“We believe strength, courage, and resiliency exist in all of us. They start as tiny sparks, and it is only through facing challenges that they grow and blaze into the force that directs our lives and ultimately creates change in the world.”
—Erik Weihenmayer
In June, 2006, the world’s most famous blind athlete, Erik Weihenmayer, working with Explorers, will travel with a group of sighted and blind students on a mountain trek to Machu Picchu. This is the first time that Erik will be leading an expedition in which he takes both blind and sighted students to learn from and guide each other. During this 12-day exodus, the roughly 20 students coming from all parts of the United States will learn about the natural beauty of Peru, study the rich Inca culture, and perform a service project for a local community. But perhaps most importantly, these middle school and high school students will learn how to work together with their fellow travelers to overcome obstacles as they push themselves to new heights. This is the first of two trips that will be a part of the Global Explorers’ Leading the Way initiative.
Leading the Way utilizes Global Explorers’ excellent curriculum for service, learning, and leadership based around an international travel experience. The students will prepare for the trip through group assignments, phone discussions, a retreat, and individual fitness training guided by Global Explorers and Erik. We congratulate the students accepted into this unparalleled program and invite you to follow them through the process of preparation, travel, and their follow-up service projects in their home communities. We’ll post information on their spring 2006 retreat, their June 2006 trip, and their 2006 service projects on this page after each is completed.
Meet the 2006 Participants: the students preparing to embark on this amazing journey.
Send a message to the students participating in Leading the Way
The Inca Trail Extension: For prices and itineraries for including the Inca Trail as a part of your group’s Amazon Adventure, please contact Global Explorers.
Documentary Film: Fellowship of the Andes
Pilgrimm pictures is producing an hour long expedition film about the Leading the Way experience. Please visit their website for additional information.
About Erik: Erik Weihenmayer is a former middle school teacher who now spends most of his time climbing and giving inspirational talks. On May 25, 2001, Erik Weihenmayer became the first blind man in history to reach the summit of the world’s highest peak, Mount Everest. The story of this ascent is told in the film Farther Than the Eye Can See, which has been nominated for two Emmy Awards and has taken home top honors at seventeen film festivals.
Farther Than the Eye Can See aired in May on the Outdoor Life Network, during its celebration of the 50th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s first ascent of Mt. Everest. Since then, it has been screened in selected cities on behalf of worthy charitable organizations. The film is presented by Outside Television in association with the Outdoor Life Network and Aperture Films, Ltd. and is directed by Michael Brown.
For more information on Erik Weihenmayer, please visit www.climbingblind.org and www.touchthetop.com.
Sponsors: We thank our many donors and sponsors including the Gerald Erikson Fund and the Seymour Kalstein Charitable Foundation.
- Read about our curricula
- Resources for teachers
- 2009 Price: $3,870*
What does this price include?
*1 teacher per 10 students travels free
* Discounts available
for groups of 20 or more.