Kayaking the Greenland coast blind
Jul 13, 2004 14: 02 EST
This summer four Icelandic kayakers will be paddling 1000 kms down the coast of Greenland – two of them are blind. The goal of the expedition is to raise funds for the Blind Association of Iceland.
In all, the expedition is expected to last 6 to 8 weeks, however, if things get a bit too hairy, they’ve arranged precautions for evac. The foursome plans to leave by the end of this month.
It seems that everyday, the blind are taking more and more steps towards their independence. The most thrilling story in recent years of a blind person overcoming was that of Erik Weihenmayer’s ascent of Everest. “It didn’t just break people’s perceptions, it shattered them,” said Erik after his climb. He since went on to complete the ‘7 summits’.
Another blind athlete, Mile Hilton Barber, who’s over 50 years old made an attempt at the South Pole, has climbed Kilimanjaro, Blanc, and has even been known to drive race cars around the track!
While not too long ago people might have shuddered at the though of blind people going on a 1000km kayak down the coast of Greenland, attitudes have since change significantly and everyday more and more opportunities arise for those visualy impaired.
Both Erik and Miles are motivational speakers. Erik is now involved with teaching blind kids in Tibet how to climb – in the fall they’ll head over to the Rongbuk glacier and make an attempt on Lhakpa Ri with a group of blind teenagers.
Image of the kayaker’s route courtesy of Internet.is/leidangur.
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