How to Master Oxygen When Climbing Like Babu Sherpa

Babu Sherpa owns the record for staying at the Mount Everest summit for the longest amount of time: 22 hours. Besides the ferocious winds and cold he battled, what makes his record most amazing is that he did it without using bottled oxygen, and has summited without it now seven times. Please, for your mother's sake, don't try this at home (of course, you can't).

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Sunglasses
• Winter Outerwear
• Heart Rate Monitors
• Pulse/heart Monitors
• Climbing Gear
• Climbing Harnesses
• Climbing Helmets
• Climbing Ropes
• Climbing Shoes
• Winter Backpacking Tents

1. Be born a Sherpa (though it's probably too late). These natives of the Himalayas have a biological advantage over most mortals when it comes to high-altitude living. While most climbers acclimatize for a week or two, Sherpas have done it for thousands of years.
2. Lug heavy gear and weakened climbers up and down Everest your entire life, building muscles and developing outstanding cardiovascular strength.
3. Make your Everest expedition with a full crew and additional ropes, backup oxygen and safety nets wherever possible.
4. Rest and acclimatize when prudent to give your body the best chance of making it without oxygen.
5. Monitor your condition continually with the assistance of your crew between Camp 2 and Camp 4 to check for signs of AMS and HACE (types of altitude sickness).
6. Relax and avoid hyperventilating.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to go to sleep on the summit. You might not wake up.
• Buy your oxygen directly from PIOSK or U.K. manufacturers and beware of piracy, as fakes are common and could leave you in a pinch.
• Buy a new mask and regulator rather than renting. It's the best $300 you've ever spent.
• Know your limits. A summit without oxygen is amazing, but getting back down is even better.
• High-altitude mountaineering is extremely dangerous and can lead to injury, illness and even death.