Vertical Challenge - A Quadriplegic's Rock Climbing Odyssey
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  "Back To The Wall"
  is now available on
    DVD!

  "I've learned to never doubt Brad, if he says he can do something he'll do it "
  -- Sam Sullivan
Vertical Challenge Timeline
Timeline - 2005
Timeline - 2005
Brad becomes the first quadriplegic to climb the Stawamus Chief ...more
Timeline - 2004
Timeline - 2004
First attempt to climb to the summit of the Squamish Chief ...more
Timeline - 2003
Timeline - 2003
An improved rig and six pitches up the Grand Wall of the Chief ...more
Timeline - 2002
Timeline - 2002
Testing at Chekamus and Smoke Bluffs; climbed the first three pitches of the lower Grand Wall ...more
Timeline - 1997-2001 Timeline - 1994-1996 Timeline - To 1994
Quad climber Brad Zdanivsky climbing on the Squamish Chief
As a late teen, a car accident left rock climber Brad Zdanivsky a quadriplegic. For most people, this would put an end to their climbing aspirations. Not Brad. Instead he set his sights on climbing the mammoth Stawamus Chief, on Canada's West Coast.

Beginning in 1997 Brad set about designing and testing a device for pulling himself up this sheer rock face. Each subsequent year has seen improvements in the gear and increasingly impressive climbing successes – including Brad's ascent of the 1000-foot Grand Wall of the Chief in 2003.

Undaunted by the extraordinary challenges of this endeavor, Brad made a successful attempt on thesummit of the Chief in July of 2005, climbing 650 m (over 1,900 ft.) in a single day (14 hours). Brad has inspireddisabled athletes the world over with this accomplishment.

Please Note that this is a legacy website, Brad's Blog has Moved.

Currently Brad is preparing for El Capitan in Yosemite National Park.