Our Manaslu team is nicely settled into Base Camp with just one member still waiting on missing baggage from the flights, before making their final move into Base Camp.

In advance of the teams arrival our amazing Nepalese team cleared and levelled the area for each tent and set up not one, but two, massive dome tents (one for our dining room, and one for our hang out tent) as well as each team member’s spacious private tent and our Manaslu Exec teams personal, heated domes.

Since arrival the team has rolled straight into the expedition, training on fixed lines yesterday focusing on smooth transitions around anchors and other climbers as well as reviewing the standard climbing systems that maintain the chain of safety while in the mountains.

Today the team took a hour acclimatization hike to Crampon Point at 17,100ft (5,200m) Crampon Point is where climbers heading to Camp 1 leave the rock step behind, don crampons and start moving on fixed lines across the glacier.

Returning back to camp for a fantastic lunch the rest of the afternoon was free time allowing everyone to rest up.

Tomorrow, September 9th is an auspicious day according to the Tibetan Calendar and our team will be making the most of it with a Puja Ceremony.

Puja ceremonies are a chance to ask for safe passage from the mountain and to celebrate our chance to climb in such an amazing place. Our Puja will be led by a Lama who will make the trek up to Base Camp from the village below. Mountaineering expeditions in Nepal have hosted this Buddhist traditional dating back to the very first exploratory expeditions. After the Puja it is a time of rest and celebration – the team heads to Camp One for their first foray on the mountain in the next day!

All is well in Nepal,

Cheers
CTSS Team