Tag Archive for: Nepal

Chinese Basecamp

During todays acclimatization hike!

Thin air and excellent views in and above Chinese Basecamp! The Madison Mountaineering team got all settled in yesterday and are wasting no time as they continue their acclimatization efforts and get ready to move higher. The team plans to move up to Advanced Basecamp in the next few days, situated at the foot of the mountain where we’ll be in position to begin making rotations on the route before looking ahead to a summit push! The team is in high spirits and doing great. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Tibet:

Hello! It’s Tuesday, September 23rd. This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft) expedition.

We are in Chinese Basecamp! We arrived yesterday, settled into our basecamp here at about 15,400 feet, and today we did an acclimatization hike up to over 18,000 feet. It felt great and had nice views all around! The team is feeling strong and doing well! We’re really excited to be here – great weather…

We’ll be sending some loads up on yaks to basecamp tomorrow. Probably the following day, our team will head up there and settle into our advanced basecamp (5,650m/18,530 ft) for the season – a little bit higher at the base of the mountain.

All is well here in Tibet on Cho Oyu and we’ll check in soon!

The Madison Mountaineering climbing and Sherpa team in Chinese Basecamp.

The Madison Mountaineering climbing and Sherpa team in Chinese Basecamp.

Mountain Hardwear Trango Tents.

Mountain Hardwear Trango Tents.

Our Mountain Hardwear basecamp dining tent.

Our Mountain Hardwear basecamp dining tent.

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:

/0 Comments/by

Hello, from Tibet!

The view after crossing the border into Tibet! (Photo by Chris Thompson)

We’re excited to share that the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu team is in Tibet! The team received their visas last week after a wonderful few days of trekking in the Langtang region. That said, they were all psyched and ready for the next part of the journey into Tibet, and onwards to Cho Oyu. After an adventurous border crossing by road, the team settled in for their first nights stay in Tingri. Here, they’ll take a rest day and get prepared for the move into their base camp! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this exciting dispatch from Tibet:

Greetings! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft) expedition team.

We are in Tingri (4348m/14,268ft)! We crossed the boarder from Nepal into Tibet today. It was a very exciting crossing by road with lots of landslides we had to walk around on the way, but we made it in!

We’re very happy to be up on the Tibetan Plateau here in Tibet, China and moved into our hotel here in Tingri. We had a nice dinner and are going to take a rest day tomorrow, do some hiking as we get prepared to move up to base camp (4,800m/15,750ft) here in a few days time.

Everyone’s doing well and we’re really excited to be here and have the expedition underway! We’ll check in soon.

Here we go! Across the Nepal - Tibet border (Photo by Chris Thompson)

Here we go! Across the Nepal – Tibet border (Photo by Chris Thompson)

The team waiting at the border crossing (photo by Chris Thompson)

The team waiting at the border crossing (photo by Chris Thompson)

The team fueling up with Tibetan cuisine! (Photo by Chris Thompson)

The team fueling up with Tibetan cuisine! (Photo by Chris Thompson)

Navigating a landslide on the way to Tingri (photo by Chris Thompson)

Navigating a landslide on the way to Tingri (photo by Chris Thompson)

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:

/0 Comments/by

Back to Kathmandu tomorrow!

After a week of trekking in the Langtang Valley, the team is excited to head back to Kathmandu!

The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team has finished their time trekking and is headed back to Kathmandu shortly to receive their Chinese visas! With those in hand, we’ll officially be off and on our way to Cho Oyu, the worlds sixth-highest peak. It’s been time well spent in this beautiful region of Nepal acclimatizing, taking in fresh air and mountain views, and getting to know the team! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft) expedition team.

Today is Tuesday, September 16th and we just finished our Langtang trek! We spent a week up in the Langtang Valley trekking up around the Langtang village (3430m/11,253ft) and some of the higher peaks. Beautiful trek up there, very lush, green, very wet – the monsoon is still lingering at this time of the year.

We just returned down. We’re going to drive back to Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) tomorrow and hopefully our Chinese visas will be issued the following day, and we can drive into Tibet!

So, everyone’s doing well. We had a very fun time up there trekking, good exercise, good acclimatization, some good views, and just a nice all around experience. So, all is well here in the Langtang Valley of Nepal and 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:

– 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:

/0 Comments/by

Another beautiful day of trekking!

The team together atop Tserko Ri!

The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team ascended off of the valley floor and up one of the many peaks in the area, climbing to above 5,000-meters! The team’s made great progress so far on acclimatizing to thinner air up high, and is excited to get to the mountain soon where the real climbing begins. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! Today is Saturday, September 13th and the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft) expedition team is trekking in the Langtang Valley.

Today, we climbed one of the smaller peaks here, about 5,000-meters or 16,000 feet. Beautiful day out! Everything is good here, very lush, green scenery. There’s not many other trekkers or climbers around, so we’ve got it all to ourselves!

