Andrzej Bargiel - polish ski mountaineer , backcountry skier, mountain runner and climber!
A legendary figure in the world of mountaineering and skiing, Andrzej holds the remarkable distinction of being the first person to ski down from all four eight-thousanders located in the Karakoram: Broad Peak, K2, Gasherbrum I, and Gasherbrum II.
Andrzej is also the visionary behind the unique ski project HIC SUNT LEONES— “here are lions”—a phrase used to describe unexplored and unknown territories. The primary goal of this project is to demonstrate that skiing is possible even at the Top of the World.
One of Andrzej's notable pursuits was his expedition aimed at achieving the Snow Leopard Award, a prestigious mountaineering badge awarded for summiting five seven-thousanders in the former USSR territory. In a record time of fewer than 30 days, he reached the five highest peaks—Lenin Peak, Chan Tengri, Korzhenevskoi Peak, Ismail Somoni Peak (formerly known as Communism Peak), and Pobeda Peak—winning the Snow Leopard Award and beating the previous record held by Denis Urubko and Andrey Molotov in 1999 by 12 days. His method combined ski mountaineering—approaching, climbing, and skiing down from each peak, which he accomplished either partially or fully.His remarkable descent of K2 earned him recognition as the National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2019.
With his unparalleled achievements and passion for adventure, Andrzej has inspired countless outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers. His experiences in extreme conditions and breathtaking landscapes promise to offer invaluable insights and captivating stories during the festival.