As a late teen, a car accident left rock climber Brad Zdanivsky a quadriplegic. For most people, this would put an end to their climbing aspirations. Not Brad. Instead he set his sights on climbing the mammoth Stawamus Chief, on Canada's West Coast.

Beginning in 1997 Brad set about designing and testing a device for pulling himself up this sheer rock face. Each subsequent year has seen improvements in the gear and increasingly impressive climbing successes – including Brad's ascent of the 1000-foot Grand Wall of the Chief in 2003.

Undaunted by the extraordinary challenges of this endeavor, Brad made a successful attempt on the summit of the Chief in July of 2005, climbing 650 m (over 1,900 ft.) in a single day (14 hours). Brad has inspired disabled athletes the world over with this accomplishment.

The Vertical Challenge Project and Team

The goal of Vertical Challenge is more than simply getting Brad to the top of a mountain. It is equally a vehicle for the promotion of quadriplegic participation in adventure sports through research, education and public awareness.

Brad and his team have already succeeded in showing what can be achieved by a determined athlete who pushes himself to attain a goal – in spite of physical limitations. In documenting the first effort ever by a quadriplegic to return to climbing, Vertical Challenge hopes to present an example of what perseverance, teamwork and technical innovation can accomplish. Brad's ultimate success will be in setting a precedent that will make climbing technically and psychologically more accessible to quadriplegics.

VerticalChallenge.org

The Vertical Challenge website is an integral part of the project's public education and awareness role. On this site you'll find information about Brad, his climbs, the Vertical Challenge team and the specialist equipment the project has required. You'll also receive the most current information concerning Brad's upcoming climbs, and other news related to quad climbing and disabled sports in general.

One thing you can be sure about with Brad is that each success only causes him to fix his goals higher, and he's already talking about the amazing prospect of scaling El Capitan in Yosemite National Park. So keep dropping by, and stay tuned for great adventure ahead!