Walking for hours in shorts through deep snow on windswept peaks… For many, it sounds like the plot of a disaster movie. For Vladimir Stevanovic, it's just another Thursday.
This Serb, who for fifteen years has been traversing the icy slopes, meditating in the deep snow and plunging into the icy water of the lakes, sees it as a beneficial routine for health – both physical and mental.
"You give yourself up to the cold because you know it won't hurt you," the 41-year-old archaeologist told AFP, on the edge of a frozen lake at the foot of Mount Besna Kobila ("Furious Mare"), in the far south of Serbia.
He claims to be able to last up to fifteen minutes in icy water and has already walked for seven hours at -10°C, wearing only hiking boots and sports shorts.
Stories of his exploits shared on social media have earned him some notoriety in Serbia, and several thousand subscribers on his Instagram and YouTube accounts where he calls himself "Srpski ledeni covek", the Serbian iceman.
He insists he is not looking for records or fame.
"When I dive into the water, my goal is to reach a state of meditation and inner peace," he explains.
– “Managing stress” –
In recent years, "cold therapy" – ice baths and swimming in frozen lakes – has gained popularity across the planet.
One of its best-known proponents is the Dutchman Wim Hof, who developed a wellness method using cold exposure combined with breathing and concentration.
Some studies support certain aspects of his method, but there is no scientific consensus on the matter. Furthermore, doctors have warned against more extreme practices and the risk of exacerbating existing health problems.
For Vladimir, the inspiration came from the spiritual practices of Tibetan monks. But his plunges into icy water are less mystical today: it's more about experiencing the intense shock of extreme cold.
"It helps us not to think about anything else. It's very effective for managing stress," assures the hiker, who is also an avid practitioner of martial arts.
To those who might be tempted to try it, he advises against plunging directly into the icy water.
"When you get wet with cold water, it's very unpleasant for a second or two, but then you quickly feel completely relaxed. Then the cold doesn't bother you anymore."
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