Skier Makes History By Climbing Mount Everest, Skiing Down Without Oxygen

Polish adventure skier Andrzej Bargiel has made history by becoming the first person to climb and ski down Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen. The 37-year-old completed this remarkable feat on Monday (September 22), after two previous attempts in 2019 and 2022 were thwarted by dangerous conditions.

Bargiel's journey began at Everest's base camp in Nepal. He spent four days acclimatizing by rotating among higher camps before making his final ascent from Camp IV. The climb through the "death zone," where oxygen levels are critically low, took nearly 16 hours. At the summit, Bargiel paused briefly before embarking on his descent, which took two days to complete. He navigated the treacherous Khumbu Icefall with the help of a drone piloted by his brother, Bartek.

According to The Guardian, Bargiel expressed his joy, saying, "Skiing down Everest without oxygen was a dream that had been growing inside me for years." His achievement is considered a groundbreaking milestone in ski mountaineering.

The accomplishment has drawn praise from many, including Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who celebrated Bargiel's success on social media. In 2018, Bargiel also became the first person to ski down K2, the world's second-highest mountain.

Bargiel's feat is not only a testament to his skill and determination but also highlights his preference for less crowded conditions, choosing to climb in the fall when Everest is less busy. He remains committed to exploring new mountains, with aspirations to visit Antarctica and the Andes.