Andrzej Bargiel Makes History with First-Ever Ski Descent of Everest Without Supplemental Oxygen

Polish Climber Andrzej Bargiel Makes History with First-Ever Ski Descent of Everest Without Supplemental Oxygen

In a breathtaking feat of human endurance and skill that redefines the limits of alpine sports, Polish climber Andrzej Bargiel has become the first person in history to ski down Mount Everest without the use of supplemental oxygen. The daring descent, successfully completed on his third attempt, marks a groundbreaking milestone in the world of high-altitude mountaineering and skiing.

Bargiel reached the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) summit of the world’s highest mountain on Monday. After a brief moment at the peak, he transitioned from climber to skier, declaring in a video posted to Instagram, “I am on top of the highest mountain in the world, and I’m going to descend it on skis.”

A Descent Fraught with Peril

The achievement was far from straightforward. Bargiel was forced to brave heavy snowfall and spent a harrowing 16 hours in the “death zone,” the area above 8,000 meters where oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain human life for extended periods. This delay, caused by the adverse weather, significantly heightened the risk of fatal altitude sickness.

His descent was not a single, continuous run. According to Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, the expedition’s organizer, Bargiel skied from the summit down to Camp 2, spent a night there to recover, and then completed the journey to base camp on skis the following day.

“This was extremely challenging, and no one had done it before,” Sherpa told the AFP news agency.

The feat sets a new benchmark for ski mountaineering. While a handful of skiers have descended Everest before—most notably Slovenian Davorin Karnicar, who made the first full ski descent from summit to base camp in 2000 using bottled oxygen—Bargiel’s oxygen-free journey is unprecedented.

The Culmination of a Grand Project

For Bargiel, Everest was the ultimate prize in his ambitious “Hic Sunt Leones” project (a Latin phrase meaning “here are lions,” used historically to denote uncharted territories on maps). His goal is to ski down the world’s highest peaks.

This vision gained global attention in 2018 when he became the first person to ski down K2 in Pakistan, widely considered the world’s most dangerous mountain. Buoyed by that success, he set his sights on Everest. However, a dangerous overhanging mass of ice (a serac) forced him to abandon an attempt in 2019, and high winds thwarted another in 2022.

His resume is a testament to his unique skillset. In preparation for Everest, Bargiel had already skied down all four of the Karakoram’s 8,000-meter peaks in Pakistan, as well as Nepal’s Manaslu and Tibet’s Shishapangma.

A Triumph Against the Odds

The success is even more remarkable given that it was an autumn expedition. Everest is most frequently climbed in the spring, when conditions are generally more stable. Autumn attempts are rare due to snowier terrain, colder temperatures, shorter days, and a much narrower window of opportunity to reach the summit.

Upon his safe return to base camp, Bargiel was greeted with a khada, a traditional Buddhist scarf of blessing and congratulations. The accomplishment was immediately celebrated in his home country, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk posting on X, “Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel has just skied down Mount Everest.”

In an official statement, Bargiel’s team hailed the achievement as a “groundbreaking milestone,” cementing his legacy as a pioneer who has successfully conquered the ultimate descent in ski mountaineering.

Support Dawat Media Center

If there were ever a time to join us, it is now. Every contribution, however big or small, powers our journalism and sustains our future. Support the Dawat Media Center from as little as $/€10 – it only takes a minute. If you can, please consider supporting us with a regular amount each month. Thank you
DNB Bank AC # 0530 2294668
Account for international payments: NO15 0530 2294 668
Vipps: #557320

  Donate Here