Tag Archive for: Pheriche

Blessings at the Pangboche Monastery

Nima Sange Sherpa hiking to the Pangboche Monastery with Lobuche East and Island Peak climbers Erik and Mike. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams continued their journeys today toward their respective destinations. Our Ama Dablam team parted ways from our Everest Base Camp, Lobuche East, and Island Peak climbers and looks forward to settling into their base camp tomorrow! Together, the team visited the Pangboche Monastery for a blessing from the Lama before saying their goodbyes as we all go our separate directions up the Khumbu Valley. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) climb here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal – today is October 26th. Today we woke up in Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) and walked up to Pangboche village (3985m/13,074ft). We had a cup of tea in the morning sunlight at the Namaste Lodge, and then we walked up to the monastery here in town where we received a blessing from one of the Lamas. The monastery here in Pangboche is the oldest one here in the Khumbu Valley and it’s really a nice place to spend a couple of hours. Then we descended back into town and moved into the lodge where we’ll spend tonight. Tomorrow morning we plan to hike up to Ama Dablam base camp (4600m/15,100ft).

Also today, we split off from our Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) trekkers. After the blessing they headed up to Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) where they’ll spend two nights before moving higher up the valley toward Everest Base Camp, Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft), and then back over to Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft).

So, all is well here and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Arriving in the Pangboche monastery. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Arriving in the Pangboche monastery. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekker Miga visiting the monastery in Pangboche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekker Miga visiting the monastery in Pangboche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our guest, Erik, spinning prayer wheels at the monastery. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our guest, Erik, spinning prayer wheels at the monastery. (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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World’s highest bakery!

Climber Nelly Attar with Madison Mountaineering Everest Base Camp trekker & Lobuche East climber Jeannette Glass in the famous bakery at Lobuche Village! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering mountain cleanup project expedition team has moved from Pheriche to Lobuche Village – a stop that wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the world’s highest bakery! The team met up with another Madison Mountaineering climber who is preparing to ascend Lobuche East, sharing laughs and treats as they swapped stories from their journeys so far. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 24th.

Today we hiked from the village of Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) to Lobuche Village (4940m/16,210ft) at about 5,000 meters. Another day of great weather, pretty much sunny all day with a little dusting of snow in the evening. We relaxed at the bakery here – the world’s highest bakery with one of our team’s base camp trekkers who’s now headed up to climb Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft)! Then we relaxed after our bakery stop and now we’re about to sit down for dinner. So, all is well here and we will move to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) tomorrow!

Climber Nelly Attar near Lobuche Village with Nuptse Range in the background. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climber Nelly Attar near Lobuche Village with Nuptse Range in the background. (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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Spring in the Khumbu!

Arriving at Tengboche Monastery, last stop before Deboche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Mountain Cleanup Project expedition team has had great weather so far for their trek up the Khumbu Valley on the way toward base camp. Clear skies and t-shirt weather have made for perfect views of the high peaks above them as they continue on up, now settled into Deboche for the night. In the next few days, the team will continue on utilizing their acclimatization to reach Everest Base Camp where the climbing and cleanup efforts are set to begin! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering spring Annapurna (8091m/26,545ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) cleanup and climbing expedition – today is April 22nd. We are continuing our approach to Everest Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) up the Khumbu Valley. The weather continues to be really warm, honestly a little unseasonably and surprisingly warm, but it’s very pleasant. It means we’ve had clear skies, no rain, and t-shirt weather as we’re walking up the valley.

Today we came from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) up to Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). Along the way, we stopped for coffee in Kyangjuma with excellent views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Lhotse, and Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft)! Then we continued up an old and slightly less often used trail up the slope to Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft) where we had a nice coffee and some pastries, and then continued down the hill to Deboche. We’ll spend the night here, and then we’ll make good time hopefully since we’re well acclimatized on up to base camp. We’ll spend a night in Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft), one night in Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft), and then head straight to Everest Base Camp where we’ll rest and then start preparing to clean on the upper mountain.

Okay! We’ll be in touch.

The team taking a break at Kyangjuma with great views of the Everest Massif and Ama Dablam.

The team taking a break at Kyangjuma with great views of the Everest Massif and Ama Dablam.

Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Rhododendrons in bloom en route to Tengboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Rhododendrons in bloom en route to Tengboche (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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More beautiful weather in the Khumbu!

The team during an acclimatization hike on a spectacular day in the Himalaya!

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams are nearing base camp as they continue to move further up the Khumbu Valley. The weather was spectacular for their acclimatization hike above Pheriche, giving them great views of the high peaks above them and the valley below. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) climbing team and trekking team.

