Polish Mountaineering Federation

Polish Mountaineering Federation

K2 Winter Expedition

Ferrino is the official partner and technical sponsor of the important "K2 Winter Expedition" organized by the Polish Mountaineering Federation and supported by the Polish Ministry of Sport and Tourism.


On 17 February 1980 Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy summited Everest. They were the very first climbers to summit an Eight-Thousander in the winter: two Poles with a great desire to write their names in exploration history. With only a small amount of money available and an uncommon determination, they opened a period of extraordinary ascents. During the 1980s, Krzysztof, who in 2019 was awarded the Piolet d’Or Lifetime Achievement award and his companions were able to climb 7 Eight-Thousanders during the cold season. Winter represents a new way of understanding high altitudes. An extreme challenge which for many years, only the Polish climbers wanted to meet.
In the 2000s, other climbers decided to try their luck, including the Italian Simone Moro, who is currently the climber with the highest number of first ascents in the winter season, but Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy will never lose their place as winter protagonists of the highest mountains on the planet.

K2
After climbing most of the Eight-Thousanders, for many years the remaining challenge was for two peaks that are as formidable as they are fascinating: Nanga Parbat and K2. And on 26 February 2016, Alex Txikon, Ali Sadpara and Simone Moro summited the ninth mountain on earth, taking the record as the last great winter undertaking on K2. The mountain was able to withstand the attempts of the world’s best climbers for years, genuine sieges that took place over the coldest months of the year. Massive expeditions aiming to reach the top, beating the last great classic Himalayan ascent. The Polish climbers tried and are still trying, with a national expedition led by Krzysztof Wielicki. They are the ones with the greatest amount of experience and also the most determined to reach their target. If they manage it, this will be the most romantic ending to a story written by the dreamers they have shown themselves to be from the outset.
Their last attempt goes back to winter 2017-2018, and they’ll be trying again in 2020-2021.

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K2 Base Camp with Ferrino Svalbard Tents

K2 Base Camp with Ferrino Svalbard Tents