FDC issue "Wanda Rutkiewicz – the first woman to climb K2" 

Catalogue number: 2432 
Issue date: 29-10-2026 

On 29 October 2026, Polish Post issued the commemorative philatelic release “Wanda Rutkiewicz – First Woman on K2”, honoring one of the greatest achievements in the history of Polish and world mountaineering.

On 23 June 1986 Wanda Rutkiewicz reached the summit of K2 (8,611 m above sea level), becoming the first woman in the world and the first Polish person to stand on the second-highest mountain on Earth. She achieved this historic ascent together with the French climbers Liliane Barrard, Maurice Barrard and Michel Parmentier. This accomplishment permanently secured her place in the history of world alpinism and became a symbol of courage, determination and the relentless pursuit of ambitious goals.

The stamp features an archival photograph of Wanda Rutkiewicz with K2 in the background, taken by Jerzy Kukuczka. The image has a unique historical significance. In 1986, both Wanda Rutkiewicz and Jerzy Kukuczka were present beneath K2, pursuing independent climbing objectives on different routes. The photograph remains a remarkable document of one of the most important seasons in the history of Himalayan mountaineering.

The historical photograph was colorized by Mirosław Szponar, while preserving its authenticity and documentary value. The stamp was designed by Agnieszka Sancewicz.

The sheet consists of 6 postage stamps arranged in a 3 × 2 format. Its composition is enriched with numerous elements referring to the life, achievements and mountaineering legacy of Wanda Rutkiewicz.

The design includes:

🏔️ Panorama of K2 -the majestic silhouette of the world’s second-highest mountain forms the dominant motif of the composition and recalls the historic achievement of the Polish climber. K2 is widely regarded as one of the most difficult and dangerous mountains on Earth, presenting extreme technical and environmental challenges.

📸 Archival Photographs of Himalayan Expeditions - the sheet incorporates historical photographs documenting major Polish Himalayan expeditions and the atmosphere of high-altitude mountaineering in the second half of the twentieth century. These images evoke the period often referred to as the “Golden Age of Polish Himalayan Mountaineering.”

✍️ Portrait of Wanda Rutkiewicz and Facsimile Signature - an important element of the composition is a portrait of Wanda Rutkiewicz accompanied by a reproduction of her signature. These details give the issue a personal dimension and emphasize the individual nature of her achievement.

The First Day Cover (FDC) has been designed in the same visual style as the stamp sheet, creating a coherent artistic composition dedicated to Wanda Rutkiewicz and her historic ascent of K2. The dominant element of the envelope is an archival portrait of Wanda Rutkiewicz placed against the backdrop of a monumental depiction of K2 (8,611 m above sea level). The mountain occupies a significant portion of the composition, emphasizing the scale of the challenge that made Wanda Rutkiewicz a permanent figure in the history of world mountaineering.

A particularly noteworthy feature of the design is the handwritten quotation by Wanda Rutkiewicz, reproduced directly on the envelope. The text recalls her earliest mountain experiences and the sensations that shaped her lifelong passion for climbing. The quotation gives the issue a personal and reflective dimension, allowing viewers to see not only an outstanding mountaineer but also a person deeply connected to the natural world and the mountains.

The cover also includes a commemorative postmark featuring a drawn portrait of Wanda Rutkiewicz combined with the title of the issue. This graphic element harmoniously complements the historical photograph used on the stamp and reinforces the commemorative nature of the release.