The Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam expedition team took to the trail again today, leaving their stay in Namche Bazaar and continuing on to Deboche. The team trekked under clear skies and with excellent views of the surrounding peaks, and some wildlife too! Along the way, we stopped at Tengboche Monastery which is the largest gompa in the region, then made our way to the neighboring cafe to fuel up before pushing onto our next stop. Expedition leader, Terray Sylvester checks in with this dispatch from Nepal:
Hello! This is Terray calling in for the 2026 Madison Mountaineering Ama Dablam (6812m/22,349ft) expedition. Today is October 25th.
Today we trekked from Namche Bazaar (3440m/11,290ft) to the village of Deboche (3820m/12,532ft). It was another fantastic day here in the Khumbu Valley; blue skies, not a cloud in sight! So we had great views of some of the many giant peaks in this region including Taboche (6495m/21,309ft) and Cholatse (6440m/21,130ft), Thamserku (6623m/21,729ft), Kangtega (6782m/22,251ft), Everest (8848m/29,032ft), Nuptse (7861m/25,791ft), Lhotse (8516m/27,940ft), and our objective, Ama Dablam.
We stopped for lunch in Phunki Tenga (3250m/10,663ft), and then we climbed the hill through the rhododendron forests to Tengboche Monastery. We toured the monastery, and then afterwards we relaxed at the cafe next door, had some espresso drinks and pastries.Then we descended to Deboche.
We also had two wildlife sightings today. We saw Himalayan Goral in the rhododendrons below Tengboche, and we spotted a Danphe as well. Those are also called Himalayan Monal, it’s a brightly colored bird that is the national bird of Nepal!
Tomorrow we’re looking forward to moving to Pangboche (3985m/13,074ft). Well be in touch then!
Our climber, Calvin, exploring Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Our climber, Rhonda, spinning prayer wheels at Tengboche Monastery (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Our climber, Naomi, visiting Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)
A massive prayer wheel at Tengboche (photo by Terray Sylvester)
Great weather in the Khumbu Valley! (Photo by Terray Sylvester)
Departing from the Panorama Lodge in Namche Bazaar.
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:
