Tag Archive for: Mount Everest

Perfect day on Kala Patthar!

The team topping out on Kala Patthar with excellent views of Mount Everest (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp trekking team reached their high point today, ascending Kala Patthar which is considered a trekkers peak that overlooks Everest base camp and with 360 degree views of the mountains, valleys and glaciers all around. The team could not have asked for better weather and took their time while they soaked up the sun and views at over 18,000 feet. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp (5364m/17,598ft) trek, and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) climbs – today is October 29th.

Today we trekked from Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft) to Gorak Shep (5164m/16,942ft). We had a nice lunch and then we hiked up to the top of Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft), which is higher than 18,000 feet – about 5,500 meters which would make it just about as high as the third highest peak in North America, but here of course, it’s just a foothill among giants. However, we had excellent views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Pumori (7161m/23,494ft), and even just a peak of Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft)! It can be pretty cold on Kala Patthar at times, but we got really lucky with the weather. We were able to bask in the sun for a little while, take some pictures, and then we hiked down to Gorak Shep where we’ll spend the night!

Tomorrow we’ve got another exciting day! We’ll go to Everest base camp and then we’ll start trekking back down the Khumbu Valley. So, we’re all doing well here in the Khumbu and I’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Everest and Nuptse, with Lhotse just barely visible (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest and Nuptse, with Lhotse just barely visible (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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Hello from Namche Bazaar!

Climbers, Anna and Thomas crossing the Hillary Suspension Bridge (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering fall, 2023 Himalayan expedition teams have reached the heart of the Khumbu Valley: Namche Bazaar! The team enjoyed excellent weather from Phakding while trekking along the Dudh Koshi River, across suspension bridges, and with a few breaks along the way before emerging into Namche, which is a major hub in the Khumbu Valley. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft), Nepal – it’s October 23rd. Today our teams here in Nepal hiked from Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) to Namche Bazaar. We had beautiful weather along the way and got our first view of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) as we climbed the hill to Namche!

We had just a great time! (We) stopped in Monjo (2835m/9,301ft) and had a nice cup of tea in the sun, then we had a great lunch in Jorsalle (2740m/8989ft) and climbed up the hill to Namche across the famous Ed Hillary suspension bridge.

So, we just wrapped up dinner and we’re going to bed. Tomorrow we’re looking forward to a hike up to the Everest View Hotel where we’ll get a great view of Everest as well as Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft), which is the objective for some of our climbers here in Nepal.

We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

The team preparing to depart from Pahakding (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team preparing to depart from Phakding (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekkers, Kirk and Nick at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekkers, Kirk and Nick at the entrance to Sagarmatha National Park (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Madison Mountaineering expedition team members Kristen, Kim and Max approaching Namche Bazaar (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Madison Mountaineering expedition team members Kristen, Kim and Max approaching Namche Bazaar (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Enjoying lunch in Jorsalle (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Enjoying lunch in Jorsalle (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sunny weather in the Khumbu Valley (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Sunny weather 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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Lukla to Phakding

Madison Mountaineering fall Nepal expedition members starting their trek up the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Today was another magnificent day in Nepal with our Madison Mountaineering teams leaving the lowlands and stepping foot onto the trail! The team had perfect flying conditions with views all around of beautiful country and the high peaks of the Himalaya. With their first day of trekking under their belts, the team continues further up the valley tomorrow to Namche Bazaar. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Khumbu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering expeditions in Nepal – it’s Sunday, October 22nd. Today our teams here in Nepal flew from Ramechhap (1218m/3,999ft) to Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). We had excellent weather for our flights, not a cloud in the sky! So, we had great views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and other beautiful peaks as we flew to Lukla. We touched down, had a late breakfast, and then enjoyed a leisurely walk to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft). We had just great weather, really pleasant temperatures for the entire walk down to Phakding!

So, we’re just about ready for dinner here. It’s a peaceful evening on the banks of the Dudh Koshi River. The plan tomorrow is to wake up nice and early, and then hike to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) – the heart of the Khumbu Valley! We expect another great tomorrow, the forecast is excellent.

So the teams with us right now are our Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) trekkers, our base camp trekkers who will also climb Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft), and then our Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) climbers as well. So, all is well here and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Touching down in Lukla!(Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Touching down in Lukla! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam climber Anna trekking to Phakding (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam climber, Anna trekking to Phakding (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Trekking from Lukla to Phakding on a peaceful evening in the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Trekking from Lukla to Phakding on a peaceful evening in the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekker, Kirk spinning prayer wheels en route to Phakding (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekker, Kirk spinning prayer wheels en route to Phakding (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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Back in Base Camp

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

The 2023 Madison Mountaineering team is back in base camp after summits on Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with a quick update from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition. Today is May 26th, we’re down in base camp (5364m/17,598ft).

We had great climbs of Everest, Lhotse, also Nuptse earlier in the season. The last of our Sherpas are coming down the mountain tomorrow. Some of our climbers have already flown to Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft), enjoying hot showers in a hotel room tonight. The rest of us are here in base camp and planning to head out 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:

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Into the Himalayas!

Our team in Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

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:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – it’s October 21st.

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

Inbound to Lukla. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Climbers Jocelyn, Serge, Stephane and Alix after touching down in Lukla! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Climbers Jocelyn, Serge, Stephane and Alix after touching down in Lukla! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Walking to Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Walking to Phakding. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Visiting the monastery above 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

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:

– 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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Lhotse summits!

