Polish adventure skier Andrzej Bargiel has made history by becoming the first person to climb Mount Everest and then ski down without using supplementary oxygen. A video of his daring descent has gone viral on social media, leaving viewers stunned.
“Skiing history has just been made! @andrzejbargiel just became the first person to climb up and ski down Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen,” Red Bull wrote on Instagram.
“For US that’s 29,031 ft. The man, the myth, the legend.”
The footage shows Bargiel navigating treacherous sections of Everest, skiing across ice that is “always moving and collapsing.”
VIDEO: PRIMER DESCENSO EN ESQUÍ DEL EVEREST SIN OXÍGENO ADICIONAL
El polaco Andrzej Bargiel, de 37 años, es el primer alpinista en descender el Everest en esquí sin oxígeno adicional. Alcanzó la cima tras 16 horas en la “zona de la muerte”.
Inició el ascenso el 19 de septiembre… pic.twitter.com/sYfJz7sB3y
— Clarín (@clarincom) September 27, 2025
The Journey That Made History
Bargiel began his expedition from Everest Base Camp in Nepal, gradually moving between Camps I, II, and III to acclimatize to the extreme altitude. From Camp IV, he launched his final push to the summit, completing the climb in just 16 hours.
Within minutes of reaching the top of the world, Bargiel strapped on his skis and began the descent. He reached Camp II in five hours before pausing overnight due to darkness. The next morning, he skied for another 45 minutes to safely return to base camp.
Who Is Andrzej Bargiel?
Born on April 18, 1988, in southern Poland, Bargiel is the ninth of eleven children. An energetic child, he participated in multiple sports before pursuing skiing as his passion.
“I started riding horses and mountain biking in the mountainous terrains, with some small successes at competitions,” Bargiel wrote in his personal blog.
He is already well-known for his historic descent of K2, the world’s second-highest peak, making him the only person to ski down both Everest and K2.
Social Media Reactions
Fans around the world flooded social media with praise:
- “My breath is taken away at such an accomplishment like this. What was the training like to prepare for a mission like this?”
- “Absolutely incredible accomplishment for humanity unlocked.”
- “This should be a way bigger deal than it is.”
- “So that’s how we are playing now.”
In an interview with The New York Times, Bargiel explained: “I have never used bottled oxygen in the mountains.”
Why He Took on Everest
Explaining his motivation, Bargiel said: “Everest is, of course, the highest mountain in the world, but I wanted to break the cliché of it being just a crowded and commercial place. That’s why I chose to go there in autumn — to have the mountain to myself.”
What’s Next for Andrzej Bargiel?
Bargiel has no plans of slowing down. After Everest and K2, he is eyeing new challenges across the globe.
“I’d love to travel to Antarctica, to the Andes in Peru. I simply enjoy doing this, and as long as I remain healthy, I will always keep seeking new mountains, no matter the altitude.”
