KATHMANDU, NEPAL – Polish mountaineer and ski alpinist Andrzej Bargiel has successfully completed a historic ascent and descent of Mount Everest without the aid of supplemental oxygen, a feat that sets a new benchmark in high-altitude mountaineering and extreme skiing.
Bargiel, renowned for his daring no-oxygen ski descent of K2 in 2018, reached the 8,848.86-meter (29,031.7-foot) summit of Everest on Thursday morning, September 25, 2025, before embarking on the perilous ski down. His expedition team confirmed his safe return to Base Camp yesterday, following an arduous journey from the world’s highest peak.
The achievement marks the first verified no-oxygen ski descent of Mount Everest, a challenge long considered one of the ultimate tests of human endurance and skill. While several individuals have skied sections of Everest, and a handful have summited without supplemental oxygen, combining both in a complete descent has remained an elusive and deadly goal.
Bargiel commenced his descent directly from the summit, navigating the treacherous upper slopes, including the Hillary Step and the Lhotse Face, before reaching the relative safety of lower camps. The entire expedition was conducted without bottled oxygen, significantly increasing the physical strain and risk of frostbite and high-altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema.
“Every turn was a battle, a dance with the mountain,” Bargiel reportedly stated upon his return, visibly exhausted but elated. “The air is so thin, every breath is a conscious effort. But the mountain provides, and the view… it’s beyond words. This was a dream I’ve carried for years.”
Experts in the mountaineering community have lauded Bargiel’s achievement as an extraordinary display of athletic prowess and meticulous preparation. “To summit Everest without oxygen is an incredible feat in itself. To then put skis on and descend from that altitude, under those conditions, is almost beyond comprehension,” said Dr. Lena Petrova, a high-altitude physiology specialist. “It speaks volumes about his physical conditioning, mental fortitude, and unparalleled technical skill.”
A Testament to Perseverance
This success follows Bargiel’s previous attempts on Everest, including an aborted expedition in 2019 due to dangerous snow conditions and avalanche risk. His meticulous planning, choice of a late-season window, and focus on acclimatization were critical components of this triumphant return.
The Polish alpinist utilized a route that largely mirrored standard ascent paths but required careful navigation of icefalls, crevasses, and variable snow conditions on skis. His support team at Base Camp provided weather monitoring and logistical assistance, but the critical decisions and execution on the mountain were solely his.
Bargiel’s achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of extreme athletes and further cement his legacy as one of the greatest high-altitude skiers in history, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the world’s most challenging environments.
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