The creator who takes away one feeling makes him a friend with thousands of other feelings. Maybe the ability to overcome the incomprehensible with irresistible power is the companion to cross the path of their friend. If you were asked if it was possible to conquer Everest without being blind, what would be your answer? The eyebrows will be compressed, and a slight fold will be formed on the forehead. Maybe not possible to say. But Eric Weinmeier made it possible. 

The beginning of the story  

The story begins with the hero’s birth in 1968. At the age of 15 months, he was diagnosed with a rare disease called juvenile retinosclerosis. Gradually his eyesight deteriorated, and he became completely blind at the age of 14. What would happen in a simple story? The boy will lose his sight and become helpless, mentally weak, and so on. But in the case of this boy, the story is reversed. He continued his studies with great mental strength.

Gradually his interest in wrestling grew. From there, he became the best wrestler in high school, captain of the team, and thus successful in sports. Along with this, another interest was born in him rock climbing or mountaineering. The practice continues.

The protagonist of the story is Eric Weinmeier. In the story, let’s call him Eric for short.

First chance

Eric received a newsletter in Braille several days after losing his sight. From there, you can learn that a group of visually impaired children will go rock climbing. Eric seemed to get the moon in his hand. Such an opportunity can be done without hands! He registered his name. It can be called the first step of the journey. Eric’s life was not limited to sports and adventure. He graduated with a ‘Double Major’ and joined as a secondary school teacher. He also became the school’s wrestling coach. He has also maintained the practice of mountaineering. In that capacity, he has been practicing in his spare time since joining the Arizona Mountaineering Club.

Win the first horn

1995, at 20,310 feet above sea level, Mount Denali is the highest peak in North America. Denali is the third of the seven highest peaks on seven continents. Undoubtedly, Eric got a taste of a new experience in this mountain, which belongs to the Alexa mountain range, when he was able to draw footprints on its highest peak.

Due to its close proximity to the Arctic Cycle, Denali almost always experiences heavy snowfall, severe cold snaps, and freezing weather. Eric’s perseverance and adventurous spirit motivated him to climb to the top when his passengers wanted to give up after a 24-day break. Tragic incidents such as the death of a fellow passenger in the middle of the cold and the disappearance of a corpse covered in ice did not deter him. The result? Friendship with the blind mountain top of the adventurous blind traveler. Eric Weinmeier conquers Denali, the highest peak in North America.

Mission Mount Everest

Everest is one of the most popular attractions for adventure lovers. Just as it is difficult to avoid this attraction, so it is difficult to grab it. Here, step by step, the danger is looming. If it is a little side to side, it is death. However, adventurers do not care about these deaths. After Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay first set foot on the summit of Everest in 1953, Everest gained a new experience that may not have been available to later climbers. But the protagonist of this story, Eric’s step on the summit of Everest, maybe a surprise to Everest.    

Eric prepared himself for the conquest of Everest through mental strength and rigorous practice, despising blindness. 2001 Eric Weinmeier embarks on a journey to Everest with his entourage. First is the journey to Kathmandu. He had to burn a lot of wood to convince people in Kathmandu that he was really going to conquer Everest. Bitter words, neglect have silently accepted everything. Eric had a hard time getting Sherpa. They were persuaded that he was blind but physically fit, so the Sherpas agreed to take Eric with them with great difficulty.

There was so much conflict in his mind with each of the passengers that he got into a lot of trouble in his mind. Many say he can’t diagnose weather, snow or wind because he can’t see! But Eric knew that his sense of power was greater than theirs in some cases.

After all, when Eric was nearing the summit, that was the most important and terrible time! It is a distant feeling within oneself, the direction of the companions on it. One is saying that the horn is only two feet away from this site; another is saying ten more feet. However, Eric brings his full attention to a single point and uses his mountaineering experience and emotions to reach the highest peak of Everest. The day is May 25th. Eric Weinmeier made history through this. First sighted Everest conquered. This victory is the victory of one’s own will, and this victory is the victory of being able to turn the disbelief of the critics into faith, this victory is the victory of overcoming disability.

Seven top wins

This fearless hero of the story did not stop after conquering Everest. In addition to the Denali and Everest conquests, he also conquered the other five highest mountains on seven continents by 2004. Winning the Canyon of the Grand Canyon was the most exciting experience of his life.

No barriers

Eric Wehenmayer, a blind adventurer, understood very well that obstacles exist and will continue to exist. It can’t always be realized. But those are the obstacles in life. Who knows better than Eric how to overcome that obstacle! He and a few others set up an organization called ‘ No Barriers ‘ to encourage those who want to show courage in the battle of life without taking obstacles like his as an obstacle. The non-profit organization’s tagline is quite inspiring:

“You are stronger than the way you walk.”

No Barriers is moving forward with the conviction of taking risks, working as a team, and realizing the dream. Inspired by Eric, many blind, deaf, or even paralyzed people have climbed mountains.

Speaker and author Eric

Eric Weinmeier is very popular as a motivational speaker. Her pet dog companion also stays with her. Eric has also published books to share his experiences and inspire others. Eric Weinmeier is a shining example of a physical impediment to one’s willpower. One of the ways to win is to keep yourself alive without being emotionally broken. However, social cooperation is also very important in this case.