Brian Dickinson (climber)

Brian Dickinson

Brian Dickinson at Kala Patthar
Personal information
Nationality US
Born 16 June 1974
Website briandickinson.net
Climbing career

Brian Dickinson (born June 16, 1974) soloed the summit of Mount Everest on May 15, 2011,[1] after his climbing Sherpa became ill and went back down to high camp (South Col, 26,000'). After taking some pictures and making a radio call, Brian began his descent but within a few feet he went completely snow blind. His vision wouldn't fully return for over a month. Hand over hand he made his way down blind and alone from the highest point on earth. What should have taken 2-3 hours to return to high camp, took over 7, leaving others below thinking the worst outcome. Brian ran out of oxygen on his descent but with faith and pure determination, made it down to the South Col where his climbing Sherpa met him to help him back to his tent. Brian holds the record for the highest solo blind descent.[2][3][4][5][6][7]

Climbing in the Pacific Northwest

He has climbed the highest peaks of the 7 continents (Everest -Asia, Aconcagua -South America, Vinson Massif -Antarctica, Denali (x2 expeditions) - North America, Elbrus -Europe, Kilimanjaro - Africa, Kosciusko - Australia). He also participates in multiple extreme sports - adventure races, ultra races, long distance swim races, surfing, snowboarding, rappelling, rock climbing, mountain biking.

Dickinson spent 6 years in the United States Navy as a Special Operations Air Rescue Swimmer. He did 2 tours in the Gulf as a part of Operation Southern Watch. His military duties were Combat Search and Rescue, Anti-Submarine Warfare Operator, Crew Chief, Aerial Gunner, Search and Surveillance, Vertical Replenishment and Special Warfare support.[8]

Brian's Blind Descent experience has been reenacted in television segments including the Christian Broadcast Network's 700 Club, the Weather Channel's Freaks of Nature, KING-TV[9] and Brian was featured on CNN's Anderson Cooper.

Bibliography

Dickinson, Brian, Blind Descent, Tyndale House Publisher, 2014, ISBN 978-1-4143-9170-0[10]

References

  1. ↑ "Ascents - Spring 2011". Himalayandatabase.com.
  2. ↑ "Blind Descent: Climbing down Everest alone". SnoValleyStar.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  3. ↑ "Climbers barely avert Mount Everest disaster". SnoValleyStar.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  4. ↑ "Everest Climber's Mountaintop Experience". CBN.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  5. ↑ "Surviving Mt Everest: Snow Blind, Breathless and Determined". Webex.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  6. ↑ "A Story of Survival: Cisco’s Brian Dickinson Conquered Mt. Everest". Cisco.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  7. ↑ "Snoqualmie man climbs Everest solo, descends blind". Valleyrecord.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  8. ↑ "A former Navy rescue swimmer reaches Everest's summit - and survives a harrowing return trip". Militarytimes.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  9. ↑ "Climbing Everest blind. Snoqualmie man lives to tell the story". King5.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
  10. ↑ "Blind Descent". Tyndale.com. Retrieved 16 February 2015.

External links