Today is April 20th and we are heading up to Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft) after a couple of good nights here in Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft). We did an acclimatization hike up the hill, magnificent views all around and the team is doing great! Beautiful weather here today, clear skies, and looking forward to heading up the hill, getting to base camp (5364m/17,598ft) in a few days time.

Clear, blue skies in the Himalaya!

Clear, blue skies in the Himalaya!

Next stop: Lobuche!

Next stop: Lobuche!

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 in Pangboche

At our blessing today in Pangboche!

After spending a day in Namche Bazaar acclimatizing, the Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams hit the trail again today towards Pheriche. The team made a stop at the Pangboche Monastery where they received blessings before continuing toward their next destination. Situated below Ama Dablam, the views here are magnificent and the team looks forward to hopefully having more Himalayan views tomorrow during an acclimatization hike. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hey! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft) climbing and trekking team. Today we made it to Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft). We had an easy walk up the valley after a wonderful blessing this morning in Pangboche Monastery (3985m/13,074ft)!

The team’s looking good! Everyone’s very strong and healthy, and we’re very excited for our acclimatization hike tomorrow. Hopefully, we’ll get some great views of some of the 8,000-meter peaks surrounding us!

All is well here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal and we’ll check in soon!

All smiles while trekking up the Khumbu Valley.

All smiles while trekking up the Khumbu Valley.

Trekking up the Khumbu Valley in the fog.

Trekking up the Khumbu Valley in the fog.

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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More perfect weather in the Himalaya!

Crossing Thuk La Pass (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The excellent weather continues for our teams in the Himalaya this fall! Today, the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp trekkers, along with our Island Peak and Lobuche East climbers trekked up the Khumbu Valley from Pheriche to Lobuche village. They took in surrounding views, stopped at the climbers memorial on Thuk La Pass, and settled into their rooms for the night before following their noses to the famous bakery in Lobuche village for a treat! 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 we trekked from Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) to Lobuche village (4940m/16,210ft). We stopped for lunch at Dughla (4620m/15,160ft), then climbed over the Thuk La Pass and spent a few moments at the climbers memorial there, and then continued to Lobuche village.

The great weather has continued! We had excellent panoramic views of all the high peaks from Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) to Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft) to Pumori (7161m/23,494ft) and over to the west shoulder of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) as we approached Lobuche.

So this afternoon we’ve been relaxing in the bakery cafe here in Lobuche, reportedly the highest bakery on the planet and we’re looking forward to dinner tonight! Tomorrow we’ll move to Gorakshep (5164m/16,942ft) and hike up Kala Patthar (5644m/18,519ft) where we’ll get an excellent view of the summit of Everest! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Lobuche East and Island Peak climber, Thomas hiking out of the Pheriche valley (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Lobuche East and Island Peak climber, Thomas hiking out of the Pheriche valley (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Fun in the sun on the way to Lobuche Village (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Fun in the sun on the way to Lobuche Village (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The trail to Lobuche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The trail to Lobuche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Thuk La Pass (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Approaching Thuk La Pass (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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Active Rest in Pheriche

The team enjoying a sunny day at almost 5000m with Taboche and Cholatse in the distance (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team took a well-deserved active rest day today in Pheriche with a hike above the village to take in the views and continue their acclimatization efforts. After descending from todays high point, the team made a stop at Cafe 4410 to fuel up and relax before making the hike back to their lodge. Tonight, our climbers will do some technical skills review and a gear check as they prepare for their upcoming climbs! 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, as well as the Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) climbs – today is October 27th.

Today we took an active rest day here in Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft). We went for an acclimatization hike to almost 5,000 meters, above Pheriche, and then dropped down into Dingboche (4410m/14,470ft) to relax in Cafe 4410 where we had some great pizza, coffee, fresh juice… Then (we) walked back to our lodge here in Pheriche! We’ll spend the evening reviewing some technical skills with our climbers and then have a nice early dinner and go to bed.

Tomorrow we’ve got a big day moving to Lobuche (4940m/16,210ft)! So all is well here in the Khumbu and we’ll be in touch.

EBC trekker, Max acclimatizing above Pheriche with Ama Dablam in the background (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

EBC trekker, Max acclimatizing above Pheriche with Ama Dablam in the background (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Descending back to Pheriche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Descending back to Pheriche (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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Blessings in Pangboche

The team departing from Deboche with views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Under beautiful, clear-blue Himalayan skies, our Madison Mountaineering teams continued their trek further up the Khumbu Valley with a stop in Pangboche for a blessing at the monastery. This is a special experience for many – these cultural experiences along with trekking and climbing in the Himalaya make for a truly engaging combination. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Pheriche:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest base camp (5364m/17,598ft) trek, Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft) and Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) climbs – today is October 26.

