Tag Archive for: Summit Push

Aconcagua team tops out!

On the summit of Aconcagua with blue skies over head!

Exciting news from the Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua expedition team: the team topped out at the highest point in all the Americas yesterday! Waking up for their alpine start, the team emerged from their tents, scarfed down some food, shouldered their packs and set off for the summit. Step by step up the route, the team pushed on moving strongly and swiftly with the top coming more and more into sight with every step. Upon reaching the top at around 2pm local time, the team slapped high-fives, snapped some photographs, and took in their incredible achievement. Now on their way back to base camp, the team looks forward to continuing the celebration in Mendoza and then on to their home countries. Strong work and a huge congratulations goes out to the team! Expedition leader, Cacho Beiza checked in with this brief update from Aconcagua:

We summit (6961m/22,837ft) yesterday around 2:00pm, sleep again in Camp 3 (5989m/19,650ft). All the team is in good condition!

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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Aconcagua team to Camp 2

Climbing up to Camp 2 with Aconcagua towering high above!

The Madison Mountaineering Aconcagua expedition team reached Camp 2 (Nido de Cóndores) after a strong and steady climb up the Normal Route. Despite some challenging weather and a blanket of snow on the mountain, the team moved strongly above base camp and looks forward to moving up to Camp 3 soon!

After departing Plaza de Mulas, the route climbs gradually but relentlessly, with expansive views of the Andes opening up behind us. The team maintained a smooth pace, managing the increasing altitude well as we ascended to roughly 18,000 feet / 5,500 meters. Spirits are high, and everyone is feeling strong and well-acclimatized as we continue to move up the mountain.

We’ll continue to monitor conditions closely and move thoughtfully as we work higher on the mountain. The team plans to move to Camp 3 tomorrow and eyes a potential summit date of December 18. Expedition leader, Cacho Beiza checked in with this message from Camp 2:

The team reached Camp 2 (5522m/18,117ft) today. Team feels good!

Great views of the Andes as we climb higher up the mountain!

Great views of the Andes as we climb higher up the mountain!

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 summits on Mount Vinson!

The team together on the summit of Mount Vinson!

More great news from Antarctica over the weekend from the Madison Mountaineering team! Expedition leader, Benny Lieber sent word that the team stepped onto the highest point in Antarctica, Mount Vinson, on December 13 at 15:25 local time. The team embraced in celebration and enjoyed the summit all to themselves for nearly an hour before shouldering their packs once again, and descending back down the mountain. The team is safely back in Union Glacier Camp now awaiting their flight back to Punta Arenas, Chile. A huge congratulations and ‘thank you’ goes out to the team for a wonderful expedition on the ice! Expedition leader, Benny Lieber had this to say following a successful summit day on Mount Vinson:

Happy holidays from the bottom of the world!

We went to the top of Antarctica on December 13. Mount Vinson (4,892m / 16,050ft.)

It was my 6th time guiding climbers to the summit- wow I am pretty lucky to do this job!

The first few days of our trip the weather wasn’t great. But in the high camp the clouds cleared out and we had a nearly windless climb to the top in the warm sun! The views are just unbelievable. I really do not know how to describe it. You feel as though you are on top of a different planet- a frozen one. There is a nothingness about it. Endless ice only interrupted by occasional snowy rock spikes jutting up through it.

It is a really special place and I am so happy my team got to experience it.

Two of our team members, from Lithuania, finished the 7 summits on top of Vinson. Their journey to climb the highest peaks on each continent took them around the world and away from their homes for long periods of time. Perhaps it is something their loved ones will never fully understand, and of course dealt with the difficulties of their absence while they pursued their dream. But now the dream comes to fruition and they will return home changed for the better having seen it through to completion. They will be role models in their communities and inspire others to live a better life.

Climbing the 7 summits takes you through wildly varying landscapes, climates, geopolitical challenges, and many unforeseen hardships along the way. For them it finished on a pinnacle of frozenness at the bottom of the world. A long way from their home country of Lithuania where they are now the 3rd & 4th people from their country to complete this 7 summits journey. I am so happy for them!

The team looking psyched as they near the summit!

The team looking psyched as they near the summit!

All smiles atop Mount Vinson!

All smiles atop Mount Vinson!

Descending under sunny, clear skies!

Descending under sunny, clear skies!

Nearing the top of the fixed-lines that separate low camp from high camp.

Nearing the top of the fixed-lines that separate low camp from high camp.

Mount Vinson Base Camp

Mount Vinson Base Camp

Views out the tent door from High Camp.

Views out the tent door from high 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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First Vinson team of the season tops out!

On the summit of Mount Vinson!

