Carlos Soria arrives at the Annapurna Base Camp
Climber Carlos Soria, leader of the BBVA Expedition, is already at the Annapurna Base Camp. The team spent the past two weeks trekking to acclimatize, getting ready to take on Earth’s tenth highest peak in the best possible conditions. “The preparatory process we’ve completed in the past days will be key to our attempt to summit the Annapurna as quickly as possible. We’re ready to seize the first chance we have,” said Carlos Soria.
Mountain climber Carlos Soria is ready to take on the planet’s tenth-tallest mountain. Carlos Soria and the rest of his ensemble have already made it to the Annapurna Base Camp, located at an altitude of 4,200 m, to face the first of their two challenges this season. “We want to take our shot at the Annapurna as soon as possible. We’re ready to seize the first chance we have and, if we make it, we’re ready to tackle the Dhaulagiri right away,” announced Carlos Soria.
The veteran mountaineer devoted his first days in Katmandu to get the team ready, meet with the Sherpa team that will accompany them and supervise the journey’s logistics. The BBVA Expedition then travelled to Lukla to start the acclimatization process, essential to take on a challenge such as the Annapurna’s. During the two-week trek along the Khumbu valley, the team covered about 50 km in 6 stages, before making it to the Chukhung village (4.730 m). From there, Carlos Soria and his teammates climbed several mountains in the region, including the 5,900m Island Peak.
“My body has responded wonderfully well during these days. I’ve even felt improvements in my right knee, the one that usually gives me a hard time. At my age, I would’ve had a hard time believing that my knee would be feeling better, but it’s true,” said the veteran climber.
Annapurna, the “Goddess of Harvests”
The Annapurna is the planet’s tenth-tallest mountain, and one of the 14 eight-thousanders. Its name means “Goddess of the Harvests” or the “Goddess of Abundance” and stands 34 km west of the Dhaulagiri, beyond the Kali Gandaki canyon, the deepest in the world. This will be the third time Carlos Soria tries to summit the Annapurna.
To take on the Annapurna summit, the BBVA Expedition will try to climb following a variation of the original French way. The initial plans envisage setting up four altitude camps. The Base Camp will be set up at an altitude of 4,200 m. From there, the team plans to set up Camp I at 5,200 m and then Camp II at 5,700 m. Before the summit, two more camps will be set up: Camp III (6,700 m) and Camp IV (7,100).