Apologies for long period between regular newsletters and thanks for being patient! I don’t know if you all noticed that April-May we were climbing Kangchenjunga in Nepal. At 8586-meters Kangchenjunga is World’s 3rd tallest peak and I was successful in reaching it’s summit on May 18th at 8:30am after having reached basecamp (5500m.) on April 18th. As this climb was of personal nature instead of guiding I completed it without sherpa-support above basecamp as well as without aid of oxygen bottles.
Find the details of summit-day in blog here!

Please follow me on Twitter and Instagram to be the first to hear about our climbs this summer!

My guided trips are starting again in August as I am leading Aventura’s trip to Mongolia! I am very much looking forward to this. See the program here and sign-up!

Altitude Junkies Aug-Oct Manaslu expedition is a go, as for many years now! I think Manaslu definitely is one of the most beautiful 8000-meter peaks and a good climb if you are dreaming of breaking the 8000-meter line. You still have time to sign-up for this year’s trip!

For me Nepal’s autumn trekking-season starts in late-September. First we’ll do Annapurna Circuit, my favorite followed by Annapurna Basecamp. Still spots available although act quick if you want to make sure you fit in!

What I think is probably the most interesting trip of the year is brought to you by Altitude Junkies! When I first went to Nepal in 2005 I had plans on climbing Cholatse, a beautiful 6440-meter peak in Khumbu. We did not back then eventually climb it but ever since I have wanted to. So in October-November Altitude Junkies takes you there on a trip led by both Phil and me! The expedition is operated by high Altitude Junkies’ standards. This is an outstanding opportunity if you have f.ex. thought of climbing Ama Dablam but don’t like the crowds. An absolutely outstanding peak in heart of Khumbu!
Contact info@altitudejunkies.com for enquiries and check the details here.

After Cholatse I will be continuing trekking-season on Manaslu Circuit. Check Aventura’s program here.
Manaslu Circuit is for sure ”The Hot Trek” right now. Due to improved infrastructure it is growing fast and I think it at the moment offers the most diverse trek in very authentic setting.

After Christmas I am leading Aventura’s trek to Aconcagua (6959m.), the highest peak outside Himalayas. This has already been confirmed so sign-up now and join me, if you ever thought of going there!

Find me on Instagram and Twitter to follow my trips around the World!

Enjoy summer, wherever you are!

Samuli

Greetings from Kathmandu! It is very exciting being here right now as it is soon to be the election day! Nepal is going through interesting times and everyone’s anxious to see how the new election commission will be!

We are now finalizing our autumn trekking season and soon returning home to Finland! We just arrived from Hinku Valley and Mera Peak where we summitted in clear although cold conditions last Saturday! Please see the enclosed photo of one of the team members descending from the summit (6441m.)!
It’s been a long season here as we started on Annapurna Circuit already in September. After that we did a Annapurna Basecamp trek followed by the latest being the Mera Peak climb. Look forward to see lot of photos added on this website very shortly! Please do remember that all the GPS-tracks will also be added for you to help planning your Nepal-trek.

Summitclimb summitted Baruntse on first week of November! Ama Dablam proved to be tricky this season due to unusual amounts of snow.
Baruntse dispatches
Ama Dablam dispatches
Altitude Junkies are at home in New York although the Kathmandu staff is getting things sorted for next spring’s Everest expedition!
It is not too early for you to start planning on next spring’s climbs! Both Junkies and Summitclimb offer Mount Everest expeditions in April-May. Also check on Junkies’ awesome Peru programs for next summer!

I myself am reserving some time for more personal climbs next year! We do not yet know for sure what is going to be up, but I bet you it’ll be interesting no matter which one of the options we end up taking on!
We are also returning to the European Alps which I’ve always considered my favourite range in the World! It’s going to be a fun two weeks in Chamonix in March!

My next trip leading will be Aventura’s Mount Kenya & Kilimanjaro (Rongai) trek starting on January 29th! Please do go through the itinerary here and sign up! We already have the trip confirmed!
I can assure you that you won’t get better changes to summit with any other operator in Finland! Our success rate throughout our Kilimanjaro history is 97,5 % to Uhuru Peak and the remaining 2,5 % to either Gilman’s Point or Stella Point! Add some safari and/or Zanzibar to this and you will have a vacation of a lifetime!

Please do contact me at samuli@samulimansikka.com for enquiries on all Aventura, Altitude Junkies or Summitclimb trip! Find all the itineraries at respective websites:

www.aventura.fi
www.altitudejunkies.com
www.summitclimb.com

Do find us also on Twitter!

Now get yourself ready for the upcoming ice-climbing season and start getting yourself in shape for big projects next year! We are here to help you get to the mountains!

Best wishes,

Samuli

Greetings from Kathmandu! I am at the moment awaiting for my Mera Peak group to arrive. My latest Annapurna Basecamp group is right now flying from Delhi to Helsinki.
We’ve now done all the Annapurna treks of the season and are flying to Lukla very early on Monday morning. Indian Cyclone brought a lot of snow in the region so I am eager to see how the conditions are. We have plenty of time before our summit-day on Mera Peak so we are not to worry.

