Manaslu Autumn Climbing Season Begins

The autumn climbing season on Mount Manaslu (8,163 meters) has begun on a high note, drawing hundreds of mountaineers and breaking records, according to the Department of Tourism.

As of September 28, permits have been issued to 374 climbers — 95 women and 279 men from 31 expedition groups — for Manaslu alone, said the department’s director Himal Gautam. Several climbers have already reached the summit, while others are preparing their final ascents. Last autumn, 28 groups attempted the mountain. Major expedition companies, including Seven Summit Treks, Satori Adventure, and Elite Expeditions, have already set up camps at the base of the mountain.

Favorable weather has also encouraged climbs on other peaks, including Dhaulagiri, Ama Dablam, Mera Peak, and Island Peak. Overall, 667 climbers — 152 women and 515 men from 67 countries — have received permits for 36 mountains this season, with two groups approved for Mount Everest. Dhaulagiri has one eight-member team, while Makalu and Lhotse each have a single permitted group.

The government has collected over Rs 182.1 million in mountaineering royalties so far this season, including about Rs 150 million from Manaslu alone. Director Gautam noted that this is the highest autumn royalty collection till date, compared with the usual Rs 70–80 million in previous years.

In a highlight of the season, Nima Chhiring Sherpa became the youngest person to summit Manaslu, reaching the peak at 6:24 a.m. on September 28 at the age of 16 years, four months, and 18 days. An 86-year-old Spanish climber also set a record by summiting Manaslu.

Earlier, Polish mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel achieved a remarkable feat by skiing down from the summit of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, an expedition organized through Seven Summit Treks. -- RSS