A blind man conquers Everest

Climbing Mount Everest is no ordinary feat, especially when you are blind. A 46 year old Chinese man has now become the first blind man in Asia to conquer the world’s tallest peak. Zhang Hong made this incredible climb from the Nepal side of Everest, and thinks that all it takes is a really strong mind to make it happen.
The incredible climb was made on May 24 with the company of three altitude guides. Hong returned to the base camp on May 27 after making the world’s famous climb.

Hong is not the first blind man to do the unthinkable, as a blind American mountain climber named, Erik Weihenmayer, had climbed the peak back in 2001. Hong took his inspiration from here, and began training with Qiang Zi, a mountain guide. Of course the pandemic had forced shut the mountain for climbers last year, but it has been open since April for foreigners.
About the experience, Zhang Hong says that he was quite scared during the climb as he could not see where he was walking, and was also unable to find his centre of gravity. He continued his climb, and kept thinking through the difficulties. He believes that this is the true meaning of climbing, you have to overcome the difficulties and the dangers.

Hong finished the final ascent to the peak in more than 13 hours in low-oxygen conditions, and bad weather. His guide kept talking to him throughout, and keeping his determination intact. Zhang Hong said that a part of him wanted to give up, but he knew he had to keep going.