Manaslu, the eighth-highest mountain in the world, has become the proving ground for climbers with Everest in their sights. Rising to 8,163 metres, it offers the full brutality of extreme altitude without the same technical walls or commercial frenzy of its bigger neighbor. On its slopes, climbers discover how their bodies respond in the death zone, how their minds endure long summit pushes, and whether their preparation holds up under real pressure. For many, Manaslu is less a warm-up and more a decisive test that reveals if they are truly ready for Everest.

Why Manaslu is seen as preparation for Everest

For many, Manaslu offers three things. It has height above 8,000, it has a well-trodden commercial route, and it has logistics similar to Everest without the extreme crowding or the extreme price tag. That combination makes it attractive for those who want to test how their body handles high altitude before committing to Everest. Summit certificates from Manaslu also satisfy the Nepal government requirement of having climbed one 7,000 or 8,000 before Everest. Climbers and guiding companies frame it as a stepping stone, a way to earn confidence and legitimacy.

The dangers that are real

The mountain’s reputation as “easier” masks its hazards. The climb to Camp 1 crosses a glacier riddled with crevasses, where ladders and ropes must be trusted and checked every day. Above Camp 2 the slope steepens and avalanches are frequent. The upper sections, often loaded with snow, become traps when weather turns. Many deaths on Manaslu have come from avalanches rather than altitude illness. Crowding is another danger. On summit windows, lines of climbers stretch out, slowing progress, exposing people to cold and exhaustion. At over 8,000 metres, that is not a minor inconvenience, it is life threatening.

Emergency evacuation options

Helicopters can reach as high as Camp 2 under good conditions. Above that, evacuation depends on your own team and guides bringing you down. Weather in the Manaslu region can shut down flights for days. The villages on the approach trail are not as well connected as the Solu Khumbu. That means self sufficiency matters more. Climbers must plan as if no helicopter is coming, and treat descent as the first line of rescue.

ASC360’s Safety Cover for Manaslu

Climbing Manaslu at 8,163 m demands more than strength. Rescue is slow, weather shuts down access, and costs can spiral. ASC360’s Manaslu cover is built for these realities.

What it includes:

• 24×7 emergency desk in Nepal to coordinate guides, LOs, helicopters, and hospitals.
  
  

• Cashless air evacuation & hospitalisation, removing delays over upfront payments.
  
  

• Ground rescue teams when helicopters can’t fly.
  
  

• Medical support on the mountain, including free oxygen therapy and clinic access.
  
  

• Travel cover for flight delays and cancellations.
  
  

• Zero deductible & priority claims, so the policy pays without hidden costs.
  
  

• Full adventure cover, tailored for high-altitude mountaineering, not just trekking.
  
  

Why it matters:
On Manaslu, helicopters may only reach Camp 1 or 2, and weather often grounds them. Stabilisation on the mountain is critical, and costs of evacuation and hospitalisation in Kathmandu are steep. This package ensures financial and operational support when things go wrong, so climbers can focus on descent and survival instead of logistics.

ASC360 treats Manaslu not as rehearsal but as a full exam. Safety cover is the lifeline that turns a crisis into a rescue, not a tragedy.