Our 2022 No Barriers Summit and What’s Your Everest adaptive group hike happened on August 25-28 in Estes Park, CO, at the YMCA of the Rockies – and both were a huge success! 

Watch/Listen to the No Barriers Recap Video

 

Four members of a Rope Team stop on the trail to take a photo together. One chair user is flexing their right arm. Everyone is smiling.
Four members of a Rope Team stop on the trail to take a photo together. One chair user is flexing their right arm. Everyone is smiling.
Folks of all ages and abilities enjoyed activities and clinics of all kinds, like adaptive archery, cycling, rock climbing, boxing, parafencing, wheelchair basketball, orienteering, painting, nature walks, zumba, dancing, mindfulness, hypnosis, and more. 

 

A chair user enjoys a game of wheelchair basketball outside with outstanding mountains views in the background.
A chair user enjoys a game of wheelchair basketball outside with outstanding mountains views in the background.
A Summit participant throws a punch during an adaptive boxing clinic.
A Summit participant throws a punch during an adaptive boxing clinic.
Two Summit participants face off during a parafencing clinic.
Two Summit participants face off during a parafencing clinic.
A group listens intently during a mindfulness session led by Sam Morris.
A group listens intently during a mindfulness session led by Sam Morris.

Sessions were led by No Barriers teams and amazing partners:

Challenge Aspen, B-Bold, The Lockwood Foundation, Tribal Adaptive, Angletech, ABLE National Resource Center, Penny Forward, Dr. Vidor Friedman, Sam Morris of Zen Warrior, and my longtime friend Mark Wellman of No Limits were all on site sharing joy, expertise, and empathy.  

 

A Summit participant draws a bow during an adaptive archery clinic.
A Summit participant draws a bow during an adaptive archery clinic.
Two folks dance to live music on Friday night.
Two folks dance to live music on Friday night.
A Summit participant with arm limb differences tries an adaptive rock climbing clinic.
A Summit participant with arm limb differences tries an adaptive rock climbing clinic.
A Summit participant tries adaptive cycling on a trail while a No Barriers team member supports them from behind.
A Summit participant tries adaptive cycling on a trail while a No Barriers team member supports them from behind.
Throughout the weekend, we were also privileged to hear from incredible speakers, performers, and Summit alum, like paralympian cyclist Billy Lister (his story is stunning if you don’t already know it); singer-songwriter Mandy Harvey; disability access strategist and athlete Vasu Sojitra; radiology nurse and Ms. Wheelchair Colorado Chris Layne; the Consulate General of Mongolia Bayartsengel Damdin; caregiver and disability inclusion educator Tina Beauvais; U.S. Veterans Hall of Fame inductee Gretchen Evans; Director for Global Disability Inclusion for Expedian Dennis Malin; Army Vet, adventurer, and No Barriers Ambassador Antoinette Lee Tascono; and the big horn band Groove n’ Motion; and others.

 

Paralympian Bill Lister on stage addressing Summit attendees. His service dog is to his left.
Paralympian Bill Lister on stage addressing Summit attendees. His service dog is to his left.
No Barriers Warriors co-founder Jeff Evans and the Consulate General of Mongolia Bayartsengel Damdin on stage discussing Bayer's experiences growing up in rural Mongolia as a person with disability.
No Barriers Warriors co-founder Jeff Evans (left) and the Consulate General of Mongolia Bayartsengel Damdin on stage discussing Bayar’s experiences growing up in rural Mongolia as a person with disability.
Army Vet, adventurer, and No Barriers Ambassador Antoinette Lee Tascono addresses Summit attendees.
Army Vet, adventurer, and No Barriers Ambassador Antoinette Lee Tascono addresses Summit attendees.
Tina Beauvais and her daughter Noel (right) join Jeff Evans on stage to talk about disability inclusion education and caregiving.
Tina Beauvais and her daughter Noel (right) join Jeff Evans on stage to talk about disability inclusion education and caregiving.

Incremental Steps

One of my favorite Summit moments happened on Saturday night when my friend Melissa Simpson joined me on stage, stood up from her wheelchair, gripped her walker, and with one foot in front of the other, strode across the platform to fulfill her 2022 No Barriers Pledge in front of a packed auditorium of cheering friends and strangers. It was a beautiful expression of what ‘No Barriers’ means and a milestone in her journey to live more independently with cerebral palsy. 

And that is what the Reach is . . . thousands of tiny, shaky steps, one after another, each becoming stronger, more balanced and confident until one day, that reach becomes a Summit, a turning point, a milestone, an accomplishment and the process begins anew. We can never stop reaching.

