Nicholas Rice: Manaslu Dispatch

2009 Solo Manaslu Expedition

Dispatch Twenty-eight: April 20th, 2009

Day Twenty-eight: Climb to Camp II (6,400m)

Today, after melting snow and making breakfast, I lingered in camp I with the Koreans, waiting to hear their weather forecast and summit plans. They decided to stay in Camp I and wait and see what tomorrow’s forecast said. This was not an option for me as I had carried only the food and gas I would need for a direct summit bid (BC-C1-C2-C3-Summit-BC) so at this point, I headed up, now around 9am. I quickly passed a number of climbers low on the route and then ran into a big cue of climbers, including everyone from my base camp resting by the upper route. I assured them that they were close to Camp II and then continued the 20 minutes up the slope into camp. I quickly dug out my tent, which thankfully was only partially covered with snow and then settled in. By late afternoon, the camp was virtually unrecognizable from the one with three tents I had encountered a week ago. Now there were dozens of tents and a loud international chatter that contrasted enormously with the empty solitary camp I had slept in last week. Thankfully, most of the climbers intended top sleep here only one night then descend to base camp. I intend to establish Camp III tomorrow then head back down to base camp before the jet stream dips down and blasts the upper slopes of Manaslu as its predicted to on the 22^nd.