I also heard that Summitclimb groups have during last couple of days been on top of Mera and also Island Peak. Season’s first Ama Dablam summit-pushes are underway and might have already happened today! Check the dispatches here:
Ama Dablam
Baruntse
Island Peak

I’ve been happy spending time with Altitude Junkies people here in Kathmandu! After getting back from Manaslu they are now getting gear ready for Everest next spring! So spring 2014 is South side! Please do contact info@altitudejunkies.com or samuli@samulimansikka.com for enquiries!
Mount Everest, South Col 2014.

One of the most interesting projects for next year is just to be published on Junkies’ website! After Manaslu expedition in mid-August to early October they are offering a trip to Cholatse! This very beautiful peak is located very close to Mt. Everest and offers really fun climbing! This trip is very, very highly recommended if you want to do some more technical climbing at moderate altitude! Ever wanted to climb Ama Dablam but are concerned of the crowds? Well, here we have the most perfect climb for you!

Please look for the Cholatse program here!

The upcoming Mera Peak trip is for now the last trip of the season for me here in Nepal! We are offering a trip to Aconcagua in December – January.
Aconcagua Dec 2013 – Jan 2014

We already have a group confirmed for Mount Kenya & Kilimanjaro trek starting on Jan 29th! Success-rate on my Kilimanjaro-trips by far exceeds the average. Of my 100 members 97 make it to Uhuru Peak and the rest to either Gilman’s Pt. or Stella Pt. at the crater rim. This is a ’once in a life-time’ trek and I do consider it best to do it the proper way!
Find the Mt. Kenya & Kilimanjaro program here!

I seem to have reserved quite a bit of time for personal climbs next year! First it’s the European Alps (the best of the best!) in Mid-March and Himalayas in April-May! I have not yet decided and settled on anything but do have a couple projects brewing!

Please do follow my climbs and treks on Twitter here!
Also check on my SPOT-account to see in near real-time where I am at the moment! I carry the messenger with me on all my guided treks for the members’ friends and families to follow our progress!

That’s it for now! Now to the airport! Let the Mera Peak adventure begin!

Samuli

Ps. The picture’s from Annapurna Basecamp on Oct 24th!

Happy Dashain from Kathmandu! It’s time for the biggest festival of the year and I everytime love seeing the traditions of this massive thing come alive. Kids are flying kites from the rooftops, big bamboo-swings are being assembled, men of the families walking goats down the streets of Kathmandu, women making the final purchasements at the marketplaces..

Season on the biggest peaks is now over. Altitude Junkies returned from another succesful expedition to Manaslu and I’ve been happy to again hear more about climbing this beautiful mountain. See Phil Crampton’s final report here!
You might also want to go through one team member’s account on this trip!

Altitude Junkies is now already getting things sorted for next spring’s Nepal side Mt. Everest and Lhotse expedition! Please do contact info@altitudejunkies.com or samuli@samulimansikka.com for enquiries!

Summitclimb was succesful on Cho Oyu! See the dispatches here!
Ama Dablam and Baruntse expeditions have just started and we expect to see summits on both peaks within the following 4 weeks. Find the latest news on Summitclimb website on both Ama Dablam and Baruntse!

I myself have just returned from first trek of the season! I took Aventura’s group of 8 wonderful people through Manang walking the route known as Annapurna Circuit. Start of the trip was slightly rainy but improved greatly at around Manang. Above Manang and when crossing the 5416 meters high Thorung-pass we had the most incredible weather with no wind and not a single cloud in the sky! Absolutely beautiful and with such great people!
My next group is arriving to Kathmandu tomorrow on Monday 14th! We will then move on to Pokhara and do the 9-day Annapurna Basecamp!
After Annapurna BC I will meet the third group of the season to take them up Hinku-valley just East of Khumbu. We will then climb 6476 meters high Mera Peak from where you have incredible views over the Everest massive and it’s surrounding peaks. You still have time join if you now contact Aventura office!
See the program here!

Also we still have spots available for what I think might be the most authentic and diverse trek in Nepal at the moment! I will finish the season off with Manaslu Circuit! Here you will find the most incredible nature and outstanding fauna! I was last in the area in November. Saw a huge number of langurs and himalayan thars and also heard of red-panda sightings! This area also holds an unusually strong number of snow-leopards. This truly is a magnificent trek and I strongly advice you to contact Aventura office for this!
See the program here!

I am leading an Aconcagua expedition starting late December! This I think is the easiest way of getting as high as possible without climbing-skills. It is the highest trek of the World and you will, however experience high-mountain conditions and feel! It is a full-on expedition on a very big mountain.
This is by far the best time of the season and we are offering a high-quality full-service expedition for an incredibly competitive price! Please do get yourself familiar with the program here and contact either Aventura office or samuli@samulimansikka.com.

On our website you can follow the progress of all my treks! I always carry a SPOT GPS messenger device to let you know in almost real-time where we are! We also managed to overcome the technical difficulties regarding the Twitter-feed. It is now most convenient for you to follow our trips and daily tweets directly from our website!

I hope you found this newsletter helpful and inspirational! Do follow your dreams and experience the World!

Best wishes,

Samuli