Larke Pass, a major high-altitude crossing connecting northern Gorkha with Manang, has been completely blocked following heavy snowfall recorded from Thursday to Saturday. The pass, located at an elevation of approximately 5,106 metres, has become impassable after thick snow accumulated along the route, covering the trail and making movement between the Manaslu region and Manang impossible. The closure has affected tourists, local residents, hotel operators, guides and porters, while also disrupting the transportation of essential food and other daily necessities to settlements in the upper Chumnubri area.
Food Supply to Samagaun and Samdo at Risk
According to Nima Dorje Lama, a hotel entrepreneur from Samdo in Chumnubri Rural Municipality-1 and a former ward member, the closure of Larke Pass has created difficulties in transporting essential goods to Samagaun and Samdo. During the monsoon, floods and landslides frequently disrupt transportation from the lower parts of the district. As a result, local communities have increasingly relied on Bhimtang in Manang for the movement of daily necessities through Larke Pass.
However, the recent snowfall in Larke Pass has covered the trail, making transportation through the pass impossible. “Some of the mules that went from here to collect supplies are stranded in Manang, while those coming from there are stuck here,” Lama said. He warned that if the route remains closed for several more days, Samagaun and Samdo could face shortages of essential food items.
Mule Transportation Comes to a Halt
The closure of Larke Pass has also disrupted the movement of pack animals that are essential for transporting goods in the remote mountainous settlements. Mules travelling between Gorkha and Manang have been unable to cross the pass because of the thick snow. This has further complicated the supply chain for communities that depend on animal transport for food and other basic commodities. The situation in Larke Pass has become more challenging because several sections of the Manaslu trekking route have already been disrupted by floods and landslides.
Floods and Landslides Have Damaged the Manaslu Trail
Floods and landslides have obstructed various sections of the Manaslu trekking route. Several bridges along the trail have reportedly been washed away by floods, forcing authorities to restrict the movement of horses and mules in affected sections. Temporary wooden bridges have been constructed to facilitate movement by local residents and tourists in some areas.
However, the damage to bridges and trails has prevented the regular movement of horses and mules from the lower parts of Gorkha to Samagaun and Samdo during the rainy season. Consequently, local communities have been relying on Bhimtang in Manang for essential supplies.
Manang Connectivity Completely Disrupted
Karma Chhewang Lama, Chairperson of Chumnubri Rural Municipality-1, said the snowfall-induced closure of Larke Pass has brought movement between the Manaslu region and Manang to a halt. He said the Manaslu trekking route had already been disrupted, leaving Manang as the main alternative source for transporting essential goods to Samagaun and Samdo. “With the Manaslu trekking route disrupted, Manang was the only route for transporting food supplies to Samagaun and Samdo. Now that route has also been blocked by snow, creating further problems,” he said.
Hundreds of Tourists Affected During Peak Trekking Season
The closure has also affected trekking tourism in the Manaslu–Larke–Chum region. Local tourism entrepreneur Nima Lama said the disruption had occurred during the peak trekking season, when a large number of domestic and international tourists were travelling through the area.
According to Lama, hundreds of tourists who had arrived to cross Larke Pass have been unable to proceed and are currently held up in Samagaun and Samdo. The disruption has affected not only tourists but also tourism businesses and workers, including hotel operators, guides and porters who depend heavily on trekking activity during the season.
Stakeholders Seek Immediate Opening of the Pass
Local stakeholders have called for efforts to clear the snow and reopen the pass while ensuring that the route is safe for trekkers and local communities. According to Lama, local representatives and tourism stakeholders have already sent letters to the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN), Manaslu Conservation Area Project (MCAP), Chumnubri Rural Municipality and Chumnubri Hotel Entrepreneurs Association, requesting that the pass be reopened and brought back into safe operation. They have emphasized the need for coordinated efforts because the current depth of snow makes it difficult for local residents to clear the trail manually.
This Year’s Snowfall More Severe
Larke Pass has been blocked by heavy snowfall in previous years as well. Last year, local youths reportedly cleared the route and restored movement. However, local residents say the situation is more challenging this year because of the unusually thick accumulation of snow. Nima Dorje Lama said local people alone would not be able to clear the route under the current conditions.
“This year, the snow is extremely thick. It is not possible for local people to clear it on their own,” he said. The continued closure of the pass has therefore raised concerns over both tourism operations and the supply of essential goods to remote settlements in northern Gorkha. Local stakeholders are seeking coordinated action to clear the route and restore safe connectivity between Gorkha and Manang.
