Adventure Team Challenge

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Created and managed by the non-profit World T.E.A.M. Sports, the Adventure Team Challenge in Colorado’s rugged and wild Gore Range north of Eagle brings together disabled and able-bodied athletes for three days of spirited team competition.

Directed by experienced adventure athletes, participants in the Challenge can expect rafting, hiking, mountain biking, climbing, and other exciting outdoor activities, along with good fellowship, food and tent camping underneath the brilliant Milky Way of the high Rocky Mountains.

Video Produced by: Blind Endeavors
Video Editing: Victor Henderson
Videographers/GoPro Footage: Victor Henderson, Marc Mcglynn, Gina Utigg, Mark Bogue
Aerial Video: Marc McGlynn
Music: “The Adventure” by Matyas Vanz

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Yankee Jim Canyon

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In July of 2014, a friend named Lonnie Bedwell invited me to The Out of Sight Team River Runner Clinic in Emigrant, Montana. The preplanned Team River Runner trip was a wild adrenaline pumping adventure on a few of The Yellowstone Rivers white water rapids. Lonnie Bedwell, a fellow veteran who lost his vision in a hunting accident many years ago, was there to help  lead the way. Lonnie had successfully paddled the entire Grand Canyon Colorado River stretch the following year and was excited to teach myself and 3 other blind veterans how to run class 3 white water without sight. To be honest, I was a little apprehensive and anxious about this challenge, water is truly dynamic and wild at times. Navigating down a high flow river with all of its power carrying you can make you feel vulnerable and weak when you cannot see where you are going. The challenge was not impossible to overcome though. Lonnie and his Grand Canyon adventure was enough proof that a blind paddler could dance on the river and tango with big rapids.

The trip began at our lodge where myself, Lonnie, Travis Fugate, Aaron Hale and Eric Marts were staying. In the front of our lodge, in the warmth of the Montana sun we began matching up kayaks with body sizes, sizing up paddle lengths, fitting helmets, personal flotation devices and dry suit tops. I am still very much a novice at paddling, even though I have paddled on flat water for the past 4 years blind, so learning about the gear required and what the gear can do for you on the river is vital for your safety and success on the rapids.

Steve sizing himself up for a kayak.I chose and was fitted to a Wave Sport Diesel 70 Kayak. I weigh about 150 lbs and stand about 5 foot 10 inches for your information. The paddle recommended by the individuals helping me, was a 197cm Werner paddle. I wore a medium splash skirt, a medium dry suit top, a medium helmet and a medium personal flotation device. I also wore some nose plugs and sunglasses outfitted with croakies, which hold your glasses to your face.

 

Training began on a nearby lake and we were all excited to get in the water and learn. Rolling, T-rescues, bracing and paddle turn techniques are only some of the skills we practiced, but they would help us a great deal on the river. Learning how to maneuver and steer your boat is absolutely important, especially when you are blind and following a guide kayaker down the river. T-rescues allow you to stay in your boat and flip yourself out of the water by grabbing and holding the bow of another kayakers boat. Bracing, is a technique that can be used to prevent roll over and assist with stability in rough water. Rolling is a trickier technique to learn, but once mastered the roll will allow you to easily right yourself if you flip upside down in the water. The roll is truly a confidence booster and I believe a must know for blind kayakers.

Finally we got on the river and worked our way up to class 3 white water, which would take place in Yankee Jim Canyon on the Yellowstone River in Montana. Paddling on a river or moving water is truly an amazing experience. I remember staring at raging rivers as a sighted individual, but until you float down a river I don’t think you can truly respect the power of moving water.

Alex Nielson, my sighted guide and fellow paddler, volunteered to lead me down the rapids. I immediately found respect and trust in Alex’s guiding abilities, for one thing, he guided Lonnie down the entire Grand Canyon Colorado river section, no small task. Eddying out and finding lines through the water is very challenging for a blind kayaker. Imagine trying to enter and leave calm & fast moving water only by using your sense of touch and your guides communication. A rollover is bound to happen and that is where your skills & techniques learned come into play. Alex kept explaining to me that, “you need to feel the water below the boat and follow my voice through the rapids”.

Paddling through white water I believe is more about dancing on the water and less about battling and conquering the water, the river is way stronger than any kayaker.

