Joshua Tree Full Recap!

Climbing has played a pivotal role in my life over the past four years. After I lost my leg above the knee almost six years ago I decided to leave my previous passion, soccer, as a part of my past. By chance I discovered climbing and found a new passion that grew deeper by the day and has helped me push my limits and do things I thought were never possible.

It has always been my belief that climbing is an accessible sport for people with disabilities, so it has been my goal over the past two years to introduce as many people with disabilities to climbing as possible. I have been very successful in this, introducing hundreds of people with disabilities to climbing through various indoor clinics around the country.

Indoor climbing is cool, but the only thing cooler than indoor climbing is outdoor climbing. I wanted this clinic to be in a scenic place where participants could enjoy the beauty of the outdoors and spend a day pushing their limits and making new connections at the same time. 

On April 9^th, 2011 we gathered in the southern California desert in Joshua Tree National Park to host the first annual Adaptive Climbing Clinic. We were able to introduce thirteen people with disabilities to their first outdoor climbing experience. Eleven of those persons had amputations of various types, one participant with Trevor’s Disease, and another that was a stroke victim, ages ranging from ages eleven to fifty-six.

Matt Walker and Inner Passage Guiding Service helped us get the event set up and the climbing to a start that morning. We had three different climbs available on pristine pieces of granite slab that were about 50 feet tall. My friend Jeff Erenstone, was able to help get everybody fit with adaptive climbing feet and equipment.

Jeff outfitting some prosthetic climbing feet

The day went off exactly how I had imagined. All of the participants made it to the top of the walls and had a great time making new connections and sharing their stories with one another. The weather was wild throughout the day, ranging from warm, back to cold, with even a small ten minute bout of snow! As I had been told the desert can flip its weather switch at any time.

There were several of our participants who had some really inspiring stories!

Murray used to be an avid climber at Joshua Tree National park on a regular basis before suffering a stroke about five years ago. After seeing the flier for our clinic he decided to come out and try it again, despite not being able to use the left side of his body because of his injury. Although things were clearly more difficult for him this time around, it was awesome to see how he was able to use his previous climbing skills to position his body in different ways to make it to the top of the wall, he gave it his all and found his way at the top!

Rob lost both of his legs below the knee because of an accident several years ago. He has not let any of these challenges stop him over the years and he proved to be quite an adept climber his very first time as well.  

Will, was born with Trevor’s Disease, a deficiency in his growth plates in his left knee and ankle (The same congenital deformity that led to my amputation). He is fourteen years old and although having one leg that is almost a foot shorter than another does not even consider it to be a disability, he is just too busy living his life! He was really excited to get climbing and crushed all three of the climbs that he was faced with. He said after the clinic that he looks forward to joining a local indoor climbing gym!

Another one of our participants, Liz, is missing both of her legs above the knee. We were able to get her legs outfitted stubby style with prosthetic climbing feet made by Evolv and TRS. With this adaptive equipment she surprised herself and made it up the whole 50 foot section of slab! Her husband, Tim, is an above the knee amputee as well and it was cool to see them share the experience together.

I also managed to get some climbing in myself, trying to take down one of my dream boulders, White Rastafarian V3 R, on my flash attempt. I managed to keep it cool at the top twenty feet off deck and make the send.

Crux of White Rastafarian

Jordan, Ben, Me, Damon, Jeff, and Jon hanging out the day after the clinic.

The event went exactly how I imagined and I can’t wait until next year already!  Keep a lookout for a write up in Urban Climber Magazine by Damon Corso and video to be released by Louder Than 11.

Jordan getting the filming done

Thanks to our sponsors Athletes with Disabilities Network, Inner Passage Guiding Service, Evolv, Black Diamond, Sterling Rope, Prana, Sanuk, Mountain Khakis, and TRS Prosthetics. I would also like to send a special thanks to Tracii Haynes, Bill Haynes, Buck Branson, Damon Corso, Ben Hirschfeld, Jordan Shipman, Jon Glassberg, Jeff Erenstone, Mason Daly, and Pete Davis for coming and helping out at the event.

Pete on belay

Life is 10% Events, 90% your reaction. Live it to the fullest!