Alpinist Minoru Higeta, a member of a Japanese expedition that in 1956 became the first to conquer the 8,163-meter Mount Manaslu, was honored in Kathmandu on Saturday, the diamond jubilee of the mountain's first successful attempt.
President Bidhya Devi Bhandari handed a plaque of honor to the legendary climber, 85, while Communications Minister Sherdhan Rai offered him a khada, a traditional Buddhist scarf.
Higeta successfully made it to the top of the peak, the eighth highest in the world, on May 11, 1956, two days after the feat was accomplished by two other team members, Japan's Toshio Imanishi and Nepal's Gyalzen Sherpa, who have both since died.
"Sixty years ago, I stood on top of Mount Manaslu," Higeta said, adding that his team was fortunate to be blessed by fine weather and strong support from Nepali Sherpas.
Japanese Ambassador Masashi Ogawa said the Japanese expedition's successful ascent of the mountain, located in west-central Nepal, gave courage and hope to the Japanese people who were, at the time, demoralized by their defeat in World War II.
Mount Lhotse, the fourth highest mountain in the world at 8,516 meter, was also climbed for the first time that same month. It sits on the border of Nepal and China. Nepal is observing the 60th anniversary of the successful ascents of both mountains.
"In the context of last year's earthquakes and the recent border blockades, this celebration gives a ray of hope for the speedy recovery of tourism," said Ang Tshering Sherpa, president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.