Uphill Athlete Podcast 2025 Everest Trends with Steve House, Alan Arnette, Martin Zhor
Aug 26, 2025
In this discussion, Everest expert Alan Arnette and coach Martin Zhor delve into the fascinating trends of the 2025 climbing season. They explore the impact of drones on safety and waste, while addressing the challenges of illness in climbers. With new technologies like xenon gas on the rise, they analyze the ethics and risks of rapid ascent aids. The duo emphasizes long-term preparation over mere summits and discusses shifting demographics influencing Everest expeditions. Predictions for 2026 touch on potential regulations and emerging trends in high-altitude climbing.
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Season Defined By Wind, Drones, Xenon
- 2025 Everest season was defined by wind, drones, and novel climbing aids like xenon gas.
- Frostbite and illness were major underreported issues despite decent summit windows.
Prioritize Health Over Summit
- Prioritize returning healthy over summiting; turning back can prevent severe rescue needs.
- Train long-term with realistic timelines; six months is a tight limit for true adaptation.
Drones Reached Camp One And Removed Massive Waste
- Drones (DJI Flycart 30) reached 6,130m and carried gear and trash, reducing Sherpa exposure in the icefall.
- SPCC credited drones with removing 83 tons of garbage, including ~32,000 kg of human feces.
