Warren Macdonald
Part Animal Part Machine: The Story of Warren Macdonald
Warren Macdonald from Melbourne, Australia, has been a devoted mountain climber for as long has he can remember. He is an experienced bushwalker and committed environmentalist.
In April, 1997, he set out to climb Mt. Bowen, the tallest peak off of Australia's north Queensland coast. Climbing out of a remote gully, the section of rock he was on broke free, crashing down into the creek-bed with him underneath - fracturing his pelvis and crushing both legs. Warren spent the next two days trapped under one-ton of rock, while his companion hiked out for help. He almost drowned as the creek rose, flooding after a rain storm. Finally, following an incredible two-and-a-half hour rescue in near darkness, Warren was flown to Cairns Base Hospital where that night, both legs were amputated at mid-thigh.
Through sheer determination and the love for climbing, Warren continues to scale mountains in Australia and throughout the world. Just ten months after his accident, he climbed Tasmania's Cradle Mountain using a modified wheelchair and the seat of his pants.
In preparation for a world record climb of Kilimanjaro in Africa, Warren came to the United States to have new pair of specially designed mountain climbing legs constructed at Hanger Prosthetics & Orthotics.
On the 1st March 1999, he reached the summit of Tasmania's Federation Peak after an epic four-week journey, walking on his specially developed pair of prosthetic legs. The Australian Geographic society awarded Warren their Spirit of Adventure award in recognition of his effort. The documentary film focusing on the climb, "The Second Step" won the Human Spirit award at the 2002 MountainFilm at Telluride festival in Colorado, USA.
His first book, "One Step Beyond" recalls the horror of his ordeal, and how he overcame incredible adversity to experience once again the wild places he loves.
Now 36 years of age, Warren currently resides in Melbourne. He is a climbing instructor, a motivational speaker, and adventurer in general. In his spare time he likes to bushwalk, race his handcycle, kayak, and challenge himself in everything he does.