The autumn 2026 climbing season on Manaslu (8,163 m), the world's eighth-highest mountain and the busiest 8,000 m peak in Nepal in autumn, has been brought to an early end by heavy snow and avalanches. On Dhaulagiri, teams have retreated to base camp to wait for better weather.
In short: persistent rain and snowfall in mid-September left around five feet of snow in the Manaslu region. On 22 September, major operators led by Seven Summit Treks called off summit attempts and began clearing their camps. 493 climbers in 41 teams held Manaslu permits this autumn. Avalanches during the storm, including one that struck Camp III on the night of 20 September, claimed lives.
A season that started well
At the start of September there was optimism. Rope-fixing teams opened the route above Camp I, and Nepal's Department of Tourism had issued Manaslu permits to 493 climbers (366 men and 127 women) in 41 teams, bringing in about US$1.48 million in royalties. Then the weather turned. Days of rain at lower altitudes fell as deep snow higher up, loading the slopes and making the route dangerous.
Avalanches and closure
An avalanche hit Camp III, at about 6,700 m, on the night of 20 September, killing two climbers, a climber and a Sherpa guide. As fresh snow kept falling, Chhang Dawa Sherpa, expedition director of Seven Summit Treks, announced that his company was closing its Manaslu season, and several other large operators followed. A local official described the conditions as unprecedented.
On Dhaulagiri, where four teams with 34 foreign climbers hold permits, route-fixing and climbing teams have pulled back to base camp, and some clients have moved down towards Pokhara and Jomsom to wait for a weather window.
What it means for trekkers
- The Manaslu Circuit trek is a separate route from the climbing route, but the same storm brought deep snow to Larkya La (5,106 m). Early in the season, expect snow on the pass and possible delays. Our guides check conditions daily and will not cross until it is safe.
- Autumn storms like this are unusual but not unknown. Building a spare day into any trek with a high pass is always a good idea. Read our Manaslu Circuit guide and Nepal in October.
- Weather after storms like this is often very clear, so October and November should still bring excellent trekking.
Our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives, and with the Sherpa and Nepali climbing teams who worked through dangerous conditions. If you have a trek booked in the Manaslu or Annapurna regions this autumn and want an update, contact us.