Jerzy Kukuczka (March 24, 1948–October 24, 1989), born in Katowice, Poland, was a Polish alpine and high-altitude climber. On September 18, 1987, he became the second man, after Reinhold Messner, to climb all fourteen eight-thousanders in the world.

Eight-thousanders

Kukuczka is considered by many to be one of the best high-altitude climbers ever. He ascended all fourteen peaks in eight years, faster than anybody else. In the process, Kukuczka established ten new routes and climbed four summits during the winter. He was one of the elite group of Polish mountaineers who specialised in winter ascents.

1979 — Lhotse - normal route
1980 — Mount Everest - new route
1981 — Makalu - new route, solo
1982 — Broad Peak - normal route, alpine style
1983 — Gasherbrum II - new route, alpine style
1983 — Gasherbrum I - new route, alpine style
1984 — Broad Peak - new route, alpine style
1985 — Dhaulagiri - first winter ascent
1985 — Cho Oyu - first winter ascent, new route
1985 — Nanga Parbat - new route
1986 — Kanchenjunga - first winter ascent
1986 — K2 - new route, alpine style
1986 — Manaslu - new route, alpine style
1987 — Annapurna I - first winter ascent
1987 — Shisha Pangma - new route, alpine style

Jerzy Kukuczka died attempting the South Face of Lhotse in Nepal on October 24, 1989 at an altitude of about 8200 meters. A second-hand rope he had picked up in a market in Kathmandu snapped during the climb plunging him to his death.