Surviving Blind on Mount Everest

Roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest―also known as “the death zone”―former Navy air rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson faced a difficult decision. His Sherpa had become ill and had to turn back, leaving Brian to choose between pushing for the summit or heading back down the mountain. After carefully weighing his options, Brian made the bold decision to continue toward the summit on his own.

Four hours later, Brian reached the highest peak in the world, solo summiting Mount Everest. Despite the monumental achievement, the celebration was short-lived. After taking a few photos, Brian radioed his team to inform them of his safe summit and began his descent. Suddenly, his vision blurred, his eyes burned, and he was quickly overcome with snow blindness, rendering him almost completely blind.

Alone at 29,035 feet, low on oxygen, and struggling with snow blindness, Brian had no choice but to rely on his Navy survival training, instincts, and faith to make his way back down the mountain. In his book, Blind Descent, Brian recounts his incredible experience on Mount Everest, illustrating that no matter how dire a situation may seem, there is no challenge too great for God.

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