Climbing Without Oxygen: Two Indian Mountaineers Test Their Limits
Man's World|August 2021
Everesters Arjun Vajpai and Parth Upadhyaya recently attempted one of the holy grails of classic mountaineering — climbing an 8,000-metre peak without oxygen. This is their story
Shail Desai
Climbing Without Oxygen: Two Indian Mountaineers Test Their Limits

“When I think of mountaineering with four cylinders of oxygen on one’s back and a mask over one’s face, well, it loses its charm” — George Mallory.

The legendary British mountaineer made three attempts on Everest in the early 1920s. It was when the world of mountaineering was still coming to terms with the use of supplementary oxygen while climbing. Mallory had always been averse to using oxygen. But he was also aware that a lot was at stake when it came to the first ascent of Everest.

He had been part of two unsuccessful expeditions in the past. As a result, on his final attempt in 1924, Mallory decided to climb with ‘English air’. He famously never returned. His remains were discovered 700 metres from the summit by a BBC sponsored search party in 1999. Whether Mallory died on his way up to the summit, or on his descent after becoming the first one to climb Everest, is one of the everlasting mysteries of modern mountaineering.

It is known that Mallory did use some oxygen on the final attempt of that fateful expedition, though he had always believed in climbing without it. Scientific wisdom at that time, and for several decades subsequently, was that it wasn’t humanly possible to climb an 8,000-metre mountain (8,000er) without oxygen. The Italian-Austrian duo of Reinhold Messner and Peter Habeler proved that wrong when they summited Everest without oxygen in 1978.

Since then, many purists have attempted to follow in their path. But it has not been easy. According to Eberhard Jurgalski, a chronicler of high altitude climbing, of the 34 mountaineers who have climbed all 14 8,000-metre mountains globally, only 15 have managed to do so without oxygen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2021-Ausgabe von Man's World.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2021-Ausgabe von Man's World.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS MAN'S WORLDAlle anzeigen
Rekha At 70 The Enduring Mystique
Man's World

Rekha At 70 The Enduring Mystique

More than a generation after she was last seen on screen, the mystique that she successfully wrapped herself in continues to serve her well in the public imagination. Her fleeting public appearances in dazzling silk sarees and makeup continue to beguile the camera in the same manner it did at the peak of her career

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
iPhone Fatigue
Man's World

iPhone Fatigue

Do we really need an annual Apple flagship release?

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
Men's Guide To Combat Premature Hair Loss
Man's World

Men's Guide To Combat Premature Hair Loss

Male pattern baldness hit men at an early age, at times in late 30s and early 40s. We asked the experts the reason behind it, treatments that can help, and factors to take care of

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
SMRITI MANDHANA MAKES CRICKET LOOK EASY
Man's World

SMRITI MANDHANA MAKES CRICKET LOOK EASY

In conversation with Man's World for Hyundai Drive Within campaign, the stylish Indian batter talks about her craft, evolution, and her thoughts on women's cricket

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October 2024
Pritam Hitting The High Note
Man's World

Pritam Hitting The High Note

A National Award for Brahmastra: Part One Shiva this year and songs that continue to clock millions of streams, Pritam Chakraborty proves why he's one of the most acclaimed Hindi Film music directors of our time

time-read
10 Minuten  |
October 2024
JEMIMAH RODRIGUES IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE
Man's World

JEMIMAH RODRIGUES IS HAVING THE TIME OF HER LIFE

In conversation with Man's World as a part of Hyundai Drive Within campaign, Jemimah Rodrigues take us through the drive within her that inspires her to be the best in her business.

time-read
5 Minuten  |
October 2024
SHAFALI VERMA IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN
Man's World

SHAFALI VERMA IN A LEAGUE OF HER OWN

In conversation with Man's World India as a part of the Hyundai Drive Within campaign, Shafali Verma opens up about her historic double century, her fearless brand of cricket, and more

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October 2024
Hands Onl Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch SPB455 100th Anniversary Edition
Man's World

Hands Onl Seiko Prospex 1965 Heritage Diver's Watch SPB455 100th Anniversary Edition

Seiko's 100th anniversary of the first watch to bear its name brought an exciting addition to its famed Prospex collection; a timepiece that pays homage to the brand's iconic history while embracing modern ideas of versatile wearability

time-read
2 Minuten  |
October 2024
WATCHES ON THE WILD SIDE ATYPICAL CASE DESIGNS
Man's World

WATCHES ON THE WILD SIDE ATYPICAL CASE DESIGNS

Horology isn't just about precision. It's also about understanding the rules of perception-and sometimes, taking a sledgehammer to them

time-read
7 Minuten  |
October 2024
Denim The Timeless Trendsetter
Man's World

Denim The Timeless Trendsetter

Crystal Henricksen, Head of Denim Design at GAP, shares with us what makes the fabric simple, versatile, and timeless

time-read
6 Minuten  |
October 2024