Tengboche Monastery Archives

Everest 2026

Moving up from Namche

The team together in front of the Tengboche Monastery

The Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition team took to the trails once again over the weekend to continue their trek towards Everest Base Camp! After fueling up for the day in Namche Bazaar, the trail climbs up and out of the village before making its way down to the river below, and climbing back up towards the Tengboche Monastery. The trail offers excellent views of Ama Dablam and other surrounding peaks, along with ample time share conversations, laughs, and smiles en route to the next stop. After a visit at the monastery and some tasty treats at a neighboring bakery, we continued on, excited for some good rest at the Rivendell Lodge. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison checks in with this dispatch from the Himalayas:

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

Today, we trekked from Namche (3440m/11,290ft) over and across the river, up the big hill, to Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft). That was fun to visit! We went to a bakery nearby for some coffee and pastries, then dropped down into the rhododendron forest of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) to one of our favorite lodges: the Rivendell!

Everyone’s doing great! It was a wonderful day, great views, sunshine, fresh air, good exercise, and we’re in really good spirits. So, looking forward to another great day in the Khumbu Valley, trekking uphill tomorrow.

Taking to the trail with Ama Dablam towering high above

After receiving a blessing from our friends at the Panorama Lodge

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:

April 17, 2026/0 Comments/by Garrett

Back on the move!

The team departing Namche Bazaar after receiving a blessing from our friends at the Panorama Lodge.

The Madison Mountaineering expedition teams took to the trail again today under blue skies, saying ‘see you later’ to Namche Bazaar after a pleasant stay in the busy mountain village. Todays trek offered spectacular mountain views of Ama Dablam, Mount Everest, and more before we made a short stop at the Tengboche Monastery and neighboring bakery. After filling their bellies with pastries, treats, coffee, and tea, we made our final descent down to our next stop at the beautiful, Rivendell Lodge. Expedition leader, Garrett Madison check in with this dispatch from Deboche:

Hello! This is Garrett calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft)-Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) climbing teams, Makalu (8463m/27,766ft) team, and the Base Camp (5364m/17,598ft) trekking team – today is April 17!

Today we left Namche (3440m/11,290ft) and trekked up to the Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft) and then down to the rhododendron forest and the town of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft), here in the Rivendell Lodge. We had a great day! It was a beautiful morning, lots of mountain views. We stopped into the Tengboche Monastery and got to witness the afternoon prayer which is really special, and then had some apple pie and coffee, and then came down to our lodge here for a nice, restful evening and a great dinner!

Very special morning leaving Namche! We were blessed by our family friends at the Panorama Lodge, Mingma and his mother, Lhakpa Doma. Very wonderful ceremony and looking forward to heading up the Khumbu further tomorrow!

All is well and we’ll check in soon!

Lunch in Phungithanka!

Visiting Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our trekker, Jeff, sending positive vibes into the ether at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray

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:

April 17, 2025/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ama Dablam 2024

Visit at the Tengboche Monastery!

The team making their way from Namche Bazaar to Deboche! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

The Madison Mountaineering Himalayan expedition teams continued up the valley today with stops along the way at the Tengboche Monastery and the neighboring bakery. Now settled into the lodge for the night, we’re looking forward to a good night’s sleep and another good day tomorrow! One of our team members is now on their way toward Gokyo Ri, but will soon be reunited with our team in just a few days on Lobuche and Island Peak! The views have been excellent and our team is in good spirits as we move further into the mountains! Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2024 Madison Mountaineering autumn programs here in the Khumbu Valley of Nepal.

Today we walked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). It was another beautiful day here in Nepal! Along the way, our guest who is heading to Gokyo Ri (5340m/17,519ft) and then looping back to climb Lobuche East (6119m/20,075ft) and Island Peak (6189m/20,305ft), he split off. He’ll head up into the Gokyo Valley to Dole (4038m/13,248ft) today. The rest of us, our Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) team and our EBC (5364m/17,598ft) trekkers, plus Island Peak and Lobuche East climbers, we all continued past Tengboche Monastery here to Deboche. At Tengboche (3867m/12,687ft), we had a nice visit in the monastery and received a blessing from the Lama there and then we relaxed and had some nice drinks, coffee drinks, hot drinks, and pastries at the bakery adjacent to the monastery. Now we’re settling into our lodge and looking forward to dinner in a few hours.

