Erik Weihenmayer: The first visually-challenged man to climb Mt Everest
The blind man who leads the way Erik Weihenmayer achieved international acclaim by being the first visually-challenged man to climb Mt Everest. He now leads many others on outdoor adventures. What’s stopping you? Erik Weihenmayer was diagnosed with retinoschisis as a young child, as a result of which, he was sight impaired for most of his childhood and completely blind by the time he was 14. However, remarkably he has achieved more than most people will ever achieve, having climbed the highest mountains on seven continents, the so-called Seven Summits, authored many books and launched the “No Barriers movement” which seeks to empower sight-impaired children and adults to achieve more. An impressive CV by any standards and there’s more. This 50- year old American is a natural thrill seeker and has also kayaked the Grand Canyon and after conqueri