The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team is settled into Camp 3 after a perfect day on the mountain climbing up from Camp 2. The team had excellent views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Now tucked into their tents for the night, they’ll continue the climb tomorrow up to Camp 4. More to come from Peak Lenin! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Camp 3:
Hello from Camp 3 (6100m/20,013ft) at just above 6,100m / 20,000′! We climbed here today from Camp 2 (5300m/17,388ft) under clear, sunny skies. It’s been a beautiful evening. Not a cloud in the sky, mild temps and zero wind.
As we ate dinner we were treated to panoramic views of the Alay Valley far below us, into China to the east, up the final slopes of Peak Lenin (7134m/23,406ft) above us, and to the southwest the endless, snowy serrations of the Pamir Mountains in Tajikistan.
Tomorrow we plan to complete the relatively short move to Camp 4 (6400m/21,000ft) at 6,400m. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!
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The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team’s summit rotation is underway! Kicked off in the early morning hours, the team enjoyed climbing under clear starry skies which later turned into sunshine as they moved into Camp 2. With more good weather in the forecast, they’ll move on up to Camp 3 and get into position to go for the summit. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Peak Lenin:
Hello from Camp 2 (5300m/17,388ft)! We climbed here from Advance Base Camp (4400m/14,435ft) today under clear sunny skies. Tomorrow we’re planning to move to Camp 3 (6100m/20,013ft) as we aim for a summit bid on Peak Lenin (7134m/23,406ft) within the next few days. Our climbers are doing well. 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:
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The Madison MountaineeringPeak Lenin expedition team is set to start the summit push in a few hours time! They’ll get an alpine start out of Camp 1, and return back in a few days after making their go at the summit. Feeling rested and recovered after a few days at lower altitudes, the team is psyched and ready to go! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Peak Lenin:
We have spent the last two nights in Camp 1, Advanced Base Camp (4400m/14,435ft) at the foot of Peak Lenin. Tomorrow morning, we are planning to wake up early. We’ll have breakfast at 2:30 AM and then start our summit push. If all goes as planned, in a few days we’ll be standing on the summit of the second highest peak in both Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan at 7,134 meters.
Before we go to bed tonight, we’re also going to celebrate a very special event: the birthday of one of our climbers, Fatima!
So all is well here and we’ll be in touch tomorrow!
Birthday party for our climber, Fatima!
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:
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https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PHOTO-2026-07-14-06-15-42.jpg12001600Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-07-14 12:20:072026-07-14 16:24:30Setting off on the summit push!
And just like that! We are happy to report the summit success of our entire Carstensz Pyramid team on the morning of June 16. After crawling out of their sleeping bags, gearing up, and leaving their tent walls, clear and starry skies shined overhead. Climbers scarfed down some food and coffee to fuel up for the climb ahead, before shouldering their packs and starting up the route. We enjoyed excellent climbing and conditions through the night and into the morning, making great time while climbing higher up the mountain. There were some of the best views and climbing conditions we’ve ever experienced on Carstensz, with views as far as the eye can see and the mountain entirely to ourselves; not another soul was up there! The team celebrated together on the summit before descending back down to camp, safe and sound. What a day, and what an expedition it’s been so far! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in from the Yellow Valley Base Camp after successfully topping out on Oceania’s highest peak, Carstensz Pyramid:
This morning, we left base camp (4285m/14,050ft) under perfectly clear, starry skies at about 5 a.m. By four hours later, the entire team was standing on the summit of Carstensz Pyramid, the highest point in Oceania, and one of the ‘seven summits!’ We had a really nice climb. The weather was perfect. We had perfectly clear skies as the sun rose over the Sudirman Range, which is just a really beautiful, kind of magnificent range with lots of exposed limestone, craggy peaks. And as we gained the summit ridge, we had clear skies looking down to the south as well, toward the Arafura Sea. I felt like if we’d been able to see just a little bit farther, we would have caught a glimpse of Australia! Really nice weather for Carstensz Pyramid.
Yeah, the clear skies and good weather continued all the way to the summit and back down. We are all back in base camp now and relaxing in t-shirts and shorts in the sunshine, and preparing for our flight back to Timika (31m/103ft).
All in all this expedition has gone really well so far! We arrived in Timika on schedule, flew to the mountain on schedule, summited on the day we planned to, according to our itinerary, the next day, and hopefully we’ll fly out of base camp later today or tomorrow. So, yeah, really special expedition here in the New Guinea Highlands.
This was a custom itinerary. So we are climbing outside of the usual seasons on Carstensz Pyramid, which means that we have the mountain all to ourselves. There’s no one else in base camp, just our little team, and we were the only ones on the mountain. Felt very peaceful, really special.
So yeah, all good here in the tropics in Papua. And we’ll be in touch tomorrow.
Before leaving camp on the summit push.
