First Descent of K2 on Skis: Andrzej Bargiel | Nat Geo's 2019 Adventurer of the Year

In a display of stunning courage, skill and persistence, the Polish ski mountaineer put down the first-ever ski descent of the Karakorum giant known as K2 in the Himalayas. Now that's more than a simple ski challenge. It's a freeride skiing (or better said steep skiing) accomplishment like never before!

How many first descents are left in the world? Deep in the Himalayas, probably quite a few, but not a single one taunted and teased ski mountaineers like K2. Just 200m shorter than Mt Everest, and a lot more dangerous, it was one of the few well-known peaks still un-skied from the summit. Until July 22, 2018 that is, when Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel clicked into his bindings at an altitude of 8,611m and jump-turned, side-slipped and skied his way down to glory.

His descent will go down in history as one of the most daring descents ever made on skis. Following his solo ascent to the summit – without oxygen – he spent the next seven-plus hours getting down.

All filmed with a drone and a camera on his helmet, this is the raw footage of the climb and descent, an amazing ski mountaineering accomplishment.
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[bobg]

Pretty disappointed something this impressive didn't get more video footage.

[arekgliniak]

First person in history that skied down this mountain and you post a 2 minute video about it...

[stevchik]

I feel that this video didnt do justice to the first decent of one of the most dangerous mountains in the world as well as one of the tallest. Made it look like cKe

[Blueveteran]

This is pure insanity.
The most dangerous mountain in the world. I'm surprised he was able to ski with his gigantic balls of steel.

[miniman]

Just remember that this mountain kills about 1 out of 4 who attempt to climb it

[ahmermirza]

Congratulations on unlocking the huge milestone Andrzej!

Greetings from Pakistan :)

[CiprianDumitrascu]

Red Bull please please provide us with a link to the uncut footage that was captured by the gopro or the drone, or at least tell us that you're working on a documentary about this because it definitely deserves it wow

[maxdoubt]

I can't believe he was on Salomon skis. 😅 K2 how did you miss that gig.

[mikedemott]

Inspirational. People will watch this and be inspired 100 years from now. Your influence just became immortal. Thank you for showing what is possible.

[pointandsend]

I can just hear my dad now, "Just because you can, doesn't mean you should" This is insane

[WeTryMotorsports]

To climb this mountain is a feat in itself. To descend on skis is legendary. The perspective at 1:16 really shows what a slight margin of error may cost. On top of it all, all without oxygen. Congrats!

[wiesaws]

Congratulations Andrzej! RB thanks for the support, greetings from Poland💪🇵🇱👍

[Jetiix]

Well done Andy, now your name lives in history as the dominator of K2

[Rubmaster]

I was expecting more speed. But the slow and steady wins the race. In this case, alive :)

[DamnDstryr]

And Andrzej did it without oxygen :)Bravo to his younger brother Bartek "Bartok" Bargiel and to the rest of the team!Brawo Jędrek! Tatry czekają na Ciebie :)

[theunit]

Everest may be higher than K2.
But K2 is

[shahzadarshad]

it's been two months I've been coming back to this video again and again and again... and I'm still having a hard time believing it. This is a whole new level of badass-ery

[amou]

This guy is crazy good. The fact that he climbed K2 with his skis is pretty remarkable. More people actually die climbing K2 than Everest 👏👏

[stoborking]

I respect this guy so much. That's amazing

[YewBoy]

Probably the most insane thing I've seen from Red Bull