Polish Skier Makes Historic Descent from Mount Everest
Andrzej Bargiel, a 37-year-old Polish mountaineer, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the first person to ski down from the summit of Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen. This extraordinary feat was confirmed by Seven Summit Treks, the Nepal-based organization that managed the expedition.
On September 22, Bargiel reached the top of Everest, standing at an impressive 29,032 feet. Before launching down the mountain on his skis, he shared his excitement in a video on Instagram, stating, “I am on top of the highest mountain in the world, and I’m going to descend it on skis.”
In a historic first, Bargiel divided his descent into two parts. He skied to Camp II, spent the night, and then continued the next day through the dangerous Khumbu Icefall. While there have been attempts to ski from Everest in the past, none have succeeded without the aid of oxygen tanks. Slovenian skier Davorin Karnicar, for instance, made a similar journey in 2000, but he relied on supplemental oxygen during his descent.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa from Seven Summit Treks emphasized the difficulty of Bargiel’s journey, saying, “This was extremely challenging, and no one had done it before.” During his adventure, Bargiel spent nearly 16 hours in the “death zone,” a high-altitude area where oxygen is scarce and survival is tough.
Upon his return to base camp, Bargiel was welcomed with a traditional khada, a ceremonial Buddhist scarf, honoring his achievement. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk celebrated the accomplishment on social media, stating, “Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel has just skied down Mount Everest.”
This is not Bargiel’s first high-altitude triumph. In 2018, he became the first person to ski down Pakistan’s K2, the second-highest mountain in the world, marking a significant event in celebration of Poland’s independence. He had previously attempted to summit Everest in 2019 and again in 2022 but faced challenges due to unstable ice and high winds.
Andrzej Bargiel’s remarkable achievement has not only set a new record but also serves as an inspiring reminder of human determination and resilience.
