In a feat that redefines the limits of human endurance and alpine skill, Polish mountaineer and skier Andrzej Bargiel has become the first person to summit Mount Everest and ski down its entire route—without using supplemental oxygen. The historic descent, completed on September 22, 2025, marks a new milestone in extreme skiing and high-altitude mountaineering .
The Historic Ascent and Descent
Bargiel, 37, began his climb from Everest Base Camp on September 19, following the traditional South Col route. After a grueling ascent, he reached the 29,032-foot summit at approximately 3:17 p.m. local time on September 22. Within minutes, he clipped into his skis and began his descent—all without the aid of bottled oxygen [[5][6]].
His entire journey—from Base Camp to summit and back down on skis—took just four days, four hours, and 15 minutes . Most notably, Bargiel spent 16 hours in the so-called “Death Zone” (above 8,000 meters), where oxygen levels are insufficient to sustain human life for extended periods .
Why This Feat Stands Apart
While Slovenian Davo Karničar completed the first full ski descent of Everest in 2000, he used supplemental oxygen during his climb [[11][14]]. Bargiel’s achievement is the first to combine a full summit-to-base-camp ski run with a completely oxygen-free ascent and descent—a combination never before accomplished [[12][13]].
Risks of High-Altitude Skiing Without Oxygen
Skiing at extreme altitudes without oxygen presents life-threatening challenges:
- Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS): Headaches, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue are common [[21][22]].
- Impaired Judgment: Hypoxia can cloud decision-making during technically demanding descents .
- Reduced Aerobic Capacity: Muscles receive less oxygen, leading to quicker exhaustion .
- Potential for HACE/HAPE: High-altitude cerebral or pulmonary edema can be fatal if not treated immediately .
Bargiel’s Preparation and Strategy
Bargiel, known for his “HIC SUNT LEONES” (Here Be Lions) expedition series, trained for years in the Himalayas and Karakoram ranges. His 2019 ski descent of Gasherbrum I already cemented his reputation as a pioneer of high-altitude skiing . For Everest, he relied on meticulous acclimatization, lightweight gear, and precise weather windows to minimize exposure in the Death Zone.
Everest Ski Descent Milestones: A Timeline
| Year | Skier | Nationality | Oxygen Used? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Davo Karničar | Slovenian | Yes | First full ski descent from summit via South Col route . |
| 2018 | Kilian Jornet | Spanish | No (ascent only) | Summited without oxygen but did not ski down [[internal research]]. |
| 2025 | Andrzej Bargiel | Polish | No | First full ski descent without supplemental oxygen [[4][5]]. |
What’s Next for Extreme Skiing?
Bargiel’s achievement opens new frontiers for alpine athletes. Experts speculate that his success could inspire a new generation to pursue oxygen-free descents on other 8,000-meter peaks like K2 or Annapurna. However, many caution that such feats should not be attempted without years of high-altitude experience and rigorous preparation [[INTERNAL_LINK:extreme-skiing-safety]].
Andrzej Bargiel’s Everest Ski Challenge 2025 has set a new gold standard in extreme skiing.
