There are 260 steps to the top of Cape Point. Fletcher Crowley has counted them because his best friend, Lachie Bennett, carried him up every single one.
Western Cape, South Africa (18 June 2026) – Fletcher is a paraplegic. A mountain biking jump gone wrong snapped two of his vertebrae and took the use of his legs. Lachie is his best friend from school. He’s a self-described ‘piggybacker’ and the person who has been pushing – and sometimes even carrying – Fletcher across four continents for 94 days.
The two – who call themselves ‘Two Mates 1 Chair’ – are in the middle of a world trip that spans Africa, Brazil, Europe, and Hong Kong. One rolls and one pushes. Sometimes, one even climbs.
After taking the ramp as far as it would go at Cape Point on the South African leg of their trip, the pair found themselves staring up at the remaining 260 steps leading to the top of the summit.
Most people might call it a day and turn around there, but Lachie did something incredible instead. He crouched down, and hoisted Fletcher onto his back…just as he had done many times before on their adventures.
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In a podcast recording, Fletcher says the piggybacking first started in the water. Swimming was the first place Lachie discovered he could carry his friend somewhere a wheelchair couldn’t go. That logic has seen them conquer some of the world’s most incredible views together.
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Kigen Chepkonga Turns His Marathon Into a Run for Children With ArthritisIn South Africa – beyond taking on Cape Point – the pair have visited Langa township, watched the sun go down from Signal Hill, wound along Chapman’s Peak Drive, explored Boulders Beach, cage dived with sharks in Gansbaai, paraglided over Hermanus, and driven the Garden Route over two days. They have also spent time on safari at a game reserve in the Eastern Cape.
Fletcher is the daredevil. Lachie is the one who, always with the biggest smile on his face, gets his friend where he needs to go.
The internet responded to the pair tackling Cape Point together:
“You guys are amazing. Especially the guy that does the carrying. I’m a high-level quadriplegic and I had a couple of friends that carried me to the top of Machu Picchu. It really takes a special type of person and a special friendship to achieve that sort of goal, congratulations.” wrote one commenter.
“Lachie you are THE BEST MATE anyone could have. Give these guys a bloody huge medal for this great adventure,” said another.
“The definition of true friendship! Is someone cutting onions?” wrote another – us too!
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