José Maria Soler

José Maria Soler Coll (1893 – 1971) was a Spanish agronomist, mountain climber, and skier.

Early life and education Born to a family of rural landowners, Soler studied at the Jesuit school of Col·legi Casp in Barcelona, sharing a classroom with Josep Maria de Sagarra. Two years later, in 1918, he participated in the first Catalan ascent of Russell Peak, Margalida Peak, and , all three peaks located in the Maladeta massif, in the Ribagorça region. This crossing had the support of the president of the Commonwealth of Catalonia Enric Prat de la Riba, and was organized to introduce skis to the inhabitants of the Aran Valley, who were isolated during the winter months.