Para-athlete climbs into the clouds in Brazil

Brazillian athlete Ezequiel da Luz has conquered one of Rio de Janeiro's hardest hiking trials, proving a disability like paraplegia is no barrier to scaling dangerous peaks.

The 40-year-old this week traversed the jungle and surmounted rocks to reach Pedra da Gavea's peak that towers over the Atlantic Ocean.

Da Luz had been waiting since 2021, and travelled more than 1000 kilometres by bus from southern Brazil when his chance arrived to ascend with the assistance of an organisation called the Inclusion Collective.

Its volunteers on December 18 surrounded and shouldered the weight of a specialised wheelchair set inside a metal frame as they helped da Luz upward.

"What logistics!" da Luz exclaimed as their tightly packed throng helped him weave through one narrow stretch at the start of the trail.

Inclusion Collective started three years ago and has completed more than 50 hikes, 12 of which to Pedra da Gavea, plus others on less challenging trails, according to Bruna Souza, the group's administrator.

"We can show that if we have the will, inclusion can happen anywhere, not just where there's a ramp," she told The Associated Press along the trail.

"It's not just shopping centres you can go to; you can go to other places. It can be fun for everyone."

Volunteers on Wednesday were mostly trail and climbing guides already familiar with the route.

They were joined by hikers who encouraged da Luz during his eight-hour ascent, with 800 metres of elevation gain.

At the infamously hair-raising section, called Carrasqueira, volunteers used a system of ropes to hoist his chair.

"I've never seen anything like this in terms of accessibility, people helping," said Adriele Neves, a 29-year-old hiker.

"It's beautiful work."

With Carrasqueira conquered, it was straight on to the summit.

As da Luz wheeled himself forward, waving a Brazilian flag in the air, volunteers and other hikers already atop the mountain erupted in applause.

"I didn't know it had so many challenges, and so many obstacles," he told the AP atop the mountain.

"Today, to be up here on Pedra da Gavea, together with this group that promotes inclusion, is the fulfilment of a dream."

Alas, the peak was shrouded in clouds, leaving Rio de Janeiro's Ipanema beach and iconic Two Brothers Hill hidden away.

But within mere minutes, the clouds parted and some sunlight filtered down from the heavens, maybe just for him.

"Even in this, God was generous," da Luz said.

"Look there, what an incredible view. What a marvellous vision!"