On 30 June 2026, Polish ski mountaineer Andrzej Bargiel became the first person in history to ski down from the summit of Nanga Parbat (8,126 m) without supplemental oxygen. The feat also completed his quest to descend all five Pakistani eight-thousanders on skis.
The expedition, named Nanga Parbat Ski Challenge, was part of Bargiel’s own project HIC SUNT LEONES. The strategic partner of the mission was Murapol, a Polish developer, while the list of supporting companies included Comarch, Totalizator Sportowy, Red Bull, IMM, BNP Paribas (as official bank) and Defender.
Bargiel’s achievement is widely regarded as one of the most difficult in extreme skiing. Nanga Parbat’s Rupal Face is the highest mountain wall on Earth, rising roughly 4,600 metres from base to summit.
Decades of determination
Andrzej Bargiel had already skied down Broad Peak, K2, Gasherbrum I and Gasherbrum II. Each descent required not only extraordinary physical fitness but also precise planning and courage. The Nanga Parbat descent, made without bottled oxygen, pushed the limits of human endurance even further.
– What Andrzej does impresses me every time. Skiing from Nanga Parbat required exceptional skill, courage, humility and consistency. I am glad that Comarch can be part of his journey and support such beautiful goals – said Jarosław Mikos, CEO of Comarch.
Corporate backing for a historic mission
The involvement of well-known brands was crucial for the expedition’s budget and logistics. Murapol acted as the strategic partner, while Comarch provided technology sponsorship. Totalizator Sportowy, Red Bull, IMM, BNP Paribas and Defender also contributed financial and material support. The mission’s success highlights how the private sector can enable extreme sports projects that bring global recognition to Polish sport.
Nanga Parbat, the ninth highest mountain in the world, is notorious for its severe weather and technical difficulty. Bargiel’s accomplishment adds a new chapter to the history of Himalayan skiing and puts Poland once again at the forefront of mountaineering.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. Materiały prasowe / Comarch
