An international team preparing to climb Mount Dhaulagiri (8,167m) has completed an important acclimatization climb by reaching the summit of Thorong Peak (6,150m) in Nepal. The team successfully stood atop Thorong Peak on Wednesday morning, adding a significant high-altitude experience to its preparations for the upcoming Autumn 2026 Dhaulagiri Expedition. The climb is part of the preparation programme of the 14 Peaks Expedition team, which is using the ascent to help its members adjust to higher elevations before attempting one of Nepal’s most challenging 8,000-meter peaks.
International Climbers Take Part
The expedition brings together climbers from four countries. The team comprises Igor Kushnir of Ukraine, Oksana Kushnir of Cyprus, Anni Katri Penttilä of Finland, and Georgi Emilov Kolevichin of Bulgaria. For the climbers, the Thorong Peak summit provides practical experience in high-altitude conditions and an opportunity to build familiarity with the physical demands of Himalayan climbing. The successful ascent also represents an early milestone for the group as it continues its journey toward Dhaulagiri.
Nepali Sherpas Provide Mountain Support
The international climbers are accompanied by four experienced Nepali Sherpas: Makalu Lakpa Sherpa, Lhakpa Sange Sherpa, Ong Dorchi Sherpa, and Fura Jangbu Sherpa. The Sherpa team is providing high-altitude guidance and mountain support as the expedition progresses. Their experience will be particularly valuable as the climbers move from the acclimatization phase toward the more demanding Dhaulagiri objective.
Focus Turns Toward Dhaulagiri
At 8,167 meters, Dhaulagiri is among the world’s highest mountains and presents significantly more demanding conditions than the team’s recent Thorong Peak climb. The expedition team considers every acclimatization summit an opportunity to improve altitude adaptation, teamwork and preparedness. The successful Thorong Peak ascent has therefore added another important stage to the group’s preparation. With the 6,150-meter peak successfully completed, attention will now shift toward the next phase of the expedition and preparations for the planned Dhaulagiri summit attempt in autumn 2026. The team is continuing its Himalayan journey with experienced Sherpa leadership and a strong emphasis on careful preparation and mountain safety.
