In a remarkable achievement on the world’s highest mountain, Russian climber Nikol Kovalchuk has become the first Russian woman to successfully summit Mount Everest without using supplemental oxygen.
The historic ascent was even more impressive because it was Nikol Kovalchuk’s first-ever attempt on Everest. Climbing to an altitude of 8,848.86 meters without bottled oxygen is considered one of the most demanding feats in mountaineering, requiring exceptional physical conditioning, careful acclimatization, and mental resilience.
According to renowned Nepali mountaineer Nims Purja (Nimsdai), who shared the achievement publicly, the team adopted a strategy of completing only one acclimatization rotation before making their summit push. The decision was made to reduce risks associated with Everest’s crowded climbing season, including altitude-related illnesses, the infamous Khumbu Cough, unpredictable weather conditions, and logistical challenges above Camp 2.
Nikol Kovalchuk becomes the first Russian woman to summit Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen
Purja praised Nikol Kovalchuk‘s humility, discipline, and willingness to trust expert guidance throughout the expedition. He emphasized that climbing Everest without oxygen is not about being superhuman but about preparing the body and mind to function without relying on supplemental oxygen.
This was only Nikol Kovalchuk’s second major mountain climbed without oxygen, making the achievement even more extraordinary. Her successful ascent adds another inspiring chapter to the 2026 Everest climbing season and highlights the growing number of climbers pushing the limits of human endurance on the world’s highest peak.
The achievement has been widely celebrated within the mountaineering community and stands as a significant milestone for Russian high-altitude climbing.
