Manang. The Naso rural municipality of Manang has started a preliminary study of a new trekking route for Mt Manaslu.

The trekking route survey has been started in coordination with the rural municipality and sponsored by the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) with the objective of identifying an easy route for climbing Manaslu.

Currently, the Manaslu climbers travel from Kathmandu via Arughat and Samagaun of Gorkha. From the east, they start climbing Manaslu. However, Naso Rural Municipality of Manang has started a study on the possibility of climbing from Kathmandu to Bhimthang from the west via Besisahar of Lamjung, Dharapani, Tilche, Guwa, Suti Khola, Yakkharka.

The climbing route in both Samagaun and Bhimthang meets at Camp Three, which is six thousand meters high. Located in Gorkha, this mountain is 8,163 meters high. On May 9, 1956, T. Emanus of Japan and Gyalsen Norbu of Nepal climbed Mt Evelyn for the first time. Chairperson Gurung of Naso rural municipality said that the climbing was started from Bhimthang at that time and after the trekking route was damaged, it started from Samagaun.

Karma Sherpa, who was involved in the preliminary study on the possibility of climbing from Bhimthang, said that further study was needed. “It was snowing when we went there, so further study is necessary,” he said. It seems that various technical issues need to be studied, such as whether it will be easy or not. ’

Sherpa said that he had taken photos ÷and videos in the first phase and the conclusion was yet to be drawn after analyzing it with experienced climbers. Dhan Bahadur Gurung, chairperson of the rural municipality, said that they have started a preliminary feasibility study with the participation of experienced mountain guides, but the conclusion is awaited.

He said that this would be the easiest and shortest route if the possibility of climbing from the route towards Bhimthang is confirmed. “We have a dream of climbing Manaslu from Bhimthang”, Gurung said, adding, “If this is successful, this will be the shortest route to reach the base camp of Nepal.” ’

One can travel by bus or vehicle from Kathmandu to Tilche village of Manang via Besisahar of Lamjung. After that, one can walk from Tilche and stay in Bhimthang via Guwa, Suti Khola, Yakkharka. From there, you can directly reach the base camp of Manaslu in two and a half days. Chair Gurung said that this route is the shortest route to climb Manaslu.

There are around 30 hotels along the trekking route. There are 11 hotels in Bhimthang which is located at an altitude of 3,700 meters. It has the capacity to accommodate 500 people.

“We are confident that it will be positive for mountaineering and in the coming days, we will be able to climb Manaslu from this short route,” he said. We are conducting a survey to see if it is possible to climb mountains above eight thousand meters through short distance trekking with economy. We expect this survey to be successful. ’

At present, people go on trekking from Dharapani to Manaslu via Tilche, Guwa, Suti Khola, Yakkharka, Bhimthang. Some climbers have been climbing this route via the footpath of Manang as it is accessible in a short time. Climbers and guides say that this route is shorter when they go to climb Manaslu. It would be easier for the mountaineers and guides to identify the route and get permission.