I've heard, strangely, many people remark about Erik Weihenmayer's 2001 climb of Everest that it really wasn't that remarkable.
Sure, he's blind, people say, but it's only Everest...and he had a ton of guides dragging him up.
Guides or not, the reality is Erik climbed Everest. He crossed ladders in the Khumbu Icefall, scurried up the Lhotse Face, climbed the Hillary Step, and stood on top of the world. Blind or not, Erik's a pretty darn good climber.
But, Everest, schmeverest. That wasn't enough for him. Since 2001 (and before), Erik has done some amazing climbs, like Losar, the 14 pitch stunning ice climb near Namche Bazaar, which he climbed with Rob Raker in 2008.
But, probably his most impressive climb that I know of happened just recently when he did the famed and feared Naked Edge in Eldorado Canyon to raise money and awareness for The Access Fund. Filmmaker Cedar Wright was on hand to document it (along with my friend Charley Mace, who said it was a stunning climb, too!)
Check out the video below...and let me know if you still think Erik's accomplishments are trivial!! Oh, a while you're telling me that, write down when you last climbed the Naked Edge...with a blindfold on.
