19th FGA: Meeting with Leszek Cichy: Not only Mount Everest. Mountains of the World by Leszek Cichy

LESZEK CICHY, an outstanding Polish himalayist, is primarily associated with one of the greatest achievements in the history of Polish high-mountain expeditions. On February 17, 1980, together with Krzysztof Wielicki, they were the first people in the world to conquer Mount Everest in winter. It was at the same time the first ever winter ascent of the eight-thousandth and the moment that opened a whole new chapter of the world's Himalayas. But Everest is only part of the remarkable mountain history of Leszek Cichy.

In 1974 he participated in the first ascent to the virgin Shispare (7611 m), a year later he entered the new road to Gasherbrum II (8035 m). He also climbed K2 and Makalu, and in 1984 he reached Yalung Kang, the western peak of Kanchendzongi, on a new route.

In 1999 he became the first Pole to complete the Crown of the Earth, conquering the highest peaks of all continents