The Manaslu Disaster

Comments · 393

• JA

  @jamesmceachen · 2 years ago (edited)

  I was on Manaslu in 1989.  We knew the slopes above the icefall were very prone to avalanche - even back then - and as such we dug snow caves for our Camp 2 to prevent it being swept away.  This is not feasible for commercial expeditions which dominate the 8,000 meter peak attempts these days and so they just assume the additional risk - or attempt to find campsites out of the path of potential avalanches, which is almost impossible.  In 1989, our 12 person expedition was the only group on the route after a Japanese expedition abandoned their attempt early on due to the snow depth that Fall.  Interestingly, we had a large serac break off the upper ridge of the mountain too.  The air blast of that avalanche flattened my tent in basecamp (with me in it) even though the snow and spindrift never hit us.  What is worth noting is that our basecamp was an hour climb below the basecamp site that is used these days, which was absolutely decimated by this avalanche.  A warning to climbers attempting the mountain today that the apparent safety of the basecamp site is an illusion.  It is not safe.  Again, commercial expeditions cannot use our basecamp site (a lovely set of benches in the yak grazing slopes a thousand feet below the dismal, grey site used these days, because there is just not enough room for the hundreds of tents set by commercial trips every year.  The whole point of this comment is that if you really want to responsibly manage risk and have a good adventure in the Himalaya look to one of the many lesser known and more interesting 7,000 meter peaks.  The 8,000ers are for trophy hunters and tourists, not adventurers.

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• SC

  @sct913 · 4 years ago

  1954:  Climbers are bad, they've angered the gods.   1971:  Climbers are good, they bring money.

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• DH

  @dhgzebraa261 · 4 years ago

  For the last week I’ve been watching atleast like 10-15 videos like this a day. Idk why I find them so insanely fascinating

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• KA

  @Kariakas · 4 years ago

  Well done, Everest and K2 always get so much more attention.

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• RY

  @ryanstewart4444 · 4 years ago

  I would classify a lot of the components here as the 'normalization of risk' and exemplifies exactly why I always encourage new workers to speak up when they see safety concerns that I may not.  Sometimes I have mitigated the risk without verbalizing my actions, sometimes I have simply grown complacent to that risk.

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• XC

  @XcRunner1031 · 4 years ago

  Man, you find all sorts of more obscure, interesting incidents. Sometime these channels can get a little bit repetitive, but you almost always have something of which I&apos;m unaware or only know in passing. <br><br>Also, I&apos;m convinced seracs and ice fields are the most dangerous aspects of high mountain climbing. Just look at Manasla, K2&apos;s bottleneck, Everest&apos;s Khumbu Icefall, Lenin Peak, the Alps. Ice can be so unpredictable.

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• SU

  @Sushi2735 · 3 years ago

  Seeing the man perched on that tiny piece of ice, tells me all I need to know. Not being an adrenaline junky, it is impossible for me to understand. All extreme sports are beyond me.<br>But, have at it! It’s your life, and your life to lose, as long as you don’t take anyone with you ✌️

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• BA

  @barbaralamson7450 · 4 years ago

  I am fascinated by mountaineering. &nbsp;I am grateful to all climbers as I am not one. &nbsp;I have never heard of this mountain not its climbers. &nbsp;Thank you for sharing yet another unknown (to me) video.

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• HU

  @hunterwise9412 · 3 years ago

  Glenn Plake and his famous early 80’s Mohawk is what got me into snow skiing and I’ve not heard his name in years so thank you so much for all the info….

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• JE

  @jefe.skates · 4 years ago

  Rest In Peace with the angels you soared with atop all of those summits you made it seem so easy to surmount , Hilaree Nelson 🕊

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• MI

  @MiloZabál · 4 years ago

  One of the most prominent Colombian climbers in history died in Manaslu in 1998, &nbsp;his name was Lenin Granados.

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• MO

  @mortalclown3812 · 3 years ago

  Straight up good channel. To the point, thorough and good illustrations.<br>Props. Subbed.

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