Wim Hof and Mount Everest. The pairing has almost become a modern-day legend—a man walking nearly naked up the world’s tallest mountain, powered only by breath, ice, and willpower.
But did he really climb Everest in nothing but shorts? Did he stand at the summit in bare feet while everyone else layered up in Gore-Tex?
Not quite. This piece is here to do something simple but important: separate fact from hype. We’ll explore Hof’s background, his method, what he actually did on Everest, and how much of it stands up to scrutiny.
Let’s get into it.
Who is Wim Hof?
Born on April 20, 1959, Wim Hof is a Dutch extreme athlete known as “The Iceman.” He didn’t get that name for nothing. His early feats included swimming under frozen lakes, standing in ice baths for world-record times, and even running a half-marathon barefoot… above the Arctic Circle.
These aren’t metaphorical stunts—they happened. And they gained him international fame. But Hof didn’t stop at performing: he developed a whole system around his abilities, known as the Wim Hof Method (WHM).
It’s built on three core pillars:
- A specific breathing technique
- Cold exposure training
- Mindset and commitment
Together, these are meant to unlock hidden human potential. That’s the promise anyway.
The Wim Hof Method: how it works (at least in theory)
Breathing
This is probably the most recognisable part of the WHM. It involves repeated cycles of deep inhalations, followed by extended breath-holds. The experience can feel intense—some describe it as lightheaded or even euphoric.
The technique mimics hyperventilation but in a controlled setting, often done lying down. It’s not exactly new—variations exist in yoga and freediving communities—but Hof made it his trademark.
Cold exposure
Ice baths, cold showers, walking in snow barefoot—none of these are pleasant at first. But for Hof followers, cold is a teacher. Gradually exposing the body to extreme cold is said to boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and increase resilience.
Whether you’re sitting in a tub of ice or hiking a mountain in freezing temperatures, the idea is to use breath and mindset to override discomfort.
Mindset & commitment
This is a softer, more ambiguous part of the method. It’s about discipline, intention, and mental control. Hof often speaks about focus and belief as if they’re physical tools—no less important than breath or cold.
And for him, this trio—breath, cold, mindset—is the toolkit he used on Everest.
The Everest story: what actually happened?
Let’s get this straight.
In 2007, Wim Hof attempted to summit Mount Everest. He made it to around 7,400 metres (roughly 24,300 feet), wearing only shorts and shoes for a significant part of the climb. But he didn’t reach the summit. A foot injury forced him to turn back.
In an earlier Everest hike, he reportedly started in shorts and sandals (yes, sandals) up to 6,700 metres, but then switched to boots and crampons—standard mountaineering gear—for safety.
Also worth noting: Hof never climbed K2, despite rumours to the contrary.
He did push his body to extremes. But he didn’t “conquer Everest” in the traditional sense. And he certainly wasn’t naked at the top—because he never made it to the top.
Myth vs media
The story quickly took on a life of its own. Headlines like “Climbed Everest in shorts” morphed into “Climbed Everest naked”—and some outlets never corrected the record.
In forums like Reddit and on mountaineering sites, experienced climbers were quick to call this out. They noted the use of modern gear, the partial ascent, and the foot injury that cut things short.
Still, those early viral headlines stuck. And in the age of YouTube thumbnails and motivational memes, the myth outpaced the man.
Why it’s still wildly impressive
Let’s not downplay what Hof did.
Climbing above 7,000 metres is no joke—many people suffer from altitude sickness or worse at that elevation. And to do any portion of it in shorts? That’s not normal. It’s physiologically extreme.
The air is thin, the temperatures brutal. Your body is under attack from the environment. Hof attributes his resilience to his method—his breathing, his mindset, his adaptation to cold. And it’s not hard to believe that it played a role.
It just wasn’t magic. Or superhuman. It was something else—something real, but explainable.
What does science say?
Early studies
A team at Radboud University in the Netherlands conducted early experiments with Hof. The researchers found that he could influence his autonomic nervous system—something long thought impossible. He even showed signs of voluntarily influencing his immune response.
Recent data
A 2024 meta-analysis in PLOS ONE looked deeper. Results suggested that WHM practitioners had lower inflammation markers, including increased IL-10 levels (an anti-inflammatory cytokine). Athletic benefits? Less conclusive. And the studies skewed heavily male.
Risks
Here’s where caution comes in.
There have been drownings linked to WHM breathwork, especially when people do the breathing techniques in water. There’s also a risk of fainting, arrhythmias, or other complications. Medical supervision isn’t just a recommendation—it’s common sense.
The spotlight: media & documentaries
Wim Hof has had no shortage of attention.
- Vice’s 2015 documentary, The Superhuman World of Wim Hof, introduced him to a global audience.
- WiredForAdventure has featured him in articles, especially related to his Everest attempt.
- He’s appeared on Joe Rogan’s podcast, YouTube channels like Yes Theory, and countless interviews and exposés.
And it’s no surprise. The story is visual, dramatic, and sells well. Just—again—it’s not always told with precision.
Controversy and criticism
Overstated Everest claims
Some in the climbing community have called out Hof for letting the Everest myth flourish. He didn’t exactly correct the narrative when it suited him—and media outlets weren’t rushing to fact-check either.
Method-related deaths
Tragically, there have been fatalities tied to people practicing WHM breathing in water. Hof has issued warnings and disclaimers, but critics say more should be done around safety education.
Personal controversies
Less known: In 2012, Hof was convicted of domestic abuse and sentenced to community service. More recently, a proposed biopic was put on pause amid allegations related to his past.
Whether these affect how people view the method is… up to them. But they’re part of the story.
So… what’s the takeaway?
Wim Hof’s Everest attempt wasn’t a hoax—but it wasn’t quite what many people think.
- Claim: He climbed Everest nearly naked, purely through willpower.
- Reality: He climbed part of the way—in shorts and shoes—then stopped due to injury.
- Still: That feat alone is exceptional.
As for the Wim Hof Method, it shows some promise in reducing inflammation and boosting cold resilience. But benefits are modest. And risks are real—especially if practiced recklessly or unsupervised.
He’s a remarkable person with a fascinating method. But it’s okay to admire the achievement and ask hard questions about the message.
Want to dig deeper?
Here’s where to learn more:
- Wim Hof’s Wikipedia page
- Vice documentary: The Superhuman World of Wim Hof
- WiredForAdventure.com articles and coverage
- PLOS ONE meta-analysis (2024) on WHM and inflammation
- Mountaineering forums and Reddit threads on the Everest claim
These sources offer the nuance often missing in headlines.
Conclusion
Wim Hof did expose himself to extreme cold at dangerous altitude. That’s fact.
But he didn’t summit Everest, and the iconic “naked Everest conqueror” idea? It’s more myth than reality.
His method has sparked scientific interest. There’s potential. There are also risks. And behind the public figure, there’s a real person—flawed, ambitious, and very, very cold.
If nothing else, the story reminds us of how easily we elevate humans to legends… before reading the fine print.
