Record-Breaking Season on Manaslu: Over 600 Summits, 86-Year-Old Among Climbers
Creatrip Team
4 months ago
Last autumn, Nepal’s Manaslu (8,163m) saw a record number of summits — over 600 climbers in total, including Nepali and foreign climbers. Foreign permits numbered 374, slightly fewer than in 2022. Unusually clear weather in late September enabled many successful ascents. Several notable records were set: 16-year-old Nima Tsering Sherpa (Nepal) became the youngest to summit, and 86-year-old Carlos Soria (Spain, born 1939) became the oldest person to summit an 8,000m peak after recovering from a knee replacement. Soria was later airlifted from Camp 3 (about 7,000m) — a practice that has raised debate, with critics saying helicopter evacuations at high altitude sometimes resemble a “luxury descent” for wealthy climbers rather than emergency rescues. Two climbers completed ski descents from the summit, including Poland’s Bartek Giemski on his seventh 8,000m ski descent. Speed climbs also stood out: Nirmal (Ramu) Sherpa (Nepal) reached the summit on the fourth day after leaving Kathmandu, and Artem Gurshtain (Russia) summited just 44 hours after arriving at base camp. (Source: Monthly San, November issue)
