How the Greatest Climber Jerzy Kukuczka fell to his Death on Lhotse in 1989?

[@Zackenberg]

Finally someone from abroad honestly describing Jurek's mountaineering career and achievements ! :)

[@maco1713]

Best climber of all...!greetings from Slovakia!

[@epicadventurearchives]

No doubt, thanks.

[@Felix-wp9fb]

One of the best i would say ;)

[@EttorealbertoGelli-vr6sz]

​@@Felix-wp9fb In my opinioni the 3 are. MESSNER. BONATTI. BUHL

[@MrKveite1]

If he was the best he would be alive so he clearly wasnt..

[@7seattle7]

​@@MrKveite1 Bullshit

[@normanmackenzie8130]

Again, you narrate a story i have never heard. I felt so so sad at Jerzy Kukuczka's death... he was so near...yet so far from the summit. I have a lot of respect for people like Jerzy Kukuczka. May he Rest in Peace where ever he lies. Keep your stories going...i like listening to them, as your video progresses.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for watching. Stay blessed

[@lunab553]

Jerzy Kukuczka had previously conquered Lotse, in 1979, the north-west face.

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil communism.

[@adler923]

This is my favorite High Altitude Climbing KZbin channel. You ALWAYS are respectful to the climbers, ALWAYS tell the truth, no sugar coating and you ALWAYS give us background on the person, giving them the dignity they deserve. Kukuczka is my favorite HA climber and thank you for this post - it's wonderful as usual!

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for your comment. Stay blessed.

[@ochoymedio78]

I know that there have been many great alpinist in history lost to the mountains, like Janez Jeglic, Thomas Humar, JC Lafaille and so many more, but Jurek was always my favorite, dead or alive. All new routes (the friggin magic line!) or first winter ascent, often alpine style, w/o oxygen, stoic, quite and collected. He was the strongest among the strongest in the golden era of himalayan climbing. Greetings from Argentina Jurek, you'll never be forgotten.

[@bartekolszewski5763]

Great Jurek. My friend is Ryszard Pawlowski. I was with him on three expeditions to the high mountains

[@pieescax9886]

Grazie per l'upload ed i sottotitoli. Jerzy the truth of mountaineering

[@Maryush.B-B.Pl.676]

Jurek Kukuczka from Poland 🇵🇱 he is our national Polish hero and one of the best mountaineers of his time. 👑🇵🇱👑 (R.I.P.) Jurek 💔

[@epicadventurearchives]

No doubt he’s one of the greatest alpinists of all times. His impressive records speak volumes of his ability as a world class mountaineer.

[@Maryush.B-B.Pl.676]

@@epicadventurearchives Thank you 🤝 thank you on behalf of all Poles 🇵🇱 our country has suffered a huge loss, in Polish Himalayan mountaineering, including winter expeditions started by Poles, over the years 1970/2020, nearly 60 Polish Himalayan climbers died. This is a very high price (💔R.I.P💔) Thank you for the film about Jerzy Kukuczka ❤️🤝🇵🇱

[@kimmccabe1422]

Yes but that is an Indian accent telling his story..😊

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil communism.

[@Maryush.B-B.Pl.676]

@@eliotness4029 During the communist era, among Polish Himalayan mountaineers, "combining" reached the Olympic level. It is not the systems that create outstanding figures, but the atmosphere...

[@kentucy9999]

Fearless. The "Polish Line" on K2 will never be replicated. {Messner called it "suicidal."} Kudos to the great Jerzy Kukuczka.

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism.

[@miketausig4205]

@@eliotness4029what does communism have to do with climbing? I could understand if mountaineers were not allowed to leave Poland in order to make ascents, but it’s been decades since Poland was a communist country.

[@eliotness4029]

@@miketausig4205 so evil Soviet communism.

[@AneskaCherry]

Thank you! Regards from Poland! 💖

[@epicadventurearchives]

Welcome!

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil communism.

[@AX1A]

for my generation of younger Alpinists, you are filling important gaps in the historical record. Namasté 🙏🏼

[@epicadventurearchives]

Wow, thank you

[@fritz4345]

Thank you for this. I just made it to the Kukuczka Memorial last year again. The Nuptse - Lhotse Wall is an amazing sight.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Sounds great!

