Wellman reaches new heights

When Mark Wellman sees challenges, he overcomes them.

The paraplegic athlete has crested cliffs, braved back country winter expeditions, and kayaked raging waters. And along the way, Wellman found the freedom he though he lost forever after a climbing accident in 1982 that left him partly paralyzed.

The freedom that helped Wellman scale El Capitan also brought him to California State University, Sacramento, Thursday to share his experiences and give a demonstration of his rock climbing abilities in the library quad.

Wellman has broken down barriers for the handicap with his achievements. In 1989, Wellman, assisted by fellow rock climber Mike Corbett, became the first paraplegic to ever scale El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.

“I really enjoy rock climbing,” said Wellman to the hundreds of onlookers.

He said it gives him physical and mental satisfaction to be up on the cliff pulling himself to new heights.

During his presentation, Wellman picked out 12-year-old Tommy Wager, also a paraplegic, from Greer Middle School to help him with his climbing demonstration. Wagner provided an anchor for Wellman who dangled above, continuing his exhibition.

Wellman became a paraplegic in a 1982 accident at Seven Gables in the John Muir Wilderness. Wellman said he and a friend had just completed scaling Seven Glades and were walking down the mountain. Wellman lost his footing on a gravelly slope and tumbled down the trail, falling off a 100-foot cliff. He broke his back in the process.

Wellman said it was too painful to move, so he sent his friend to get help. He was 20 miles in from the trailhead. A helicopter rescued Wellman 24 hours after his friend went to get help.

“I was in a situation where I thought I was going to die,” said Wellman.

Wellman was in the hospital for seven and a half months recovering. That is when he met athletes in wheelchairs who helped inspire him to carry on despite of the disability.

It wasn’t until after Wellman became a ranger at Yosemite National Park that he got the idea to start climbing again. He had met Corbett, an El Capitan veteran, at the park. Corbett was looking for a new challenge in scaling El Capitan and found it in Wellman.

Wellman showed Corbett a picture of wheelchair being hoisted up the side of a cliff and the two adapted the idea to climb El Capitan.

Because Wellman was unable to use his legs, he had to create new equipment to help him make the climb. The result was a seat that clipped to a harness with a pulley and hoist system. Wellman literally pulled himself up the mountain. Corbett went ahead of Wellman, pounded in stakes and set the ropes.

On July 19, 1989, Wellman and Corbett began the historic climb up El Capitan. Seven days, and 7,000 pull-ups later, Wellman reached the top, becoming the first paraplegic to scale El Capitan.

Both slept in sleeping bags on a special mat made for sleeping on cliffsides. They remained hooked to the ropes in case one were to roll off the mat. Over 250 pounds of canned food and water had to be hauled during the trip, most of which was used.

Ten years later, Wellman and Corbett made history again by climbing the peak using a different, more difficult, route.

“It was much harder,” said Wellman, adding that both he and Corbett were exhausted by the ascent. The trip lasted 11 days, and cost Wellman 10,000 pull-ups. By the time they got to the top, they had only two gallons of water left.

Although he was exhausted, he had to force himself to stay focused on the climb. He said all climbers concentrate on making it to the top. To make it to the top is to win, he said, and quitting is not an option.

Wellman’s family was a little uncomfortable when hearing the news that he would take up rock climbing again. But realizing that it was a passion of his, Wellman’s mother did not try to stop him.

During his exhibit, Wellman showed off all of his equipment to the crowd, which he designed by himself. Wellman said his climbing chaps, which protect his legs from getting scuffed as he climbs, have been replicated by 20 companies trying to fill a new market for paraplegic climbers.

After demonstrating his climbing abilities, Wellman showed a slide show in the south reading room of the library to further inspire his audience. He presented highlights of other disabled athletes and their accomplishments, proving that nothing is impossible.

Through his determination to live life as more than a spectator, Wellman touches and inspires many others to reach for their dreams. Here’s to making it to the top.