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. 998: First Woman to Climb the Second 7 Summits - Jenn Drummond
Ep. 997: The Colorado Crest - Revisited - Sam Chaneles
Ep. 996: Thru-Hiking the Appalachian Trail With Chronic Pain - Peter Conti
Ep. 995: World Champion Adventure Racer & NYT Bestseller - Revisited - Robyn Benincasa
Ep. 994: How a Hike Can Change Your Life - Randy Brandt
Ep. 993: Winter Mountaineering for Beginners - Revisited - Jeff Golden
Ep. 992: An Accidental Life - Quinn Brett
Ep. 991: 30,000 Miles of Thru-Hiking - Revisited - Lint Bunting
Ep. 990: Continental Divide Trail by Bike - Kurt Refsnider
Ep. 989: First Women to Solo Ski Across Antarctica - Revisited - Felicity Aston
Ep. 988: Hudson River From Source to Statue of Liberty - Greg Morrissey
We'll Be Back on Monday!
Ep. 987: Skiing 14ers & Public Lands Access - Revisited - Brittany & Frank Konsella
Ep. 986: Paddleboarding Across Alabama - John Knippers
Ep. 985: Fire Lookout Hiking Adventures - Revisited - Amber Casali
Ep. 984: Climbing Everest From Sea Level - Michael Neal
Ep. 983: Thru-Hiking the Ice Age Trail - Revisited - Luke Kloberdanz
Ep. 981: Bladepacking Across New Mexico - Revisited - Caleb Smith
Ep. 980: A Life of Bikepacking - Kait Boyle
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