Let me start with this: I thought the Manaslu Expedition would be hard. I did not expect it to feel like my lungs were trying to unsubscribe from my body at 7,000 meters.
This was my first big mountain. And yes, I watched every YouTube video, bought every shiny piece of gear, and thought I was mentally “prepared.” I wasn’t. Nothing, not even that overpriced jacket can prepare you for how brutally honest this mountain is.
But let me break it down for you in the most honest way possible. Because someone needs to say the things that National Geographic doesn’t.
You Will Cry Into Your Oxygen Mask (And That’s OK)
By Day 5, I was out of snacks and out of self-confidence. The altitude was making me forget my own name. Breathing felt like trying to suck air through a broken straw.
And then, it happened: I cried. Into my mask. Not because of the view (which is stunning, by the way), but because I couldn’t feel my fingers and I was 80% sure I’d dropped my last protein bar into a crevasse.
Here’s a fun fact: only about 60% of climbers reach the summit of Manaslu each season. The mountain isn’t cruel. It’s just... honest. It will show you who you are without Wi-Fi, ego, or functioning sinuses.
Why Yaks Are the Real MVPs
I trained for six months. I ran stairs. I cut carbs. And then I saw a yak carry more weight than me, uphill, without a single complaint. That yak was basically judging me with its eyes.
Sherpas and their yaks are the backbone of every Manaslu expedition. While I was wheezing and regretting life choices, they were calmly sipping tea and setting up camp like it was a backyard BBQ.
Respect them. Tip them. And maybe ask the yak for training tips.
No, That North Face Jacket Doesn’t Make You Reinhold Messner
You can buy all the fancy gear you want. I did. I looked like a catalog model for “Patagonia Panic.” But here’s the truth: your jacket won’t stop you from getting altitude sickness or losing your sanity at 7,500m.
What matters more? Patience. Pacing. And being okay with turning back if your body says "nope."
I met a guy at base camp who had climbed Everest. He said Manaslu felt harder. Fewer people, tougher weather, and that sneaky little false summit that plays mind games with you.
So... Was It Worth It?
Absolutely.
The sunrise over the Himalayas? Unreal. The feeling of pushing through fear and fatigue? Life-changing. The cold toilet tent experience? Not so much.
But Manaslu teaches you things no other place can. Like how small you really are. How strong your mind is. And how incredible a cup of instant noodles can taste when you’re above the clouds.
Would I do it again? Ask me once I’ve regained full use of my toes.
Final Thought: If you're thinking about a Manaslu Expedition because you think it's an "easier" 8000-meter climb, think again. It's not a warm-up. It's a wake-up call.
And honestly? That’s what makes it unforgettable.
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