Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel has once again redefined the boundaries of human endurance and adventure. He became the first person in history to climb and ski down Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen. This extraordinary feat, completed on September 22, 2025, sets a precedent in both high-altitude skiing and Himalayan mountaineering.
The Summit and the Descent
Bargiel began his final push from Camp IV (South Col, 7,900m). He spent over 16 hours in the notorious death zone before reaching Everest’s summit at 8,848m (29,029 ft). Instead of following the conventional climber’s descent on foot, he strapped on his skis and embarked on a perilous journey down.
His ski route took him through Everest’s most dangerous and iconic sections: the Hillary Step, the steep slopes of the South Col, the icy Lhotse Face, and the maze of crevasses and seracs in the Khumbu Icefall. Every turn required precision, balance, and nerve — mistakes at that altitude are unforgiving.
Why It Matters
This was not the first time someone had skied down Everest. Slovenian climber Davorin Karnicar achieved a full summit-to-base ski descent in 2000, but he relied on bottled oxygen. What makes Bargiel’s accomplishment truly unique is that he completed the descent without supplemental oxygen. Instead, he relied solely on acclimatization, physical conditioning, and remarkable mental resilience. This sets his climb apart as the first oxygen-free ski descent from Everest’s summit all the way to Base Camp.
Spending such extended time in the death zone without oxygen is in itself a life-threatening gamble. To then add skiing — a high-speed, technical discipline requiring sharp focus — makes this achievement one of the boldest in mountaineering history.
Bargiel’s Legacy of Firsts
Bargiel is no stranger to record-breaking descents. In 2018, he became the first person to ski down K2, a peak often called the “Savage Mountain” for its extreme difficulty and deadly reputation. He has also skied from Manaslu, Broad Peak, and Shishapangma, cementing his place as a pioneer of high-altitude ski mountaineering.
The Human Spirit at Its Peak
Beyond the statistics and world firsts, Bargiel’s Everest descent is a testament to human determination and the relentless pursuit of the seemingly impossible. His feat inspires athletes, climbers, and dreamers across the globe to push their limits and explore new frontiers.
With his oxygen-free ski descent of Mount Everest, Andrzej Bargiel has accomplished what many considered unthinkable. He has not only made history but also reimagined what’s possible in the world of extreme adventure.