Key Takeaways:
- Summit route opened Sept 17 after nine-member rope-fixing team reached 8,163m at 9:25pm
- Team led by Chhiring Bhote, supported by climbers from 8K Expeditions and EOAN
- Flags of Nepal, Department of Tourism and EOAN hoisted at summit
- Completion clears route for Autumn 2026 climbers to begin summit attempts
The summit route on Mt Manaslu (8,163m) has been opened for the Autumn 2026 climbing season after a nine-member rope-fixing team reached the world's eighth-highest mountain's summit late Thursday evening.
The team deployed by the Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOA) completed rope-fixing work up to the summit and hoisted the flags of the Government of Nepal, Department of Tourism and EOA.
The operation was completed amid difficult conditions on the mountain. An avalanche had struck the slope above Camp III on Wednesday, disrupting the rope-fixing work, although all members of the original team remained safe. Additional Sherpa climbers were subsequently mobilised to support the operation.
The original seven-member team was led by Chhiring Bhote and included Furi Sherpa, Karma Sarki Sherpa, Lopsang Bhote, Ngima Sherpa, Pam Dorjee Sherpa and Pasang Gyalzen Sherpa. Karma Gyalzen Sherpa and Tasi Sherpa, both experienced in high-altitude route opening and rope fixing, were later added to the team.
The additional climbers had been mobilised with 1,300 metres of rope and necessary equipment to help resume the route-opening work towards Camp IV and the summit.
EOAN General Secretary Rishi Ram Bhandari said the summit route had been opened through the combined effort, experience and teamwork of the nine climbers.
"With this achievement, the summit route on Mt Manaslu is now open for the Autumn 2026 climbing season, marking the beginning of summit activities for this season," Bhandari said.
The route opening comes as expeditions are preparing for their summit attempts following acclimatisation rotations and the movement of equipment to higher camps.
The autumn season has also seen two reported deaths on Manaslu. Singaporean climber Lau Wee Seng, 50, died at around 6,000 metres while descending from Camp II during an acclimatisation rotation on September 17. An initial assessment suggested a possible heart attack, although the cause of death had not been officially established.
Earlier, 20-year-old porter Tashi Sherpa of Makalu Rural Municipality-2, Sankhuwasabha, was found dead inside a tent at Manaslu Base Camp.
The Department of Tourism has issued 480 permits for Manaslu's autumn climbing season, including 354 to male climbers and 126 to female climbers, generating US$1.44 million in royalties.
The rope-fixing team had earlier opened and secured the route up to Camp III on September 10 before the avalanche disrupted further work towards the summit. With the summit route now open, climbers can proceed with preparations for their summit push.