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HIC SUNT LEONES

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sponsor: murapol
partner sportowy: redbull
partner motoryzacyjny: enel-sport
partner sprzętowy: salomon

Everest Ski Challenge

  • o wyprawie Expedition

A little over a year after the spectacular success of his K2 SKI CHALLENGE project, on the 27th of August 2019, Andrzej Bargiel and his team left for Kathmandu to embark on the latest instalment of his original, long-term project, HIC SUNT LEONES. Since 2013, he has been skiing from the highest mountain peaks on Earth. The goal of this year’s expedition, the EVEREST SKI CHALLENGE, is ascent and a ski descent down Mount Everest.

A ski descent down Mt. Everest (elevated 8,848m above sea level) is a real challenge. It is to demonstrate that skiing is possible even on the Roof of the World. The date of the expedition is not coincidental: autumn is a period when Everest is fairly free from other expeditions due to snowy weather, providing, in turn, the best conditions for skiing. The expedition is scheduled to last five weeks and its acme, reaching and attempting to ski from the summit, will have taken place by the end of September 2019.

The expedition members: Bartłomiej Bargiel (drone operator), Grzegorz Bargiel (International Mountain Guide, Tatra Mountain Rescue), Jakub Gzela (cinematographer), Marek Ogień (photographer), Grzegorz Pajak (cinematographer) , Jakub Poburka (Tatra Mountain Rescue), Piotr Snopczyński (Alpine and Himalayan mountaineer, GOPR mountain rescue)

EVEREST SKI CHALLENGE expedition strategic partner is a Polish national property developer, Murapol S.A. Andrzej’s sports partner is Red Bull. The expedition partner is Mercedes-Benz Poland. Andrzej’s equipment partner is Salomon. The Challenge uniform is once again kindly provided by Pajak Sport.

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K2 Ski Challenge

  • o wyprawie Expedition
  • zdjecia Photos
  • video Videos

On 15th of June 2018, as part of the project - Hic Sunt Leones, Andrzej Bargiel started another expedition under the name - "K2 Ski Challenge". Andrzej decided to return to the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan to finish the project, which he began in the summer of 2017. Andrzej's plan was to ski down from the second highest mountain in the world - K2. Unfortunately, a year ago, dangerous weather conditions prevailing on K2 did not allow him to attempt to reach the summit and he had to postpone the realisation of this dream. However, the reconnaissance he made during that expedition confirmed his conviction that this is possible and this year he managed to achieve the intended goal of skiing directly off the summit.

After a few weeks spent in Karakorum, on Thursday, July 19th, in the late afternoon, Andrzej Bargiel started his way up. On the first day he ascended to Camp 2 where Janusz Gołąb was waiting for him. On the next day the team moved to the Camp 3 located at 7000 m. The following day, Bargiel set off on his own and after a night in the fourth camp at an altitude of 8,000 m, on Sunday, July 22nd, the actual summit push on K2 started successfully. The K2 summit was reached by Andrzej around 11:28 am local time and shortly after he strapped on his skis and started the historic descent.

The ski descent route was prepared in advance and checked for potential difficulties and threats, but still Andrzej encountered some problems. In the higher parts of the mountain there was poor visibility, and Andrzej had to stay in the fourth camp for about an hour and wait for the clear weather. The descent from the summit led through the shoulder to the Cessen's route, from where Andrzej made the passage below the huge seracs that loom above the so-called Messner's traverse, to reach the ridge on the Kukuczka-Piotrowski route few moments later. Andrzej returned to the base camp around 7:30 pm. He fulfilled his great dream, going down in the history of mountaineering! Andrzej would like to dedicate this feat in memory of 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland.

The expedition members were Janusz Gołąb, Piotr Pawlus, Marek Ogień and Andrzej’s brother - Bartłomiej Bargiel who had flown his drone to an impressive altitude to film Andrzej standing on the summit and then follow him during this historical descent. Apart from that Bartek used his drone during this expedition to help in rescuing 65-year-old Scotman Rick Allen on Broad Peak.

The main sponsors of this year's expedition were Bank Pekao S.A. and Mercedes-Benz Sobiesław Zasada Automotive. The technical partner of Andrzej Bargiel was Salomon. The expedition suit was once again provided by Pajak and Enel-Sport became a medical partner just as during last year's expedition. The expedition was also supported by the Institute of Media Monitoring. Storytel joined the group of this year's sponsors. The effect of this cooperation is the ATAK2 audiobook, thanks to which we can hear the report from the course of action during the K2 Ski Challenge 2018. Red Bull is Andrzej Bargiel’s partner. 

