A group of Polish volunteers have helped individuals with disabilities scale one of the highest peaks in the country’s southern Tatra Mountains.
The assent of the 2,503-peak of Lower Rysy was part of an initiative organized by the Polish foundation Szerpowie Nadziei (‘Sherpas of Hope’), a group dedicated to making the Tatra accessible to everyone.
The foundation gets its name from the term used to describe an ethnic group in Nepal famed for their expertise in navigating the challenging terrain of the Himalaya. The term is also used to refer to mountain guides in general.
The initiative, which began with a single dream and a small team, has now grown into a nationwide effort, bringing the beauty of the Tatra to those who might otherwise never experience it.
It started with the members of the 36th Scout Team of Red Berets from Jastrzębie-Zdrój, southern Poland, who decided to help a friend with cerebral palsy experience the mountain range. Since then, they have made this dream a reality for dozens of people.
On Saturday, another Sherpas of Hope expedition took place, for the third year in a row, with 290 volunteers assisting 120 individuals with disabilities in reaching locations in the Polish Tatra.
“We have all-terrain wheelchairs, specially designed carrying devices made by a company tailored to specific individuals,” said Marta Mazur Sokołowska, vice-president of the foundation.
“We also have high-mountain groups that go up 2,000-meter peaks. These are individuals trained in alpine skills. They have completed climbing, rock climbing, and mountaineering courses. They are people with the highest qualifications,” she added.
The foundation gets its name from the term used to describe an ethnic group in Nepal famed for their expertise in navigating the challenging terrain of the Himalaya. The term is also used to refer to mountain guides in general.
The initiative, which began with a single dream and a small team, has now grown into a nationwide effort, bringing the beauty of the Tatra to those who might otherwise never experience it.
It started with the members of the 36th Scout Team of Red Berets from Jastrzębie-Zdrój, southern Poland, who decided to help a friend with cerebral palsy experience the mountain range. Since then, they have made this dream a reality for dozens of people.
On Saturday, another Sherpas of Hope expedition took place, for the third year in a row, with 290 volunteers assisting 120 individuals with disabilities in reaching locations in the Polish Tatra.
“We also have high-mountain groups that go up 2,000-meter peaks. These are individuals trained in alpine skills. They have completed climbing, rock climbing, and mountaineering courses. They are people with the highest qualifications,” she added.
More In Society MORE...
