KATHMANDU: In a remarkable display of high-altitude endurance, veteran mountaineers Piotr Jerzy Krzyzowski of Poland and Gian Luca Cavalli of Italy successfully summited Mt. Kangchenjunga (8,586m) on May 20, 2026.

Making the achievement even more extraordinary, both athletes reached the peak of the world’s third-highest mountain without the use of supplemental oxygen and without Sherpa support.

The successful ascents come just days after ferocious winds forced the mountain’s route-fixing team to retreat, creating highly challenging conditions for the climbers.

According to expedition organizer Seven Summit Treks, Krzyzowski reached the summit early in the morning, while Cavalli achieved the feat later in the afternoon at approximately 2:00 PM Nepal time.

Both climbers are highly seasoned alpinists with formidable track records; Cavalli is well-known for his bold 2025 attempt on a partial new route via Annapurna’s Northwest Spur, while Krzyzowski made headlines in 2024 by completing a record-breaking, oxygen-free traverse of Lhotse and Everest.

Following their successful summits, both men safely descended to a lower camp and are expected to arrive back at Base Camp today, as well-wishes continue to pour in for the remaining teams still awaiting their summit windows.