Nguyen Manh Duy, Ho Chi Minh City, in late September became the first Vietnamese to set foot on the world’s 8th highest mountain Manaslu.
“I exclaimed, ‘I have touched my dream'”, Manh Duy said the moment he set foot on Manaslu peak 8,163 m, in 14h52 September 22.
When certifying that Manh Duy is the first Vietnamese person to conquer the world’s 8th highest mountain Manaslu, the Nepal Mountaineering Association said this milestone was meaningful to Duy and his tour guide Temba Bhote when guiding him to climb Manaslu. Not in the usual “rotation” way but going straight to the top.
Nguyen Manh Duy (left) and Temba Bhote before conquering Mount Manaslu. Image: NVCC
Manh Duy flew from Ho Chi Minh City to Nepal on September 10 to begin the 10-day journey to conquer Manaslu. Guide Temba Bhote is a professional climber nicknamed “Himalayan Sherpa”, who has conquered Mount Everest 10 times and 6 times with Manaslu.
Departing on September 13 in Kathmandu, it took the two of them 4 days to get to Base Camp. The camp is the gathering point for climbing groups, where guests get used to the altitude and “gain momentum” for higher stages. When Duy arrived, Base Camp was there nearly 400 climbers from all over the world. After two days of rest, they began moving through 4 camps 1, 2, 3 and 4 at altitudes of 5,800 m, 6,200 m, 6,800 m and 7,400 m respectively.
“Base Camp at an altitude of 5,000 m is not very difficult, but the higher the camps, the more challenging they are,” Duy said.
Manaslu is also known as the “mountain of death” because of frequent avalanches, sharp peaks and dangerous slopes covered with snow and ice all year round. The Nepal Mountaineering Association commented that this is one of the most challenging peaks in the world. However, Manaslu still attracts adventurers. September and October are the climbing season for Manaslu, the peak gathers the second largest number of climbers in Nepal, after Everest.
Vietnamese tourists said the cost of climbing Mount Manaslu ranges from 10,000 to 12,000 USD depending on the service chosen. Normally, climbers will need a mountain guide, porter and oxygen tank at altitudes of 7,000 m or higher. The services customers order will be Decide on the cost package.
Manh Duy started trekking more than 10 years ago. He and his friends once explored part of the Himalayas around the Tibetan plateau such as Merapeak peak (6,500 m) and Ama Dablam (6,812 m). Tibetan landscape, culture and the Himalayas Majestic always contains a “strange” attraction, urging him to conquer higher peaks.
With mountains over 8,000 m high, the climbing team has to do a “very boring” job, which is climbing in rotation. From Base Camp, climbers must move to camp 1 or camp 2 and then return, some people go to camp 4 and then return, so that the body can adapt to the altitude before entering the “death threshold” – over 8,000 m. This stage takes 7 to 10 days.
Having climbed the Himalayas many times, Temba Bhote proposed to Duy a quite risky plan, which was “sumit” – reaching the summit without going through a rotation, going straight from the base camp to the top of the mountain.
Duy described this as the “ultimate” challenge because he was exhausted and wanted to give up many times, even when climbing close to the top. At noon on September 22, when there were about 50 meters left and he saw the top, the thought of giving up still appeared.
“Lugging little by little with heavy climbing clothes, it took about more than 40 minutes to complete that stage,” Duy said.
In addition, the snow and rain on the top “up to his thighs” was also a challenge that eroded his strength when he climbed continuously for 24 hours.
But through the “arduous road”, all fatigue quickly disappeared when he touched the peak with the Nepal flag on top of the mountain. In the feeling of satisfaction because of his personal victory, Duy did not forget to take in his eyes the “brilliant paradise-like” scene at the top with golden clouds reflecting sunlight.
“Only by going up high can we take in that beauty,” Duy said.
Nguyen Manh Duy on top of Manaslu on September 22. Image: NVCC
Standing on top of Manaslu, Mr. Duy and his companion had 5 minutes to admire the majestic Himalayas covered with white snow. They took some commemorative photos together at an altitude of 8,163 m and went down the mountain to ensure safety.
“This is a practice trip for the journey to conquer Everest next year,” the Vietnamese climber shared.