According to the Polish mountaineering magazine Mountain Sports, harsh weather conditions prevented a direct helicopter rescue. Instead, three experienced Sherpas from the K2 base camp were dispatched to carry out the evacuation. The Sherpas reached Kowalewski’s camp and successfully brought him down to safety.
? Broad Peak: Waldemar Kowalewski bezpiecznie sprowadzony do bazy! ? Dobre wieści z Karakorum – zakończyła się akcja...
Opublikowany przez Góry - Górski Magazyn Sportowy Poniedziałek, 14 lipca 2025
The entire team, including Kowalewski’s climbing partner Jarek Łukaczewski, is expected to be flown by helicopter on Tuesday to Skardu, a city in northern Pakistan near the Karakoram and Himalaya mountain ranges, depending on weather conditions.
Avalanche on Broad Peak leaves Polish climber injured but safely rescued
Last Friday, July 11, after two days of heavy snowfall, an avalanche struck the upper slopes of Broad Peak between camps II and III at approximately 6,600 to 6,800 metres, visible from base camp.
Three climbers were caught - one avoided direct contact with the slide, while Kowalewski and another climber managed to free themselves. Kowalewski suffered a broken leg and spent two nights at 6,600 metres with his teammate before help arrived.
Polish traveler Łukasz Supergan, covering the rescue, reported on social media that Kowalewski was safe at base camp with the three Sherpas and his partner, and thanked everyone involved in the operation.
"Waldemar Kowalewski is safe at base camp with the three Nepalese rescuers, Min Temba, Dawa Sange, and Pasang Tengui, as well as Jarek. Waldek is expected to be evacuated by helicopter to Skardu tomorrow. Thanks to everyone involved in the operation," Supergan wrote.
[?ﾟﾇﾧ below] Broad Peak: akcja ratunkowa zakończona Waldemar Kowalewski jest bezpieczny w bazie, są z nim trzej nepalscy...
Opublikowany przez Łukasz Supergan Niedziela, 13 lipca 2025
Polish climber close to completing Himalayas and Karakoram crown
Kowalewski has climbed 12 of the 14 highest peaks above 8,000 metres worldwide, pursuing the prestigious Crown of the Himalayas and Karakoram - a challenge to summit all 14 such peaks.
He still needs to climb Shishapangma (8,013 metres) and Cho Oyu (8,201 metres) in China to complete this goal. If successful, he will become the fourth Pole to achieve this feat, joining Jerzy Kukuczka, Krzysztof Wielicki, and Piotr Pustelnik.
Update: Rescue helicopter grounded due to weather, Polish climber’s condition stable
According to the climbing portal wspinanie.pl, weather conditions around 1 p.m. on Tuesday, July 15, have so far prevented a helicopter from flying. However, information from the Lela Peak agency indicates that Kowalewski’s condition is stable, with no serious concerns about deterioration or complications.
(mp)
Source:
Facebook.com/magazyngory/LukaszSuperganPodroze/waldemar.kowalewski.climber
X/@wspinanie/@Angelab8848/@dominobb