Tag Archive for: Skardu

Broad Peak expedition comes to a close

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering team sent word today that our Broad Peak expedition team has safely arrived back in Skardu after a strong effort on the world’s 12th highest peak. Our team, as well as the others, were all turned around after climbing to the high reaches of the mountain due to persistent wind, storms, and poor conditions that have made this season more challenging than others in years past. We’re so proud of the team for their efforts and are happy to report that they are safely off of the mountain, and making their way home. Meanwhile, our K2 expedition team is waiting it out in K2 Base Camp, with hopes of making a late season summit attempt soon! More updates still to come from the Karakoram… Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this update from K2 Base Camp:

Hello from the Karakoram!

Today our Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft) climber arrived safely back in Skardu (2220m/7283ft) after trekking out from K2 Base Camp (4968m/16,300ft). Unfortunately, this was a very challenging season on Broad Peak, with high rockfall hazard up to Camp 2, and frequent heavy snow storms and strong winds above that point. In late July, our team joined forces with three of the other strongest teams on Broad Peak this season, but everyone was turned around by poor conditions. Our Broad Peak climber waited here in K2 BC for several more days as we looked for another summit opportunity. Ultimately though, in the face of persistent jet stream winds on the summit, and as the vast majority of other teams ended their Broad Peak expeditions, we decided to do the same. It was a painful decision, but we think it was the right one for the safety of our climber and staff. Currently it seems Broad Peak may not see a summit this season.

Meanwhile, our K2 (8611m/28,251ft) team is still waiting here in base camp, hoping that summit winds will finally decline and allow a late-season summit attempt. We’ll be in touch!

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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Ready to start the trek to K2 Base Camp!

The team departing from Skardu.

The Madison Mountaineering Karakoram expeditions team made the exciting and scenic drive from Skardu to Askole today, which requires creek crossings and navigating a winding mountain gorge that snakes along the Braldu River. Luckily, the road was in good shape and allowed us to make good time to our camp at Askole where we’ve settled in for the night and will begin our trek tomorrow! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Askole:

Hello from Askole (3040m/9,974ft)! This morning we ate an early breakfast and left Skardu (2220m/7283ft) by 5:30 a.m. We got an early start because the road to Askole crosses several creeks that tend to swell with snowmelt, making them challenging to cross later in the day. Fortunately the entire road was in good shape for us today and we arrived in Askole by early afternoon. Now we’ve set up camp, and we’re resting before dinner. The team is looking forward to our first trekking day tomorrow. We’ll be in touch then!

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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Sightseeing in Skardu!

Our climbers Josh, Ryan, Casey and Tracy enjoying the Karakoram scenery near Skardu!

The Madison Mountaineering K2, Broad Peak, and Unclimbed Peak expedition teams took an active rest day in Skardu today, touring the city, doing some sightseeing, and last minute shopping before continuing onward tomorrow! It was a pleasant day, leaving the team in good spirits and excited for what’s to come. Tomorrow, we’ll pack up and begin the drive to Askole! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Skardu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering expeditions in the Karakoram this summer – today is June 26th.

Today, we spent an active rest day in Skardu (2220m/7283ft). After breakfast, the team headed out for some sightseeing at the really beautiful lakes up above town, and visited Buddha Rock, which is an archaeological site right on the outskirts of the city. After lunch, we all headed out again for some last minute shopping before we leave civilization and we visited the K2 museum, which has some really great information on the mountain and the surrounding region!

Now, we’re relaxing back at our hotel. We’ll have an early dinner this evening and then get to bed early for our drive to Askole (3040m/9,974ft) tomorrow.

So, all is well here and 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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We made it to Skardu!

The team outside of Skardu International Airport.

The Madison Mountaineering Karakoram expeditions team continued their journey onto Skardu, one step closer to the climbs ahead of them. Heavy rainfall came down as the team made their way to the airport, but the skies cleared as the day went on, presenting excellent views of K2, Broad Peak, and more. We’ll take a rest day tomorrow and continue to make preparations for the expedition ahead! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Skardu:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering expeditions in the Karakoram this season – today is June 25th.

This morning, we woke up early and headed to the airport. It was raining hard as we left the hotel, but by the time we made it to the Islamabad Airport (540m/1,770ft), the rain had tapered off. Our flight left on schedule and we had fantastic weather actually, as we approached Skardu (2220m/7283ft)! We had excellent views of Nanga Parbat (8126m/26,660ft) off the right side of the plane, and then views of Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft) and K2 (8611m/28,251ft) as we got a little closer to landing.

