Inspiration for the Inman?
By Thom Van Vleck
In Indonesia, men walk down into Mount Ijen, an active volcano, to haul out sulfur. They will carry an average of 100kg out for several kilometers as a way to make a living.
One of the most diabolical lifts in the USAWA is the Inman Mile. It’s so different you have to wonder where Jerry Inman came up with the idea for this! Let’s review the rules:
D17. Inman Mile
The lifter will take a bar onto the shoulders with a weight equal to 150 per cent of the lifter’s bodyweight. The lifter will then carry this weight a distance of one mile. Gait is optional. Stopping to rest is allowed, but neither the lifter nor the weight may be supported in any manner. The bar must not be touched by any assistants once the mile has begun or it will be a disqualification. The bar must stay on the back the entire mile. The lifter may be handed refreshments during the mile. Records will be kept for time.
It’s different to say the least. I often wonder where someone could have come up with such a test of strength and I have even questioned if this is more endurance than strength.
The other day I was watching a travel show. I enjoy seeing different parts of the world. In this one they were talking about men in Indonesia who go down into and active volcano called Mount Ijen. They load up baskets with sulfur and haul them up and out of the volcano. They make it a point to spend as little time as possible in the volcano because of poisonous gas so usually once they are loaded they beat a hasty path out! They claimed they would not rest until they got out of the volcano and this was “well over a kilometer”. Their loads average around 100kg or 220lbs. I would estimate these men weigh in the neighborhood of 150lbs on average. The should some of them with their shirts off and they had unbelievable trap development, I assume from letting the weight ride on the shoulders.
It got me to thinking…..was this the inspiration for the Inman mile? Maybe someone can tell me what it is and while this likely is not…you can certainly see where it could be! If it is, I’m glad they didn’t include dodging poisonous gas and it being all uphill in the rules….this seems hard enough! I think this lift is safe from any records from me but I’d like to see it done.
http://www.noplanes.com/2010/03/sulphur-miners-of-mount-ijen-active.html