The team’s doing well and we look forward to hearing some news tomorrow on our Chinese visas to enter Tibet!

All is well here. We’ll check in soon!

High above the valley floor.

High above the valley floor.

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:

/0 Comments/by

Trekking in the Langtang Valley!

The team together in the Langtang Valley!

The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team is staying busy while we await our Tibet visas! In the beautiful Langtang Valley, the team is taking advantage of higher elevations and the processing time needed at the Chinese Embassy to build some acclimatization, camaraderie amongst the team, and take in the views! Our thoughts are with those impacted by the civil unrest in Nepal this week. We look forward to the time when we will head back to Kathmandu, collect our Tibet visas, and start the journey to Cho Oyu! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Langtang village:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft) team.

Tonight, we are in the Langtang Valley staying in Langtang village (3430m/11,253ft). We got out of Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) a couple of days ago during the civil unrest and drove up here to be in the mountains, to trek and gain some acclimatization, get some good mountain views and fresh air! It’s been great being up here, not many trekkers, beautiful scenery, very lush, green. We’re hoping to spend a few days more up here trekking higher, hopefully getting some great views and acclimatization, all building for our Cho Oyu program.

We’re going to head back to Kathmandu when things calm down, hopefully obtain our Tibet visas, and be able to head into China in maybe a weeks time!

So, all is well here. Everyone’s doing very well. We’re just fortunate that all of our team, our Nepali friends, our colleagues, everyone’s doing okay and got through the difficult time earlier this week with the protests and riots.

So, everyone’s doing okay here in Nepal. We’ll check in soon!

Crossing a suspension bridge during the trek!

Crossing a suspension bridge during the trek!

Denisa and Aang Phurba Sherpa!

Denisa and Aang Phurba Sherpa!

Clouds filling the valley during todays trek

Clouds filling the valley during todays trek

The valley is green and lush, with a constant roar of the rushing river.

The valley is green and lush, with a constant roar of the rushing river.

On the trail!

On the trail!

The team together outside one of the guesthouses that fill the valley.

The team together outside one of the guesthouses that fill the valley.

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:

/0 Comments/by

Cho Oyu expedition is underway!

Cho Oyu

Here we go! The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team has gathered together in Kathmandu. While we wait for our visas, the team is headed out of the big city and into the Langtang Valley for some trekking and acclimatization. Energy is high amongst the team and we’re psyched to get the expedition underway! In just a few days time we’ll be on the road to Cho Oyu. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Langtang Valley:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu (8,188m/26,864ft) expedition, 2025.

We have all arrived in Nepal. Today, we drove out of the city of Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) to the Langtang Valley! We’re going to spend about a week trekking in the Langtang Valley up to some higher peaks, acclimatizing, getting some exercise, and hopefully enjoying some fresh mountain air, and nice views.

Everyone’s doing well here. It’s been a great start to the trip, although we’re very sorry for the protests in Kathmandu which turned violent yesterday and thinking of the people who lost their lives.

But, happy to be here in Nepal and on our way to Langtang. After which, hopefully we’ll have our Chinese visas and we can drive into Tibet to start the Cho Oyu expedition!

All is well here and 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:

– 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:

/0 Comments/by

Heading home after success on Mount Everest!

Celebratory team dinner back in Kathmandu!

Our Mount Everest team just returned to Kathmandu after a successful summit on May 23rd. They enjoyed a perfect summit day with no crowds—a rare gift on the world’s highest peak—and had the top of the world entirely to themselves!

But that’s not all…

  • Lhotse Team: Summited on May 22nd, just one day before Everest.
  • Makalu Team: Reached the summit on May 11th.

It’s been a remarkable spring season for Madison Mountaineering, with successful ascents on three of Nepal’s highest peaks!

None of this would have been possible without our incredible guide staff—Terray, Cacho, Conan, and Aang Phurba—and our exceptional Sherpa team, whose strength and support make everything we do possible.

We are beyond proud of these achievements and grateful for the teamwork and dedication that define every Madison Mountaineering expedition.

Highlights from Mount Everest: Summit Day on May 23rd

Our team reached the top of the world under challenging conditions—with high winds deterring many other climbers that day. Thanks to careful preparation, peak fitness, and expert leadership, we made it happen.

  • Our two ‘Everest Express‘ climbers reached the summit in under one month—a fast, efficient ascent.
  • Susan Agar made history, becoming the oldest American & British woman to summit Everest at 66.5 years old!
  • We had the summit all to ourselves, enjoying an unforgettable, crowd-free experience.

