Four British climbers became the first to scale Mount Everest on Wednesday using Xenon gas, which helped them save several weeks that mountaineers need to get used to high altitudes, an official of their expedition organising company said.

Known for its stability and lack of reactivity, xenon is found in trace amounts in Earth's atmosphere. Despite being rare, it has several important applications.

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