Tag Archive for: Nepal

Digging Out

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archives.

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team has been hard at work in base camp. From digging out from all the fresh snow, to continuing their acclimatization efforts, the team has been kept busy and motivated for the climbing to come. In just a short time, the team plans to start their first rotation up the mountain where they’ll be able to familiarize themselves with the route and keep up their acclimatization. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam Base Camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is November 2nd.

Starting the evening of the 28th, we received more than a meter of snow here in base camp (4600m/15,100ft), which was sent our way by Cyclone Arnab down in the Bay of Bengal. The last few days, however, have been clear and sunny! We spent the first two days after the storm digging out here in base camp and waiting for the mountain to settle.

Today we hiked part way up toward Camp I (5791m/19,000ft) to stretch our legs and gain some more acclimatization. And now we are assessing conditions on the mountain above us and preparing for our rotation. It’s possible we’ll start that tomorrow morning by moving up to Camp I, or maybe we’ll wait a bit longer.

The team’s doing well. It’s very beautiful here in base camp right now. Base camp looks very different than it usually does with a lot of fresh snow on the ground.

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:

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Readying to start the first rotation!

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

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team is eyeing the start of their first rotation. In the last few days, the team hunkered down while the mountain received large amounts of snow. Now it seems that storm has ended and we can start to prepare to for our first rotation once conditions on the mountain settle down. With that, the team is very excited to get the climbing underway! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is Halloween.

For the last two days, we’ve been receiving precipitation from Cyclone Arnab, which materialized at the Bay of Bengal, and then swung up to the northwest and sent a lot of moisture into the Himalayas. So, all told, we probably got over a meter of snow here in base camp (4600m/15,100ft). And it now seems like that storm cycle has ended. The stars are out for the first time in 48 hours, and it’s a beautiful, crisp, clear night.

So we’re going to start thinking about heading up the mountain for our first rotation, although we’ll give the mountain some time to settle and become safe. So probably tomorrow will be another day in base camp for us and then perhaps the following day we’ll move to Camp I (5791m/19,000ft). But we’ll see, depends on conditions.

All is well here in base camp. will 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:

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Looking Strong

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archives.

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team headed out for an acclimatization hike today in the direction of Camp I. Strongly and smoothly up the trail they went before turning back and descending down towards base camp. It was another productive day on the mountain! Everyone is doing great and excited to get the climbing underway. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 29th.

Today was partly overcast here in base camp (4600m/15,100ft). So we went for an acclimatization hike up to about 5,000 meters on the trail toward Camp I (5791m/19,000ft). Then we returned to base camp for lunch and we spent the afternoon relaxing.

It started to snow this evening just before dinner. Not much accumulation yet, but more snow is supposed to fall overnight and should get some more centimeters tomorrow. So we’ll play it by ear! Tomorrow might be a rest day before we start our first rotation.

The team’s doing well. Everyone moved really well today and we’re having a good time here at Ama Dablam! 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:

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Skills review for Ama Dablam

The team taking a break from training.

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team had another excellent day in the Himalaya today, practicing technical skills and cleaning up trash from around base camp and higher up the mountain. Everyone is doing great and looking sharp for the climb ahead! With some weather forecasted tomorrow, the team will wait to see how conditions shape up before going ahead with their plan for the day. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Ama Dablam base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 28.

Today was another beautiful day here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. So we spent the morning practicing technical skills in the training zone on the outskirts of base camp (4600m/15,100ft). We practiced fixed-line ascent and descent techniques. The team did really well! And then we spent the afternoon resting.

Tomorrow, we will play it by ear. It looks like some snow is coming our way as a result of a cyclone in the Bay of Bengal. So depending on how much snow falls, we may head out for an acclimatization hike, or maybe we’ll just hunker down in base camp and wait out the weather.

Today we also did another day of cleanup. Our crews picked up about 20 kilos of trash from above base camp and up toward the base of the ridge below Camp 2 (5980m/19,619ft). So that feels good and we’ll keep working on that as the expedition progresses!

We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Our climber, Calvin, getting ready to rappel.

Our climber, Calvin, getting ready to rappel.

Good times in high places!

Good times in high places!

Our climber, Naomi, practicing technical skills at the foot of Ama Dablam.

Our climber, Naomi, practicing technical skills at the foot of Ama Dablam.

