Nepal to Celebrate 70 Years of First Ascents of Manaslu and Lhotse
Kathmandu, April 29: Nepal is preparing to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Mount Manaslu and Mount Lhotse, marking 70 years since the first successful ascents of the two Himalayan peaks in 1956.
The year-long celebrations in 2026 will be jointly organized by the Nepal Tourism Board and the Nepal Mountaineering Association. Organizers say the events will honor mountaineering history while promoting Nepal as a major global tourism destination.
The announcement was made during a press meet attended by representatives from the Swiss and Japanese embassies in Kathmandu.
Mount Manaslu was first summited on May 9, 1956, by a Japanese expedition team along with Nepali climber Urken Tshering Sherpa. Mount Lhotse was first climbed the same year by Swiss mountaineers Ernst Reiss and Fritz Luchsinger.
To commemorate the milestone, statues of the first Lhotse summiteers and Urken Tshering Sherpa will be unveiled. Organizers have also planned honor ceremonies for pioneering climbers and their families.
Officials said programs will be held in the Chumnubri and Khumbu regions, combining mountaineering history with local culture and traditions.
A major highlight of the celebrations will be the inauguration of a 3D model of Mount Manaslu at the International Mountain Museum.
According to organizers, the Jubilee events will include exhibitions, cultural programs, international participation, and promotional campaigns aimed at boosting tourism and showcasing Nepal’s mountaineering heritage to the world.