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:
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.“
With happy hearts, we’re excited to report that the entire Madison Mountaineering team is now safely off of the mountain and heading home! Some of the team is back in Kathmandu, reintroducing themselves to the comforts of life in the city. A few team members, guides, the Sherpa team, and base camp staff are wrapping up the season in Everest Base Camp! While climbers are quick to pack their bags one last time before boarding their flights back home, there are sure to be many hugs and ‘see you laters’ as this special season comes to a close. We are so proud of the entire team for another incredible season in the Himalaya! With over 30 summits on Mount Everest, memories, and new friends that will last a lifetime, the past month and a half is one we won’t soon forget. With that, we are proud to present the 2026 Mount Everest summiteers list:
#
Name
Nationality
1
Francisco Arenas
United States of America
2
Richard Draves
United States of America
3
Ashley Keightley
United States of America
4
Brandon Scott
Canada
5
Andrew Green
United States of America
6
Frank McCarthy
Ireland
7
Pratyay Poddar
United Kingdom
8
Tomas Walsh
United States of America
9
Jeffery Arnold
Canada
10
Reid Tileston
United States of America
11
Garrett Madison
United States of America
12
Terray Sylvester
United States of America
13
Juan Pablo Escobar
Argentina
14
Javier Beiza
Argentina
15
Aang Phurba Sherpa
Nepal
16
Dawa Sange Sherpa
Nepal
17
Dorchi Sherpa
Nepal
18
Chhong Ngima Sherp
Nepal
19
Ngima Tashi Sherpa
Nepal
20
Sumba Sherpa
Nepal
21
Shere Thapa Magar
Nepal
22
Ngima Sona Sherpa
Nepal
23
Lale Tamang
Nepal
24
Dawa Sungder Sherpa
Nepal
25
Nima Sange Sherpa
Nepal
26
Pemba Sherp
Nepal
27
Pemba Serwa
Nepal
28
Chheten Dorgee Sherpa
Nepal
29
Dorchi one Sherpa
Nepal
30
Siddhi Tamang
Nepal
31
Hira Bhote
Nepal
32
R D Tamang
Nepal
33
Mane Tamang
Nepal
34
Santosh Bhote
Nepal
Bookings for the 2027 Mount Everest expedition are OPEN! Reach out to our team to learn more. We are already looking forward to coming back again next year!
Hey! This is Garrett checking in for the Mount Everest (8848m/29,032ft) expedition team.
We are all down off the mountain now. The last of us, myself, Terray, Reid, and Jeff, along with our incredible Sherpa team came down to base camp (5364m/17,598ft) today from Camp IV (7900m/25,919ft). Everyone’s down from Camp II (6500m/21,325ft). And we’re happy that the whole crew is safely down off the mountain.
Most of our main team is already down in Kathmandu (1400m/4,600ft), enjoying the city life, and hot showers, warm beds, and looking forward to getting home soon.
It’s been a great expedition! Just incredible success all around. Everybody who went for the summit made it. That’s 10 clients, four guides, and, over 20 Nepal Sherpa. So just an amazing expedition! Very thankful, very grateful we were so fortunate and had so much success and safety all around.
So it’s been a great season here in Nepal. So fortunate, so thankful, and we’ll check in soon.
(From left to right) Aang Phurba Sherpa, Garrett Madison, and Jeff Arnold nearing base camp after descending from Camp IV.
Looking up at the summit from the South Col.
The team moving together beneath the Lhotse Face.
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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PHOTO-2026-04-28-06-31-57.jpg7681024Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-05-28 14:29:282026-05-28 15:04:07Safely back in Base Camp
At 18:57 NPT, we received word from the South Col that the Madison MountaineeringMount Everest expedition team had successfully reached the summit and made it back down to Camp IV! It comes with great pleasure to share this exciting news that nine climbers, guides, and Sherpas topped out at the world’s highest point today, adding to the total from a few days prior. The team enjoyed excellent views and no crowds while climbing on the way to the summit. With the summit to themselves, the celebration commenced, summit photos were taken, and the moment cherished before turning back. What an incredible way to finish the 2026 climbing season on Mount Everest! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in from Camp IV:
We have great news to report… Today, the last members of our expedition, Everest team all reached the summit! That’s myself, Jeff Arnold, Terray Sylvester, Reid Tileston, along with the incredible Sherpa team: Siddhi Ghising, and Mani, and Ardi, and Hira, and Santosh. And we are all back in Camp IV (7900m/25,919ft) now, safe and sound, resting, recovering, and planning to head down to Camp II (6500m/21,325ft) and base camp (5364m/17,598ft) the following day.
(We) had a great day! The weather cooperated, winds dropped down, and we had some great views on the way up. It was a little cloudy up top, but not crowded at all, and we just had a wonderful time up there. A great way to conclude our expedition with all the members that were up here at the South Col, and going for the summit, topping out on Everest!
So, been a fantastic expedition, and we will check in soon.
Summit photo atop Mount Everest!
Clear skies and excellent views while climbing high on Everest.
Garrett Madison on the summit for his 16th time.
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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PHOTO-2026-05-27-06-12-38-scaled.jpg25601920Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-05-27 13:12:242026-05-27 14:11:47More Everest Summits on May 27!
It comes with great excitement to share that the Madison MountaineeringMount Everest expedition team successfully reached the summit and are back in Camp 4! All climbers who left on the summit push from the South Col reached the world’s highest point. Upon reaching the top, the team took in the moment with a brief celebration, hugs, high-fives, and a few photos before turning back and descending down the route. Awesome job, team! We are so proud of you.
