Polish Alpinist Scales Everest, Lhotse Solo, Then Skis Down Both Peaks
Translated from German, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Polish alpinist Bartek Ziemski climbed Lhotse and Mount Everest solo and without oxygen.
- He also skied down from both summits, performing stunts on the steep slopes.
- Ziemski's performance has generated excitement in the mountaineering community for its purity and daring.
Bartek Ziemski, the 'Phantom from Warsaw,' has stunned the mountaineering world with an unprecedented feat on Everest. In a display of alpinism in its purest form, the 31-year-old Pole ascended both Lhotse and Mount Everest solo and without supplemental oxygen within days of each other. But Ziemski didn't stop there; he then skied down from both summits, videos capturing him carving down the treacherous slopes with the casual grace of a ski instructor.
The performance that will be remembered this time.
This remarkable achievement has sent ripples of excitement through the climbing community. Ziemski undertook these solo expeditions without the support of Sherpas or commercial guiding outfits, relying solely on his skill and careful weather window selection. This approach embodies a raw, unadulterated form of mountaineering that is increasingly rare in the age of large, supported expeditions.
Who is the man who climbs into the death zone twice in a row to ski there?
While international media might focus on the extreme nature of the stunts, for us in Poland, this is a moment of immense national pride. Ziemski represents the spirit of Polish mountaineering, a tradition known for pushing boundaries and achieving the seemingly impossible, often with minimal resources. His success is not just a personal triumph but a testament to the resilience and determination that defines our national character in the face of extreme challenges.
Mountaineering in its purest form.
Originally published by Der Spiegel in German. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.