Scaling New Heights
In a stunning feat that resonates across Bangladesh’s mountaineering community, Babar Ali has become the first Bangladeshi to scale Manaslu without supplemental oxygen. On the early morning of 26 September 2025, he reached the summit of Manaslu (8,163 m), joining an elite few in the world who have summited this mighty Himalayan peak in such style.
He was not alone in this historic climb. Fellow climber Tanvir Ahmed also reached the summit earlier that night—at 3:30 am local time—making the joint expedition a shared triumph. The two were members of the mountaineering group Vertical Dreamers and their climb has been dubbed “Manaslu Ascent: Vertical Duo.”
Why This Climb Matters
To scale Manaslu without supplemental oxygen is to challenge nature at one of its harshest extremes. At such altitudes, the barometric pressure drops so much that oxygen levels are only about one-third of what you feel at sea level. Most climbers use bottled or supplemental oxygen to mitigate risks of hypoxia, fatigue, and altitude sickness.
By foregoing that lifeline, Babar Ali’s success gains an added dimension of valor and endurance. It sends a clear message: Bangladeshi climbers are now stepping onto mountaineering’s highest threshold—not merely joining the race, but challenging its conventions.
The Climb’s Journey & Preparation
Babar and Tanvir began their journey from Bangladesh to Nepal on 5 September. After reaching Kathmandu, the team drove to Tilche village on 7 September, then trekked five days to reach Manaslu’s base camp. From there, they acclimatized through rotations between higher camps in preparation for the final push.
Tanvir left base camp on 22 September, while Babar set off on 23 September for the summit bid. Their carefully staged progression and acclimatization were crucial given the technical demands of scaling Manaslu without supplemental oxygen—where even minor missteps become magnified under physical stress.
This is not Babar’s first Himalayan triumph. He previously summited Everest and Lhotse in 2024 during the same expedition, and earlier in the year had also summited Annapurna I. These ascents underscore his experience and fortitude in high-altitude mountaineering.
For Tanvir, Manaslu marks his first 8,000-m climb. Before this, he had summited Ama Dablam (6,812 m) in November 2024. His success proves that even climbers without decades of experience can achieve high-altitude milestones with meticulous planning, discipline, and grit.
Overcoming Long-Held Myths & Records
Experts in the mountaineering world have often suggested that climbing 8,000 m peaks without supplemental oxygen is nearly impossible without prior high-altitude training. Vertical Dreamers’ president and expedition manager Farhan Zaman pushed back against that notion, saying, “We had faith in the hard work of Tanvir Ahmed and Babar Ali, and today our dream has come true.”
Through this climb, Babar Ali becomes a symbol of possibility in Bangladesh. His success does more than add a name to summit logs—it challenges the idea that only the most seasoned foreign teams can achieve such feats.
Meanwhile, this climb adds to Bangladesh’s mountaineering record, following earlier summits by adventurers such as MM Muhit, who scaled Manaslu in October 2011, and others who summited various 8,000 m peaks.
Risks & Technical Challenges
To attempt to scale Manaslu without supplemental oxygen is to take on magnified risk. On standard climbs, the use of oxygen helps maintain cognition, reduce fatigue, and avoid high-altitude complications. Without it, climbers must rely wholly on physical conditioning, acclimatization, and mental strength.
Altitude sickness, sudden storms, sub-zero temperatures, unpredictable winds, and avalanches all pose acute threats. In these conditions, even the slightest mistake can cascade into life-threatening dangers. Babar and Tanvir navigated these challenges through meticulous planning, acclimation strategy, and strong team support.
Significance & Future Impacts
Babar Ali’s achievement carries direct significance for Bangladesh’s emerging climbing culture:
- It raises the bar for future climbers in Bangladesh, showing that with ambition and preparation, feats once considered impossible can become real.
- It draws not only media spotlight but also institutional support—potentially encouraging sponsorship, training infrastructure, and government backing.
- It inspires a new wave of mountaineers in Bangladesh, particularly younger aspirants who may now see high-altitude climbing as within reach.
By managing to scale Manaslu without supplemental oxygen, Babar Ali and Tanvir have placed Bangladesh on the international mountaineering map in a meaningful way.
Reflecting on Legacy & Recognition
Babar, as general secretary of Vertical Dreamers, now holds multiple 8,000 m summits to his name. His earlier expeditions to Everest, Lhotse, and Annapurna already positioned him as one of Bangladesh’s foremost mountaineers. This latest summit cements that reputation further.
For Tanvir, scaling Manaslu may be just the beginning. This inaugural 8,000 m achievement sets a promising foundation for future climbs.
Vertical Dreamers and expedition managers deserve credit not just for organizing logistics, but for disrupting assumptions about what Bangladeshi climbers can achieve.
Challenges Ahead & Sustainable Growth
While this climb is cause for celebration, sustainable growth in high-altitude mountaineering in Bangladesh requires institutional structures:
- Training programs, high-altitude preparation camps, gear access, and funding support
- Safety protocols and rescue coordination in the Himalayas
- Collaboration with global mountaineering leagues and exchange programs
- Youth development, starting with trekking at intermediate altitudes to build core experience
The night when Babar Ali became the first Bangladeshi to scale Manaslu without supplemental oxygen marks a transformative moment in Bangladesh’s adventure narrative. Together with Tanvir Ahmed, he has shown that the highest peaks—and the strictest challenges—are accessible to those who combine heart, discipline, and preparation.
This ascent is not just a mountaineering milestone—it is a statement: Bangladesh’s climbers are ready to take on the world’s loftiest summits, on their own terms.