We are proud to present the list of summiteers from the 2025 Mount Everest expedition:

# Name Country
1 Mr. Garrett Christian Madison USA
2 Dr. Susan Margaret Agar USA
3 Mr. Steven Andrew Pigott USA
4 Mr. Gregory Neal Taylor USA
5 Mr. Dean Michael Poulakidas USA
6 Dr. Thomas Blake Higgins USA
7 Mr. Ryan T Podolsky USA
8 Ms. Caroline Danielle Leon Australia
9 Mr. Claudio Javier Beiza Argentina
10 Mr. Aang Phurba Sherpa Nepal
11 Mr. Siddhi Bahadur Tamang Nepal
12 Mr. Kamdorji Sherpa Nepal
13 Mr. Mingdorchi Sherpa Nepal
14 Mr. Tenzi Sherpa Nepal
15 Mr. Dorchi Sherpa Nepal
16 Mr. Dorji Sherpa Nepal
17 Mr. Pemba Sherpa Nepal
18 Mr. Lal Kumar Tamang Nepal
19 Mr. Mgima Tasi Sherpa Nepal
20 Mr. Dawa Sundar Sherpa Nepal
21 Mr. Dawa Sange Sherpa Nepal
22 Mr. Chhaungima Sherpa Nepal
23 Mr. Asta Bahadur Rai Nepal
24 Mr. Chhayang Jyabu Bhote Nepal
25 Mr. Dawa Nurbu Sherpa Nepal

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:

/0 Comments/by

Descending from the South Col

Summit photo atop Mount Everest!

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team will begin their descent from the South Col shortly! After successfully reaching the highest point on Earth the day prior, they plan to head down to Camp 2 for one night, and then to their base camp where we’ll be reunited with our wonderful base camp staff! Full of excitement from just a day ago, we say ‘goodbye’ to Camp 4 with good memories from time well spent in this place that’s unlike any other. Madison Mountaineering guide, Cacho Beiza checks in with this dispatch from the South Col:

Hello everybody! This is Cacho and Garrett over here at Camp 4 (7900m/25,919ft) on Everest (8848m/29,032ft) at 8,000 meters.

We’re just waking up over here, getting ready to head down with all of the members. The group is feeling great! Everybody is really happy about the summit yesterday after a great and hard day – a lot of wind up high, but we managed to go through and here we are! We’re happy to go down, get to base camp (5364m/17,598ft) in a couple of days.

We send this message to all of you guys!

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:

/0 Comments/by

From the top of the world!

Members of our team on the summit!

It comes with great pleasure to share that word came in on the morning of May 23rd local time that the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team had topped out at the highest place on Earth! Albeit a bit blustery as the team left the South Col, the team was rewarded with excellent views as they climbed to the summit. After celebrating their achievement, snapping some photographs, and taking in the moment, the team started their descent and have safely made it back to Camp 4 on the South Col. Some of the team will continue their descent soon. Others have their eyes set on Lhotse, the fourth highest peak on the planet! A huge congratulations goes out to the entire team — we’re so proud! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the summit of Mount Everest:

Hey! We’re up here at the summit of Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft)! Beautiful day, 360 degree views as far as the eye can see. It was a windy one, pretty blustery coming out of high camp (7900m/25,919ft) this morning. A lot of climbers turned back, but we kept going. We got lucky, so really proud of our team. Everyone did great today! Feeling blessed to be up here at the top of Everest – top of the world. Summit #15 for me and looking forward to a safe descent. We’ll check in soon!

Climbing up the Mount Everest's Southwest Ridge to the summit.

Climbing up Mount Everest’s Southwest Ridge to the summit.

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:

/0 Comments/by

Lhotse team reaches the summit!

Looking out over the Western Cwm near the summit of Lhotse.

We’re thrilled to relay the message just received from the Madison Mountaineering Lhotse team! Setting off from their high camp with an alpine start, the team climbed through the early morning hours before stepping foot onto the summit of the world’s fourth-highest peak! The summit offered magnificent views of Everest, Makalu, Nuptse, and the other surrounding Himalaya. Now safely back in Camp 2, the team recounts what was an unforgettable day and look forward to continuing their descent to Everest Base Camp tomorrow. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch via satellite phone from the Western Cwm:

This morning we summited Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) in excellent weather! Our team left Lhotse Camp 4 (7,700m / 25,260′) after midnight and stood on the summit in calm conditions with clear skies offering excellent views of the spectacular terrain around us. Then we descended here to Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft). Tomorrow we plan to descend back to base camp (5364m/17,598ft). Our climbers who summited Lhotse this morning had both previously climbed Everest (8848m/29,032ft). Our Everest + Lhotse combo climbers will make their Lhotse summit bid in the coming days, following their summit attempt on Everest. One of today’s summiteers, Aga Olkowicz, also successfully climbed Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) with us just 11 days ago. All is well here in Camp 2. We’ll be in touch tomorrow with more details!

# Name Country
1 Aga Olkowicz Poland
2 Andras Kassik Estonia
3 Lhakpa Wongchhu Sherpa Nepal
4 Sumbah Sherpa Nepal
5 Terray Sylvester United States of America

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:

/0 Comments/by