as they climb different sections of the routes. It was a beautiful day in Everest Base Camp with the sun shining down on us and comfortable temperatures at over 17,000 feet. Nuptse towers high above the team and there are spectacular views in every direction you look – it’s quite the training ground! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in from Mount Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) with our Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) teams – today is April 23rd.

Our trekking team is heading down from base camp to head back to Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) after a marvelous trek and a night here at base camp with all of us. The rest of us are settling in, had some showers, good meals, and we’re heading out to do some training in the lower icefall today. So, we’re looking forward to some skills work, technical practice.

Everyone’s doing well here, enjoying some beautiful weather, sunny skies, and just magnificent views all around. All is well here at Everest Base Camp and we’ll check in soon!

Climbers reviewing technical skills under beautiful, blue skies!

Climbers reviewing technical skills under beautiful, blue skies!

Practicing ascending fixed-lines with Nuptse towering high above.

Practicing ascending fixed-lines with Nuptse towering high above.

A section of todays training ground with Everest Base Camp behind.

A section of todays training ground with Everest Base Camp behind.

All smiles in Everest Base Camp!

All smiles in Everest Base Camp!

A perfect training ground right out our tent doors!

A perfect training ground right out our tent doors!

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
,

We made it to Everest Base Camp!

Hello, from Everest Base Camp! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams have arrived in Everest Base Camp! It’s here that our trekkers will begin their descent back down the Khumbu Valley, while our climbers fix their sights on 8,000-meter summits high above them. After settling into our temporary homes, some of the team climbed up Kala Patthar – a trekkers peak that sits above Everest Base Camp that offers excellent views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and more. It’s good to be here and we’re excited for the journey ahead! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering team.

We arrived in Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) today! Another glorious day here in the Khumbu Valley – no clouds, blue skies, magnificent views of all the peaks. Some of our team hiked up Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) and had extraordinary views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), and up at Everest Base Camp. The rest of us are, we’re all moved into base camp today, getting comfortable, settling into our home here for the next five – six weeks. (We’re) looking forward to a nice rest day tomorrow!

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

Some of our team atop Kala Patthar!

Some of our team atop Kala Patthar!

Looking up at Pumori

Looking up at Pumori

Some of our team posing in front of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse!

Some of our team posing in front of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse!

Crystal-clear views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest Base Camp.

Crystal-clear views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest 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:

/0 Comments/by
,

Acclimatizing amongst the clouds

The team at about 5,000m on Nangkartshang above Pheriche Village today (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams had a great day building their acclimatization above the village of Pheriche! After a good nights rest after the trek from Deboche to Pheriche, the team fueled up with a good breakfast and took to the trail that climbs high above the villages below. Climbing through some clouds, we ascended higher and higher up Nangkartshang Peak (5083m/16,676ft) with views of Ama Dablam and other surrounding Himalayan giants. After coming together again at the high point for the day, we took in the views, hydrated, snacked, and enjoyed each others company before descending back down to the tea house below. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Pheriche:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) team.

Today’s April 19 and we hiked up from the village of Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) on Nangkartshang Peak (5083m/16,676ft) today. We had a gear acclimatization hike and got up to about 16,700 feet or so. Everyone did awesome and we had some nice views up there! We’re back down at the lodge here in Pheriche ready for dinner.

So, wonderful day and we’re going to head up to Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft) tomorrow.

All is well here! We’ll check in soon.

Guide Cacho Beiza with his wife, Andrea Berlanga, and excellent views of Ama Dablam (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Guide Cacho Beiza with his wife, Andrea Berlanga, and excellent views of Ama Dablam (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Garrett Madison with climbers Mike and Caroline in front of Thamserku peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Garrett Madison with climbers, Mike and Caroline in front of Thamserku peak (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Guide, Conan Bliss with climber, Aga (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Guide, Conan Bliss with climber, Aga (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:

/0 Comments/by
,

Back on the move!

The team departing Namche Bazaar after receiving a blessing from our friends at the Panorama Lodge.

The Madison Mountaineering expedition teams took to the trail again today under blue skies, saying ‘see you later’ to Namche Bazaar after a pleasant stay in the busy mountain village. Todays trek offered spectacular mountain views of Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, and more before we made a short stop at the Tengboche Monastery and neighboring bakery. After filling their bellies with pastries, treats, coffee, and tea, we made our final descent down to our next stop at the beautiful, Rivendell Lodge. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison check in with this dispatch from Deboche:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft)-Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) climbing teams, Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) team, and the Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) trekking team – today is April 17!

Today we left Namche (3440m/11,290ft) and trekked up to the Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft) and then down to the rhododendron forest and the town of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft), here in the Rivendell Lodge. We had a great day! It was a beautiful morning, lots of mountain  views. We stopped into the Tengboche Monastery and got to witness the afternoon prayer which is really special, and then had some apple pie and coffee, and then came down to our lodge here for a nice, restful evening and a great dinner!

Very special morning leaving Namche! We were blessed by our family friends at the Panorama Lodge, Mingma and his mother, Lhakpa Doma. Very wonderful ceremony and looking forward to heading up the Khumbu further tomorrow!

All is well and we’ll check in soon!

Lunch in Phungithanka!

Lunch in Phungithanka!

Visiting Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Visiting Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our trekker, Jeff, sending positive vibes into the ether at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our trekker, Jeff, sending positive vibes into the ether at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray

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