Presidential Letter to Mike Corbett

Object/Artifact

-

Yosemite Climbing Museum

Mark Wellman became the first paraplegic to climb El Capitan (1989) and Half Dome (1991). Mike Corbett led both climbs and Mark followed by climbing the rope with the yellow modified jumar below. The blue haul bag below it was used on the El Capitan. After the El Capitan climb, Mike and Mark were invited to the White House by George H. W. Bush. Shortly after their visit Bush signed the American Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

Mark Wellman became the first paraplegic to climb El Capitan (1989) and Half Dome (1991). Mike Corbett led both climbs and Mark followed by climbing the rope with the yellow modified jumar below. The blue haul bag below it was used on the El Capitan. After the El Capitan climb, Mike and Mark were invited to the White House by George H. W. Bush. Shortly after their visit Bush signed the American Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

Name/Title

Presidential Letter to Mike Corbett

Entry/Object ID

2026.1.141

Description

A copy of the Letter signed by George H. W. Bush to Mike Corbett

Context

Mark Wellman became the first paraplegic to climb El Capitan (1989) and Half Dome (1991). Mike Corbett led both climbs and Mark followed by climbing the rope with a yellow modified jumar. The climb became an International news story. After the El Capitan climb, Mike and Mark were invited to the White House by George H. W. Bush. Shortly after their visit Bush signed the American Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990.

Collection

Yosemite Climbing Museum Permanent Collection

Category

Correspondence

Acquisition

Accession

2026.1

Notes

Donated to the museum in 2022 by Mike Corbett.

Dimensions

Width

8-1/2 in

Length

10-1/2 in

Location

Location

Display Case

Exhibit Case 12

Date

February 17, 2026

Provenance

Provenance Detail

Mike Corbett

Notes

Donated to the museum in 2022.

General Notes

Note Type

Cataloging Note

Note

Caption in the museum is:" Mark Wellman became the first paraplegic to climb El Capitan (1989) and Half Dome (1991). Mike Corbett led both climbs and Mark followed by climbing the rope with the yellow modified jumar below. The blue haul bag below it was used on the El Capitan. After the El Capitan climb, Mike and Mark were invited to the White House by George H. W. Bush. Shortly after their visit Bush signed the American Disabilities Act on July 26, 1990."

Create Date

February 17, 2026

Update Date

February 24, 2026