The first summit success of the fall season on Nepal’s eight-thousanders has been achieved. According to the Nepalese expedition operator Seven Summit Treks, the nine-member rope-fixing team reached the summit of the 8,163-meter-high Manaslu tonight at 9:25 p.m. local time. The Expedition Operator’s Association Nepal (EOA-Nepal) had commissioned the team, which was led by Chhiring Bhote.
This means the route to the highest point of the world’s eighth-highest mountain is now secured with ropes, clearing the way for the numerous commercial teams. The first large groups are expected to reach the summit starting Sunday. Meteorologists are forecasting several days of stable weather with relatively little wind beginning this weekend.
Congestion inevitable
As reported, the Nepalese Department of Tourism has issued more climbing permits for Manaslu in a single season than ever before: 480 (as of 16 September).
If you add the Nepalese guides and Climbing Sherpas to the foreign clients, an estimated 900 to 1,000 people will attempt to climb the mountain this fall – possibly even more. Queues at the more technically challenging sections are likely inevitable.
Singaporean client dies during descent
Today, the second fatality of the season on Manaslu was reported: According to the Tourism Times, a 50-year-old man from Singapore died while descending from Camp 2 at an altitude of about 6,000 meters. He had ascended to continue acclimatizing. The cause of death is believed to be a heart attack. Previously, a 20-year-old porter had died at base camp, presumably from high altitude sickness. – Yesterday, an avalanche occurred above Camp 3; fortunately, no one was injured.
Update 20 September: Due to heavy snowfall, most teams have called off their summit attempts and returned to base camp. Dawa “Miles” Sherpa of the expedition operator Summit Force reported via Instagram that two climbers from another team lost their lives at Camp 3 at 6,800 meters when their tent was struck by an avalanche.
