MANASLU EXPEDITION

Nearing the summit

Trip Information:

Location: Himalayan Range, Nepal
Summit Elevation: 26,758 ft. (8156m)
Days: 45
Dates: August 31-October 14, 2013
Skill Level: Advanced
Maximum Group Size: 7 Clients
Cost of Trip: USD $16,500 Helicopter Supported out of Base Camp

Trip begins in Kathmandu, Nepal

Trip Description:

Recent Trip Results:

October 2012 - Summit - Dispatches
October 2011 - Summit - Dispatches

Mansalu Climbing Expedition
Celebration on top

Manaslu is located in Central Nepal, rising 8,163m or 26,758 ft. above sea level, it is the 8th highest mountain in the world. Mountain Professionals is planning a climb of Manaslu's North East Ridge in the Fall/Post Monsoon of 2012.

Manaslu is located in the Gorkha mountain region of Nepal. The mountain has a remote aesthetic feel, requiring a beautiful 8-day trek into base camp, making this a true Himalayan adventure on a highly sought after peak. The mountain has seen increased interest with the recent political difficulties surrounding Cho Oyu. Many mountaineers looking at a future attempt of Everest or other mountain objectives are now focusing on Manaslu as a suitable first-time 8,000 meter peak.

Our Manaslu Expedition for the 2013 and 2014 Season:

We are very excited to return to Manaslu for our Himalayan Fall expedition. We plan to run this trip each Fall season and are already accepting interested climbers for 2013:

Incredible opportunity for mountaineers to reach an 8,000 meter summit
Perfect training peak to prepare for a future attempt of Everest
Manalsu veteran American and Sherpa staff that have successfully led previous trips

Highlights of our trip:

In 2013 we get the best of both worlds, trek into basecamp to acclimatize slowly and see the transition of the lower valley, visiting locals along the way
Meals prepared by our top cook staff
Veteran American mountain guide with over a decade of guiding in Nepal, including Manaslu, to ensure seamless delivery and safety procedures
Communications tent with access to satellite phone and email, dispatches of the team´s progress on our news site
Emphasis is placed on providing high end logistics, staff, equipment and services to a small team of climbers
Accommodation in Kathmandu at the Yak and Yeti Hotel

Our expeditions will utilize 4 camps on the mountain. Our recent experience shows that adding a mid camp 3 before the high camp, will greatly increase the summit chances for all climbers on the summit push by making for shorter movement days.

Our philosophy is to approach all mountains with great care, recognizing the hazards involved in climbing high-altitude glaciated peaks. Manaslu is one of the highest mountains in the world, posing all the risks that come with such an impressive peak. That being said, the Northeast aspect of the mountain is accessible due to less objective hazard. We plan to utilize a highly experienced staff, top-notch safety and mountain equipment, fixed rope in exposed or otherwise dangerous sections of the route, and slow conservative acclimatization to minimize our risk.

The expedition in 2013 will be led by Ryan Waters. He has in-depth experience leading expeditions to 8000-meter mountains in Nepal, Tibet, and Pakistan. Our Sherpa logistics partners have worked in the expedition business for many years as a top Nepali logistics organizer and expedition management team. Our leadership has a depth of experience organizing multiple expeditions to mountains including Manaslu x2, Everest, K2, Dhaulagiri, Cho Oyu, Broad Peak, Lhotse x2, Gasherbrum 2, Gasherbrum 1, and several 5000m to 7000m Himalayan mountains.

Mansalu Climbing Expedition
Traverse to camp 1 Our on mountain Sherpa staff will consist of top Nepali climbers who have years of experience on the high 8000 meter mountains. Our staff work very hard to fix ropes, stock camps and assist our team in reaching the summit safely. We will employ a full cook staff that specializes in healthy, abundant and tasty meals. Our cook staff is very talented and is always ready to make our team's experience the best possible. Good food is a priority on our expeditions and experience shows that this is a key component of success on a long 8000-meter trip.

Our recommendation is for team members to have a solid mountaineering background that involves several trips to high altitude peaks ranging from 4500m to 6500m+ in elevation. Team members must be very comfortable with glaciated mountain climbing skills and living at high camps. Past experience on 7000m and 8000m mountains is a definite plus.

Our team will take sufficient time to rest and acclimatize in base camp prior to beginning a conservative climb to the higher camps. The location of Camp 1 will be at 5,700m. The route from Base to C1 will include rock scrambles on moraine and sections of glacier travel of varying terrain.

Climbing from C1 to C2 will include longer sections of steep snow and ice, with some short vertical ice steps. The route will be fixed with rope in any exposed or vertical sections in order to maximize our safety. The Camp 2 is located at 6,400m and most climbers can climb their first time to C2 in 3-6 hours.

A climb of roughly 5-7 hours takes us to the flat saddle of Camp 3 at 6,900m. The route is less steep and weaves in and out of short ice steps. On the summit push, we will climb from this location another 5-7 hours to our Camp 4 location. Here we will rest, eat, drink, and prepare for the summit bid. The climb to the summit, while not technical, is demanding given the altitude. We will climb with our team of climbing Sherpas who will help break trail and fix rope in any locations that require an added margin of safety.

Our goal... to have a safe expedition, have fun, and then to reach the summit of Manaslu, the 8th highest mountain in the world.

Projected Itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive Kathmandu, Relax and get to know Kathmandu and our team, including our local Nepali staff, Yak and Yeti Hotel
Day 2: Kathmandu, buy remaining personal gear, snacks, gifts, and visit local sites and temples
Day 3-10: Travel and trek to Sama Goan at 3,525 meters
Days 11 - 12: We will enjoy rest days for acclimatization
Day 7: Trek to base camp, 4,800m (15,750ft)
Day 8: Rest Day, customize your new personal tent at base camp
Day 9: Rest Day and prepare for climbing day
Days 10 - 40: Climbing and Summit period
Day 41: Rest and pack up
Day 42: Trek to Sama Goan
Day 43: Flight in Helicopter to Kathmandu return to Yak and Yeti Hotel
Day 44: Relax and celebration day in Kathmandu
Day 45: Return Flight to home country

Price Includes:

Expedition leader/guide.
Expedition permit.
Sherpa climbing staff.
Helicopter Flight from Base Camp to Kathmandu.
Four nights private accommodation in our Kathmandu Hotel the Yak and Yeti.
Full board on twin sharing basis on trek in tent or tea house.
All transportation in Nepal as per itinerary.
Porters, and guides to and from Base Camp trek.
Sherpa cooks, kitchen and climbing staff.
Heated and carpeted- dining tent, full kitchen, shower and toilet tents, chairs.
All meals at BC, staff equipment allowances, staff daily wages, insurance.
Route fixing costs.
Group climbing equipment, high altitude tents, stoves and fuel, high altitude food.
Two way radios and VHF Basestation BC to mountain communications.
Satellite phone communication setup.
Two - 4 liter bottles of oxygen and use of Top Out Mask and regulator.
Comprehensive medical supplies and Wilderness First Responder.
Weather Reports.

Price Does Not Include:

International airfare to and from Kathmandu.
Meals in Kathmandu, outside of welcome dinner.
Drinks, laundry, postage, telephone calls and all other items of personal nature.
Nepal entry visa, Kathmandu airport departure tax, personal travel.
Personal climbing clothing and equipment.
Travel/Trip Cancelation and Rescue Insurance (required).
Staff gratuities for Climbing Sherpas and Cook Staff.