Xenon gas could speed Everest treks. There’s concern it could also leave climbers dangerously unprepared
When Canadian climber Chris Dare attempted to scale Mount Everest in 2019, he encountered a significant challenge – overcrowding. The final push to the summit took twice as long as expected due to bottlenecks, making the climb more dangerous. Tragically, eleven people lost their lives on the mountain that year.
Recently, a team of British climbers made headlines for reaching the summit in just five days after inhaling xenon gas. Dare is concerned that this could worsen the overcrowding issue on Everest. He believes that making the mountain easier to summit will attract more climbers, exacerbating the problem.
Xenon is a gas with anaesthetic properties and medical uses. The British climbers who used xenon spent months preparing, sleeping in hypoxic tents, and undergoing xenon gas treatment before their expedition. While the climbers were successful, Dare worries about the safety implications of using a new technique without proper research and safety protocols.
Dr. Rob Casserley, a seasoned mountaineer, stresses the importance of acclimatization and psychological preparedness for climbing Everest. He cautions against relying solely on xenon gas for a quick ascent, as it could put climbers at psychological risk and potentially enhance athletic ability in a way that may not be safe.
Dr. Peter Hackett, a high-altitude researcher, acknowledges the observations of experienced climbers like Furtenbach but urges caution in attributing the quick ascent solely to xenon gas. While research on xenon’s effects at high altitudes is needed, he emphasizes that other factors like pre-acclimatization and oxygen use also play a significant role in climbers’ success.
In conclusion, while xenon gas shows potential benefits for climbers, there is a need for further research to understand its effects fully. Climbers should not overlook traditional acclimatization methods and psychological preparedness in favor of quick fixes like xenon. Safety should always be the top priority when attempting such challenging climbs.
