Rock Engineering and Nick Wilson are breaking down barriers to help make life better for people with disabilities.
Disabled Adventurer, Nick Wilson, became the first to reach the highest point accessible on Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) ‘unaided’ in an engineered powerchair - the RockClimber
on Friday, July 12, 2024. After a three-hour hike from Llanberis car park, he reached one thousand metres of the 1085-metre route. A pinch-point on the final ridge blocked progress when the chair proved too big to move through the narrowing. After a team discussion, Nick and Rock Engineering co-owners Elliot Dason-Barber and Andrew Miller, agreed they had achieved their goal.
Nick Wilson with Elliot Dason-Barber and Andrew Miller of Rock Engineering at the top of Yr Wyddfa, 12 July, 2024. Source: Rock Engineering
Thrilled!
Nick Nick reaches the summit of Yr Wyddfa from Yr Wyddfa itself.
️ No use of the rail line️ No big team of people️ No being dragged️ No ramps
️ Disabled Adventurer️ RockClimber extreme power mobility chair️ 2 x man safety team️ 1 x videographer @benkellyvisuals
Being fully transparent as always, we couldn't physically reach the 1085m summit due to the number of people on the steps.
There would have been a very real 'risk to life' had I gone up the steps and we weren't prepared to simply use the train track.
BUT, we got to the 1000m point called Bwlch Glas 4 1/4miles up and we're all totally happy with this, as it is a HUGE achievement 
Follow @rock.engineering as they built the AMAZING RockClimber I used.
The first attempt
When we last saw him, Nick was coming to terms with narrowly missing out on becoming the first disabled person to reach the top of Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) unaided after the steering snapped.
Despite reaching 75% of the distance, Nick was disheartened – wet, in pain, and the steering on his power chair had gone. However, upon reflection, he was more ebullient: "I made it back unaided, and I'm the first disabled person to complete all the big obstacles and to get so far. And that was unaided. To carry on would be aided, and that wasn't what this was all about.”
Steering the ship
Later, the team explained why the first two attempts had failed.
"The steering has been the Achilles heel throughout the project – losing the steering four times - but we made incremental improvements to this element of the chair.
“We came back and although we probably only made another 5% or 10% of the climb in terms of complexity, we conquered the most complex part.
“We were on a high at that point, and so we were devastated when it failed. Everything else has been perfect. The brakes work perfectly, the suspension, the power and the torque is phenomenal. I mean, we really surprised ourselves at how capable it was and at points we were thinking we're really not going to make this - and we did.
“We're very happy. We know if we can get the steering sorted, we'll be able to complete this goal and then move on to the next."
Andrew Miller, Nick Wilson and Elliot Dason-Barber climbing Yr Wyddfa, 12 July, 2024. Source: Rock Engineering
The chair itself
RockClimber has been designed and built by engineers at Rock Engineering, Elliot Dason-Barber and Andrew Miller, who are also IET Associate members.
Influenced by Elliot and Andrew's extensive motorsport experience, the powerchair uses four electric motors, enabling fifteen horsepower in each wheel. To help with climbing, it comes equipped with four-wheel drive on a variable wheelbase with bonded aluminium construction to save weight and provide maximum strength. It can run fifty miles on flat ground before needing a recharge. Finally, RockClimber weighs in at 210kg.
On reflection
Speaking later, Elliot and Andrew had much to say about this attempt and its success.
Elliot said: "Nick has driven brilliantly to get to this point. It is virtually impossible for people to appreciate just how difficult it is to drive any vehicle up half-metre steps on a 30° (average) slope in the wet. It is a shame we can't make those last few metres because we're simply too wide to fit through the gap."
Andrew added: "The updates we have made to RockClimber 2.0 have made all the difference. Without the new wheels and tyres, steering, and so on, we would not have achieved this.
If that wasn’t hard enough, Andrew pointed out: "We also lost the drive from the front right wheel at the start of the climb, and we were still able to get to this point. It is a real testament to how capable RockClimber is and how well Nick drove."
Paying tribute to Nick, Elliot added: "Nick has completed several long stretches of this type of terrain, and it is incredibly demanding on him."
In a final thought, Andrew said: "We can't thank everyone enough for their interest and support, and we look forward to bringing RockClimber into production. We have shown what is possible, and we are so proud of Nick and our team back in Towcester."
They did it
When Nick and his team finally got to the summit, after all the stress and strain of attempting to reach the top of Yr Wyddfa, Nick posted a video on his Instagram page.
"We’ve done it, guys! We got up a thousand metres of Yr Wyddfa unaided in RockClimber, built by Rock Engineering. Two guys, literally a year into business, self-funded it, designed it, built it and it's come this far.
“This is not just for the disabled community, but it's in memory of my dad, who passed away when we last came up here in June. It's for anyone who has struggled - whether through mental illness or anyone who's experiencing difficult times for whatever reason - this is what you can achieve when you don't give up.
“This feat of engineering shows that the world can be more accessible for everybody through inclusive design and engineering.
“Go and check out Rock Engineering. This wouldn't be possible if it wasn't for them. Thanks to the IET for all of their support and Astute Home Care and Holistic Thinking Holidays for their partnership and support.
“For now, WE DID IT!"
Nick Wilson, at the top of Yr Wyddfa, 12 July, 2024. Source: Rock Engeering
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