September 17, 2020

Bahrain Prince’s Royal Expedition to Manaslu in Limelight

September 17, 2020

7 min read

HB Kham

The Manaslu expedition in Nepal is in the limelight after Bahrain Prince Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa arrived with his 18-member team in Kathmandu on Wednesday to climb Mt. Manaslu in Gorkha and Mt. Lobuche in the Khumbu region.

Mt. Manaslu elevated at an altitude of 8,163 meters above the sea is considered to be the 8^th highest mountains in the world which is known as the ‘Mountain of spirit’ or ‘Killer Mountain’. It lies about 40 miles east of Mt. Annapurna.

#Bahrain Prince Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa arrived in #Nepal with a 18-member expedition from the Royal Guard to climb Mt Manaslu, the world’s eighth highest peak.

Full story: https://t.co/vojDT4EEi0

Photos by @BikramRai0. #mountaineering pic.twitter.com/iuOpaFYdKw

— Nepali Times (@NepaliTimes) September 16, 2020

The expedition to Mt. Manaslu is taken to be one of the difficult and challenging climbs. However, the expedition on completion may be full of fun, excitement, adventure, and enriching enough for the mountaineers. The expedition becomes the most unforgettable memoirs of your life experience.

That’s why even the top officials and distinguished dignitaries like the Bahrain prince and his team have judiciously decided to test the expedition of Mt. Manaslu.

The mountain’s long ridges and glaciated valleys offer trekkers feasible routes from all directions that are beautiful scenically and culturally.

The expedition route leading to Mt Manaslu is replete with lush green meadows, valleys, snow-capped peaks that keep your enthusiasm to go ahead without diminishing jest and zeal.

The Manaslu expedition will take you from steamy lowlands with rice and millet fields to massive gorgeous gorges like Budi Gandaki, astounding milky waterfalls, and breath-taking peaks of Cheo Himal, Himlung Himal, Nemjung, Gyaji Kang and Kang Guru on the way.

Though the first successful Manaslu expedition was done in 1956 by T. Imanishi (Japan) and Gyalzen Norbu Sherpa, It was legally opened for all in 1991 and since then it has been a popular destination among trekkers.

Prerequisite for expedition

Since the Mt. Manaslu expedition offers you a major challenge and difficult climb, it is not meant for beginners to try their hand for the first experience. So, as a matter of fact, the Manaslu expedition is purposely meant for well-structured trekkers with good physical structures, long experience, training, and daring spirit.

The tough landscape in this region also makes the rescue operations most difficult. Only trekkers in the group can climb here.

Pasang Sherpa, the chairman of Pioneer Adventure says that it usually takes about 5 weeks and to climb Manaslu including a scenic trek to Manaslu base camp at 4,400m.

As many as 4 camps are needed to set up while approaching Mt. Manaslu. There is the presence of steep slopes and cracks between Camps I to Camp II, snow climbing starts from Camp II to Camp III, and falling of snow, ice, and rocks are the major threats to climbers between Camp III to Camp IV.

Traveling Routes

There are six routes to climb Mt. Manaslu. The route from the south is the hardest one and the route from the north-east face is comparatively easier than others and is the most commonly used route for this expedition.

Best time for the expedition

Manaslu expedition is very popular in the autumn season from September to November because of a high success rate as best Sherpa and climbers focus on the lower 8000m peaks during this season and the weather is also favorable at this time.

Cost

Manaslu expedition usually costs around the US 13,000$

Itinerary for Manaslu expedition

Day 01: Drive from Kathmandu to Dharapani

Day 02: Trek from Dharapani Tilije (2,300m)

Day 03: Trek from Tilije to Bhimthang (3,725m)

Day 04: Acclimatization at Bumthang

Day 05: Trek from Bhimthang to Samdu (3,875m)

Day 06: Trek from Samdu to Sama gaum (3,540m)

Day 07: Trek from Sama gaum to Manaslu Base Camp (4,750m)

Day 08-11: Rituals – Preparation and climbing training

Day 12-30: Climbing period of Manaslu (8,163m)