In a simple TikTok video that has been viewed more than 22 million times, Australian-French teen climber Bianca Adler exposes the ruthless grip of Mount Everest’s “death zone.” At just 17, Adler climbed to an altitude of 8,450 meters—just 400 meters short of the 8,848-meter peak—and then descended, paying attention to her body’s desperate signals, providing both climbers and dreamers with a harsh lesson about the dangers of altitude.

Filmed panting at base camp after returning from Camp 2, Adler’s wind-blasted face and labored breathing provide a stark depiction of exhaustion. “I just came back from Camp 2… I feel terrible. My throat and lungs… I’m short of breath,” she wheezes, her voice like a delicate thread in the thin air. This clip, shared in September, shows conditions after nearly four grueling days above 8,000 meters, where oxygen dropped to 40% below sea level standards, causing hypoxia and fluid accumulation in the lungs—symptoms of high-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE).

Adler, the youngest woman to conquer Manaslu (8,163 m) and Ama Dablam (6,812 m), was feeling invincible until the threat of frostbite arrived. “I started losing sensation in my fingers and toes… It became dangerously unpredictable due to the sudden strong winds,” he told the media. Under the guidance of Sherpas, many of their attempts exposed the harsh reality of the region: climbers burn 10,000 calories a day, yet the body destroys muscle to survive. health benefit? A full month in rehabilitation to repair the damaged lungs and organs.

There was a wave of astonishment and sympathy on social media. An onlooker marveled, “Supreme power—you have earned infinite respect.” Another said, “Coming back alive with all fingers intact? That’s conquering Everest.” Fans praised his intelligence, and noted that more than 200 people had died in the Death Zone since 1922.

Adler’s saga, which blends courage and humility, rekindles the debate on youth in extreme sports. As she sets her sights on future peaks, her video remains a beacon: Victory demands not just courage, but also dedication to the limits. For aspiring adventurers, it’s a terrifying reminder—the mountain always demands its due.