A trail to Manaslu is open again, thanks to the efforts of local villagers who prepared an alternative path. But parts of the detour will involve quite an adventure for trekkers.
Residents of Chumanuwri Rural Municipality, located on the forested lower sections of the Manaslu trekking route, have built a temporary wooden bridge over the Therang River after a flash flood swept away the previous one last Sunday. They have also cleared an old path to reconnect with the main Manaslu trek, and local authorities have declared the route open again. However, the Gorkha district, in which the Chumanuwri Municipality lies, still encourages trekkers to postpone their trips until further notice.
Weak bridge
While the route is doable, the safety advisory issued after the flash flood remains in effect, Everest Chronicle reports. Authorities are especially sensitive after the catastrophic floods in Rasuwa two weeks ago, although the recent flooding in the Manaslu area was caused by heavy rain rather than a glacial lake outburst. Yet, further rains are expected in the next few days, and another flood can’t be ruled out.
The new bridge is a basic structure of wooden logs and planks, built by locals in a rush because they need to cross the river to access a neighboring valley. It would likely offer little resistance if the river swelled again.
