KATHMANDU: At least four Sherpa climbers left for Camp III from the base camp this evening to support the rope-fixing team in expediting the route-opening task to the summit of Mt Manaslu.

Lakpa Sherpa, managing director and expedition leader of 8K Expeditions, said that three Sherpa climbers from 8K Expeditions and one from 14 Peaks Expedition will join the rope-fixing team of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal (EOAN) tonight to expedite the route-fixing task.

“As our company is providing logistics to EOAN’s rope-fixing team on Manaslu this season, we decided to provide additional support to the team,” he added.

An avalanche struck the slope above Camp III this morning, impacting rope-fixing work, Lakpa said, adding that four more Sherpa guides with 1,300 m of rope and necessary equipment had been mobilized. “An avalanche struck the mountain slope above Camp III immediately after the team returned to Camp III, and they all are safe,” he informed.

If everything goes well, the joint team will attempt to fix ropes tomorrow, if not the day after, Lakpa, who is leading the largest team on Manaslu this season, added.

Rope-fixing is being planned as early as possible because the weather forecast indicates that conditions might become unfavorable after September 25. If the summit route is fixed in a day or two, at least 466 foreign climbers, along with over 500 Nepali guides, will attempt to climb the world’s eighth-highest peak within a week.