Into Thick(er) Air? Oxygen Availability at Humans' Physiological Frontier on Mount Everest

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Physiology
• Climatology

Background:

• Mount Everest's hypoxic environment challenges climbers.
• Air pressure, influenced by weather and climate, dictates oxygen availability.
• Climate change poses safety risks and offers engagement opportunities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess climate change impacts on Everest's oxygen levels.
• To evaluate safety implications for mountaineers.
• To explore public engagement potential regarding climate change.

Main Methods:

• Utilized new Everest observations.
• Incorporated ERA5 reanalysis data (1979-2019).
• Employed climate model results.

Main Results:

• Plausible warming can cause physiologically relevant changes in summit oxygen.
• A 2°C warming could increase annual minimum VO2 max by nearly 5%.
• Observed pressure swings can alter Everest's apparent elevation by ~750 m.
• Winter pressures can reach historically low levels.

Conclusions:

• Climate change affects mountaineering safety on Everest.
• Accurate air pressure forecasts are crucial for climber safety.
• Findings highlight the intersection of extreme sports, physiology, and climate science.