Climb Manaslu in Autumn 2026 with Lakpa Tasi Sherpa
Namaste and Greetings.
My name is Lakpa Tasi Sherpa. I was born and raised in a rural village of Sankhuwasabha, in the lap of Mt. Makalu, the world's fifth-highest mountain. Inspired by my uncles and relatives who worked in the trekking and mountaineering profession, I ventured on to this thrilling journey of exploring and climbing the mighty Himalayan peaks at the age of 21.
Since then, my journey has been filled with challenges, adventures, frustrations, and inspirations. Over the years, I have successfully summited dozens of Himalayan peaks, reaching their summits nearly a hundred times in total.
To elaborate a little, I have climbed 6,000m peaks such as Island Peak (13 times), Mera Peak (10 times), Lobuche East (14 times), and others including Chulu East, Chulu West, Pisang Peak, and Naya Kanga a few times each. I have summited the magnificent Ama Dablam five times (2013, 2016, 2018, 2023, and 2024), Himlung Himal three times (2017, 2018, and 2019), and Putha Hiunchuli a couple of times.
Among my 8,000m achievements, I have summited Mt. Everest 11 times, Lhotse seven times, Mt. K2, Annapurna I, Makalu, and Shishapangma once each, and Mt. Manaslu seven times (2012, 2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025).
I have been working with Rishi Bhandari, the Managing Director of Satori Adventures, since 2010 and have been with Satori since its establishment in 2015. Satori Adventures and Rishi are the best to work with, as the company treats all its field staff and guides like family, extending exceptional support not only during expeditions but also throughout the year at home.
The care and respect shown to the staff at Satori Adventures are truly incomparable. I can proudly say that this is the place where I want to continue working for as long as I am able to climb the mountains.
As we approach the beautiful autumn season and prepare for the Satori Adventures Manaslu Expedition Autumn 2026, I share some of my thoughts. Through this story, I would like to share some of my personal experiences to help you understand both the mountain and me better – many of which I have never shared before.
This autumn, I will lead our team of Sherpa guides as we accompany climbers on a journey to the summit of Mt. Manaslu.
What is it like to climb Mt. Manaslu
Mount Manaslu is believed to be brutal, isolated, and one of the hardest 8,000 m peaks to climb. Yet it is moderately technical, has straightforward route compared to other peaks. This peak is good preparatory peak for other higher and extreme peaks such as Mt. Dhaulagiri, Mt. Kanchanjunga, Mt. K2, and even Mt. Everest.
This mountain demands absolute respect. The dangerous icefall below Camp I is constantly shifting, while the steep and painfully exposed traverse between Camps III and IV tests the endurance of even the strongest climbers.
Physical fitness, mental strength, and emotional resilience are the most important qualities for climbing a mountain like Manaslu successfully. Prior experience at high altitudes (7,000 meters and above) significantly increases the chances of a safe and successful summit.
Manaslu Autumn Expedition prepration are underway
A successful and safe climb depends on careful planning long before the expedition begins or you arrive in Kathmandu. Preparation means meticulously checking all ropes, harnesses, crampons, ice axes, helmets, tents, sleeping bags, oxygen systems, communication equipment, and organizing every aspect of the expedition logistics.
We involve all of our mountain staffs in this process to ensure that every team member fully understands the expedition plan and their responsibilities. Every single piece of equipment will be thoroughly inspected. Because, I know that even a minor gear failure at such extreme altitudes can quickly become life-threatening.
We have already completed the preparation and inspection of all tents that will be used during the expedition. Over the next few days, we will fill all oxygen cylinders and ensure that each one is in perfect working condition. The oxygen masks and regulators will undergo a thorough inspection at the end of this month (July) to ensure they are fully functional and ready for use in the high-altitude environment.
We are now preparing a detailed inventory and calculating the required quantities of food, fuel, medical supplies, and other personal essentials needed to support our large expedition team throughout the climb.
Building a safe and comfortable Manaslu Base Camp
At Base Camp (4,700 m / 15,420 ft), we will spend several weeks during the expedition, making it our home in the Himalayas. We carefully select the safest and most suitable location, well away from avalanche paths and unstable terrain.
Our team will leave Kathmandu in the third week of August to make the Base Camp. As the expedition logistics arrive at Base Camp site, I will assign a team of Sherpa guides to begin setting up the camp, including your personal tents, kitchen, dining tent, social area, communication facilities, and medical station.
Every detail that goes into building Base Camp contributes directly to the comfort, safety, and well-being of the entire team. We try our best to prepare a well-organized Base Camp which provides climbers with a comfortable place to rest and recover, monitor weather conditions, prepare equipment, and mentally prepare for the challenges of the higher camps.
The Weight of Responsibility i carry During Manaslu Climbing
While you are busy completing your acclimatization rotations in the lower camps, we carry heavy loads of equipment through steep high-altitude terrain. We transport tents, food, fuel, ropes, climbing hardware, and heavy oxygen cylinders – work that requires exceptional physical strength, endurance, and determination. Every load our team carry contributes directly to the safety and overall success of the expedition. For us, this is not just a job; it reflects our dedication, responsibility, and the enduring spirit.
