Nepal Archives

Everest 2021

Arrival at Everest Base Camp!

Our Everest team enjoyed their first full day at base camp and the trekkers have started their return trip. Terray Sylvester, Everest guide, phoned in today’s update from the communications tent at base camp:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2021 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition. It’s April 13th – our first full day in base camp. We arrived in base camp yesterday to a warm welcome from our base camp staff and then, this morning, our trekking team headed out. Some of them are walking back down to Lukla. We have one trekker that’s going to climb Island Peak on the way. The rest of the team got helicopters flights right here out of base camp and had a scenic flight back down the Khumbu Valley.

It was a beautiful day for most of the day and then we had light snow in the afternoon. Our climbing team had hot showers and then rested in the afternoon in prepration for an acclimitization hike to Pumori base camp tomorrow.

After that, we will have a few days of training as we prepare for our first rotation up through the Khumbu Icefall.

Okay, we’ll be in touch!

Climbing Kala Patthar

The view trekking from Gorakshep to EBC

Trekking from Gorakshep to EBC

Team arriving Everest Base Camp

Base camp staff welcoming the arriving team

Arrival at Everest Base Camp

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 13, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Pheriche to Lobuche

Everest guide Terray Sylvester calls in from the Nepal village of Lobuche with a recap of the day’s trek:

Hello, this is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering 2021 Everest expedition. It’s Saturday, April 10th. Today we walked from Pheriche to Lobuche. So we’re at a new higher altitude, we’re at almost exactly 5000m. We had great weather for the walk today. We stopped for lunch at Dughla and then we climbed up the moraine at the foot of the path of the Khumbu glacier and had some really great views as we passed Lobuche Peak and came into the village of Lobche.

We relaxed in the bakery here in Lobuche, which was open – more cappuccinos and baked goods. Then we watched the alpinglow on the flanks of Nuptse and enjoyed dinner. We’re just heading to bed now.

Tomorrow we’ll move on up to Gorakshep and we will enjoy a sunset climb up to Kala Patthar. So all is well and we’ll be in touch!

The views along the trek from Pheriche to Lobuche

Trekking to Lobuche

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 10, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Acclimatizing above Pheriche to Prayer Flag Point

Today’s hike to Prayer Flag Point above Dingboche, with views of Ama Dablam and other peaks

Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester has today’s expedition dispatch recapping a beautiful day acclimating above Pheriche:

Hello! This is Terray Sylvester calling in for the Madison Mountaineering 2021 Mount Everest expedition. It’s April 9th.

Today the team enjoyed an acclimatization hike to Prayer Flag Point in beatiful weather above Pheriche and Dingboche. We had excellent views of Ama Dablam, Makalu in the distance, and the ridgeline that leads up to Lhotse. Then we descend down to Dingboche where we enjoyed coffee and delicious pastries in a bakery. Then we turned down to Pheriche for lunch.

The team attended a medical talk on altitude illness and other mountain concerns here at the Himalayan Rescue Association (HRA) clinic. And then enjoyed lunch and rested until dinner. Tomorrow we’ll move on up to Lobuche and we’ll enjoy our first views of Khumbu glacier – so we’re looking forward to that.

So far we have had just beatiful weather – light snow storms in the evening, but beatiful sunny days. We hope for more of the same tomorrow. We’ll be in touch!

Today’s hike to Prayer Flag Point above Dingboche, with views of Ama Dablam and other peaks

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 9, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Deboche to Pheriche

Expedition leader Garrett Madison provides today’s recap of the trek from Deboche to Pheriche, as the Everest team moves closer to Everest Base Camp:

Greetings from Pheriche! The team is comfortable and resting in the lodge after a great day walking from Deboche.

Our day began under clear skies greeting the team with our first clear views of Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam. Overnight rain exaggerated the floral smells of the Khumbu valley and the absence of the usual trekking groups made the walk feel like trip back in time. We made our way along the river to the village of Pengboche where we had tea and received our blessing from the Lama for a safe and successful climb.

Afterwards, we walked high above the river passing chortans and stupas to the village of Shomare where we drank tea and had lunch in the sun. Fueled up and feeling good for the final leg of the day, we rounded the corner to Pheriche beneath the imposing sentinels that are Taboche and Cholatse. We arrived at our lodge for the night just as the snow and grauple started to fall briefly before clearing again giving us some final dramatic views of the huge mountains.

For now we eat, rest and ready ourselves to acclimatize up high above Pheriche tomorrow. Goodnight!

View of Ama Dablam today

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 8, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Namche to Deboche

Departing Namche Bazaar, today the Everest team trekked to the village of Deboche, spending some time at the Tengboche Monastery along the way. Madison Mountaineering guide Rob Smith provides the expedition dispatch of the day:

Hey, this is Rob Smith here from the Madison Mountaineering Everest 2021 expedition. All’s going well. What a great day today! We left Namche this morning after a nice blessing by the lodge owner and we all got a khata each.

Climbing out of Namche we traversed along the hill before dropping down to the river at Phungi Thenga for lunch. We then had a 600m/2,000ft climb up the side of Tengboche Hill. We stopped at the Monastery, which was looking splendid in the afternoon light. Tengboche was very quiet, so we felt very fortunate to have it to ourselves. Some of us also visited the memorial for the 1963 American Expedition on Everest. And then we strolled downhill through the rhododendron forest to Deboche, where we are settled into our cozy lodge sat around the wood-burning stove and all is good!

