In this episode of the Unbound Human Podcast, host Ben Kanzigg sits down with Pete McAfee, a resident of Southern Oregon, to discuss his fascinating transition from life in Texas to the snow-capped mountains of the Pacific Northwest. Pete shares how his wife’s family brought them to Oregon, his discovery of snow sports, and his progression from a novice snowmobiler to an avid mountaineer and skier. As a right-leg amputee, Pete details the challenges he’s overcome, including breaking his stump while skiing, and how adaptive equipment like outriggers revolutionized his skiing experience. From tales of snowmobiling mishaps to tackling Mount McLaughlin and Mount Shasta, Pete’s story is a true testament to resilience, adaptability, and passion for adventure.
Connect with Pete:
https://www.instagram.com/plp_mcafee/
Key Points
·Introduction to Pete McAfee, his move from Texas to Oregon, and the driving force behind it.
·Pete’s surprise at encountering snow for the first time in Southern Oregon.
·His initial experiences with snowmobiling and the eventual shift to snow skiing and mountaineering.
·Pete’s journey as a right-leg amputee skier, including the challenges of skiing with a prosthetic and his transition to skiing on one leg.
·How outriggers transformed Pete’s skiing abilities, providing him independence and a sense of normalcy on the slopes.
·Pete’s development of customized adaptive equipment for ski mountaineering, including his backcountry setup.
·Discussion of Pete’s mountaineering objectives, including local peaks like Mount McLaughlin and larger challenges such as Mount Shasta.
·A humorous reflection on the suggestion to climb Denali while struggling through a tough ascent of Shasta.
Podcast Merchandise: https://wild-heart-athletics.printify.me/products ($1 from every order will be donated to a nonprofit)
Hashtags:
#UnboundHumanPodcast #SkiMountaineering #AdaptiveAthlete #SnowSports #SouthernOregon #MountainAdventure #OutdoorLife #SkiingWithProsthetics #AmputeeSkiing #MountShasta #MountMcLaughlin #OutdoorResilience
