[nagdu] Backpacking

Wed Jan 25 00:32:49 UTC 2012

Hi:

I would agree with Jeff. The only thing is I would suggest using a trekking pole rather than a white cane. When I hike without my dog I use a trekking pole in each hand. a bit for balance and the other hand uses the pole like a cane. with my dog I have just one pole in my right hand which I generally use for balance but can explore my environment with it if necessary. More sturdy than the average cane and have pokey end so won't slip if you need it for balance. If you are buyig trekking poles I recommend the ones that have flip locks rather than the telescoping ones. I had really light weight telescoping trekking poles and broke one within ten minutes of hiking in the foothills because it untelescoped. :) The clip lock poles are sturdy and once in place will not slip at all.

Jeff's other comment is good about working up to the distances you are going to be hiking. This is for both you and your dog. We often just head out  into the wilderness having never really made sure that we are walking long distances in the city first.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeffrey Young <jeff.young8806 at gmail.com>
Date: Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:10 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Backpacking
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> So I have done extensive backpacking as a boy scout, but I 
> haven't had a chance to do any with my guideDog. One thing I'd 
> recommend is to bring a cane along. A good sturdy cane not a 
> telescoping one. The cane would serve two purposes. One as a 
> walking stick. Most backpackers use a walking stick. A walking 
> stick is especially useful on steep rough terrain.
> 
> Secondly, when hiking you may encounter many obstacles that your 
> dog might not normally encounter. You can use the cane to 
> explore the obstruction before moving on. Also, make sure your 
> dog is well fortified against flees and especially ticks. I 
> don't remember if you said in the first email, but you might 
> want to find out how rough the hiking will be and how many miles 
> per day you will need to travel.
> 
> If you and your dog only travel a mile or two a day on city 
> sidewalks and you are expected to travel six or seven miles a 
> day on the trip, then this could pose a challenge of potentially 
> overworking your dog as well as yourself.
> 
> I could probably come up with some other tips, but I don't want 
> to ramble to much. If you have any general backpacking questions 
> feel free to let me know. Also, I'm sure we have some other 
> backpackers on the list.
> 
> I should add that I can't wait to take Hansel on a trip, but we 
> are having our first child in August, so their won't be much, if 
> any camping this summer.
> 
> Jeff and Hansel
> Jeff Young
> 
> Home of the world's healthiest energy drink. No Caffeine, no 
> added sugar. Email me for a free sample today.
> Phone: (318) 243-3003
> E-mail: jeff.young8806 at gmail.com
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> 
> On Jan 22, 2012, at 9:57 AM, Abigail Lanier wrote:
> 
> > Julie,
> > 
> > The book's title is "Blind Courage" and I am going to try and 
> get a copy of it.
> > 
> > The good news is that I already live in the mountains of North 
> Carolina and Alexa and I are fairly used to hills and such. We 
> have done some hiking, but I wouldn't say that we are well 
> seasoned or experienced hikers.
> > 
> > I'll let you know of our "progress" :-)
> > 
> > Abigail
> > 
> > On Jan 22, 2012, at 9:01 AM, Julie J. wrote:
> > 
> >> Abigail,
> >> 
> >> I have been backpacking, but not with my guide.   
> The trip I went on was 5 days in Colorado in the Rockies.  
> I'd estimate the pack I carried was 50 pounds or so.  It 
> was just about all I could do to carry the thing. 
> *smile*   Of course that was just my stuff.  I 
> agree with Nicole to have your guide carry her own food.
> >> 
> >> My      suggestion would be to get a 
> pack for yourself and for your guide now and start building up 
> your strength to carry it.  Add in a little more weight 
> each day, practicing going up and down stairs to simulate 
> mountain hiking.  Your guide won't be used to carrying 
> weight and will also need to build up strength to be able to do 
> so comfortably.  There are a lot of web sites that talk 
> about dog backpacking, you could check out some of them to get 
> an idea of how much the maximum weight is that your guide could 
> potentially carry.  I'd subtract a bit from that because 
> guiding is work too.
> >> 
> >> There is a book about a guy who hiked the entire Appalachian 
> trail with his guide dog.  NLS has it.  I want to say 
> it was called, "Blind Courage" but I could be 
> misremembering.  I've read a load of dog books and they 
> sometimes get cross-wired in my head! *smile*
> >> 
> >> Best of luck,
> >> Julie
> >> 
> >> 
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