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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Ama Dablam Base Camp

Beautiful weather for today’s puja in Ama Dablam Base Camp (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team has arrived in their base camp at the foot of the mountain! Widely considered one of the most beautiful peaks on the planet, it’s not a bad place to call home for the next few weeks… The team moved strongly and swiftly up the trail from Pangboche, even collecting some trash along the way as we kick off our cleanup efforts. After dropping our bags and settling into our tents in camp, the team came together for the pre-climb puja ceremony, which is an important piece of our expeditions in the Himalaya and Karakoram. It’s good to be in base camp! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition 2026 edition. Today is the 27th of October.

This morning, we left our lodge in Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft) around 8:00 a.m. and hiked up to Ama Dablam Base Camp (4600m/15,100ft). It took us just about two and a half hours to get here. Overall, our team is really strong and they made great progress today. Ama Dablam Base Camp is about 4,500 meters, but temperatures were really nice when we arrived. It was another clear, sunny day.

We had some ramen, some tea, rested a bit, and then we had our pre-climb puja. Today’s a very auspicious day for ceremonies, according to the Tibetan calendar. So we had our regular expedition puja to ask the mountain for safe passage. That went really well! And then we’ve spent the rest of the afternoon resting. We’re about to have dinner and then we’ll head to bed. We’re expecting a beautiful night tonight! The skies are clear, so the stars should be really brilliant this evening.

In other news, we started our cleanup effort today. We collected trash as we hiked up to Ama Dablam base camp, just what we could find along the trail. It was good. We got two small bags full and we’ll continue that in the days to come as we do our first rotation on the mountain and then possibly during summit push. But our crews will head out tomorrow to begin picking up trash above base camp.

We’re going to partner with Sagarmatha Next for this. In the past, we’ve donated old fixed-lines and other gear from Ama Dablam and other mountains to Sagarmatha Next. And when we visited them while we were in Namche (3440m/11,290ft) on our trek up the valley, they said that they can definitely use some more equipment, which is excellent material for their resident artists! We also partner with the SPCC on these cleanups, the Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee.

Okay, 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:

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Blessings at the Pangboche Monastery

Crossing the Imja Khola River (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team had a short day on the trail, moving from Deboche to Pangboche. More beautiful weather shined overhead as the team moved efficiently while taking in the views surrounding them. There’s been no shortage of amazing views so far! After settling into our lodge, the team made their way towards the Pangboche Monastery, where they received a blessing from the Lama. Now, the team is settled in for the evening and looking ahead to the move to base camp tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 26th.

Today, we trekked from Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). We arrived in Pangboche mid morning, had some nice ginger lemon tea. And then we went up to the Pangboche Monastery, which is the oldest one in the Khumbu Valley, and received a blessing from the Lama there. After that, we headed down to our lodge, the Shyar Khumbu, and had a nice lunch. And now we’re relaxing until dinner!

Today was a shorter day, which is nice. It gives us a bit more time to rest before we move to base camp (4600m/15,100ft) tomorrow. The weather was great again here in the Khumbu Valley, and we’re looking forward to more of the same for the next couple of days. Well be in touch tomorrow.

Ama Dablam rising above the team (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam rising above the team (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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Tengoche Monastery

Entering Tengboche Gompa (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team took to the trail again today, leaving their stay in Namche Bazaar and continuing on to Deboche. The team trekked under clear skies and with excellent views of the surrounding peaks, and some wildlife too! Along the way, we stopped at Tengboche Monastery which is the largest gompa in the region, then made our way to the neighboring cafe to fuel up before pushing onto our next stop. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 25th.

Today we trekked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). It was another fantastic day here in the Khumbu Valley; blue skies, not a cloud in sight! So we had great views of some of the many giant peaks in this region including Taboche (6495m/21,309ft) and Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), Thamserku (6623m/21,729ft), Kangtega (6782m/22,251ft), Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and our objective, Ama Dablam.

We stopped for lunch in Phunki Tenga (3250m/10,663ft), and then we climbed the hill through the rhododendron forests to Tengboche Monastery. We toured the monastery, and then afterwards we relaxed at the cafe next door, had some espresso drinks and pastries.Then we descended to Deboche.

We also had two wildlife sightings today. We saw Himalayan Goral in the rhododendrons below Tengboche, and we spotted a Danphe as well. Those are also called Himalayan Monal, it’s a brightly colored bird that is the national bird of Nepal!

