Manaslu Expedition - 8,163 m peak of spirit

Manaslu expedition - itinerary

• Day 1 - Arrival in Kathmandu: Transfer from KTM-airport to our hotel on the outskirts of the Thamel district, arrival meeting. 4*hotel, B/B.
   
• Day 2 - Kathmandu: Meeting of the group and expedition introduction (briefing), check of personal equipment. Rest of the day at leisure, for final shopping and material purchases if necessary. Dinner together. 4*hotel, B/FB.
   
• Day 3 to Day 11 - Trekking to Manaslu base camp: We drive by bus to start trekking that leads in four to six days to Samagoan (3390m). However, Nepal is developing rapidly and every year the roads in the Manaslu region are drawn further into the mountains. We will acclimate around Samagoan before heading to base camp (about 4900m). Full Board Trek.
   
• Day 12 to Day 21 - Manaslu high camp C1, C2, C3 - Acclimatization: We use the next two weeks to build the camp chain: camp 1 at 5600m, camp 2 at 6400m and camp 3 at 7450m. The latter camp we try to reach once to be ideally acclimatized. The minimum goal is to exceed 7000m. There is a good option to camp at 6800m (which we might also use, a so-called Camp 2.5 which we will generally not use later). Full Board at Base Camp, High Camp Support for full-service members only.
   
• Day 22 to Day 26 - Manaslu ascent: For the actual ascent of Manaslu we usually need 5 days.
  • 1. Day of climb: Start at base camp. Ascent to Camp 1
  • 2. Day of climb: Ascent to Camp 2
  • 3. Day of climb: Ascent to Camp 3
  • 4. Day of climb: Manaslu Summit, 8163m.
  • 5. Day of climb: Descent to base camp.
    This schedule of the climb is of course dependent on the weather window and the conditions available. Often the ascent can be done in 4 days, for strong climbers also in 3 days. However, during the ascent, there can also be 1-2 waiting days on the mountain. The ascent is made over wide slopes with steep sections up to 60° in the icefall between Camp 1 and Camp 2 and an exposed summit ridge. It is planned to secure all critical and exposed parts of the ascent route. In good weather, the view at the summit ranges from Dhaulagiri and Annapurna in the west to the Langtang Mountains and Shisha Pangma in the east. Climbing Support for full-service members only.
     
• Day 27 to Day 32 - Enough time: The remaining 5 days include are reserve days for the acclimatization phase or the climb, waiting for a weather window. Full Board at Base Camp.
   
• Day 33-36 - Travel to Kathmandu: We pack up and trek out (optional: extra days or earlier exit by helicopter at small additional cost). Drive to Kathmandu. Camping along the way and in Kathmandu 4* hotel B/B. Full Board Trek.
   
• Day 37 - Kathmandu: Reserve day, farewell and celebration, 4* hotel B/B.
   
• Day 38 - Departure: Return flight from Kathmandu, healthy and happy back home.

Participation: You want to climb Manaslu?

Requirements: To participate in this expedition you should be an experienced and prudent mountaineer with an excellent physical condition and willingness to work.

1. To join as a full-service member of the climb without 02, you should be especially fit, have previous high-altitude experience, and be a good team player.
2. In case you wish for a more individual approach, please book a 1:1-Sherpa, and discuss with us the needed support.
3. Basic memberships are only open for professional mountaineers or for experienced groups (min. 2 members).

Technical requirements: The ascent is mainly over wide, less steep flanks, but with some technical difficulties: an icefall (6000 m - 6200m), short steep passages around 7300m to 7500m height, and an exposed summit ridge. Good handling of rope on glacier terrain, and belay technique is necessary. Already gained experience with the ascent on fixed ropes (with an ascender) and abseiling is very helpful. You should have experience in mountaineering (at least D- /AS- according to the French /SAC scale), and altitude experience from climbing 6000m-peaks (or higher).

Physical requirements: The climate at Manaslu is rather humid and a few days of rain on the approach or snow on the mountain are generally bearable. Life on an expedition requires good health and a willingness to sacrifice some comfort. A very good physical condition is needed to be sustained for days and weeks, and the summit push either with 800m / 2,700 ft from Camp IV or 1300m / 4,000 ft from Camp III needs excellent mountaineering endurance.

Danger notice: Each participant takes part in this expedition independently and at his own risk. The extreme altitude and cold bring subjective and objective dangers.

Please observe accordingly for the benefit of the team and yourself:
- In case of lacking knowledge, we recommend attending preparatory courses or a preparatory expedition in time.
- Missing mountain experience can and should be acquired in the context of extensive training.