Rysy
Main summit
Highest point
Elevation2,501 m (8,205 ft)[1][2]
Prominence161 m (528 ft)[2]
Parent peakVysoká
Isolation0.87 km (0.54 mi) Edit this on Wikidata
Listing
Coordinates49°10′46″N 20°5′17″E / 49.17944°N 20.08806°E / 49.17944; 20.08806[2]
Naming
English translationscratches or crevices
Language of namePolish and Slovak
Geography
Rysy is located in Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Rysy
Rysy
Location in Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Rysy is located in Poland
Rysy
Rysy
Rysy (Poland)
Rysy is located in Slovakia
Rysy
Rysy
Rysy (Slovakia)
CountriesPoland and Slovakia
Parent rangeHigh Tatras
Geology
Mountain typeGranite
Climbing
First ascent1840 by Ede Blásy, Ján Ruman-Driečny[3]
Easiest routeHiking
Mountain lakes of Czarny Staw pod Rysami and Morskie Oko seen from Rysy.

Rysy (Polish: [ˈrɨsɨ] ⓘ; Slovak: [ˈrisi]; German: Meeraugspitze, Hungarian: Tengerszem-csúcs) is a mountain in the crest of the High Tatras, eastern part of the Tatra Mountains, lying on the border between Poland and Slovakia. Rysy has three summits: the middle at 2,501 m (8,205 ft); the north-western at 2,500 m (8,202 ft);[4] and the south-eastern at 2,473 m (8,114 ft). The north-western summit is the highest point of Poland and belongs to the Crown of Polish Mountains; the other two summits are on the Slovak side of the border.

Name

Experts assume that the Polish and Slovak name Rysy, meaning "scratches" or "crevices", refers to a series of couloirs, either those on the western slopes of Żabie Ridge or the very prominent 500 m (1,600 ft) high couloir and numerous smaller on the northern side. A folk explanation on the Slovak side says that the name comes from the plural word rysy meaning "lynxes", although the habitat of the lynx does not extend above the timberline.

The Hungarian name Tengerszem-csúcs and the German name Meeraugspitze mean "eye-of-the-sea peak", from the glacial lake at the northern foot of the mountain, called "eye of the sea" (Morskie Oko in Polish).

History

The first known ascent was made in 1840, by Ede Blásy and his guide Ján Ruman-Driečny Sr.[3] The first winter ascent was completed in 1884, by Theodor Wundt and Jakob Harvey.[5]

Hiking the peak

Rysy is the highest peak in the Tatra Mountains that is accessible on foot without a mountain guide.

It is possible to reach the peak from the Slovak side, starting at Štrbské pleso and passing Chata pod Rysmi, a mountain chalet at an altitude of 2,250 m (7,380 ft). Between November 1 and June 15, the trail and chalet on the Slovak side are closed.

The mountain can also be ascended from the Polish side coming from the Morskie Oko lake, which is a more spectacular route, but at the same brings more difficulties and exposure. The trail leads from Morskie Oko to Czarny Staw, and from there first along the northern slope and then the west wall. Due to its location, the trail might have snow cover until the second half of June and winter equipment might be required for the ascent then.

The winter ascent from the Polish side is a serious climb requiring the right equipment (crampons, ice axe) and skills, often with a large avalanche threat. There have been serious avalanche events, including fatal ones. The average slope of the slope above the Czarny Staw is around 30 degrees. In the Rysa couloir, about 40 degrees to its half. In the upper part, the incline reaches up to 44 degrees.

Since the accession of Poland and Slovakia to the Schengen Agreement in 2007, the border between the two countries may be easily crossed at this point like at any other.

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Topographic map of Rysy". opentopomap.org. Retrieved 2023-07-04.
  2. 1 2 3 "Rysy". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2019-04-05.
  3. 1 2 Zofia Radwańska-Paryska, Witold Henryk Paryski (2004). Wielka encyklopedia tatrzańska (in Polish). Poronin.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ↑ "Polskie Rysy ze zmienioną wysokością na nowej mapie Tatr". Onet Podróże (in Polish). 2020-08-23. Archived from the original on 2022-12-22. Retrieved 2023-05-09.
  5. ↑ Witold Henryk Paryski (1954). Tatry Wysokie. Przewodnik taternicki. Żabia Przełęcz Wyżnia – Żabia Czuba. Vol. 7. Warszawa: Sport i Turystyka.
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