Manaslu 24th August 2024

Leader: Chris Harling

26th September 2024 - Team Back at Base Camp

The team are now back at base camp and Chris has sent through some pictures from the summit bid. He hopes to send a few more later on today.

25th September 2024 - Summit Success on Manaslu!

This morning the team reached the summit of Manaslu, they are now all back down at camp 4 and will likely descend further down the mountain to a lower camp after a short test at camp 4. Well done to all the team and we look forward to seeing some of the photos, when they get back to base camp.

23rd September 2024 - Team at Camp 3

The team are now settled in at Camp 3 and will move up to Camp 4 tomorrow.

22nd September 2024 - Summit Bid is On!

Today, the team will head up to Camp 2 with the plan to make their summit bid on the 25th September. It looks like some significant snow is forecast for the 27th September, while the weather is looking pretty good for the next few days.

17th September 2024 - Team at Camp 2

Yesterday, the team made a carry to Camp 2, it was cloudy for most of the day, which meant they avoided the heat that normally radiates off the glacier on this section of the route. Today the team have moved up to Camp 2.

14th September 2024 - Camp 2 Rotation

We all came down after 2 nights and 48hrs of continuous snow at C1 - avalanche central today. The Plan now is to go back up tomorrow, do carry to c2, move to c2, carry to c3 then down to bc, rest, then summit attempt.

13th September 2024 - Heavy Snow At Camp 1

Chris has messaged from Camp 1 to say they moved up yesterday with the plan to head to camp 2 today, howver when they woke this morning around 50cm of fresh snow had dropped overnight. So they have decided to stay at Camp 1, head down tomorrow to base camp and wait for better weather.

10th September 2024 - Camp 1 Touched.

Update of last 3 days: Sunday we had our Puja and then did some fixed rope training in the afternoon.
Monday we had a big sort out of our mountain food and spent time picking food and packing our backpacks for our first trip up to camp 1.
This morning we left just before 8am to carry lots of food and personal items up to Camp 1 at 5560m. The weather on the way up was mixed to say the least - rain - snow - scorching sunshine, making for numerous layer changes as we climbed, taking around 3.5 to 4 hours.
The views from Camp one were stunning and made the effort well worth it. We spent around an hour and a half there before heading back down the glacier in around 90min. Rest day tomorrow, next time we will be going up to sleep at camp 1 and 2 as long as the ropes have been fixed by then.

7th September 2024

Very warm and wet yesterday- a few members walked to the top camp of BC. Today we all went up to crampon point which is at 5300m 20min ish above the rock step. Nice walk and some views of East Pinnacle and route towards C1.

5th September 2024 - The Team Have Arrived at Manaslu Base Camp

All arrived at base camp (4900m) and very pleased to be here despite the cloud and rain. Lovely walk up with ever changing things to see!

4th September 2024 - Acclimatising in Samagon

Having a second day here in Samagaon as the donkeys have been delayed from below Bhimtang. Heading up to BC tomorrow. Visited monastery yesterday and had walk down the valley to Shyala to see another under construction.

2nd September 2024 - Team in Samagon

We are now at our final village, Samagaon, before going up to Manaslu BC. The trek from Dharapani up to Phedi was beautiful - lush forests, raging rivers and occasional views of the surrounding high peaks including Manaslu! We were the first trekking group to stay at each lodge and were made to feel very welcome. Despite being in monsoon season, we have only walked in the rain for about 15 minutes over the last five days - the rain tending to start mid afternoon when we have finished the days trek.

Yesterday, we crossed the Larke La pass (5106m) after a 6am start. Sadly we were in the cloud most of the day and missed any views. The team did very well making it to this altitude on only our 4th day walking. The descent down to Samdo took quite some time and felt longer in the persistent cloud! We did pass a stunning blue glacial lake and a flock (if the correct collective noun) of around 20 Lammergeier (bearded vultures) sat on the slope above the path waiting to dine on a deceased horse. They are huge birds standing around 80cm tall with a wingspan of nearly 3 metres!
After about 9 hours we made it to Samdo (3850m) and a well earned late lunch!
Today (2 September) we made the 8km hike down the valley to Samagaon (3500m) on the muddiest trail yet encountered - following a continuous line of horse and donkey dung. We all gave our boots a good wash on arrival at our lodge - the Tashi Delek hotel - our home for the next two nights, with a rest / acclimatisation day planned for tomorrow.

29th August 2024 - Trekking to The Lharkya La

Yesterday, the team enjoyed a great scenic jeep drive up to Dharapani with lunch stop at the beautiful Boon Waterfall. Once they arrived at their lodge they sorted kit ready for the first days trekking today.

Today, they had a pre-trek photo with whole team. There has been amazing lush green scenery en-route to Surki. The temperatures are still very hot, so the group are looking forward to getting higher where it will be cooler. The lodge owner told them they were very happy to see them as they were the first group to be walking in.

27th August 2024 - Team in Besisahar

The team safely arrived in Besisahar. Chris says it is very hot and they are looking forward to a good nights sleep before the jeep ride tomorrow.

26th August 2024 - Ready for Adventure

The team all arrived safely into Kathmandu yesterday. Chris had his breifing at the ministry today and the final preparations were made. This evening they celebrated at the Nepali cultural evening meal and will head to Besisahar tomorrow.

22nd August 2024 - Ready to go

The team are all set and ready to depart the UK on the 24th August.