24 Hours at 18,510 Feet Without Oxygen: How an Indian Mountaineer Made World Record

Can you imagine being in a freezing temperature for even 30 minutes? Personally, I can’t. Most of us start shivering the moment the AC is set too low or a winter breeze cuts through our clothes. Now imagine standing at nearly 18,510 feet above sea level, in temperatures dropping to minus 40 degrees Celsius, with violent winds and almost no oxygen to breathe, not for minutes but for 24 continuous hours. That is exactly what an Indian mountaineer from Haryana, Rohtash Khileri, did, pushing the human body and mind into one of the most hostile environments on Earth and returning with a world record.A Lone Man on Europe’s Highest PeakRohtash Khileri made his name into global mountaineering history by becoming the first person ever to remain on the summit of Mount Elbrus, Europe’s highest peak, for 24 straight hours without using supplemental oxygen. Mount Elbrus, located in the Caucasus Mountains, stands at 18,510 feet and is known for its extreme cold, unpredictable weather, and brutal winds. While many climbers aim to summit quickly and descend to safety, Khileri chose the opposite: prolonged exposure, complete solitude, and zero oxygen support. Standing alone at the summit, with no one else willing to endure the “bone-breaking” cold, Khileri transformed a personal dream into a national moment of pride. Draped in the Indian Tricolor, his stay on Elbrus was not just a mountaineering feat but a declaration of endurance, patience, and respect for nature.An Eight-Year Crazy DreamThis achievement did not come overnight. Khileri himself describes it as an eight-year-long “crazy dream” that shaped his life. His journey began in 2018, when he first successfully summited Mount Elbrus. That climb planted the seed for something bigger: the idea of staying on the summit for 24 hours without oxygen, something no human had attempted before. In 2020, when he was finally ready to attempt the record, fate tested not his strength but his ethics. During the climb, a guide’s life was at risk, and Khileri made the difficult decision to abandon his record attempt and descend to save him. The mountain could wait, but a human life could not. In 2023, nature intervened again. Lethal weather conditions forced him down after just four hours at the top, proving once more that Elbrus does not forgive ambition easily. Finally, in 2026, after years of pain, waiting, failure, and mental preparation, Khileri returned stronger, calmer, and more determined. This time, the mountain yielded.Defying a Death Trap of Ice and WindThe conditions during his record-breaking stay were nothing short of a death trap. Temperatures plunged to minus 40 degrees Celsius, while wind chill made it feel even colder, dropping below minus 50 degrees. Winds touched speeds of 60 km/h, and whiteouts erased visibility, leaving Khileri alone with the mountain and his thoughts. Without supplemental oxygen, every breath became a struggle. At such altitudes, oxygen levels are drastically low, making simple movements exhausting. Prolonged exposure meant there was no real recovery for his body. Despite wearing advanced gear and relying on Everest-level training, Khileri paid a heavy physical price, losing two fingers to frostbite over the course of his attempts. Yet, even this loss did not weaken his resolve. As he said later, the mountain tried to take everything, but it could not break his spirit.A Victory Beyond the SummitRohtash Khileri’s 24-hour stay atop Mount Elbrus without oxygen is more than a world record. It is a reminder that the human spirit, when guided by purpose and patience, can survive even the harshest conditions. In a world obsessed with quick success, his eight-year journey teaches us the power of staying with a dream, staying through pain, and staying true to one’s values. For every dreamer who looks at impossible heights and whispers, “I will stay,” Khileri’s story stands tall, just like the frozen summit he refused to leave.