A little leap into the past, five years back to be precise. Matthias and I meet up with blind climber Andy Holzer for brunch at Alpenresort Schwarz in Mieming. It was a mutual friend who had an accident in Yosemite Valley a few months ago that brought us together.
Multi-pitch climbing with the blind climber Andy Holzer
We are immediately on the same wavelength as Andy and it quickly becomes clear that we are not going to spend the day walking, but are instead going to the nearby climbing garden in Nassereith-Tieftal in the Imst vacation region. Once there, Andy explains to us that he is more into multi-pitch routes and doesn't like sitting around in a sports climbing garden. No problem, Matthias and I think, and look for the topo of "Leben im Sonnenschein" 6a from the Climbers Paradise APP.
Climbing blind - a challenge for the inexperienced
We are still a little skeptical on the approach, as Andy finds the rough gravel quite difficult. However, when he climbed the first length in the toprope, Matthias and I were deeply impressed. Andy really moves amazingly well on the sometimes challenging slab passages.
Andy leading
It actually looks quite easy, we thought, and took it in turns to try to master the next lengths blindfolded. No chance - 5c is the end! We don't stand a chance and are all the more impressed when Andy then masters the key pitch 6a in the lead. With a little help with the line, he manages it straight away.
Andy on the second pitch
A few moments later, all three of us are standing at the exit, enjoying our adventure together.
Andy Holzer on Mount Everest
Four years later, Andy is celebrating his success on Mount Everest and I often think back to that pleasant climbing day in Nassereith. His motto "Opening the eyes of those who see" could not be more fitting. The charismatic East Tyrolean infected us with his energy and enthusiasm for the mountains and proved that it is basically up to us to shape our (climbing) future.
