Deadly avalanches and heavy snowfall have cut short the climbing season on Manaslu, one of Nepal’s most popular peaks after Mount Everest. With more snow forecast, it is unlikely any climbers will reach the 26,781-foot summit before the season ends in October.
A Popular but Perilous Peak
Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain, has become a stepping stone for Everest hopefuls. Its 8,000-foot ascent from Base Camp to the summit challenges climbers with thin air, glacier and rock terrain, and time in the Death Zone. While it lacks the sheer dropoffs of peaks like K2 or Annapurna, it is no easy climb.
Despite its dangers, Manaslu has grown in popularity. Nepal’s Department of Tourism sold 493 climbing permits for the 2026 fall season, nearly matching the 494 permits issued for Everest in the spring.
Avalanches and Fatalities
The season took a tragic turn when an avalanche struck Camp III on September 20, killing two climbers in their tent. The bodies of Dhrubajyoti Guha, a German-Indian climber, and his guide, Phursemba Sherpa, both 47, were found buried under seven feet of snow.
These deaths brought the 2026 death toll on Manaslu to four, including a climber from Singapore who died during acclimatization and a Nepali porter found dead in his tent at Base Camp.
The mountain’s dangers were highlighted by veteran guide Mingma G, who posted a video of an avalanche narrowly missing tents at Camp III. “Snow avalanches are the one thing that has always scared me,” he wrote on Instagram. “Yesterday was a lucky day on Manaslu.”
Manaslu’s reputation for avalanches dates back to 2012, when a massive slide destroyed Camp III, killing 11 climbers. In 2022, American extreme skier Hilaree Nelson died on the mountain after an avalanche swept her off a 5,000-foot slope.
As heavy snow continued to fall, climbers and guides began retreating. Simone Moro, a veteran climber and rescue helicopter pilot, abandoned his ascent after reaching Camp III, citing forecasts of two meters of fresh snow. Other expeditions, including those led by Mingma G and 8K Expeditions, also pulled back, with some calling off their climbs entirely.
With more snow predicted, the chances of any summit attempts before the season ends are slim. The fixed lines installed by rope fixers, essential for climbers, were now buried, and expeditions typically wrap up their final pushes in early October.
Retreat and Reflection
Mingma G, another veteran guide, followed suit, announcing his team’s departure from Base Camp on September 23. He noted the persistent snowfall had created dangerous conditions, with avalanche risks even near Base Camp. 8K Expeditions also paused their climb, awaiting improved conditions.
A Season Cut Short
The 2026 climbing season on Manaslu ended abruptly, marked by tragedy and challenging weather. Four lives were lost, including two climbers killed in an avalanche at Camp III. The mountain’s reputation as a peak prone to avalanches was reinforced.
The season had ended, leaving behind a trail of both triumph and tragedy.