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism.

[@miketausig4205]

Something I’ve always wondered about mountaineers who die while climbing…. In life you often hear people say something to the affect of, “when I die, I want to die doing something I love.” Then you hear a story about someone like Jerzy Kukuczka who FELL to his death. So, I’ve always wondered what goes through the mind of someone like Jerzy, who inevitably must have known, DURING the fall, that he would die within seconds, possibly in a very painful way. Is it a moment of clarity & thought where you are able to be grateful for the gift of climbing, or is it pure panic & fear? Does “time slow down” as you “watch your life flash before your eyes,” or does everything happen so quickly that in one moment you’re falling, and then poof…nothingness. There is definitely no ONE single answer, as every climber is different, but still…. There’s obviously no way we could discover answers, and I realize these questions are a bit morbid, but they are questions I’m sure many people wonder about, especially when religion (or lack thereof) enters the conversation. Thanks for indulging me.

[@nyyankees4296]

I have the same morbid curiosity as well

[@zztop4996]

Have missed your exceptional work. Glad to see another fabulous video from you. Excellent stuff!

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Constantius-XI]

I strongly believe, that Kukuczka, was the best alpine climber of all time. He was very strong, fast, made the impossible, seem possible, he didnt have the financial aid that others had, and also the mountain equipment. For sure a legend that inspired a lot of climbers and especially Polish climbers to reach new limits. I believe he had so much to give to the world and to the climbing community. A world hero 100%.

[@alwaysfourfun1671]

I am not involved in climbing, let alone high altitude mountaineering. Very impressive and emotional story about mr. Kukuczka and his Polish mountaineering giant friends. A beautiful tribute!

[@Trish.Norman]

Thank you❤. You did an excellent job on this video.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Glad it was helpful!

[@lisadolan689]

Agreed

[@RG-5834]

Very emotional watching this! Kukuczka will always be in the conversation when discussing the very greatest mountaineers of all time. Well done on your amazing account of the legendary Jerzy Kukuczka, really enjoy every one of your productions.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching.

[@user-tn1vc1xz5d]

His book "my vertical world" is masterpiece. A legend. RIP. ❤🥰

[@roybatty2030]

A good story, well told, thanks you so much.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for listening.

[@williesnyder2899]

I “knew” of this man, or his name… I did not know the man!! Thank you! This was overdue on my part ~

[@kickapootrackers7255]

Thank you kindly ,very informative and visual. Not my type of exploring but fascinating these climbers, and mountains. Fully enjoyed my friend 🤝

[@epicadventurearchives]

Many thanks!

[@markwroblewski6500]

Great documentary.Rare footages and informative graphics.Beautifully presenting Kukuczka as one of the greatest Himalayans.Love your pronunciation of Lhotse as Lucy.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Glad it was helpful and you enjoyed it. Many thanks. Stay blessed.

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism.

[@markwroblewski6500]

Presently the whole Western World is in a devolution.We were told for decades that Lhotse,K2 etc were difficult to summit but today babysitted tourists do it in a hundred(s) per trip for 50000+ U.S. dollars.Proper way to summit Everest is for example via North Face without oxygen,without roping already provided.@@eliotness4029

[@phoebehill953]

Very nicely put together video

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for watching.

[@kalyantr7]

Jerzy Kukuczka climbed all the 8000s, mostly in "Alpine style" during winter with limited resources and no Sherpas. REINHOLD MESSNER climbed most of them with assistance from Sherpas in climbing seasons, so decide who is the greatest.

