Merge your mind with cosmic space,
integrate your actions with myriad of forms.
Ch’an master Hung-chih Cheng-chüeh
(宏智正覺 Wanshi Shõkaku, 1091-1157)
From Samagaun, a path leads up to the over 14,000 feet high
base camp of Manaslu. Most of the climbers fly to the base camp
and start the ascent to the 26,756 feet high summit from there.
In 1956, the Japanese – under the leadership of Yuko Maki –
were the first to climb Manaslu. Ever since, a lot of Japanese have
climbed this mountain. In comparison to Mount Everest, which is
considered a British mountain, the Manaslu is Japanese.
In the base camp, we stay overnight.
Food and equipment of a Spanish expedition carried up by porters (mostly women).
Steep and windy path up to the base camp
Mountain hidden in the mist
Alpine flowers
Part of base camp with well over a hundred colorful tents
Shrine on the base camp with many offerings
My offering to the Manaslu: A chopstick with a Japanese saying,“a cloud moving across the sky and a river running through the land”. It was given to me by my Japanese friend Yuko.
Rainy and cold. From the nearby glacier, ice is constantly breaking with loud roars.
Layers and layers of cloth to keep warm.
(Text and Photos contributed by Garyo)