Entries from Ama Dablam
Ama Dablam doesn’t need an introduction — it’s the mountain that makes everyone stop mid-trek, pull out their phone, and say “what mountain is that?” It looks impossible, like a granite shark fin dropped into the Khumbu. And we got to climb it. After a few weeks of hiking, acclimatizing, and a lot of time perfecting our tea-to-oxygen ratio, our team made a summit push. We climbed to Camp 1 at 19,000 ft followed by Camp 3, then up to the summit. We skipped the infamous, and smelly, Camp 2 to avoid the cramped "sleeping" and opted to climb the Grey Tower in the daylight with No Crowds!!
We left Camp 3 in the wee hours of the morning due to the wind whipping across the seemingly near vertical wall facing you. We needed the sun to start making the air warmer, though the face doesn't get sun for quite some time in the mornings. The fixed lines started right out of camp, and we got into a rhythm quickly — one step, one jumar, a deep breath, repeat. The climbing from Camp 3 is the kind of terrain that keeps you smiling even while your legs burn. It’s steep, exposed, and wildly scenic — you look down and realize how much of the world is way below you. A few hours later, we were standing on the summit — some wind, blue skies, and the type of view that doesn’t feel real until you’re back at basecamp scrolling through your photos thinking, “oh yeah, that actually happened.”
We had opted to head all the way back down to basecamp after our climb, which made for a long day, but a worthwhile endeavor, nonetheless. A hot meal, a mattress, a warm dome, all after summitting one of the most iconic peaks on earth. We got back in the dark, but damn was it worth it.
Ama Dablam always lives up to the hype, a mix of gritty weather, unreal scenery, and the kind of that technical climbing that makes you grateful for strong ropes and stronger people.
Huge thanks to our Sherpa team, the staff at basecamp, and everyone back home following along.
Until next time,
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Ama Dablam Expedition October 8, 2025
Posted by: Dominic Cifelli
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ama Dablam
After leaving the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu and making our steady way up the Khumbu Valley over the past several days, we’ve arrived at Basecamp, perched at 15,000 ft. Ama Dablam towers above us, its iconic ridges stretching around camp. Ama Dablam is named for its resemblance to a mother cradling and protecting her child.
What a place. We’re surrounded by 360-degree views of the Khumbu’s giants, some of the tallest and most breathtaking peaks on Earth. It’s inspiring, humbling, breathtaking. A fresh blanket of snow last week has transformed the landscape into a pristine white canvas, the air crisp as the last whispers of monsoon give way to winter here in the Himalayas.
Tomorrow, we head higher for acclimatization, up to Yak Camp, the intermediate point between Basecamp and Camp 1. We’ll tag 17,000 ft and return to BC for the night, where our routine involves as much ginger, lemon, and honey tea legally possible.
After that, we begin our rotation schedule in preparation for the big show: our summit push. For now, it’s still quiet up here, let’s hope it stays that way.
RMI Guide Dominic Cifelli
New Post Alerts:
Ama Dablam Expedition October 8, 2025
Wow! This is on my bucket list.
Posted by: Richard Henry on 11/20/2018 at 7:55 am
Go Dad! Can’t wait to hear about it!
Posted by: Holland on 11/16/2018 at 8:17 pm
Enjoy the sunset and the sunrise !
You must have some view
Posted by: Vivian on 11/16/2018 at 10:15 am
Looking great !
May the mountain gods be with you - we are rooting for you from the couch wishing that we are on the mountain !
Posted by: Vivian on 11/15/2018 at 2:34 am
Be safe!!!!
Posted by: lisa maiser on 11/14/2018 at 5:01 pm
Well you all look healthy and happy!
Holding pattern? You must have an airline pilot in the group
Posted by: lisa maiser on 11/13/2018 at 8:14 am
Good luck to all!
Posted by: Beverly on 11/12/2018 at 1:21 am
Elias,
We are close by having just finished Mera Peak!! Good luck to you and team. And from one Spaniard to another remember…....You have to make sure you look good!
Gene
Posted by: Gene Limia on 11/12/2018 at 1:16 am
Posted by: Elias de Andres Martos
Categories: Expedition Dispatches Ama Dablam
Photos look crazy epic! Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Some guy from Puyallup on 11/3/2025 at 9:35 pm
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