KATHMANDU, DECEMBER 23
Two ace alpinists today left for Mt Manaslu to attempt to scale the 8163-metre mountain in the winter season.
According to Thaneswar Guragai, general manager at Seven Summit Treks, Alex Txikon and Simone Moro today headed towards Machha Khola in the western Nepal to begin their climbing activities.
Attempting an 8000m peak in winter is among the most daring achievements. "Till date, Manaslu has received only four winter expeditions and a total of 15 people successfully summiting the peak in winter season," Guragai shared.
Manaslu is a mountain in the Himalayas on the border of Nepal and Tibet. It is the eighth-highest mountain in the world, with an elevation of 8,163 meters. Manaslu is part of the Mansri Himal mountain range, which is located in the west-central part of Nepal.
"Climbing Manaslu during the winter can be particularly challenging due to the extreme cold and the potential for heavy snowfall."
After the unsuccessful attempt in the 2021/22 winter, Alex Txikon and Simone Moro are back in Nepal for the Mt Manaslu winter expedition 2022/23, he informed. The 8,000-meter peak has not been summited in winter in over 20 years. The team consists of highly experienced climbers and Sherpa guides from SST who will attempt to summit Mt Manaslu, according to Guragai.
Alex Txikon, born on 12 December 1981 is a Spanish mountaineer. He has successfully climbed 11 out of 14, 8000er mountains. In 2016, Alex along with Simone Moro & Ali Sadpara became the first climbers to climb Nanga Parbat in winter also known as the killer mountain for its high mortality rate.
Simone Moro, born on 27 October 1967 is an Italian alpinist. He is known for having made the first winter ascents of 4 out of 14 eight-thousanders including Shishapangma (2015), Makalu (2009), Gasherbrum II (2011), and Nanga Parbat (2016). He has also summited Everest four times (2000, 2002, 2006, and 2010). Moro is also an experienced helicopter pilot. "This is Moro's 107th visit to Nepal," Guragai said, adding that he had received multiple world records in mountain climbing.