[@marciajones2993]

Only one still alive decide for yourself 💙💙💙

[@stormtrooper9404]

@@marciajones2993He didn't opened a single new route! He only used the "tourist" ones! Today, there are hundreds mountaineers like him.. But Jerzy Kukuchka is THE only one 😉

[@marciajones2993]

@@stormtrooper9404 I never said he wasn’t he’s just not here to tell us. 👀👀👀

[@malcolmabram2957]

Thank you for such a respectful video, with respectful music. I read that he had bought poor quality ropes in Kathmandu, but that is probably unfair. It is difficult to say who the greatest mountaineer is of all time. Hillary and Norgay's triumph on Everest was the result of courage and an enormous logistical exercise. Now 1000s have climbed it for a large fee and Sherpa's. I looked at the equipment they used in a museum in NZ near Aoraki, it was pathetic by modern standards. Perhaps the greatest climber is Reinhold Messner who was the first to summit all 8000 m peaks, championing some challenging new routes along the way . If you read his book, 'All fourteen Eight Thousanders' he did cheat death on numerous occasions, particularly on Nanga Parbat and Manaslu. He gave up after his last 8000m climb, ironically as with Kukuczka, Lhotse, which is much harder than Everest. He felt he had defeated death too many times

[@lisadolan689]

Thank you Sir 🙏

[@epicadventurearchives]

Most welcome

[@shawngross5420]

I had a difficult time with the English pronunciation until I realized the P & F sounds were often confused. I think I have it now. Interesting story.

[@miketausig4205]

One of the most accomplished climbers of pre-90’s mountaineering. Politely, the accent is so incredibly thick in this narration that it is very difficult to interpret. That’s the only thing that hindered this from being a top notch video.

[@marciajones2993]

Turn subtitles on. 💙💙

[@miketausig4205]

@@marciajones2993 where does one do that Marcia? I would be grateful if you could point me in the right direction.

[@HannahManana27]

​@@miketausig4205 If you're on your phone click on the video and press the square button at the top that says 'CC'. It may be underneath the video on a computer/written as closed captioning, been a long time since I used YT on one, sorry.

[@meesalikeu]

excellent job thanks

[@eliotness4029]

now days a lot of people in Poland wear clothes called the North Face, but none of them have ever seen where the North Face is, and even more so, none of them have ever seen that the South Face Lhotze is no less scary

[@LimakNiwos]

Best Climber Ever!

[@PK1999]

Great content! Thank you

[@xPat99]

I tried to listen to this as a podcast. There’s a lot of information it’s really well done: unfortunately I cannot decipher the accent at times and I’m having trouble following ..

[@Kamii1987]

Great job!

[@arnabbhattacharya6579]

K2 via THAT route !! He was the best.

[@frenchfree]

Voytek kurtika is still alive and stands as an alpine style emblem for Polish climbers.

[@listrahtes]

I rate Kukuczkas ascents of the 8000ers much higher than Messners. He did not only do them under much more difficult financial circumstances but choose a lot more difficult routes to achieve them. Otherwise he would have been faster. It was all about the challenge for him and in that he surpasses Messner by quite some in regards to achievements . Messner knew that , thats why he did not invite him to his expedition to Lhotse and thats why Messner often tried to derail a climbing partners achievements after the ascent as he was a greedy egoistical maniac. The lies Messner has told over the decades really are countless as his lost trials at court about it . Most in my mind was Peter Habeler who saved Messners life on the descent of Everest and at that time was also quite famous as he was the first to ever ascent a 8000m mountain in alpine style without oxygen. Habeler was by all acounts not only equal but the stronger climber when both of them took on Everest but Messner did everything he could after they got back to talk down on Habeler and damage his reputation. Messner is a stain on the mountaineering history with great achievements but also great character flaws. Regarding 8000m climbing Kukuczka is superior to him in all accounts.

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism. so evil Soviet Union never gave Polish people food to eat, never gave water to drink.

[@L3GHO5T]

Where are you from? I love your the accent on your English!

[@alanjanda696]

He was really the best . A true bad ass !

[@ahmettevfik-v2j]

Sherpalar hariç bana göre dünyanın gelmiş geçmiş en iyi dağcısı Jerzy Kukuczka dır. O imkansızlıklar içinde 14*8000 lik zirvelerin bir çoğuna yeni rotalar açarak 8 yılda tamamlaması bunun kanıtıdır

[@jcmangan]

Du bist nicht der Zweite. Du bist groß. Reinhold Messner

[@Fazianastore]

Miss you

[@Norfeusz1989]

He was Greatest.