We landed in Skardu and we’ve spent the afternoon doing pre-expedition preparations and relaxing at our hotel here in the hills above town. We’re about to head down to dinner and we’re looking forward to another rest and preparation day tomorrow. We’ll also do some sightseeing tomorrow evening.

So, all is well here in Pakistan and 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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2025 Karakoram expeditions are underway!

The 2025 Madison Mountaineering Karakoram expeditions team!

The 2025 Madison Mountaineering Karakoram season is officially underway! Our team has arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan, where the expedition begins. After some well-earned rest, an orientation, and a welcome dinner following their journeys from around the world, the team is set to fly to Skardu tomorrow—gateway to the high peaks. This season includes expeditions to K2, Broad Peak, and an attempt at a historic first ascent of an unclimbed peak. At the same time, we’re proud to be contributing to a cleanup initiative at K2 Base Camp and some of the higher camps along the route. The Karakoram holds a special place in our hearts, and we’re thrilled to be back among its towering giants! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Islamabad:

Hello! This is Terray calling in from Islamabad, Pakistan (540m/1,770ft) – today is June 24th.

Today is the first day of the Madison Mountaineering climbing expeditions here in Pakistan this summer. We have climbers going to K2 (8611m/28,251ft), Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft), and attempting an unclimbed peak near those two mountains above the Baltoro Glacier. We’ll also be organizing a cleanup project on K2 as part of our cleanup initiatives through the Madison Mountaineering Foundation. So, we’re looking forward to a really great season in the Karakoram!

Our climbers arrived here in Islamabad over the last couple of days. They’ve been doing some sightseeing, and then today was the first official day of our itineraries! We just wrapped up a really nice welcome dinner here at the Serena Hotel and we’re planning to wake up early for our airport transfer tomorrow morning. If the weather allows, we will fly up to Skardu (2220m/7283ft) in Gilgit-Baltistan. So, 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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Trekking to Johla Camp

Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

After an adventurous Jeep ride from Skardu to Askole, the team is excited to hit the trail and begin the trek through the Karakoram on the way toward base camp. Clear skies will make for excellent views as they trek up the valley with peaks in every direction. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Askole:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering K2 (8611m/28,251ft) expedition along with the Unclimbed Peak and Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft) expeditions.

We made it to Askole (3040m/9,974ft) yesterday from Skardu (2220m/7283ft). We had an adventurous Jeep ride and a restful night in Askole – nice and cool up here in the high country! Today we are starting the trek to base camp. It’s beautiful weather here, the group’s doing well, and we’re excited to get underway! First day heading up the trail and looking forward to reaching Jhola camp (3151m/10,338ft) this afternoon.

All is well 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:

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Expeditions in Pakistan are off!

The 2024 Madison Mountaineering team in Skardu!

Here we go! The 2024 Karakoram season is underway in Pakistan. Our K2, Unclimbed Peak, and Broad Peak teams have since arrived in Islamabad where they kicked off their expeditions, and shortly after continued their journey to Skardu. The team did some sightseeing today and made final preparations before they start the trek through the Karakoram to K2 Base Camp. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Skardu:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering K2 (8611m/28,251ft) expedition along with the Unclimbed Peak and Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft).

We made it to Skardu (2220m/7283ft) yesterday! We had a flight from Islamabad (540m/1,770ft) and got to Skardu yesterday morning, spent the day organizing our equipment, and had a nice team dinner here in Skardu. Today we’re doing some sightseeing, checking out the local market, picking up a few last-minute items, and finishing up sorting our equipment before we head out tomorrow by Jeep to Askole (3040m/9,974ft).

Everyone’s doing well here! It’s hot, the weather is good, we’re excited, happy to be here, and looking forward to the journey ahead!

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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2023 K2 Expedition – Heading Home Soon!

Madison Mountaineering clients and guides hike over Gondogoro Pass. Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The sun is setting on the 2023 Madison Mountaineering K2 expedition with the team’s arrival back in Skardu! The team trekked out from K2 base camp over the last few days taking a different path than they did on the trek in, this time over Gondogoro Pass. After settling into their rooms in Skardu, the team enjoyed much needed and well deserved hot showers, before gathering together to celebrate the end of another great expedition!

