February 17

On February 17, 1980, Krzysztof Wielicki and Leszek Cichy achieved the first successful winter ascent of Mount Everest via the southeast ridge. Battling temperatures below -30°C and hurricane-force winds, they reached the summit after a prolonged siege of the mountain's upper slopes. Their accomplishment demonstrated the feasibility of winter expeditions on the world's highest peak and set a new standard in high-altitude mountaineering. The climbers spent weeks establishing camps, ferrying supplies, and acclimatizing to the extreme environment. Their success cemented Poland's reputation as a leader in polar and Himalayan exploration. This landmark ascent inspired generations of climbers to pursue winter summits on the planet's most formidable mountains.