KATHMANDU, MAY 21
After months of training, hypoxic chamber sessions, and Xenon gas treatment, four British Army veterans made history today by successfully completing the fastest-ever ascent from London to the top of the world.
Lukas Furtenbach, owner of Furtenbach Adventures, confirmed that the four veterans-Major Garth Miller, Colonel Alistair Scott Carns, Anthony James Stazicker, and Kevin Francis Godlington-reached the summit of Mount Everest at approximately 7:15 AM local time on May 21.
"Our climbers are on their way to achieving their goal: the fastest-ever ascent from London to the top of the world and back," Lukas said. The team departed London's Heathrow Airport on the afternoon of May 16, arriving in Kathmandu to begin their 'Everest in Just 7 Days' expedition. They reached Everest Base Camp by noon on May 17 and began their summit push at 10:30 PM on May 20.
Joining the four climbers were photographer Alexander Gromen Hayes (Sandro) and Sherpa guides Pasang Tendi Sherpa, Pemba Rinji Sherpa, Gelu Sherpa, Nima Nuru Sherpa, and Phu Dorji Sherpa, who also summated Everest this morning.
Garth Miller, a seasoned high-altitude mountaineer with extensive experience on Everest, K2, and other 8,000-meter peaks, led the expedition. Miller previously held the record for the fastest London-to-Everest ascent, completing the feat in just 21 days.
Colonel Carns, currently the UK Ministry of Defence's Minister for Veterans and People, was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) in the 2024 New Year's Honours for his "gallant and distinguished services in the field" between October 2023 and March 2024.
Stazicker, a decorated Special Forces veteran with 13 years of military service, transitioned into civilian life as the co-founder of ThruDark, a multi-million-pound performance outerwear brand.
Kevin, a former Boy Soldier who joined the Royal Engineers at 16 before serving in the UK Special Forces, has operated worldwide.
According to Lukas, the team underwent pre-acclimatization at home and Xenon gas treatment at a clinic in Germany weeks before the expedition. They are now descending to Base Camp and, weather permitting, plan to return to London from Kathmandu on May 22.
Their expedition has been widely hailed as the most audacious Everest attempt in years. However, the mountaineering community remains divided over the use of Xenon gas and hypoxic chambers while climbing mountains above 8,000m including Mt Everest. Lukas dismissed the criticism, stating: "The Xenon treatment was administered at a clinic in Germany weeks before the expedition-no Xenon was used on the mountain or in Nepal. They also used hypoxic tents. Xenon improves acclimatization, protects against altitude sickness, and mitigates the effects of hypoxic environments. It makes the climb safer and shorter while ensuring climbers are properly acclimatized-unlike those who rely solely on oxygen from Base Camp without prior acclimatisation, which is extremely dangerous."
Lukas added, "A shorter expedition means less garbage, fewer resources, and reduced human waste in this sensitive environment-while still providing fair wages and jobs for local workers."
"Critics have no idea what they're talking about. This makes climbing safer. Period!" Lukas told THT after the summit. "Climbing without oxygen is far more dangerous, as we see every season on Everest-including this year."
"Each of them brings a story shaped by service, sacrifice, and resilience. This isn't just about reaching the summit-it's about pushing limits, inspiring others, and raising awareness for causes that matter deeply to them. They're not just climbing a mountain; they're carrying a message of hope," the organizer shared after the summit.
