American ultrarunner and high-altitude climber Tyler Andrews has set a new speed record on Mount Everest, reaching the world’s highest summit from Base Camp in just 9 hours, 55 minutes and 43 seconds.
Tyler C. Andrews/Substack
The achievement eclipses a record that had stood for more than two decades.
According to People, the 36-year-old completed the ascent on 28 May via Everest’s Southeast Ridge route, surpassing the previous record of 10 hours, 56 minutes and 46 seconds set by Nepali climber Lhakpa Gelu Sherpa in 2003. Andrews’ time was officially ratified by the Himalayan Database, one of the most respected record-keeping authorities in mountaineering.
The feat is particularly remarkable considering the scale of the challenge. The route from Base Camp to the summit covers roughly 29 kilometres and involves more than 3 800 metres of elevation gain through some of the most demanding terrain on Earth. For most climbers, the same journey takes between five and seven days as they acclimatise to the extreme altitude.
Andrews’ record-breaking ascent was years in the making. He spent nearly six years preparing for the attempt, making seven separate efforts over three climbing seasons before finally achieving his goal. His success came just four days after a previous attempt was abandoned due to weather and logistical complications, despite being only 400 metres below the summit and on pace for a record.
The American athlete used supplemental oxygen during the climb, the same approach used by the previous record holder. He reportedly began using oxygen above Camp 2 before continuing his push toward the summit.
Not content with simply reaching the top, Andrews also established a new round-trip record. He returned to Base Camp in a total time of 16 hours and 32 minutes, nearly two hours faster than the previous benchmark.
A cancer survivor and accomplished endurance athlete, Andrews described the climb as the most demanding challenge of his career. While the record marks a major milestone, he has hinted that future attempts could include a bid to climb Everest without supplemental oxygen.
The achievement has sparked discussion within parts of the mountaineering community, with some observers debating the role of route reconnaissance and modern expedition support in speed ascents. Nonetheless, Andrews’ performance stands as one of the fastest and most impressive climbs ever recorded on Mount Everest.
(Souce: People)
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