Manaslu Expedition

The Manaslu Expedition is located in the Kali Gandaki valley of the Nepal Himalayas. Originally known as Kutang (meaning “flat place” in Tibetan), it was renamed Manaslu, which comes from the Sanskrit word Manasa, meaning “intellect” or “soul.” The first successful summit was made in 1956 by T. Imanishi and G. Norbu. As the first to conquer the mountain, the Japanese are often associated with the peak, and it’s frequently referred to as the “Japanese Peaks.” Manaslu has multiple routes, with the southern face considered one of the most challenging in climbing history.

Our journey begins at Sama Gaon, where Makalu is called Kampung, after a local god. This village also became a site of resistance in 1954 when a Japanese expedition faced hostility from locals who blamed foreign climbers for avalanches and disease, believing they had angered the mountain gods.