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

En route to Deboche. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Our Everest Base Camp trekker Miga with Madison Mountaineering Office Manager Mike Sanders, Nima Sangye Sherpa, and Ama Dablam climber Joe! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Visiting Tengboche Monastery. (Photo by Terray Sylvester)

Ama Dablam climber Kat completing a “kora” — or circumambulation — of Tengboche 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:

October 25, 2024/0 Comments/by Garrett

Mountain Cleanup Project

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.

Hiking up to Tengboche Monastery (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:

April 22, 2024/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ama Dablam 2023, Everest Base Camp, Lobuche and Island Peak 2023.10

Visiting the Tengboche Monastery

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)

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)

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)

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:

October 25, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2023

Training and Awaiting

Excellent views of EBC and the peaks above it from the slopes below Pumori! Photo pulled from the Madison Mountaineering archive. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

While our first wave of climbers awaits to greet their fellow teammates in base camp, they continue their technical training in the neighboring ice formations to their base camp! Good weather has made for good times in the Khumbu thus far, not to mention delicious food and movies to watch as the sun sets over Everest Base Camp (EBC). Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with this dispatch from EBC:

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 April 17th.

Today we had a third day of technical training on ice formations next to base camp (5364m/17,598ft) – practiced ascending and rappelling steep ice, as well as went over technique for ladder crossings. And then, (we) relaxed in the afternoon! In the evening, we had a great dinner of fried chicken, pasta and potatoes! Then, we watched The Hangover, was our movie selection tonight.

Our second wave of climbers are in Deboche (3820m/12,532ft) tonight. They stopped at the famous Tengboche Monastery on the way from Namche (3440m/11,290ft), and then are staying at the comfortable Rivendell Lodge tonight.

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

Climber, Larry Zitnick, receiving a blessing along the trek towards EBC!

Climber, Larry Zitnick, spinning a few of the many prayer wheels encountered on the trail en route to EBC!

Climbing and trekking duo, Rich and Sarah Draves, smiling for a photo on the trek towards EBC!

Climbers, Krisli Melesk and Stevie Hornick, stopping for a photo!

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:

April 17, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2023

Clear Skies and High Spirits!

The team on their acclimatization hike, with views of the Himalayas behind! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

With clear skies and unobstructed views of Everest, Lhotse, and the surrounding Himalaya, the team is full of high spirits after their acclimatization hike today! Tomorrow, their journey will continue on from Namche Bazaar with a stop at the Tengboche Monastery, before arriving at their next stop in Deboche. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester, checks in with today’s dispatch from the Khumbu:

Hello, this is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft) expedition! It’s April 6th today.

Today we hiked up to the Everest View Hotel above Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft). It was an acclimatization hike during our active rest day here in Namche, and the weather was fantastic! Clear skies, not much smoke or dust, so we had excellent views of Everest, Lhotse, Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) and other peaks nearby. Then we came back down to Namche and we’ve been relaxing for the afternoon.

We’re just abut to start dinner, and then tomorrow we’ll wake up and walk to Deboche (3820m/12,532ft), past the famous Tengboche Monastery.

So, all is well here in Nepal! We’ll be in touch tomorrow.

Ama Dablam (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Expedition leader, Garrett Madison, and climbers, Peter Horsman and Erwin Visser on today’s acclimatization hike. (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Climber, Rick Irvine, on today’s acclimatization hike! (Photo: Terray Sylvester)

Everest and Lhotse from afar. (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:

April 6, 2023/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ama Dablam 2022

Alpenglow on the Himalaya!

