Manaslu Climbers Face Avalanche Danger and a Closing Weather Window

Climbers on Manaslu are facing a difficult decision as heavy snow, avalanche danger and an approaching cyclone leave only a short window for summit attempts.

The route to the summit was fixed last Friday, and many teams began moving towards the higher camps. Stormy weather over the weekend forced most of them back to Base Camp. Tragically, climber Dhruba Jyoti Guha and his guide, Phursemba Sherpa, died when an avalanche buried their tent at Camp 3.

A brief period of better weather was forecast for 23–24 September, but a cyclone approaching Nepal could bring dangerous conditions soon afterwards. With hundreds of climbers and support staff on the mountain, teams must decide whether to wait, end their expedition or attempt the summit while the weather allows.

Experienced mountaineers Simone Moro and Reinhold Messner have urged climbers to put safety first. Some teams have already decided to rest at Base Camp or go home. Others are moving up, saying their guides will assess the snow and weather at each camp before deciding whether to continue.

The slopes between Camps 3 and 4 are particularly prone to avalanches. Even if the skies clear, fresh snow and unstable conditions may remain. For every team on Manaslu, the ability to turn back could be as important as the chance to reach the summit.