Two separate accidents occurred on Poland’s Rysy mountain as tourists descended, with one victim requiring rescue assistance from fellow hikers.
Double Accident on Rysy Mountain
Traveler and mountain enthusiast Leszek Piszczyk described two separate accidents that occurred while descending from Rysy in a social media post. According to his account, one tourist “badly placed their foot,” lost balance, dropped their ice axe, and slid down the ridge. The man ultimately did not suffer serious injuries and descended on his own.
Shortly after, another accident occurred. Another tourist was hit by an ice block, lost balance, dropped their ice axe, and fell. Piszczyk reported that fellow tourists and a guide helped the victim, who was then secured by the guide and brought down.
“Over time, it was clear he was getting weaker. He swayed and lacked strength. We brought him to Morskie Oko, where the guide handed him over to TOPR rescuers,” Piszczyk wrote.
TOPR Warns About Rysy Dangers
“From Rysy, if someone falls, they fall effectively. The two most dangerous months on Rysy are May and June. Down below it’s spring, while high in the mountains there is still snow and at the same time protruding rocks. Tourists walk in light shoes without proper equipment. Slipping is not difficult then. And it ends tragically. It’s a difficult summit,” said TOPR rescuer Andrzej Maciata in an interview with “Wyborcza.”
“Between 2016-2021, on the way to Rysy, above the Black Pond under Rysy, 199 people had accidents, including 21 who died, which constitutes 10.55% of all accidents. So on Rysy, there are proportionally five times more fatal accidents than the average in the entire Tatra National Park,” calculated the TOPR rescuer.
Fatal Incident in Western Tatras
On Saturday, a tragic accident also occurred in the Western Tatras. As reported, at 11:23, witnesses informed TOPR about a tourist falling in the Starorobociański Wierch area. The tourist suddenly fell, likely lost consciousness, and slid down a steep, snow-covered slope.
A helicopter with rescuers flew to the scene. Despite the rescue operation, the tourist’s life could not be saved. After about 30 minutes, a TOPR doctor confirmed death.
TOPR Reminds About Winter Conditions
TOPR points out that although stable and sunny weather has been maintained in the Tatras for several days, full winter conditions still prevail in the mountains. Most trails are well-trodden, and similar weather is expected to continue in the coming days.
Rescuers remind that going to higher parts of the mountains still requires appropriate equipment, including crampons, ice axe, helmet, and avalanche ABC, as well as the skills to use this equipment. They also appeal to plan routes according to one’s own experience and abilities.
