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Andrzej Bargiel's Historic Descent of Nanga Parbat

On June 30, 2026, Andrzej Bargiel, a Polish athlete representing Red Bull, achieved an unprecedented feat in the world of mountaineering by completing the first ever continuous ski descent from the summit of Nanga Parbat, one of the most challenging peaks in the Himalayas, entirely without supplemental oxygen. This remarkable accomplishment solidifies his reputation as one of the most talented and adventurous ski mountaineers of our time.

Nanga Parbat, which stands at an impressive height of 8,126 meters, is notorious for its perilous conditions and has a reputation for being one of the deadliest mountains in the world. Despite numerous attempts by other climbers, no one had previously accomplished a complete descent from summit to snowline in one uninterrupted run. Bargiel's successful descent not only breaks new ground but also serves as a testament to his exceptional skills, preparation, and understanding of high-altitude climbing.

The journey began on June 28, when Bargiel and his team set off from their Base Camp, located at 4,200 meters. Starting his climb around 6 a.m., he ascended without bottled oxygen, which is a common aid for climbers at such high elevations. After a challenging climb that included overnight stops at Camp II and Camp III, he reached the summit on June 30. He spent a brief but exhilarating 45 minutes at the top before switching to skis to begin his descent.

Descending via the Messner Route, Bargiel faced a significant challenge: navigating a treacherous serac barrier that had thwarted previous efforts. Remarkably, he accomplished this and made it down to below Camp I by 3 p.m. After spending two hours in the mountain’s death zone, defined as altitudes above 7,900 meters, he completed his round trip from Base Camp to the summit and back in a total of just two days and nine hours.

In an interview following his descent, Bargiel expressed gratitude to his team and sponsors, specifically noting the importance of timing and conditions for the success of such a project. “I knew that the success of this project would depend on the right timing and the right conditions in the mountains. I’m happy that we were able to find a line that made it possible to complete the entire descent safely,” he said. His accomplishment adds Nanga Parbat to an impressive list of peaks he has summited and skied without supplemental oxygen, which includes notable mountains such as K2, Everest, and Gasherbrum I and II.

Bargiel's journey in high-altitude skiing began in 2015 when he completed his first project on Broad Peak. Since then, he has continued to push the limits of what is possible in the world of mountaineering. His latest achievement not only adds to his growing list of accolades but also offers inspiration to future generations of climbers and adventurers.

As mountaineering strategies evolve and athletes like Andrzej Bargiel redefine boundaries, it becomes increasingly clear that human determination and the right conditions on some of the world's most formidable peaks can lead to historic milestones. Bargiel’s remarkable Nanga Parbat expedition has undoubtedly marked a new chapter in the history of high-altitude skiing and will be remembered for years to come.