The Ama Dablam expedition team is staged to make their summit push from Camp 2 and Camp 3, very soon now! Spirits are high and the weather conditions continue to be all-time. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in via Garmin inReach Mini with this brief update:
We just arrived in Camp 3 (6277m/20,594 ft). Half of our team is here and half in Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) now. Nice weather and all good.
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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-31-09-53-28.jpg6961024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-11-04 10:36:112022-11-04 16:41:39Primed for the Summit Push!
This afternoon, the team arrived in Ama Dablams’ Camp 1 under beautiful, clear skies! After enjoying a hot meal and filling up water bottles with hot water to make for a make shift sauna when stuffed in the bottom of your sleeping bag, the team is prepared to continue up the mountain towards Camp 2 or 3 tomorrow. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in with an update from Ama Dablam:
Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison MountaineeringAma Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition team – today is Thursday, November 3rd and we have arrived at Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) on our summit rotation.
We left base camp (4600m/15,100ft) today at 10:00 AM and got up to Camp 1 between 3:00 and 4:00 PM, settled into our tents, had dinner, filled up our water bottles with hot water for the long and cold night ahead. We’re just tucking in now, getting ready to go to sleep.
Great weather up here! Everyone’s doing well on the team and we’re excited for tomorrow. We’re going to be pushing up to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) and quite possibly Camp 3 (6277m/20,594 ft) [inaudible]. We’re looking at a potential summit the next day, November 5th or 6th.
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.“
Today, the team started their summit rotation on Ama Dablam! The team is healthy and in good spirits with hopes to make the summit in the coming days. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with todays dispatch from Ama Dablam:
We are heading up from base camp (4600m/15,100ft) to begin our summit rotation! We’ve had a nice couple of rest days here and lots of good food, watching movies, hanging out, recharging. And today we’re gonna head up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) and tomorrow Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) or 3 (6277m/20,594 ft), and then go for the summit! So, hopefully we’ll summit around November 5th or 6th, be back in base camp a day or so after. And then, some of us will be heading towards an unclimbed peak in Nepal!
Weather’s looking great! The route conditions are looking great. The team is strong and healthy, so we’re excited for this opportunity and looking forward to getting our climb underway!
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:
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.“
The Madison Mountaineering team has returned from their first rotation on Ama Dablam, experiencing perfect conditions and reaching Camp 2 before returning to base camp. Over the next few days, the team will rest up and continue to prepare for their summit push. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in with todays dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:
Hello and Happy Halloween! This is Garrett calling in for the Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition team – today’s October 31st.
Today we descended from Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) to our base camp (4600m/15,100ft) here at Ama Dablam. We had a great rotation – spent a couple of nights up at Camp 1 and climbed up to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft) yesterday. Beautiful weather, great views all around, the team did awesome and enjoyed the fun mixed climbing on the southwest ridge – mostly rock, but a little snow. Hung out at Camp 2 for a bit yesterday, had some lunch and then descended back to Camp 1. We’re all back down in base camp now!
Gina is heading up for her summit attempt. She’s at Camp 1 tonight, but the rest of us are hanging out here in base camp, resting up and gonna make our plan for a summit attempt here over the next few days.
All is well here at base camp!
All smiles during the first rotation!
Above the clouds on Ama Dablam.
The Madison Mountaineering team on the famed ‘yellow tower!’
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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-31-09-53-29-1.jpg6161024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-10-31 16:46:442022-10-31 18:22:01Perfect Conditions on the First Rotation!
The team awoke this morning to kick off their first rotation under crystal clear, blue bird skies with plans to spend a few nights up in Camp 1. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with a dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:
We are heading up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) today and have a perfect day – great weather, team’s doing awesome. We’re excited to get up there for a couple of nights to acclimatize and climb up on the route towards Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft), and then we’ll be back down in base camp (4600m/15,100ft) to rest up before our summit push.
So, all good here in base camp! Everyone’s doing well. Beautiful weather – just solid, blue bird days, sunshine every day. Just feeling so lucky for this great weather and happy to be here.
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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-28-08-06-17.jpg10601600Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-10-29 04:09:382022-10-29 16:48:46Fantastic Weather for the First Rotation!
The team has arrived in base camp and is all set to begin their first rotation tomorrow! Over the course of the last few days, the team’s spent their time relaxing, doing trainings, sorting gear, acclimatizing, and taking part in a puja ceremony. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in from base camp with todays dispatch:
We arrived in base camp (4600m/15,100ft) a couple of nights ago, had a nice trek up here and base camp’s just been a great place to move into, relax, enjoy – the team’s doing well! We did some training, some gear sorting after we got here, and an acclimatization hike. Today, we did our puja ceremony!
