SummitPost.org

On Wednesday, seven-time US Paralympian Chris Waddell reached the highest point in Africa (elevation 19,340) without the use of his legs. Using only his upper body strength, steely focus, and supreme patience, Waddell cranked his off-road handcycle up the Marangu route of Mt. Kilimanjaro for seven days and achieved his goal just two days after his 41st birthday. He is believed to be the first paraplegic to reach Mt. Kilimanjaro's absolute summit solely on his own power.

rhyang wrote:

http://usparalympics.org/news/article/16586

On Wednesday, seven-time US Paralympian Chris Waddell reached the highest point in Africa (elevation 19,340) without the use of his legs. Using only his upper body strength, steely focus, and supreme patience, Waddell cranked his off-road handcycle up the Marangu route of Mt. Kilimanjaro for seven days and achieved his goal just two days after his 41st birthday. He is believed to be the first paraplegic to reach Mt. Kilimanjaro's absolute summit solely on his own power.

MoapaPk wrote:The descent must have been interesting!

Erica Davis attempts to be first female paraplegic to reach top of Mount Kilimanjaro

[...] her immediate goal is to be the first female paraplegic to reach the summit of the 19,340-foot summit of Mount Kilimanjaro on Feb. 1.

[...]"She was already a triathlete," said Derek Gates, the marketing director for the Corrective Holistic Exercise Kinesiology (CHEK) Institute, and the leader of the excursion. "She knows how to push her body and wants to help redefine expectations. Erica was the perfect fit."

With the goal of climbing an average of 3,000 feet per day, Davis will be part of a team that intends to raise awareness for athletes with physical challenges so they can participate in sports they enjoy. She is also one of the subjects of the documentary "Through the Roof," which focuses on the training and climb itself.

[...]Despite Erica Davis' challenges, scientific advancements and sheer will are going to be her biggest assets as she and her group attempt to reach Kilimanjaro's summit.

The chair she will use has innovations commonly found in equipment used in mountain rescues. Magic Wheel, one of the company sponsors, makes a wheelchair that will enable Erica Davis to have more torque and traction.

There are also eyelets on either side of her chair that enable her teammates to run poles through the holes and carry her if certain areas are impassible. She is also employing the use of dog leashes to pull her chair and help her generate momentum so she can continue moving the chair with her arms and getting by on her own strength.

Gates said the functionality of the equipment is critical to Erica Davis' effort.

The Magic Wheels Two-Speed wheelchair uses technology similar to mountain bikes, enabling Erica Davis to shift into a lower gear and have more power climbing hills. It also has a feature that prevents her from rolling backwards.

radson wrote:

rhyang wrote:

http://usparalympics.org/news/article/16586

On Wednesday, seven-time US Paralympian Chris Waddell reached the highest point in Africa (elevation 19,340) without the use of his legs. Using only his upper body strength, steely focus, and supreme patience, Waddell cranked his off-road handcycle up the Marangu route of Mt. Kilimanjaro for seven days and achieved his goal just two days after his 41st birthday. He is believed to be the first paraplegic to reach Mt. Kilimanjaro's absolute summit solely on his own power.

Incredible feat..although I would have picked a better photo to accompany the report of an unsupported climb.