Polish man snow record set with 2-hour burial

A Polish man snow record has landed in the Guinness books after endurance specialist Damian Kasprzyk spent 2 hours, 12 minutes and 12 seconds fully covered in snow, according to Guinness World Records.

Kasprzyk, 41, made the attempt on Feb. 21 in Szlachtowa, Poland, Guinness said. The organization recognized him for the longest time spent in direct full body contact with snow in the male category.

The feat was not Kasprzyk’s first cold-weather record. Guinness World Records said he previously held the mark for longest duration full body contact with ice in the male category, with a time of 5 hours, 1 minute and 33 seconds.

How long was Damian Kasprzyk buried in snow?

Guinness World Records said Kasprzyk remained completely buried in snow for 2 hours, 12 minutes and 12 seconds. The record attempt took place in Szlachtowa, a village in southern Poland, on Feb. 21.

The record title is exactly what it sounds like: it measures how long a person can stay in direct contact with snow over the whole body. Guinness listed Kasprzyk’s achievement in its male category for the title.

Kasprzyk credited Valerjan Romanovski with helping him get ready for the attempt, according to Guinness World Records. Romanovski has Guinness titles of his own, including longest duration submerged in ice water in the male category.

“He has been instrumental in preparing me mentally and physically for what it takes to endure such extreme conditions,” Kasprzyk told Guinness World Records.

The record keeps Kasprzyk in chilly company among endurance athletes who test how long the body can withstand extreme cold under controlled record conditions. Guinness World Records has documented Kasprzyk’s snow title on its website, along with his earlier ice-contact record.

The result was reported July 23 by UPI, which cited Guinness World Records for the timing, location and record category.

This story draws on original reporting from UPI.