[@eliotness4029]

now days a lot of people in Poland wear clothes called the North Face, but none of them have ever seen where the North Face is, and even more so, none of them have ever seen that the South Face Lhotze is no less scary

[@lunab553]

Jerzy Kukuczka had previously conquered Lotse, in 1979, the north-west face.

[@jeanriff7954]

Thak you for the video.God have his soul.

[@drpenrose]

DarWINNING

[@alanhill5337]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@kamakaziozzie3038]

I really like having fingers and toes so probably not going to try Himalayan climbing

[@johnreilly8672]

I would think the best climber ever would live to grow old and tell stories about it.

[@olasek7972]

Impossible to understand

[@MrGTX23]

The mountain needed a sacrifice

[@marcussilvertabby1433]

At 19:10 I hear 'Sex games were established on the face. The crux was pumpkin four and after the tarf". 😮 ?

[@fedorpravov5372]

This is a great channel about mountains. I think it would have many more viewers and subscribes if the author used English native narrator.

[@epicadventurearchives]

Thanks for the tip!

[@The_Touring_Jedi]

Like the Western narative description of how Polish famous climber lived behind the "Iron Curtain" where life was so bad....😂

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism. so evil Soviet Union never gave Polish people food to eat, never gave water to drink.

[@Letnothinggotowaste]

Gravity?

[@frankblangeard8865]

11:35 "What was the cause...we will never know". Seems like the video title should be "Who knows how Kukuczka died, we don't".

[@noidreculse8906]

The Best? There at least 10 other climbers that could fit that title, he was good no doubt, but the best means better than everyone else, of all time.

[@ricki-bobby]

All of Polska was sad when Kukuczka die. Only Polish Pope more popular at the time

[@ukrulesall1]

Reinhold messner solo Everest w/o oxygen. Can that ever be topped?

[@wiktormat4958]

It has been topped many times. This does not diminish Messner's achievement.

[@craigbritton1089]

​@@GARRY3754afterwards without O2 but not by a new line and by yourself on the mountain

[@kimmccabe1422]

There are many best climbers who died! R.i.p. Ps. Strangest Polish accent i ever heard lol.

[@eliotness4029]

now days a lot of people in Poland wear clothes called the North Face, but none of them have ever seen where the North Face is, and even more so, none of them have ever seen that the South Face Lhotze is no less scary

[@tomkoolchowy3536]

I don't know what country he's from, but he's definitely not Polish.

[@gogamich]

Fall of Jerzy Kukuczka: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mJeqe5eMaLeKm68

[@wiktormat4958]

Fake. Is not Kukuczka.

[@rochus_wagner]

It couldn't have been the "Greatest Climber" if it stayed there, please don't throw around the markers for those who went up and went home to their families, this marker is a privilege for those people. Thank you!

[@utahdan231]

The best climber. People from communist countries can’t be compared to those from West. Their expeditions were financial struggles, they did not have good quality equipment, they did not have money to pay for expeditions , they did very dangerous work to make money. Very often they did not have money to come back home after expedition. My highest admiration to those from Eastern block to achieve unbelievable. REST IN PEACE ALL.

[@wkgurr]

And they did not have the wall to wall coverage the majority of the Western expeditions had. Their feats are only known to a few insiders. I read the name Kukuckza the first time in a book on K2. On this mountain Kukuckza and another Polish climber named Piotrowski - who died on the mountain - established an insane new route up the South face of K2 that has remained unclimbed since then. @@utahdan231

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism. so evil Soviet Union never gave Polish people food to eat, never gave water to drink.

[@eliotness4029]

it is a question of luck in mountains.

[@craigbritton1089]

Many of the 14 by new and harder routes

[@dbb1722]

They never consider the sherpas who guide them up these mountains 😂😂😂

[@SilverWealth_Draper_Mint]

Hire a Narrator. Can’t understand a word

[@Oster131]

Learn english.

[@fabioresende3442]

native portuguese speaker here, I understand 100% with NO PROBLEM AT ALL. Maybe try learning english better.

