Andrew Ushakov has just become the fastest person to go from sea-level to the summit in just 3 days, 23 hours and 7 minutes.
Andrew used traditional bottled oxygen to complete his Sea-level to Summit Challenge. Normally, Everest climbs take 50+ days, largely because of the acclimatisation period. Andrew started his challenge from Sea Level, starting at New York on May 15th at 00.30am and flying to Kathmandu and then flying to Everest Base Camp. Then he and his Elite Exped team, climbed from Base Camp and stood on the summit of Everest on May 19th date at 9.22am – meaning he completed the incredible feat in 3 days, 23 hours and 7 minutes. This sets a new benchmark in what is possible for humans to achieve.
Andrew did hypoxic training beforehand as part of his mission preparation – spending 400+ hours in a hypoxic tent to help with acclimatisation. Andrew’s team from Elite Exped who helped make his Sea to Summit dream a reality were: Tejan Gurung (TJ), Pur Bahadur Gurung (Yukta), Bidhan Shrestha, Sujal Gurung, KiTemba Sherpa, Pemba Chhewang Sherpa, as well as the porters, kitchen staff and base camp crew.
Speaking about his historic summit Andrew said: “That’s a win not just for me, but for all people who want to enjoy mountains with less sacrifices for their work and families. Now, with proper preparation, people can climb mountains in less days, spending more time with their beloved and saving the environment on the mountains.”
Previously the record for the fastest sea-level to summit Everest mission (and back to sea-level) was 14 days set by Roxanne Vogel in 2019. Andrew said it was not about beating Roxanne’s record but about seeing how he could push his limitations. Andrew discovered Roxanne’s record online and had been impressed by her achievement and this inspired him to try his own record.
