KATHMANDU, Sept 6: Mountaineer Purnima Shrestha has started her ascent to Mount Manaslu without an oxygen cylinder. Shrestha, who started to scale Mt Manaslu on September 5, told Republica that she will return by the end of September.

Shrestha, who previously ascended mountains such as Kanchenjunga, Lhotse, and Dhaulagiri in the past spring, said that although it was a challenging decision to climb mountain without the help of oxygen cylinders, her self-determination has increased. She said, “I don’t know what relation I have with the mountains but the mountains always keep calling me. I feel like I can face every challenge for the mountains.”

Shrestha, who started climbing mountains in 2018 by ascending Mt Manaslu, is ascending the mountain without oxygen cylinder for the first time. Shrestha added, “I started mountaineering starting from Mt Manaslu, that’s why I feel like there is a special bond between me and the mountain. This is why I made the decision to ascend without oxygen.”

Till now Shrestha has ascended the highest peaks taller than eight thousand meters including Everest, Annapurna, Kanchenjunga, Dhaulagiri, Makalu, Amadablm and Manaslu. During the conversation with Republica, Shrestha said that the successful expedition will not only give her fame but also inner satisfaction and energizes her. She added that even though she has experienced lack of oxygen many times during her previous expeditions, it has not affected her will to climb the mountain.

 
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