Recently, four British former special forces soldiers made headlines by climbing Mount Everest in just under five days without traditional acclimatisation on the mountain. This quick ascent has drawn global attention, not just for the speed, but because of the controversial use of xenon gas to help prepare their bodies before the climb.
Breaking Records on the Roof of the World
On the morning of May 21, 2025, a team of four former British special forces soldiers, including UK veterans minister Alastair Carns, successfully stood atop Mount Everest (8,849 meters/29,032 feet). Starting from Everest Base Camp on May 16, the team completed the climb in just 4 days and 18 hours, an incredibly fast time given that most climbers take 6 to 8 weeks to summit due to the need for acclimatisation.
Though this is not the fastest Everest climb ever that title still belongs to Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa, who climbed from base camp to summit in 10 hours and 56 minutes in 2003 this British team’s achievement is still a historic record for the fastest Everest ascent without acclimatising on the mountain itself.
How Did They Do It So Quickly?
The secret lies in pre-acclimatisation using xenon gas and hypoxic training a relatively new and controversial approach in high-altitude mountaineering.
1. Hypoxic Tent Training
For six weeks before flying to Nepal, the team slept in hypoxic tents that simulate high-altitude oxygen levels. These tents lower the oxygen content in the air, helping the body slowly adjust to thin air conditions a method increasingly used by elite climbers and athletes.
2. Xenon Gas Therapy
In addition to the tents, the climbers underwent xenon gas treatment at a clinic in Germany, just two weeks before the expedition. Xenon gas is believed to stimulate the production of erythropoietin (EPO), which boosts red blood cell count. This, in theory, allows the body to carry more oxygen and prevent altitude sickness.
This combination allowed the team to skip the usual weeks of climbing up and down between Everest’s various camps. They flew directly to Everest Base Camp from Kathmandu, and began their non-stop push to the summit, aided by supplemental oxygen and a support team of five Sherpa guides and a cameraman.
Why Is This Method So Controversial?
The mountaineering community is divided over the use of xenon gas and artificial pre-acclimatisation.
Lack of Scientific Proof
While some studies suggest xenon might help in coping with hypoxia (low oxygen), leading global authorities such as the International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) state that there is no solid evidence supporting its effectiveness. They also warn of potential health risks from improper use.
“Acclimatisation is a complex process involving the lungs, brain, heart, kidneys, and blood. A single drug cannot replace this,” the UIAA said in a 2024 statement.
Why Choose This Fast and Risky Method?
Despite the controversy, expedition organiser Lukas Furtenbach defends the method, citing safety and environmental benefits.
Lower Risk Exposure
High-altitude environments are incredibly dangerous, especially above 8,000 meters (the “death zone”), where oxygen levels are only one-third of those at sea level. Spending less time at high altitude means less risk of frostbite, pulmonary edema, or sudden weather shifts.
Reduced Environmental Impact
Shorter expeditions also have a smaller carbon footprint, generating less waste and using fewer local resources such as fuel, food, and manpower. In a time when Everest is facing over-tourism and pollution problems, this approach could be seen as a more sustainable model if it proves safe and effective.
Is This the Future of Everest Climbing?
This groundbreaking ascent has opened a new chapter in Everest climbing history. Whether it becomes the norm or remains a rare exception depends on many factors especially how Nepal’s government and international climbing bodies respond.
Already, the Department of Tourism in Nepal has said they were unaware of the British team’s no-acclimatisation plan. A full review of the expedition is expected.
Overall Thoughts
Whether you support or oppose this new method, one thing is clear this climb has opened up a major debate in the mountaineering world. Should climbers rely on science and technology to speed up their journey? Or should they continue to follow the slow and traditional path of acclimatisation?
As someone who follows mountain adventures closely, I find this story both exciting and thought-provoking. It shows how human determination, science, and nature are coming together in new ways but also reminds us that safety, fairness, and ethics should always stay at the heart of every climb.
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