The Wounded Warriors
The 2010 Soldiers to the Summit expedition team consisted of military men and women with various disabilities. Among the participating soldiers was an Air Force sergeant who nearly died when his vehicle hit an IED. Another was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team Leader who lost his right leg below the knee to a bomb. Another soldier’s helicopter crashed while he was being lowered on a cable during a rescue mission; he barely survived and sustained a significant brain injury.
Their incredible journeys of survival, challenge, recovery, and transformation motivated each other and fuel their efforts through the rugged high-mountain environment. These ‘wounded warriors’ have a strong desire to demonstrate the human spirit by giving back to their fellow service men and women. During the expedition, the soldiers supported each other as they focused on abilities over disabilities and found a collective team strength.
The Everest Team
The expedition support team included Erik Weihenmayer, who demonstrated throughout the expedition the exceptional skills he developed to overcome his blindness yet remain active in outdoor activities. Many members of his Everest team participated specifically to help the soldiers reach their own summit.
The Trekkers
The expedition included three trekkers, who hiked with the team to base camp. Their trekking fees were applied to support the expedition.
The Sponsors
Without our valued sponsors and equipment donors, the 2010 expedition would not have gone forward.
World T.E.A.M. Sports
The expedition organizer was World T.E.A.M. Sports, a Washington-based non-profit organization that showcases what can be achieved by disabled athletes through the power of an inclusive and diverse team. Since 1987, WTS has organized high-profile athletic events around the globe with the motto, “The Exceptional Athlete Matters.” Among the organization’s many achievements are two successful expeditions to Kilimanjaro, inclusive bike rides across the United States and Vietnam, a multisport team challenge in Colorado, the popular Washington to Gettysburg Face of America ride, and a 13,000-mile around-the-world bicycling ride that took nine months.
Outward Bound
Outward Bound, the world famous outdoor education organization, helped train the team at their Leadville, Colorado campus through its Veterans program. When our participating soldiers left the United States for Nepal in late September 2010, they had the necessary skills and physical conditioning to achieve their goals.
