BlindStrength

OBJECTIVE: Raise awareness for continued research of bio-retina implants for the blind. DARPA and other research institutions are at advance stages of developing consumer viable products for the blind community and require additional funding. It is our hope that by raising additional funds for research that wounded warriors Marty, Scotty, and the rest blind community may be able to regain some of their ability to see.

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Here are a few pictures the BlindStrength team took on Denali!  Many more photos to come... stay tuned!

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Blind Strength Team has made it off Denali!

The Blind Strength team has just landed in Talkeetna!  They had a grueling day yesterday coming down to Camp 1 in a whiteout.  Today, they climbed down to Base Camp and are now in Talkeetna and going to enjoy showers, pizza and sleep!  More information will follow in the days to come...stay tuned...

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Update! The Blind Strength Team is staring their descent.

6/2/2014

Just head from Holly @ Sheldon Air Service.  She spoke with Eric Alexander & the guys are about 8 hours away from the base camp.  Right now the planes have stopped running ( they were running earlier this am), but as soon as the weather clears up tonight (they hope) they will fly the plane in to get the team.  Holly said, "no one at this time could summit the mountain.  It's deadly and the weather hasn't been this bad in years.  It was all about survival and remember they are not down yet.  Still, the team [Blind Strength} is amazing and this adventures, survival is something they should be proud of.  It's more intense than getting to the summit."  Holly made homemade cookies for the team to welcome them to base camp when they get there. :)

5/31/2014

A word from Eric still at 14,200; Blindsided by a convergence of two cyclones and the jet stream directly overhead we have decided to change the expedition name to Blind storm. It appears to be a perfect storm of sorts allowing no guided group to summit in weeks and the independents who have saying it was the worst thing they have ever done. Stuck here at 14,200 feet is like a sanctuary provided ...by The Lord because what we hear is that the weather is far worse above us and below us. May 30 ended with with blinding white outs and left us wondering when we will be able to descend and how long our supplies may last. Even if we can descend to base camp once again we would need to wait as no plane has flown in a week. 5-31-14 Waking up relieved that our tents are still in tact and again receiving more snowfall. It appears our climb could be more about getting down and out than a summit. The team that waited here at 14,200 for 12 days and departed the day we arrived is still waiting to get out at snowy basecamp. I hope they have enough food and fuel to last until the weather clears. Hunker Down seems to be the phrase of the week. Rain in Anchorage and snow as low as 1500 feet.

5/30/2014

Not much to tell today.  The whole team is sitting at 14,000 waiting on the weather. Because no teams are getting out from Base Camp, the team has decided to continue to wait at 14, for the weather to clear. Then, they can make an educated decision on what to do next. Today, was at least nice enough they could escape their tents and talk to other climbers.

5/29/2014

From Eric at 14,000; Many teams are turning back due to bad weather and a continued unfavorable forecast. None have been able to fly out from basecamp due to 15" of snow and more falling. With winds in excess of 50 mph up high we have no choice but to sit tight. This season has seen a very low success rate of 10-20% compared to the average of 52%.  We sit at 14,200' waiting on a window of opportunity. It must be very favorable for us to even consider a summit due to the nature of this team.  We have had a lot of discussions and some want to leave now with 4 to 5 days of projected bad weather while others want to wait to the last minute and take some risks. I believe in the end we will make the right decision and be safe. No one wants to go up into the -80 wind chill and subject himself to potential harm.  We will see what develops and send an update soon.  Scotty and Marty have been exceptionally tough but no matter who you are and how strong, it is always best to be prudent and use good judgment - the mountain is not going anywhere.

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5/28/2014 Update!

5/28/2014

Gil, Will and Frank made it up to 16,200 today!  Eric lead Scotty to 15,400 and turned back due to weather and a number of people on the fixed lines.  Marty made  it to 15,000, which will be his summit.  Amazing job, Marty!  Strong winds persist as does extremely cold weather. Team Blindstrength will continue to take one day at a time!

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The Blaze: ‘This Isn’t Going to Be Easy’: The Inspiring Story of Two Blind Veterans Climbing the Highest Mountain in North America

Marty Bailey's talented wife Sara Carter has put together a story for The Blaze.  Check out her story here!

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/05/26/this-isnt-going-to-be-easy-the-inspiring-story-of-two-blind-veterans-climbing-the-highest-mountain-in-north-america/

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The Blind Strength Team was featured on KTVA Alaska!

Check out their story here!

http://www.ktva.com/reaching-new-heights-blind-climbers-attempt-denali-794/

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The Climb

We have several updates since the team has begun their ascent on Denali!  To get more recent updates, be sure to follow them on facebook!  www.facebook.com/blindstrength.