A guide kayaker basically calls out, “On me” over and over as we move down the river. If you had the chance to read my blog post about blind snow skiing and biathlon, you understand what my ski guide communicates to me, and how calling out commands and a cadence allows a blind person to successfully follow another person.

A special thanks to everyone at Team River Runner, guide Alex, and Lonnie.

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A documentary of the adventure:

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Doc Updated 3 from Roi Films on Vimeo.

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Bikes & Audio Rifles

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Steve Baskis, Lonnie Bedwell and Kyle Thomas test out Steve’s new audio rifle that he uses for biathlon. They also did a little blind test riding in the local parking lot with Kyle guiding by using a card in the wheel spokes…the sound gives location reference.  Similar concepts are used for skiing, kayaking, hiking and more.

By the way, if you don’t know them, Steve and Lonnie are completely blind and do some amazing stuff that most sighted people won’t even attempt, like climbing mountains and kayaking the Grand Canyon…

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Blind Kayaking

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Steve Baskis shares a some of his thoughts while kayaking on the West Yellowstone River. The trip was part of the “OuttaSight Clinic” sponsored by Team River Runner and consisted of five visually impaired veterans.

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Bastille Crack

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In life we all face challenges. I consider my loss of sight a challenge, but trying to earn a degree, find a job or purchase a home are all challenges as well. So why do some people seek out physical challenges, like climbing a rock tower in the middle of the wilderness? For me it is a way to escape and be adventurous. Climbing allows me to use all of my senses and forces me to concentrate on the objective of navigating and summitting an obstacle.

Rock climbing is somewhat frustrating to me, and this is not because of my blindness, but because of nerve and vascular damage in my  left arm. The damage in my left arm has caused a lot of muscle atrophy and fine motor skill problems in my left hand and fingers, making some hand holds virtually impossible. My complaints and frustrations don’t really mean that much though, because I know a number of amputees who climb difficult rock formations all over the world. So what do I do? Give up on rock climbing… Never, I just search for a new way to climb and crack climbing might be my savior. Crack climbing requires the climber to insert his or her hand into the crack and flex, thereby creating friction and a secure hand or foot hold to allow upward movement. So this style of climbing makes my left arm & hand problem less challenging.

Here I am climbing the 350 foot Bastille Crack in Eldorado Springs Canyon near Boulder, Colorado.  Crack climbing is very new to me and I am very much a novice at the activity, but fell in love with the sport after this climb.

Steve Baskis reaches for a hold while climbing the Bastille Crack in Eldorado Springs, CO.A friend named Skiy, who I was hanging out with at a Paradox Sports event in Boulder asked me if I was interested in going climbing. He explained to me that we would be trad climbing, putting in protection in the rocks as we moved up the face. His girlfriend Amanda would lead, I would follow and Skiy would pick up the rear, providing me with commands and direction if necessary.

Climbing is truly tactual and I believe very fun for a blind person. All one needs to do is scan the rock face and secure good foot and hand holds. Finding the hand & foot holds can be challenging at times, but that is where your guide comes into play. A guide climber, who usually climbs below the blind climber will give simple commands to the blind climber, guiding his hands or feet to the necessary hold. Developing a good relationship, communication and a plan of attack with your guide is essential and important. My left arm created a problem and challenge for overcoming this obstacle, but having a great friend, teamwork and a never give up attitude, pushed me to the top.

For more information about the Bastille Crack, check out:

http://www.mountainproject.com/v/the-bastille-crack/105748490

Special Thanks to Skiy and Amanda for leading the way!

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Face of America

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Face of America

In April of 2014, my tandem pilot Victor Henderson graciously volunteered to ride with me in the annual Face of America Bicycle Ride from World T.E.A.M. Sports. The ride included 130 injured veterans and 370 able body riders who set out from the pentagon in Arlington, Virginia for the historical city of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Along this 110 mile bicycle ride both Victor and I rolled down city and suburban streets, small back roads and past old country farms. Each rider I believe had a different perspective and experience, for me the ride was a beautiful and exhilarating activity, one that I will try and pursue again next year.

