Giving Fate the Middle Finger: Blind Climber Jesse Dufton Scales El Matador
Thursday, 2026/02/26187 words3 minutes281 reads
Jesse Dufton achieved something remarkable when he became the first blind climber to scale El Matador, a challenging 500-foot rock formation on Devil's Tower in Wyoming. Born with cone-rod dystrophy, a degenerative eye condition, Dufton now has only light perception and can see nothing more than flashing lights.
Despite his visual impairment, Dufton has been climbing since age two. By eleven, he had lost 80% of his vision, but this hasn't stopped him from pursuing his passion. His wife Molly serves as his climbing partner, communicating crucial information through a two-way radio as he ascends. She describes the route beforehand and provides guidance during the climb.
Dufton relies heavily on touch and feel, paying close attention to footholds through his shoes. He describes his endurance as his "superpower," compensating for what he lacks in finger strength. For Dufton, climbing represents "giving fate the middle finger" – refusing to let his genetic condition determine his life choices.
The couple has climbed over 2,000 routes together, building a partnership based on deep trust and shared passion. Their journey up El Matador is documented in the film "Climbing Blind II."
