Simone Moro, Nima Rinji Sherpa, and Oswald Pereira have taken the definition of a winter climb so seriously that they’re even doing their acclimatization after the solstice. Their goal: Manaslu alpine style. They’re currently training for the cold and altitude on Ama Dablam.
The team climbed to Camp 1 and spent the night of December 22 there despite the strong wind.
“The cold is truly on another level,” Nima Rinji wrote about his first taste of winter climbing. “Yesterday…the temperature hit -33°C.”
Left to right, Oswald Pereira, Nima Rinji Sherpa, and Simone Moro at Camp 1 on Ama Dablam. Photo: Oswald Pereira
A big leap
Previously, Moro told ExplorersWeb that he feels like a mentor to young Nima Rinji Sherpa, whom Moro hopes may evolve into a complete alpinist. At just 18, Nima Rinji became the youngest climber to complete the 14×8,000’ers earlier this year. However, all his climbs were on commercial expeditions outfitted by his family’s company, Seven Summit Treks. Now, the young man has taken a big leap in terms of difficulty, commitment, and style.
Annapurna team ready
Another group of climbers, including Waldemar Kowalewski, Alex Txikon, and others, acclimatized on Ama Dablam before calendar winter and are heading to Annapurna. Kowalewski summited Ama Dablam twice, while two members of Alex Txikon’s group topped out last week. Txikon himself did not summit but spent time in higher camps.
Today, the team is celebrating Christmas Eve. They will fly shortly to Annapurna Base Camp, possibly tomorrow.
