Tag Archive for: Nuptse

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.“

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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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Getting ready to move again!

Looking up at the Lhotse Face.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team took another active-rest day in Camp 2 today. The storm let up and skies cleared for some time, revealing views of the peaks that surround them in the Western Cwm. With another day on Everest under their belts, the team plans to climb to Camp 3 tomorrow, and then return back down the mountain. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition team.

We are up at Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft). We had another great day up here; rest day, and we went for a hike up the west shoulder, got some good views above base camp (5364m/17,598ft). The sun came out, and it was warm and clear. We got to see Everest, Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft).

Tomorrow, we’re gonna go up and try to touch Camp 3 (7230m/23,720ft)! Fingers crossed, we get some good weather and conditions for that acclimatization climb.

So all’s well here, and we’ll check in tomorrow after our hike up to Camp 3!

Sunny skies in Camp 2.

Sunny skies in Camp 2.

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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Made it to Camp 2

Dinner time in Camp 2

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team climbed from Camp 1 to Camp 2 today, through the Western Cwm. With snow falling most of the day, the team quickly settled into their tents upon their arrival. Warm tea, a nutritious meal, and the comfort of a warm dining tent with the team was welcomed after another good day of climbing on Mount Everest! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 2:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in from Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) on Everest (8848m/29,032ft), 21,300 feet, almost 6,500 meters.

We had a great day of climbing up from Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft). Everyone did well. It’s been snowing nonstop the last three days! So, been fun to be up here in a snowstorm. But, hopefully it’ll clear up tomorrow, we’ll get some nice views of Everest, Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft). And then, go for a short hike to acclimatize. And then the following day, we’ll try to touch Camp 3 (7230m/23,720ft), and then head down the day after that.

So, everyone’s doing great up here! We just had a good dinner. We got to tuck in our sleeping bags here shortly, get warm, and get some good rest before tomorrow.

Alright, all’s well here on Everest! We’ll check in soon.

Camp 2

Camp 2

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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Resting in Camp 1

Camp life on Mount Everest

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team took an active-rest day today in Camp 1 on Mount Everest. A leisurely start to the day with breakfast led into a short acclimatization hike in the direction of Camp 2, where we plan to move tomorrow. Despite some snow and limited views today, the team is doing well and looking strong! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1:

Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft) team.

We’re up here in Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft). We had a great rest day, it was a snow day! Snowed pretty much all day. We went for acclimatization hike up the route towards Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) along the side of the Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) face, and then came back to camp for lunch.

Everyone’s doing great! We’re acclimatizing well, enjoying our time up here, camp life on the expedition. Looking forward to climbing up to Camp 2 tomorrow! So we’ll check in once we get to Camp 2.

All is well here! And enjoying Nepal, Mount Everest.

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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Through the Icefall

Camp 1 on Mount Everest

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team has embarked on their next acclimatization rotation, through the Khumbu Icefall and into Camp 1. They’ll spend time here acclimatizing before packing up, once again, and moving higher up the mountain. This time is an essential part of our Everest expedition. The team is in good spirits and excited to be climbing! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Camp 1:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in from Camp 1 (6050m/19,849ft) on Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft), 19,450 feet.

Today, we departed base camp (5364m/17,598ft) at 1:00 AM and climbed up through the Khumbu Icefall. It was pretty snowy and cloudy, but the route was in really good condition. Great conditions all around, seemed really safe, comparably, and good time! We made good time getting up to Camp 1.

So everyone’s doing great up here! We just finished dinner. The clouds have parted, we have some great views of Everest, Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), surrounding peaks, Pumori (7165m/23,507ft). So, beautiful evening up here in Camp 1.

We’re going to take a rest day tomorrow. All is well here in Camp 1 on Mount Everest! We’ll check in soon. Thanks!

Crossing a crevasse in the icefall

Crossing a crevasse in the icefall

Navigating the Khumbu Icefall

Navigating the Khumbu Icefall

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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Visiting Sagarmatha Next

The team on the way to the Everest View Hotel (photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering environmental restoration team had another great day while acclimatizing in and around Namche Bazaar! After enjoying a hearty breakfast at their tea house, the team hiked up to the Everest View Hotel for acclimatization, tea, and snacks. On the way back to their lodge, they stopped by Sagarmatha Next, one of our partners in removing waste from the region—ensuring it is either properly disposed of or transformed into art by the organization’s resident artists. Expedition Leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Namche Bazaar:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Gokyo Ri, Lobuche East and Island Peak environmental restoration trek – today is October 22nd.

