Hannah Baldwin, a 32-year-old woman from Ivybridge, continues to climb despite losing the function of her right leg in a childhood accident and a lifelong struggle with Crohn’s disease.

Her journey began at age 12 with a climbing accident that left her unable to use her leg. A year later, she was diagnosed with Crohn’s, leading to years spent in and out of hospitals, often unable to walk. But in 2014, Hannah rediscovered her passion for climbing, adapting to the sport using only one leg and defying expectations along the way.

By 2017, Hannah had begun competing in paraclimbing, a sport that helped her reclaim her life. However, health setbacks returned in 2020, requiring two life-saving surgeries. It was during this recovery that she received a knee-ankle-foot orthosis (KAFO), transforming her mobility and independence.

In 2024, Hannah was selected as a beneficiary of Millimetres 2 Mountains (M2M), an organization that supports individuals overcoming physical and mental challenges through mountain adventures. Since then, she’s tackled daily obstacles of living with a KAFO — including the simple but stubborn challenge of finding trousers that fit comfortably over her brace.

British outdoor brand Berghaus launched the Berghaus Adapts project in February, inviting individuals to propose custom clothing and gear modifications to help make nature more accessible. Hannah is one of six people chosen for the initiative, and is now collaborating with designers to co-create adaptive clothing that enhances comfort, reduces pain, and supports her active lifestyle with dignity.

Alice Sainsbury, designer and consultant for Berghaus Adapts, expressed her enthusiasm: 'Meeting the team in person felt like the start of something really special – a space for honest conversations about how we can remove barriers and design meaningful, person-centred adaptations.'

In the UK, 16 million people live with a disability, and inadequate gear remains a significant barrier to outdoor access. Over the last five years, Berghaus has helped adapt outdoor kits for adventurers like Ed Jackson, a recovering quadriplegic, and Mick Fowler, a renowned mountaineer who climbs with a colostomy bag after cancer treatment.

Hannah's story is one of resilience, innovation, and the power of community support. Her continued presence in the climbing world serves as a powerful reminder that the mountains are for everyone.