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The Manaslu climbing season has concluded with an extraordinary number of successful ascents. Over 600 climbers reached the summit within an intense eight-day period, characterized by excellent weather and optimal snow conditions. This season is notable for its efficiency, with no fatalities or serious incidents reported, and even included two successful ski descents. The influx of climbers, while leading to queues on the upper sections, ultimately allowed many to achieve their mountaineering goals on the world's eighth-highest peak.

Manaslu Sees Unprecedented Summit Success Amidst Favorable Conditions

The recent autumn climbing season on Manaslu, Nepal's majestic eighth-thousander, has drawn to a close, culminating in a remarkable period of achievement for mountaineers. Coinciding with Nepal's Dashain festival, which traditionally signals the commencement of the commercial climbing season, this year witnessed a flurry of activity, particularly on Manaslu, along with Dhaulagiri and Cho Oyu.

Manaslu emerged as the focal point of this bustling season, experiencing an extraordinary surge in successful summits. Contributing factors included a prolonged spell of ideal weather and excellent snow conditions, which converged perfectly to facilitate ascents. Over a mere eight days, an astounding count of more than 600 climbers successfully reached the mountain's pinnacle. This efficiency was further underscored by the absence of any reported fatalities or severe accidents, highlighting a season of both high achievement and relative safety. Additionally, the season celebrated two impressive ski descents from the summit.

Despite the high number of summits, the season saw a slight reduction in foreign permits issued for Manaslu, with 374 permits granted compared to 407 in 2022. However, the sheer volume of daily ascents suggests that this year could set a new record for overall summits. Following the establishment of fixed ropes to the true summit—a practice that gained prominence after Jackson Groves' revealing drone imagery in 2021—expedition teams ascended in continuous waves. Notably, a mid-sized outfitter, Imagine Nepal, facilitated over 40 clients to the summit, complemented by an even larger contingent of Nepalese guides.

The confluence of natural conditions and meticulous logistical planning contributed to this exceptional timing. Rope-fixing teams braved challenging weather during the tail end of the monsoon season, completing their crucial work just as an extended period of clear skies, minimal wind, and stable snow conditions emerged. These perfect circumstances prompted a coordinated push by numerous teams, leading to noticeable congestion in technical sections and around the summit, as captured in various videos circulated online.

While the season boasted a clean safety record regarding fatalities, helicopter airlifts from higher camps, including Camp 3 at nearly 7,000 meters, were a frequent occurrence. While some evacuations were genuinely critical, industry insiders like Adriana Brownlee of AGA Adventures suggested that some could have been mitigated if companies more rigorously assessed clients' fitness prior to summit pushes. The pervasive use of supplementary oxygen has become standard on commercialized peaks like Manaslu, enabling a broader range of clients to attempt the summit and mitigating risks such as frostbite, especially during delays caused by queues.

Adriana Brownlee, a seasoned mountaineer who completed all 14 8,000-meter peaks at a young age, successfully led her own expedition this season. Her team of seven clients, including her father Tony Brownlee (who summitted without supplemental oxygen), reached the peak on September 25. Brownlee observed that strategically timing their summit push to the fifth day of the weather window allowed them to avoid the initial rush and experience a less crowded ascent.

This season also marked several record-breaking achievements: 86-year-old Carlos Soria became the oldest individual to summit an 8,000-meter peak, while 16-year-old Nima Chhiring Sherpa earned the title of youngest Manaslu summiteer. In terms of speed, Poland's Bartek Ziemski achieved a no-oxygen ski descent, and France's Alasdai McKenzie also skied down with oxygen. Furthermore, rapid ascents were noted, with Lhamu Sherpa of Nepal reaching the summit four days after departing Kathmandu, and Russia's Artem Gurshtein completing an astonishing 44-hour round trip from Base Camp.

The successful and relatively safe conclusion of the Manaslu climbing season offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of high-altitude mountaineering. The sheer volume of summits, while a testament to human endeavor and robust logistical support, also highlights the increasing commercialization of these challenging environments. The occurrence of queues and the reliance on helicopter evacuations, even in the absence of severe incidents, raise questions about sustainable practices and the preservation of the raw, untamed spirit of the mountains. It underscores the ongoing debate within the climbing community regarding access, responsibility, and the balance between personal ambition and collective impact on these fragile ecosystems. Moving forward, a thoughtful approach will be essential to ensure both the safety of climbers and the integrity of these iconic peaks.