Brian Dickinson is a former U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer who specialized in combat search and rescue. His military experience is not the most difficult situation he’s ever faced. For six years, he served as a rescue swimmer, but in his post-military career, he has climbed some of the most challenging mountains in the world, including Denali, Kilimanjaro, and even the Sentinel Range in Antarctica.
In 2011, Dickinson climbed Mount Everest by himself, which was a difficult challenge in itself, but on his way down, he became snowblind and had to make his way down the world’s highest and most dangerous peak solo and without eyesight. In a sojourn that should have taken three hours, he climbed hand-over-hand for seven hours. In that time he fell and lost his oxygen too. With what he calls a “determined faith and focus,” he arrived safely back to the campsite and survived.
“Blind Descent: Surviving Alone and Blind on Mount Everest” is the story of his powerful and bold decision to persevere in the face of ultimate adversity.
Blind Descent” Shares an Unforgettable Story of Survival
Summiting Everest is a gut check for even the most hardy and experienced climbers. When Dickinson undertook his climb to the world’s tallest peak, his Sherpa got ill and had to turn back just as the duo entered Everest’s “death zone,” where oxygen can no longer fully support human life, some 1,000 feet from the summit. Faced with the decision to press on or turn back, he decided he would climb the peak solo. He did it, took his photos, and radioed back to his camp that he was on his way back.
Then, at 29,035 feet, his eyes began to sting, his vision blurred, and he found himself alone and blind in one of the deadliest areas on Earth. He turned to his Navy survival training and his faith in God to see him through as he crawled back to safety. Today, he uses this experience as a motivational speaker to inspire audiences to overcome adversity and the obstacles in their own lives, to plan for what’s beyond their control, and to push themselves beyond what they believe are their personal limits. He also helps others create and maintain new perspectives on their own lives and abilities through his many stories of survival both in and out of the Navy.
Readers call “Blind Descent: Surviving Alone and Blind on Mount Everest” inspirational and refreshing. Dickinson’s story is one that hooks readers from very early on and keeps them engaged and intrigued throughout his entire fight for survival. Even experienced mountaineers agree that “Blind Descent” is a must-read for anyone who climbs mountains, especially those thinking of summiting Everest.
“Blind Descent: Surviving Alone and Blind on Mount Everest” is available on Amazon for around $11.00 for the Audible audiobook and $14.90 for the paperback version. Anyone interested in more information about Dickinson, his career, his speeches, or his faith can visit his website at BrianDickinson.net or listen to his podcast, “Calm in the Chaos—U.S. Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer Podcast,” on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or Amazon.
Read About Other Book Reviews
If you enjoyed reading the review of ‘Surviving Alone And Blind On Mount Everest’ by Brian Dickinson, we invite you to read about other military book reviews on our blog. You will also find profiles in courage, veterans’ service reflections, famous military units and more on the TogetherWeServed.com blog. If you are a veteran, find your military buddies, view historic boot camp photos, build a printable military service plaque, and more on TogetherWeServed.com today.
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