A content creator who took a bathtub up a mountain and left it there has apologised for what he called an "honest mistake". Tom Christopher, 25, posted footage online of him carrying the tub up Pen y Fan in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park, also known as the Brecon Beacons, in flip flops during hot weather on 17 July, before bathing in it at the summit.
Christopher, from Swansea, said he had planned to take it back down immediately, but people asked him to keep it there so they could take pictures - sparking backlash about its impact on the environment. A day later Cardiff Rugby academy players found the tub while doing volunteering work, and handed it to park officials.
Christopher said he wanted to make a "cool, wholesome video which made people smile" by carrying the bath up Pen y Fan, which stands 2,907 feet (886m) above sea level.
What did Christopher say about leaving it behind?
Christopher says leaving it up there was an "honest mistake".
"It was a complete honest mistake," Christopher said.
"I obviously didn't mistakenly leave it up there, I didn't forget - it was a mistake in the fact I thought I was doing the right thing with people telling me it was 'awesome' and 'cool'.
"I should never have left anything up the mountain. I'm glad the message of this story is that, even though I'm the villain, everyone's sticking up for the national park.
"It's a dirty mistake, I shouldn't be leaving anything up the mountain.
"It's my fault for thinking it was a good idea but when clearly I should have been thinking more about keeping our nature clean," he said.
After being urged by people to leave it there, he said he was going to go back two days later and send it back down on wheels. He added he had received many messages criticising his actions for leaving it there.
Could he be fined for the incident?
Christopher said the national park has told him the incident had been reported as fly-tipping, and he is unclear if he will be fined.
"I haven't got the money. I'm in my overdraft, I haven't got the money to do anything.
"If it comes, I'll be gutted. I hope there's an option to do some voluntary work to try and pay the fine."
Bannau Brycheiniog National Park has been approached for comment.
How was the bathtub recovered?
Cardiff Rugby academy players stumbled on Christopher's bathtub while carrying out essential maintenance work on the mountain, and helped rangers retrieve it. Writing on Facebook, the academy described it as an "additional and unexpected team building exercise".
Key Facts
- Tom Christopher, 25, posted footage of the stunt on 17 July.
- He carried the bathtub up Pen y Fan in flip flops during hot weather.
- The tub was found a day later by Cardiff Rugby academy players during volunteering work.
- Christopher said the incident had been reported as fly-tipping.
- He said he did not know whether he would be fined.
