Travel & Adventure

Which would you rather bring back from holiday: a suntan or tales of adventure? In the past, people went on holiday so that they could sunbathe and relax. Today, many of us go on holiday in order to try something new and exciting!
Although adventure holidays can sometimes be dangerous, people are often so thrilled by their experiences that they come back for more. And not just young people. In spite of the fact that activities can be risky, older people and families are also on the adventure trail.

Against the odds
Ever since he was a teenager, Erik Weihenmayer’s ambition was to climb Everest. He knew about the fierce snow storms, deep crevasses and freezing temperatures. He knew that only twenty per cent of climbers ever reach the top and that some never return. But Erik was strong and athletic, and he had great climbing ability. What’s more, he had mental as well as physical toughness, and lots of determination.
Erik and his team climbed Everest in May 2001. The expedition team tried to reach the summit once, but they came up against some very bad weather. By the time the weather had improved, it was already dark. The team had a choice: they could either turn back and miss their chance to get to the top, or carry on and take a huge risk. Although it was incredibly dangerous, they decided to keep on climbing in the dark. Their terrifying journey took patience, courage and endurance. In order to avoid falling into crevasses, they had to move incredibly slowly, hoping not to make any mistakes. For most of the climbers, each step was a real leap of faith, but it was less of a problem for Erik. Erik had always climbed in the dark because he is blind.
Erik was born with a rare eye disease. By the time he was fourteen, he had lost his eyesight completely. At first, there was a lot of anger inside him, but he gradually learnt to accept the change. Despite the challenges, he gradually turned his ‘weakness’ into a strength. After losing his sight, Erik’s sense of touch became highly developed. Instead of playing football or basketball, he took up wrestling, which is a sport where feel and touch are very important. Erik was soon so good at the sport that he competed in the Junior Championships. Later, when he was sixteen, Erik discovered another sport where a good sense of touch is vital – rock climbing. Erik discovered that he was a natural climber, and since then he has climbed mountains all over the world.
Today, Erik is famous. His story has been an inspiration and encouragement to thousands of people because he never gave up and he never turned back. He reached the summit of Everest against the odds, overcoming huge obstacles to realize his dream.