pushingthelimits.com

Rock climbing for people in wheelchairs isnt exactly new, Mark Wellman was climbing El Capitan back in 1989, but it’s still seen as one of the hardest sports for someone in a wheelchair to take part in. What with not being able to use your legs and all. Undoubtedly difficult enough for para’s with full arm strength, rock climbing could seem almost impossible for quad’s with a sense of adventure and a need to hug rock from time to time.

It COULD seem impossible, but it isn’t. All you need is that rock loving sense of adventure, a bit of ingenuity and a few climber buddies to lead for you.

Brad Zdanivsky, an avid amateur climber before a car accident made him quadriplegic, dreamt of climbing again and went about making that goal a reality. Developing a home-made “contraption” to keep him away from the rock face to reduce friction, and the otherwise inevitable rock rash, Brad does big multi-pitch climbs. Hauling himself up the face with the help of mechanical devices in the rope system to negate any lack of arm power due to being a quad. He lacks arm power, but definitely doesn’t lack motivation or determination.

In 2005 Brad made a successful ascent of the Grand Wall of The Chief in Canada’s squamish valley, a mecca for climbers. Pulling himself up 650m in one day and becoming the first quadriplegic climber to make the summit, 14 hours of climbing the rope saw Brad climb higher than any other quad, ever. That’s pretty freakin awesome.

Continually adapting and reinventing equipment to make rock climbing more accessible to paraplegics and quadriplegics alike, Brad and his team have set-up Vertical Challenge to not only show what is possible but to help others get their fix of rock related fun and adventure.

Check out their website to get more info and find out how you can get involved.


Vertical Challenge