An all-Polish team is heading to the Himalaya to take on a never-repeated route on Manaslu (8,163 meters). The Poles will tackle a 1986 line put up by their legendary compatriots Jerzy Kukuczka and Artur Hajzer. The route climbs both Manaslu East (7,992) and the main summit in one push.
Italian winter veteran Simone Moro and his teammate Tamara Lunger abandoned an attempt on the same route in March 2015 due to unfavourable weather and snow conditions.
Led by Rafal Fronia, the team includes seven other Polish climbers. Their long-range plan is to gain experience for future attempts on the peak in full winter conditions. This is part of the 2016-2020 Polish Winter Himalayan Program.
Rafal Fronia on K2 earlier this year. Photo: Rafal Fronia
Fronia was part of the unsuccessful Polish winter attempt on K2 earlier this year. He had to be evacuated after a falling rock broke his arm.
The expedition left on September 4, and they expect to summit between October 5 to 12.
Manaslu was first climbed in 1956 by Japanese mountaineers Toshio Imanishi and Gyalzen Norbu.
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