2004 Newsletters
Erik's Reflections: Climbing Blind
Nov 4th, 2004
Erik's Reflections: Climbing Blind Now that I've had some time home to reflect on our Climbing Blind expedition, I'm starting to put it all into perspective. Why did we think it would be a good idea to take inexperienced blind Tibetan teens into a tough, cold, and hostile environment? I think back to a dispatch I wrote before we left: "Strength, courage, and resiliency are part of most every person's character; we just need the opportunity to bring it out." Looking back, I would revise that statement slightly: Strength, courage, and resiliency may be in everyone, but they start as a tiny spark and it's only through facing challenges that they grow and blaze into the force that directs our lives and ultimately creates change in the world. We didn't reach the summit of Lhakpa Ri, but despite the teen's tough, no-comfort backgrounds, for two weeks they pushed harder and suffered more than they ever had done. Every day, as they navigated boulder fields, crossed frozen narrow ice bridges and gasped for air in the thin oxygen, they were breaking new ground, in their own perceptions of their capabilities as well as for the other blind people of Tibet. I'll never forget our last day up high, blind teens roped together with their sighted teammates, inching their ways across the convoluted ice-fall. Little Dochung broke through the ice and dangled over a crevasse (Thank god for strong ropes!). Tenzing focused at his limit to comprehend the English commands barraging him like, "big step over - left foot"... "side step - right foot"... "two feet left and big step down." Finally, exhausted and relieved, with their heads hanging over their ski poles, they reached the Rombuck Glacier, 21,500 feet, and the entire team knew this was our finishing point. A few days earlier at Advance Base Camp, when Tashi was sick, throwing up, and preparing to head down with Sonom Bongso and Kyla, I sat with him, my arm around his shoulder. He was sad, telling me, "I am weak - not strong like you." I remembered when I was his age and my family - two older brothers and my dad - dragged me across the great mountain ranges of the world. I thought the mountains were the most difficult, chaotic, patternless environment that I could imagine. It would have been impossible for me to conceive that one day I would grow to love that rugged setting. "You've made it to 21,000 feet, a place few of your peers will ever go. You're not weak," I told him. "You're stronger than you know and only getting stronger." Somehow, maybe because of the way he leaned his head on my shoulder, I felt he believed me. As I've said, I don't care if these kids ever climb again. Sabriye and Paul came to Tibet and put these blind children on a trajectory towards dreaming big and reaching for their full potentials. We continued that mission in the most dramatic setting in the world. Twenty years from now, when Kyla has taken over Braille Without Borders, when Tenzing is running his own massage therapy clinic, and when Kienzing is teaching sighted students at his village school, I hope that their strength, courage and resiliency has grown and overflowed into their communities... and perhaps, that will set a course for a future generation of young Tibetan leaders. A New York Times article on Climbing Blind by "imbedded reporter" Kimi Puntillo ran on Sunday, October 31. "Blind Mountain Climbers Challenge Prejudice, and Reach for the Sky" can be found athttp://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/31/sports/othersports/31outdoors.html. The Climbing Blind website is www.climbingblind.org. "America's Heart & Soul" opened July 4 at theaters around the country to patriotic fervor. It is a journey through each region of our country, offering touching vignettes and spectacular cinematography. It is a thrill ride into the sights and sounds of this Nation. It is a celebration of ordinary Americans - including Erik - a peek into the heart of the American psyche, into the souls of the people who have made America strong. "America" will certainly reinforce your pride in this great country. The DVD and a companion coffee table book is available at http://www.americasheartandsoul.com. "Farther Than the Eye Can See" - a film by Michael Brown - is playing tonight, Thursday, at 7:30 p.m. at the AMC Theater at Downtown Disney, presented by the Blind Children's Learning Center. Erik and cinematographer/producer Michael Brown will introduce the documentary and take questions following. Tickets may still be available at 714/573-8888 or at the door."America"
Erik's Everest Documentary Playing in Downtown Disney Tonight
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