Tag Archive for: Manaslu

The team touching Camp 3. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team has made their way back to base camp after finishing up their final acclimatization rotation before making their summit push! The team had great weather overall on the mountain, with great views of the route, the mountain above, and the far-off peaks and valleys surrounding them. The team is feeling great and looks forward to a few days enjoying the comforts of their base camp before getting back on the mountain and going for the summit! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 18th.

Today we woke up early in Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft) and descended back to base camp (4859m/15,944ft). We arrived just before lunch, had a good meal, and then everyone spent the afternoon taking showers, starting on some laundry, and getting settled back in our cozy box tents here in base camp.

With that, we’ve wrapped up our acclimatization before our summit push. At this point, we’ve spent three nights in Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) and two nights in Camp 2. It seems like the whole team is doing really well! Everyone was feeling good higher on the mountain, feeling strong. So, I’m looking forward to a good summit push!

We’ll probably spend three to four days here in base camp and then hopefully start up toward the summit! But, it all depends on the weather and conditions on the mountain.

This last rotation was a lot of fun, in large part because we had such great weather! Yesterday afternoon and today we had really clear skies, which meant we could see out into the hills of Tibet and far down the Nubri valley, which is surrounded by glaciated peaks out toward the Ganesh range, and then even out toward Shishapangma (8027m/26,335ft), far in the distance.

So, all is well here! We’re just about to have dinner and watch a movie. It’ll probably be another Indiana Jones film, and then we’ll go to bed! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

The team descending back to base camp at the end of a successful acclimatization rotation. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team descending back to base camp at the end of a successful acclimatization rotation. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers, Chie and Sara, in their tent at Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers, Chie and Sara, in their tent at Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climbing through the icefall below Camp 2. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climbing through the icefall below Camp 2. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sara with Siddhi Tamung, a member of our Sherpa team, during the rotation. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sara with Siddhi Tamung, a member of our Sherpa team, during the rotation. (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:

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team checked in from Camp 3 today after finding a bit of cell service at over 22,000 feet! Good weather throughout this rotation has allowed the team to move between base camp and Camp 3, where they reached their high point on the expedition so far. They’ve returned to Camp 2 for one last night of acclimatization and sleep before they plan to return to base camp tomorrow, where they’ll begin to get ready for their summit push! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 17th.

We are currently just a few meters below Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) and we happen to have a bit of cell service, so I thought I’d send in a dispatch from here. Everything’s been going really well on this rotation! We spent a night at Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft), and then we bumped up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft). We’ll spend one more night at Camp 2 after we touch Camp 3, and then we’ll head back down to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) tomorrow, the 18th. The weather’s been really good! We had perfectly clear skies for a lot of yesterday as we climbed up to Camp 2 and we woke up to a beautiful, clear morning today as well.

So, all is well here in Nepal and we will 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:

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team reached Camp 2 today in good form and near-perfect conditions on the mountain! We plan to continue up tomorrow towards Camp 3 with hopes of more good weather in the forecast. The intermittent views of the peaks surrounding continue to inspire the team and spirits are staying high! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 2:

Hello from Camp 2 (6270m/20,550ft)! Today we enjoyed a fun climb here from Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) in almost perfect weather: no precipitation and a light overcast to moderate the heat. Now we’ve moved into our camp here at 6,270m / 20,550′ and we’re relaxing until dinner, with occasional views of the upper mountain above us, plus Manaslu North (7157m/22,946ft), Larkya Peak (6249m/20,501ft), Naike Peak (6211m/20,377ft), and Samdo Peak (5177m/16,985ft). Tomorrow we’re looking forward to an acclimatization hike toward Camp 3 (6800m/22,310ft) on Manaslu’s North Col.


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:

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team is back on the mountain! The climb to Camp 1 marks the start of their second rotation on the world’s eighth-highest peak and the team is feeling strong with the acclimatization they gained from their first few days in Camp 1, just a short time ago. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1:

Hello from Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft)! This morning we climbed back to our tent platforms here at 5700m under sunny skies. There was a layer of clouds below extending down the Nubri Valley — a beautiful sight as we made our way up the Manaslu Glacier. In the words of our climber, James, the team is ‘highly motivated,’ feeling the benefits of the extra red blood cells we gained on our previous rotation, and glad to settle back into Camp 1 in great weather. 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:

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team took a well-deserved rest day today following their first rotation on the mountain! The team won’t be getting too comfortable as they plan to move back up the mountain soon to continue their acclimatization efforts. Nutritious meals, showers, and a movie are welcome comforts at nearly 16,000 feet above sea level. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hi! This is Terray calling in from Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) base camp (4859m/15,944ft) – today is September 14th.

Today we had a rest day here in BC. It was a really nice day! We dried out our things, got some showers, had some nice meals, and we’re just about to have dinner and then watch a movie. Tomorrow, we plan to move back up to Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) to start another rotation. We’ll spend one night at Camp 1 and then likely head on up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft) for one or two nights. After that, we’ll return to base camp and we should be in good shape at that point for our eventual summit push!

