Tag Archive for: Khumbu Valley

Phakding to Namche

Our climbers Thierry, Rob and Joe crossing the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams continued on today, trekking up to Namche Bazaar and crossing the famous Hillary Bridge along the way. Blue skies and pleasant temperatures fueled the team as we walked, step by step up the trail taking in excellent views of the mountains above and river below. With a day of active rest to come, we’re excited to enjoy the comforts of Namche before venturing further into the Himalayas. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the autumn Madison Mountaineering programs here in the Everest region of Nepal – today is October 23rd. Today we walked from Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) up to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). Some of the highlights of today’s trek included entering Sagarmatha National Park and crossing the famous Hillary suspension bridge on our way up the hill to Namche. It was another beautiful day here in the Khumbu Valley! We had excellent views of Kusum Kanguru (6367m/20,889ft) – a really nice, snowy, craggy peak high above the Dudh Koshi River. And now from Namche Bazaar, we’re looking over at Kongde Ri (6187m/20,299ft) which is another very majestic peak here in this part of the valley.

We’ve settled into our lodge and our guests are relaxing at Sherpa Barista Cafe, which is a great restaurant here in Namche, and we’re looking forward to a great dinner later tonight! Also, many of our guests have signed up for sports massages with a local charity called Lehara, which provides economic opportunities to local women here in the valley. So, those massages are a nice benefit of being in Namche!

Tomorrow, we’re looking forward to an active rest day! We’ll hike up to the Everest View Hotel where if the weather is as clear as it was today, we’ll have excellent views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), and Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft), and other peaks in the upper Khumbu Valley.

So, all is well here in Nepal and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

The team enjoying lunch in Jorsalle on the way to Namche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team enjoying lunch in Jorsale on the way to Namche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our guests Mel and Tom on the scenic trails en route to Namche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our guests Mel and Tom on the scenic trails en route to Namche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Cliffs carved with Buddhist mantras along the trail. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Morning light in the Khumbu Valley. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Morning light in the Khumbu Valley. (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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A perfect day to fly!

The whole team starting the journey up the Khumbu Valley! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams awoke early to their alarm clocks this morning with excitement for the day ahead of them. After checking out of the hotel and hauling our duffel bags downstairs, we loaded the bus and we’re on our way to begin the next leg of the journey – an exciting helicopter flight from the capital city to Lukla! After lifting off and flying high above the city below, the city streets soon disappeared and turned into steep terraced hillsides, which later revealed crystal clear views of the Himalayas as we climbed higher and higher into the sky. Full of excitement from an awesome flight and with bellies full after a nice breakfast, we hit the trail en route to our first stop on the way into the Khumbu. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Phakding:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the fall 2024 Madison Mountaineering programs in the Khumbu Valley. Today we flew from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft) – we took helis! It was a beautiful flight, maybe one of the clearest flights that I’ve ever had coming into Lukla. We had great views of the mountains all the way in, landed in Lukla earlier this morning, then we had a nice breakfast at the Paradise Lodge, and walked here to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft)! And again, the weather was just fantastic all day – really nice temperature and good views of the hills and higher peaks around us.

We just had lunch and now we’re settling in with the nice white noise of the Dudh Koshi River, not too far away. We’re looking forward to another good day tomorrow when we’ll walk from Phakding up to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft)! We’ll be in touch then.

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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Hello from Nepal!

The team at their welcome dinner tonight!

The Madison Mountaineering team is back in Nepal this season with several different teams trekking and climbing around the Himalayas! After a long day of travel, everyone has arrived and is looking forward to the days ahead after some rest and final preparations. Together, we’ve gone through a gear check and orientation, capping off the day with a fun dinner at a nice restaurant nearby the hotel. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Kathmandu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) for the Madison Mountaineering programs in Nepal’s Khumbu Valley this fall – today is October 20th. Over the last 48 hours, our guests have been arriving in Kathmandu. Today, we kicked off our fall programs with an orientation and gear checks here at the Yak and Yeti Hotel, and then we just wrapped up a really nice welcome dinner at Mezze restaurant in the downtown core of Nepal’s capital city, just a block from the former royal palace.

We have guests heading out on a variety of programs! We have our Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) climbing team, we have guests heading to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft), and we have some people who will trek to Everest Base Camp and then climb Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft). We have some folks who are heading out on the three passes loop up into the Gokyo area, and then looping back in toward Everest Base Camp and some of the popular 6,000-meter peaks in the area.

So we have a lot of activity underway here in Nepal and we’re looking forward to a really great season! Tomorrow we plan to do our pre-expedition city tour here in Kathmandu, and then the following day hopefully, we’ll start making our way up toward Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). So, all is well here in Kathmandu 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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City tour in Kathmandu!

