Winter 2017 isn’t as secluded as it appeared until a couple of weeks ago.
Winter 2017 isn’t as secluded as it appeared until a couple of weeks ago. After Alex Txikon, a second winter climber announced her return to Himalayas. French climber Elisabeth Revol, who has been an active part of winter Nanga Parbat story, will be attempting Manaslu this season; solo and in alpine style. If successful, she will become the first one to record a full (calendar) winter ascent of the mountain. Meanwhile, Spanish Everest team has also arrived in Kathmandu. They will be leaving for the mountain in a couple of days.
Manaslu Alpine Style
Elisabeth Revol flew to Nepal in first week of December. In first phase, she acclimatized in Khumbu region. She returned to Kathmandu on 24th and is on the way to Manaslu now. The Himalayan Times reports that Elisabeth will be accompanied by Giambiasi Ludovic Jean at BC and possibly till C2, but she will be alone up on the mountain. The French lady, perhaps, will be trying to climb the normal route in alpine style.
Elisabeth Revol has attempted Nanga Parbat thrice in winter, reaching 7500m+ altitude twice. She has also climbed Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II in a single season (summer 2008). “Perhaps the great moments of loneliness, but it is an adventure that I already know, will be exceptionally good in all aspects.” She commented in an interview before her departure.
Manaslu’s only winter summits date back to 1984, when Maciej Berbeka and Ryszard Gajewski reached the top on January 12th. It wasn’t a calendar winter ascent as the expedition started in early December. In recent years, Simone Moro and Tamara Lunger were on Manaslu in winter 2015. However, excessive snow didn’t let them climb very high.
Everest Team in Nepal
Alex Txikon and Carlos Rubio, along with filming crew, arrived in Kathmandu yesterday. They will fly to Khumbu valley on Wednesday. The team will be joined by Sherpa team who be fixing the route through icefall. Climber and extreme skier, 28 year old Carlos Rubio, is a fresh name in winter Himalayas.
