Mark Wellman

On the Board of Advisors of Solstice Films

Mark Wellman can't remember much about the night he spent alone on a ledge on the Seven Gables in the John Muir Wilderness while his partner went for help. He knows it was cold, he had no food or water. He had no feeling in his legs, and the only other sign of human existence was the sound and sight of planes flying overhead in and out of the surrounding airports. He knew he had fallen 100 feet. It was a night that could have changed his life forever. It did and it didn't.

To this day, Mark is still a mountain climber and wilderness adventurer. Nothing can stop him. Not falling. Not losing the use of his legs.

Mark began climbing mountains when he was 17 years old and has just recently slowed down to pursue other challenges. After his fall, he continued climbing with the help of his partner, Mike Corbett. In 1989, while Mark was a ranger at Yosemite National Park, they made history with their ascent of the 3,000 foot face of El Capitan. They chose the month of July when rocks were baked to 120 degrees every day. For Mark it meant 7,000 pull-ups, six inches at a time. Mike led and was the legs and other arms.

In 1991, Mark and Mike climbed Yosemite's other big wall, Half Dome. It took them 13 days in rain-drenched weather to reach the top. His book, Climbing Back, describes these two ascents and tells the story of his struggle to "come back" after the accident. It is, for all practical purposes, his autobiography.

Mark is not an activist, he's a revolutionary. His revolution is fought on the mountains and in the rapids. For Mark it is about freedom, a freedom to be everything you want to be and do everything you want to do, regardless of your physical ability or disability.

Mark develops weapons for his revolution by designing "adaptive" athletic equipment and trains his soldiers well through inspirational and motivational programs he has created. His book tells of his courage and determination. The video he co-produced, No Barriers, tells the story of five people with physical disabilities who have performed amazing outdoor adventures. His second video, Beyond Barriers, will be released in early 1998.

"There's a revolution going on all over the world, and its fighters are people with physical disabilities of every kind. Their weapons are wheels, wings, boats and skis. They want to go everywhere and do everything they can. They want to enjoy everything this world has to offer." - Mark Wellman

For more information on Mark Wellman, please visit his website at http://www.info@nolimitstahoe.com/