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Andrzej Bargiel

  • Biography Biography
  • Achievements Achievements

I am three-time Polish champion in ski alpinism, third in the overall World Cup, I have the world record in the Elbrus race and I became the first Pole, who in 2013 managed to summit the eight-thousander of Shishapangma on skis and completed the ski descent from its very top to the bottom. I set a time record in reaching the Manaslu summit and as the second man in history I came down from this peak skiing to the base camp. In 2015, as the first man in the world I completed the ski descent from the Broad Peak summit. In the following year I set out on an expedition to conquer the five highest peaks of the former Soviet Union area. It was a successful completion that resulted in a prestigious mountaineering award - the so called “Snow Leopard”.

I was born on April 18, 1988 in Łętownia, near Jordanów. I am the ninth of eleven children of Maria and Józef Bargiel. Energy has been bursting with me since my childhood. No one was able to deal with me, neither teachers at school, nor parents, who unsuccessfully tried to direct my energy to work in a backyard household.

It was only in the backyard sports that I gave way to my fantasy. Running after the ball, climbing the trees, swimming and romping with the guys was what I liked the most. In high school it became clear that the only way to tame my energy was regular sports training. I started riding horses and doing mountain biking. I even had some small successes, unfortunately my bike just fell apart. Our sports club did not have enough budget to buy a new bike, and parents could not afford such a luxury. Apparently my cycling career wasn’t meant for me.

Then I went back to skis, but I want to tell this story from the beginning …

Well, I bought my first skis from my neighbour when I was 9 years old and I think I did the “deal of my life". I exchanged table tennis paddles for wooden skis with a screwed edge and plastic sliding (height 190 cm) and shoes in size 44 !!! I was so excited that I couldn’t sleep. Even then I knew it would be my passion. As soon as the first snow fell, I went with a bunch of buddies to hills nearby my house. Together, we made the ski runs and built the first ski jumps. It was in these places that I took my first steps in the discipline known colloquially as the "freeride". I often escaped from school or invented strange ailments, thanks to which I could free myself from classes. I can say that it was my private investment in a sports career.

Winter existed only for skis!

 

Expeditions

Andrzej Bargiel is a three-time champion of Poland in ski-alpinism. In 2010, he set a new world record in the Elbrus race, which hasn’t been beaten till now.

In 2012, Andrzej went to the Himalayas for the first time. He was one of the participants of the unification expedition of the Polish Mountaineering Association, organized as part of the "Polish Winter Himalayan Mountaineering 2010-2015" program. The expedition set for its goal Manaslu summit (8156 m. a.s.l.). Due to bad weather conditions, the attempt to reach the summit wasn’t successful. Andrzej, however, managed to climb to a height of 7600 m and ski down to the base camp situated at the altitude of 4800 m a.s.l. Thanks to the skis, Andrzej was able do descent really fast. The descent, which took the remaining participants 9 hours, Andrzej completed in half an hour. It turned out that ski alpinism works perfectly in high mountains.

Three months after returning from Manaslu, Andrzej received proposal to take part in Lhotse expedition (8516 m. a.s.l.).

The plan of this expedition was as follows - an attempt to establish new record and the first ski descent from the summit. Just as in case with Manaslu, the weather conditions were not favourable and the unfortunate accident of one of the members of the expedition interrupted the whole undertaking. Andrzej made ski descent from a height of 7900 m a.s.l. to the height of the first camp, located at 6000 m.

On October 2, 2013, Andrzej reached alone the summit of Shishapangma (8013 m a.s.l) and became the first Pole who without unfastening the skis came down from the summit to the very bottom.

In 2014, he added to his successes two more records at Manaslu (8156 m), reaching the summit in a record time - 14 hours 15 minutes and skiing down from the peak to a height that no one had ever achieved before as well as breaking the time record in base-top-base style. The way from the base to the top of Manaslu and his return to the base camp took him 21 hours and 14 minutes.

A year later, in 2015, he stood on the summit of Broad Peak (8051 m a.s.l.), and then, as the first man in history came down from this peak skiing up to its bottom. Andrzej's ascent to the top lasted eight hours and the descent took him three hours.

At the turn of July and August 2016, his list of achievements increased by a record time of gaining the five highest peaks of the former USSR, the so-called Snow Leopard. He made it just in 30 days, breaking the record set in 1999 by Denis Urubko and Andrei Molotov, which took 12 days longer. He managed to descent on skis partially or completely of all the peaks.

Through his pioneering project Hic Sunt Leones, Andrzej tries to achieve the goals he sets himself in a style that no one in the world has ever tried. Quick ascents and descents from the tops to the base of the mountain without the use of oxygen are certainly achievements that will be recorded in the history of world himalaism and ski alpinism.

