Shishapangma Ski Challenge
8013 m a.s.l., September – October 2013
On September 5, 2013, the first Polish ski expedition started under the name SHISHAPANGMA SKI CHALLENGE. The expedition aimed to reach one of the fourteen eight-thousanders – Shishapangma (8,013 m a.s.l.) in the shortest possible time and then ski descend from the top. On October 1, 2013, I started the summit attack with my brother Grzegorz. At dawn, we reached Camp II (6900 m a.s.l.), where we changed into skisuits and moved on, avoiding Camp III. The attack was carried out as scheduled until 6:30 am local time. Strong wind and snowfall forced all climbers to turn back. My brother also turned back then. Only 200 meters remain to the top.
WATCH THE MOVIE
I waited out the weather break and when the wind stopped, I started the summit attack. Paving my way in the snow, reaching almost 2 meters, at 1:12 pm local time, I reached the central peak of Shishapangma. At 10:00 am Polish time, I descended to Camp III. It took 8 hours to get from Camp III to the top, but the ski descent took 34 minutes!
Team members: Grzegorz Bargiel (my older brother, ski-alpinist, Tatra Mountain rescuer (TOPR), international mountain guide IVBV/UIAGM/IFMGA), Dariusz Załuski (alpinist, Himalayan mountaineer, cinematographer) and Marcin Kin (photographer).