Despite a life-altering hunting accident in 1997 that caused him to lose his sight, Lonnie found the courage and determination to raise his three daughters as a single father in small-town Indiana, teaching them all to hunt and fish — and, against all odds, to drive. After the kids were grown and moved out, Lonnie was looking for another challenge.
Through adaptive sports organizations Lonnie began to get the opportunity to do some amazing adventures. Fast forward a few years and Lonnie is a National Geographic 2015 Adventurer of the Year. He has kayaked some of the most challenging whitewater in the world and is responsible for first blind descents of Africa’s fabled Zambezi River and West Virginia’s world-renowned Gauley River. Lonnie is best known for his first descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon.
In May of 2023, Lonnie Bedwell became the first blind veteran to climb Mt Everest. He was accompanied by friends and climbing partners Michael Neal and Bryan Hill. Before the climb, Michael and Bryan rode their bicycles across India to set a world record for the fastest known time from sea level to Everest’s summit. We’ll have Michael on next week to share that story.
Sightlesssummits.com
https://www.instagram.com/lonnie.r.bedwell
https://lonniebedwell.com/
Ep. 1031: Riding a Horse Across America - Revisited - Jesse McNeil
Ep. 1030: The Importance of Trying New Adventures - Paddy O’Connell
Ep. 1029: Behind the Scenes of Search & Rescue - Revisited - Moose Mutlow
Ep. 1028: Biking Across America With No Food or Money - Daniel Troia
Ep. 1027: How to Beat Monday - Revisited - Mike Chambers
Ep. 1026: Thru-Hike of the Eastern Continental Trail - Madison Blagden
Ep. 1025: Alone in Wonderland - Revisited - Christine Reed
Ep. 1024: The Mt. Everest Industry - Will Cockrell
Ep. 1023: Playing Soccer on Kilimanjaro - Revisited - Laura Youngson
Ep. 1023: Becoming a Better Outdoor Leader - Jeanette Stawski
Ep. 1022: The Backyard Adventurer - Revisited - Beau Miles
Ep. 1021: Sharing Your Adventure Knowledge - Jerome Rand
Ep. 1020: Storm Chasing & Global Exploration - Revisited - George Kourounis
Ep. 1019: Trekking Across the Namibian Desert - Gillian Millar
Ep. 1018: Cave Diving Basics - Revisited - Joshua Shouse
Ep. 1017: Boating the Mekong River in Thailand - Alonzo Guess
Ep. 1016: Paragliding off Volcanoes - Revisited - Adrian Garza
Ep. 1015: Appalachian Mountain Club President & CEO - Nicole Zussman
Ep. 1014: How to Run 100 Miles - Revisited - "Toddzilla" Lewis
Ep. 1013: Kayaking the Northwest Passage - West Hansen
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