Andrzej Bargiel Makes History as First Person to Ski Down Mount Everest Without Additional Oxygen
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Andrzej Bargiel, a skier from Poland, has accomplished a remarkable feat by becoming the first person to climb and ski down Mount Everest without the use of additional oxygen. This extraordinary achievement took place on Tuesday, September 23.
The 37-year-old extreme skier carried his skis on his back as he ascended the 5.5-mile peak, before embarking on his descent from the summit on Monday, September 22, at approximately 3 p.m. The daring expedition was documented in video footage shared on Instagram in collaboration with Red Bull and Red Bull Polska.
In the video, Bargiel can be seen conquering the daunting slopes of Mount Everest, accompanied by the caption “World first skiing down Mount Everest without bottled oxygen.” With sheer determination, he declared, “I am on top of the highest mountain in the world, and I’m going to descend it on skis.”
After reaching the summit, Bargiel skied back to Camp Two, covering nearly 4 miles, where he rested overnight, before skiing another 3.3 miles to reach Base Camp the following morning. Upon completion of his historic descent, Bargiel was honoured with a Tibetan khada scarf, symbolising respect in Nepal.
The significance of Bargiel’s accomplishment was highlighted by his team, who described it as a “milestone in the world of ski mountaineering.” Despite facing challenges such as being trapped by snowfall for 16 hours in the treacherous “death zone” above 5 miles, Bargiel’s determination and skill prevailed.
Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, lauded Bargiel’s achievement by stating, “Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel just skied down Mount Everest…” This feat adds to Bargiel’s list of groundbreaking accomplishments, including being the first person to ski down the second highest mountain in the world, K2, in Pakistan in 2018.
Reflecting on his unprecedented achievement, Bargiel expressed gratitude on his Instagram page, acknowledging the support of his team and partners. While Bargiel is the first to ski down Mount Everest without additional oxygen, Reinhold Messner holds the distinction of being the first person to climb Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen in 1978.
Andrzej Bargiel’s remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to adventurers and athletes worldwide, showcasing the power of perseverance and determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges. His courage and passion for pushing boundaries have solidified his place in the annals of mountaineering history.