Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro sounds super hard. But climbing it without the use of your legs? Well, that sounds damn near impossible. But American paraplegic Chris Waddell is determined to reach his goal when he sets out on his amazing trek this week.
“I want them to go, ‘Wow, I never thought that was possible,’” Waddell told CBS News. (What he might not realize is even his attempt is making people think that already.)
Waddell lost the use of his legs 21 years ago in a skiing accident. But rather than wallow in self-pity, within a year he was skiing again, and about two years later he was named to the US Disabled Ski team. He eventually went on to become the most decorated skier in Paralympic history. He also started a foundation One Revolution and traveled the country as a motivational speaker.
But Waddell was looking for a new challenge when he decided to tackle Kilimanjaro, Africa’s largest peak at 19,340 feet. “I don’t know if I have ever seen an athlete dig so deep and go so hard,” Dave Penney, his expedition leader, told CBS News. “If Chris can do this, he is setting a new standard for anyone in a wheelchair.”
To prepare, Waddell gathered a team in Colorado who helped him create a one-of-a-kind four-wheel mountain bike for his climb, which features wheels four times as large as a regular bike and move separately to accommodate the rough terrain.
Although every part of the climb will present a challenge, the toughest part will no doubt be the final 4,000 feet. It’s nearly vertical, and without the use of his legs he’ll be secured to a converted sailing winch and he’ll pedal himself up a rope.
“The only thing you can think about at that point is one revolution, then stop and catch your breath,” he explained of his strategy.
But really, isn’t that true of everything in life?
Photo courtesy of Chris 73 via Wikimedia Commons.