Our plan is to head up to Camp 1 (5791m/19,000ft) for a couple of nights, starting tomorrow on our first rotation. It’ll be good to get up higher, acclimatize and check out some of the climbing route from Camp 1 to Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft). We’ll be back down in a few days!
Everyone’s doing well! We’ll check in soon. Thanks!
Acclimatizing above base camp! Photo: Terray Sylvester
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-28-07-52-33.jpg10521600Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-10-28 10:53:552022-10-28 15:36:50Primed for First Rotation!
The team continued onward from Namche Bazaar today, making stops at the Tengboche Monastery and the local bakery before arriving in Deboche. This evenings sunset cast beautiful alpenglow lighting upon the surrounding Himalaya while the team ate dinner and prepared to continue on their journey tomorrow. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with todays dispatch from Deboche:
Today we walked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). Along the way we stopped at the famous Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft) and had a coffee and some pastries in the bakery there, and then toured the monastery. There was a big puja underway, so that was interesting to see! Then in the evening, we caught a beautiful sunset that lit up Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) with really nice alpenglow light.
So, we just finished dinner and are looking forward to another great day in the Khumbu Valley tomorrow! Tomorrow, we plan to hike up to Phortse (3840m, 12,598ft), then head over to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft), which is where we’ll spend the night. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!
Climber, Jocelyn crossing the Dudh Koshi River on the way to Deboche! Photo: Terray Sylvester
Tengboche Monastery. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Our climbers at Tengboche Monastery. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Approaching Tengboche with Kangtenga in the distance. Photo: 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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-24-06-43-38.jpg9881600Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-10-24 15:11:382022-10-24 16:37:49Alpenglow on the Himalaya!
Today, the team arrived in Namche Bazaar under crisp, clear blue skies. Namche is the main hub of the Khumbu region, and the biggest village climbers and trekkers alike will visit on their way further up the valley. Terray Sylvester checks in with todays dispatch:
Today we walked from Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). We had another day of excellent weather. When we arrived in Namche we enjoyed a coffee at Sherpa Barista. Tomorrow we plan to take a rest day here in Namche.
So all is well in Nepal! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.
Walking from Phakding to Namche. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Expedition Leader, Garrett Madison giving the morning briefing. Photo: Terray Sylvester
The team arriving in Namche. Photo: Terray Sylvester
The team in Jorsale. Photo: 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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-22-07-24-21.jpg7231024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-10-22 14:53:552022-10-23 17:24:47Perfect Weather On the Way to Namche!
The team had spectacular flying conditions today with views of the towering Himalayas before landing in Lukla! Upon their arrival, a few moments were spent in town before hitting the trail and heading to their next stop, Phakding. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with todays dispatch:
Today we had excellent weather for our helicopter flights from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). Our entire Ama Dablam team plus our Everest Base Camp trekkers touched down in Lukla at about 2,900 meters in, yeah, just beautiful weather with excellent views of the mountains to the north. We had a great view of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) just before we touched down.
Then we hiked to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft). We’ve had a relaxing evening here with a walk up to the monastery above town. We just wrapped up dinner and we’re looking forward to a nice peaceful night, with the sound of the Dudh Koshi River below us.
We’ll be in touch tomorrow!
Inbound to Lukla. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Climbers Jocelyn, Serge, Stephane and Alix after touching down in Lukla! Photo: Terray Sylvester
Walking to Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Visiting the monastery above Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Ama Dablam climber, Stephane en route to the helicopter pad. Photo: 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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/PHOTO-2022-10-21-08-00-58.jpg9601440Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-10-21 14:57:072022-10-21 17:58:18Into the Himalayas!
The 2022 Madison MountaineeringAma Dablam expedition has officially begun! The team all arrived in Kathmandu today, excited for the journey ahead. After arriving at the Yak and Yeti hotel, our team held a gear check and orientation to go over details of the expedition. With good weather tomorrow, the team will fly to Lukla and continue on their way towards Ama Dablam. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, checks in from Kathmandu with todays dispatch:
The team is all in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft)! We had our gear checks today, had an orientation, talked through logistics, the itinerary and just finished our team dinner! Everyone’s feeling good and pumped to fly up to the Khumbu Valley tomorrow to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft), and start our trek along the way to base camp. So fingers crossed for good flying weather tomorrow morning! Hopefully we’ll be in Lukla for breakfast and on our way.
We’ll check in soon!
Gear check at the Yak and Yeti hotel – the climbers classic!
Expedition leader, Garrett Madison and guide, Terray Sylvester picking up the Ama Dablam climbing permits!
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:
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.“
