Polish Climber Sets Record: 2 Peaks in Under 2 Days

Imagine climbing two mountains over 28,000 feet tall, back to back, breathing nothing but the thin Himalayan air. That's exactly what Polish mountaineer Piotr Jerzy Krzyżowski accomplished in May 2024, earning himself a Guinness World Record and a place in mountaineering history.

Krzyżowski summited Lhotse, the world's fourth-highest peak at 27,940 feet, on May 21, 2024 at 2:38 p.m. Without descending to rest at base camp, he immediately traversed toward Mount Everest. Just 1 day, 23 hours, and 22 minutes later, he stood atop Everest at 29,032 feet.

The speed is impressive, but what makes this record truly extraordinary is the style. Krzyżowski climbed both peaks without supplemental oxygen, without Sherpa assistance, and without returning to lower camps between summits. In an era when most Everest climbers rely on oxygen tanks, guides, and extensive support teams, his approach harkens back to mountaineering's earliest days.

The physical demands are staggering. At these altitudes, the air contains only one third the oxygen available at sea level. Most climbers need days to recover between major summits. Krzyżowski kept moving, trusting his body's acclimatization and his own navigational skills through some of Earth's most dangerous terrain.

Why This Inspires

This record reminds us that human potential still has room to surprise us. In a world where technology increasingly mediates our achievements, Krzyżowski proved that raw determination and preparation can accomplish what seems impossible.

His achievement also honors the spirit of early mountaineers who climbed with minimal equipment and maximum courage. Chhang Dawa Sherpa, Expedition Director at Seven Summit Treks, called it "a new pinnacle of minimalist, self-reliant alpinism."

For anyone facing their own metaphorical mountain, Krzyżowski's journey offers a powerful message: sometimes the hardest path teaches us what we're truly capable of.