Nepal's Ministry of Culture, Tourism, and Civil Aviation has initiated an investigation into the use of Xenon gas by climbers during their recent ascent of Mount Everest.

Use of Xenon gas, believed to help prevent altitude sickness, reduce low-oxygen effects, stirs debate in mountaineering community - Anadolu Ajansı

A team of four British climbers has etched their names in mountaineering history, becoming the first to summit Mount Everest using Xenon gas, significantly reducing the acclimatisation period typically required for such a feat.

A British minister is being investigated for using a controversial gas to climb Mount Everest in record-breaking time. Al Carns, the veterans minister, was part of a group of ex-British Special Forces soldiers who flew the Union flag on the summit on Wednesday, after an arduous five-day climb.

Four former British special forces soldiers, who scaled Everest in record time, have found themselves in the middle of controversy due to their use of xenon gas. The men used the chemical to speed up the acclimatisation process – allowing them to climb the mountain in under five days.

Four ex-military friends are planning to summit Everest without the usual lengthy acclimitization period, relying on inhalations of noble gas xenon to prepare them, despite warnings this method may be unsafe and unethical.

Four British climbers used Xenon gas to reach the summit of Mount Everest in less than five days, causing controversy. Nepal's Tourism Department is investigating as the gas usage wasn't authorized. The quick ascent may have wider implications for mountain tourism and local livelihoods dependent on extended climber stays.

Xenon is a colourless, odourless gas with anaesthetic properties that can improve acclimatisation and protect against altitude sickness.

The use of xenon gas may help cut the usual trip time from weeks to days. But not all members of the climbing community approve of the potentially speedy climb.