[Sportsandrec] Forest Safety

[JUSTIN LOUCHART]

Hi, all,

Sorry if this message goes out twice, but my email just glitched and
I'm not sure if it already sent the longer and more polished version
of this message.

I'm a totally blind cane user who has considerable experience hiking,
but this adventure's going to be new territory for me.

I'll be participating in a monthly three-day interactive Renaissance
festival from March through November. It takes place in 40 acres of
mostly unmaintained woods. Poisonous plants and torches will be
scattered around the place at unknown locations.

The torches are open flames atop thin poles. The thin poles will be
backed by trees and saplings, making the poles more difficult to
echolocate. The flames are small enough to be difficult to hear. I'm
considering having administration put crinkled aluminum foil on the
poles, which would make them significantly easier to hear from a
distance. The foil could be darkened for visual effect.

I've done this trip once before, about six months ago when I still had
light perception. At that time it was easy for me to just look for the
light and walk around it. I've since lost all vision; now I have to
find alternative strategies.

For a compass I'll be using Kelly Thornbury's magnet trick. For a cane
I'll be using a specially designed staff which stands ten inches
taller than me, and is almost as thin as a cane. The staff will be
fashioned with a handmade wooden tip as to not mar the staff end while
sliding along the forest floor. What I lose in vibration I'll gain in
reach.

My other complication is going to be in steering clear of poisonous
plants. I have no idea how to do that.

Any and all advice would be enormously appreciated.
Justin Louchart





-- 
Justin Louchart
JALOUCHART at GMAIL.COM

Inveniam Viam Aut Faciam