[blindlaw] Mike's Hike

Michael O. Hanson mhanson at winternet.com
Mon Dec 15 18:52:17 UTC 2008 

I will use as little sighted help as possible.  That being said, I am well 
aware that the next person to through-hike the At without assistance will be 
the first.

I will have someone hold mail for me and deal with it as necessary.  I have 
a team member in place to do that.  That is a common enough practice.

Resupply should not be overly difficult.  I plan to pick most of what I need 
up in towns along the trail.  I can have necessary items shipped to post 
offices and held for me.  Both practices are very common.

As for finding outhouses near shelters, etc., I am timing my trip to 
coincide with the through-hiking season.  That should allow for people to be 
available if their assistance is needed.  There are actual GPS coordinates 
for shelters.  They are good to within about ten yards.  Various 
publications have very good descriptions of where outhouses, water sources, 
etc. are located, including distances and directions from landmarks for 
which I have reliable coordinates.

Sincerely,


Mike Hanson
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Mark BurningHawk" <stone_troll at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 10:00 AM
Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike


> How much sighted help will you use?  There will be aspects, such as 
> finding the next shelter or the outhouse when at the shelter, which will 
> prove difficult, even with GPS.  How will you handle mail drops and 
> re-supply caches?
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Michael O. Hanson" <mhanson at winternet.com>
> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Monday, December 15, 2008 5:31 AM
> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>
>
>>I expect the total hike to take six to eight months.  I plan to leave in 
>>March, 2009 and finish in September or October if all goes well. 
>>Finishing in early November is an option.
>>
>>
>> Mike Hanson
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 10:05 PM
>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>>
>>
>>> hi,
>>>
>>> my point exactly especially when the nfb gave Eric $300,000.
>>>
>>> how long is the total hike and do you have a timeframe in mind?
>>> Bryan Schulz
>>>
>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>> From: "Michael O. Hanson" <mhanson at winternet.com>
>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Sunday, December 14, 2008 7:24 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>>>
>>>
>>>>I certainly hope I say something more intelligent than the lines you 
>>>>included in your message!  I think the statements such a project can 
>>>>make deserve more thoughtful comments on my part than that.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Mike Hanson
>>>>
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>> From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 10:27 AM
>>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> hi,
>>>>>
>>>>> sorry for the misjudgement.
>>>>> it sounds like your situation is a bit different and good luck and 
>>>>> safe hiking.
>>>>> if you go on the tonight show, i pray you say something more 
>>>>> intelligent than 'my piss froze before it hit the ground'.
>>>>> Bryan
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>> From: "Michael O. Hanson" <mhanson at winternet.com>
>>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, December 13, 2008 4:46 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> Dear Mr. Schulz:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Let me see if I can answer your questions.  I purchased one GPS 
>>>>>> program myself.  I use Wayfinder Access.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I downloaded another GPS program called Loadstone for free. 
>>>>>> Loadstone is a free open source software program available to anybody 
>>>>>> with the appropriate cell phone.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I also use a Nokia N82.  I got it, along with the KNFB Reader through 
>>>>>> Minnesota State Services for the Blind.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I plan to write a book about my experience.  I will be looking for a 
>>>>>> book deal.  We are currently seeking funding from the NFB, along with 
>>>>>> other sources.  I hope this answers your questions.  Please email me 
>>>>>> or visit www.blindhiker.com for more information.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Mike Hanson
>>>>>>
>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>> From: "Bryan Schulz" <b.schulz at sbcglobal.net>
>>>>>> To: "NFBnet Blind Law Mailing List" <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 2:34 PM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>> hi,
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> this sounds cool but...
>>>>>>> did you get the gps unit for free??
>>>>>>> are you looking for a book deal like Eric??
>>>>>>> is this funded by the nfb as well??
>>>>>>> Bryan
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>>>>>>> From: "Michael O. Hanson" <mhanson at winternet.com>
>>>>>>> To: <blindlaw at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>> Sent: Friday, December 12, 2008 8:24 AM
>>>>>>> Subject: [blindlaw] Mike's Hike
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Dear Fellow Blind Lawyers:
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> My name is Mike Hanson.  I happen to be blind.  I have been a 
>>>>>>>> member of this list for years and learned a great deal from it.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> I plan to hike the 2,174-mile Appalachian Trail using GPS starting 
>>>>>>>> in March, 2009 to demonstrate the independence of persons with 
>>>>>>>> visual impairments, the use of adaptive and assistive technology to 
>>>>>>>> achieve our independence, and the value of GPS to the blind 
>>>>>>>> community. Adaptive technology will be a major component of my 
>>>>>>>> hike.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Award-winning videographer Gary L. Steffens will make a documentary 
>>>>>>>> of Mike's Hike.  Please visit http://www.blindhiker.com for more 
>>>>>>>> information on my plans.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Thank you for your support and suggestions so far.  The only 
>>>>>>>> obstacle on my path is funding.  Help me prove prevailing myths 
>>>>>>>> about the dependence of persons with disabilities wrong and open 
>>>>>>>> doors for persons with visual impairments.  Make me take a hike!
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Mike Hanson
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>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>
>>
>>
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>
>
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