It comes with great excitement to share that the first Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team of the season successfully reached the summit and returned to their high camp safe and sound! The team topped out together, slapped high-fives, shared hugs, and snapped some summit photos while taking in the scenery from the highest point in Antarctica. After turning back the way they came to descend down the mountain to their camp, the team crawled into their sleeping bags after a warm meal for a good nights rest. Today, the team will continue their descent down the fixed-lines and onward to Vinson Base Camp. Awesome work, team! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition – first one of the season.

We topped out on Mount Vinson yesterday. (We) had a bit of a stormy day up there, but everyone made it to the top! (We) had a fun climb, got some great photos at the summit, had a clearing there for a couple of minutes on top, and could see some of the surrounding peaks and the polar plateau. So, it was really beautiful!

(We) all made it back down to high camp (3536m/11,600ft) last night, had a good nights rest, and planning to head down to Vinson Base Camp (2140m/7,020ft) today.

So all’s well here! And we’ll check in soon.

Taking in the views after topping out!

Taking in the views after topping out!

The view looking out from the summit.

The view looking out from 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:

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Summit push on Mount Vinson coming up!

Climbing towards Mount Vinson High Camp.

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Vinson expedition team has reached their high camp! That means they are in position to make a summit push, which is expected to take place tomorrow assuming good weather. The team moved strongly up the fixed-lines which separate low camp from high camp and crawled into their sleeping bags for the night. Today, the team rested and made preparations to go for the summit! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison and guide, Phunuru Sherpa checked in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson High Camp:

Hello! This is Garrett and Phunuru Sherpa checking in for the Mount Vinson (4892m/16,050ft) expedition, first one of the season from Mount Vinson High Camp (3536m/11,600ft)! We arrived yesterday after a good climb up from low camp (2774m/9,100ft), had some clouds, some wind, but the team was strong and pushed through and made it to high camp. We set up our tents and made our dinner, and we got to bed before the wind picked up, and we had a good blow over the night of wind and snow, but today, it’s much nicer! The sun’s poking out. So our team’s resting today, and we’re hoping to make our summit attempt tomorrow, fingers crossed! And here’s Phunuru.

Here we go! I look forward to the summit tomorrow. Thanks!

All right, check in soon!

The team ascending fixed-lines between low camp and high camp.

The team ascending fixed-lines between low camp and high camp.

Up the headwall.

Up the headwall.

All smiles from Antarctica!

All smiles from Antarctica!

Mount Vinson High Camp

Mount Vinson High 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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Successful summits of Carstensz Pyramid on three straight days!

The final Madison Mountaineering team on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid!

Back to back to back! The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team successfully reached the summit on three straight days. Each member of the team topped out on the highest peak in Oceania, one of the famed seven summits! Challenging logistics caused the team to have to climb on different occasions, but couldn’t stop them from having a great time, reaching the summit, and coming home safely! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this final dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition.

Today is October 22nd and we have concluded our climbs. All six climbers made the summit, along with myself and some of our local guide friends. Over the course of three days, we climbed over three days because of the helicopter schedules and acclimatization, so three different summit days. Everyone made the summit between the three days! A special congrats to Art Muir, who became the oldest person to climb Carstensz Pyramid and finish the seven summits at age 79 and a half. Way to go Art!

So now we’re just waiting for helicopters here at Carstensz Pyramid Base Camp (4285m/14,050ft). Hopefully we’ll get to fly down to Timika (31m/103ft) soon and back to Bali and homeward bound. Fingers crossed!

The team back together in the Yellow Valley Base Camp.

The team back together in the Yellow Valley Base Camp.

Crossing the airy Tyrolean Traverse high on Carstensz.

Crossing the airy Tyrolean Traverse high on Carstensz.

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 summits on Carstensz Pyramid!

Art, Kristin, and Garrett on the summit!

It comes with great excitement to share that another Madison Mountaineering team has successfully reached the summit of Carstensz Pyramid – the second team in two days! This time, the team included expedition leader, Garrett Madison along with climbers, Art Muir and Kristin Harila. It’s been a memorable expedition so far, and we’re not done yet! With good weather ahead, a third team plans to go for the summit tomorrow. More updates to come from the highest peak in Oceania! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition.

Today is October 21st and we had our second group of summiteers on Carstensz Pyramid with myself, it was Art Muir who became the oldest we believe to summit Carstensz Pyramid at age 79 and a half and to complete the seven summits – congratulations, Art! Also Kristin Harila of 14 8,000-meter peaks speed record fame. So, a wonderful climb today along with local Indonesian guide [Pexi?]. Great views from the top and looking forward to another climb tonight with Kevin Walsh and Kevin Downs! So, fingers crossed for good weather.

