Invincible Rock-climber Beats Steep Cliff and Disability

Song Kyong-Tae, who is a visually challenged person, succeeded to climb the Squamish Cliff in Canada, which is famous for its dangerous terrain. He is currently operating the `Chunbuk Braille Library` in Chunju.

Mr. Song proudly stood, at 3:00 on May 20 after 56 hours struggle, on the top of Chief Peak (altitude 3000 m, vertical height 700 m) in Rocky Mountains, British Columbia, nicknamed `devilish rock.`

Moon Jong-Guk (33, mountaineering expert) guided Mr. Song to climb a 150 degreed steep cliff, hanging on a single rope for two days and nights. His colleagues guided his way by radio from the top and the bottom of the cliff.

Because of the storm, he had to yield on his first trial of May 16 after he had climbed 240 meters by spending a day on the cliff.

Mr. Song said, ``While trembling with fear and bitter cold in the net hanging in the dark air, I realized how fortunate I was to live on the ground.``

He lost his eyesight by an accident during his military service. However, he continued his study and social activity and finally opened the Chunbuk Braille Library, which has 5000 Braille books and audio books, in July last year. And also he earned his Master`s degree at the Graduate School of the Christian Social Welfare in Hanil University & Presbyterian Theological Seminary in February this year. To promote the World Cup 2002, he walked across the US from coast to coast for two months from July 1999.

Kim Kwang-Oh kokim@donga.com