Andrzej Bargiel, a Polish mountaineer renowned for his daring feats in extreme environments, has achieved what many believed impossible—completing the first ever oxygen-free ski descent of Mount Everest. The 37-year-old adventurer reached the summit of the world’s highest peak on September 22, 2024, before initiating his descent on skis, navigating the perilous conditions of the ‘death zone’ above 8,000 meters. This feat, marked by an unprecedented 16-hour stay in the region of dangerously low oxygen levels, is being celebrated as a new milestone in human endurance and mountaineering. His accomplishment is a testament to the human spirit’s resilience in the face of nature’s most hostile environments.
Bargiel’s journey was split into two sections, allowing him to acclimatize to the extreme conditions. First, he skied to Camp II, where he spent the night before continuing through the renowned and perilous Khumbu Icefall the following morning. The Khumbu Icefall, with its shifting ice and crevasses, is one of the most dangerous sections of the Everest route, making Bargiel’s completion of this segment an extraordinary feat. According to Seven Summit Treks, the expedition’s managing outfitter, Bargiel’s descent was an unprecedented achievement, as no one has previously completed a ski descent of Everest without the aid of bottled oxygen.
While others have attempted ski descents from Everest’s summit, none have succeeded in doing so without supplemental oxygen. In 2000, Slovenian mountaineer Davorin Karnicar became the first to ski from Everest’s summit to Base Camp, but he relied on oxygen support. His brother, Bartek, played a crucial role in assisting him using a drone, which helped guide him safely through the glacier. Bargiel’s achievement surpasses even this, as his descent was entirely oxygen-free, demonstrating an extraordinary level of physical and mental fortitude.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk commended Bargiel’s achievement, celebrating it on his social media platform as a proud moment for Poland. The Prime Minister’s remarks highlight the national pride associated with Bargiel’s success, which has also garnered international attention. Polish media outlets have highlighted Bargiel’s record of high-altitude firsts, including his 2018 feat of skiing down K2, the world’s second-highest mountain. This accomplishment was dedicated to the centenary of Poland regaining independence, underscoring the deeper significance of his mountaineering pursuits.
Despite his remarkable achievements, Bargiel has faced challenges in the past, including failed attempts to reach Everest’s summit in 2019 and 2022 due to unstable ice and high winds. This resilience has only strengthened his reputation as one of the most accomplished mountaineers in the world. His latest feat is not only a personal milestone but also a significant contribution to the field of extreme sports, inspiring future generations of adventurers to push the boundaries of human capability.
The expedition organized by Seven Summit Treks emphasized the logistical and technical complexities involved in such an endeavor. Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a representative of the trekking company, noted that Bargiel’s achievement was extremely challenging and that no one had done it before. The recognition of his success with a khada, a ceremonial Buddhist scarf, further highlights the cultural and spiritual significance of his accomplishment. Fox News Digital has reached out to Bargiel for comment, indicating the widespread interest and acknowledgment of his achievement.