Breathtaking Feat: Polish Daredevil Climbs and Skis the Impossible

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A Groundbreaking Achievement on Mount Everest

Standing at an impressive 8,849 metres (29,030 feet) above sea level, Mount Everest is the ultimate challenge for any mountaineer. It's a peak that has drawn adventurers from around the world, but few have managed to conquer it without the aid of bottled oxygen. Now, a Polish climber has achieved something that makes simply climbing Earth's highest mountain seem almost effortless.

Andrzej Bargiel, a 37-year-old daredevil, has become the first person to climb and ski down Mount Everest without using any supplementary oxygen. His journey was not just a physical feat but also a mental and emotional challenge that pushed the limits of human endurance.

After reaching the summit, Mr. Bargiel took a moment to record a video for his Instagram account, declaring, "I am on top of the highest mountain in the world and I’m going to descend it on skis." This statement highlights the audacity of his mission, as very few have attempted to scale Everest without oxygen, and none have ever tried to ski down afterward.

The Challenges of the Ascent

Climbing Mount Everest is no small task, and the conditions during the autumn season are particularly treacherous. Most climbers avoid this time of year due to heavy snowfall, strong winds, and limited support from other expeditions. Mr. Bargiel faced these challenges head-on, navigating through the so-called "death zone" above 8,000 metres, where the air is so thin that it can be fatal for even the most experienced climbers.

During his four-day ascent, Mr. Bargiel and his guide, Dawa 'Speed' Sherpa, were trapped in the death zone by fresh snowfall. Here, the air contains only a third of the usual oxygen, making it extremely difficult for the human body to function. Mr. Bargiel spent 16 hours in this region before he could continue his ascent, a situation that would be considered potentially deadly even with supplementary oxygen.

Mr. Bargiel described the difficulty of the ascent, saying, "The ascent was difficult because other expeditions are closed at this time of year. It's incredibly high. You have to be well prepared to be able to function for 16 hours above 8,000m."

Navigating the Kumbu Icefall

One of the most dangerous parts of the descent was the Kumbu Icefall, a 1.6-mile (2.57km) labyrinth of constantly shifting crevasses, snow bridges, and overhanging ice blocks. Mr. Bargiel managed to navigate this treacherous terrain without using ropes or taking off his skis, a feat that had only been accomplished once before by Davo Karnicar of Slovenia in 2000.

To assist him, a drone flown by his brother helped Mr. Bargiel plot his route through the icefall. This innovative approach allowed him to maintain his momentum and complete the descent without interruption.

A Historic Descent

Mr. Bargiel began his descent at 15:00 local time on Monday, carefully slaloming down to Camp Two at 6,400 metres (21,000 feet). After resting overnight, he continued his journey and reached Base Camp at 5,364 metres (17,600 feet) on Tuesday morning. Upon arriving, he was honored with a Tibetan khata, a traditional scarf awarded as a sign of respect at major moments in someone's life.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk praised Mr. Bargiel's achievement on X, writing, "Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel has just skied down Mount Everest."

Ambitious Goals Beyond Everest

This monumental feat is the result of years of preparation, and it marks Mr. Bargiel's third attempt to ski down Mount Everest. In 2019, he was forced to abandon the attempt due to an overhanging ice block, while high winds ended his second attempt in 2022.

However, becoming the first person to ski down Mount Everest without oxygen is just one part of Mr. Bargiel's ambitious plans. He aims to become the first person to ski down all 14 of the world's "eight-thousanders" – peaks higher than 8,000 metres above sea level.

So far, he has already skied down six of these monumental peaks, including becoming the first person to ski down K2 in 2018. K2 is widely considered the most deadly mountain in the world, killing around 13 to 15 per cent of all climbers.

In 2023, Mr. Bargiel also became the first person to ski all four mountains over 8,000 metres in the Karakoram range, the second-highest range after the Himalayas. His journey continues to inspire and push the boundaries of what is possible in the world of extreme sports.