Members of our Fall Khumbu Valley programs pose for a team photo with a sadhu (Hindu holy man) at Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering team ventured out into the bustling city of Kathmandu today for a tour of some of its most important sites! After a wonderful visit to both the Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Temples, the team was free to do as they liked and spent the rest of the day walking the city streets, resting, and packing for the move tomorrow! With good weather in the forecast, we’ll meet on the helicopter pad for our flight to Lukla where the trek officially begins. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Kathmandu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the fall 2024 Madison Mountaineering Khumbu Valley programs, our Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) climb, Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) treks, and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft), Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) climbs.

Today, we visited Pashupatinath Temple and Boudhanath Temple here in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft). That was our usual city tour before we fly out to the Khumbu Valley. It was a beautiful, sunny fall day here in Kathmandu and we had a really nice time visiting those two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Tomorrow morning, we’ll wake up early and take helicopters up to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft) if all goes as planned and if the weather allows us to fly. So far the forecast is looking good! So, we’ll be in touch tomorrow.

The Madison Mountaineering team during our city tour at Pashupatinath Temple. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering team during our city tour at Pashupatinath Temple. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Members of the team snapping photographs at Boudha Stupa. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Members of the team snapping photographs at Boudha Stupa. (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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Lobuche Summits!

Lobuche East summit photo!

It comes with great excitement to share that the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has completed their first rotation with 100 percent of the team reaching the summit of Lobuche East! The team has returned to base camp, greeted by additional members who have joined the expedition. All together, we look forward to a second Puja ceremony and our second rotation, this time through the Khumbu Icefall. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition.

Today our team returned from a successful climb of Lobuche Peak (6119m/20,075ft) for training and acclimatization. 100 percent success on the peak, beautiful views, and everyone back safely. A few members of our team have been here in base camp (5364m/17,598ft) with me training the last few days, practicing fixed lines, and tomorrow we’re going to have a Puja ceremony, our second one now that everyone is here together to ask the mountain for safe passage. And then, we’re planning our first rotation up to Camps 1 (6050m/19,849ft), 2 (6500m/21,325ft), and 3 (7230m/23,720ft) shortly.

Everyone’s doing great, it’s been beautiful weather here at Everest Base Camp, and our Sherpa team has been working hard up on the route to Camp 1 and Camp 2 carrying loads. So, all is well here at Mount Everest and we’ll check in soon!

The Madison Mountaineering team ascending fixed lines toward the summit of Lobuche East!

The Madison Mountaineering team ascending fixed lines toward the summit of Lobuche East!

Everest Base Camp sitting below Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp sitting below Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sunset views from Everest Base Camp (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sunset views from Everest Base Camp (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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Lobuche East climb starting soon!

The team during an acclimatization hike on Kala Patthar!

The climbing is about to begin! Our 2024 Himalayan expedition teams have conducted their Puja ceremony, done technical training in the Khumbu Icefall, and are ready for their first rotation. Their first rotation will take place on Lobuche East, another peak near base camp which has less objective hazard than the Khumbu Icefall. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition team. Today, our Everest main team is down at Lobuche Peak (6119m/20,075ft) and leaving in a few hours for the summit of Lobuche East! (They’re) going for the summit early morning, hopefully at sunrise, and then will be back at base camp (6119m/20,075ft) in a couple of days.

Meanwhile, a couple of our climbers were out training in the Khumbu Icefall today practicing ropes and technical climbing with Aang Phurba and myself. Terray and Nelly are back from Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) doing their climbing and cleanup project. It was a very successful project! Now they’ve just arrived to Everest Base Camp, settling in, and getting ready for Lhotse!

So, all is well here in the Khumbu Valley and on Mount Everest! Our Sherpa team has been carrying loads up to Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft), the weather has been great, and we are excited to continue with the expedition and head up the icefall here in a few days time! We’ll check in soon.

Scene from the team's Puja Ceremony - an essential piece of our Mount Everest expeditions. (Photo by Courtenay Roche)

Scene from the team’s Puja Ceremony – an essential piece of our Mount Everest expeditions. (Photo by Courtenay Roche)

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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Cleanup and climbing team has arrived in base camp!

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

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has arrived in Everest Base Camp! The team left Lobuche Village and set forth on the path to their next stop under clear, blue Himalayan skies. Fueled by tea and the excitement of moving into their temporary home, the team stepped into base camp ready for their climbing and cleaning activities on Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 25th.