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to moving to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). Well be in touch then!

Our climber, Calvin, exploring Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Calvin, exploring Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Rhonda, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Rhonda, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, visiting Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, visiting Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A massive prayer wheel at Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A massive prayer wheel at Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Great weather in the Khumbu Valley! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Great weather in the Khumbu Valley! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Departing from the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

Departing from the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

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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First views of Ama Dablam!

First views of Ama Dablam (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team finally laid eyes on their objective after several days trekking up the valley. Let’s just say it was worth every step to get there and the team is more excited than ever! After a nice hike, the team sat down for a break to take in the views and some tea, then returned back down to their hotel where they’ll spend one more night before we pack our bags and continue on our way towards the mountain. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 24th.

Today we had an active-rest day here in Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). We hiked up to the Everest View Hotel, relaxed there, had some tea, and then visited Sagarmatha Next, an environmental NGO in Syangboche, just above Namche Bazaar. And then returned to our lodge and rested for the rest of the afternoon. Today was a beautiful day; clear blue skies, not a cloud in the sky. So we had great views of Ama Dablam, plus Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Taboche (6495m/21,309ft), Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), and many other peaks surrounding us.

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to moving to Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). We’ll be in touch then!

The team at the Everest View Hotel with views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team at the Everest View Hotel with views of Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Views of the Everest Massif (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Views of the Everest Massif (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A spectacular day in the Khumbu (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A spectacular day in the Khumbu (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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Checking in from Namche!

Crossing the Ed Hillary suspension bridge (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team has arrived in Namche Bazaar, which is a favorite stop for many while trekking up the Khumbu Valley! They left Phakding under beautiful, blue skies and had excellent views and temperatures the entire was as they navigated the trail and suspension bridges which lead to their next stop. After dropping their packs, the team followed their noses to Sherpa Barista for coffee, pastries, and some time relaxing. With full bellies after a nice dinner, they are off to bed and looking forward to an active rest day tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the fall 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 23rd.

Today was another beautiful day here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. We woke up early and walked from Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). There wasn’t a cloud in the sky today and we had a really nice time! We stopped for tea and pastries in Monjo (2835m/9,301ft), then entered Sagarmatha National Park, then stopped for a light lunch in Jorsale (2740m/8989ft), and climbed the hill to Namche, along the way, passing the famous Ed Hillary Suspension Bridge.

We spent the afternoon relaxing in Sherpa Barista, one of our favorite hangouts here in Namche Bazaar. And then had a nice dinner and we’re heading to bed now.

Tomorrow we will spend an active rest day above Namche. We’ll be in touch then!

Beautiful views in the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Beautiful views in the Khumbu Valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

A warm welcome to the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

A warm welcome to the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.

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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Clear skies en route to Lukla

Departing Lukla en route to… Ama Dablam! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team enjoyed crystal clear skies and views of the Himalaya hanging high overhead as they buzzed towards Lukla. After touching down, the team fueled up for the day with a nutritious breakfast and began the trek! The team navigated their way through Lukla before trekking down towards the Dudh Khoshi river, across several suspension bridges, and into the next tea house situated within earshot of the river in the village of Phakding. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the autumn 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 22nd.

Today, we left our hotel in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) at about 5:45 AM, and by just after 8 AM, we were touching down in Lukla (2860m/9,383ft). It was a beautiful day for a heli flight. We had really clear skies and great views of the spine of the Himalayas, all the way from Manaslu (8156m/26,759ft) in the west, to Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) in the east. As we turned into the lower Khumbu Valley, we had really nice views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) straight up the valley ahead of us!

After a nice breakfast in Lukla, we hiked to Phakding (2610m/8,562ft) and arrived in time for a good lunch. Now we’re just relaxing before dinner.

Tomorrow we’re looking forward to our trek to Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft), the famous town in the heart of the Khumbu Valley.

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

Approaching Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers with sirdar and guide Aang Phurba Sherpa. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Getting ready to board the helicopter en route to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Getting ready to board the helicopter en route to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Calvin and Rhonda before flying to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climbers Calvin and Rhonda before flying to Lukla (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, just before lifting off from Kathmandu. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber, Naomi, just before lifting off from Kathmandu. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team crossing the Dudh Khoshi River in Phakding. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team crossing the Dudh Khoshi River in 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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