Two Everest Ski Descents Spark Debate Over 'Stunt' Records
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Last fall two separate ski descents from Everest drew attention. On October 15, American Jim Morrison skied down the north face via the Honline Couloir, descending 3,650 m with a team of 11 climbers fixing ropes; he used supplemental oxygen and rapped parts of the rock crux. Polish skier Andrzej Bargiel completed a ski descent from the summit on the south face to base camp — a claimed world first. Veteran Italian alpinist Hans Kammerlander criticized Bargiel’s “first” claim and the commercialized nature of such expeditions, calling them a “show” that dilutes true mountaineering. Kammerlander noted his own 1996 attempt began a ski descent from 7,700 m but lacked continuous snow on a rocky section, so he did not claim a record. He also questioned Bargiel’s large supported team (including 12 Sherpas, a big basecamp support and drone route guidance) as not representative of the highest standards of alpinism. (Source: Monthly San magazine)