This is Rob, signing off.

Everest climbing team departing the Panorama Lodge in Namche

Mark P receives a blessing and a khata at the Panorama Lodge in Namche

Mani stones on the trek to Dobuche

Arriving at the Tengboche Monastery

The Tengboche Monastery

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 7, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Acclimating above Namche

Resting and acclimatization in and around Namche Bazaar, the Everest team hiked up to the Hotel Everest View. Here’s expedition leader Garrett Madison‘s recap of the day:

Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team. Today is April 6th and we had a nice rest day in Namche.

We trekked up to the Everest View Hotel and had a good view up the valley of Ama Dablam and Everest, but it was a little bit hazy because of the smoke from forest fires here in Nepal at the moment. We came back to our lodge, the Panorama Lodge & Restaurant, in Namche, had a nice lunch, and then explored the town of Namche in the afternoon.

We just had a good dinner and now we’re off to bed. Our plan is to head out tomorrow and trek up the valley to Deboche.

All’s well here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal. We’ll check in soon!

Acclimatization hike from Namche to the Everest View Hotel

Hanging out at the Everest View Hotel

Acclimatization hike from Namche to the Everest View Hotel

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 6, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Phakding to Namche Bazaar

Today the base camp trekking team and the Everest climb team trekked along the Dudh Koshi and up the big hill to the capital village of the Khumbu, Namche Bazaar. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, provides the details of the day’s trek:

Hello, this is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest expedition team and trek. Today we trekked from Phakding up to Namche.

It was a beautiful day, with some nice views crossing suspension bridges over the river gorge and of some snow-capped peaks. We had a nice lunch in Jorsalle en route.

We arrived at Namche this afternoon, checked into our rooms, and walked around town a bit. We just finished a nice dinner here, and we’re looking forward to a good night’s rest.

Tomorrow we are excited for an acclimatization hike and a rest here in Namche!

All’s well in Nepal and we’ll check in soon.

Thamserku rising high above the river Dudh Koshi

Garrett and Art M trekking to Namche

Kristin B crossing the Dudh Koshi before the big hill up to Namche

Trekking up to Namche Bazaar

Kristin H enjoying the trek

Arriving Namche Bazaar on a beautiful afternoon in Nepal

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 5, 2021/1 Comment/by Garrett

Everest 2021

The Trek to Base Camp Begins!

Mani stones along the trek from Lukla to Phakding

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:

– 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:

– our Garmin inReach Mini powered real-time tracking map:

https://madisonmountaineering.com/maps/everest-2021

April 4, 2021/1 Comment/by Garrett

Everest 2021

Welcome to Everest 2021!

Welcome to Everest 2021! Our annual spring Mount Everest expedition begins in just 30 days. Our strong team of international climbers will gather at the Hotel Yak and Yeti, our Kathmandu home-base and the launching point of countless Mount Everest expeditions over the years. Here in Seattle, we are now gathering expedition equipment, food and supplies, making logistical arrangements with our Nepal support staff, and ensuring that all of our climbing team members and trekkers have everything ready to go. Busy times at Madison Mountaineering HQ! We are looking forward to our continued best-in-class rate of success and safety on Everest. Leaders in setting the fixed ropes, we have put the first team on top in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019.

We are excited by the upcoming season and hope that you will all follow along with our expedition dispatches as the team makes their way to base camp and then up the mountain!

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:

– 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

– Instagram:

March 6, 2021/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ama Dablam 2020

Ama Dablam – Expedition Recap

With all of the team safely back in Kathmandu, our 2020 Ama Dablam expedition is concluding. Thank you for following along. The following team members successfully and safely obtained the summit of Ama Dablam (6812m / 22,349ft) on November 11, 2020, at approximately 11:30 AM NPT (local time):

#	Name	Country
1	Mr. Garrett Madison	USA
2	Mr. Mohammed Al-Thani	Qatar
3	Ms. Jennifer Drummond	USA
4	Mr. Ted Hesser	USA
5	Mr. Chase Merriam	USA
6	Mr. Elia Saikaly	Canada
7	Mr. Aang Phurba Sherpa	Nepal
8	Mr. Siddhi Bahadur Tamang	Nepal
9	Mr. Mingmar Sherpa	Nepal
10	Mr. Ming Dorchi Sherpa	Nepal
11	Mr. Pasdawa Sherpa	Nepal
12	Mr. Pasang Dawa Sherpa	Nepal
13	Mr. Pasang Kaji Sherpa	Nepal

Here is expedition leader, Garrett Madison, with the expedition recap:

Hello, this is Garrett Madison calling in for the Ama Dablam team expedition.

We are all back in Kathmandu now at the Hotel Yak & Yeti. We summited Ama Dablam together on November 11th. We had a beautiful, clear, perfect day upon the summit. Some of us went all the way down to base camp, others stayed in Camp 2 that night, and the following day we all descended to base camp, had a celebration lunch, and then helicoptered back to Kathmandu!

We just had our team celebration dinner and some members are heading off tonight back home and others will be here for a few days. It’s been a wonderful, successful, and safe expedition here in Nepal. We’re very happy that we got to come and experience the wonderful people with warm hearts.

We are looking forward to returning to Nepal next spring for Mount Everest!