On the dotted line, the route of approach followed to reach basecamp on Manaslu.
Descending to Samagaon with the porters, after having decided not to continue the ascent.

Approach

     We returned to Nepal after Christmas. Every new region we visited seemed different to us, though their people's life conditions are similar. We noticed this time their endless shortages: they hardly have access to education or medical care, unless they travel for days to any big city, and every family has an only one-room place where they cook, sleep and stay during the day.

     To climb up the Manaslu, we shared permit with a Basque expedition comprised by the Iñurriategui brothers. Lakpa, the cook, and Yelu, shirdar and Sherpa porter, who had already accompanied us in Langtang, came with us too.

     We pass Arughat Bazar, Machha Khola, Ekle Batti -an approach stretch which is not prepared for tourism- and Namrung, where we found the first snows, having had good weather on our side all those days.