Ironing - # - Extreme Vegan Sporting Association

Extreme Vegan Sporting Association

Home
•
News
•
About
•
Nutrition
•
Links

In Nov. 2011 the weather finally became bad enough for some extreme ironing in Snowdonia (Welsh mountains). This combines the thrill of a danger sport with the satisfaction of a well pressed shirt. There are international championships now and Aussie Andrew Knight was interested in training for the Australian team. His extreme ironing training tips are revealed in this interview!

gallery pages: 1 2 >

< 1 of 14 >

First he headed to Tryfan here. Just visible on the highest point are two seven foot rock pillars named Adam and Eve, between which the insanely brave or those tired of life can attempt to jump. Andrew hoped to iron on top of them, but was concerned about the bad weather forecast. Although any lightning would make the experience even more special.

On arrival he was interested to note gales strong enough to be blowing about half of Lake Ogwen well up the first part of Tryfan. The ironing board acts as a kind of 'sail' attached to your back.

After being repeatedly blown over by 70 mph gusts, and eventually unable to proceed even hanging on with all four limbs, Andrew was forced into this more sheltered 'Devil's Kitchen' area in order to gain altitude.

Ironing in Devil's Kitchen. Unfortunately this trail led no higher.

The next day the gales had dropped to 50 mph and the trail to the summit of Mt Snowdon was open!

Ironing along the trail above Lyn (Lake) Llydaw, which is reputedly inhabited by Afanc - a feared demigod of the rains, who was clearly keeping busy. A good place not to fall.

After that the path to the summit became tougher...

But extreme ironing is not for the faint-hearted, or, at this point, any who might faint to their left. Faint-mindedness is OK.

First he headed to Tryfan here. Just visible on the highest point are two seven foot rock pillars named Adam and Eve, between which the insanely brave or those tired of life can attempt to jump. Andrew hoped to iron on top of them, but was concerned about the bad weather forecast. Although any lightning would make the experience even more special.