[2] In 1957, he set out to climb the entire ridge of the Tatras, from Huty at the western end to Ždiar in the east.

It took three attempts and the loss of a climbing partner, Ryszard Wawra, before successfully making the first winter ascent of the Tatra ridge with Andrzej Zawada in 1959.

[3][4] In 1957, he began climbing further afield, heading to summit difficult routes in the Alps, the Caucasus, the Hindu Kush, and the Pamir Mountains.

In 1984, Olech ended his high-altitude mountaineering career at 56 by climbing Satopanth (7075 m) and Kedarnath Dome (6831 m) in the Garhwal Himalayas.

After he retired from climbing, he was awarded the Bronze Cross of Merit and received the Polish Gold Medal "For Outstanding Sports Achievements" four times.