Preparing the climbing route is another most demanding responsibilities on a Manaslu expedition. Before you move higher, we inspect and identify the safest and most suitable route. We break trails through deep snow, drill anchors where necessary, and fix ropes along the route. Hidden crevasses, unstable snow-packs, and constantly changing weather create hazards that require careful judgment and experience.
This is where I rely on my years of experience and knowledge of the mountain. Every rope we fix is placed with great care, because these are the very lines that will guide you safely toward the summit of Mt. Manaslu.
Besides these preparation duties, I constantly keep an eye on each one of the entire team throughout the expedition. I closely monitor physical condition, energy level, confidence, and any signs of altitude sickness. This constant vigilance helps ensure the safety of the entire team and significantly improves everyone's chances of reaching the summit safely.
Summit Day Manaslu Through My Eyes
Once you are well acclimatized, the weather forecast is favorable, and you are physically and mentally ready for the summit, we begin the summit push in the pitch-black hours long before sunrise.
Before leaving camp, I with my Sherpa team make sure that all our equipment is in order, the oxygen systems are functioning properly, and every team member is fully prepared for the climb.
Teamwork is one of the most important factors on the mountain. We move slowly, steadily, and in rhythm. Throughout the ascent, I continuously monitor the weather, each climber's pace, physical condition, and oxygen consumption.
This is the most demanding stage of the expedition. Every decision becomes critical, and as a Sherpa guide/leader, I assess the situation and be prepared to make the right call – even if that means turning back when conditions are no longer safe.
There is one rule: the summit is only a halfway.
Standing on top of Mt. Manaslu is an achievement you will never forget. But the descent demands just as much focus as ascent – if not more. By then, physical fatigue has set in, the afternoon weather can change rapidly, and a natural drop in concentration greatly increases the risk.
For me, bringing all members of the climb to Base Camp safely is the true measure of a successful expedition. A climb is only a success when every member of the team returns home safely and without injury. After all, the goal is not simply to stand on the summit, but to return safely to the people waiting for us at home.
What Calls Me Back to Climb Mt. Manaslu
This autumn, I will be returning to Manaslu for my eighth expedition. Returning to this mountain, and to the Himalayas again and again, fills me with excitement, a deep sense of responsibility, gratitude, and countless memories.
For a Sherpa, the mountain is certainly a way of life and a means of livelihood. But for many of us, earning a living is not the only reason we return to the mountains. We are born and raised in the lap of these mighty Himalayas, where there is less oxygen and, even in our mothers' wombs we begin life in this unique environment. This may contribute to our deep connection with the mountains. They are our gods, our culture, our identity, and our spiritual heritage. Whether it is Mt. Makalu, where I was born, or Mt. Manaslu, every Himalayan mountain feels equally familiar and equally respected.
Over the years, my passion for mountaineering has continued to grow, and that passion keeps drawing me back to the mountains. Every expedition is an opportunity to learn, to grow, and to deepen my appreciation for both the mountains and the mountaineering community.
Each time I return, the mountain treats differently, as does the Mt. Manaslu. The weather changes, the climbing route changes, the campsite changes, the snow conditions are different, the ice is never the same, and the glaciers move, erasing the footsteps we left behind the previous year. That is why no two expeditions are ever identical.
I will never forget one particular summit push when the winds suddenly roared to life at around 7,500 meters. I had to make a split-second decision to turn my client back when we were only about 200 meters below the summit. It was one of the hardest decisions I have ever made, but it undoubtedly saved the life of myself and my fellow client.
It gives me immense satisfaction to work in the mountains, helping hundreds of climbers pursue their dreams and safely reach the summit. Heading back to Manaslu always feels like visiting an old friend who has changed a little since the last time we met.
Mt. Manaslu Climbing & Lessons I learn
I continue to learn life's greatest lessons from the mountains. It teaches me patience, because we cannot control every situation, nor can we rush our way to the summit. With every climb, my respect for nature grows deeper, reminding me that the mountain always demands humility.
You must remain flexible because the mountain always follows its own schedule, not ours. Every expedition strengthens my resilience, deepens my sense of responsibility, and builds my confidence as both a climber and a Sherpa guide.
At the end of the day, a successful Manaslu expedition comes down to careful planning, experienced leadership, sound logistics, and unbreakable teamwork. Having guided climbers on numerous expeditions in the Himalayas and worked with Satori Adventures for many years, I can confidently say that we combine sophisticated equipment and system with meticulous planning, hard work and careful execution to ensure that both our climbers and our Sherpa team are fully prepared for this demanding mountain.
Join the Satori Manaslu Expedition Autumn 2026 to Climb with Me.
I warmly invite you to join me on Mt. Manaslu. While I am here busy preparing every detail of the expedition – from logistics and equipment to Base Camp setup – you still have time to be part of the team before bookings close.
If you are physically fit, have the endurance required for a high-altitude expedition, and are mentally prepared for the challenges ahead, I would be honored to guide you on Satori Adventures' Mt. Manaslu Expedition Autumn 2026.
