Nepal Celebrates 70th Anniversary of First Mount Manaslu Ascent

Kathmandu, May 12: The 70th anniversary of the first successful ascent of Mount Manaslu was celebrated with special programmes held in Samagaun, Gorkha, and Pokhara on May 9 and 10.

As part of the celebrations, statues of the first foreign and Nepali climbers to summit Mount Manaslu were unveiled in Samagaun, one of the main gateways to the mountain. Additional events were organised at the International Mountain Museum in Pokhara.

The programmes were attended by family members of the pioneering climbers, Gandaki Province Chief Minister Surendra Raj Pandey, Director General of the Department of Tourism Ramkrishna Lamichhane and other officials and tourism stakeholders.

Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest mountain at 8,163 metres, was first climbed on May 9, 1956, by Japanese mountaineer Toshio Imanishi through the Northeast Face route. Nepali climber Urkien Tshering Sherpa became the first Nepali to summit the mountain on April 22, 1973.

The events were jointly organised by the Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA), Nepal Tourism Board (NTB), Expedition Operators’ Association Nepal (EOA Nepal) and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN). Chumanubri Rural Municipality coordinated the programmes in Samagaun.

One of the major attractions of the Pokhara event was the installation of a 3D model of Mount Manaslu at the International Mountain Museum. Organisers also screened a documentary on the history of the mountain’s first ascent, while Hajima Iida, vice president of the Japanese Alpine Club, delivered a presentation on the historic expedition.

During the programme, organisers honoured the families of Toshio Imanishi and Urkien Tshering Sherpa, including their sons Kunio Imanishi and Chiri Sherpa. Members of the Imanishi family had travelled from Japan to attend the celebration.

Speaking at the event, Kunio Imanishi expressed happiness that his father’s achievements were being recognised in Nepal.

NMA President Fur Gelje Sherpa thanked all partner organisations and supporters for helping organise the programme successfully.

Chairman of Chumanubri Rural Municipality Nima Lama said the newly installed 3D model of Mount Manaslu is expected to become a major attraction at the International Mountain Museum.