Riding on the back of a tandem bicycle probably would have never crossed my mind when I was sighted, but participating in road tandem cycling after vision loss has become a very therapeutic exercise for me. Racing past buildings, down steep hills and around hair pin turns with the wind in your face, provides a person with a wild rush of adrenaline and sense of freedom. The sense of freedom and ones ability to power themselves forward is what I yearn and look forward to when I take my seat on the back of the tandem. Vision loss, amputation, paralysis, loss of hearing and other injuries/disabilities, can leave an individual feeling discouraged, lost and trapped. Physical fitness, sports and recreation all have contributed to my rehabilitation and recovery, and have helped me regain courage, confidence and independence I thought I had lost.

The Face of America bike ride brings so many great people together to accomplish one amazing endeavor. A special thanks to World T.E.A.M. Sports and all the volunteers who made the ride possible. Please visit the official World T.E.A.M. Sports Face of America website to read more about the ride.

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Old Glory

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A special thanks to Michael Lassig and Swett & Crawford for this amazing gift.

In the summer of 2013 a group of people came together to create a unique gift for me. The gift was a total surprise setup to be presented and revealed to me at Village Cycle Sport near my home in Illinois. I was warned of some surprise, but truly had no idea the gift would be a brand new set of wheels. Okay, so it is not a brand new sports car, but a brand new road tandem bicycle.

The tandem has a symbolic custom paint job. Look a little closer and think a little deeper, and you might feel or see Strength, Resilience and Courage painted deep into the metal frame. Strength in the colors red, white and blue for our nations flag. Strength in the black and U.S. Army badges that surround and protect our nations colors. Resilience, which exists within our nations warriors and families who must overcome so much adversity during conflict. Courage and selflessness in our armies sergeants and all who stand for freedom. I feel all that and so much more when someone describes what the tandem bike’s paint job looks like.

Symbols on the bike include:

  • The Red, White, & Blue top tube, down tube, and bottom bracket represent Freedom.
  • The chain stays and seat tube at the rear, and the front forks on the front end are a tribute to the US ARMY.  They are colored black & gold containing the US ARMY logo.  They bracket the red/white/blue center of the bike to symbolize protection of freedom.
  • On the right side of the bike in front of the stoker’s seat position, is a tribute to Staff Sergeant Victor “Chiko” Cota mortally wounded in combat on May 13, 2008 symbolizing all of those warriors who paid the ultimate price for projecting our freedom.
  • The rear chain stays contain the names Manuel & Mireyaaime who are Victor Cota’s children symbolizing the sacrifice made by military families.
  • High Ground publicizes the documentary to inspire perspective, strength through adversity, hard work, and perseverance.

Visit The Swett Warriors website to read more about the tandem.

Biathlon Training

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Time has truly flown by, I can’t believe it is almost the end of the year. 2013 has been a great year filled with amazing experiences like climbing, kayaking and most recently skiing. Over the past few weeks I have been out West skiing in Wyoming and Montana, all with the hopes of someday making the U.S. National Paralympic Biathlon Ski Team. For those of you not familiar with the sport of biathlon, biathlon is a sport that both joins cross country skiing and shooting. Typically a biathlete will ski a loop and than ski into a shooting range where 5 targets must be fired at. If you miss a target you will have to ski a penalty loop, increasing the amount of total time racing.

Steve Baskis skate skiing in West YellowstoneThe sport is truly challenging.  Imagine skiing up multiple steep hills and working your way along flat narrow ski trails until you reach the shooting range. Once at the shooting range you must get down and shoot 5 targets as fast and as accurate as possible, but remember you just skied up 4 hills and your lungs and heart are about to burst from your chest. Elevation gains of 4,000 ft or more and the cold dry air don’t exactly help you relax into your rifle as you work your hardest to acquire your first target. 5 targets down and you’re hopefully back out on the ski loop racing the clock and back around to fire at 5 targets all over again. The race distances can vary from 6 kilometers to 25 kilometers and you could shoot as little as 2 times or up to 5 times. Talk about a full body work out!

Some of you might be asking, “How does a blind athlete ski and SHOOT a rifle”? Well, I follow a ski guide who wears a speaker system on their back. The ski guide speaks into a microphone and this allows me to follow the individuals voice. Imagine following sound, if you hear the sound move left, then you should move left and if the sound moves right, then you should move right. The ski guide’s job is fairly simple, ski fast and make a lot of noise for the blind athlete to follow.

