Everest has fallen. It was literally taken over by four soldiers dressed in black, in their attempt at speed ascent: Garth Miller, Alastair Carns, Anthony Stazicker, and Kev Godlington.
In the race for Everest and novelty, Lukas Furtenbach has set the bar very high. A few weeks ago, we told you how the Austrian guide planned to take four clients to the summit of Everest (8848 m) in seven days, door-to-door. No more, no less.
The principle? Pre-expedition preparation based on the inhalation of xenon, a rare gas that stimulates the production of red blood cells, thus limiting the risk of edema or acute mountain sickness (AMS). A state-of-the-art complement to weeks of hypnotic preparation, the use of supplementary oxygen, fixed ropes, the indispensable help of Sherpas, the trail, pre-installed camps and the VIP comfort of base camp. Fast but not light. Fast but not light, loaded as they are with logistics and products.
After taking the gas for weeks at a clinic in Germany, the four clients, former soldiers in the British army, set off for Kathmandu and then flew directly to base camp by helicopter before reaching the summit of Everest on May 21, 2025, at 7:15 a.m. local time. The website, straight out of an episode of Mission Impossible, indicates that they are currently on the descent.
This expedition is a milestone in luxury tourism for VIP clients. After Antarctica by the day (yes, there is such a thing), treat yourself to Everest by the week, on your minister’s agenda. Incidentally, Alistair Carns, one of the members of the expedition, is the current British Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and a colonel in the Royal Marines. QED.
Promotional poster for the Mission Everest expedition.
Amidst this debauchery of superlatives, speed and efficiency, perhaps the most jarring is the aesthetics and narrative that tint this expedition. A very dark hue. Sponsored by a clothing brand whose name “Thrudark”. Through darkness? With their all-black suits, masks and goggles, this expedition takes on all the codes of the warrior aesthetic. It also uses testosterone-laden imagery, with logos reminiscent of army insignia and words that speak of conquest.
So what does it mean? You’d have to be a guy, beefy, tattooed and not-there-to-stitch-beads to reach the top? Ok boomer, Rambo at 8000? The more worried will find that this fascination for the dark is a little too much in the spirit of the times, of conflicts and wars. Shouldn’t we put an end to the idea of conquering or conquering a mountain?
given their CVs,
they know exactly what war
is all about
I’m sure these mountains deserve better than mountaineers dressed up as special forces, and on a short (easy) week’s pay. Especially since, given their CVs, they know exactly what war is all about. Let them try to forget it for five minutes and open their eyes to the luminous Himalayas.
For the time being, their race continues as never before. If the four soldiers have reached the summit in just five days since their last cup of tea at London airport, they now have to reach the British capital in the remaining two days before the seven-day gong sounds. Unlike Phileas Fogg, the four soldiers in a hurry won’t be able to claim the 24 hours of favorable jet lag in the event of a plane delay. Their jet lag is much greater, I’d say 50 years late.