Finally the clouds have cleared a bit to offer the team first views of Manaslu, she’s a beauty. Manaslu is locally known as the Japanese mountain, in reference to the various Japanese teams who attempted different routes and the successful first ascent between 1952 to 1956.
The team have rested 3 nights now at 3600m in Samagaon acclimatizing. They’ve taken short day walks around the village visiting monasteries and even dropped into a local wedding. The entire village and more appeared to be in attendance!However, it’s time to move to base camp today and time to start the real work towards their mission. Base camp is a 4 hr steep ascent from Samagaon to 4800m. They pass a beautiful glacier lake enroute.Tomorrow they’ll conduct a Buddhist puja (religious ceremony) to request the mountain spirits for safe passage and success. The day after the climb towards Camp 1 begins. HimEx have already set the route to Camp 2 so this season should be fast.