“So how does a blind person shoot a rifle”? Great question, a blind biathlete uses a special audio rifle system.  The athlete will ski into the shooting range and get down to shoot. At the shooting position there is an audio rifle, computer module and headphones. The blind athlete will put on the headphones, reset the computer module, raise the rifle and acquire the target by sound. An infrared light beam is transmitted from the target which is recognized by the rifle.  A high pitch sound guides them into dead center on the target. Acquiring the target by sound is an interesting way to shoot, since you must use your ears instead of your eyes to line up the shot. If you hit the target you will hear a positive sound, if you miss the target you will hear a negative sound. If you ask me, it is quite depressing to hear a negative sound when you miss the target. Plus, you know in the back of your mind once you are done shooting you will have to ski 1 penalty loop for every missed shot.

Well, it’s off to another ski camp, this time it will be in Breckenridge, Colorado. Look for another post in the near future.

Deuces,
Steve

 

Half Dome

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Steve Baskis Trekking up to Half Dome

In September 2013, Matt Murray, a good friend and climber who I had climbed with before in Russia, Nepal and Colorado invited me on a climb with Paradox Sports of Boulder, Colorado. The climb was going to be a special one to say the least and I was truly pumped to be part of this historical endeavor. Paradox Sports had arranged multiple ascents up rock formations in the world famous Yosemite National Park. The granite monolith El Capitan and Half Dome, were going to be climbed by veterans from the U.S. Military, but most importantly  summit day would be September 11th.

When I think about all the experiences I have had over the past so many years, I cannot forget about the attacks on US soil on September 11th, 2001. The wild coincidence was that Yosemite firefighters were battling wild fires, and for weeks after the twin towers in New York fell firefighters were battling a fiery inferno on the city streets of Manhattan. The fires made the climb more sinister because of the rising ash levels during the day and the distant glow of flames that were seen by the team while driving through the park. I lived in New York on September 11th, 2001 and I, just like many others, will never forget how the attacks changed the world and so many innocent lives.

NPR also made it out for the event, you can listen to the story or read it by clicking here.

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Special Thanks to the following people and organizations for making this trip possible:

My guides Matt & Rick

Yosemite National Park

Paradox Sports Logo

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Mount Elbrus

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Steve Baskis crossing a crevis on Mt Elbrus

Mount Elbrus, the tallest mountain in Europe, had been on my mind ever since climbing Africa’s Kilimanjaro. So after a lot of talk with climbing buddies, a group of us rallied and set out for Russia and another of the 7 summits in 2012. Before every climbing expedition I go on, I do my absolute best to understand the mountain, weather, gear required and whether or not I am physically & mentally prepared too climb. The military taught me a lot about risk assessment, training and gear required to get the mission done. Maybe this is one of the big reasons I pursue wild outdoor adventures.

Most would think after a serious injury sustained during military operations, a person might decide to mitigate risk & danger from their activities. For me I just think harder about what I am going to pursue, and I than try to analyze the benefits of participating in the experience. Climbing is an interesting thing. Why climb a rock in the middle of nowhere? Well, climbing seems to be very comparable to life and the ups and downs we all experience, basically a metaphor. In life we climb high, or at least we try to climb towards our goals & dreams, but we also descend. I believe there is no way around the descent, we sometimes descend back into our normal moods, or in certain situations we may descend into a depressive state of mind.

In the end its all about the journey, right? Well, wherever you decide to go, however you decide to live life, I feel that the descent and adversity we all encounter truly pave a path towards happiness and great accomplishment. What’s that quote I’ve heard in a movie before, “What we do in life, echoes in eternity”.

I bring up a lot of philosophical things in this blog post because this climb on Mount Elbrus was very dangerous and adventurous. My buddies and I were trapped in a white out in a crevasse field on the flanks of this mountain, and at times I really thought I was a goner. I had put a lot of trust into my climbing friends, who were just as blind as myself in the snow storm. We all forged ahead and made the necessary navigational adjustments to move out of the crevasse field and down out of the storm back to our base camp.

Follow the below link to read an article by my friend Brian Mockenhaupt about our adventure on Elbrus:

http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/outdoor-skills/survival/Crossing-to-Safety-When-Danger-Stops-Being-a-Thrill.html

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