Climbing in the dark: Blind climber goes to world championships

RALEIGH, N.C. — The sport of rock climbing has had a huge increase in popularity over the past few years, and this week one of North Carolina’s own is heading to the world championships in Utah.

Leah Grosjean has only been climbing for two years, but in that time she has scaled heights and spent countless hours training to secure a position representing the United States on the world stage. But she’s had a few extra challenges to overcome as well. She was born completely blind.

“I don’t tend to like to let fear control what I do,” Grosjean said. “So, I try to work through it and desensitize myself to it.”

She has Leber congenital amaurosis, a rare genetic disorder that doctors said would leave her blind for her entire life. Between ages 5 and 10 the miraculous happened — she got partial sight back and was able to learn how to read and write, but at 15 she lost all functional vision and has been living in the dark ever since. 

“In 1988 I was like one of 3,000 people who had it,” Grosjean said. “It never slowed me down and you know, it’s a character trait. It’s like blue eyes, brown hair. For me, it’s not a disability.”

Although there may be people all over the world cheering her on, her biggest fan is her 9-year-old son, Josh, who inherited her disease, but she passed her love of adventure on to him as well and together they tackle any obstacle in their path, regardless of whether they can see it. 

“I don’t normally like to be the center of attention, but then I do center-of-attention things because they’re fun, not necessarily for the glory,” Grosjean said. “I would like to see more VI climbers. I would like to see more kid VI climbers too.”

But a vital part of her success is her caller, David Crye, who acts as her eyes when she’s on the wall. 

David Crye smiles while Leah Grosjean successfully completes a route while training. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Boyd)

“You’re trying to read the route and then give commands that work for them,” Crye said. “Sometimes the way I approach something doesn’t work for Leah.”

Even climbing with a blindfold on doesn’t truly encapsulate what Grosjean is up against. Crye said it’s a luxury to be able to take that blindfold off and see the world around. 

“Leah is just living life a little bit more challenging than a lot of us have to deal with, but makes it seem easy,” Crye said. 

Their partnership has been years in the making, and it’s taken time to learn how to be an effective team, but competitions have been a new experience for both of them. 

“This is something she was really excited and passionate about and trying to pursue this new thing and new goal, and I’m just happy to be along for the ride and help and support in whatever way I can,” Crye said. 

Grosjean will be representing the United States at the Paraclimbing World Championships in Salt Lake City, Utah this month and later in the World Cup series in Austria and Italy. She’s still fundraising to help cover training and travel expenses, check out her page for more details on how to follow and support her journey.

Leah Grosjean climbs while David Crye calls the route for her. (Spectrum News 1/Rachel Boyd)