Dhaulagiri Ski Expedition

Dhaulagiri (8167m) is the seventh highest mountain in the world. In 2007, Fredrik Ericsson attempted its first-ever ski descent. Bad weather and unstable snow conditions forced him to turn around at 7900 meters, but Ericsson skied more than 3000 vertical meters down to base camp.

Dhaulagiri is located in the Dhaulagiri Himal in the north central of Nepal, not far from another 8000er, Annapurna. The name comes from the Sanskrit “Dhavali giri,” which means “White Mountain.” Dhaulagiri was first climbed via its Northeast Ridge on May 13, 1960, by a Swiss/Austrian expedition consisting of Kurt Diemberger, Peter Diener, Ernst Forrer, Albin Schelbert, Nyima Dorji and Nawang Dorji.

In 2004 Ericsson became the first Swede to make a ski descent of an 8000-meter peak when he skied from the central summit of Shisha Pangma (8012m) in Tibet. In 2005 Ericsson skied Gasherbrum 2 (8035m).

See Ericsson’s website for more information about the expedition and what he’s up to now.