Mountain Resuce Service members training on the ice tower in Oravská Polhora. (source: TASR)
Instead of hiking several hours to get to an icefall in the mountains, all climbing afficionados need to do in the village of Oravská Polhora, northern Slovakia, is to park their car right next to a massive ice tower that has been erected there.
"It's an unbelievable luxury," said a climber, as quoted by the Pravda daily, about the 19-metre tall tower. Now that temperatures are freezing again, local enthusiasts have turned a non-functional electric pole into a huge icicle.
Local mountain rescue service volunteer in the Western Tatras Ján Herud came up with the idea upon seeing something similar in the Italian Alps. He wanted to do something like that in the village. He knows of only one more in Slovakia, specifically in the Low Tatras, but it stands at only 12 metres and was erected after he and his friends created theirs.
The ice tower is available to everyone who wants to try climbing in the winter free of charge. It is checked for safety daily and climbers are secured to the tower by ropes, but they need to have proper equipment including a helmet, crampons and ice axes. However, everyone climbs at their own risk. Children can climb at their parents discretion.
Freezing temperatures are necessary for the ice to form. Water is poured down from an iron structure every day. Since last week's conditions were favourable, its mass only increased. According to Herud, in the last five years they have operating it, it has never been as massive as it now.
Two weeks ago, an "open day" was held at the tower to help promote it. Dozens of beginners had the opportunity to try ice climbing under the guidance of professionals. The goal was to show it to the general public so that people are not afraid of giving it a try.
Last weekend, Mountain Rescue Service members trained on the tower.
According to Oravská Polhora Mayor Michal Strnál, the tower was created with the support of the village. Visitors from various parts of Slovakia have already been there. The local enthusiasts give their own time and money in order to maintain it. However, people can use a QR code on a board near the tower to donate money.