We are pleased to announce that the Lhotse climbing team of the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Everest/Lhotse expedition successfully reached the summit of Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) on May 21, 2022, between approximately 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM NPT (local time).

Lhotse is the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516m (27,940 ft), after Mount Everest, K2, and Kangchenjunga.

# Name Country
1 Mr. Robert “Josh” Garrison 🇺🇸 United States
2 Mr. Cameron Kenny 🇺🇸 United States
3 Mr. Chase Merriam 🇺🇸 United States
4 Mr. Garrett Madison 🇺🇸 United States
5 Mr. Siddi Bhadur Tamang 🇳🇵 Nepal
6 Mr. Sange Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
7 Mr. Lakpa Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
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Everest team summits!

We are pleased to announce that the main team of the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Everest expedition successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest (8848m/29,029ft) on May 20, 2022, between approximately 7:00 AM and 8:00 AM NPT (local time).

Congratulations to the entire team and a heartfelt thank you to our climbing sherpa and all of the expedition support staff.  You are the ones who make it happen and it can’t be done without you.

# Name Country
1 Mr. Todd Ammerman 🇺🇸 United States
2 Mr. Carter Beck 🇺🇸 United States
3 Mr. Dwight Crow 🇺🇸 United States
4 Mr. Robert “Josh” Garrison 🇺🇸 United States
5 Ms. Saskia Jacobson 🇺🇸 United States
6 Mr. Cameron Kenny 🇺🇸 United States
7 Mr. Chase Merriam 🇺🇸 United States
8 Mr. Roi Negri 🇮🇱 Israel
9 Ms. Sara Safari 🇺🇸 United States
10 Mr. Garrett Madison 🇺🇸 United States
11 Mr. Robert Smith 🇮🇪 Ireland
12 Mr. Terray Sylvester 🇺🇸 United States
13 Mr. Javier “Cacho” Beiza 🇦🇷 Argentina
14 Mr. Aang Phurba Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
15 Mr. Siddi Bhadur Tamang 🇳🇵 Nepal
16 Mr. Kam Dorchi Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
17 Mr. Ming Dorchi Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
18 Mr. Rinji Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
19 Mr. Shere Thapa Magar 🇳🇵 Nepal
20 Mr. Pasang Bhote 🇳🇵 Nepal
21 Mr. Temba Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
22 Mr. Chiring Bhote 🇳🇵 Nepal
23 Mr. Sange Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
24 Mr. Lakpa Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
25 Mr. Pemba Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
26 Mr. Kami Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
27 Mr. Mingma Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
28 Mr. Dhana Tamang 🇳🇵 Nepal
29 Mr. Dawa Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
30 Mr. Chheder Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
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First team summits!

We are pleased to announce that the first team of the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Everest expedition successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest (8848m/29,029ft) on May 15, 2022, at approximately 4:25 AM NPT (local time).

Congratulations to the whole team and especially Mr. Kenton Cool who has now made 16 summits, more than any other foreign (i.e. non-Nepali) climber.

# Name Country
1 Ms. Rebecca Louise Smith 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
2 Mr. Elia Saikaly 🇨🇦 Canada
3 Mr. Kenton Cool 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
4 Mr. Pasang Kaji (PK) Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
5 Mr. Dorji Gyalzen Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
6 Mr. Chheten Dorjee Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
7 Mr. Chowang Dorjee Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
8 Mr. Kami Rita Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
9 Mr. Dawa Jangbu Sherpa 🇳🇵 Nepal
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Active rest day in Pheriche

Acclimatization hike above Pheriche

Today our trekking and climbing teams took an active rest day in Pheriche (4280m/14,042ft).  Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester provides a recap of the day:

Hello!  This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition!  It’s April 9th.

Today we hiked up above Pheriche (4280m/14,042ft) to about 5000m, about 16,500ft.  It was a good active rest day and a good chance to get some acclimatization done.  The whole principle with acclimating is to climb high and sleep low, so now we are back down in Pheriche.

On the way down, some of us stopped and enjoyed some hot chocolate and pastries in the bakery in Dingboche.  So we are going to bed now and looking forward to hiking up to Lobuche (4940m/16,207ft) tomorrow.

We’ll be in touch!

Acclimatization hike above Pheriche

Acclimatization hike above Pheriche

Acclimatization hike above Pheriche

Acclimatization hike above Pheriche

Happy Acclimatizers

Happy Acclimatizers

Acclimatization hike above Pheriche

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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Deboche to Pheriche

Climber Becks Ferry receiving a blessing from Lama Ngawang Paljur in the Pangboche Monastery

Today our trekking and climbing teams trekked from Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to the village of Pheriche (4280m/14,042ft).  Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester provides a recap of the day.

Also, be sure to check out Alan Arnette’s recent interview with Garrett Madison from Namche Bazaar: https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2022/04/07/everest-2022-interview-with-garrett-madison-from-namche-bazaar/

Hello!  This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition!  It’s April 8th.

Today we made our way from Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to Pheriche (4280m/14,042ft).  We’re here in Pheriche, about 14,000ft.  It feels good to have gained some altitude and to be among the high peaks – Ama Dablam is towering right above us.

Along the way here we stopped at the monastery in Pangboche which is one of the oldest in the Khumbu Valley.  While we were there we recieved a blessing from a high Lama.  That’s a traditional stop for climbers bound to Mount Everest and other peaks nearby.

So all is well.  We’ll have a rest day here in Pheriche tomorrow and we’ll be in touch!

Climber Carter Beck spinning prayer wheels at the monastery

Climber Carter Beck spinning prayer wheels at the monastery

Trekking to Pheriche

Trekking to 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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions.  Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

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