The Mountain Week in the European City of Science Katowice 2024 organised by the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Science in Katowice on 5-11 February 2024 was filled with activities, knowledge and inspiring experiences for all enthusiasts of mountain-related challenges. The curator of this week was Prof. Zbigniew Waśkiewicz.
During seven days, there were opportunities to take part in various events, workshops, speeches and scientific conferences carried out by experienced instructors, coaches, scientists and invited special guests. The programme included practical classes, such as climbing, trekking and ski touring, as well as meetings concerning safety in the mountains, expedition planning, climbing techniques and health issues related to high-mountain activities.
The Mountain Week was inaugurated with a meeting at Kinoteatr Rialto. The screening of the movie ‘Z hałdy w Himalaje’ was followed by a moving conversation with the participants of the trip 13 years ago. In 2011, nine teenagers from Silesian mine waste dumps, persons under care of Fundacja ULICA selected by instructors from AWF Katowice after seven months of intense trainings went on a three-week trip to Himalayas. Our guests told about the changes in their lives that were initiated by the trip.
The second day began with the presentation called „Bezpieczeństwo w górach” (Safety in the mountains) at Kato Science Corner x Metrolab GZM, during which the participants could learn e.g. more about the avalanche risks. The meeting called ‘Przygotowanie do wyprawy w góry’ (Preparing for a mountain trip) was dedicated to the stages of planning mountain trips depending on the season, its purpose and nature. The people participating in the event could also familiarise themselves with professional mountain equipment.
Next, Wojciech Kukuczka, PhD from the University of Silesia and Wojciech Lemański from Fundacja Wielki Człowiek told about work on Jerzy Kukuczka’s archive. During the lecture, authentic memorabilia from the times of the golden decade of Polish Himalayan mountaineering and previously unpublished archival materials were presented.
On the third day of the Mountain Week, we met during the climbing workshop at Limbo Bouldering, which was conducted by Prof. Krzysztof Sas-Nowosielski from the Academy of Physical Sciences, an experienced practitioner and scientist. The online scientific conference ‘Zdrowie w górach’ (Health in the mountains) was also held on that day. The participants told about the pro-health benefits of stay in the mountains, high altitudes and oxygen deficiency in the context of mental health. Another conversation subject was the technical aspect of mountain trips. The problem of hypoxia and its impact on athletes’ training and results was also touched upon. In the evening, Wojciech Kłapcia gave a speech at RawaInk, telling about the preparations for travelling long-distance routes, such as Mały Szlak Beskidzki (Small Beskid Trail), Główny Szlak Sudecki (Main Sudety Trail) and Główny Szlak Beskidzki (Main Beskid Trail).
The lecture of Jakub Kamiński, PhD on medical issues related to recreation and sports in the mountains, regeneration methods with limited resources, as well as preparation of the motion system for mountain activities, took place on Thursday. In the afternoon, there was a meeting with Krzysztof Wielicki, one of the most famous Polish Himalayan climbers, the 5th man to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders, as well as Aleksandra Dzik – alpinist and international mountain guide and Prof. Rafał Śpiewak from the University of Economics Katowice in the Lecture Hall of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Sciences. The discussion was hosted by Beata Tomanek from Radio Katowice. The guests talked about the mysticism of mountains, their mountain experiences and reflections. The meeting was attended by about 300 participants!
The fifth day of the Mountain Week was marked by physical activities: a tour of Beskid Mały and ski touring with the Rector of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Sciences.
The weekend included a climbing workshop in Sosnowiec, where the children trained under the eye of experienced instructors. During that time, their parents and carers could watch the following films: ‘Droga na Everest’ and ‘Z Hałdy w Himalaje’.
There was also a possibility to visit a real Himalayan Base Camp with an impressive historic Jelcz vehicle, drink Tibetan tea, listen to the speech by Katarzyna Jakubik, PhD as well as see the first aid in the mountains show in Dolina Trzech Stawów in Katowice-Muchowiec.
Moreover, the exhibition ‘Z archiwum Jerzego Kukuczki’ (From the archive of Jerzy Kukuczka) organised in cooperation with Fundacja Wielki Człowiek was presented in Katowice on 7-11 February.
Related content
- Website of the Mountain Week in the City of Science
- „Research on the impact of high-altitude training on sporting performance” – article on research carried out by Silesian scientists
- Week summary on the website of the Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education in Katowice
- Podcast with the organisers of the Mountain Week (Spotify)
