This Amputee Marine Is Determined To Climb Mount Everest

Staff Sergeant Charlie Linville, a Marine Corps veteran who lost his lower right leg during his service, has spent years preparing for his ultimate mountaineering challenge: climbing Mount Everest. Unfortunately, his initial trip was suspended last year after 16 Nepalese guides died in a devastating avalanche. Linville joined HuffPost Live host Caroline Modarressy-Tehrani today to discuss how that tragedy affected him and deepened his determination to make the climb.

“It was a catastrophe, but at the same time, in my life, I’ve been around accidents or injuries because of the military,” said Linville. “I wasn’t fearful of it — that comes with mountaineering. Incidents happen every year… But to be cut short of all the energy and everything that went into getting ready… it was a really hard moment last year. Coming back and having some months to reflect on it, it’s been a different approach. This year it’s full on get ready, become a machine, and nothing is going to stand in my way.”

The Huffington Post