“A Certified Badass! Finally…”
I read this Tweet last night and laughed out loud.
It came from one of the most fascinating people I’ve ever met: Warren Macdonald.
I was writing a children’s magazine article about artificial limbs a few years ago and had the opportunity to interview both Warren Macdonald and Aron Ralston (promoting his book which was recently turned into the movie “127 hours”).
Macdonald was immediately captivating. He effortlessly pulled me into his reality with an opening story of a flight attendant who marvelled to Macdonald’s partner about how well he was able to manoeuver the aisle and hop up into his seat – leaving his wheelchair at the entrance to the plane. Macdonald’s punch line – “she didn’t know I had just climbed El Capitan.”
If you haven’t had the opportunity to read Macdonald’s book, “A Test of Will”, I highly recommend tracking down a copy. It recounts his backpacking trip on an island off the coast of Australia. While crossing a creek, a 2000-lb boulder came loose and pinned Macdonald for two days before help arrived. Both of his legs had to be amputated mid-thigh.
It didn’t stop his outdoor adventures. Climbing El Capitan, summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro, ice-climbing – to meet Macdonald is to witness the possibility of life lived to the fullest.
Now I’m not saying you have to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to be inspiring. If you can pass on your passion for an outdoor activity – whether observing snowflakes or ice-climbing or skiing – in my mind, you’re inspirational too!
My guy’s hat reads: Life’s Short, Paddle Hard. He’s my inspiration!
Who inspires you when it comes to outdoor adventure?
