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Apocalypsenow
Trad climber
Cali
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Feb 28, 2007 - 03:53pm PT
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105 responses! Strange...simple, contact the one expert on this topic Mark Wellman.
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
El Cap
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Feb 28, 2007 - 04:48pm PT
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Yes, Mark is one of the pioneers of climbing El Cap as a handicapped person.
But, every injury has its own set of unique complications. Trust me, this is not as simple as just doing several thousand pull-ups (if you want to call that simple) to get to the top. There is a LOT of factors that you wouldn’t even consider unless you were the handicapped climber.
Mark came out and helped with Sean O’Neill’s ascent last year and let him use some of his gear. Their injuries are more similar to each others and we could adopt some of his techniques, but not all of them.
Each climber is different. I’m looking forward to learning and contributing to your ascent, Brad.
Cheers!
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NickD
climber
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Feb 28, 2007 - 04:56pm PT
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Brad,
Much respect to you . . .
On the BASE side we have a fellow named Russel who's working on his BASE award. He, like you, is an inspiration to a lot of folks . . .
Here's photos and vids of Russel.
http://www.zerop.net/pbase.htm
NickD
BASE 194
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
El Cap
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Feb 28, 2007 - 05:32pm PT
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"But, having worked in the ropes course field for 16 years, I find it all pretty simple."
Tom, you’re joking, right? That is a very elitist comment. Yes, the mechanics is the easy part. Have you ever climbed with a paraplegic? It’s NOT simple! Brad’s ascent will be one of the most complicated ascents in history. No quad has ever attempted such an ascent.
I’m not going into details for privacy reasons but here’s something to think about. The every day “simple” things we do….. is not that “simple” for a para or quad, on the ground. Those not so simple things…. gets magnified when you’re climbing a wall, as you know too well.
No disrespect, it’s just that your comment is very obvious and shows no depth in what is involved in such and undertaking.
BTW - Brad has contacted Mark… but of course.
Nice post Nick!! Yep, these guys deserve HUGE props!!
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Shack
Big Wall climber
Reno NV
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Feb 28, 2007 - 06:20pm PT
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"Simple" things like getting a drink of water or wiping your ass?
I don't see anything simple about what Brad is trying to do.
Way to go Ammon for helping out!
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Apocalypsenow
Trad climber
Cali
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Feb 28, 2007 - 06:27pm PT
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Ammon, I have nothing but respect for you as a climber and a person. But this is not an "elitist comment."
We are all, "physically challenged" (ok, maybe not Bachar or Largo) but all of the rest of us are. It is simply how to overcome these phyical challenges, being you might have a bad knee, or no use or your legs.
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Mighty Hiker
Social climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Feb 28, 2007 - 06:43pm PT
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I know Brad fairly well. He's a man of great spirit and energy, and I hope he's safe and successful on El Cap in September.
Brad's determined not to allow his disabilities to limit him any more than necessary. That said, for him to safely climb El Cap, he'll need to do things that work for him. Meticulous preparation and precautions are essential - his safety margin is much different. He tried to ascend the Grand Wall at Squamish three or four times before he succeeded, being defeated by equipment problems (mainly weight), and once by great heat. El Cap is three times the scale, or more.
His physiological abilities and needs are different, and there's no big wall manual for quadriplegics, each of whom has unique characteristics. Brad's preparations will probably be an order of magnitude more thorough than those of a typical El Capitan climber.
Edit: I saw the film about Brad's ascent of the Grand Wall at the recent Vancouver International Mountain Film Festival. It's called "Back to the Wall" - well worth watching. It even has some footage of Brad climbing pre-injury.
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
El Cap
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Feb 28, 2007 - 06:56pm PT
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“It is simply how to overcome these phyical challenges, being you might have a bad knee, or no use or your legs.”
You are trivializing his disabilities by making this comparison. Physical challenges have their degree of difficulty. Brad’s is high on the list.
I think the important thing here is not “how” to overcome these physical challenges…. But, that someone with disabilities is willing to TRY to overcome them.
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
El Cap
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Feb 28, 2007 - 07:06pm PT
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Thanks for your post Mighty Hiker... Yep, that was the same film I just saw. Very inspiring stuff. I'm going to watch it again tonight.
Edit- I gave thanks to MH, not for backing me up, but for giving me further insight about Brad. I only know him through emails for the last several years, since he started planning this ascent.
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bradzz
Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2007 - 09:02pm PT
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Yes that was covered really early in this thread. I know mark, talked with and met him few times.
The difference between Mark and I is so the core muscles and hand function. Basically apples and oranges.. but we tried to climb the way he does. Look on my website for that video.
Yes.. wheels pop on and off in seconds! And will have them off while free hanging. I’m much faster on free hanging pulling.
bz
(thanks for the support MH!)
NickD.. I'll be in touch, great stuff dude!
