Adaptive Climbing in the Gunks
Adaptive rock climbing in the Gunks in February instead of ice climbing in the Catskills, because, well that’s the way the winter of ’16 has been.
Four adaptive climbers turned out on Sunday for a balmy day, a blind climber, two amputees, and one climber with Ataxia.
Doug Ferguson of Mountain Skills Climbing Guides, and NYC Adaptive Climbing along with 7 volunteers helped the four adaptive climbers spend a 50 degree day in February rock climbing.
They climbed the routes Black Fly, the Brat, and No Picnic. Not too many adaptations needed to be made for the adaptive climbers.
Raymond, the above the knee amputee, had his own special feet. He needed a special chest harness which Doug made for him.
Don had regular climbing shoes for his two prostatic feet.
One of the volunteers, Jerod, is an experienced climber and an amputee.
He volunteered because his experience can show other amputees what they can do.
“I’ve been an amputee my whole life. I’m a pretty accomplished climber being a double amputee. I want to help them have the chance to do the things that I love like hiking and climbing. I wanted to help give them an accomplishment. Any accomplishment that they achieve is good for them”.
More events like this are planned for the spring.
Four adaptive climbers turned out on Sunday for a balmy day, a blind climber, two amputees, and one climber with Ataxia.
Doug Ferguson of Mountain Skills Climbing Guides, and NYC Adaptive Climbing along with 7 volunteers helped the four adaptive climbers spend a 50 degree day in February rock climbing.
They climbed the routes Black Fly, the Brat, and No Picnic. Not too many adaptations needed to be made for the adaptive climbers.
Raymond, the above the knee amputee, had his own special feet. He needed a special chest harness which Doug made for him.
Don had regular climbing shoes for his two prostatic feet.
One of the volunteers, Jerod, is an experienced climber and an amputee.
He volunteered because his experience can show other amputees what they can do.
“I’ve been an amputee my whole life. I’m a pretty accomplished climber being a double amputee. I want to help them have the chance to do the things that I love like hiking and climbing. I wanted to help give them an accomplishment. Any accomplishment that they achieve is good for them”.
More events like this are planned for the spring.
Wallie, blind climber, at the Gunks. Photo by Jerod Minich.
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Adam, a climber with Ataxia, at the Adaptive Climbing Day at the Gunks. Photo by Jerod Minich
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Adaptive Climbing Group
Photo by Jerod Minich.
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Donald suiting up to climb.
Photo by Jerod Minich.
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