Sensemaker How to hack Mount Everest (Revisited)
Dec 29, 2025
Angela Benabides, a journalist specializing in high-altitude mountaineering, shares her insights on a controversial ascent of Everest. A group of climbers claims to have reached the summit in just five days using xenon gas, igniting debates about cheating in the sport. Angela explains the importance of acclimatization and warns about the unknown risks of xenon therapy. The conversation also touches on the ethical implications for Sherpas and the growing commercialisation of Himalayan expeditions, highlighting the evolving nature of climbing.
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Rapid Everest Push Using Xenon
- Four British climbers slept in hypoxic tents, received xenon gas in Germany, then flew by helicopter to Everest base camp.
- Five days later they summited Everest and returned to their desks in London.
Xenon’s Physiological Edge
- Xenon gas can increase red blood cell production and oxygen capacity, aiding high-altitude performance.
- The gas is used medically and is banned by WADA in competitive sports but not in mountaineering.
Be Cautious With New Therapies
- Treat xenon therapy with caution because it is very new and has limited testing in mountaineering contexts.
- Avoid assuming consistent safety or efficacy until broader studies validate its use.