Tomorrow, the team hopes to fly back to Islamabad for the final leg of their journey before heading their separate ways, back to everyone’s home country. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Skardu:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering K2 (8611m/28,251ft) expedition. Today is July 31st and we are back in Skardu (2220m/7283ft)!

The whole team trekked out from K2 base camp (4968m/16,300ft) over the Gondogoro Pass and down to the village of Hushe (3050m/10,000ft) over the last three days. Today we arrived by Jeep into Skardu. We got in this afternoon, took a much needed hot shower, and then sorted some gear and had a very nice celebration dinner with all of our Pakistani and Nepal staff.

Our plan is to try to fly to Islamabad tomorrow! Everyone’s doing well, down safely, and we’re all in good spirits! Looking forward to heading home.

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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Off-roading to Askole!

Crossing a creek swollen with snowmelt en route to Askole. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The drive towards the trailhead which leads teams towards K2 base camp is only the start of the adventure! Our team has arrived in Askole where they’ll begin their trek tomorrow. But not after an exciting drive with multiple stream crossings, unloading from their Jeeps on one bank only to load back up on the other side. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch after another adventurous day in Pakistan:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering K2 (8611m/28,251ft) expedition.

Today we drove from Skardu (2220m/7283ft) to Askole (3040m/9,974ft). It was an adventurous and fun Jeep ride, had a couple of stream crossings where we had to get out and walk around, and let our drivers make it through to the other side before we got back in. (We) got to Askole here in the afternoon, had lunch, and have just been enjoying the camp, organizing equipment. We just finished our dinner, everyone’s doing well! We’re excited to start trekking tomorrow. It’s about a 20 kilometer day trekking to Johla Camp (3151m/10,338ft).

(We’re) excited to finally be underway here on the expedition and looking forward to the days ahead!

Luggage before being loaded on the Jeeps en route to Askole.

Luggage before being loaded on the Jeeps en route to Askole.

The team before departing from Skardu!

The team before departing from Skardu!

Along the Braldu River on the way to Askole! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Along the Braldu River on the way to Askole! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Siddhi, Garrett and Ryan posing for a portrait en route to Askole. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Siddhi, Garrett and Ryan posing for a portrait en route to Askole. (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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K2 Expedition Underway!

The Madison Mountaineering K2 expedition team after arriving in Skardu!

The 2023 Madison Mountaineering K2 expedition is underway in Pakistan! Over the course of the last few days, our climbers, guides and Sherpa team arrived in Islamabad and are eager to keep the expedition moving. After a short stay at the team hotel and celebrating one climbers birthday, the team once again packed their bags and boarded another plane en route to Skardu. Tomorrow, the team will enjoy a rest day and do some sight seeing before continuing their expedition the following day to the trailhead where they’ll embark on this incredible journey towards K2. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with todays dispatch from Pakistan:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2023 Madison Mountaineering K2 expedition – today is June 25th.

Over the last couple of days, our team arrived in Islamabad, and this morning we flew from Islamabad to Skardu (2220m/7283ft) up in Gilgit-Baltistan in the Karakoram mountains. It was a beautiful morning for the flight! We had great views of Nanga Parbat (8126m/26,660ft), and then off of the left side of the plane as we approached Skardu, excellent views of K2 (8611m/28,251ft), the Gasherbrums, Broad Peak (8051m/26,414ft) and other peaks in that zone.

We touched down, and then headed to our hotel, and spent the evening organizing and relaxing at the hotel. It’s pretty hot here, but we had a beautiful evening – beautiful sunset out over the Skardu valley – and then we enjoyed a nice dinner here at our hotel!

Tomorrow, we’ll take a rest day here in Skardu and then the next day we plan to drive to our trailhead at Askole (3040m/9,974ft) up in the mountains. So everything is going really well here in Pakistan and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!

The team preparing to board our flight from Islamabad to Skardu. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The team preparing to board our flight from Islamabad to Skardu. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The Madison Mountaineering K2 sherpa team, with two of our Pakistani staff. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The Madison Mountaineering K2 sherpa team, with two of our Pakistani staff. Photo: Terray Sylvester

A birthday celebration this evening for our climber, Yuri!

A birthday celebration this evening for our climber, Yuri!

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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