{"id":49037,"date":"2025-01-26T17:17:46","date_gmt":"2025-01-26T17:17:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/adventure\/nepal-manaslu-base-camp-trek\/"},"modified":"2025-01-26T17:17:46","modified_gmt":"2025-01-26T17:17:46","slug":"nepal-manaslu-base-camp-trek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=49037","title":{"rendered":"Nepal: Manaslu Base Camp Trek"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Rain, rain, rain \u2013 well, it is monsoon season after all! The Manaslu Base Camp Trek was an adventure in many ways.<\/p>\n

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\"Manaslu\"\"Manaslu\"
View of Manaslu (8,163m) from Samagaon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n

\u2018This was the hardest trek we\u2019ve done!\u2019 Well, I do have a habit of saying this after every base camp we have completed as part of our Project Base8000<\/a>. All thirteen so far to be exact!<\/p>\n

There were some long days, \u2018half marathons\u2019 to be precise. Rain, new landslides and slippery conditions \u2013 along with pesky leeches. You know the the ones. They cling onto boots, packs, clothing \u2013 the blood sucking ones!<\/p>\n

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\"View\"View
Fields of crops on the Manaslu Base Camp Trek<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

To cap it all off, a 1,300m ascent in one day from Samagoan\u00a0to Manaslu Base Camp (4,881m). Then back down again a few days later crossing raging rivers that weren\u2019t there when we trekked up \u2013 and with suspected fractured ribs (more on that later). Phew!<\/p>\n

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\"Trekking\"Trekking
Trekking through deep gorges<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Along with the challenges, spectacular views of deep gorges and beautiful villages were had. Plus, all the friendly villagers that greeted us with big smiles along with inquisitive school children added to the experience of the trek.<\/p>\n

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\"Teahouses\"Teahouses
Teahouses en route<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

A lot of new tea houses are being built in this region, which will eventually attract more tourists.<\/p>\n

Trekking to Base Camp<\/h2>\n

Our goal was to join up with a climbing expedition and experience life at base camp. This meant trekking in climbing season, which is earlier than the standard trekking season and is more rainy. We teamed up again with Climbalaya<\/a>, the expedition company we\u2019d used for the Cho Oyu Advance Base Camp Trek<\/a> in Tibet, China.<\/p>\n

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\"Greenery\"Greenery
So much greenery!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Our trek took us on the Manaslu Circuit trail, with a detour from Samagaon up to base camp for a few days. While most climbers trek in, some choose to helicopter from Kathmandu to Samagaon (3,530m). Acclimatising for a couple of days, they then head up to Manaslu base camp where they base themselves for the launch to the summit of Manaslu (8,163m), 8th highest mountain in the world.<\/p>\n

Due to landslides, we drove to Barpak (950m) and trekked in from there. This involved some challenging ascents and descents right from the start. We were accompanied by a Polish mountain climber nicknamed \u2018animal\u2019 \u2013 not by nature but his physical ability! After a few days trekking we joined up with an Argentinean lady who, unbeknown to us at the time, was on the same permit as our expedition company.<\/p>\n

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\"Bridge\"Bridge
One of the many river crossings<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Coming across a fresh landslide just out of Khorlabheshi, our Polish climber friend decided to cross first and test out how bad it was. When he yelled out \u2018all good\u2019, we trekkers followed suit \u2013 and fast!<\/p>\n

As I stated before, days were long, humid and rainy. After all, this was the monsoon season so everything was green with lots of waterfalls and very high rivers which had also washed out some bridges.<\/p>\n

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\"Mules\"Mules
Mules being loaded up at Samagaon before heading up to base camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Samagaon<\/h2>\n

Samagoan is known as the \u2018Namche Bazaar\u2019 of the area, albeit with less infrastructure but changing quickly. It\u2019s also the base for helicopters to drop off expedition loads and then transport them up to base camp by mules or porters.<\/p>\n

While trekking in, I happened to run into a guy near my old home town of Perth in Western Australia. He was here filming a Swedish climber and documenting her expedition \u2013 small world!<\/p>\n

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\"New\"New
The new monastery at Samagaon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Samagoan is also the home of a couple of lovely monasteries (\u201cgompas<\/em>\u201c). The old one, around a 10 minute walk from the village, is where we joined climbers for our first puja\/blessing with the local Lama. The new one is being built close by and is much bigger. We were lucky to witness a ceremony being held there which involved lots of crashing cymbals and loud horns.<\/p>\n

Manaslu Base Camp<\/h2>\n

The benefit of trekking in rather than the helicopter option was acclimatisation. So by the time we reached Samagaon we were ready for the trek up to base camp. Half way up there is a small \u2018tea house\u2019. It\u2019s only there during climbing season so made for a pleasant break on what turned out to be one of the warmest days.<\/p>\n

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\"Tent\"Tent
Tent city at Manaslu Base Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Reaching base camp, we were taken aback by \u2018tent city\u2019! Some 400 climbers along with sherpas and support staff spread out around a ridge \u2013 well over 1,000 people all up. The campsite of our expedition company (Climbalaya<\/a>) was small compared to others, so represented a relatively tiny footprint from an environmental point of view.<\/p>\n

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\"Base\"Base
The expedition kitchen tent at Manaslu Base Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

We were pleased to be reacquainted with climbers from our expedition to Cho Oyu back in 2019<\/a>, along with Sherpa climbers who we\u2019d been with on other expeditions. We also got to meet and hang out with more climbers from many different nationalities.<\/p>\n

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\"Puja\"Puja
Our Puja Ceremony<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n
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\"Tibetan\"Tibetan
Tibetan prayers at the puja<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

After spending 3 enjoyable nights up at base camp, it was time to leave. But not before our expedition team held their Puja ceremony to seek safe passage on the mountain. The Puja is always held on an auspicious day in the Buddhist calendar. It is a very special occasion with offerings and lots of singing and dancing at the end.<\/p>\n

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\"Climbalaya\"Climbalaya
Dining tent and prayer flags after the puja<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Helicopter Evac<\/h2>\n

Unfortunately, a few days before we\u2019d reached base camp, I slipped and landed on a very sharp rock. Shouting out a few expletives and experiencing a fair bit of pain, I dumped my backpack. I had a sore back and did not know the extent of my injuries. Managed by pain killers and carrying very little weight on my back, I soldiered on trekking.<\/p>\n

Having reached base camp, with very little sleep due to the pain, I discussed my plight with our expedition leader and our guide.<\/p>\n

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\"Clouds\"Clouds
Clouds in the valley below base camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Concerned about any serious injuries I may have incurred as a result of my fall, a decision was made to reach out to our insurance company. This involved obtaining permission for a helicopter evacuation back to Kathmandu and being admitted to the hospital clinic to be checked out.<\/p>\n

Due to inclement weather, the helicopter company chose not to fly up to base camp despite others successfully managing to. So, I would need to descend back down to Samagaon and be evacuated from there. The torrential rain somewhat \u2018dampened\u2019 my pain for the 4 1\/2 hours descent. The next day I managed to fly out.<\/p>\n

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\"Helicopter\"Helicopter
Helicopter evacuation<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Footnote: My parter Emma continued on with the trek, crossing Larkya La Pass (5,135m)<\/em>, rejoining<\/em> me in Kathmandu. I was medically diagnosed with fractured ribs but cleared to fly back home. Our friend the Polish climber along with his guide, successfully summited Manaslu under trying conditions. So did the Argentinian climber.<\/em><\/p>\n

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\"Emma\"Emma
Emma on Larkya La Pass<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Watch our Video<\/h2>\n
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