5/19/2014

Flight to glacier, successful, yet high winds have separated the team for a bit.  3 team members arrived at base camp safely...the rest are waiting departure in Talkeetna.

5/20/2014

Everyone safe at base camp last night sometime before 7pm AK time yesterday. Right now most of the team is at Camp 2. All is well.

5/21/2014

Interesting few days.  Yesterday, Scotty had to be flown back to Talkeetna for a medical procedure on an ingrown toenail and needed medication for pink eye.  He was flown back by 10:00 am this morning.  The team took a heavy load back up to Camp 2 today, and then back to Camp 1.  Everyone is together now. Because of today's efforts tomorrow will be a less intense climb back to Camp 2 where they will stay for awhile.  The weather is good and the team is feeling strong!

5/24/2014

The team went through a white out, (typical for that part of the mountain) but pushed through to reach Camp 3 at 11, 500 feet. Marty got near his breaking point, exhausted and dehydrated.  Next, came a day of sunshine and rest.  Everyone, including Marty (after getting fluids in him as well), feeling better.   Local forecast predicting 2 feet of snow, which would mean the team would stay at Camp 3 for a few days.  Gil's arm is healing well and feeling fine, and Scotty keeps plugging away.  The team is doing well at Camp 3!

5/25/2014

The team had a great day! They carried well and went up to 14,000 feet, then back down to 11.  The team was strong up around windy corner.  Weather permitting, they will all go to camp 4 tomorrow.

5/28/2014

Team Blindstrength had one of the hardest days yesterday on the mountain.  Climbing up to 14,000 feet, heavy loads, pulling a sled, new snow, and 50 mile an hour headwinds.  8 hours of climbing in extremely cold conditions, (not to mention the team has two blind soldiers)!  Upon arriving at camp, they had to dig camp out of the new snow and didn't have dinner until midnight. Today has been a rest... day, and if the weather looks good, they'll cache at 16,000, bury some food, and head back down to 14,000. Many teams have turned around due to the weather.  One team waited 12 days for the weather to get better, and finally gave up! We are hoping that trend in the weather will change for Team Blindstrength! Gil's getting better and stronger every day.  Scotty's doing well.  The team's feeling better after a day of rest.

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The Blind Strength Team has made it to Alaska and after much preparation will begin their climb up Denali today!  Pictured above is the team with all their gear, the plane they take to get to the glacier (where they begin their climb), and the pilots who got them their safely.  We will do our best at keeping you posted - but to see more updates, please visit our facebook page: www.facebook.com/blindstrength

Thank you for your continued support- we wish these guys the best of luck up there!

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Another practice climb on Mt Timpanogas for John and Frank! 11 DAYS till Alaska!!

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If you think putting up a tent is difficult in this weather, wait till these guys have to put a tent up every night on Denali!

Check out this video of one of our climbers (Frank) and his wife assembling the tent!  You'll also get a look at how many layers these guys have to wear just to keep warm as they climb!

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More training! Frank & John took an 8 hours climb in Salt Lake City with 50 lbs in their backpacks. Good work guys! I wonder what the view from Denali National Park and Preserve will look like??

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Scotty & Marty will be doing a live interview on ReelTalk Radio with Audrey Russo tonight at 6:30pm EST! Be sure to tune in! Click on the photo to listen!!

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Watch Major Scotty Smiley train for Denali. Can you imagine doing this blind like Scotty is? This guy is pretty amazing. Keep watching our blog for more videos and stories like this! 75 DAYS TILL THEY BEGIN THEIR CLIMB UP DENALI!

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Think this polar vortex is cold? Check out the temperatures our climbers are going to be facing on Denali! Especially look at those wind chills! Brrr!! (Weather courtesy of www.mountain-forecast.com)

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This is one way to prepare for cold temperatures. This is a pocket glacier lake at 12,000'+ with me standing on a one man iceberg. I swam back a lot faster than I swam out. Game on. --Frank Romney, Support Climber

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It is always nice getting positive feed back... Thank you!

Please pass along to Mr. Schlichte my gratitude for forming Blind Strength.  Frank Romney told me all about the organization and the upcoming May climb, which he is a part of; however, I had no idea the non-profit was formed by your CEO until the KSL story.  For 30 years, I have been a military contractor, and I always try to somehow let these people know how much I appreciate their service.  It is folks like Mr. Schlichte that really make a difference!

Sincerely,

John K. Hart

Chief Operating Officer

Enviro Care, Inc