Blinded at the Top of Mt. Everest-Brian Dickinson

#courage #blindedbythelight #summit #survivorstory #mteverest #softwhiteunderbelly #marklaita #resiliencestory #swu #documentary #mentalhealth

[mojospree]

Such a relief knowing he isn't blind. I watched the first 25 minutes thinking he couldn't see Mark.

[Nasosdag]

Most interviews on SWU are interesting, but when stories like this one come along, it is a nice, refreshing change.

[nickradner]

Soooo a kid in one of my high school English classes keeps talking to me everyday about climbing, and the trips I go on…and what plans I have for the mountains. Then he one day says. “Hey, so my neighbor climbed Mount Everest”. Immediately I’m like yea right. On top of that. The kids says, “yea he went BLIND at the top! And then wrote a book about it”. Now I’m listening…a few days later on the last day of class. He brings my ass a signed COPY OF BRIAN DICKINSONS book. It was the best gift I have ever gotten from a student. And I finished his story on longs peak, agreeing with LITERALLY EVERYTHING Brian said about the planning, the ordeal, the time away from family. It was awesome. Brian, thank you. I’m glad you made it

[AntiPlatitude]

Dude just casually breezed by the fact that he was a certified badass… Spec Ops Aviation Swimmer for the United States Navy. His job was to jump out of aircrafts into the dark and cold abyss of the sea, to make sure that our servicemen and women get home safely, and get the medical assistance they need. This takes insane levels of focus, perseverance, extreme physical conditioning, and a desire to help people who are possibly having the absolute worst day of their lives. Some might say it also takes a willingness to make the ultimate sacrifice, oftentimes for complete strangers, to do so effectively. It’s no surprise to me that he would be challenging himself by mountain climbing in his post-military life.

Thank you, Brian.

[chynnhowe]

This is one of the most insane survival stories I’ve ever heard!!! This guy is truly 1 in a million.

[aoefeable]

“I don’t want to say I felt protected, I just felt I wasn’t alone.” Powerful 😭

[pajntaub-lee]

I was putting on my makeup, listening to this and I bursted crying when Brian said he called out for God and after that felt like someone reached for him and grabbed him up. One of the best interviews I've ever watched on here Mark!

[cpruns]

"Don't panic and don't overthink it" - what great advice for anyone in a sticky situation. Also that point about "If you closed your eyes and I didn't say anything you would still know I was here". He is so correct. there is more to our senses then we know. What an amazing story! This guy is the GOAT!!

[danaweaver]

Omg this guy is a great storyteller, I felt like I was right there with him on that climb, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story! And Mark, you bring out the best stories in everyone! Thank you for all that you do, excellent content!

[stevenmccallan]

Great interview. I was once lost on top of a mountain in NH during a winter hike alone in the snow. I was only lost for several minutes but those minutes still make me shiver when I think about it. It is a feeling of dread reality and utter seriousness about the situation and the realization that life hangs in the balance. If I had panicked I would have been a dead man. I said a short prayer to my guardian angel and not 5 seconds later saw a hiker through the snow about 50 yards away and he stopped and waved at me. The feeling I had then cannot be described but it was pure joy. We only realize how precious life is when we realize that it is in real danger.

[JillianMae]

What an amazing story. To be snowblind at the top of everest and live to tell about it...phewwww incredible

[SideWays]

Got to meet Brian at a Veteran's event. He chatted with us and signed a copy of his book Blind Descent for me. Excellent book!

[erinmoriarity]

What a sweet guy. His honest self-reflection and empathy for others is tremendously moving.

[jamiegroth]

I have trekked to Everest Base Camp in 2017 and 2018. The hardest physical mental and emotional thing I ever did. The Himalayas are stunning. It was an honor to see those peaks. ❤

[KingaGorski]

Wow, this is an insane story. What a miracle he’s alive and can see and is able to share his experience and be with his family. Incredible.

[Sabrina-LosAngeles]

As somebody who has watched every single Reinhold Messner/Mt Everest docu that's out there, I so appreciated this interview. He is not the only one in history who felt "a presence" up there. Pending where you sit, it is a highly spiritual environment and/or you start hallucinating given the lack of oxygen. Amazing story ~

[Papdog]

It's not about conquering the mountain it's about conquering yourself. Full respect brother.

[rajno]

Mark, I’ve watched a lot of videos. This is one of my favorite. Please never stop this project. Amazing . Much respect to u

[howyoodoon]

The very definition of a "harrowing tale of survival". Inspiring, humbly-recounted and simply extraordinary.

[haulwen]

Brian is extremely strong mentally. To be able to climb Mt Everest takes huge mental resilience, and to be able to descend and not panic when he was snow blinded is just super amazing.
I was absolutely enthralled listening to his story.
Thank you for sharing it with us, and massive congratulations for being one of only two people to get to the summit alone. Incredible achievement.