Maureen Beck, winner of two world paraclimbing championships, will speak at Mendel Center

BENTON HARBOR — Lake Michigan College presents “National Geographic Live: Improbable Ascent with Paraclimber Maureen Beck” at 7 p.m. April 29 at the Mendel Center, 2755 E. Napier Ave.

The 2019 National Geographic Adventurer of the Year, Beck, who was born with one hand, tried rock climbing for the first time after a camp counselor told her she could skip it. Her love of the sport was instantaneous, but there was no guide for climbing with one hand.

Through trial and error, she taught herself and, before long, she was leading a crew of passionate adaptive climbers around the world, forging a path for a new generation as she went on to win two world paraclimbing championships.

When legendary adaptive climber Jim Ewing asked her to join his attempt to make the first adaptive ascent of one of North America’s classic, most wild towers — the Lotus Flower Tower in Canada’s Cirque of the Unclimbables — she didn’t hesitate.

On their month-long expedition, they dealt with rough weather, sudden illness and a food shortage, but Beck found herself growing addicted again to the thrills and challenges of the sport.

Tickets are $50-$30.

For more information, call 269-927-8700 or visit themendelcenter.com.

This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Paraclimber Maureen Beck speaks at the Mendel Center