María Petit Becomes First Blind Athlete to Summit Mount Teide

María Petit has achieved a historic milestone for accessibility in high-altitude sports. As featured on the program Inclúye-T Superación Permanente, the Barcelona-based athlete has become the first blind person to climb Mount Teide, completing the full route from Playa del Socorro to the 3,715-meter summit.

After four previous attempts, Petit successfully completed the 27.1-kilometer trek in 11 hours and 35 minutes. The expedition, organized by MasKM Eventos with support from the Fundación la Caixa, began at 5:10 a.m. and required a dedicated team of twenty people, including thirteen guides.

The success of the climb relied on a directional bar system, which allowed Petit to navigate technically difficult terrain through constant coordination with her guides, including members of the Pichón Trail Project. Her impressive pacing allowed the team to reach the summit by 6:00 p.m., beating their projected time by 30 minutes.

This achievement highlights the growing importance of adaptive sports in Spain and the power of inclusive initiatives. Petit, who uses endurance sports to raise awareness about disability, proved that overcoming natural obstacles relies as much on a supportive, well-coordinated team as it does on individual determination. Her journey sets a new precedent for how careful planning can make even the most demanding environments accessible to everyone.