4 British Army veterans begin mission to summit Mount Everest in 7 days using xenon gas therapy

ISTANBUL

Four British Army veterans, known as the "xenon climbers," began a mission Friday to summit Mount Everest and return to London within seven days, using xenon gas therapy to aid their ascent, Explorerweb reported.

The team, which includes Alastair Carns, a parliament member and minister for veterans and people at the Ministry of Defense, alongside Garth Miller, Anthony Stazicker and Kev Godlington, hopes to accelerate the acclimatization process by using xenon gas to increase red blood cell production.

Unlike traditional acclimatization methods, which involve scaling lower peaks or completing multiple mountain rotations, the team will fly to Kathmandu, board a helicopter to Everest Base Camp, and immediately begin their ascent.

The use of xenon gas has sparked debate among the mountaineering community. The International Climbing and Mountaineering Federation (UIAA) has expressed concern, citing a lack of evidence for its efficacy at high altitudes as well as potential health risks such as brain and respiratory problems.

Moreover, Xenon is on the World Anti-Doping Agency's (WADA) banned list due to its performance-enhancing properties.

However, Austrian mountaineer Lukas Furtenbach, who leads the expedition through his company, Lukas Adventures, claimed that xenon gas is another tool for ensuring a safe and fast ascent, similar to specialized gear or oxygen.