Janusz Kurczab was a Polish champion in fencing, competing at the 1960 Olympics in épée. He later became best known as a mountaineer and climber, which he started in the later 1950s. He made several first ascents and pioneered a new route on the ascent to K2, up to a height of 8,400 metres. He also opened a new route up Kazalnica in the High Tatras in 1962. Kurczab later organized climbing tours and led them. He was co-founder of the multi-media Crown of the Earth museum in Zawoja, devoted to mountaineering. Kurczab also authored numerous articles and books about mountaineering and climbing and was the editor of the quarterly Climber from 2003-07.
Poland