MANASLU PEAK EXPEDITION (8156M.)

HIGHLIGHTS

• Region:  Nepal
• Total Duration: 43 Nights / 44 Days (Ex Kathmandu)
• Style of Trip: Extreme Climbing
• Grade: Challenging
• Maximum Altitude: 8156 m.
• Best Season: Spring and Autumn
• Accommodation: Hotel/Guesthouse; Organized Campsite
• Food: On trek– All meals included
• Mt. Manasluis the 8th highest peak in the world towering around 8156m. in the northern Himalayan range in Gorkha district of Nepal. Manalsuword derives from the Sanskrit word Manasa which means “intellect” or “soul” in short Manalsu means “Mountain of Spirits”. Manaslu was first climbed by Japanese team in 9th May 1956 and is being the favorite amongst the Japanese as Everest is first choice for European mountaineers. Manasluis the 4th most dangerous 8000er peak in the world behind Annapurna, Nanga Parbat and K2. It beholds the most avalanche prone route, inclement weather and the indefinable snowfalls lasting for days. But with all these possibilities of circumstances the peak has been conquered many a times and is climbed with all adequate measures required for a safe climb by professional mountaineers. The climbing nowadays has changed a lot in manner of equipment planning safety and the weather forecasting, but the nature lies unpredictable indeed.
• The trail commences from Samagaon, the last inhabitance before leaving to the ultimate adventure. It is a multiple days trek to Samagaon from Kathmandu, the foot hills of Mt. Manaslu.
• The route can be travelled via local transport which is an arduous journey through risky off roads and several days trek until reaching the base camp or can fly by a chopper till Samagaon. The route offers tremendous valley views and the rich backdrops engulfed with foliage and the rural dwellings, mostly isolated from the rest of the world. It is just the climbing season when people are opened to the outsiders willing to climb various peaks held in the adventurous country of Nepal.
• The base camp after Samagaon is hours trek on loose rocks of slanting gradients leading to the snout of a glacier. The base camp is surrounded with stone boulders and icy penitents from where one can have the first glimpse of the mighty Mt. Manaslu. After base camp climb on the scree slants followed with snow and ice stretches, there are two options for fixing camp I at lower and higher altitudes varying about 100m height. The last stretch toward higher camp I is steep on snow, it will depend on the pace and timing of the mountaineers to fix camps at higher one. On the following days acclimatization will be done along with ferrying loads to the camp I and camp II. From camp I to camp II (6270m) snow slopes occur one after the other, one ice cliff after another restricting progress to minimum. The last stretch toward camp II is just normal slow walk.  Then camp II to camp III is steep on snow slant and the rise of altitude slows up the ascend yet the landscape around is rejuvenating. There are multiple snow patches vertical ice walls of 80 degrees and several crevasses during the ice wall climb warning climber to be careful until camp III is at 6800m. is achieved. From camp III to camp IV gradient steepens more and the surface turns solid of big long ice cliffs slope starting from the camp III.Enroute one can see all previous camps clearly reminding the nasty altitude gain. Climbing on similar slopes of prior ice and snow we will reach at the camp IV at the altitude of 7400m.
• The camp IV is also summit camp from where one can estimate the further route and planning for the attempt. The summit route is mainly mixed of ice and snow requiring adequate strength to tackle thin air as the altitude rises above 8 thousand meters. The gradient remains strenuous until the pinnacle is held. The top of the Manaslu peak is fabulous presenting the glorious Himalayan ranges into view. The high peaks of Mansiri Himal, a part of Nepalese Himalaya soar above the clouds showing its prominence and grandeur while standing atop. Stand at the summit for some time take photographs and retrieve the trail back to the lower camps.
• As everyone knows descending is the trickiest part of climbing, climb down cautiously and prudently on such devastating slopes. At the end we will reach the inhabitation and will retrieve back to our preferred destination celebrating the triumph over stupendous Himalayan Peak.
• The Manaslu peak expedition is a stunning 43 Nights and 44 Days in the busy market town of Soti Khola, going up and back along a different path, dropping in Kathmandu. The trek is wild and secluded, yet you will find teahouses at various intervals, and it is accessible and affordable.