“Morsy” wants to break the record in a group ascent of Śnieżka. Rescuers appeal for caution

In two weeks, about a hundred people intend to climb the highest mountain in the Czech Republic to break the record in the so-called “dry winter swimming”. They are to be dressed only in shorts, and they will have warmer clothes in their backpacks. Rescuers from the Horska Zachranna Service (HZS) therefore appealed to the participants of the project to consider whether they are sufficiently prepared for such an extreme risk.

According to rescuers, the attempt does not have to be dangerous for people familiar with low temperatures, but since the information appeared on the Internet, they are afraid that unprepared people may also participate.

Marek Frysz, spokesman for Karkonoska Grupa HZS, said that if necessary, rescuers will intervene, but this may extend the time needed to help other people. According to him, winter swimming even at low temperatures, but in dry weather, is safer than in rain, snow, wind and temperatures around zero. The winter entry route is nine kilometers long with an elevation gain of 800 meters. The organizers, the record-holder in dry winter swimming, trainer Dominik Luks, and cold therapy trainer Libor Mattusz, argue that the help of rescuers will not be necessary. They want to minimize the risk and take only people resistant to extreme conditions to the mountains. In case of a crisis, trial participants are to have warm clothes and sleeping bags with them. The record-breaking group will be accompanied by guardians. Everyone is to have warming ginger tea with them.