On April 18, 2023, Ksenia Tsaritsina – winner of the Miss Russia 2018 title, successfully summited Dhaulagiri, the world’s seventh-highest mountain at 8,167 meters, located in the Himalayas of Nepal.
Dhaulagiri: A Mountain That Tests Human Limits
Dhaulagiri is considered one of the most difficult and dangerous mountains on Earth. Climbers face steep icy slopes, constant avalanche risk, unpredictable weather, and the infamous “death zone,” where the lack of oxygen slowly destroys the body’s ability to recover.
With a fatality rate estimated at around 16%, Dhaulagiri has earned a reputation among mountaineers as a true “killer mountain.” For a first 8000-meter peak, it is an extremely unconventional choice, most beginners prefer technically easier mountains such as Cho Oyu or Manaslu.
“This Mountain Feels Like Me”
Reflecting on the expedition, Ksenia shared:
“On April 18 at 3:00 PM, I stood on top of my first mountain above 8,000 meters, one of the most difficult in the world. There were moments when I wanted to turn back, but I kept moving forward.
This mountain feels like me, unpredictable, not the most popular, but strong, beautiful, and real. It taught me a lot.”
From Beauty Queen to High-Altitude Climber
After winning Miss Russia in 2018, mountaineering became more than a hobby for Ksenia, it became a personal challenge and a path of self-discovery.
Within just a few months, she successfully climbed:
• Elbrus (5,642 m)
• Kilimanjaro (5,895 m)
• Aconcagua (6,962 m)
• Puncak Jaya (4,884 m)
• Vinson Massif (4,892 m), the highest peak in Antarctica
In less than six months, Ksenia completed five of the famous Seven Summits, the highest mountains on each continent. Her future goals include Denali and Everest.
A New Goal: The 14 Eight-Thousanders
Alongside the Seven Summits project, Ksenia also began pursuing one of mountaineering’s most elite challenges: climbing all fourteen 8000-meter peaks in the world.
Dhaulagiri became her first 8000er, and likely not the last.
The Philosophy of Altitude
Ksenia describes high-altitude climbing with one simple idea:
“At altitude, you cannot be someone else. Only your real self remains.”
Above 8,000 meters, status, image, and public perception disappear. What remains is discipline, endurance, fear, resilience, and the ability to keep moving forward under extreme conditions. Ksenia Tsaritsina’s story is not about trying to impress people. It is about exploring human limits and discovering inner strength. Her journey proves that the world’s hardest mountains can sometimes be climbed by the people others least expect.
