First descent on Skis from summit of Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen
First descent on Skis from summit of Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen
Published : 25-Sep-2025 12:17
Red Bull athlete Andrzej Bargiel has made history as the first person ever to climb Mount Everest (8849m) without supplementary oxygen and complete a full ski descent to Everest Base Camp.
After climbing from Camp IV for nearly 16 hours in the mountain's death zone' (above 8000m), the 37-year-old clipped into his skis at the summit on September 22, and descended via the South Col, reaching Camp II by nightfall.
At this point navigation was no longer possible, so he rested for the night and the following morning, resumed skiing, navigating the treacherous Khumbu Icefall before arriving safely at Everest Base Camp.
Bargiel is already renowned as the only athlete to ski from the summits of all the Karakoram eight-thousanders - including the first and only full ski descent of K2 in 2018 - without supplementary oxygen.
The total time taken was 4 days, 4 hours, and 15 minutes — departing Everest Base Camp at 04:30 local time on September 19 and returning at 08:45 on September 23.
Route Overview and Timeline
Everest Base Camp to Camp IV: On September 19, Bargiel left Everest Base Camp and followed an acclimatisation protocol, making several ascents and descents between the camps I, II, and III, allowing him to adapt to the altitude before settling at Camp IV on the South Col (7900m) for the final summit push.
Summit Push: On September 21, Bargiel left Camp IV at the South Col (7900m) at 23:24 local time. Due to heavy fresh snowfall, the ascent lasted much longer than expected. He spent a total of nearly 16 hours in 'the death zone' before summiting at 15:00 on September 22.
Ski Descent (Summit to Camp II): Bargiel spent only minutes on top before clipping into his skis and beginning his descent. By 15:35, he had passed below the famous Hillary Step. By 17:20, Bargiel had descended below Camp IV and continued left of the Geneva Spur en route to Camp II. He arrived at Camp II (6400m) at 20:30 local time.
Ski Descent (Camp II to Everest Base Camp): On September 23, around 07:00, he resumed skiing from Camp II. By 07:50, he passed Camp I, continuing across the slopes of Nuptse, crossing the Khumbu Icefall on skis, navigating a labyrinth of shifting ice and deep crevasses - without ropes or fixed lines, guided in part by a drone flown by his brother, Bartek.
He reached the end of icefall and the snowline at Everest Base Camp at 08:45, completing the first-ever ski descent of Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen.
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