Manaslu with Andreas Neuschmied

Day 1: Flight to Kathmandu Day 2: Arrival in Kathmandu After our arrival in Kathmandu we check into our hotel that is in close proximity of Thamel. Afterwards, we can go sightseeing in the centre of Kathmandu (Thamel). Kathmandu is a lively and fascinating city with many facets: from colourful souvenir shops of the Thamel to the vegetable markets to the large religious sights such as the Hindu Pashupatinath or the Buddhist Stupa Bodnath - a place where one likes to spend hours. We spend the night at a hotel. Day 3 - Day 4: Drive to Kathmandu (1,355 m) - Besisahar (1,100 m) - Dharapani (1,900 m) For the long drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani we intentionally take two days time. It is a good opportunity to slowly get used to the different situations, such as the food, the warmth and the simple lifestyle of the people of Nepal. At first the drive follows along one of the most important connection in Nepal from Kathmandu to India. After approximately two thirds of the way we turn northwards toward Pokhara. In Dumre we take another turn and thus we arrive at Besisahar, where we spend the night at a simple hotel. On the second day we drive our jeeps over rough and smooth until we reach our target of the day Dharapani after about 4 hours. The village that is located at approximately 1,900 m is found in the lower Manang Valley and it is the starting point of the two classic trekking routes Annapurna Circuit and Manaslu Circuit. We use the afternoon to prepare for the trekking ahead of us and, naturally, we also have some time left in order to explore the very old Dharapani. Day 5: Dharapani - Surki (2,700 m) Or beautiful 7 days long trekking to the Manaslu Base Camp begins. We cosily hike along the Dudh Khola and during this hike we also pass through several scattered settlements. After about five hours we reach the village Surki, where we check into our accommodation in a lodge. Day 6: Surki - Bimthang (3,720 m) Our trekking continues and we pass through a primal mountain forest. Afterwards, we cross the debris left behind by the Bimthang Glacier for the first time. Then we continue over the back of a moraine to Bimthang, which is located on an alp at 3,720 m. Day 7: Bimthang (Acclimatisation Day) We take our time for the acclimatisation, which is, after all, key to our success. In order to actively foster this process we go on a small trip to the wonderful Ponkar Lake at 4,100 m. During this trip, provided the weather is good, we enjoy a wonderful view on the northern and the western slopes of the Manaslu. Day 8: Bimthang - Dharmasala (3,850 m) The passage over the 5,135 m high Larkya Pass is the main key passage of our approach trekking. For this purpose we get up early in the morning. The ascent to the Larkya La is steep, but the view on the summits nearby makes up for all our efforts. After about six hours we reach the top of the pass that is decorated with prayer flags. After a rest we begin the long descent to Dharmasala, where we check into a snazzy lodge for our night’s rest. Day 9: Dharmasala - Samagaon (3,850 m) After the demanding first passage we take it more relaxed today. Then our path continuously descends slightly and then it goes through the Buri Gandaki Valley down to Samagaon. During this march we always have the majestic Manaslu towering before us. Day 10: Samagaon (Acclimatisation Day) We have another resting / acclimatisation day. On this day we go on a hike to the Pung-Ghyen Gompa, which is located in a tributary valley underneath the impressive southern wall of the Manaslu. Day 11: Samagaon - Manaslu Base Camp Our last trekking day takes us past an impressive ice fall. Afterwards, we hike through a beautiful birch forest, before we step onto the long stretched moraine that takes us to the Base Camp. The Base Camp is located at the foot of the Manaslu Glacier at a height of approximately 5,000 m. Day 12 - Day 38: Ascent of the Manaslu (8,163 m) With a time window of 27 days we have enough time at our disposal for the ascent of the Manaslu. With the help of our sherpas we establish and maintain three high camps on the mountain. Route: Our route largely follows the same route as the one used by the Japanese first ascenders. At first we cross a flat glacier up to a rock barrier. This barrier can be easily over com and above it, at about 5,800 m, we establish Camp I. The continuing path to Camp II is somewhat steeper, but still relatively “easy”. We then have to cross a serac zone that, depending on the circumstances, can be a challenge that should not be underestimated. Afterwards, we ascend two ramps (maximally 40°) up to 6,800 m where we establish Camp II. In order to reach Camp III at 7,450 m we first cross a flat plateau and then we ascend a 300 m tall and about 45° steep that has been secured with fixed ropes by our sherpas ahead of time. The last stage to the summit is not very steep and non-technical. Only the last few metres are somewhat exposed. However, the view that we then will have from the summit is simply stunning, it reaches from the Dhaulagiri and the Annapurna Massif over the Mount Everest and the Cho Oyu all the way to the Shisha Pangma to the east. Day 39: Manaslu Base Camp - Samagaon After 27 days on the mountain we start our journey back. We say good-bye to our sherpa team and we trek back to Samagaon via the familiar path. In Samagaon we check in to our rooms in the familiar lodge. Day 40: Samagaon - Kathmandu A spectacular Helicopter flight brings us down to Kathmandu, where we enjoy the amenities of our hotel after having slept in tents for one month. Day 41: Kahtmandu Time to buy souvenirs, visit barber shops and hairdressers, or simply go for a visit at one of the temples of the capital, where we thank the gods for their mercy. During the farewell dinner we reminisce together about the amazing expedition we just experienced. Then we drive to the airport to start the definitive journey home. Day 42: Arrival Back Home