On May 21 at 6:55 AM, Mateusz Waligóra reached the summit of Mount Everest at 8,848.86 meters. Starting his expedition from the shores of the Indian Ocean, Waligóra achieved this incredible feat in 63 days, becoming the first Pole to do so. Inspired by pioneers like Tim Macartney-Snape and Göran Kropp, he commenced his journey on March 20 from the Bay of Bengal, solely relying on his own muscle power throughout the trip.
Support and Summit Attempt
During his summit push, which began on the night of May 17, Waligóra was assisted by two Sherpas from Imagine Nepal. Above 7,000 meters, he used supplemental oxygen. The final ascent started at 8:30 PM on May 20 from Camp IV at 7,900 meters, and Waligóra returned to the South Col camp at 12:30 PM the following day. Favorable weather, with almost no wind, allowed for a relatively smooth ascent and descent despite the high traffic on the mountain.
Waligóra’s achievement makes him the first and only Pole to reach both the South Pole and Everest under his own power and without external support. This journey, often referred to as reaching the “third pole,” adds to his distinguished record of extreme expeditions. Sunrise greeted him with stunning views from the Everest ridge, including vistas of Lhotse and Makalu.
Two days after summiting, Waligóra safely descended through the Khumbu Icefall to Everest Base Camp. His return journey will take him back to Kathmandu and then to Poland. The expedition emphasized sustainable practices, adhering to a “leave no trace” principle. The Himalayan triathlon comprised cycling, trekking, and climbing, showcasing his commitment to achieving great heights with minimal environmental impact.