Tom Christopher, a 35-year-old influencer, is facing criticism after he carried a bathtub to the summit of Pen y Fan, the highest peak in South Wales, as part of a world record attempt. The stunt, intended to create a viral video of him bathing at sunset, drew swift negative reactions from local community members and conservation groups.
Christopher had planned to leave the bathtub at the 3,000-foot summit for 48 hours. He also posted signs at the mountain's base, asking people to bring bottles of river water to fill the tub. However, a local Cardiff Rugby Academy team discovered the bathtub during a volunteer day just 24 hours after it was placed.
A spokesman for the rugby team described the action as 'mindless,' stating they removed the tub themselves, assuming it had been dumped. "Who would leave a bath up there?! #mindless," the spokesman commented.
Christopher has since apologized for leaving the bathtub, claiming the stunt was "genuinely for a good cause" and that he intended to retrieve it himself. He acknowledged that he should have left a note explaining his intentions. The bathtub, which he described as brand new and weighing a tonne, reportedly cost him £400 and put him in overdraft.
Following the incident, National Trust Cymru confirmed that their ranger team, along with volunteers from the Cardiff Rugby Academy, retrieved the bathtub. A spokesperson for the organization stated that the bathtub posed a risk to visitors and the Site of Scientific Interest due to potential contamination. They emphasized the harm that littering and fly-tipping can cause to landscapes and wildlife, diverting ranger teams from essential conservation work.
The incident has sparked debate online, with some calling for Christopher to be fined for fly-tipping. In Wales, fines for fly-tipping can reach up to £1,000, with tougher on-the-spot penalties increasing to £5,000 this summer.
Christopher's video of the stunt went viral, garnering over 200,000 views within four hours. He stated that the video's purpose evolved to show public community engagement in filling the bath, aiming to make it a "community thing."
National Trust rangers have informed Christopher that the bathtub has since been crushed.