Today, September 3rd, I’m flying out to Nepal. This time, I’m heading to Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak at 8,163 meters. For this 8,000-meter peak, my goal is to reach the summit around September 26th or 27th.
A preparation built over several weeks
For weeks now, I’ve been training in hypoxia—even while sleeping—to condition my body to the lack of oxygen that awaits at high altitude. I’ve also adapted my nutrition and supplements to arrive in the best possible shape. Over the course of the trip, I expect to lose around 10 kg, a typical side effect of prolonged exertion at high altitude.
I arrive in Kathmandu on September 5th for a two-day stay before heading to Samagaon. I’ll spend one or two days there before starting the trek to Manaslu Base Camp, which takes another one to two days on foot. In total, this expedition spans a month and a half, covering acclimatization, the climb, and the descent.
For this journey, I’m partnering with a new guide, widely recognized as one of the best in Nepal. I’ll also be joined by French mountaineer Orianne Aymard. I’ve never climbed with this team before, making it an exciting new experience that matches the scale of this 8,000m challenge.
This expedition comes after a intense year: I just finished my 4th year of medical school, completing a six-week internship in the ER at CHL while maintaining one to two training sessions a day, alongside an exam I took in August. The research project I’m collaborating on is also moving forward—a long-term effort spanning several years.
My itinerary to the summit of Manaslu
I’ll be sharing my daily life in the high mountains throughout this adventure, with plans to turn it into a future documentary. Stay tuned to follow the climb up close.