An experienced mountain guide recently accomplished a remarkable feat by successfully leading four British climbers to the summit of Mount Everest in just under a week after their departure from London. This rapid ascent is among the quickest recorded for reaching the peak of the world’s tallest mountain, which stands at 8,849 metres.
The climbers flew from London to Kathmandu on May 16, arriving at Everest’s summit early the following morning. This speed was facilitated by innovative techniques employed by their guide, Lukas Furtenbach, who has been refining his approach over the past five years. Preparation for this climb included extensive training, with the climbers using hypoxia tents and receiving xenon gas treatments at a clinic in Germany before setting out for Nepal.
Furtenbach explained that xenon gas aids in acclimatisation and mitigates the risks of altitude sickness associated with high-altitude environments. He noted that this method significantly enhances safety during the climb. Following their successful summit, all climbers reported their safety and began their descent to lower camps to complete their journey.
Traditionally, climbers spend several weeks at base camp to adjust to the altitude, often making practice runs to lower camps before embarking on their final ascent. However, this new approach may drastically reduce the amount of time climbers need to spend away from home, potentially minimising costs associated with extended trips.
Nepal’s regulations do not mandate specific durations for climbers to acclimatise or conduct practice climbs. Each climber requires a permit to ascend Everest, costing approximately $11,000, which remains valid for 90 days. The climbing season typically concludes by the end of May, as the monsoon brings adverse weather, leading to the removal of ropes and ladders from the mountain.
This year, numerous international climbers have received permission to scale Everest, with nearly half achieving success so far. The remaining climbers are expected to make their attempts in the coming days, as the window for reaching the summit narrows with the approaching monsoon season.