The actual climbing peroid for Mount Manaslu kicks off from now on. This climbing period is determined by expedition crews depending upon the weather conditions and fitness level of the climbers. If the plan goes smoothly, the summit will be accomplished from the estimated timeline from day 12 to day 32 which includes preparation time, climbing the summit and descending back to Base Camp.
Our expedition leaders will prepare well-organized strategies, set up all the arrangements and conduct training session to demonstrate the optimal usage of climbing kits such as ice-axes, crampons, carabiners, ascenders and others. Apart from that the training will mainly focus in climbing skills using rope, which includes fixing the rope, climbing up and down using rope. During the preparation sessions, climbers will be practically practise dealing with all kind of obstacles that summit brings. Regular practices using ropes, climbing on snowy ridges, crossing crevasse helps to boost our confidence to face the upcoming challenges. Beyond training, the climbing period involves crucially in scaling and acclimatizing to new altitudes to get our body adjust to the high altitude. We acclimatize by ascending to higher camp and descending to lower camp and repeat this procedure and get prepared for the summit attempt.
Manaslu Base Camp to Camp I (5,700m)
For the first couple of days, we will stay in the Base Camp for the climbing preparation and appropriate acclimatization. After proper training and enough practises Its time to scale ascending towards Camp I. We will climb through glacier moraine on the steep slope leading to Camp I. After reaching Camp I we descend back to Base Camp. As our body made adjustment to the altitude of Camp 1 we climb next time to stay overnight in Camp I.
Camp I to Camp II (6,400m)
Now, we will scale Camp II for the 2nd rotation. Requiring a bit technical skills using climbing gears and ladders, we start our journey towards Camp II ascending steeply through the snowy and icy landscapes. After reaching Camp II we retrace our journey back to Base Camp. As our body adjust to the altitude of Camp II, we wil climb to Camp II and stay overnight to scale to a new height of camp III.
Camp II to Camp III (6,900 m)
In this third rotation, we will be scaling to Camp III. Leaving the camp II, we will ascend gradually through icy slopes and climb short steeply ridge to get to 3rd camping site. After reaching Camp III, we descend back to Base Camp just to climb over again. As our body now adapted to the altitude of Camp III we climb Camp III and stay overnight for scaling the 4th.
Camp III to Camp IV (7,300 m)
The route from Camp III to Camp IV is physically challenging requiring fixed ropes and crampons to climb up. The trail will scramble across vertical slope dealing with thinner oxygen level and stretch the 50 - 55 degree elevation in the last section to reach Camp IV taking 6-7 hrs. We then get back to Base Camp and rotate frequently from higher camp to lower camps to get properly acclimatized before attempting the ultimate push to the Peak.
Camp IV to Manaslu Summit (8,163 m)
On this summit day, we will leave the camp very early morning around 1:00 AM. From Camp IV, we will advance following the fixed ropes, moving across small ice bulges. Marshing further, we will pass through several icy slopes and uplands. After climbing up the final snowy ridge through ropeways we reach on the top of the Manaslu Peak. After celebrating our glorious moment and capturing the pictures for lifetime memory on the top of the summit, we will descend back to Camp IV, Camp III, Camp II- Camp I, and then finally to base camp where we stop overnight indicating the termination of our climbing period of Manaslu Expedition.
