The North Face Athlete Vasu Sojitra is Redefining Disabled

Vasu Sojitra, an adaptive mountain athlete for The North Face, PSIA-AASI’s Official Apparel and Outdoor Equipment Supplier, recently made the first adaptive descent of Mt. Moran in the Teton Range.

In an interview about his accomplishment on TheNorthFace.com, Vasu said, “I self-identify as an Indian-American and Disabled person of color with a right leg amputation. My motto is ‘#ninjasticking through the woods to bring intersectionality to the outdoors.’ I’ve also been referred to as ‘your friendly neighborhood disrupter,’ mostly because I tend to stir the pot of complacency when it comes to social change, specifically within outdoor spaces.”

He added, “On top of that, I am a professional mountain athlete, an adaptive athlete, and a Disability Access Strategist helping to elevate the Disabled community in an intersectional way.”

Along with his friend Emilé Zynobia and legendary Teton Guide Zahan Billimoria, Vasu completed the feat in firm conditions with significant ice chunks peppered throughout Moran’s Skillet Glacier.

He said his goals for the New Year include continuing “to reframe what Disability means not just for me but for everyone. Because when we have access to the support we need, we can achieve anything. I don’t just want to focus on myself, but lift up my community in the process by creating expeditions that incorporate more Disabled and adaptive athletes, athletes of color, and athletes that identify within the gender and sexuality spectrum, while making sure an intersectional team is elevating all of our stories.”

Read the entire “Redefining Disabled” interview with Vasu and watch a video of the trip on TheNorthFace.com.