The Madison Mountaineering expedition team is back in base camp and returning to Lukla today after a safe and successful expedition on the Unclimbed Peak! More details to come of their historic ascent… Here’s a brief message from expedition leader, Garrett Madison:
Just back in base camp from a successful climb of the unclimbed / unnamed peak. Flying out tomorrow morning to Lukla – Kathmandu.
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/2022/11/Unclimbed-peak-2022-pdf.jpg13651820Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-11-14 14:26:542022-11-15 05:15:02Success on the Unclimbed Peak!
Our 2022 Ama Dablam expedition has come to its conclusion! 17 total members of the Madison Mountaineering team reached the summit of Ama Dablam, and are making their journeys home. Expedition lead, Garrett Madison, and a few of our climbers and sherpa team will continue their journey towards an unclimbed peak in the Himalaya, heading into the unknown for a chance at a first ascent! Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with one final dispatch from the 2022 Madison MountaineeringAma Dablam expedition:
Our expedition has wrapped up! Our clients have departed from Ama Dablam base camp (4600m/15,100ft) – some of them decided to helicopter directly from base camp to Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft). So, they arrived here in the capitol of Nepal a couple of days ago. Two of our clients decided to enjoy a pleasant hike down the Khumbu Valley. Those guests flew from Lukla (2860m/9,383ft) via fixed wing to Kathmandu yesterday.
So, we had one last celebratory dinner here in Kathmandu last night and people are starting to take their flights home.
All in all, we had a very successful expedition! 17 total members of our team reached the summit of Ama Dablam – that was eight of our climbers, plus two guides and seven members of our sherpa team. We had absolutely excellent weather and route conditions for that climb!
So from here, Garrett and two of our climbers from Ama Dablam as well as members of our sherpa team are turning their attention to an unclimbed peak (~6000m/20,000ft) here in the Nepal, Himalaya. If you’d like to stay up to date on how that climb is progressing, please just keep an eye on the dispatches here on the website! We’ll be in touch.
Guide, Hannah Smith in the excellent bakery in Phakding while trekking out from base camp!
Guide, Hannah Smith with our climbers Mandy and Andrea in Namche Bazaar while trekking out from base camp.
Our climber, Serge, preparing to fly out of base camp. Photo: Terray Sylvester
Ama Dablam base camp just before we packed it up and departed. 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.“
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.“
The trekking has started! The weather Gods permitted the whole team to fly to the mountain village of Lukla (2850m/9,350ft) and complete the first day of trekking towards Everest Base Camp. Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester provides a recap of the day:
Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition! It’s Monday, April 4th. Today we flew from Kathmandu to Lukla. We had good weather for our flights which was nice because it’s been a little rainy and hazy lately and there was some concern that we would not be able to fly up to Lukla.
Then we trekked on to Phakding (2640m/8,661ft). So we’re here tonight, just starting dinner, and looking forward to our trek up to Namche (3450m/11,319ft) tomorrow. The weather is nice, warm, a little cloudy, but dry!
We’ll be in touch!
Ready to fly to Lukla!
Trekking to Phakding
Mani Stones
Taking a break on the trek to Phakding
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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/PHOTO-2022-04-04-08-06-38-1.jpg7111024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2022-04-04 14:18:372022-04-04 15:37:12Into the Mountains!
Today our Ama Dablam team continued their trek to base camp by reaching the Khumbu capital of Namche Bazaar. Here’s expedition leader, Garrett Madison, with a recap of the day:
Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team. Today’s Friday October 22nd and today we trekked up the Khumbu Valley over suspension bridges, crossing river gorges along raging rivers, and passing waterfalls up to village of Namche Bazaar, the iconic capital of Khumbu.
We rolled into Namche this afternoon, had a coffee, and explored the town a little bit. We are getting ready for dinner here in the lodge. We’re really happy to be back here with our good friends and are looking forward to a nice day tomorrow to do an acclimization hike. Everyone’s doing well and we’re so happy to be here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal and enjoying some nice weather, good views, and fresh air.
We’ll check in soon!
