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First winter ascent of Everest

On 17 February 1980, the first people climbed Everest in winter. John Beauchamp hears from Leszek Cichy and Krzysztof Wielicki from Poland who were the men who did it.

On 17 February 1980, the first people climbed Everest in winter.

John Beauchamp hears from Leszek Cichy and Krzysztof Wielicki from Poland who were the men who did it.

It was at the height of the Cold War, when Poland was behind the Iron Curtain.

The two climbers decided that they had to show the world that their country was still capable of doing extraordinary things.

Despite a lack of money and equipment and using whatever they could lay their hands on – including welding goggles – they made it to the top of the world’s tallest mountain.

A Free Range and Overcoat Media co-production for Â鶹Éç World Service.

(Photo: Leszek Cichy (left) Krzysztof Wielicki (right). Credit: Krzysztof Wielicki)

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9 minutes

Last on

Sat 18 Feb 2023 05:50GMT

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  • Fri 17 Feb 2023 08:50GMT
  • Fri 17 Feb 2023 12:50GMT
  • Fri 17 Feb 2023 18:50GMT
  • Fri 17 Feb 2023 23:50GMT
  • Sat 18 Feb 2023 03:50GMT
  • Sat 18 Feb 2023 05:50GMT

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