British Soldiers Set Everest Speed Record Using Contested Xenon Technique

In May 2025, a team of four former British special forces soldiers, including UK veterans minister Alastair Carns, set a record by climbing Mount Everest in under five days without the usual acclimatisation. They used high-tech training methods such as hypoxic tents and a controversial xenon gas therapy, which is claimed to stimulate red blood cell production to better cope with low oxygen levels, although experts and Nepalese authorities have expressed safety and ethical concerns about this method. The Nepalese government has launched an investigation into the use of xenon gas, emphasizing the need for clear legislation and proper declaration of substances used in such expeditions. Despite the rapid ascent being hailed by some as a pioneering approach that reduces time spent in the dangerous 'death zone,' critics argue it contradicts established mountaineering norms and safety protocols. The British team's expedition contrasts with traditional climbs that take six to eight weeks for acclimatisation and also differs from the historic 2007 ascent by three Filipinas, who emphasized humility, faith, and determination over speed. Their stories together highlight evolving perspectives on Everest expeditions, from symbolic personal achievements to technologically advanced record-breaking attempts.