21-year-old Polish climber dies after slipping and falling 150 metres on Slovakia's Wysoka peak
A 21-year-old Polish man died on Saturday morning, 25 July 2026, after slipping on treacherous terrain and falling roughly 150 metres while retreating from the summit of Wysoka in Slovakia's High Tatras. It is the second fatal accident involving a Polish national in the same range within two weeks.
The accident on Wysoka
Two Polish climbers set out on Saturday morning, 25 July 2026, to ascend Wysoka, one of the highest peaks in the Slovak High Tatras. During the approach to the ridge they encountered extremely slippery and dangerous conditions, and decided to abandon the climb. The pair turned back near a distinctive section of the ridge known as Kogucik. While descending, the 21-year-old man lost his footing on the steep slope and fell approximately 150 metres. The Mountain Rescue Service (HZS) received the call for help in the morning hours.
Rescue effort and aftermath
A medical rescue helicopter from Poprad was dispatched, collecting two mountain rescuers from the Regional Centre of the High Tatras en route. The rescuers were lowered to the scene by onboard winch. Despite the rapid intervention, the climber sustained fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the site. His body was transported by helicopter to the landing pad in Stary Smokovec, where it was handed over to Slovak police and a coroner. The second climber was unharmed. Assisted by a staff member of the Chata pod Rysami mountain hut, he descended safely to the hut's helipad and was subsequently flown together with a mountain rescuer to Stary Smokovec.
Second death in a fortnight
The accident is the latest in a string of fatal incidents involving Polish nationals in the Slovak High Tatras. On Monday, 13 July 2026, a 40-year-old Polish tourist died while climbing in the area of Czarny Szczyt. He fell roughly 200 metres. The HZS stated that the man and his female companion were moving off marked trails without adequate safety equipment, including safety ropes. A rescue operation was launched but his life could not be saved.
- Two Polish climbers begin ascent of Wysoka peak.
- Climbers encounter very slippery terrain and decide to abandon the summit attempt.
- 21-year-old slips and falls roughly 150 metres during the descent.
- HZS receives the request for help and dispatches a helicopter from Poprad.
- Two mountain rescuers are lowered to the accident site by onboard winch.
- The climber is pronounced dead; his body is flown to Stary Smokovec.
- Unharmed second climber reaches Chata pod Rysami with staff assistance and is later flown to Stary Smokovec.
