Nepal dispatches team to open Manaslu route for autumn climbers

The team will leave Kathmandu on Monday to begin route-opening and rope-fixing work on the 8,163-metre peak, with more than 300 foreign climbers expected to attempt Manaslu this autumn.

Nepal on Sunday dispatched a team to open the climbing route and fix ropes on Mount Manaslu ahead of the 2026 autumn season, with more than 300 foreign climbers expected to attempt the world's eighth-highest peak.

The Expedition Operators' Association of Nepal (EOAN) along with the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), held a farewell ceremony for the seven-member rope-fixing team at Hotel Manaslu in Kathmandu.

The team will leave Kathmandu on Monday and begin preparations to establish the route and fix ropes to the summit of the 8,163-metre mountain for climbers during the autumn season.

EOAN President Dambar Parajuli and NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa handed the Nepali national flag and flags bearing the logos of the Department of Tourism and EOAN to team leader Chhiring Bhote during the ceremony.

The flags will be placed symbolically on the summit and retrieved after a successful climbing season.

The team comprises Chhiring Bhote, Lopsang Bhote, Pam Dorjee Sherpa, Furi Sherpa, Ngima Sherpa, Karma Sarki Sherpa and Pasang Gyaljen Sherpa.

EOAN said more than 300 foreign climbers, along with Nepali guides and mountaineers, are expected to attempt Manaslu this autumn.

The ceremony was attended by Member of Parliament and First Vice President of NMA Mingma Gyabu Sherpa, Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal President Sagar Pandey, Nepal Tourism Board private-sector board member Pemba Sherpa and other tourism-sector representatives.

EOAN has increasingly taken responsibility for deploying teams to open routes and fix ropes on major Himalayan peaks, including Mount Everest.

For Sherpas, by Sherpas

A pair of Sherpa entrepreneurs have introduced affordable high-quality technical gear into the Nepali market.

Dec 07, 2021 | Everest Chronicle

Thanks to COVID, Confusion Reigns around Extension of Everest Permits

Last spring, many expedition organizers and climbers cancelled their expeditions due to rampant COVID-19 infections at Everest Base Camp, nearly all of whom want to climb again. But Nepal’s Department of Tourism is giving mixed messages around the possibility of extending unused climbing permits.

Jan 22, 2022 | Everest Chronicle

Trouble Breathing – A reporter’s story of surviving COVID in the Everest region

Dec 30, 2021 | Rojita Adhikari

Kami Rita Eyes 26th Ascent of Mount Everest

Kami Rita Sherpa, the legendary guide who has summited Mount Everest more than any other human in recorded history, is planning to climb the world’s highest peak one more time. Sherpa, who first climbed Everest in 1994, was planning to summit the peak twice last year. He later aborted his second attempt after reaching Camp III due to bad dreams. This year, he will be guiding a team of American climbers.

Feb 02, 2022 | Everest Chronicle

Jost Kobusch just doesn’t care

The ambitious German mountaineer speaks to Everest Chronicle about his second attempt to climb Everest solo, in winter, and without supplemental oxygen.

Feb 07, 2022 | Dewan Rai

When a summit isn’t actually a summit, but still somehow is

Mingma G’s bold and public ascent to the true summit of Manaslu should have ended the debate over the mountain’s highest point entirely. But instead, it seems to have brought up more questions than answers.

Feb 11, 2022 | Dewan Rai

Bad weather delays Cho Oyu winter ascent

Gelje Sherpa’s team is now considering a second push to the summit of Cho Oyu after strong winds and deteriorating weather conditions ended their summit bid. Another team led by Mingma Dorchi and Pioneer Adventure is at their base camp waiting for a weather window.

Feb 21, 2022 | Everest Chronicle

Everest expedition operators fear another chaotic year

With the ongoing covid pandemic, travel restrictions to China, and continued global uncertainty, Nepal’s expedition operators are facing another difficult year.

Feb 24, 2022 | Dewan Rai

EVEREST CHRONICLE

Everest Chronicle

Nepal dispatches team to open Manaslu route for autumn climbers