Polish Climber Summits Everest and Lhotse in Under 48 Hours

Piotr Krzyżowski has officially claimed a Guinness World Record for one of the most impressive feats in modern climbing: summiting both Lhotse and Mount Everest in just 1 day, 23 hours, and 22 minutes.

The 45-year-old Polish mountaineer completed this stunning double ascent in May 2024, and the record was officially certified in March 2026. What makes his achievement extraordinary isn't just the speed but how he did it.

Krzyżowski reached Lhotse's summit on May 21 at 2:38 p.m. Rather than descending to base camp as most climbers would, he dropped only to Camp 4 at the South Col for a brief rest. From there, he pushed upward again through the night.

Less than 48 hours after his first summit, he stood atop Mount Everest at 2:00 p.m. on May 23. The entire journey was completed without supplemental oxygen, without Sherpa support, and without returning to lower camps between climbs.

"I don't climb for records," Krzyżowski said after his certification. "Climbing Lhotse and Everest in a single summit push, without descending below Camp 4, was simply one of my dreams as a mountaineer."

His approach dramatically differs from previous attempts. The former record holder, Chilean climber Juan Pablo Mohr Prieto, linked the same two peaks in 2019 in 6 days and 20 hours, but descended to Camp 2 between climbs for recovery.

Krzyżowski's lightweight alpine style, tackling both 8,000-meter peaks in one continuous push, represents a new benchmark in Himalayan climbing. The physical and mental demands of staying at extreme altitude without oxygen for nearly two full days push the boundaries of human endurance.

Why This Inspires

What makes Krzyżowski's story remarkable isn't just athletic achievement. This is a lawyer from southern Poland who volunteers with mountain rescue services and pursued his climbing dreams alongside a full career. He only climbed his first 8,000-meter peak in 2021 at age 43.

Since then, he's steadily built his skills to 10 summits above 8,000 meters. His journey shows that extraordinary achievements don't require starting young or abandoning everything else in life.

His record demonstrates what careful preparation, patience, and dedication can accomplish when paired with a clear dream. By choosing the purest, most difficult style rather than the easiest path, he's raised the bar for what mountaineers worldwide will aspire to next.

The Himalayas have seen countless speed records, but Krzyżowski's lightweight, oxygen-free double ascent stands as one of the most technically impressive climbs ever officially recorded.