So, all is well here in base camp! Today was really a nice day 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:

Two of our team members amid dramatic scenery above Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team has returned to base camp after a successful first rotation on the mountain, climbing above Camp 1 and into the icefall that separates Camp 1 from the next camp. With some weather in the forecast over the next few days, the team plans to rest and prepare for a second acclimatization rotation before leaving on their summit push. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 13th.

Today we woke up to about a foot of fresh snow up in Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft). It was still snowing heavily and there was more snow in the forecast, so we decided to descend to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) instead of continuing up to Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft). We got here a bit before lunch, dried out, and we just wrapped up dinner and a movie.

We’re going to spend tomorrow resting and then prepare for our next rotation as soon as the weather permits! But, we had a really great rotation up to Camp 1. We spent two nights there and made a foray up into the icefall between Camps 1 and 2, so it was a good step as we acclimatize for our eventual summit push.

All is well here in Nepal and we will be in touch tomorrow!

The dog that climbed all the way from base camp to camp 1 the same day we did. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The dog that climbed all the way from base camp to camp 1 the same day we did. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team approaching the outskirts of Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team approaching the outskirts of Camp 1. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Eyeing the path ahead... (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Eyeing the path ahead… (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Moving to Camp 1 from base camp in great weather. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Moving to Camp 1 from base camp in great weather. (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:

The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team after arriving in Tibet!

The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team has officially arrived in Tibet! This long-awaited expedition is off to a great start so far and spirits are high after getting one step closer to reaching the mountain. We’ll continue our journey tomorrow and will be arriving in base camp soon! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from Tibet:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu (8188m/26,864ft) expedition team. Today is September 12th and today we entered Tibet!

We drove from Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) and across the border and got to our hotel here in the village of Kerung (2774m/9,101ft) in Tibet. We’re really happy that everything has gone perfectly so far and according to our schedule! Our Sherpa team is with us and we’re excited to head to the town of Tingri (4348m/ 14,268ft) tomorrow where we’ll be a couple of nights acclimatizing, and then the following day to Chinese Base Camp (4900m/16,076ft) at Cho Oyu! So, the team’s doing great and we’re so happy to be here. (We’re) really excited for the climb ahead.

We’re also following our team over on Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) led by Terray Sylvester as they’re up on the mountain doing their first rotation above base camp! So, having a good fall season in the Himalayas and looking forward to checking 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:

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team had a productive day in Camp 1! We started our day by taking an acclimatization hike further up the route, allowing our climbers to get familiar with the climbing still to come, all while building the red blood cells that help us to climb higher and higher on the mountain. Tomorrow, our team will descend back down to our base camp where we’ll rest and get ready for the next rotation! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1 on Manaslu:

Today we rested in Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft). In the morning we went for an acclimatization foray into the icefall that separates Camp 1 from Camp 2 (6400m/21,000ft), then returned to our tents for a lunch of cheese and bacon quesadillas. With unexpectedly heavy snow in the forecast, we plan to descend to base camp (4859m/15,944ft) tomorrow to rest for our next rotation.


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:

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

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team has started their first rotation on the mountain, where they’ll continue their acclimatization efforts and familiarize themselves with the route along the way! While climbing up from base camp to Camp 1, the team had excellent weather and climbing conditions, making for another wonderful day in the Himalaya. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1 on Manaslu:

Hello from Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft)! Today we woke to a dusting of fresh snow on the cliffs above base camp (4859m/15,944ft) and the upper mountain. It felt a bit like fall had arrived. After breakfast, we climbed to Camp 1 in almost perfect conditions: no precipitation but a light overcast to moderate the heat. We’ve had dinner now, and we’re settling in for the first night of our acclimatization rotation. 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:

Our climbers at our pre-climb Puja today. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Manaslu expedition team held their Puja ceremony today, which is a crucial piece to many of our expeditions in the Himalayan and Karakoram ranges. The Puja is a sacred ceremony where we make offerings and ask the mountain for safe passage before beginning any climbing. It was another great day in the mountains, the team is in good spirits, and ready to start their first rotation on Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) expedition – today is September 10th.

Today we had our pre-climb Puja! A Lama came up from Sama village and we had a nice ceremony asking the mountain for safe passage while we climb. Then, in the afternoon after lunch, we prepared for our first rotation on the mountain. Tomorrow, if all goes as planned we will move up to Camp 1 (5700m/18,700ft) with the goal of spending about four nights on the mountain before returning to base camp (4859m/15,944ft). That will be a crucial step as we acclimatize for our eventual summit push.

Right now, it’s beautiful in base camp! We’ve got a clear view down the valley over the cloud-tops looking toward Chamar (7165m/23,507ft) and [Chachung?] peaks in the distance, it’s just really nice here. So, all is well and we will be in touch from higher on the mountain!

Members of our Sherpa team during the Puja. From left, Tenzi, Temba and Ming Dorchi. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Members of our Sherpa team during the Puja. From left, Tenzi, Temba and Ming Dorchi. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Temba stringing prayer flags over our base camp. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Temba stringing prayer flags over our 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: