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To better understand how dangerous the “low” Polish Tatras can be, read about several accidents that occurred in these mountains over the past month. Tourists got stuck in the snow, fell down on icy slopes, crashed into rocks, and even came under fire from lightning. I hope this will prove to you that an ice axe, crampons, a helmet and a clear head on your shoulders are truly necessary in the mountains, even at the cusp of summer.
Please note that most of the accidents described below occurred on Mount Rysy (the highest peak in Poland). This is indeed a difficult peak, but far from the most difficult in the Polish Tatras. The same Trail of Eagles, in my opinion, is much more dangerous. Get ready!
May 22, 2018. TOURISTS ARE STUCK ON THE WAY TO RYSY
TOPR helicopters were flying today to help hikers who were unable to cope with the conditions on the slopes of Rysa.
According to the TOPR rescuer on duty, the hikers did not have the proper skills to navigate and navigate the area.
May 21, 2018. TWO ACCIDENTS UNDER LYNTS. ONE DEAD
The next accident happened today on the way to Lynx.
The slide sent the hiker sliding across steep snow and rocks. He was taken to hospital in critical condition, where he unfortunately died.
During the rescue efforts, a second, identical accident occurred almost in the same place. The victim was also airlifted by helicopter and taken to Zakopane Hospital.
This is the third fatal accident on the slopes of Mount Rysy in recent weeks. It should be remembered that there are still difficult winter conditions on the slopes on the Morskie Oko side. To move around you need winter equipment and skills to use it.
May 14, 2018. NIGHT RESCUE WORKS ON TRONTS
That night, TOPR rescuers helped tourists who were unable to cope with the safe descent from Rysa.
Yesterday the man went to Rysy... in the afternoon. Sports sneakers on his feet and a lack of winter equipment meant that he got stuck on the hard firn below the summit. At 11 p.m. he decided to seek help. TOPR rescuers reached him (on foot) around 4 a.m. They took the tourist to the ridge, where he was picked up by a helicopter.
It should be remembered that winter conditions still prevail when ascending Rysa Mountain from the Polish side. In the last few weeks alone, slipping on firn on the slopes of Rys has caused two fatal accidents. We encourage caution by checking conditions before hiking the trail and bringing winter gear (ice ax, crampons) if necessary. In addition, it would be nice to know the technique of self-restraint (using an ice ax) on a slope.
May 7, 2018. FATAL ACCIDENT
While climbing Rysy, the tourist fell, fell several hundred meters along the slope, and died on the spot as a result of injuries. Details of the incident are not yet known. The approach to Lynx from the Polish side reaps a deadly harvest every spring. All because of the snow, which is very hard in the morning, especially in the morning. Any slip without immediate slowing down with an ice ax can end tragically. Just three weeks ago there was an accident here...
May 5, 2018. LIGHTNING STRIKES TWO TOURISTS IN GIEWONTE
On Friday, May 4, a very dangerous event occurred. In the afternoon the Tatras were covered by a storm. However, worsening weather did not prevent the two men from continuing their journey to Mount Giewont. When they were near the cross (on top), they were struck by lightning. Their later behavior was also quite original.
Here is a description of the entire situation, published in the chronicle of the Tatra voluntary rescue service:
“A woman called TOPR at 4:40 p.m. She said that she had just spoken on the phone with her husband, and learned from him that he and his friend were in Giewont, where they were struck by lightning, and they needed help. Several attempts to reach the tourists yielded nothing. Later, we managed to contact them and through the noise and interference (probably caused by a thunderstorm or moisture getting into the phone), it was possible to determine that the tourists had received severe burns. At the same time, the tourists said that they did not need help and would go to the Kondratova Khata shelter.
By a lucky coincidence, at that very moment there were rescuers in Kondratov’s hut (they were providing assistance to another injured tourist). One of them went to meet our heroes descending from Giewont. Shortly before 18:00, the rescuer reached the tourists. After examination, he stated that the consequences of being struck by lightning were so serious that they needed to be transported to the hospital. The tourists agreed. The car and 2 rescuers left the headquarters in the direction of Kondratova and arrived at the scene by 18:42. While leaving Kondratova at 19:05, the tourists changed their minds and said that they did not want to go to the hospital. After signing papers refusing to be transported to the hospital, one of the tourists collapsed and fell to the ground. This caused another change in their decisions. At 19:22, rescuers took them to the hospital.
Based on materials from the website tatromaniak.pl
Translation from Polish - Kirill Yasko, May 22, 2018