Today we had a nice breakfast here at the Panorama Lodge where we’re staying in Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft), and then we hiked up to the Everest View Hotel. It was another beautiful morning here in the Khumbu Valley! And so this morning we had our first clear views of the Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) Massif. Everest itself was partly obscured by a lenticular cloud, but really nice views of Lhotse and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), as well as Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) and Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), and Taboche (6495m/21,309ft), plus other peaks around the Khumbu Valley.

And then after the Everest View Hotel, we walked over to Sagarmatha Next. Sagarmatha Next is an NGO that raises awareness around waste management issues here in the Khumbu. Since this is an environmental restoration trek, we’ll be partnering with them, yet again, for the third time on this itinerary. We plan to pick up trash at Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft), and perhaps other locations around the Khumbu. Then, if we find any clean mountaineering equipment, such as old ropes or crampons, or other items, we’ll send those over to Sagarmatha Next, where it will be turned into art by their resident artists. So it’s great to partner with them again!

We headed back down to the Panorama Inn for lunch and we rested the rest of the evening. We’re looking forward to trekking to Dole (4038m/13,248ft) tomorrow! We’ll be in touch.

Visiting Sagarmatha Next, and one of its founders, Tommy Gustafsson (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Visiting Sagarmatha Next, and one of its founders, Tommy Gustafsson (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Steve McConnell at Sagarmatha Next (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Steve McConnell at Sagarmatha Next (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Beautiful views above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Beautiful views above Namche Bazaar (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam towers high above the valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam towers high above the valley (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Rick Irvine enjoying the beautiful fall weather (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our climber Rick Irvine enjoying the beautiful fall 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:

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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:

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Skills training in the icefall!

Technical skills review in the lower Khumbu Icefall!

After saying ‘so-long’ to our trekking team today, our Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu teams took to the lower Khumbu Icefall to practice technical skills that they’ll use as they climb different sections of the routes. It was a beautiful day in Everest Base Camp with the sun shining down on us and comfortable temperatures at over 17,000 feet. Nuptse towers high above the team and there are spectacular views in every direction you look – it’s quite the training ground! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in from Mount Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) with our Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) teams – today is April 23rd.

Our trekking team is heading down from base camp to head back to Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft) after a marvelous trek and a night here at base camp with all of us. The rest of us are settling in, had some showers, good meals, and we’re heading out to do some training in the lower icefall today. So, we’re looking forward to some skills work, technical practice.

Everyone’s doing well here, enjoying some beautiful weather, sunny skies, and just magnificent views all around. All is well here at Everest Base Camp and we’ll check in soon!

Climbers reviewing technical skills under beautiful, blue skies!

Climbers reviewing technical skills under beautiful, blue skies!

Practicing ascending fixed-lines with Nuptse towering high above.

Practicing ascending fixed-lines with Nuptse towering high above.

A section of todays training ground with Everest Base Camp behind.

A section of todays training ground with Everest Base Camp behind.

All smiles in Everest Base Camp!

All smiles in Everest Base Camp!

A perfect training ground right out our tent doors!

A perfect training ground right out our tent doors!

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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We made it to Everest Base Camp!

Hello, from Everest Base Camp! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams have arrived in Everest Base Camp! It’s here that our trekkers will begin their descent back down the Khumbu Valley, while our climbers fix their sights on 8,000-meter summits high above them. After settling into our temporary homes, some of the team climbed up Kala Patthar – a trekkers peak that sits above Everest Base Camp that offers excellent views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and more. It’s good to be here and we’re excited for the journey ahead! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Everest Base Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering team.

We arrived in Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) today! Another glorious day here in the Khumbu Valley – no clouds, blue skies, magnificent views of all the peaks. Some of our team hiked up Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) and had extraordinary views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), and up at Everest Base Camp. The rest of us are, we’re all moved into base camp today, getting comfortable, settling into our home here for the next five – six weeks. (We’re) looking forward to a nice rest day tomorrow!

All is well here at Everest Base Camp. We’ll check in soon!

Some of our team atop Kala Patthar!

Some of our team atop Kala Patthar!

Looking up at Pumori

Looking up at Pumori

Some of our team posing in front of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse!

Some of our team posing in front of Everest, Lhotse, and Nuptse!

Crystal-clear views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest Base Camp.

Crystal-clear views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse, and Everest Base Camp.

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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