Brian Dickinson – Author, Motivational Speaker, Mountain Guide, Adventurer.
Adventures – Everest, Island Peak, Aconcagua, Patagonia, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Kosciusko, Vinson Massif, Cascades, Waddington Range (British Columbia), Alaska Range, Canadian Rockies, Smokies, Sierras, White Mountains, Appalachian, Andes, Himalaya, Caucasus Mountains (Russia) and Sentinel Range (Antarctica).
Military – Former US Navy Air Rescue Swimmer / Combat Search and Rescue
BLIND DESCENT
Alone and blind at 29,000 feet!
Former Navy rescue swimmer Brian Dickinson was roughly 1,000 feet from the summit of Mount Everest—also known as “the death zone”—when his Sherpa became ill and had to turn back, leaving Brian with a difficult decision: should he continue to push for the summit, or head back down the mountain? After carefully weighing the options, Brian decided to continue toward the summit—alone. Four hours later, Brian solo summited the highest peak in the world. But the celebration was short-lived. After taking a few pictures, Brian radioed his team to let them know he had summited safely, and got ready to begin his descent. Suddenly, his vision became blurry, his eyes started to burn, and within seconds, he was rendered almost completely blind. All alone at 29,035 feet, low on oxygen, and stricken with snow blindness, Brian was forced to inch his way back down the mountain relying only on his Navy survival training, his gut instinct, and his faith. In Blind Descent, Brian recounts—in fantastic detail—his extraordinary experience on Everest, demonstrating that no matter how dire our circumstances, there is no challenge too big for God.
Helping audiences be inspired and gain new perspective in life from a powerful and miraculous story of survival, blind and alone on the summit of Mount Everest. As an expert in adversity and overcoming obstacles, former US Navy Air Rescue Swimmer, Brian Dickinson, delivers one of the most powerful experiences you will ever hear, encouraging audiences to conquer their greatest fears.
In 2011, Brian soloed the summit of Mount Everest, but then went completely snowblind on the descent. Hand over hand he made his way down blind and alone. What should have taken 3 hours to reach high camp, ended up taking him 7 hours. Brian took a major fall down the south summit and eventually ran out of supplemental oxygen, but through determined faith and focus he survived.
In his powerful presentation, Brian includes first-hand pictures and videos from his experience. His message includes impactful topics including:
• Planning for things within your control
• The ability to respond to things outside your control
• Overcoming adversity in your life
• Pushing yourself beyond your perceived limits
• Creating and maintaining perspective
