Benjy Simpson will share memories from his days as an adventure entrepreneur (i.e., Outward Bound, Encounter Four, his adjudicated youth program, Passages To Adventure, New River Gorge Bridge Day Rappel, and his upcoming adventure Bridge Walk).

Benjy was born in Concord, North Carolina in 1948. He graduated from West Montgomery High School in Mt.Gilead, North Carolina. Benjy furthered his education and received his Bachelor in Science Degree in Recreation and Park Administration from North Carolina State University in 1970 and his Masters in Health & Physical Education at Appalachian State University in 1973. From 1970-76 Benjy was active in the United States Army Reserve as a Paratrooper & Parachute Rigger. His early professional career includes working as a Juvenile Facility Recreation Director, A College Physical Education & Social Science Instructor, Intramural Director, and worked as an Outward Bound Instructor/Director in the states of North Carolina, Minnesota and Pennsylvania. In 1982 to present Benjy became a self entrepreneur and founded his own company Passages To Adventure in Fayetteville, West Virginia. Passages To Adventure is a high adventure company that specializes in leading whitewater rafting on the famous New and Gauley Rivers, rock climbing, caving, high ropes, and kayaking adventures. Benjy has been over the rappelling aspect of the famous New River Gorge Bridge Day in Fayetteville, West Virginia since 1992.

Benjy has become a highly decorated instructor in many areas including First Responder Instructor, Resources River Rescue Instructor, Basic Trauma Life Instructor, Project Wet and Wild Instructor, American Red Cross First Aid & CPR Instructor, American Red Cross Water Safety & Canoe Instructor Trainer, American Canoe Association Instructor Trainer, Rock Climbing Instructor, Ropes Course Builder and Instructor, Outdoor Emergency Care Instructor and an Eastern Professional Ski Touring Instructor. He is also a Basketball Coach, Soccer Coach and a certified Basketball Official in WV and NC.

Over the years he has Led diabetic expedition attempting to climb Mt. McKinley, Alaska. Led Climbing Mexico Climbing Volcano trips over 17,000ft. He has been a commercial whitewater guide since 1974. He has been Rock Climbing Instructor since 1970 climbing throughout the United States and Mexico. Some of his long rappels include 876’ off New River Gorge Bridge in WV; 660’ off Whiteside Mountain in North Carolina, and 1004’ inside the CNN Tower in Toronto, Canada. Benjy also enjoys mountaineering and has completed the Jan Sport Mt. Ranier Mountaineering Seminar and the American Alpine Institute Expedition Course.

 

Passages To Adventure Post Office Box 71 Elizabeth Way Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840 800 634-3785 www.passagestoadventure.com

New River Gorge Bridge Day Rappel Benjy Simpson, Rappel Coordinator www.bridgedayrappel.com

Bridge Walk Post Office Box 111 843 Fayette Station Road Fayetteville, West Virginia 25840 304 574-1037 www.bridgewalk.com