Photo Credit: Bryn Sillorequez

What is adaptive climbing? Also called paraclimbing, adaptive climbing makes climbing accessible to people with any type of physical disability.

• Resources for adaptive climbing.

INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES (Not associated with a themed adaptive climbing edition)

•  El Capitan (by Enock Glidden) - Enock, a paraplegic climber with Spina Bifida, takes us on his journey to climb El Capitan in Yosemite, CA.
• Failure is Part of the Price: Rand Abbott Attempts the First Adaptive Lead Ascent of The Nose  (by Stefani Dawn) - Rand Abbott is one of the few adaptive lead aid climbers in the world. In the Fall of 2021 he attempted to be the first adaptive lead aid climber to ascend The Nose. The first attempt was a "successful failure." Find out why.
• Jean (By Paul Pritchard) - Paul Pritchard shares a beautifully written and emotive piece about his first traditional lead climb (which also happens to be a first ascent) since his climbing accident 25 years ago.  "One may think I should not be doing this kind of thing, that it’s just too dangerous for a person with a disability. After all wasn’t it rock climbing that gave me a brain injury? But, I was an adventurer before the accident, and I am still. I can’t live half a life. I can’t show my kids that. I must be a full person."
• Quinn Brett Interview (by Enock Glidden) - ​Climber Quinn Brett became paralyzed after a fall when trying to set a new speed record for The Nose in Yosemite. Enock Glidden interviews Quinn who shares what she is doing in her new life and the messages she wishes to share with climbers. ​
• My Journey to Adaptive Rock Climbing (by Enock Glidden) - Enock shares path of exploration, determination, and perseverance to let no fences stop him from adventure, including climbing.
• Adaptive Climbing: It's About Climbing Independence (by Stefani Dawn) - ​Rand Abbott has been trying to become a certified guide, but he keeps hearing "no" because he is in a wheelchair. There is a need for leadership and adaptive climbing representation in the guiding world. Rand seeks to overcome these biases against those with disabilities, aiming to develop an adaptive guide certification. In November 2022, Rand hosted the first adaptive-climber-lead adaptive climbing clinic in partnership with the California Climbing School in Joshua Tree, California. 

​ADAPTIVE CLIMBING EDITION

• Adaptive Climbing Photo Feature - Paradox Sports - Paradox Sports is a non-profit organization that supports adaptive climbing across the U.S. Check out these amazing photos and learn more about this incredible organization. 
• Advocating for Deaf Climbers: Sonya Wilson  - A very informative interview with rock climber and Deaf climber advocate, Sonya Wilson. Learn more about her story, but also the many things that we can do to better support the Deaf.
• Amputations: Leg Prosthesis for Climbing (by Szu-Pin Lee, PhD) - ​​If you've ever wondered how a leg prosthesis works, especially for rock climbing, read on! Learn the basics and feel comfortable asking questions of fellow climbers  who might happen to have an amputated limb.
• Blind Ambition Builds a World Class Climber: The Story of Jesse Dufton (by Dave Barnes) - United Kingdom climber Jesse Dufton has Rod-Cone Dystrophy, a genetic disorder where his eyes do not have the structural support for the light sensitive cells at the back of the eye. This has slowly eroded his vision, taking him into the world of climbing blind. Jesse, who has been climbing since a young age, has adapted - and he still leads trad.
• Climbing with Type 1 Diabetes ​(by Lori Miles) - Type 1 Diabetes may not be something that would typically come to mind when you think of adaptive climbing, but adaptive climbing means having to make significant adjustments for a condition that affects you on a daily basis. Lori Miles explains how Type 1 Diabetes impacts her life, climbing, and the adaptations she has to make to ensure she can climb safely.
• First Paralyzed Ascents: Rand Abbott (Interview by Enock Glidden) - Rand Abbott is a climber in Joshua Tree, California who has numerous First Paralyzed Ascents in the park. Rand shares his thoughts and experiences in an interview with Enock Glidden. Local JTree legend and long-time climbing partner with Rand, Todd Gordon, chimes in too...
• Mixed Climbing: My Answer to KT Syndrome ​(by Matt​ Westlake) - 21 years ago, at the age of 7, I was diagnosed with Klippel Trenaunay (KT) Syndrome - a rare disease that causes my veins to grow uncontrollably like cracks through a shattered window. Blood begins to pool, which causes poor circulation, blood clots, and lymphedema, along with a string of many other health issues... Six years ago I found climbing... 
• Paraclimbing Competitions: Athlete Interviews ​(by Enock Glidden) - Enock Glidden shares some history and basics of paraclimbing competitions, as well as, fun interviews of paraclimbing athletes Ben Mayforth and Molly Ferris. 
• ​Rock! (by Paul Pritchard) - ​Multi-award winning book author Paul Prichard shares a very special story about sharing climbing with his son Eli...The day had finally arrived when I could safely take my boy climbing. I had waited a long time for this moment. As a D.A.D. (dad with a disability) it takes a whole lot of planning to do anything adventurous with your kids. I have a brain injury, you see, after a climbing accident twenty-two years ago... ​
• ​The Unreasonable Man (by Wayne Willoughby) - The Unreasonable Man is a touching story of sheer will, persistence, ambition, and, most of all, a love of climbing. The author, who was struck by Polio at a young age, battles major surgeries, significant injuries, and a deteriorating body from Post Polio syndrome. Yet, he sets big wall speed records and climbs numerous big walls per year. ​

OVERCOMING ADVERSITY EDITION

• Failure is Part of the Price: Rand Abbott Attempts the First Adaptive Lead Ascent of The Nose  (By Stefani Dawn) - Rand Abbott is one of the few adaptive lead aid climbers in the world. In the Fall of 2021 he attempted to be the first adaptive lead aid climber to ascend The Nose. The first attempt was a "successful failure." Find out why.
• Overcoming a Brain Tumor: Interview With WeighMyRack Founder Alison Dennis - Alison shares her experience with brain cancer and climbing's role in her recovery. ​
• ​Anoushé Husain - Anoushé Husain is a Muslim paraclimber of Pakistani origins and lives in London, England. Anoushé has had a number of life events thrown at her - cancer, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, and recent injuries which have made her a wheelchair-user, in addition to being born with missing her right arm below the elbow. Yet, climbing remains central to Anoushé's life. 
• ​​Expanding the Circle  (By Natalia "Tal" Tune) - ​As Natalia faces a potential diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis currently impacting their knees, they reflect upon how the climbing community can move beyond exclusivity and ableism, expanding our circles to embrace diversity and create a supportive network to enable everyone to climb.  
• Rising (By Dave Barnes) - Dave Barnes sustained a severe brain injury from a diabetic coma. Dave shares the role climbing has played in his life and recovery. 
• Common Climber interviews Dario Piana, the President and CEO of Acopa Outdoors, Inc. This interview is part of Common Climber's small business Marketplace where we connect you with the owners and creators of climbing-related small businesses. Acopa's story is one of resilience and is highlighted in our special themed edition on "Overcoming Adversity." Read on to learn more about Acopa's unique story. 
• Book Review - The Mountain Path: A Climber's Journey Through Life and Death (Book By: Paul Pritchard, ​Review By: Dave Barnes) - Common Climber Assistant Editor Dave Barnes reviews Paul Pritchard's new book (which was released December 2021) The Mountain Path: A Climber's Journey Through Life and Death. Dave, who is a climber and trained theologian who suffered from a brain injury himself, shares a special connection and reflection about this book. ​