Not everybody has the opportunity to set foot on the fascinating places of our planet. Some people  for lack of their courage, and others for lack of their dedication. However, it is not the case of Radek Jaroš, a prominent Czech mountaineer who was the only Czech who managed to climb all 14 eight-thousanders in the world.

For us, the people who just dream about conquering extreme peaks, he mediates his experience through amazing books. The latest of them, K2 – THE LAST  JEWEL OF THE CROWN OF THE HIMALAYAS, describes Radel Jaroš`s victorious expedition to the magic mountain K2. It took place last July and ensured Radek the imaginary title of Crown of the Himalayas, which so far received only 15 people in history. The Czech Mint holds Radek`s actions in esteem and decided to express it with an extraordinary issue - a quarter-ounce gold medal proof. With its purchase the collectors will acquire another jewel to their numismatic collections, and within a strictly limited issue of 14 pieces they will receive a wonderful book at the same time.

Medal was prepared for the mintage by the excellent Czech medallist Vojtěch Dostál, Dis. Its obverse side bears the soulful portrait of Radek Jaroš dreamily looking up to the hills. The reverse side presents a powerful scene - happy Radek holds the Czech flag after last year's successful climb of  K2, for him the peak impossible to conquer for years. Original and beautiful medal of pure gold with great investment potential should not miss your collections!

Radek Jaroš (* 29^th April, 1964, Nové Město na Moravě) yielded to tempation to conquer the peaks beeing a child. At the beginning he touched our mountains, then he conquered the Tatra Mountains, Tian Shan, Pamir and the Himalayas. He firstly teased Mount Everest in his early thirties, but without success. But he firmly reiterated his climb, and less than four years later, along with Vladimír Nosek, they reached the peak without using oxygen masks. At the age of 42 years Radek Jaroš could boast of  having conquered six eight-thousanders, however, he set a goal of conquering them all. Thus followed the Kanchenjunga in 2002 and the Climb in 2004 - the Scott McIntyre`s way to Shishapangma, he did in alpine style and - of course - without using oxygen. Makalu and Dhaulagiri lived to see his visit in 2008. He celabrated his 45th birthday stylishly Radek Jaroš – the solo climb on Manasla. A year later, with Libor Uher within ten days they climbed on Gasherbrum II and Gasherbrum I. The fourth highest mountain in the world Lhotse welcomed Radek in 2011, that year he also conquered Annapurna. It lacked only one mountain to get the Crown of the Himalayas, the fatal K2. Several times he unsuccessfully tried to conquer it. However, by 2014 the majestic beauty ceased to resist and Radek Jaroš became the fifteenth person in the world and the first Czech who managed to climb all 14 eight-thousanders without artificial oxygen.

9 May 1998 - Mount Everest, 8848 m

15 May 2002 - Kanchenjunga, 8586 m

18 June 2003 - Broad Peak, 8051 m

10 May 2004 - Cho Oyu, 8201 m

9 October 2004 - Shishapangma, 8046 m, South wall J Scott / McIntyre alpine style, awarded as the climb of the ČHS

28 June 2005 - Nanga Parbat, 8126 m

1 May 2008 - Dhaulagiri, 8167 m

29 April 2009 - Manaslu, 8163 m

17 July 2010 - Gasherbrum II, 8035 m

19 May 2011 - Lhotse, 8516 m

6 May 2012 - Annapurna, 8091 m

26 July 2014 - K2, 8611 m