Today we trekked from Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft). Along the way we stopped for a blessing at the monastery in Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). That’s always a nice ceremony – a nice way to mark a milestone in our trip as we get closer to Everest base camp. In Pangboche, we also parted ways with the Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) team. They’re going to spend the night in Pangboche tonight, and then move up to Ama Dablam base camp (4600m/15,100ft) tomorrow.

But now, the Everest base camp trekking team is here in Pheriche – we’re just relaxing before dinner. For most of the day we had excellent weather yet again with crystal clear skies, and great views of Everest (8848m/29,032ft) and Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) ahead of us. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Garrett and our Everest Base Camp crew: Max, Alex, Kirk and Nick (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Garrett and our Everest Base Camp crew: Max, Alex, Kirk and Nick (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekker, Max visiting the monastery in Pangboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Everest Base Camp trekker, Max visiting the monastery in Pangboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

EBC trekker, Max and climber, Thomas trekking above Deboche with Garrett (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

EBC trekker, Max and climber, Thomas trekking above Deboche with Garrett (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Visiting the Pangboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Visiting the Pangboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our Everest Base Camp trekking team approaching Shomare with Lhotse in the background (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our Everest Base Camp trekking team approaching Shomare with Lhotse in the background (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

A yak on the trek towards Pheriche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

A yak on the trek towards Pheriche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

EBC trekkers, Max and Nick trekking toward Pheriche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

EBC trekkers, Max and Nick trekking toward Pheriche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Trekking guide, Aaditya Nachhiring approaching Pheriche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Trekking guide, Aaditya Nachhiring approaching Pheriche (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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Visiting the Tengboche Monastery

Visiting the Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The team is back on the trail after an acclimatization day and some rest in Namche Bazaar! Under beautiful, clear-blue skies, the team set forth further up the Khumbu Valley, stopping at the famous Tengboche Monastery on the way to Deboche. After touring the monastery and fueling up on coffee and pastries, the team continued on before reaching their next stop in Deboche. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from the Himalaya:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering expeditions in Nepal – today is Wednesday, October 25.

Today we hiked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). We had another beautiful, sunny day! The weather on this trip has just been excellent. Along the way from Namche, we stopped at Tengboche Monastery, toured the monastery where the monks were practicing a dance for an upcoming ceremony. We enjoyed some great coffees and pastries at the bakery there at the monastery. Then we descended here to Deboche!

We’re just wrapping up dinner and looking forward to tomorrow when we will hike up to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft) and participate in a blessing there, and then continue on to Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft) for the night. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Excellent views of Kangtega (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Excellent views of Kangtega (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Nick and Kristen relaxing after lunch at Phungki Thenga (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Nick and Kristen relaxing after lunch at Phungki Thenga (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Tom, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Tom, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Dawa Tenji (left) and Aditya Rai (right), members of our excellent local staff, taking a break on the way to Tengboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Dawa Tenji (left) and Aditya Rai (right), members of our excellent local staff, taking a break on the way to Tengboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam climber, Anna, chatting with friends on the way to Deboche (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam climber, Anna, chatting with friends on the way to Deboche (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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Returning to Base Camp!

Base Camp and the summit of Mount Everest. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

After a well deserved couple of days spent at lower altitude, our team is pouring back into base camp where they await their summit push! With the anticipation building, the team kept themselves occupied today with hiking around base camp, a nourishing dinner this evening, and a movie to relax at the end of another good day. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with today’s dispatch from the Himalayas:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition – today is May 14th.

Today more of our climbers arrived back here in base camp (5364m/17,598ft) from their drop back in Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) where they were resting and recuperating at lower altitude. They had a beautiful flight via helicopter up to Pheriche (4371m/14,340ft), and then on to base camp.

Tomorrow the rest of our climbers, the last four members, will arrive here in base camp, and then we’ll have just a few more days, hopefully, before we start our summit push!

For today, we kept ourselves busy, spent some nice time exercising at altitude by hiking up on the slopes of Pumori (7161m/23,494ft), above base camp. Some of us also went to a point we call “prayer flag point” a little farther down valley, and then walked down past a beautiful alpine lake that’s up there. We came down, had a little bit of snow in the evening and then we’re just wrapping up dinner. It was a great dinner – macaroni and cheese, and steak, and sautéed vegetables, and some fruit cocktail for dessert! We’re just now settling in to watch Mission Impossible for our after dinner movie.

The stars are out, it’s peaceful here in base camp, and all is well! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Climbers, Serge Larouche and Rick Irvine hiking with guide, Scott Webster above base camp today. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climbers, Serge Larouche and Rick Irvine hiking with guide, Scott Webster above base camp today. (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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