[@JCO2002]

To summarize, narcissism once again ends poorly.

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism. so evil Soviet Union never gave Polish people food to eat, never gave water to drink.

[@DrWade-ny2he]

Are you really a great climber when you use prepared ropes for climbing?

[@tunatuna6723]

To which climbers are you referring?

[@eliotness4029]

after communism crash there is no more alpinists in Poland. as well as in Soviet Union time Poland was 2 times in semifinal Football WC in 1974 and in 1982 and never again after communism crash. so evil Soviet communism. so evil Soviet Union never gave Polish people food to eat, never gave water to drink.

[@eliotness4029]

it is a question of luck in mountains. and you have no idea about mountains

[@zuckfacegobbels4527]

The guy fell to his death how can he be a great climber? what the hell wrong with people?

[@KowalskyLeon]

Sticking to your "theory" the best climber shoud stay at home on his couch - he will survive, at least not die falling... Dummkopf.

[@eliotness4029]

it is a question of luck in mountains.

[@brianarnold4819]

Sorry, but not dying while climbing is THE most important criteria for being mentioned as greatest of all time classification. Impactful, or greatest ambassador of climbing doesn't require such absolutes as not dying. If I kill myself with a hammer, while trying to drive a nail in, I can't then be admired for my SUPREME hammer skills. It's your feelings against rational logic. I am a red blooded, God fearing man. Therefore I care for all His Creation. Including this man whom died and devastated his family. I believe in the example of Jesus. satan said "if you really are who you claim to be, then throw yourself off of this high place and God will not allow you to be smashed down on the rocks". Jesus replied " It is written, thou shalt not temp thy God".

[@jefdarcy]

The ignorance in some comments here is shocking. You understand NOTHING, surviving is absolutely NOT the most important thing for high-altitude climbers. The most important goal is reaching summits, conquering peaks, experiencing nature's wonders from a position that only very few people reach. And your comparison is complete nonsense. High-altitude climbing is a high-risk extreme sport, you have to be a little crazy to do that, but even though I could never do it, I can understand the fascination and how some people get so addicted to it that they knowingly risk their lives. If you killed yourself while hammering a nail into a wall you would indeed not be admired, you'd be considered a fool, because this is something anybody can do, and nobody has ever died that way. And why do religious fanatics always find some way to bring up the nonsense they believe in, no matter what context? THERE IS NO GOD. Have you never wondered why there are so many religions and gods around the world?? Did it never cross your mind that the reason for this is that every religion and every god was INVENTED BY PEOPLE? And the legend of Jesus was concocted 2000 years ago by people who knew nothing about mankind and who believed Earth was flat. It's beyond me how an intelligent human being can still believe in those fairytales today and live by this ancient book, it's truly mind-boggling.

[@margarita8442]

wanted to be a hero went to zero

[@Maryush.B-B.Pl.676]

,,wanted to become a hero " ? Little girl, you have no idea what kind of person Mr. Jerzy Kukuczka was ! More respect ! There are no heroes in Himalayan mountaineering, it's not about that, it's about climbing itself, which you know nothing about! ! ! !

[@markwroblewski6500]

Don't be a swine by disrespecting great Kukuczka!

[@Maryush.B-B.Pl.676]

@@markwroblewski6500 Thank you for this comment bro 👊 I'm Polish climber , and this stupid girl insults not only Mr. Jerzy Kukuczka but also my entire country ! This girl achieved nothing in her life, and Jurek was the second person to conquer the crown of the Himalayas, the 14 highest peaks in the world. Each peak with a new route.

[@KowalskyLeon]

Comparing with Jerzy Kukuczka you are not even a zero.

[@Maryush.B-B.Pl.676]

@@KowalskyLeon thank you bro 🤝🇵🇱 Głüpia pisda zagotowała mi krew 🤬

[@DennisTedder-wj5ln]

clearly NOT the best. Where is he now?

[@southernman523]

I cannot understand what is the point of climbing up mountains, especially in hazardous conditions.

[@eliotness4029]

cowardy never understand.

[@alanjanda696]

He was really the best . A true bad ass !