KATHMANDU: In a landmark achievement for high-altitude mountaineering, 37-year-old Polish alpinist Andrzej Bargiel has successfully completed a ski descent directly from the summit of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, marking the first such feat in the autumn season.

“I have finally done it around 3:00 pm on September 22,” Bargiel, shared exclusively with The Tourism Times upon arrival in Kathmandu on September 24.

Bargiel, a renowned Red Bull athlete, reached the 8,848-meter summit and began his daring descent on September 22. His accomplishment sets a new benchmark, distinguishing itself from previous historic descents. “That day, at around 3:00pm, I stood atop the roof of the world and began skiing down from the summit,” Bargiel said.
 
According to him, it was really hard but amazing to scale Mt Everest this autumn as well as to ski down from the top. “It takes some couple of hours to ski down to Camp II on September 22,” he added.

Slovenian skier Davo Karničar was the first to ski from the summit in 2000, though he used supplemental oxygen. Similarly, Hans Kammerlander of Italy skied from near the summit in 1996 without oxygen, but started his descent approximately 300 meters below the peak.

Bargiel's success comes after previous attempts were thwarted by extreme conditions—a dangerous serac in 2019 and high winds at the South Col in 2022. After an initial reconnaissance run from the South Col last week, Bargiel returned to the summit for his final, successful push.
 
“I took a rest at Camp II in the night of September 22 and then resumed skiing from Camp II to the base camp at 8:00 AM on September 23. “Within a couple of hours, I made it to the base camp from Camp II,” he added.

This Everest descent is a central part of Bargiel's ambitious 'HIC SUNT LEONES' project, aiming to ski down the world's highest peaks. He has already notched successful descents on other giants, including Shishapangma and Manaslu. In 2018, he gained global recognition for the first-ever ski descent of K2, and in 2023, he became the first person to ski down all four of the Karakoram's eight-thousanders: K2, Broad Peak, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II.

The daredevil and his team have safely returned to Base Camp. His expedition was supported by over 16 Sherpa climbers including IFMGA guides. “While a few Sherpa climbers reached up to the South Summit on September 22, Dawa Sherpa (known as Speed Dawa) from Makalu reached the Everest summit that day, according to Bargiel.

The ski project was locally managed by Seven Summit Treks. “It’s a proud moment for Seven Summit Treks to organize this historic expedition,” Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at SST said, adding that Bargiel’s success would certainly inspire world climbers to attempt Mt Everest in the autumn season.
 
“Bargiel's historic success will certainly inspire other climbers to attempt for the winter ascent on Mt Everest in coming years,” Nepal’s mountaineering fraternity reacted. Bargeil will plan a heli ski project in the coming days. “I will also continue skiing on Patagonia and other mountains,” he said, before flying to Poland on September 25.

The Department of Tourism has also been informed about the successful winter ascent on Mt Everest but officials said that they have not received the details yet. Full details including timing of the historic descent are expected to be released by Red Bull shortly.

Meanwhile, American climber Tyler Andrew who turned around at 7400m on September 22 is all set to resume his climb on September 25. “Tyler, who is on a mission to make the fastest ever ascent of Everest without using oxygen, will give another try from the base camp later tonight,” sources said. Sources said that Andrew has a plan to complete his mission in just 20 hours or less. Also, two Czech climbers are now at Camp II to attempt to climb Everest this autumn. “As route is now open, Andrew and two Czech climbers will continue their mission depending on weather conditions,” sources added.