Snow blindness can sneak up on you, but prevention is easy
As the only American to have climbed all 14 of the world’s peaks over 26,000 feet above sea level — and the fifth person to do so without using supplemental oxygen — high-altitude mountaineer Ed Viesturs has come closer to the sun here on Earth than most of us ever will.
Among the things the 61-year-old always brings on big adventures is an essential accessory for anyone spending time outdoors this winter: protective eyewear.
“I’ve been on mountaineering expeditions where we had to actually help someone down off a mountain because they suffered snow blindness at high altitude,” said Viesturs, referring to the medical condition known as photokeratitis.