Climbing Manaslu

Domhnall and Lucille are doing it again - trying to climb their next 8000 m peak in the Himalayas. This time it's Manaslu in central Nepal, not far from the Annapurna and Dhaulagiri mountains, which I saw from a distance 20 years ago from the town of Pokhara, while rowing on Pokhara lake and relaxing in the Moondance cafe listening to Van Morrison. But naturally they'll be no such relaxing pursuits for these two. This is the third Nepalese 8000 m peak that Domhnall's attempted (he summitted Lhotse in 2009 and Everest in 2010) and the second for Lucille (also an Everesteer in 2010!). They also got Denali under their belts last year, the highest mountain in North America. You could say they're overachievers, but I think they're just easily bored....! Oh, and driven by a desire to push themselves to their limíts and live life to the absolute fullest.

This expedition is probably going to be the biggest test yet of their mental and physical strength and experience, and they'll need a good dose of luck as well, from the weather and their health among other things. They will be attempting to climb Manaslu - 8163 m high, I think - on their own, self-guiding, carrying and setting up all their equipment on the mountain, and without oxygen. They have base camp support, so they'll be cooked and cared for at the bottom of the mountain, but above that they'll be on their own.

They flew into Kathmandu last week and for the last few days have been trekking into basecamp, arriving there yesterday. They're hoping to summit sometime in May. You can follow their adventures on Lucille's fantastic blog (ably assisted by Lucille's husband Ted back in Edmonton, Canada). And here's a reminder of ones they did earlier (photos courtesy of Domhnall and/or Lucille):

                                                    Lhotse 2009                                                      Everest 2010

Denali 2011