The 1980s and 1990s marked Poland’s Golden Age of mountaineering, a time when climbers from a nation under communist rule ascended to the world’s highest peaks. Among these fearless adventurers was Wanda Rutkiewicz, a name synonymous with ambition and resilience. She was the first Polish person to climb Mount Everest and the first woman to summit K2. Despite immense personal struggles, Wanda embodied an unwavering determination to conquer not only mountains but also societal expectations.
From Poland to Everest, In cima a sé stessi presents 20 short stories celebrating great mountaineers in a new book by Italian journalist Antonio Panei, featuring illustrations by designer Veronica Cristofoletti.
Polish mountaineering takes center stage in the latest literary work by Italian journalist and writer Antonio Panei. Published by La Bussola in Rome, In cima a sé stessi explores the extraordinary achievements of legends like Wanda Rutkiewicz, Wojtek Kurtyka, and the triumphant Polish expedition to Everest in 1980. Architect and graphic designer Veronica Cristofoletti provides evocative illustrations of these iconic figures.
