(WTWO/WAWV) A local blind man is about to begin his climb to the highest mountain peak in North America.

Back in February, we joined Lonnie Bedwell as he trained to climb Mount Denali in Alaska.

The Sullivan County man ran a seven mile route five days a week to build up his endurance.

Bedwell tell us, he’s now in Alaska and plans to start his ascend with others on Wednesday.

He lost his sight in a hunting accident in 1997 when he took a full shotgun blast to the face.

You can follow Bedwell’s progress.