We’re having a good season so far here on Carstensz Pyramid and we’ll check in soon!

Clear skies and a beautiful sunrise while climbing Carstensz Pyramid!

Clear skies and a beautiful sunrise while climbing Carstensz Pyramid!

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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Summit Success on Carstensz Pyramid!

Summit photo atop Carstensz Pyramid!

Exciting news from Papua New Guinea! The Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid expedition team successfully reached the summit of the highest peak on the continent and have safely returned back down to their base camp. More members of our team will fly into camp shortly, and with good weather, will be making their summit attempt soon! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this celebratory dispatch from the Yellow Valley Base Camp at the foot of Carstensz Pyramid:

Hello! This is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Carstensz Pyramid (4884m/16,024ft) expedition.

Today, October 20th, our first team summited! Myself with David Concannon and Chris Lind, along with local guide, Viri summited Carstensz Pyramid at 7:00 AM. We were the only ones up there, beautiful, sunny weather! We’re back in base camp (4285m/14,050ft) here with some of our other members. Hopefully, our last two members will fly in tomorrow by helicopter and the second wave of our team can go for the summit in a few days time! Fingers crossed for bluebird skies.

All is well here in Papua New Guinea on Carstensz Pyramid!

Climbing fixed-lines in the early morning hours on October 20.

Climbing fixed-lines in the early morning hours on October 20.

Crossing the famous Tyrolean Traverse on Carstensz Pyramid!

Crossing the famous Tyrolean Traverse on Carstensz Pyramid!

Our team on the summit!

Our team on the summit!

High on the mountain with our base camp far below.

High on the mountain with our base camp far below.

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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Madison Mountaineering team tops out on Cho Oyu!

From the summit of Cho Oyu!

It comes with much excitement to share that the Madison Mountaineering expedition team has reached the sixth-highest summit on Earth of Cho Oyu! Starting in the dark, the team emerged from their tents under clear, starry skies and started up the route. With our amazing Sherpa team leading the way having to break trail and help fix lines to the summit, the team moved strongly as they moved up the route. After reaching the top, the team embraced with hugs, high-fives, and a short celebration before snapping some photographs and turning back the way that they came. A huge congratulations goes out to the team! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checked in with this dispatch from Camp 2 on Cho Oyu:

Hello, this is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team!

Well, today is October 13th, and we finally made the summit of Cho Oyu! Glorious day, beautiful views all around, good climbing conditions. I’m very proud of our team, myself, along with our three climbers who continued on, Denisa, Nicole, and Serge, along with our amazing Sherpa team, Dawa Tenji, Siddhi, Ming Dorchi, Temba, and Lhakpa Wongchu. Just an amazing crew!

Great team work. We stuck it out over a week past the end of our expedition end date to wait out the storm, the high winds. Our Sherpa team led the way up the route today and broke trail and help fix lines to make it climbable for us.

So, fantastic day here! We’re heading down. We’re at Camp 2 making our way down, and just admiring the beautiful views here. It’s been a wonderful expedition here on Cho Oyu in Tibet!

On fixed-lines climbing up towards the summit.

On fixed-lines climbing up towards the summit.

Looking out at the surrounding Himalaya while climbing up the route.

Looking out at the surrounding Himalaya while climbing up the route.

Some of the team on the summit!

Some of the team on 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:

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Cho Oyu team ready for the summit push!

Blue skies while climbing towards High Camp on Cho Oyu.

The Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu expedition team is settled into their tents for the evening in high camp, with plans to leave for the summit in just a few hours! Under the cover of darkness, the team will awake for their alpine start, get kitted in their summit gear, hydrate and fuel before shouldering their packs and leaving for the sixth-highest summit on the planet. It was an excellent day climbing from Camp 1 to Camp 2, and we hope for more good conditions on the rest of the route! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this pre-summit push dispatch from High Camp on Cho Oyu:

Hello, this is Garrett checking in for the Madison Mountaineering Cho Oyu team.

We are up at High Camp – 7,200 meters, about 23,600 feet. We did great today climbing up from Camp 1 to Camp 2, up over the ice cliff. We’re all tucked in here, ready for bed. We’re gonna sleep for a few hours and then wake up and depart to climb up towards the summit around midnight.

So, beautiful evening here, wonderful views, amazing sunset here from High Camp. Fingers crossed we get lucky with some good conditions tomorrow. No one summited the mountain in oh, almost two weeks since before the big snowstorm and the high winds came in.

So, wish us luck, and we’ll check in soon!

Sunset as seen from High Camp this evening.

Sunset as seen from High Camp this evening.

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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