Extreme ironing is popular abroad. (source: Tomáš Jamriško)
Slovak and foreign hikers gathered under the KÄľak peak in the Malá Fatra mountain range in northern Slovakia. In and of itself that wouldn't be interesting, but they wanted to climb it with an iron and an ironing board.
Although the activity has no deeper meaning, it has been practiced abroad for years.
The recent climb was also attended by enthusiasts who are not fans of hiking in particular. However, they were excited by the unique idea.
Extreme ironing on KÄľak was organised by passionate hiker Tomáš Jamriško who said that the interest in the unusual hike exceeded expectations.
"It's about fun, but for many it was also a motivation to exercise. I saw the idea on the Internet, the activity is popular abroad, with people ironing in various extreme conditions, such as when jumping from an airplane, underwater, while climbing or on mountain tops. I also tried ironing on the Lomnický Štít peak (in the High Tatras - Ed.)," he said, adding that people expressed the desire to try it themselves.
He decided to organise a mass event. He published a video on social media and almost 70 people responded.
"I honestly expected that ten would gather, and mainly people I know. However, enthusiasts from all over Slovakia came, even four Poles and three Czechs," he added.
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To KÄľak with an extension cord
Jamriško was born near Prievidza, western Slovakia. KÄľak is his favourite peak in Slovakia, he hikes it more than 20 times during any given year. According to him, the climb from the parking lot is relatively easy and the view from the top is incredible.
Although people went up there with an extension cord on the day of the humorous hike, no one dared to carry a generator.
"Some people may not see the point, but the key is that many people interested in hiking meet," he says, adding that the time spent together is the greatest added value of the entire activity.
Those who were not originally interested gave positive feedback too. It didn't dissuade them, quite the opposite.
"When they saw people climbing up KÄľak with ironing boards, they asked what it was all about. They said they would also like to join in next time. When we were ironing at the top, a lot of hikers were taking pictures of us," Jamriško said. The feedback also encouraged him to plan a second extreme ironing.
Going to break a world record
He does not yet know the date, but he is considering two options. He will either prepare it again next year or try to wait for better weather. Not everyone was comfortable with winter hiking, nor they did had proper equipment and preferred not to take part. His immediate ambition is to go down into the Guinness Book of Records.
According to him, 173 people ironed underwater, the highest number of people who participated in the activity. He would like to exceed this number next year.
©My Ĺ˝ilina
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