Today we left Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft) under warm, sunny skies and walked up to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) with a short break for tea in Gorak Shep (5164m/16,942ft) along the way. We got to base camp just before lunch, moved into our tents, and then had a great lunch. We’ve been relaxing and getting settled this afternoon.

It’s great to be here and great to meet the rest of the team! We’re looking forward to a rest day tomorrow, then a little bit of training and skills review. As soon as possible, we’ll start heading up the mountain to begin our cleanup work and our climbing! So, all is going really well here and we’ll be in touch in the future.

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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World’s highest bakery!

Climber Nelly Attar with Madison Mountaineering Everest Base Camp trekker & Lobuche East climber Jeannette Glass in the famous bakery at Lobuche Village! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has moved from Pheriche to Lobuche Village – a stop that wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the world’s highest bakery! The team met up with another Madison Mountaineering climber who is preparing to ascend Lobuche East, sharing laughs and treats as they swapped stories from their journeys so far. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 24th.

Today we hiked from the village of Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) to Lobuche Village (4940m/16,210ft) at about 5,000 meters. Another day of great weather, pretty much sunny all day with a little dusting of snow in the evening. We relaxed at the bakery here – the world’s highest bakery with one of our team’s base camp trekkers who’s now headed up to climb Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft)! Then we relaxed after our bakery stop and now we’re about to sit down for dinner. So, all is well here and we will move to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) tomorrow!

Climber Nelly Attar near Lobuche Village with Nuptse Range in the background. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climber Nelly Attar near Lobuche Village with Nuptse Range in the background. (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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Spring in the Khumbu!

Arriving at Tengboche Monastery, last stop before Deboche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mountain Cleanup Project expedition team has had great weather so far for their trek up the Khumbu Valley on the way toward base camp. Clear skies and t-shirt weather have made for perfect views of the high peaks above them as they continue on up, now settled into Deboche for the night. In the next few days, the team will continue on utilizing their acclimatization to reach Everest Base Camp where the climbing and cleanup efforts are set to begin! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 22nd. We are continuing our approach to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) up the Khumbu Valley. The weather continues to be really warm, honestly a little unseasonably and surprisingly warm, but it’s very pleasant. It means we’ve had clear skies, no rain, and t-shirt weather as we’re walking up the valley.

Today we came from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) up to Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). Along the way, we stopped for coffee in Kyangjuma with excellent views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Lhotse, and Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft)! Then we continued up an old and slightly less often used trail up the slope to Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft) where we had a nice coffee and some pastries, and then continued down the hill to Deboche. We’ll spend the night here, and then we’ll make good time hopefully since we’re well acclimatized on up to base camp. We’ll spend a night in Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft), one night in Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft), and then head straight to Everest Base Camp where we’ll rest and then start preparing to clean on the upper mountain.

Okay! We’ll be in touch.

The team taking a break at Kyangjuma with great views of the Everest Massif and Ama Dablam.

The team taking a break at Kyangjuma with great views of the Everest Massif and Ama Dablam.

Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Rhododendrons in bloom en route to Tengboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Rhododendrons in bloom en route to Tengboche (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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The Mountain Cleanup Project continues!

Climber, Nelly Attar arriving in Namche Bazaar with guide, Terray Sylvester!

Climbing and cleanup efforts continue for the Madison Mountaineering Mountain Cleanup Project expedition team! After a great expedition on Annapurna, the team has relocated to the Khumbu Valley where they’re currently en route to Everest Base Camp! This time to clean up the camps on and around Lhotse, with a summit attempt on the peak to come. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring trash cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 20th. We are currently walking up the final long hill into Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) here in the Khumbu Valley. We are en route to Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) where we will make a summit attempt and also continue our trash cleanup efforts in Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft), Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft), and higher on the mountain on the way up to the summit of Lhotse.

We just wrapped up our cleanup and climbing efforts on Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft). We had a great expedition there, picked up over 300 kilos of trash from Camp 2 down to Camp 1, base camp, and down the approach trail. So that felt great! And then yesterday after a few rest days in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft), we took a helicopter to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft) and had a really pleasant evening walk to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft).

Right now, the weather in the Khumbu is fantastic! It’s a warm, spring day – flowers are blooming, fresh veggies are for sale. We’ve been enjoying cappuccinos, good company, and excellent scenery! Our climber, Nelly Attar is in great shape and high spirits! So, we will continue on to Namche Bazaar. We’re looking forward to moving into our cozy lodge this afternoon and then relaxing in the heart of the Khumbu Valley! We will be in touch tomorrow.

Crossing the famous Edmund Hillary suspension bridge on the way to Namche Bazaar. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Crossing the famous Edmund Hillary suspension bridge on the way to Namche Bazaar. (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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