Erik (left), Skyler Williams (behind), Melissa Simpson (center, front), and Melissa's PT, Dave (right) stand beside Melissa as she grips her walker to stand up and move across the stage.
Erik (left), Skyler Williams (behind), Melissa Simpson (center, front), and Melissa’s PT, Dave (right) stand beside Melissa as she grips her walker to stand up and move across the stage.
Dave (right), Melissa (Center), and Erik (left) continue across the stage. Melissa's face says it all. She is giving this effort every ounce of her heart and strength.
Dave (right), Melissa (Center), and Erik (left) continue across the stage. Melissa’s face says it all. She is giving this effort every ounce of her heart and strength.

From Melissa: 

“It is safe to say, No Barriers changed my life. Growing up with Cerebral Palsy and using a wheelchair, I never thought my life would change. I thought I would be stuck in the position for the next 20 years. On May 5th, 2017, blind adventurer Erik Weihenmayer was our college commencement speaker. His speech gave me the motivation to begin my No Barriers journey. After attending my first No Barriers Summit, I thought to myself, I never felt freer of my disability than I have in my entire life.” 

Since Roping Up with No Barriers, Melissa has joined a gym; climbed mountains in her GRIT Freedom Chair; been the subject of the award-winning documentary From My Window; and taken on volunteer responsibilities at No Barriers as well as Howard Head Sports Medicine in Vail, CO.  

Kara: Star of the World

On Friday, we were lucky to watch Kara: Star of the World, a short film about my friend, Kara Brouhard and the traumatic brain injury (TBI) she endured 35 years ago when she was struck by an out of control skier as a child. The documentary focuses on how Kara’s learned to navigate the world as a person with different abilities, and her courageous choice to hike with me and a No Barriers team back to where she was struck so that she could “see the way things used to be and should have been, and what is to become.”

Left to Right: Director Daniel Bedell, Alice Brouchard, Kara Brouchard, and Nate Gillette on stage during a Q&A after screening Kara: Star of the World.
Left to Right: Director Daniel Bedell, Alice Brouchard, Kara Brouchard, and Nate Gillette on stage during a Q&A after screening Kara: Star of the World.

From her mother, Alice: 

“Still thinking about how much the Summit impacted me, Kara, and her support team. They all loved it!! So grateful for this community. Boy we gave it our all on [What’s Your Everest]. Kara’s Summit was different but totally positive!”

Alice (left) and Kara (right) holding a No Barriers Flag during our adaptive group hike.
Alice (left) and Kara (right) holding a No Barriers Flag during our adaptive group hike.

We Are Not Our Challenge … What’s Your Everest

Over 300 people joined us for our What’s Your Everest adaptive group hike on Sunday – and the energy and camaraderie was off the charts. 

Rope teams rallied around chair users, those with limb differences, blind and visually impaired hikers, and others with seen and unseen barriers to help them reach their summit. 

This act across the mountain highlighted an important message and metaphor about diversity, inclusion, and community: Life is not about independence, ego, or a race to the top – it is about supporting each other to accomplish more than we ever could alone. 

Caregiver and disability inclusion educator Tina Beauvais leads her Rope Team carrying her daughter, Noel.
Caregiver and disability inclusion educator Tina Beauvais leads her Rope Team carrying her daughter, Noel.
Alice (left) Kara (middle) and their Rope Teammate hep each other along the trail.
Alice (left) Kara (middle) and their Rope Teammate hep each other along the trail.
Two people help another climber approach the summit to Bible Point.
Two people help another climber approach the summit to Bible Point.
Bayer uses a GRIT Freedom Chair and the help of teammates with ropes to navigate the rocky trail to Bible Point.
Bayar uses a GRIT Freedom Chair and the help of teammates with ropes to navigate the rocky trail to Bible Point.
No Barriers team member, Moriah, smiling on the trail.
No Barriers team member, Moriah, smiling on the trail.

It’s the People

The real magic of the Summit and What’s Your Everest always has been the people and the trust they put in each other and our No Barriers community. 

Folks from all backgrounds pour out of the woodwork to surprise and delight us with their stories of adversity, strength, and downright resilience. I made so many new friends – all people brave enough to flip the script and turn their struggle into power.

Rope Team members help guide a recumbent chair user along the rocky trail.
Rope Team members help guide a recumbent chair user along the rocky trail.
A hiker with a prosthetic below the right knee stands tall at the summit of Bible Point, Elevation: 8,165.
A hiker with a prosthetic below the right knee stands tall at the summit of Bible Point, Elevation: 8,165.
Ms. Wheelchair Colorado Chris Layne and her rope team smiling on the trail.
Ms. Wheelchair Colorado Chris Layne and her rope team smiling on the trail.
A mixed group of Rope Teams take a summit photo together.
A mixed group of Rope Teams take a summit photo together.

Like Galadriel, a young lady with cerebral palsy who happened to hear about the Summit and traveled from San Francisco with her dad to be with us. Galadriel shared a video on her YouTube page about her excitement before attending and told me she is studying to complete her GED so she can apply to college. 

with a No Barriers Flag.
Galadriel (left) holding a No Barriers Flag with her father taking a photo together in front of a No Barriers background wall.

