Manaslu Attempt and Tragedy. A 15-member Japanese expedition to the east ridge of Manaslu was led by Seigo Matsushima. On October 27, Shinja Furukawa, Hiroshi Kokub, Hitoshi Kudo and Ichigi Kudo reached 6500 meters and descended. The next day Ichigi Kudo suddenly toppled over while eating supper at Base Camp. He was unconscious and died three hours later. His death and the great difficulty of the route above 6500 meters on the big rock pinnacle led the team to decide to abandon the climb.

Michael J. Cheney, Himalayan Club, and Elizabeth Hawley