As autumn approaches, a determined Polish climbing team is setting its sights on a challenging ascent of Nanga Parbat, one of the most formidable peaks in the Himalayas. Scheduled for the coming weeks, their expedition aims to tackle the mountain during a season typically avoided by climbers, in hopes of bypassing the usual crowds and capitalizing on potentially more favorable conditions.
The team is composed of six experienced climbers: Artur Malek, Marek Chmielarski, Marek Olczak, Pawel Michalski, Rafal Fronia, and Wojtek Flaczynski. Each member brings a wealth of experience to the table, but they are also keenly aware of the challenges posed by the changing climate.
Rafal Fronia has voiced his concerns about the impact of climate change on climbing practices. Through social media, he emphasized the need for climbers to adapt to the evolving environmental conditions. “We need to change our habits and evolve in the mountains, just as the whole world is evolving,” Fronia stated. He highlighted how climate change is leading to glacier melt and destabilizing mountain terrain, making conditions more perilous, particularly during the summer months when loose rocks pose a greater hazard.
Fronia also expressed dissatisfaction with the state of commercial Himalayan climbing. He criticized the peak season’s overcrowding, which often leaves climbers with little space at higher camps and disrupts the peaceful nature of the mountains.
The Polish team is aiming to avoid the pitfalls faced by previous climbers who attempted autumn ascents. Notably, in August 2022, the Imagine Nepal team, led by Mingma G, faced considerable difficulties on Nanga Parbat. Their attempt to scale the Kinshoffer route was thwarted by rockfalls below Camp 2, forcing them to retreat. They then shifted to the Messner route, but persistent avalanches ultimately led them to abandon their summit push.
In contrast, the Polish team plans to reach Base Camp later than their predecessors, hoping that this timing will offer better conditions and a chance to achieve what others could not.
As they prepare for their ascent, the Polish climbers remain hopeful that their strategic timing and thorough preparation will help them navigate the challenges of Nanga Parbat and achieve their ambitious goals.
