by xslawekx » Sat Oct 25, 2014 4:14 pm
I've written 'the greatest' 'cause that's my personal view, taking into consideration his achievements..
"He was the second climber, after media star Reinhold Messner, to climb all 14 mountains in the Himalayan rosary of 8000-meter peaks. Unlike Messner's great accomplishment, the routes Kukuczka chose on the Himalayan giants were usually original, many of them first ascents and often done in the grip of winter wind and cold.
In an era in Poland where even the most basic foods were scarce, Kukuczka was able successfully to mount and equip numerous ventures to the far-flung reaches of the world. Usually pressed for cash and equipment, he painted factory chimneys to earn precious zlotys to finance his mountaineering dreams. Although not always successful (he was "brought to his knees" by altitude illness on Denali), Kukuczka pursued his dreams on a budget a fraction of what most Western climbers enjoy. His source of drive was not the flash and fame that many highly regarded climbers today thrive on but rather the challenge of climbing the great mountains. Although a devoted husband and father, he was most at home in the big mountains, many times alone." - Gary Ruggera, “American Alpine Journal” 1993
In my opinion, it is what you've achieved or/and are capable of doing, that defines your greatness. For example, Alex Honnold is thought to be the best free solo climber in the world. He's 23, still alive and has soloed some outrageous routes. Even if he dies doing what he does, there is no way you could say, he's not that good after all - he got himself killed. It is because no-one else has got the balls or skills to do it...
