Polish Skier Andrzej Bargiel Makes Historic Everest Descent

Polish mountaineer and skier Andrzej Bargiel has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first person to climb Mount Everest and ski down without the use of supplemental oxygen. At the age of 37, Bargiel completed this extraordinary feat last week, following years of preparation and two prior attempts that did not succeed.

Bargiel reached the summit of Everest on July 17, 2023, after a grueling four-day ascent from base camp. The climber noted the challenges of spending extensive time at high altitude, stating, “The summit itself was arduous and difficult. I’d never spent so much time at such an altitude in my life, so that was a challenge in itself.” He emphasized that skiing down Everest without oxygen was a long-held dream.

The high-altitude environment presents significant dangers. Above 8,000 metres, known as the “death zone,” oxygen levels drop to about one-third of what is available at sea level. Climbers are at risk for altitude sickness, fluid accumulation in the lungs, and potentially fatal brain swelling. Bargiel spent nearly 16 hours battling the thin air during his final push to the summit.

After reaching the summit, Bargiel skied down over the next two days, carefully navigating the treacherous terrain. He divided his descent into stages, opting to cross the hazardous Khumbu Icefall at daybreak when conditions were more stable. In a video shared on Instagram, he expressed his exhilaration, saying, “I am on top of the highest mountain in the world and I’m going to descend it on skis.”

Bargiel’s descent was aided by his brother, Bartek Bargiel, who used a drone to help guide him through shifting ice blocks and deep crevasses. The journey culminated with him reaching Camp 2, where he spent the night before continuing to base camp the following day.

Chhang Dawa Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks, the organization that led the expedition, confirmed the unprecedented nature of Bargiel’s achievement. “This was extremely challenging and no one had done it before,” he stated.

While over 7,000 climbers have summited Everest, only around 200 have done so without bottled oxygen. The accomplishment has garnered widespread attention, with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk celebrating Bargiel’s feat on social media, stating, “Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel has just skied down Mount Everest.”

This latest achievement adds to Bargiel’s legacy as a pioneer in extreme skiing. In 2018, he became the first person to ski from the summit of K2, the second-highest peak in the world. His latest success not only highlights his remarkable skill and determination but also sets a new standard in the realm of high-altitude skiing.