Lonnie Bedwell

Extreme-sports athlete Lonnie Bedwell, a blind military veteran, has been named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year for 2015. Bedwell, who travels from Indiana, continues to inspire many as he undertakes the quest to climb the highest peaks on all 7 continents. To date, he has successfully summited Kilimanjaro, Aconcagua, Denali, and Mount Everest, marking him as the 4th blind person to conquer Everest. During his Everest ascent, Bedwell faced numerous challenges, including equipment failures, frostbite affecting one of his guides, and water shortages, making his achievement notable during one of the deadliest seasons on the mountain. His adventurous spirit extends to kayaking, having completed the first blind descents of Africa’s Zambezi River and West Virginia’s Gauley River. Bedwell also achieved a groundbreaking blind descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon in 2013.

A former Navy Petty Officer, Bedwell lost his sight in a hunting accident in 1997 but continued to lead a life full of challenges and achievements. As a single father, he raised three daughters, instilling in them the skills of hunting, fishing, and even driving. Following his daughters' graduation, he fully embraced extreme sports. Bedwell has also demonstrated his commitment by leading teams of disabled veterans down the Colorado River, helping them to confront and overcome adversity. Additionally, he enjoys rock climbing and downhill skiing during his leisure time.

Bedwell's dedication extends beyond personal achievements; he actively seeks to motivate and inspire others through his speaking engagements, focusing on themes of overcoming adversity, teamwork, leadership, and extreme adventure. He has marked his experiences in the award-winning book "226", which details his iconic Colorado River journey. Bedwell has been featured on "The Today Show", "Steve Harvey", and in the films "Feel of Vision", "Dreamline Blind", and "Long River Home". Through these platforms, Bedwell shares his relentless pursuit of adventure and his enduring message of resilience and empowerment, particularly to those facing disabilities.