Adaptive Climbers Fest was one of the most perfectly executed and personally fulfilling events I've ever participated in. I hope to meet some of you there next year.
I was able to meet every one of the goals I set for myself as a first time climber.
I met a vibrant community of amazing people similarly focused on personal challenge, achievement, and adaptation. I learned climbing terms and techniques. Discovered how varied, and personal climbing can be. I practiced top rope techniques using rigs customized for my specific injury. I climbed a tree using a Wellman rig with 4:1 mechanical advantage. A small bit of a 5.7 route on "bruise brothers" until we discovered the harness required modification for me. I reworked the harness with Sam Sala "Safety Sam" from Paradox sports until it was more comfortable than my favorite chair. Climbed a nice inclined 5.1 route called "scrambled eggs" and hung out up there for a while. I now hang in my climbing harness in doorways at home just to get my back feeling better.
https://youtu.be/q3WOYqpg330It was not easy, not too hard, had everything we needed, good food, good people, good sponsors that made it possible ridiculously cheap.
Outdoors in the beautiful Red River Gorge area of Kentucky during peak autumn colors. The Lago Linda Hideaway campground boosted accessibility by adding hand rails and leveling ground prior to our arrival. Organizers packed additional ramps and such to be used whenever a need arose. Catalyst sports had new passenger van for shuttling participants between camp and the crags. Wolfe county search and rescue team did an amazing job using side by side ATVs escorting participants between the many different parts of the Muir Valley climbing area on narrow hiking trails. That alone was a once in a lifetime experience. Being given the ability to explore unique natural areas that I thought were permanently inaccessible to me.
I was one of only 2 people using power chairs at the camp but was probably one of the least injured. For what its worth, we were both on Permobils and did not have any issues as far as I know. I sent the young lady and her family to this forum for advice fixing their chair if ever needed. I think they said it is 14 years old now. A K450 she got as a baby to help her get out of the chair and onto the floor. It is still doing that job.
There were several manual chairs in use. 2 grit freedom chairs were available to try out. I'm sure they are great for someone, but not me. The design seems unfinished.
Lots of single and double leg amputees were wicked fast climbing. A few climbers are missing parts of an arm, or some function, but still very quick. Bill is a blind climber I watched set cams and nuts into the rock as protection in a clinic "intro to trad" lead by Josh Ourada. The presence of deaf climbers educated us all a bit as ASL interpreters were signing and teaching lots of sign. Paras, quads, muscle disorders were all represented. The Canadian national para climbing team was there. There were over 100 participants. That doesn't include anyone that came to assist. Over 100 disabled people climbing at the same time and I think everyone got up the rock. Whatever your challenges are, there are people there that will help you achieve your climbing goals. I asked for help climbing trees so I could do that when I got home, and Al had a rig set up before the event even started officially. A new friend has invited me and family down to Puerto Rico to climb with him. It was a great time. I'll be back.
Ex-Gooserider, hope to see you there.