Results

  • 2006
    1st place
    Polish Cup – Cadet
  • 2007
    1st place
    Polish Cup – Junior
  • 2008
    1st place
    Polish Champion in Ski Mountaineering
    3rd place
    World Cup, Madonna di Campiglio, Italy – Junior
    4th place
    Pierre Menta Areches – Junior
    5th place
    World Cup, Dachstein Xtream – Junior
  • 2009
    1st place
    Polish Champion in Ski Mountaineering
    2nd place
    Piotr Malinowski Memorial, High Tatras Cup – Senior
    3rd place
    World Cup General Classification – Espuoir
    3rd place
    World Cup, Dachstein Xtream – Espuoir
    4th place
    World Cup, Pyramids D’Ozz – Espuoir
    5th place
    European Championships, Apallago, Italy – Espuoir
    1st place
    Young International Cup, Szczyrbskie Pleso – Espoir
  • 2010
    1st place
    Polish Champion in Ski Mountaineering
    1st place
    Elbrus Race – Senior / new time record /
  • 2011
    6th place
    World Championship, Claut, Italy – Sprint Espuoir
    7th place
    World Championship, Claut, Włochy – Vertical Espuoir
2006
1st place
Polish Cup – Cadet
2007
1st place
Polish Cup – Junior
2008
1st place
Polish Champion in Ski Mountaineering
3rd place
World Cup, Madonna di Campiglio, Italy – Junior
4th place
Pierre Menta Areches – Junior
5th place
World Cup, Dachstein Xtream – Junior
2009
1st place
Polish Champion in Ski Mountaineering
2nd place
Piotr Malinowski Memorial, High Tatras Cup – Senior
3rd place
World Cup General Classification – Espuoir
3rd place
World Cup, Dachstein Xtream – Espuoir
4th place
World Cup, Pyramids D’Ozz – Espuoir
5th place
European Championships, Apallago, Italy – Espuoir
1st place
Young International Cup, Szczyrbskie Pleso – Espoir
2010
1st place
Polish Champion in Ski Mountaineering
1st place
Elbrus Race – Senior / new time record /
2011
6th place
World Championship, Claut, Italy – Sprint Espuoir
7th place
World Championship, Claut, Włochy – Vertical Espuoir

HIC SUNT LEONES

  • Alaska
    Greenland
    Japan
    Manaslu & Cho-Oyu
    Mount Everest
    South America
    Shishapangma
    Snow Leopard
    Lhotse

Hic Sunt Leones - (“here are lions” in Latin) is a Latin phrase which is used to describe unexplored and unknown territories. Sunt Leones is a unique ski project, initiated by Andrzej Bargiel himself. Inspired by his previous experiences, he decided to demystify the stereotype of "martyr" climber and use his knowledge to organize expeditions individually.

The main goal of this project is to make ski descents of the highest mountains in the world and prove that skiing is possible even on the Top of the World. The opening expedition of this project was Shishapangma Ski Challenge 2013 - the first Polish ski expedition to the Himalayas. Its main goal was quick ascent to the Shishapangma summit (8013 m) and then ski descent.

Expeditions

  • Shishapangma
  • Manaslu
  • Broad Peak
  • Snow Leopard
  • K2
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
  •  
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  • Place Shishapangma
    Height 8013 m n. p. m.
    Date 5 September 2013 r.
    Skitouring skitouring
  • Place Manaslu
    Height 8156 m n. p. m.
    Date 30 August 2014 r.
    Skitouring skitouring
  • Place Cho-Oyu
    Height 8201 m n. p. m.
    Date 30 August 2014 r.
    Skitouring skitouring
  • Miejsce Broad Peak
    Wysokość 8051 m n. p. m.
    Dzień 28 June 2015 r.
    Skitouring skitouring
  • Miejsce K2
    Wysokość 8611 m n. p. m.
    Dzień 22 July 2018 r.
    Skitouring skitouring
  • Shishapangma

    Shishapangma Ski Challenge

    On the 5th September 2013 started the first Polish ski expedition - „Shishapangma Ski Challenge 2013”. The goal of the expedition was to reach the summit of the Shishapangma eight-thousander (8013 m) in the shortest possible time and then ski descend from the top. On the first expedition of Hic Sunt Leones project, Andrzej was accompanied by three people. First of them was recognized skier, experienced TOPR mountain rescuer and international IVBV mountain guide - Grzegorz Bargiel, Andrzej’s brother. Second member was a famous camera operator and one of the best Polish climbers (summited both Mount Everest and K2 twice) Dariusz Załuski. He was responsible for film documentation and logistic support. The last member of the expedition, was experienced free rider and photographer from Zakopane, Marcin Klin, who witnessed everyday life of the team with his camera.

