Blinded Michigan Woman Just Climbed 14,000 Feet At Colorado’s Pikes Peak Mountain

I remember when I was out of shape and managed to climb the incredible incline at Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes. Even though it took me nearly 2 hours to get back up the Sanddune, I felt like I really had accomplished something, but after seeing what one Michigan woman just did I know I’ve got a long way to go.

Recently, a 66-year-old woman from Muskegon named Jan Thom accomplished defeat which is no easy task for someone fully bodied and able. She made the trip to Colorado’s Pikes Peak Mountain and over the course of two days was able to make the climb of 14,115 feet and conquer it, all while being legally blind.

Jenn has what is referred to as retinitis pigmentosa. It’s when the vision is slowly deteriorating, causing full vision loss, but she currently is able to see slightly.

The progression of her vision loss has currently given her tunnel vision, which allows her to focus on one area at a time, but she can experience issues when doing things like say, climbing up a mountain.

On a Facebook group that she created called Blind Adventure, she shared the heroic journey that took place in August, which included small injuries, and described the moment she was able to reach the top:

I felt the cold wind all of a sudden also and just as we reached the top and put our feet on man made cement it started to sprinkle! Gods timing once again was perfect! Because of the rain and wind we really didn’t have any time to look at the view or take many pictures.

She then took a moment to take it all in:

We ran for cover, enjoyed the traditional Pikes Peak donuts and then headed to the car for a victory trip home! What a day to remember! I still can’t believe that I actually climbed Pikes Peak with the most amazing, caring, fun people that I’ve met in a very long time!