Tragic Accident in the Slovak Tatras: Ali Olszański and Marek Patola Dead

On Wednesday evening, a drama unfolded in the Slovak High Tatras, claiming the lives of two outstanding Polish athletes. The victims of the avalanche were Ali Olszański, a pioneer of Polish freeride, and Marek Patola, a well-known ski mountaineer in the community. The accident happened in the area of the Mięguszowiecka Valley. Both skiers were well-prepared for the expedition, possessing avalanche safety gear, but the force of the sliding snow masses proved merciless. Rescuers from the Slovak HZS service, upon reaching the site, could only confirm the death of both men. The beginnings of organized mountain rescue in the Tatras date back to 1909, when after the tragic death of Mieczysław Karłowicz under an avalanche below Mały Kościelec, the TOPR was established. To this day, despite advanced detection technology, avalanches remain the main cause of winter deaths in mountains of an alpine character.Controversy surrounding the event was sparked by Olszański's recent activity on social media. Shortly before his death, he published a video in which he assessed the snowpack as stable. This prompted a firm reaction from Slovak rescuers, who corrected these reports. On the day of the accident, the second degree of avalanche danger on the five-level scale was in effect in the Tatras. Rescuers emphasized that subjective perceptions of safety, even among individuals with vast experience, can be unreliable. This tragedy has resonated widely in the climbing community, and the victims' loved ones remember them as people full of passion and courage, who pushed the boundaries of risk consciously, but with tragic consequences. „HZS zdôrazňuje, že hodnotenie stability snehovej pokrývky zverejnené súkromnými osobami by sa nemalo považować za oficiálne bezpečnostné pokyny.” (HZS emphasizes that assessments of snowpack stability published by private individuals should not be considered official safety guidelines.) — Mountain Rescue Service The case has also sparked a discussion about the ethics of reporting extreme expeditions in real-time. Specialists point out that the pressure to create attractive content for audiences can sometimes influence decision-making processes in high-mountain terrain. The investigation into the exact course of the accident is ongoing, but preliminary findings indicate a mechanical triggering of the avalanche during the descent. The families of the deceased appeal for privacy during this difficult time, while thanking for the numerous expressions of sympathy from the mountain community across Poland.

Perspektywy mediów: The media emphasize the romanticism of mountain passion and the tragedy of losing outstanding individuals. The media point to recklessness and ignoring official warnings by professionals.