Renowned mountain guide Lukas Furtenbach achieved a remarkable feat by putting four British clients on the summit of Mount Everest less than a week after they left London. This marks one of the fastest ascents on record, with the climbers reaching the 8,849-meter peak just over five days into their expedition.
The group had undergone extensive preparation, including months of training in hypoxia tents and xenon gas treatment in Germany. According to Furtenbach, the xenon gas treatment significantly improved acclimatization and protected against altitude sickness, making the climb safer for the clients.
Typically, climbers spend weeks at base camp to acclimate to the higher altitude, but Furtenbach’s new method allows them to make rapid progress. This approach is expected to reduce the time spent out of their home countries, minimize days missed from work, and decrease expenses.
The climbing season in Nepal usually ends by May, with weather conditions deteriorating and monsoon season beginning soon after. Hundreds of foreign climbers have been granted permission to ascend Everest this year, with roughly half successful so far.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/mount-everest-nepal-fast-climb-xenon-furtenbach-hypoxia-b33686509dddf7bd3a2fb5352162ca1f