newsgathers

A series of successful ascents on Dhaulagiri marked the past weekend, with climbers reaching the summit between Friday and Sunday. Among the notable achievements was that of Spanish climber Jorge Egocheaga, who, by conquering Dhaulagiri, officially completed his quest to climb all fourteen 8,000-meter peaks. While previous records indicated he hadn't reached the true summits of Dhaulagiri, Manaslu, and K2, his recent successful ascents of K2 in the summer and Manaslu in 2023, alongside this latest Dhaulagiri climb, affirm his remarkable accomplishment.

Alongside Egocheaga, other climbers who reached the Dhaulagiri summit on Sunday included Ping Lu from China, Catherine Bury from France, and Sherpas Pem Nurbu, Taraman Tamang, and Pemba Tasi. Ukrainian climber Pavlo Sydorenko also achieved the summit on the same day, guided by IFMGA certified guide Ashok Lama of 8K Expeditions. These recent successes follow the efforts of four rope fixers—Tashi Sherpa, Lakpa Temba Sherpa, Phurba Kusang Sherpa, and Pasang Nurbu Sherpa—who reached the top on September 26, working for Seven Summit Treks and 14 Peaks Expeditions. With 24 foreign climbers from three different teams currently on Dhaulagiri, and potentially more joining from Manaslu, further summit attempts are anticipated in the coming days.

Beyond Dhaulagiri, other Himalayan expeditions are underway. Russian climbers Denis Alekshenko and Artem Tsentsevitsky are making an independent push on Makalu, having reached an altitude of 7,200 meters. Another Russian team, led by Andrey Vasiliev, plans an ambitious new route on Manaslu’s Southwest Face, with a contingency plan to attempt the historic Tyrolean route if conditions necessitate. Meanwhile, five commercial teams are currently in Tibet, acclimatizing on Cho Oyu’s standard route, preparing for their own summit pushes.

These recent triumphs and ongoing endeavors in the Himalayas highlight the unyielding spirit of human exploration and resilience. Each ascent represents not just a physical challenge overcome, but a testament to meticulous preparation, teamwork, and an unwavering pursuit of ambitious goals. The mountains continue to inspire and push the boundaries of what is possible, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared achievement among climbers from diverse backgrounds. Their journeys serve as a powerful reminder of the beauty of striving for greatness and the profound rewards found in the world's most formidable natural environments.