Update 1
Australian Manaslu Expedition 2002
Update # 1
The following information is current as of Friday April 12
The expedition departed Australia for Kathmandu on Friday April 5. Over 700kgs of equipment was taken and Thai Airlines generously waived the excess baggage charge.
Following a few days in Kathmandu to organise local details the party departed by bus for Besisashar (about 6 - 7 hours) from where the trek commenced.
By Friday the party had reached Tilje (elevation 2240 m) one day ahead of schedule. Over the next few days the party will climb to the Laryka Pass which, at 5105 m, is the highest section of the trek. After crossing Laryka Pass the party will descend to below 3500 m before climbing to the Manaslu Base Camp (elevation 4700 m).
All members are well, save for a few blistered feet and sore knees, and are enjoying the adventure as well as the company of each other. The weather has been fantastic with only a little rain.
In addition to the Australian Manaslu Expedition there are four groups planning to climb Manaslu this season. They are:
· Andrew Lock (Australian) with Trajce Aleksov (Macedonian). Andrew departed Kathmandu on March 16 and is 3.5 weeks ahead of the expedition,
· A German team led by Ralf Dujmovits (who has climbed 8 of the 14 peaks over 8000m),
· A Norweigen team, one member of the trekking team is Ole Einar Bjorndalen, a biathlete and "national hero" in Norway after his accomplishments in Salt Lake City, where he won 4 gold medals, and
· A six man American team which commenced trekking on April 11.
These groups are reportedly approaching the mountain from a different direction which involves a slightly longer route than that being taken by the Australian expedition.
Three photos taken at Sydney Airport are attached,
(from left), BACK ROW - Michael Coyle (trekker), Geoff Robb (climber), Megan Robb (trekker), George Lloyd (climber) and Ralph Pliner (climber) - FRONT ROW - Daniel, Rachael and Sybil Pliner (Trekkers)
Margaret Werner (trekker) and Greg Mortimer (climber)
Part of the equipment lineup at the check in counter.
