Breathtaking First Ski Ascent and Descent of Everest by Andrzej Bargiel
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Poland's Andrzej Bargiel has made history and earned huge respect throughout the ski mountaineering world as the first person ever to climb Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen and complete a full ski descent to Everest Base Camp.Climbing Everest at 8849m without extra oxygen is pretty breathtaking (literally) but to also ski down the world's highest mountain to base camp? That's mind-blowing (metaphorically).
Andrzej has already earned his place in ski mountaineering history having skied from the summits of all the Karakoram eight-thousanders - including the first and only full ski descent of K2 in 2018 - without supplementary oxygen.
On 22nd September, this year, he clipped into his skis at the summit of the mighty Everest and descended via the South Col, reaching Camp II by nightfall, making safe navigation impossible, and resting for the night. The following morning, he resumed skiing, navigating the treacherous Khumbu Icefall before arriving safely at Everest Base Camp.
Watch his heart-stopping (fortunately, not literally) descent on skis, here:
Main photo: East Studio / Red Bull Content Pool
