Three Canadian Climbers

Mountain and rock climbing are not for the fainthearted, especially if you have a disability and your safety – not to mention your very life – is largely, and literally, in the hands of others.

Three western-Canadian individuals have been breaking through barriers in the climbing arena. Jim Milina’s triumph on Mount Kilimanjaro was recounted in our Winter 2002 issue. On October 24 of this year, mountaineer Warren Macdonald became the first double above-knee amputee to scale the 1900-foot east face of North America’s premier “Big Wall,” El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, California. Macdonald was featured on the cover of the Summer 2003 issue of ABILITIES. And Brad Zdanivsky of Vancouver recently became the first quadriplegic person to reach the Grand Wall of the Squamish Chief.

Looking for inspiration? All three extreme athletes have websites with photos, diaries and updates. Visit www.verticalchallenge.org to read about Brad Zdanivsky’s upcoming plans, go to www.partanimal.com for more information about Warren Macdonald, and check out www.cordclimbs.ca to learn more about Jim Milina.