Disabled adventurer conquers Snowdon in groundbreaking mobility chair

Nick accomplished this using the pioneering RockClimber, an all-terrain mobility chair engineered to tackle rugged landscapes.

Nick's second attempt up the Llanberis route saw him ascend to Bwlch Glas, an impressive 1,000 metres up, without any physical assistance. His climb is not just a personal achievement but also a powerful statement on the importance of accessibility and independence for wheelchair users. By showcasing the capabilities of inclusive design and engineering, Nick aims to raise awareness of the daily challenges faced by wheelchair users and inspire action towards creating a more accessible world.

The RockClimber represents a breakthrough in mobility technology, leveraging extensive motorsport design experience to develop a novel concept. Key features include:

• Power and construction: the chair is powered by four electric motors delivering 15Hp, constructed with bonded aluminium for maximum strength and minimal weight (210kg)
• Climbing capabilities: a 4-wheel drive system with a variable wheelbase to aid in climbing difficult terrains
• Range: the chair has a range of 50 miles on flat terrain

Following a steering failure during the initial attempt in June, the team conducted a thorough review of the collected data. They implemented a series of enhancements, including new steering mechanisms, brakes, wheels, and tyres, ensuring that RockClimber would not fail again.

The project is championed by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), highlighting how inclusive design and engineering can significantly improve accessibility in both urban and rural environments. This innovation aims to grant wheelchair users greater independence and freedom, reducing the risk of falls or becoming stuck.

With over 650,000 registered wheelchair users in the UK, according to the NHS National Wheelchair Data Collection, there are still numerous barriers in everyday life where standard wheelchairs fall short, even in seemingly accessible areas like high streets. Nick Wilson's ascent of Yr Wyddfa with RockClimber underscores the potential for engineered solutions to overcome these barriers, promoting inclusivity and enhancing quality of life for wheelchair users everywhere.

Nick said: "While many people in the disability community won't want or feel the need to go up a mountain, they can feel like they're trying to do just that on a daily basis, with so many accessibility obstacles. By achieving this, we've demonstrated how inclusive design and having the right equipment can help to make the world more accessible, whilst showing what’s possible when you keep fighting and never give up, however dark things may seem. Inclusive design and engineering can create more capable and suitable equipment, to make the world more accessible for everyone, everywhere."

Rock Engineering Director and IET member, Elliot Dason-Barber, added: "We are all incredibly proud of what we have achieved with RockClimber. Our goal was always to design, and manufacture, a power-chair that would give Nick the capability to scale Snowdon truly unaided, and I think we've shown we've done that.

“It has been a real privilege to help Nick achieve his goal, but Rock Engineering has also had the opportunity to develop its own experience in inclusive engineering and demonstrate its capabilities in vehicle design. This project has given us a real opportunity for accelerated learning, and several attempts on Mount Snowdon have meant that RockClimber is now a very mature, and well understood design. It also means the team have lots of ideas for how to make things even better.”

The IET’s Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr Laura Norton, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Nick and the Rock Engineering team – as well as for inclusive design, which is so important today. Accessibility needs to be prioritised, and engineering and technology play a pivotal part in enabling this. We hope in the future that a single chair solution will be available to many more wheelchair users, breaking down barriers and allowing for greater freedom and independence.”

Image credit: Ben Kelly Visuals