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2025

  • 2 min read

Manaslu Circuit 2025

It was 6th Jan, 2025 and I was talking to a friend about going on the Basic Mountaineering Course and plans further on. We both agreed that I would not want to return to civilization after the course. Moreover, I was already planning some solo hikes to complete after the course was over. So he suggested that I should think of joining him for the Manaslu Circuit in May. This was just an idea at that point as he didn't even have a team and absolutely nothing was planned. I said yes and that was that.

This turned out to be one of the most exciting things I have ever said yes to. We recruited other members and soon we had a team of 6. I had a LOT of fun talking to our Sherpa in Nepal. This is the first time I am doing something like this and it is extremely fun. Since Manaslu Circuit falls in the Manaslu Circuit Restricted Area, we have to have a guide with us. This made things slightly more expensive, but overall the costs are still lower as we are sharing the fixed costs between the 6 of us. The trail is about 170km which generally takes about 14 days to walk. We made minor changes to the trail which I shall write about once I get back from the trail.

  • 3 min read

MapTools

A list of all the tools that I use to play with maps and gpx files. This assumes that you are familiar with OpenStreetMaps.

Some of these tools are proprietary and some are FOSS. I generally prefer to use FOSS tools whenever I can.

  • 2 min read

Ending and Graduation - BMC Part 4

This section will cover the final days of the course, the graduation ceremony, and my reflections on completing the BMC.
I will also include thoughts on future plans and advice for prospective students.

  • 9 min read

Ice Craft and Height Gain - BMC Part 3

This section will focus on the ice craft training and the height gain exercises.
I will share my experiences learning to use crampons and ice axes, practicing self-arrest, and ascending to higher altitudes.

  • 12 min read

Hike to Base Camp - BMC Part 2

This section will describe the hike from the institute to the base camp.
It will include details about the route, the challenges faced, acclimatization, and group dynamics during the trek.

  • 9 min read

Introduction and Rock Craft - BMC Part 1

This section will cover the introduction to the Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC) and the initial phase focused on rock craft.
I will detail the orientation, the first few days at the institute, and the basics of rock climbing techniques taught during the course.

  • 1 min read

Basic Mountaineering Course

I have been planning to get the Basic Mountaineering Course (BMC from now on) for a couple of years, but could not do it because of obligations. Thanks to the intense burn out at the previous job I applied for the BMC in December of 2023 and I got the confirmation on Feb 2024.

Post that all of my time was solely focused on preparing for the BMC. I managed to hurt my knee in Jan 2024 and I had to spend a lot of time under physiotherapy to get the knee under control. For my training I was not able to run under strict instructions of the physiotherapist, thus most of my training focused on upper body strength and flexibility.