Alpenglow on Ama Dablam. Photo: Terray Sylvester

The team continued onward from Namche Bazaar today, making stops at the Tengboche Monastery and the local bakery before arriving in Deboche. This evenings sunset cast beautiful alpenglow lighting upon the surrounding Himalaya while the team ate dinner and prepared to continue on their journey tomorrow. Expedition guide, Terray Sylvester checks in with todays dispatch from Deboche:

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition – it’s October 24th.

Today we walked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). Along the way we stopped at the famous Tengboche Monastery (3867m/12,687ft) and had a coffee and some pastries in the bakery there, and then toured the monastery. There was a big puja underway, so that was interesting to see! Then in the evening, we caught a beautiful sunset that lit up Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft) and Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) with really nice alpenglow light.

So, we just finished dinner and are looking forward to another great day in the Khumbu Valley tomorrow! Tomorrow, we plan to hike up to Phortse (3840m, 12,598ft), then head over to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft), which is where we’ll spend the night. We’ll be in touch tomorrow!

Climber, Jocelyn crossing the Dudh Koshi River on the way to Deboche! Photo: Terray Sylvester

Tengboche Monastery. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Our climbers at Tengboche Monastery. Photo: Terray Sylvester

Approaching Tengboche with Kangtenga in the distance. 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:

October 24, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Everest 2022

Namche Bazaar to Deboche

Climbers enjoying a tea break in Kyangjuma

Today our trekking and climbing teams moved up from Namche Bazaar past the Tengboche Monastery to the village of Deboche along the Imja Khola river. Madison Mountaineering guide Terray Sylvester provides a recap of the day.

Also, be sure to check out Alan Arnette’s interview with Garrett Madison from Namche Bazaar: https://www.alanarnette.com/blog/2022/04/07/everest-2022-interview-with-garrett-madison-from-namche-bazaar/

Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2022 Madison Mountaineering Mount Everest expedition! It’s Thursday, April 7th.

Today we trekked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the little village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). We had nice weather along the way with more views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse. We stopped for lunch at a little town called Phungi Thenga. Then we crossed a suspension bridge across the Dudh Koshi river, which means “Milk River” because of the color of the water from the glacial silt in it. Then we ascended the long switchbacks up to Tengboche Monastery at about 12,700ft, checked out the monastery and some of the other sites around it and then walked down the last 20 minutes to Deboche.

So we’re about to have dinner here and looking forward to tomorrow which will be a nice day. We’ll walk through Pangboche and get the blessing of the local Lama there.

We’ll be in touch!

The climbing team at the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar

Climber David Courtney receiving a blessing before leaving Namche

Climber Josh Garrison receiving a blessing before leaving Namche

Along the trail to Deboche

Climber Stephane Mayer visiting Tengboche Monastery with his family

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions. Just say, “Alexa, play my Madison Mountaineering flash briefing.“

– Instagram:

April 7, 2022/0 Comments/by Garrett

Ama Dablam 2020

The Trek to Base Camp – Debuche (3730m)

Departing the Panorama Lodge in Namche with blessings

Leaving Namche Bazaar today, the Ama Dablam team was blessed by our friends at the Panorama Lodge and started making their way towards Tengboche. Before reaching the lunch stop at the village of Phunki Tenga, they said farewell to the Gokyo trekking team as the trail split and the Gokyo trekkers headed north into the Gokyo Valley and the village of Mong. After lunch on the riverside terrace overlooking the confluence of the Dudh Koshi and Imja Khola rivers, the Ama Dablam team crossed the big footbridge and made their way up to the hill to the Tengboche Monastery and the always awesome Cafe Tengboche for some well earned Khumbu apple pie at 3855m / 12,648 ft.!

From there it was just a bit further on, downhill, to the Rivendell Lodge in Deboche for the evening.

[ UPDATE: Apparently the cafes in Phunki Tenga and Tengboche were closed due to the coronavirus so no apple pie! :-( ]

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 Garrett Madison’s daily audio expedition updates on select expeditions

– Instagram:

October 29, 2020/0 Comments/by Kurt

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