Broad Peak

Adam Bielecki is a key member of the 2013 Broad Peak expedition alongside Wielicki, Berbeka, Kowalski, and Małek. He brings experience and steadiness to the team, helping manage the pace under a tight daylight window. His role embodies the balance between ambition and practicality that defines modern high-altitude climbing.

Maciej Berbeka is the relentless climber who leads the 1988 Broad Peak effort and becomes a symbol of fearless ascent. His unwavering drive pushes him to the summit even when others hesitate, and his conflict with Lwow centers on the meaning of achievement. Upon later reflections, he grapples with fame and trauma from the climb and remains a defining figure in Polish mountaineering.

Aleksander Lwow is the cautious climber who urges turning back in the 1988 ascent, shaping the debate about safety versus glory. His misreport about reaching the summit becomes a focal point of Berbeka's later anger and public scrutiny. His actions illustrate how individual choices can alter collective memory of an ascent.

Andrzej Zawada is the expedition leader who tries to balance ambition with safety; he tries to keep the team together and safe in dangerous conditions. He is confronted with the consequences of decisions and the tension between pushing forward and turning back. His role highlights the burden of leadership in high-stakes mountaineering.

Krzysztof Wielicki is the veteran climber who strategizes the 2012-2013 Broad Peak ascent and ultimately pushes to complete the first winter ascent. He tracks Berbeka, weighs daylight constraints, and makes pragmatic calls about the schedule. His experience anchors the modern feat while testing the limits of the team.

Tomasz Kowalski is part of the 2013 team; he shares the ascent with Berbeka and Wielicki. He remains a trusted teammate until the descent, where tragedy strikes alongside Berbeka. His presence embodies camaraderie and the perils of alpine ambition.

Artur Małek is the support climber in the 2013 team, contributing to the collective effort and the dynamics of trust under pressure. He stands with the others through the challenging ascent, illustrating the collaborative nature of modern high-altitude expeditions.