Carlos Soria embarks on his tenth attempt to scale Dhaulagiri, grappling with initial jitters
In the realm of high-altitude mountaineering, Spanish climber Carlos Soria continues to push boundaries, attempting to conquer Dhaulagiri, the world's seventh highest peak, at the age of 80. Known as the "cursed ascent," Soria's pursuit of this challenging summit has captivated the mountaineering community and beyond.
As of July 2025, Soria, born in 1939, has not yet successfully summited Dhaulagiri (8,167 m). Despite media attention surrounding his quest to become the oldest person to climb Dhaulagiri in 2019, his summit attempt that year was unsuccessful due to harsh weather conditions. Despite this setback, Soria's determination remains undeterred, expressing his continued interest in returning. However, there is no record of a successful ascent at age 80.
Soria's relationship with Dhaulagiri is complex, viewing the mountain as a friend yet acknowledging its formidable nature. This complex dynamic is perhaps a reflection of the respect and admiration he holds for the peak, as well as the challenges it presents.
Soria's accomplishments in the world of mountaineering are impressive. As of July 2025, he has summited 13 of the 14 eight-thousander peaks—mountains over 8,000 meters in elevation. His list of achievements includes K2 (8,611 m), Manaslu (8,163 m), Cho Oyu (8,188 m), Mount Everest (8,848 m), Lhotse (8,516 m), Gasherbrum II (8,035 m), Gasherbrum I (8,080 m), Shishapangma (8,027 m), Broad Peak (8,051 m), Makalu (8,485 m), Annapurna (8,091 m), Kangchenjunga (8,586 m), and Nanga Parbat (8,126 m). The one remaining eight-thousander Soria has not yet climbed is Dhaulagiri.
For the latest updates on Soria's Dhaulagiri ascent, mountaineering news sources should be checked, as Soria is known for his tenacity and may still attempt Dhaulagiri after 2025. Soria is confident about achieving his goal of climbing all 14 highest peaks on Earth, aged over 60. He continues climbing because he does what he wants and enjoys, as he stated to website.es at Madrid's Adolfo Suárez Barajas Airport Terminal 4 before departing for his Dhaulagiri ascent.
Soria's social media, including Twitter (@RetoCarlosSoria) and Facebook (yosuboconcarlossoria), offers updates on his ascent. His knee replacement has resulted in less pain but less flexibility, but Soria has been actively working towards being in shape since his knee prosthesis in October. Despite his age, Soria continues to achieve goals that twenty-year-olds wouldn't dare to dream of, such as his successful test on Mount Lenin, which he described as "almost too well."
However, Soria's Dhaulagiri ascent is still referred to as a "cursed ascent" in the context. In one of his nine previous attempts, Soria got within 80 meters of the Dhaulagiri summit, but fog made them lose their way. Soria joked that with age, he forgets more things, but his goal remains clear: to become the first person to climb all 14 highest peaks on Earth, aged over 60. A successful climb would make Soria's 13th 'eight-thousander,' leaving him one peak shy of climbing all 14 highest peaks on Earth, aged over 60.
In conclusion, Carlos Soria's ongoing quest to conquer Dhaulagiri at 80 serves as an inspiration to mountaineers and those who appreciate the spirit of adventure. His determination, resilience, and passion for climbing are a testament to the human spirit's ability to overcome challenges and push boundaries. Follow Soria's social media for updates on his ascent and witness history in the making.
In the realm of sports beyond mountaineering, one could envision Carlos Soria excelling in hockey, given his determination and resilience. His willingness to return to Dhaulagiri despite multiple setbacks mirrors the perseverance required in hockey when facing numerous adversities.
Despite Soria's impressive achievements in mountaineering, including climbing 13 out of 14 eight-thousander peaks, it is intriguing to ponder what he might accomplish in another sport, such as hockey, where age is less of a barrier compared to high-altitude mountaineering.
