On September 22, 2025, Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel etched his name into the annals of extreme sports history by becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest from the summit to base camp without supplemental oxygen.
🏔️ The Ascent: A Battle Against Thin Air
Bargiel began his summit push from Camp IV late on September 21, navigating through Everest’s notorious “death zone” — altitudes above 8,000 meters where oxygen levels are dangerously low.
After nearly 16 hours of climbing, he reached the summit at around 3:17 p.m. on September 22.
Fewer than 200 climbers have ever summited Everest without bottled oxygen, making this feat alone extraordinary.
🎿 The Descent: A Dream Realized
Without pausing to rest, Bargiel clipped into his skis at the summit and began his descent via the South Col Route.
He passed the Hillary Step within minutes, skied past the Balcony and South Col, and reached Camp II by nightfall.
After resting overnight, he resumed his descent at dawn, navigating the treacherous Khumbu Icefall without ropes or fixed lines, finally arriving at Base Camp at 8:45 a.m. on September 23
🌍 Why It Matters
Bargiel’s descent was not just a personal triumph — it was a world-first achievement in ski mountaineering.
Previous attempts, like those by Slovenian Davo Karničar (2000) and Italian Hans Kammerlander (1996), either used supplemental oxygen or started below the summit.
Bargiel’s feat redefines the limits of human endurance and precision in high-altitude skiing.
🎥 What’s Next?
A documentary chronicling this expedition is set to release in 2026, offering a closer look at the planning, risk, and sheer audacity behind this milestone