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bradzz
Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
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Topic Author's Reply - Feb 28, 2007 - 09:17pm PT
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Oh.. regarding the film, and different levels of ability.
Well, the first things cut from the film was the part detailing the difference between quads and paras.. it was considered boring. No one really cares about these differences -- they just see two guys in chairs, right?
Same thing for my friend warren -- he has no legs, and people ask him why he has not done Everest! Well, yes people with no feet have been up it – missing both legs above the knee is not the same as a guy missing a foot.
Getting the idea? I started out trying to pick up a bloody fork, and ten years later I want to climb El Cap. So, you might know Mark etc.. but you don’t know what you are talking about.
Ammon.. we’ll be down there in Sept.. and I’ll be in the best shape of my life and the gear be as light as it can be! Be awesome to crack a beer after getting off the Captain!
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Ammon
Big Wall climber
El Cap
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Feb 28, 2007 - 10:44pm PT
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Hey Brad, nice to hear your input, it will be good to have a beer ON The Captain, as well.
I know Tom and don’t think he meant any disrespect to you, or any disabled climber, for that matter. He is a smart man and thinks analytically, we all think differently. That might be why these forums attract us so much.
That’s cool the wheels snap right off. Any drag that can be avoided is good if the winds decide to show up. When you asked me a few years back and you said “’07”, I nearly laughed. I had no idea where I would be, or my schedule. Wow, here we are… in the now!
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Llama
Big Wall climber
Irvine, CA
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A beer on the Cap indeed! Yaharrr... can't wait for this! What an adventure, I'm definitely on board Brad.
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Largo
Sport climber
Venice, Ca
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"We are all, "physically challenged" (ok, maybe not Bachar or Largo)"
Actually, John got in a bad car accident earlier this year and I've been busted up so many times I can't remember - not serious like John B. or anything like the quads climbing El Cap (incredible, ain't it), but there are no iron men out there that don't some day hobble down the road.
JL
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bradzz
Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
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Topic Author's Reply - Mar 5, 2007 - 11:24pm PT
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Hey Largo.. exactly what I was going to add. (can you send me your address, I’d like to send you a dvd for some feedback if you like)
I think most people don’t like to be reminded how easily we can be hurt. Who here doesn’t have a friend or family member with an injury/disability or say cancer? It can be totally random thing, or a freak accident. And when that sh*t goes down, attitude matters!.
Like my buddy Wayne.. if he listened ton dr’s he’d be on wheelz right now -- not climbing ElCap in a push. From my POV he is still pretty dam able bodied, but it his energy and love for climbing that I relate too first.. and the medical issues second.
I could give countless examples for both extremes. I’ve seen guys in rehab just let it all slide and hit the bottle hard. Ammon made the point above, it is the ambition and the effort that is noteworthy.
Enough shameless self promotion? Anyway, thanks for the responses and thoughts everyone
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bradzz
Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 10, 2007 - 12:12am PT
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Valid form of assent?
I just put up a video from first interview -- some peopple 'get it'.. others not so much.
Chris Bio and video
or
blog
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bradzz
Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 11, 2007 - 04:42pm PT
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Why no one takes me seriously I’ll never know!
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Wild Bill
climber
Ca
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Apr 11, 2007 - 05:08pm PT
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Hilarious, Brad.
Gotta say You rock!
Looking forward to a full trip report. Sounds like you have generated enough interest that dozens of people are now willing to go to the top and PUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUULLLLLLLLLLLLL you up. There you are, sipping your Mai Tai, you got your newspaper, you're enjoying the view from the Captain.
Think about it, could be sweet.
Bill
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bradzz
Big Wall climber
vancouver canada
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Topic Author's Reply - Apr 11, 2007 - 08:37pm PT
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Thanks for the words of encouragement.. but clearly you are missing the point. I’m not getting pulled up.. I’m working pretty hard actually.
Watch these, the one with Chris explains a lot.
http://www.youtube.com/bradzdanivsky
Anyway…I’m putting all my energy into this climb, and project … prolly doing more than most climbers do. (accepting more risk, and pushing limits of endurance) So, tonight, girth hitch your wrists and do few chin ups with RELAXED hands. That will give you some idea as to what it is like. After a few pitches it cause bleeding and nerve damage.
So, it is not a free ride and I can prolly beat you weekend warriors at an arm wrestle too. You know who you are.. top roping pussys that blog more than climb.
punk ass blogers that top rope in the gym
I’m getting a bit tired of defend this as a valid way of climbing from my own brethren, so if your going to talk smack – at least be informed.
or am I over reacting?
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reddirt
climber
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Apr 12, 2007 - 12:39am PT
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I think it's awesome that you have the will & ability to do so much.
I was discussing paraplegic athletes w/ my PT the other day & he noted that they have a much higher rate of shoulder injuries, especially degenerative ones.
I hope you continue to climb hard enough to accomplish your goals & soft enough to climb for many decades to come!
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