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What Does Climbing Mean? Depends on the Climber — or Paraclimber

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You might think adaptive climbers face an entirely different set of challenges than their non-disabled counterparts. But according to one paraclimber, you’d be wrong on one big account.

Austrian paraclimber Angelino Zeller knows what climbing success is all about. The two-time International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC) World Champion and multiple World Cup gold medalist has experienced his fair share of it.

For most of us, climbing without the use of our legs would seem unspeakably difficult. But for Zeller, it physically embodies exactly the same challenge every climber faces.

“Every climber knows, you’re facing your own limitations, your fears. It’s about having a goal, facing this goal, following it,” The North Face’s “No Straight Lines” begins.

Watch him prove it in this documentary short.

Runtime: 14.5 minutes

Watch Paraclimber Rachel Maia Get 'Back to Real Rock'

An accident of ‘Kiwi intuition’ led to climber Rachel Maia losing her left leg below the knee. Watch her battle 'Back to Real Rock' in this video. Read more…

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