| Rysy | |
|---|---|
 Mainsummit | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,501 m (8,205 ft)[1][2] |
| Prominence | 161 m (528 ft)[2] |
| Parent peak | Vysoká |
| Listing | |
| Coordinates | 49°10′46″N20°5′17″E / 49.17944°N 20.08806°E /49.17944; 20.08806[2] |
| Naming | |
| English translation | scratches or crevices |
| Language of name | Polish and Slovak |
| Geography | |
  Rysy Location in Lesser Poland Voivodeship Show map of Lesser Poland Voivodeship Rysy Rysy (Poland) Show map of Poland Rysy Rysy (Slovakia) Show map of Slovakia | |
| Countries | |
| Parent range | High Tatras |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | Granite |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | 1840 by Ede Blásy, Ján Ruman-Driečny[3] |
| Easiest route | Hiking |
Rysy (Polish:[ˈrɨsɨ]ⓘ;Slovak:[ˈrisi];German:Meeraugspitze,Hungarian:Tengerszem-csúcs) is amountain in the crest of theHigh Tatras, eastern part of theTatra Mountains, lying on the border betweenPoland andSlovakia. 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 thehighest point of Poland and belongs to theCrown of Polish Mountains; the other two summits are on the Slovak side of the border.
Experts assume that thePolish andSlovak nameRysy, meaning "scratches" or "crevices", refers to a series ofcouloirs, 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. Afolk explanation on the Slovak side says that the name comes from the plural wordrysy meaning "lynxes", although the habitat of the lynx does not extend above thetimberline.
TheHungarian nameTengerszem-csúcs and theGerman nameMeeraugspitze 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).
The first knownascent 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]
It is possible to reach the peak from the Slovak side, starting atŠtrbské pleso and passingChata 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 theMorskie Oko lake, which is a more spectacular route, but at the same brings more difficulties andexposure. The trail leads from Morskie Oko toCzarny 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.
Thewinter ascent from the Polish side is a serious climb requiring the right equipment (crampons,ice axe) and skills, often with a largeavalanche threat. There have been serious avalanche events, including fatal ones. The average slope of the slope above theCzarny Staw is around 30 degrees. In the Rysacouloir, 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 theSchengen Agreement in 2007, the border between the two countries may be easily crossed at this point like at any other.
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