Four ex-military friends are attempting an unprecedented feat: summiting Mount Everest in just seven days. Their plan hinges on a controversial method involving xenon gas inhalation before their departure. Traditionally, climbers spend weeks acclimatizing to Everest&rsquos extreme altitude. But these men hope xenon&mdasha noble gas known to stimulate red blood cell production&mdashcan mimic this process and reduce preparation time. Guided by Furtenbach Adventures, they&rsquoll fly to Kathmandu, helicopter to base camp, and begin their ascent, challenging both the physical limits of mountaineering and established norms in the climbing community.

Though the team has undergone hypoxic training and rigorous physical preparation, medical experts express concern. Xenon is an anesthetic, and using it outside clinical settings may lead to sedation, respiratory issues, or worse. The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation and other specialists warn that xenon&rsquos benefits for altitude adaptation are unproven and potentially dangerous. Critics also argue that rushing the climb increases reliance on guides and technology, reducing climbers&rsquo self-sufficiency and raising the risk of altitude sickness or medical emergencies in the so-called &ldquodeath zone&rdquo above 8,000 meters.The men will inhale xenon gas ahead of their expedition in the hopes it will aid their acclimatization. Courtesy Furtenbach Adventures

Despite the risks and skepticism, the team remains confident. They view their military background as an asset in managing danger, and emphasize that xenon is only one component of a broader training strategy. Their expedition isn&rsquot meant to replace traditional climbs, says guide Lukas Furtenbach, but to showcase a new, niche approach. While purists may balk, the effort reflects evolving definitions of adventure, risk, and what it means to conquer Everest in the modern age.