Rapid AscentTM or FlashTM are the product names of the latest expedition offers on the highest mountains in the world. More and more people would like to stand on an eight-thousander and are prepared to spend a lot of money for it. But they don't have the time.
The highly competitive market on Everest, Manaslu and the like is now dominated by local expedition providers – at least in the “low-price segment”. Providers from Europe and America are therefore increasingly focusing on exclusive services and benefits for the very wealthy summit aspirants.
Time is money – and money doesn’t matter
As is well known, money plays no or at least a minor role in the segment of the super-rich. The much scarcer commodity of this clientele is time. "While a normal Everest expedition takes just under two months, our FlashTMexpedition with three weeks and increases safety and chances of success,” writes Furtenbach Adventures on his website.
Now Furtenbach Adventures wants to go one step further. An expedition is planned for spring in which a group will climb Everest in just one week (door to door). This will be made possible by the use of the noble gas xenon and prior hypoxia training.
The combination of helicopter flights, hypoxia training and xenon therapy should make it possible to climb Everest within a week.
Xenon is a gas that has been used in medicine as an anesthetic for decades. A side effect of xenon is a sharp increase in EPO production in the body and the associated increase in the formation of red blood cells. And these are needed at high altitudes to supply the body with oxygen.
Everest happiness for 154 EUR
According to a report in the Financial Times, the lightning ascent of Everest by Furtenbach Adventures will cost the first participants EUR 154, and in the future it will be EUR 000. Compared to a "normal" Everest ascent on the same route, participants in the first flash ascent will have to pay twice the price. And even in the future, flash climbers will have to pay around 104% more.
But that is unlikely to bother customers. After all, anyone who can climb Everest so quickly will be back at their desk quicker.
What do you think about the use of the noble gas xenon for climbing eight-thousanders? Write your opinion in the comments. ????
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The noble gas xenon can also be used as an anesthetic gas (inhalation anesthetic) (but it is too expensive for widespread use, so it is only used in special cases) and has been on the doping list since 2014 (as is argon). But as it sounds: the dose makes the poison. Now we could of course start an ethical discussion about what counts as doping and aids in high-altitude mountaineering...
as Schönbächler already said, it is getting worse
A significant increase in red blood cells naturally also brings with it a significant increase in the hematocrit value and significantly increases the risk of thrombosis and embolism, as cyclists had already discovered at the time.
It's crazy what people come up with to do things they can't actually do.
That's great, then there's more room for the people who want to enjoy the summit and work their way up to it themselves, if people are only on the mountain for such a short time 😉
The clear distinction between mountaineering and tourism is becoming increasingly important.
I think that everyone has a role to play in educating laypeople. Personally, I feel a mixture of anger and compassion for these poor souls who don't have the drive, the passion, the respect - for themselves and the mountain - to undertake serious mountaineering.
Magic mushrooms on El Cap and now xenon gas on Everest. Both are supposed to bring good luck but are unhealthy. Somehow I find the active learning process of the young German mountaineer who wants to climb the West Ridge of Everest solo in winter more and more appealing.
Magic mushrooms are – with all due respect – only dangerous in rare and known cases (personal psychosis or in relatives)
Now finally build a cable car up the hill! Then those who just want to post a summit selfie won't have to think of more and more absurd tricks and there will be room for mountaineering on the ascent route again.