The first person to reach the North pole, the South pole and the peak of Mount Everest – known as the Three Poles Challenge – was Erling Kagge (Norway), who completed the trio on 8 May 1994.

On 8 May 1990, Kagge reached the North Pole with Børge Ousland (Norway). On 7 January 1993, he reached the South Polo solo. On 8 May 1994, he summited Mount Everest, again solo.

The first and only person to complete the challenge without the use of oxygen on Everest was Antoine De Choudens (France, 1969-2009) between 25 April 1996 and 10 January 1999.