2000: First alone and by the direct North-eastern face. 6th top of more than 8000m.      
  
Situation : Himalaya of Népal - Massif of Gurkha, 70 km at the north-east of the Annapurnas. 28°33’ lat.N / 84°33’ long.E
Altitude : 8163m.
First of the top : the 9 may 1956 by the japanese T.Imanishi and the sherpa Gyaltsen Norbu /north-eastern slope.
Altitude base camp : 5450m.
Go of approach : between five and seven days.



MANASLU 2000 . JEAN CHRISTOPHE LAFAILLE
First direct solo ascent of the north-east face

MANASLU (8163m) or « LA MONTAGNE AUX ESPRITS »

This is the eighth highest summit on the planet and one of the most secret summits over 8000 meters.

It dominates in all its splendor and beauty the Marsyandi valley and is situated sixty kilometers to the east of Annapurna.

A strong Japanese team climbed it for the first time 9th May 1956.  It is the mountain of the Japanese par excellence; it has been paradoxically very little climbed by the French.  Reinhold Messner climbed it in 1972.  Pierre Beghin and Bernard Muller opened up a new route on the west face in 1981.

My initial assignment for Manaslu was to return to high-altitude climbing after a year without any expeditions in 99.  Before my departure, my idea was to climb solo my sixth summit over 8000 meters, by a new route if possible, continuing my previous experiences in the Himalayas. In spite of difficult weather, I managed to achieve most of my plan which is very close to my heart.  Today I’m thrilled that I did it!

TIMING OF THE ASCENT:
Departure from France: 10th April
Arrival Katmandu (Nepal): 11th April
Arrival at Base Camp: 18th April
Acclimatization: 18th April to 1st May
Ascent 2nd to 5th May. SOLO TO SUMMIT (08.45 local time)
Return to Katmandu: 12th May
Return to France: 19th May