TREKKING IN NEPAL
MANASLU REGION
Manaslu region is located in Western Nepal and was opened to trekkers only in 1991. But lots of mountaineering expedition teams had access for long time. In 1950 a group headed by H.W. Tilman trekked this area for the first time and ever since this area has been quite popular among tuff trekkers. Manaslu the highest mountain in this region (8,156m) was attempted by Japanese climbers from 1952 till 1956 but only in 1956 the first accent was ever made. Until today this region is more frequented by Japanese trekkers and Manaslu is known as Japanese mountain since large number of climbers who have successfully summitted Manaslu are Japanese. This area is still restricted to a limited number of groups and only organised trekkers in groups can trek in this area. The book "Honey Hunters of Nepal" by Eric Valli & Dianne Summers give good information about this region.
Manaslu region is very remote and rescue facility is very difficult. Yet the trek is geographically spectacular and culturally fascinating. Lots of people residing in this area especially in the upper Buri Gandaki (river) Valley are Tibetan. A place in this valley called Nupri (meaning Western Mountain in Tibetan) is a trading center among Tibetans and Tibetans residing in this areas. |