But we’re not done yet! A few climbers and guides are staged in Camp 4. They plan to take a rest day tomorrow and leave for the summit on May 27th! More to come from Mount Everest… Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the South Col:
We are all up at the South Col at Camp 4 (7900m/25,919ft) on Mount Everest. And today, we’re so proud of our main team that summited, led by Cacho, J.P, Aang Phurba Sherpa, along with eight climbers. That’s Rich, Brandon, Andy, Ashley, Pratyay, Frank, Francisco, and Tom. All the climbers who were up here at the South Col went for the summit and made it, along with the guide team and 16 Nepal Sherpas, 16 of our stellar Sherpas. We’re so proud of them! So that’s, I think 24 members from the Madison Mountaineering team, Sherpas and climbers, 26 maybe who summited.
Myself, along with Jeff Arnold, Terray Sylvester, and Reid Tileston are up here at the South Col now, along with Siddhi, Ardi, and Hada Sherpa. We’re getting ready to go for our summit attempt. We’re probably going to aim for the morning of the 27th at this point.
So everyone’s doing well, everyone’s safe, everyone’s happy. And we’re just so excited our main team all made it to the top, 100% success for everyone that was up here at the South Col and left to go for the summit attempt. Great job, team!
Fingers crossed we’ll some good weather and conditions for the last four of us and our Sherpa team here on the 27th! All’s well here at high camp 4 on Everest, 26,000 feet, 8,000 meters. 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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PHOTO-2026-05-25-08-13-40.jpg1024768Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-05-25 16:13:412026-05-25 16:23:06Summits on Everest!
The Madison MountaineeringMount Everest expedition team is primed and ready for their summit push. Situated in Camp 4 at the South Col, our main team has plans to get an alpine start and hopefully be standing on the summit by mid-morning! Meanwhile, the rest of our team is down in Camp 3 and will make the move to Camp 4 tomorrow. The weather has improved and the team is ready to go. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Everest:
We are split into two teams at the moment. Our main team, with Cacho, J.P, and Aang Phurba is up at the South Col (7900m/25,919ft). They got up there yesterday to Camp 4 (7900m/25,919ft). They battled some high winds, but they did great getting into high camp. And they are going for the summit tonight! They’re gonna set out around 1:00 p.m. Hopefully, summit at about 9 or 10 a.m. on May 25th.
Our plan here, myself, Terray, Reid, and Jeff, is to climb up to Camp 4 tomorrow, and hopefully, greet our team and congratulate them on the way back down! And then, we’ll go for the summit in the next day or two, 26th or 27th of May.
So, all is well here on Mount Everest! Seems like the winds are starting to subside, and the weather is improving. Fingers crossed and Godspeed.
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:
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.“
Madison MountaineeringMount Everest expedition teams are tucked into Camps 3 and 4. The summit push is near; climbers are psyched and ready to go! The main climbing team reached the South Col today, and the rest of our guides and climbers will join them there shortly. Stay tuned for the summit push! Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Everest:
Hey! This is Garrett here with Terray, Reid, and Jeff in Camp 3 (7230m/23,720ft) on Everest (8848m/29,032ft).
We climbed up from Camp 2 (6500m/21,325ft) to Camp 3 today. We had a nice day, great views, and we’re tucked in here, just getting ready to have some dinner,
Our main team: Cacho, JP, Aang Phurba, and all the other climbers powered up from Camp 3 to Camp 4 (7900m/25,919ft) today, got to the South Col. It was a windy one for them, but they did great. They’re up there, resting and recovering; probably gonna rest tomorrow. Hopefully, the winds will start to subside, and we’ll have some good weather for the summit push.
But everyone’s doing well, and we’re psyched to be here, good views all around! 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:
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/PHOTO-2026-05-23-04-21-28.jpg16001200Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-05-23 11:21:572026-05-23 22:03:59Teams in Camp 3 and Camp 4 on Everest!
The Madison MountaineeringMount Vinson expedition team safely descended from the summit back to their high camp. The celebration continued on here with recounts of the day and a well-deserved meal of mac and cheese with pork chops! A good nights rest will lead into the teams continued descent back to Vinson Base Camp, where preparations will be made for the return to Union Glacier Camp, then Punta Arenas, and on to everyones home countries. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from Mount Vinson High Camp:
Hello! This is the Madison MountaineeringVinson (4892m/16,050ft) team. We are back in high camp (3536m/11,600ft)!
We had a great summit. It was calm and warm up there, and we’re all back in high camp now safe and sound. (We) just had dinner, pork chops and mac and cheese!
We’re going to have a long night of rest and then wake up and head down to base camp (2140m/7,020ft) tomorrow. Hopefully we’ll get a flight back to (700m/2,297ft) Union Glacier in the next couple of days and can head on home to South America and onwards.
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.“
https://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/PHOTO-2026-01-18-17-12-55.jpg1024768Garretthttps://madisonmountaineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/logomm-300x138.jpgGarrett2026-01-19 01:13:282026-01-19 16:24:29Back to high camp from the summit!
