Bartek Ziemski completed the first ski descent of Dhaulagiri, 8,167 m. It seems that this first complete descent of the Himalayan giant was achieved by fair means: Bartek was accompanied on the ascent by his Polish compatriot Oswald Pereira. The two men made the ascent without bottled oxygen and without sherpas support, before Bartek set off on skis from the summit on the 14th of May to the base camp at 4,700 m. He achieved the feat of climbing two 8000m summits on skis and without O2, with Annapurna a month ago.
The world is divided into two categories. There are those who collect 8000 with a lot of logistical support, sherpa, and oxygen bottles. And then there is Bartek Ziemski. The Polish skier has just climbed Dhaulagiri, 8167 m, in Nepal, on skis, without oxygen and without porters, a few weeks after having climbed Annapurna, 8091 m, the same way. These ascents were carried out in autonomous ropeparty, with Oswald Rodrigo Pereira, also without oxygen bottle. The Poles have named their double expedition Mad Ski Project 2023, but they are not crazy. They are simply very strong and talented.
Dhaulagiri, and the elegant direct line of its steep normal route. ©Jocelyn Chavy
On the 14th of May, 2023, Ziemski and Pereira left Camp 3 (7230m) at midnight. After the summit climb, Bartek skied to the base camp. “I took care of the film and photographic documentation, then went down to the Base Camp at night“,