Or Ellie White. Ellie lives with Wolfram Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that impacts 1 in 700,000 people and causes vision and hearing loss, and life-threatening respiratory problems. Ellie and I ran into the finish of the hike together, bonded over braille, and I got to learn about her life-changing foundation and adventurous aspirations to continue living a No Barriers Life. 

Ellie White (left) and her mom holding a copy of No Barriers: A Blind Mans Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon.
Ellie White (left) and her mom holding a copy of No Barriers: A Blind Mans Journey to Kayak the Grand Canyon.

Or Ken, a father and husband who suffered a massive heart attack on his motorcycle last summer, fell off, and was run over by a semi-truck. His right leg was amputated above the knee and yet, there he was hiking with us and standing on the summit in his new prosthetic. Ken told us about his accident and road to recovery, and I was blown away.

Ken walking down the trail on his prosthetic leg. He is using trekking poles and has a No Barriers Flag on his backpack.
Ken walking down the trail on his prosthetic leg. He is using trekking poles and has a No Barriers Flag on his backpack.

Ken was also joined by his son, Keith, who suffered a lower body injury in a mountain bike accident earlier this year. Keith has been a rope team member for Trane at past WYE hikes and this year he was working hard from a GRIT Freedom Chair he was happy to try out. It was touching to witness this family duo, and fortunately Keith is expected to make a full recovery over the coming months.

Keith and his girlfriend share the summit together, with No Barriers Life Element flags waving in the foreground.
Keith and his girlfriend share the summit together, with No Barriers Life Element flags waving in the foreground.

Thank You

The No Barriers Summit and What’s Your Everest could not happen without generous support from of our partners at Wells Fargo, Winnebago Industries Foundation, Masco, and Unlimited Tomorrow.

No Barriers is also grateful for Challenge Aspen Program Coordinator, Nate Gillette, and adventurer, speaker, author, medic, and co-founder of No Barriers Warriors, Jeff Evans, who each led the entertainment on Friday and Saturday evening respectively.

And of course, YMCA of the Rockies was a great space for supporting so much accessible adventure – and YOU, our participants, filled it with so much light! 

Keep Reaching, 

Erik

Additional Links

Click here to read an article/watch a video made by Rocky Mountain PBS about our largest Rope Team on the mountain, the Audio Trekkers. This group was 60+ people strong: Including over 30 folks who are blind or live with some level of visual impairment and over 30 guides.

Click here to make a donation to No Barriers. All gifts support future Summits, hikes, expeditions, and other programming for youth, adults, and veterans with seen and unseen challenges, as well as caregivers, educators, and others from under-served or under-represented communities.

Additional Photos

All photos in this adventure report are courtesy of Leland Schmidt and his No Barriers media team, with additional support/snaps from Alex Shaffer and Erin James.

Erik (right) and his teammate Skyler and Skylers 3-year old son.
Erik (right) and his teammate Skyler and Skyler’s 3-year old son.
Zen Warrior Sam Morris (center) and his 9-person Rope Team at the finish of their hike.
Zen Warrior Sam Morris (center) and his 9-person Rope Team at the finish of their hike.
Three No Barriers photographers gather for a group photo.
Three No Barriers photographers gather for a group photo.
No Barriers team members, Erica and Moriah, with a Summit and WYE participant after the hike.
No Barriers team members, Erica and Moriah (both right), with a Summit and WYE participant after the hike.
A profile photo of Erik on stage speaking to the audience.
A profile photo of Erik on stage speaking to the audience.
Melissa Simpson and her Rope Team at the summit of the hike.
Melissa Simpson and her Rope Team at the summit of the hike.
A visually impaired member of the Audio Trekker Rope Team hiking using their white cane.
A visually impaired member of the Audio Trekker Rope Team hiking using their white cane.
Mark Wellman, a chair user, running an adaptive rock climbing clinic.
Mark Wellman, a chair user, running an adaptive rock climbing clinic.
A Summit participant during a mindfulness session.
A Summit participant during a mindfulness session.
Nate Gillette helps someone draw a bow during an adaptive archery clinic.
Nate Gillette helps someone draw a bow during an adaptive archery clinic.
A young boy holding up a No Barriers Flag that is properly dirty!
A young boy holding up a No Barriers Flag that is properly dirty!

 

Life Element signage found along the trail on the hike.
Life Element signage found along the trail on the hike.
An elk with a rack as seen during a nature walk clinic.
An elk with a rack as seen during a nature walk clinic.
Three people taking a photo together in front of a No Barriers branded backdrop.
Three people taking a photo together in front of a No Barriers branded backdrop.
A group shot of Bayer and his Rope Team at the start of the hike.
A group shot of Bayar and his Rope Team at the start of the hike.
Braille: "Reach - Erik"
Braille: “Reach – Erik”

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