On May 21, the German professional alpinist David Göttler climbed the highest mountain in the world without supplemental oxygen. After Lhotse, Makalu, Dhaulagiri, Gasherbrum II and Broad Peak, this is the sixth 8000m peak that the 43-year-old has scaled without the use of bottled oxygen.
David Gottler belongs to the category of alpinists who climb eight-thousanders easily, quickly and without oxygen. Numerous factors such as weather, conditions on the mountain or physical condition must interact perfectly for a summit success. In 2021, the German broke off his summit attempt below the South Col, two years earlier he turned back at 8650 meters. Everything worked out this year and David Göttler stood on the 21st of May Mount Everest, the highest peak in the world.
Göttler's patience pays off
The spring season on Everest this year was characterized by exceptionally stable weather and very little wind. As a result, the commercial expeditions reached fantastic summit rates. It is estimated that more than 200 expedition participants, supported by 323 Sherpas, reached the summit on Everest in this year's pre-monsoon season. Most with bottled oxygen.
Video: David Göttler in the Khumbu Icefall
Among all the mountaineers who have climbed the highest peak on earth, German alpinist David Göttler is a rare exception. He scaled Mount Everest alone and without supplemental oxygen.
Since such a style leaves little margin for queuing for hours at high altitude hubs like the Hillary Step, David Göttler gave way to commercial expeditions. His patience paid off. On May 21, 2022, he reached the summit of Mount Everest, his sixth eight-thousander without oxygen.
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Credits: Cover picture David Gottler