The quest to become the second blind man to summit Everest

Photo Tom West ©EverestNews.com

Gerrard Gosens, an Australian with glaucoma who was born without irises in his eyes, will leave Australia on Friday on his quest to become the second blind man to summit Everest—second only to Erik Weihenmayer a blind man who reached Everest’s peak in May 2001. 

Gosens, 35, was inspired to tackle Everest by a blind friend, Ched Towns, who died of altitude sickness before having the opportunity to climb Everest.  A greater motivator for Gosens’ summit attempt, however, is his seven-year-old daughter who has only four percent of her sight and his desire to communicate to her and other kids that “…there are many opportunities out there.” 

For the past two years, Gosens has been preparing for his climb by become involved in long-distance running events at the Atlanta and Sdney Paralympics.  Also in his preparation for Everest, two years ago Gossens went 6,000 feet up Everest to determine if he would be able to handle the altitude sickness.  Gosens will be part of a climbing team of about 12 and will be assisted by two personal Sherpas and a guide.

We are being told he might only go to camp 2 this year...

Millet One Sport Everest Boot for Spring 2009 has made some minor changes by adding more Kevlar. USES Expeditions / High altitude / Mountaineering in extremely cold conditions / Isothermal to -75°F Gore-Tex® Top dry / Evazote Reinforcements with aramid threads. Avg. Weight: 5 lbs 13 oz Sizes: 5 - 14 DESCRIPTION Boot with semi-rigid shell and built-in Gore-Tex® gaiter reinforced by aramid threads, and removable inner slipper Automatic crampon attachment Non-compressive fastening Double zip, so easier to put on Microcellular midsole to increase insulation Removable inner slipper in aluminized alveolate Fiberglass and carbon footbed Cordura + Evazote upper Elasticated collar. Expedition footwear for mountaineering in conditions of extreme cold.  NOTE US SIZES LISTED. See more here.

   Ascenders

   Atlas snowshoes

   Atomic

   Black Diamond

   Botas

   Brunton

   Carabiners

   CaVa Climbing Shoes

   Chaco

   Clearance

   Clif Bar

   Cloudveil

   CMI

   Crampons

   Edelweiss ropes
   Eureka Tents

   Exofficio

   Featured

   FoxRiver

   Garmin

   Granite Gear

   Harnesses
   Headlamps

   Hestra
   Helmets

   HighGear

   HornyToad
   Ice Axes

   Julbo

   Kavu Eyewear

   Katadyn

   Kelty

   Kong

   Lekisport

   Life is Good

   Lowa

   Lowe Alpine

   Lowepro

   Millet

   Motorola

   Mountain Hardwear

   Mountainsmith

   MSR

   Nalgene

   New England Ropes

   Nikwax

   Omega

   Patagonia

   Pelican

   Petzl

   PowerBar

   Princeton Tec

   Prescription Glacier

   Glasses

   Primus

   Rope Bags

   Salomon

   Scarpa

   Seattle Sports

   Serius
   Sleeping Bags

   Stubai

   Suunto

   Tents

   Teva

   Thermarest

   Trango

   Tool Logic

   Trekking Poles
   Yaktrax
   and more here