They ride apples down from Kasprowy. “This is asking for tragedy”

There are dangerous situations on Kasprowy Wierch; tourists descend from the peak to the so-called apples. This type of behavior is prohibited, extremely risky and may result in serious accidents, including those involving bystanders on the slope, warned the Tatra National Park (TPN).

– Downhill skiing or buttocks descents from the top of Kasprowy Wierch are not allowed. This is not a recreational slope, but a high-mountain area with difficult winter conditions. On icy slopes, it is very easy to lose control, and a speeding person becomes a real threat to other tourists. Such behavior should be unequivocally condemned, Jakub Bryniarski from the TPN Access Department told PAP.

Thanks to the cable car, Kasprowy Wierch is easily accessible, which can be confusing for people unprepared for winter high-mountain conditions. Tourists, especially foreign ones, often take a cable car to the top straight from Krupówki, often with small children in strollers.

– People who do not have appropriate footwear, clothing or equipment should limit their activity to the observation deck and the area of ​​the upper cable car station. Even a short approach to the peak or traverse can be very dangerous in such conditions, noted Bryniarski.

The slopes of Kasprowy Wierch are currently heavily glaciated. Sliders reach very high speeds and cannot effectively brake or avoid other tourists. There are dangerous situations, including driving into people on traverses and in the area of ​​trails.

Similar behavior has resulted in serious accidents before. Last year, there was a very dangerous incident involving a tourist who decided to slide down from the top of Kasprowy Wierch on her buttocks. The woman slipped from the peak, crossed the traverse and stopped only on the slope of Kotło Gąsienicowy. The victim broke her ribs, suffered internal injuries and had an epileptic seizure. TOPR rescuers helped her and transported her by helicopter to a hospital in Zakopane.

TPN appeals to tourists to be reasonable and respect the applicable rules. It reminds that the dome of Kasprowy Wierch is covered with frozen snow, and there is ice in places. The Tatra Mountains in winter require appropriate preparation and experience. When deciding to go by cable car to Kasprowy Wierch, tourists should wear appropriate footwear and warm clothing. Handholds and poles may be useful to move around the peak. (PAP)

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