Blind Climber, 64-Year-Old Reach the Everest Summit
Two Americans on Friday became the first blind climber and the oldest man to reach the Everest summit.
They were among 94 people who scaled the world’s highest peak in four days from the Nepalese side of the mountain.
Erik Weihenmayer, 32, of Golden, Colo., became the first blind climber to conquer the 29,035-foot peak, according to the Nepalese Ministry of Tourism. Sherman Bull, a 64-year-old physician from New Canaan, Conn., was the oldest climber.
Weihenmayer lost his sight at 13 and took up rock climbing three years later. He scaled Mt. Everest by following the sound of bells tied to the jackets of fellow climbers and Sherpa guides.
The triumphs were marred by tragedy, however. One of three Russian climbers found struggling near the peak without oxygen reportedly died Thursday in the arms of American climber Andy Politz of Columbus, Ohio.
The week has seen a rush to reach the peak before the mountaineering season ends Thursday.
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