Khileri Sets World Record by Spending 24 Hours on Mount Elbrus Without Oxygen: “Carries Eight Years of Pain”

 

In an extraordinary feat of endurance, mental strength, and human resilience, Khileri has set a world record by spending 24 consecutive hours on the summit of Mount Elbrus without supplemental oxygen. The achievement, carried out in one of the most hostile high-altitude environments on Earth, has captured global attention not only for its physical difficulty, but for the deeply personal story behind it.

Khileri described the moment as the culmination of “eight years of pain”, a journey marked by injury, loss, and perseverance — transformed into a historic achievement on Europe’s highest peak.

Why Mount Elbrus Is So Dangerous

Rising 5,642 meters (18,510 feet) above sea level in Russia’s Caucasus Mountains, Mount Elbrus is notorious for:

• Extreme cold and high winds

• Sudden weather changes

• Low oxygen levels

• Whiteout conditions and avalanche risk

At that altitude, oxygen levels are roughly 50% of those at sea level, making prolonged exposure without supplemental oxygen extraordinarily dangerous. Spending an entire day at the summit dramatically increases the risks of:

• Hypoxia

• Cerebral or pulmonary edema

• Frostbite

• Cardiac stress

Most climbers spend minutes, not hours, at the peak before descending.

The Record-Breaking Feat

Khileri ascended Mount Elbrus under carefully planned conditions and remained at the summit for 24 continuous hours without oxygen support — a feat believed to be unprecedented.

During the record attempt:

• Temperatures dropped well below freezing

• Winds battered the summit plateau

• Physical movement was limited to conserve energy

• Mental focus was critical to prevent panic and disorientation

Observers say the achievement redefines what is considered possible in high-altitude endurance climbing.