    Strategic sponsor of the whole Hic Sunt Leones project is an international logistics operator CTL Logistics Group. Expedition had two partners – Red Bull and Totalizator Sportowy. Sony company provided the team with electronic equipment and TTcomm SA with satellite communication devices. Salomon took care of clothing, Atomic of skis. In cooperation with Pajak company, Andrzej designed first Himalayan ski suit. A new model of the suit is planned for every expedition of the Hic Sunt Leones project.

    The account of the expedition can be found on my blog

  • logo sunt leones manaslu

    Manaslu Ski Challenge

    On August 30th 2014 started a second event of Hic Sunt Leones project – “Manaslu & Cho – Oyu Ski Challenge 2014”. The goal of the expedition is to speed climb and ski down two eight-thousanders: Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world (8156 m) and Cho Oyu (8201 m) the sixth highest mountain. Andrzej will be accompanied by the same people that took part in Shishapangma expedition, first event of the Hic Sunt Leones. The team members are Andrzej’s brother – Grzegorz Bargiel, Darek Załuski, responsible for film documentation and Marcin Kin, who will witness every day’s life of the expedition with his camera.

    The strategic sponsor of the expedition is an international logistics operator CTL Logistics Group. Partner of the Hic Sunt Leones project is Totalizator Sportowy. Sony company committed themselves to provide electronic equipment, while TTcomm SA provides the team with satellite communication devices. Salomon will take care of clothing, Atomic of skis and Black Diamond of climbing equipment. Himalayan ski suit was designed thanks to Andrzej’s cooperation with Pajak company and Tomasz Ossoliński, and it will be used while summiting the mountains.

    The account of the expedition can be found on my blog

  • logo sunt leones broad peak

    Broad Peak Ski Challenge

    On June 28th started  "Broad Peak Ski Challenge 2015", another expedition of Andrzej Bargiel’s pioneering project - Hic Sunt Leones.  This time the aim was to ski from the summit of Broad Peak and Andrzej achieved his goal! He is the first person in the world to make full ski-descent from the top of the Broad Peak! It took him about 3 hours, with one hour break to rest at Camp 3. During the expedition, Andrzej Bargiel was accompanied by Darek Załuski, who in addition to logistical support was also responsible for film documentation. Załuski is one of the best Polish climbers, two-time Mt Everest and K2 summiteer.

    Once again, international Comprehensive Logistics Operator CTL Logistics Sp. z. o. o. became the main sponsor of the project. For the third time LOTTO EXTREME had been the partner of the expedition. Ghelamco company, the investor of the Warsaw Spire project, was the supporting partner of Broad Peak Ski Challenge. Ski equipment for the participants was provided by Atomic and technical clothing by Salomon. Andrzej and Darek were supplied with electronic equipment by Sony. During the summit attack Andrzej was wearing specially designed Himalayan ski suit, which had been made by Pajak Company. Sobiesław Zasada Automotive, the largest Mercedes-Benz dealer in Poland, as the automotive partner of the project, delivered Mercedes-Benz GLK. It was used during the training and preparations for the expedition. IMM, Institute of Media Monitoring, was a supporting partner of the Hic Sunt Leones project. 

    The account of the expedition can be found on my blog

  • logo śnieżna pantera

    Snow Leopard

    On June 23, 2016 Andrzej Bargiel departured for his next adventure. This time, the aim will not be any of the eight-thousanders. Nevertheless, the goal that the Polish extreme skier set for himself is even more ambitious than the previous ones. "This is definitely the most challenging expedition of my life" – he confirmed.
    The aim of the expedition is to conquer five highest peaks of the former Soviet Union, which is a prestigious mountaineering award called “Snow Leopard”. This was also the title name of the expedition. Previously some hundreds of climbers won the trophy but Bargiel wanted to achieve this goal in his own style. By using skis on his way up as well as during the descents, he aimed to break few speed records. The uniqueness of this project was greatly enlarged by the fact that CANAL + DISCOVERY was a strategic partner of the project. As a result of that a documentary series illustrating Andrzej’s struggles with this ambitious and dangerous challenge was created.