One of the many suspension bridges on the route to Ama Dablam base camp
Stupas dotting the trail to Ama Dablam 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:
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/PHOTO-2021-10-22-05-58-09.jpg12881600Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2021-10-22 12:34:452021-10-22 16:34:03Ama Dablam team treks to Namche Bazaar
Our 2021 Ama Dablam expedition kicked off yesterday with the team arriving in Kathmandu, Nepal. This morning they flew to the mountain village of Lukla to begin the trek to base camp. Here’s expedition leader Garrett Madison with the details:
Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition. Today is October 21st and we arrived in Lukla, Nepal after a flight from Kathmandu this morning. It was a beautiful flight up, clear skies, saw a lot of mountains. And now we are trekking up the Khumbu to our first village, Phakding. Tonight we’re going to stay and then tomorrow work our way up to Namche. Everyone’s doing well on the team, we’re excited to be up here in the mountains with some fresh air and some clear mountain views.
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:
The team has left Kathmandu, and the trek to Mount Everest base camp is officially underway! Here’s expedition leader, Garrett Madison, with today’s dispatch from the mountain village of Lukla, Nepal:
Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team. Today is April 4th, and we flew from Kathmandu up to Lukla to begin our trek – the first day up the Khumbu Valley.
Yesterday we went sightseeing around Kathmandu. We visited three sites: Pashupatinath, Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath), and Boudhanath. We genuinely enjoyed Kathmandu and finished the day with a nice team dinner. This morning we got up early, went to the airport, and got on our flights to Lukla.
So, we’re all up here in Lukla enjoying a nice day – it’s a little hazy from the forest fire smoke down below, but not too bad. We are just really happy to be here and looking forward to getting the trek underway, enjoying some fresh air, some good view, and a little exercise.
So, all’s well from the Khumbu Valley in Nepal! We’ll check in soon.
Kathmandu city tour – Baudhanath
Monkey Temple – Kathmandu
Kathmandu city tour
Enjoying one of the Lukla tea houses
Amazing views trekking from Lukla to Phakding!
The village of Phakding along the Dudh Koshi
If climbing Mount Everest is in your future, please contact our office, we would love to have you climb with us!
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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/PHOTO-2021-04-04-04-41-50-1.jpg9871293Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2021-04-04 02:13:562021-04-05 21:21:38The Trek to Base Camp Begins!
Early this morning the Ama Dablam and Gokyo teams flew by helicopter from Kathmandu to the mountain village of Lukla, where they started their treks. The first stop is the village of Phakding. Here’s expedition leader, Garrett Madison, with today’s audio dispatch from Phakding, Nepal:
Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Ama Dablam team expedition. We all made it to Lukla today and had a wonderful trek to village of Phakding. It’s great to be back up here in Khumbu Valley — clear views, fresh air, nice wonderful people. It feels like we are the only group here, which we may be.
We’re very happy to be up here and to be on our way!
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2020-10-26-Team-excited-to-fly-to-Lukla-Ted-H-Jenn-D-Chase-M-Elia-S-Moe-Al-Thani.png10801919Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2020-10-26 12:44:172020-10-26 22:13:46The Trek to Base Camp – Day 1
Our autumn Ama Dablam expedition kicked off earlier this week and the team has been trekking their way up to base camp from the mountain airport village of Lukla (2860m / 9,380ft.). The first stop was the village of Monjo where they entered the Sagarmatha National Park. and from there up to Namche Bazaar where a couple of days were spent resting. On their acclimatization hikes above Namche, the team caught the first glimpses of their objective: Ama Dablam. Great hiking weather with dramatic clouds unveiling the summit. From Namche, the team pressed on to Deboche and were able to spend some time enjoying the Tengboche Monastery on their way.
Today they are now at the last village before Ama Dablam base camp, Pangboche and should be crossing the river and finishing up the trek to BC tomorrow.
Team arrives Lukla
Brook and Rick at the hanging bridges below Namche
Having a great trek and now are on the Namche cappuchino tour
Ama Dablam team – Brook, Conan, Rick
Ama Dablam
First glimpse of the Ama Dablam
Ama Dablam team checking out the Tengboche Monastery en route to Pangboche
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/2019.10.23-Ama-Dablam.jpg12001600Kurthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgKurt2019-10-24 05:52:032020-01-29 10:39:23Ama Dablam team nearing base camp
