Record-Breaking Climber Achieves Oxygen-Free Descent from Mount Everest

Andrzej Bargiel has etched his name in history by becoming the first individual to reach the summit of Mount Everest and ski down without the aid of supplemental oxygen. This remarkable achievement was completed on September 22, 2025, when the 37-year-old alpinist ascended to the peak and then commenced his thrilling descent on skis.

During his climb, Bargiel spent nearly 16 hours in Everest’s infamous “death zone, ”located at an elevation of 8, 000 meters (approximately 26, 247 feet), where oxygen levels are critically low. While there have been numerous skiing descents from Everest, Bargiel’s accomplishment stands out as the first to be done entirely without supplemental oxygen.

Persistence Pays Off

This milestone was not without its hurdles, as Bargiel had previously attempted this daunting challenge twice, in 2019 and 2022, but was unable to complete it. In a post on X (formerly Twitter) after his successful attempt, the news outlet NEXTA reported that Bargiel faced a snowstorm during a prior attempt, highlighting the severe conditions climbers often contend with.

🏆 Skied down Everest without oxygen: Polish extreme alpinist sets new world record.37-year-old climber Andrzej Bargiel descended from the summit of Everest without oxygen, setting a world record. At over eight thousand meters, he was caught in a snowstorm: Bargiel spent 16… pic.twitter.com/lAACzHFO8M

— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) September 27, 2025

In response to Bargiel’s groundbreaking achievement, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk took to X to express his pride, stating: “Sky is the limit? Not for Poles! Andrzej Bargiel just skied down Mount Everest.”

This year has been particularly eventful in the world of Everest climbing. Earlier in June, an Australian YouTuber made headlines after requiring rescue due to severe altitude sickness brought on by insufficient oxygen levels during their climb.

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