Andrzej Bargiel Achieves Historic Everest Ski Descent Without Supplemental Oxygen

Polish adventure skier Andrzej Bargiel, 37, has made history by becoming the first person to climb Mount Everest and then ski down its slopes without the aid of supplemental oxygen. The unprecedented feat concluded on September 23, 2025, after Bargiel summited the world's highest peak on September 22. His expedition marks a groundbreaking milestone in high-altitude mountaineering and extreme skiing.

Bargiel commenced his final ascent from Camp IV on September 21, reaching the 8,849-meter summit after a challenging 16-hour climb through the "death zone" where oxygen levels are critically low. "I am on top of the highest mountain in the world and I'm going to descend it on skis," Bargiel stated in a video posted on Instagram prior to his descent. He began his ski descent shortly after summiting, reaching Camp II by nightfall and completing the journey to Base Camp the following morning.

The achievement is particularly significant as no other individual has completed a full ski descent from Everest's summit to Base Camp without supplemental oxygen. While Slovenian Davorin Karnicar achieved a full ski descent in 2000, he utilized bottled oxygen, and Italian Hans Kammerlander's 1996 oxygen-free run started below the peak. Bargiel’s rigorous preparation allowed him to navigate the treacherous Khumbu Icefall entirely on skis, a path he had prepped with his brother, Bartek Bargiel.

This historic climb and descent were Bargiel's third attempt at Everest, following previous expeditions in 2019 and 2022 that were hindered by adverse conditions. He is renowned for his 2018 achievement as the first person to ski down K2, the world's second-highest mountain, also without supplemental oxygen. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk lauded the accomplishment, posting on X, "Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel just skied down Mount Everest!"

Bargiel's latest success further solidifies his reputation as a pioneer in ski mountaineering, pushing the boundaries of human endurance and skill. His "Hic Sunt Leones" project, Latin for "here are lions," continues to chronicle his pursuit of extreme descents on the world's highest mountains. "It’s one of the most important milestones in my sports career. Skiing down Everest without oxygen was a dream that had been growing inside me for years," Bargiel commented on his accomplishment.