By Rajni Pandey | May 28, 2025
Four Brits went from London to the Everest summit and back in under 7 days — a journey that normally takes climbers more than a month.
(Image: AP Photo)
They skipped altitude training by inhaling xenon, a gas believed to trigger the body’s oxygen adaptation faster than nature allows.
(Image: Canva)
Mountaineers and Nepalese officials say using xenon cheats the challenge and violates the spirit of real high-altitude climbing.
(Image: Canva)
Nepal’s tourism department is probing the gas use, worried it could hurt Everest tourism and reduce Sherpa roles on the mountain.
(Image: Canva)
Some scientists say xenon might help with oxygen adaptation. Others call it useless, even dangerous, with little proven benefit.
(Image: Canva)
The team trained in low-oxygen tents for weeks. But the real twist came in Germany — with controlled xenon inhalation sessions.
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Once at base camp, the team reached the top in under 3 days — a rare speed for climbers not fully acclimatized on-site.
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Expedition head Lukas Furtenbach plans two-week Everest trips using xenon from 2026, calling it the future of guided climbing.
(Image: AP Photo)
Though banned by WADA, xenon isn’t illegal on Everest since mountaineering isn’t a regulated sport — at least, not yet.
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Critics say Everest isn’t just a peak — it’s a test of will. If we erase the struggle, do we also erase the soul of the adventure?
(Image: Canva)