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Two climbers lost their lives on Saturday night, September 19, 2026, after a massive avalanche buried their tent at Camp 3 on Mount Manaslu, Nepal. High-altitude search and rescue teams confirmed on September 20, 2026, that Indian-origin German climber Dhruva Jyoti Guha and his veteran guide Phursemba Sherpa were found buried seven feet deep in snow following severe weather conditions and heavy snowfall in the Gorkha District.
Mount Manaslu (8,163 meters), the world’s eighth-highest peak located in the Mansiri Himal range of Nepal, has faced highly unstable snow conditions during the autumn 2026 climbing season.
According to expedition organizers Makalu Adventure, climbers conducted acclimatization rotations between camps. While six other members of the expedition chose to safely retreat from Camp 2 due to intense high-altitude winds and rapid snowfall, Guha and Phursemba Sherpa pushed ahead toward Camp 3 (situated between 6,300 and 6,800 meters).
A heavy, localized avalanche broke loose above their tent while they were resting on Saturday night. Communication ceased immediately, triggering a rapid rescue deployment. Teams arrived at the site to find the tent completely submerged.
This latest incident brings the total number of fatalities on Mount Manaslu to four for the current autumn season:
The Department of Tourism issued a record 493 climbing permits for Mount Manaslu this autumn, generating over $1.47 million in royalties. More than 500 Nepali guides are actively supporting these teams, leading to dense crowds on the standard route.
The summit route was officially opened up to the peak by a nine-member Seven Summit Treks rope-fixing team on September 17, despite an earlier avalanche on September 16 that swept away 1,200 meters of fixed lines.
Currently, hundreds of climbers have retreated to Manaslu Base Camp to wait out the volatile weather. Meteorologists indicate a brief, relatively favorable weather window from September 21–23, though long-term data warns of a developing tropical signal or typhoon tail affecting the region by late September. Rescue helicopters are currently on standby at Samagaun, waiting for clear visibility to airlift the deceased back to Kathmandu.
Given the tragic headlines coming from the peak, many hikers planning their autumn journeys are asking: Is the Manaslu Circuit Trek safe? The answer is “YES.” Please note that it’s important to differentiate between high-altitude mountaineering above 6,000 meters and the lower-altitude trekking route. While elite climbers face severe avalanche threats at Camp 3, the traditional Manaslu Circuit Trek remains functional and relatively safe, provided you navigate recent local infrastructural updates.
On September 6, 2026, a flash flood at the Therang Khola near Namrung washed away two vital suspension bridges, leading the District Administration Office (DAO) of Gorkha to briefly suspend the route.
Fortunately, the local government of Chumnubri Rural Municipality acted quickly. Within four days, crews constructed a temporary wooden footbridge and an alternative trail escape at the Suksam Khola section. The circuit is now open, allowing trekkers to safely reach Samagaon and cross the Larkya La Pass (5,106 meters).
1. Mandatory Guide Policy: Because the Manaslu region is a restricted zone, solo trekking is strictly forbidden. You must hike with a government-licensed guide who monitors daily landslide hazards and weather signals.
2. Larkya La Pass Caution: High winds and sudden temperature drops are common. Ensure you have microspikes, proper cold-weather gear, and an extra buffer day to wait out bad weather before crossing.
3. Comprehensive Insurance: Your travel insurance policy must explicitly cover emergency helicopter evacuation up to 6,000 meters.
Mount Manaslu is located in the Gorkha District of Nepal, within the northern West-Central region of the Himalayas. It is the eighth-highest peak in the world, rising to 8,163 meters (26,781 feet) above sea level.
German climber Dhruva Jyoti Guha and Nepali Sherpa guide Phursemba Sherpa died after an avalanche struck their tent at Camp 3.
Yes, the rope-fixing team successfully reached the summit on September 17, 2026, officially opening the route. However, actual summit pushes are heavily delayed as teams navigate extreme snowfall and high avalanche risks.
Yes. The Manaslu Circuit Trek stays below 5,106 meters and avoids the avalanche-prone slopes above Base Camp. The trail is open, though trekkers should use the new temporary footbridges built near Namrung following early September flash floods.
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