    The Snow Leopard Award includes five peaks reaching over 7000 meters. The first one, which Andrzej faced was Lenin Peak (7134 m) situated in the Pamir range. Although supposedly it was the easiest of those five peaks, Andrzej spent the most time in its area, passing the monotonous process of acclimatization. After a successful summit, the crew will flew to Tajikistan to challenge the next two peaks on the list: Korzeniewski Peak (7105 m) and the highest peak of the country and Pamir mountains - Communism Peak (7495 m). It is still commonly known under its former Soviet name, although since 1998 its name has been officially changed to Ismoil Somoni Peak.
    The fourth in line came Khan Tengri (7010 m) and the last but not least was Pobeda Peak situated on the boarder between Kyrgyzstan and China, the highest peak in the mountains of Tien Shan, which is also considered to be the most dangerous one.

    The previous Snow Leopard’s speed record belonged to Denis Urubko and Andrey Molotov and was set back in 1999. The Russians climbed five peaks in 42 days. Andrzej Bargiel planned to complete this task up to 30 days and he did it, the setting the new world record.

    As in the previous expeditions, it was not only the goal that mattered. Bargiel claimed that the way to achieve it, the adventure and the whole experience that came along was far more important to him. The filmmakers and the supporting team went to Kyrgyzstan by Mercedes car provided by the expedition partner – Sobiesław Zasada Automotive. The climbing crew including Jakub Poburka, Bargiel’s younger brother – Bartek, and the well-known action sports photographer who was with Bargiel on Shishapangma and Manaslu – Marcin Kin, drove over 5000 km through Russia and Kazakhstan to bring all the necessary gear down to the base camp at Lenin Peak. Among the participants of the project was also a very experienced mountaineer Dariusz Załuski, who supported Andrzej on all of his previous expeditions.
    Skiing equipment, as well as technical clothing is once again provided by Atomic and Salomon, while Pajak Sport prepared a special mountain suit that Bargiel used during summit attacks and also equiped the team with set of technical sleeping bags and tents. The list of the project’s partners was complemented IMM – the Institute of Media Monitoring.

  • logo sunt leones k2

    K2

    On 15th of June 2018, as part of the project - Hic Sunt Leones, Andrzej Bargiel started another expedition under the name - "K2 Ski Challenge". Andrzej decided to return to the Karakorum mountains in Pakistan to finish the project, which he began in the summer of 2017. Andrzej's plan was to ski down from the second highest mountain in the world - K2. Unfortunately, a year ago, dangerous weather conditions prevailing on K2 did not allow him to attempt to reach the summit and he had to postpone the realisation of this dream. However, the reconnaissance he made during that expedition confirmed his conviction that this is possible and this year he managed to achieve the intended goal of skiing directly off the summit.

    After a few weeks spent in Karakorum, on Thursday, July 19th, in the late afternoon, Andrzej Bargiel started his way up. On the first day he ascended to Camp 2 where Janusz Gołąb was waiting for him. On the next day the team moved to the Camp 3 located at 7000 m. The following day, Bargiel set off on his own and after a night in the fourth camp at an altitude of 8,000 m, on Sunday, July 22nd, the actual summit push on K2 started successfully. The K2 summit was reached by Andrzej around 11:28 am local time and shortly after he strapped on his skis and started the historic descent.

    The ski descent route was prepared in advance and checked for potential difficulties and threats, but still Andrzej encountered some problems. In the higher parts of the mountain there was poor visibility, and Andrzej had to stay in the fourth camp for about an hour and wait for the clear weather. The descent from the summit led through the shoulder to the Cessen's route, from where Andrzej made the passage below the huge seracs that loom above the so-called Messner's traverse, to reach the ridge on the Kukuczka-Piotrowski route few moments later. Andrzej returned to the base camp around 7:30 pm. He fulfilled his great dream, going down in the history of mountaineering! Andrzej would like to dedicate this feat in memory of 100th anniversary of regaining independence by Poland.

    The expedition members were Janusz Gołąb, Piotr Pawlus, Marek Ogień and Andrzej’s brother - Bartłomiej Bargiel who had flown his drone to an impressive altitude to film Andrzej standing on the summit and then follow him during this historical descent. Apart from that Bartek used his drone during this expedition to help in rescuing 65-year-old Scotman Rick Allen on Broad Peak.

    The main sponsors of this year's expedition were Bank Pekao S.A. and Mercedes-Benz Sobiesław Zasada Automotive. The technical partner of Andrzej Bargiel was Salomon. The expedition suit was once again provided by Pajak and Enel-Sport became a medical partner just as during last year's expedition. The expedition was also supported by the Institute of Media Monitoring. Storytel joined the group of this year's sponsors. The effect of this cooperation is the ATAK2 audiobook, thanks to which we can hear the report from the course of action during the K2 Ski Challenge 2018. Red Bull is Andrzej Bargiel’s partner.

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