On this day, February 17, 1980, Polish climbers Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy made history by becoming the first people to reach the summit of Mount Everest during winter. Their groundbreaking ascent was part of a Polish expedition led by Andrzej Zawada, marking one of the greatest achievements in mountaineering history.
Climbing Everest is already one of the most difficult feats in the world, but tackling it in winter adds extreme challenges, including brutal subzero temperatures, hurricane force winds, and limited daylight. Despite these harsh conditions, Wielicki and Cichy reached the 8,848 meter (29,029-foot) summit, proving that even the world’s highest peak could be conquered in the dead of winter.
Their achievement helped cement Poland’s reputation in high altitude mountaineering, with Polish climbers becoming known as pioneers in extreme winter ascents. Wielicki would go on to become one of the most legendary climbers, eventually completing all 14 of the world’s 8,000 meter peaks.
80s insight: The temperature at the summit of Mount Everest during their climb was estimated to be around -40°F (-40°C), with wind speeds exceeding 100 mph.
Climbing Everest is already one of the most difficult feats in the world, but tackling it in winter adds extreme challenges, including brutal subzero temperatures, hurricane force winds, and limited daylight. Despite these harsh conditions, Wielicki and Cichy reached the 8,848 meter (29,029-foot) summit, proving that even the world’s highest peak could be conquered in the dead of winter.
Their achievement helped cement Poland’s reputation in high altitude mountaineering, with Polish climbers becoming known as pioneers in extreme winter ascents. Wielicki would go on to become one of the most legendary climbers, eventually completing all 14 of the world’s 8,000 meter peaks.
80s insight: The temperature at the summit of Mount Everest during their climb was estimated to be around -40°F (-40°C), with wind speeds exceeding 100 mph.
