kathmandu, Sept. 15: The Manaslu region in northern Gorkha is currently bustling with activity as climbers who have obtained permits to scale Manaslu during the autumn season have started arriving at the base camp.
At the base camp of the 8,163-metre Manaslu, climbers and their support staff, carrying dreams of reaching the summit, are busy making the necessary preparations.
According to Suraj Ghimire, Director at the Department of Tourism, 422 climbers – 313 men and 109 women – from 35 expedition teams have obtained permits to climb Manaslu this year. He said that Manaslu has attracted more foreign climbers this season compared to other mountains.
“As of Friday, 190 climbers through 18 trekking agencies had reached Samagaun,” said Bhuban Ojha, Information Officer at the Manaslu Conservation Area (MCAP).
He said climbers and their support staff had started heading towards the base camp from Samagaun in mid-August. Some travelled by helicopter, while others reached Samagaun via the Larkey Pass through Manang or along routes within Gorkha district.
The climbers are currently acclimatising to high altitudes, undertaking trekking activities, practising technical skills and completing preparations for the expedition. Teams of Sherpa guides have also started fixing ropes up to the summit and preparing the climbing route.
Once preparations are complete, climbers will gradually move to higher camps, considering weather and health conditions. Surrounded by snow-covered mountains on all sides, the base camp currently resembles a small Himalayan settlement, with tents, climbing equipment and climbers filling the area.
Manaslu, also known as the ‘Killer Mountain’, is often the first 8,000-metre peak attempted by many climbers. Japanese climber Toshio Imanishi and Nepali citizen Urken Tshering Sherpa successfully made the first ascent of Manaslu on May 9, 1956
