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Polish Climber Andrzej Bargiel Makes History Skiing Down Mount Everest Without Supplemental Oxygen
Poland’s Andrzej Bargiel has made history by becoming the first person to ski down the world's highest peak, Mount Everest, without the use of supplemental oxygen. Despite extreme weather conditions and a grueling 16-hour wait in the "death zone," Bargiel successfully completed this historic descent.
In a groundbreaking achievement, Andrzej Bargiel, a Polish mountaineer and skier, became the first person to ski from the summit of Mount Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen. The 8,849-meter peak is notoriously difficult to climb, let alone descend, but Bargiel’s determination and skill have set a new standard for high-altitude skiing.
Bargiel reached the summit of Everest earlier this week after a challenging climb, his third attempt at the feat. In a video posted on Instagram before his descent, Bargiel shared his excitement: "I am on top of the highest mountain in the world, and I’m going to descend it on skis."
Although others have skied down Mount Everest before, none have done so without additional oxygen. This remarkable achievement comes after Slovenian skier Davorin Karnicar made the first full ski descent from the summit in 2000, though Karnicar used bottled oxygen.
Challenges of the Descent
Bargiel faced severe weather conditions, including heavy snowfall, forcing him to stay for 16 hours above the 8,000-meter threshold, known as the “death zone”. In these extreme conditions, the lack of oxygen increases the risk of altitude sickness and other life-threatening complications. Despite the dangers, Bargiel pressed on, skiing down to Camp 2, where he rested overnight, before continuing his journey down to the Everest Base Camp the following day.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, of Seven Summit Treks, the company that organized the expedition, remarked that this challenge was "extremely difficult" and acknowledged that no one had attempted such a descent before.
Everest Expeditions for Aspiring Climbers
Bargiel’s historic feat is a testament to the limits of human endurance and ambition. For mountaineers and trekkers who are inspired by this accomplishment, MountEverest-Summit.com offers tailored Mount Everest Expeditions and expert Everest Trekking services.
Our experienced guides and Trek Advisor team can help you plan your journey to the world's highest peak, whether you aim to summit or explore the surrounding Everest Base Camp on a classic trek.
Weather Update: The weather conditions on Mount Everest during Bargiel's ascent and descent were challenging, with heavy snowfall and extreme cold temperatures. Temperatures at higher altitudes can dip well below -30°C, while winds are often ferocious.
Peak Altitude: 8848 m
Risk Level: High (Given the extreme altitude, weather conditio
Expedition Info: The expedition was organized by Seven Summit Treks, a leading provider of Everest Expeditions. Bargiel’s team included expert Sherpas and support staff to assist with the climb and descent. Despite the challenges, the team ensured all safety protocols were followed to ensure the climber’s success.