The rope broke, the body vanished into the abyss. Messner's rival was thus forever buried by the Himalayas.

Jerzy Kukuczka, a renowned Polish climber, disappeared 37 years ago while attempting to summit Lhotse. He was known for his rivalry with Reinhold Messner and his resourceful climbing methods in socialist Poland. Despite financial struggles, Kukuczka achieved remarkable feats, including climbing all 14 eight-thousanders in a record time. His tragic fall occurred during an ascent of Lhotse's southern face, where he and his partner faced equipment challenges. Kukuczka's legacy is marked by his ambition and respect for climbing, as well as his faith, which he often invoked during expeditions.