Kathmandu, September 25 :

In a bid to mark golden jubilee of Mt Manaslu as well as Nepal-Japan diplomatic relations, a joint expedition of Nepali and Japanese climbers are all set to climb Nangpai Gosum peak.

The nine-member team will leave for Nangpai Gosum Base Camp tomorrow from Kathmandu. Only six members will climb the 7,321-metre peak. Nepali expedition leader Da Gombu Sherpa, Pemba Dorjee Sherpa, Mingmar Dorjee Sherpa and Pasang Lhamu Sherpa will climb Nangpai Gosum. Japanese expedition leader Kazuyoshi Kondo and Kazuo Kozu will scale the peak. Nepali general expedition leader Ang Tshering Sherpa and Japanese general expedition leader Masuo Moriya and Toba Mari will only go up to Nangpai Gosum Base Camp.

Tourism Minister Pradip Gyawali today handed over the flags of Nepal and Japan to the general expedition leaders Ang Tshering and Masuo who in turn handed them over to the expedition leaders, at a programme organised by the Nepal Mountaineering Association.