Carlos Soria Evacuated After Dhaulagiri Fall, Continues Quest for 14 Eight-Thousanders

Spanish mountaineer Carlos Soria, 84, was evacuated to a hospital in Kathmandu this Thursday after a fall on Dhaulagiri that forced him to abandon his summit bid. The climb on Dhaulagiri, one of the world’s fourteen eight-thousanders, is part of his ongoing effort to become the oldest climber to complete all fourteen peaks above 8,000 meters. The accident happened while the team was pushing toward the final summit assault, and Soria has since been receiving medical care in the Nepali capital following the incident. Karma Gyalje Sherpa, operations manager for Seven Summit Treks, confirmed that Soria slipped near the higher sections and fell several meters as he approached crucial terrain near the summit, an event witnessed by Sherpa guides and the support crew. The announcement from the mountaineering group noted that Soria was transferred by helicopter from the Dhaulagiri Camp II to Kathmandu for initial treatment and diagnosis. The news underscores the peril still faced by ultra-persistent climbers who chase grand ambitions well beyond typical athletic lifespans. Still, the mission to crown Dhaulagiri’s peak continues to symbolize Soria’s relentless pursuit of high-altitude achievement. (citation: EFE)