Everything About Manaslu Avalanche 2022 and 2023

Firstly, let’s know what an avalanche is. Due to heavy or continuous snowfall, a pile of snow deposits. When gravity cannot no longer hold this mass of snow, snow, along with ice and debris, suddenly starts to slide down the mountain. This sliding of a huge mass of snow, ice and debris is known as an Avalanche. In recent years, there have been various instances of occurrence of avalanches in the Himalayan region of Nepal. So was the case for Manaslu in 2022 and 2023. Now, let’s reveal everything about Manaslu Avalanche 2022 and 2023.

Manaslu Avalanche

Manaslu, situated in northern Nepal, Gorkha, is the world’s eighth tallest mountain, at 8,163 meters. The Manaslu region offers various kind of adventurous options, such as the Manaslu Circuit Trek, Tsum Valley Trek, and many more, offering breathtaking views of mountain vistas. Along with its majestic beauty, Manaslu comes with various difficulties and dangers, such as avalanche at Manaslu.

Avalanche at Manaslu is one of the most bizarre conditions. Numerous numbers of Manaslu avalanche bodies are lying under the silent white snow-covered mountain. Manaslu mountain avalanches can be triggered by human activities and natural phenomena: skiing, mountaineering, earthquakes, continuous snowfall, fluctuation in temperature or wind, etc. The steep slopes of Manaslu are prone to avalanches. Due to the severity of the Manaslu avalanche and the chances of causing risk to locals, climbers and nature, the Manaslu has become notoriously famous. This has left Manaslu, local inhabitants, and climbers in turmoil.

Manaslu Avalanche 2022

The Avalanche that occurred on September 26^th, 2022, near Camp 3, caught several climbers and porters on their way. The Manaslu Avalanche 2022 was caused by heavy snowfall and an unstable wall of snow. A ski mountaineer from America and a support climber became the victims of the avalanche, and many others were injured. Various rescue operations were performed by the local Sherpas and national and international guides, and helicopter rescues were operated. The main villain in the rescue was the bad weather.

The Avalanche 2022 clarified that we are just a spec before the mighty nature. We can only be prepared to reduce the damage level. To ensure the safety of climbers, awareness camps and training are conducted, and new safety rules are made compulsory. Proper acclimatisation, trekking equipment, etc., are crucial in high-altitude climbs such as high peaks in the Everest and Annapurna regions. The Manaslu Accident 2022 clarified the importance of experienced guides and porters/Sherpas), information, and physical and psychological fitness.

Manaslu Accident 2022

The Mt Manaslu Accident 2022 alarms the mountaineering community regarding the lack of knowledge about weather conditions, preparedness, and the prevailing rules and regulations to ensure the safety of the climbers. It occurred in late September, the best time to go on the Manaslu Circuit Trek. However, sherpas reported continuous snowfall for 15 days as the main suspect in the tragic Manaslu Avalanche 2022.

Post-Manaslu Accident 2022, guides and travel/climbing agencies were the ones who faced demeaning criticism. This incident made the mountaineering community reform a few mountaineering protocols and safety measures. The protocol formulated that the climbers should have received avalanche training, prepared more accurate and updated weather reports, and had robust communication networks. Advanced GPS tracking systems and drones for search parties were additional safety measures implemented to secure the safety of the climbers.

Manaslu Deaths

After the devastating Mount Manaslu Avalanche 2012 that took the lives of 11 individuals, the region faced another catastrophic Manaslu Avalanche 2022.

Looking at the ratio of successful ascension and the number of deaths, the Manaslu is a relatively safer mountain among the eight-thousanders. As the climbers and locals overcame the effects of the Manaslu Avalanche 2012, another massive avalanche struck Mount Manaslu on September 26^th 2022, at around 11:30 am. The avalanche occurred between Camp-3 (6,800m/22,309ft) and Camp-4 (7,450m/24,442ft). This avalanche claimed the lives of two people. One of them was a 34-year-old Anup Rai (an experienced high-altitude support climber). The other was the American native 49-year-old Hilaree Nelson (ski mountaineer). Nelson’s body was only found after 2 days by the search team organized by her husband and with help from Nirmal Purja (Nimsdai) and Mingma Tenzi Sherpa.

Apart from two death tolls, several other porters and climbers were reported injured and are now fully recovered. The Mt Manaslu Avalanche 2022 questioned the safety measures and rescue operations of the region.

Manaslu Avalanche 2023

Soon after the Manaslu Avalanche 2022, another avalanche struck the Manaslu. This avalanche was a little more harmless than the Avalanche 2022, however, it caused several injuries. The avalanche that struck in 2023 made the existing safety measures and precise weather forecast for high-elevated mountain climbing questionable.

Mount Manaslu Avalanche 2023 occurred between Camp-2 (5,500m/18,045ft) and Camp-3. Thanks to the improved communication network and GPS tracking, the Manaslu avalanche deaths toll was none, and few were injured. Post 2023 Avalanche Manaslu Base Camp, Nepalese mountaineering organizations of Nepal, in collaboration with the Nepal Government, made official strategies for reducing injury to null.

The strategies included compulsory orientation on safety measures for all the climbers and setting up new weather monitoring stations in various locations. In addition to that, several other avalanche preventive measures, such as authorized and manual bomb-blasting for stabilizing the frozen snow. Only the experienced climbers who had enough training in climbing were given climbing permits, which is mandatory for climbing any authorized peaks in Nepal.

Manaslu Avalanche Bodies Sliding

The Manaslu Avalanche Bodies Sliding is one of the most dangerous phenomena of avalanches. Manaslu avalanche bodies sliding is a phenomenon in which the mountaineers are swept away along the sliding snow, ice and debris during an avalanche. Due to this, operating rescue missions becomes harder. A person could be swept hundreds of meters away from the point they were. This not only increases the number of casualties but leaves an unforgettable memory for the survivor.

The disturbing experience of an avalanche might cause PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and other mental health issues in the survivors. They are compelled to go under psychological treatment and counselling. Numerous efforts are made to improve the safety of the climbers, but due to its unpredictable nature, it doesn’t seem to have made much impact. However, it is our responsibility to assess our own experience, physical condition, preparedness, and mental stability and collect information before going out on any trip.

Manaslu Avalanche 2022 Video

Video: Avalanche Destroys Mount Manaslu Camp, Compass Media 

Manaslu Survival Rate

Like Mount Annapurna or Mount Kanchenjunga, Manaslu is a difficult mountain to climb. In the past, the death rate was comparatively high compared to other mountains with heights over 8,000 meters. However, with recent improvements in safety measures, proper guidance, and mountaineering gear, the Manaslu survival rate has increased significantly.

Until May 2008, there were 297 successful Manaslu ascents and 53 deaths, a fatality rate of about 17.85%, which is the fourth highest after Annapurna, Nanga Parbat, and K2. Similarly, up to the year 2012, there were 64 deaths out of 672 summit attempts, a success rate of 91.31%. In 2012 itself, 11 climbers lost their lives due to an avalanche. Likewise, in 2022, only 2 climbers died.

This shows that the Manaslu avalanche deaths rate has been decreasing significantly. However, we cannot forget that the Manaslu is one of the most difficult climbs due to its technical terrain and susceptibility to avalanches.