Carlos Soria, 86, Ready for Manaslu Summit
Legendary Spanish alpinist Carlos Soria, at the remarkable age of 86, is preparing for another Himalayan adventure: an attempt to reach the summit of Manaslu (8,163 meters), the world’s eighth-highest peak.
Soria, one of the most accomplished high-altitude climbers, has spent decades pursuing 8,000-meter peaks, often becoming one of the oldest climbers to tackle some of the world’s most challenging mountains. His experience and meticulous planning are key to this latest expedition. The inspiration to have a crack at the 14 8,000m peaks came to Soria while he was climbing K2 in 2004, his third attempt after being beaten back by bad weather in the two previous years. He says the summit was a huge challenge, the most technical one he had faced in the Himalaya, though surpassed in avalanche danger by Annapurna, where he was hit by three avalanches in 48 hours. “Having summited on K2 at 65, I decided I’d like to get to know the rest of the big peaks,” he says. “Of course I was concerned that at my age, there might not be time to complete all 14, but I thought it would be worth making the effort.” Soria has been climbing since his ‘teens, combining his work as an upholsterer at a family shop in Madrid with excursions to the nearby Guadarrama range, and later travelling to Chamonix and the Alps, riding pillion on a friend’s Vespa. A working life of lifting furniture was a major contributor to ongoing severe lower back and knee pain, and he also suffers from Méniere’s disease, a disorder of the inner ear that has left him hard of hearing.
The team accompanying Soria includes his longtime climbing partner Mikel, Sherpas Nima and Phurba, and cameraman Luis Miguel Soriano. After careful acclimatization in the Khumbu Valley and higher camps on Manaslu, they are aiming to start their summit push on September 23, 2025.
This expedition holds special significance as it coincides with the 50th anniversary of Spain’s first ascent of a major 8,000-meter peak, a milestone that adds historical and emotional depth to Soria’s journey.
Safety is a priority for Soria and his team. Weather conditions, altitude, and health considerations will dictate the timing and pace of the summit attempt, reflecting Soria’s cautious and experienced approach to high-altitude mountaineering.
Carlos Soria’s attempt is a testament to his lifelong dedication to the mountains, proving that passion and perseverance have no age limits. The climbing world eagerly watches, wishing him a safe and successful climb.
Photo: Luis Miguel Soriano