Project Himalaya Manaslu (8163m) Expedition 2008

In the early hours of 4th Sept. 2008, Explore Himalaya's team went to see-off the four member Project Himalaya Manaslu Expedition group as they were about to leave for Arughat for their expedition

The expedition leader is Philip J.Crampton (UK) and other members include Valerie Parkinson (UK), Guntis Brands (Switzerland) and Stuart Gregory Smith (USA). There are two other Korean members: Mi Sun Go and Jaesoo Kim, who will be joining the team at a later date. The team will be supported by climbing Sherpas: Pasang Gombu and Tarke Sherpa.

Valerie, who is also the base manager of Exodus Nepal Treks,UK seemed pretty excited. She said, "Though I have climbed Mera and Island Peak, this is my first real expedition, as the other two peaks are taken as trekking peaks." She added that she had been to the major trekking areas and has been coming to Nepal frequently for the last twenty-five years.

Guntis and Stuart have climbed Lhotse, Gasherbrum and Cho Oyu. Both of them had been planning to climb Shishapangma in Tibet, but because of the restrictions imposed by the Chinese authorities they had to give up their plan.