Highest-altitude temporary swimming hole

The highest-altitude temporary swimming hole was created as part of "The Sky is the Limit" expedition at 6,405 m (21,014 ft) above sea level on Putha Hiunchuli in Nepal on 9–10 May 2024. The miniature pool, carved out of the mountain's snowpack, was excavated through the joint efforts of 23 local people, including administrators and logistics organizers, climbing guides and porters, and kitchen staff. Five swimmers took a dip (lasting for at least three minutes) in the chilly water wearing only a swimming costume and cap: Jean Craven, Vanes-Mari Du Toit, Neo Mokuene, Chiara Baars (all South Africa) and Deniz Kayadelen (Switzerland).

The water temperature was 3.7°C (38.6°F) and the air temperature an even brisker -6°C (21.2°F).

"The Sky is the Limit" project, orchestrated by expedition leader Jean Craven, took some six months of planning as the best location was sought as well as the most efficient way to obtain liquid water at such a high elevation where it would naturally exist in a frozen state. This key part of the operation was overseen by Nepali guide and porter coordinator Nurbu Thabang. The solution was for fresh snow to be melted the night before with the resulting 1,500 litres (400 US gallons) of water stored in large plastic drums overnight, kept from refreezing by the use of Bunsen burners; the dug-out hole itself was covered in carpets and a tent canvas to prevent it from refilling with snow.

Just getting to the location required a 138-km (86-mi) steep trek over two weeks, escorted by Sherpas and aided by a caravan of 35 mules and 35 yaks, who helped to bear more than a tonne of equipment (including the plastic drums to store the water) and vital supplies. Once the swim was over, all of the water was carefully returned to the mountain where it refroze.

The full team that assisted with the logistics and construction of the swimming hole included: Pralhad Chapagain (administrator), Pemba Tamang (mountain guides leader), Lok Bahadur Thapa (operations), Nurbu Tamang (climbing guide and porters coordinator), Senang Gurung (President of Charrka Tangsong Village), Sean Disney (tour leader) and Ali Thufayl Kara (cameraman). The climbing team comprised: Ngima Dorji Tamang, Suman Tamang, Ramesh Tamang, Mingma Tamang, Nima Tendi Tamang, Lok Bahadur Tamang, Chhiring Tamang, Tenzing Sherpa and Pasang Sherpa; the kitchen staff included Rana Bahadur Tamang, Dawa Sherpa, Sampure Tamang, Chhiring Tamang, Dhan Bahadur Tamang, Dawa Tamang and Nuru Tamang.

The highest swim in a natural body of water, meanwhile, was undertaken by Daniel Bull (Australia) in a small lake lying at 6,370 m (20,899 ft) near the summit of the Andean volcanic peak Ojos del Salado on the Chile-Argentina border on 4 January 2020.