Mobility-Impaired Conquer Mountains

Mobility-Impaired Conquer Mountains - 12 mountain destinations in 2022.

"Even people with disabilities want to reach the top of a mountain, just like all Slovenians. There we can open our eyes and hearts. That's how we feel the power of nature, which strengthens us to more easily accept challenges." One of the rare opportunities for many disabled people to fulfill their wish is the Mobility-Impaired Conquer Mountains - GOGO 2022 campaign. This year it will start as early as April 14. 12 hikes are organized, which the GOGO 2022 team presented at a press conference on April 6.

"We expect more than 60 participants at each hike - disabled mountaineers, their loved ones and volunteers who will ensure that participation is safe and enjoyable for everyone. On the first hike - April 14 at Plački stolp - we will enjoy the wonderful panorama that opens up all the way to Prekmurje, Donačka gora and the Alps," announced the head of the GOGO 2022 working group Stojan Rozman.

By the end of September, there will be 12 hikes along paths in Upper Carniola, Styria and Lower Carniola, accessible also to mountaineers in wheelchairs and hikers who need assistance when walking. "The common point of all hikes is the experience of freedom, movement and socializing. The view of the mountain peaks, feeling the freshness of the forests, above all connectedness and the awareness that you are not alone," Rozman presented the campaign, which for the third year in a row recommends and above all enables an active lifestyle and socializing for people with mobility impairments. Therefore, the presentation of this year's campaign and mountaineers who are pushing the boundaries of the possible in their lives took place at the press conference in the green surroundings of the tourist farm Pri Lazarju, not far from Ljubljana.

"All the mountains we will head to this year are new for GOGO mountaineers. The lengths and difficulties of the paths vary and are adapted to the abilities of the participants, and we are extremely pleased that the number of GOGO mountaineers is growing and that with the support of numerous volunteers we will be able to extend the hiking season to as much as half a year," highlighted Rozman. The campaign, which connects disability and humanitarian organizations, strengthens solidarity, intergenerational cooperation and volunteering and promotes care for nature, is under the honorary patronage of the President of the Republic of Slovenia Borut Pahor for the third year.

Five partners are involved in the implementation:
• Alpine Association of Slovenia,
• Sonček - Association of Societies for Cerebral Palsy of Slovenia so.p.,
• Paraplegics Association of Slovenia,
• Muscular Dystrophy Association of Slovenia,
• Multiple Sclerosis Association of Slovenia,
which chose April 6 for the presentation of the campaign, International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, as the campaign encourages people with mobility impairments to venture into nature and society, towards new adventures.

The Multiple Sclerosis Association of Slovenia joined the campaign this year as the fifth partner. "In a society that has become very individualistic in thinking, such campaigns strengthen a responsible attitude towards nature, which has a multitude of unique and interesting features. It is necessary to open eyes and hearts. Only in this way will we feel the power of nature that can strengthen us to more easily accept the challenges that disease and disability have imposed on us," explained the deputy president of the association Edvard Rednak.

The importance of the campaign, physical activity and socializing was also presented by parasport athlete Matjaž Bartol, who is most active in the Paralympic discipline boccia or indoor bowling, for which at the Para-Athlete of the Year 2021 event at the end of his competitive sports career, he also received a lifetime achievement award.

Because the view of life's trials is different when looking at them from the top, the campaign was supported by top alpinist and the first Slovenian to reach the summit of Everest Andrej Štremfelj. Together with his wife Marija Štremfelj, they also entered history as the first married couple to climb to the top of Everest: "Marija and I have been ambassadors of the Mobility-Impaired Conquer Mountains campaign for two years already. I must admit that when I agreed to it, I had no idea at all what it would be like, what the purpose of my presence was, what the campaigns would look like. Before that, I participated twice in the ascent of the blind to Triglav and I knew that in such collaborations I usually get more than I give. So we both happily responded to the invitation. In the case of some charitable and voluntary activity, you can't miss the meaning, I thought. Already at the first participation in the hike, I was positively surprised. The atmosphere and energy of those present convinced me that it is worth participating. That's why I always happily respond to the invitation, just like - I believe - all the other ambassadors of the campaign."

To ensure that hikers always have escort and safety, volunteers from Nefiks Institute and Manipura Institute will contribute this year. The commitment to cooperation in this area was confirmed by a solemn signing of the cooperation agreement by the President of the Alpine Association of Slovenia Jože Rovan, representative of Manipura Institute Barbara Otoničar and representative of Nefiks Institute Jože Gornik. The general sponsor of the GOGO 2022 campaign is NiceHash for the third year, a Slovenian intermediary in cryptocurrency mining. "A mountain can be like life - too heavy if you climb alone, but friendly if you have the support of friends. The great self-sacrifice and dedication of the GOGO team is an inspiration and example to us. Being part of this movement is an honor and pride," justifies the decision by NiceHash representative Martin Škorjanc.

The richness of the Mobility-Impaired Conquer Mountains 2022 campaign also lies in connecting with other campaigns of the inPlaninec Board of the Alpine Association of Slovenia, promoting the inclusion of the entire society and connecting different categories of disabilities and special needs. Blind and visually impaired mountaineers who are conquering the Slovenian Mountain Trail are thus learning Slovenian sign language this year under the guidance of Slovenian Woman of the Year 2020 Natalija Spark, as they have already encountered the Deaf Serve in Mountain Huts campaign several times in huts.

Mobility-Impaired Conquer Mountains 2022 - hike schedule
April 14 Plački stolp
May 14 Gora Oljka
May 22 Zavetišče v Gozdu
May 29 Kal nad Hrastnikom
June 9 all-Slovenian inclusive hike to Toško čelo
June 18 Svetina
June 19 Ermanovec
August 27 Velika planina
September 10 Trdinov vrh
September 18 "hike into the unknown"
September 24 Bohor
September 29 Završki stolp

At the beginning of this year's GOGO 2022 campaign, members of the GOGO 2022 team also paid tribute to the memory of Ivo Jakovljevič, one of the most prominent members of the team.

Ambassadors and parasport athletes: Members of the GOGO 2022 team are grateful and proud that the GOGO 2022 campaign is supported by esteemed ambassadors Evgen Bavčar, Urška Vučak Markež, Igor Plohl, Marija and Andrej Štremfelj, Tone Kuntner, Viki Grošelj, Andrej Težak-Tešky, Uroš Bitenc and Žiga X Gombač. The campaign is also supported by parasport athletes: Nastija Fijolič, Matej Arh, Lena Gabršček, Dejan Fabčič, Sandi Novak, Tanja Cerkvenik, Jernej Slivnik, Gregor Gračner, Anej Doplihar and Nataša Bartol.