[Sportsandrec] Forest Safety

[Julie J.]

Sorry, no real new ideas other than to stay out of all vegetation as 
much as possible or wear clothing that covers the bits that are most 
likely to come into contact. Is it important for you to know where the 
torches are?  I mean other than not lighting yourself on fire.  Could 
you listen for where the people are and meander that way?  Generally the 
sighted folks are going to stay where there's light.  I'm assuming your 
role there is to provide some sort of entertainment to the visitors.

But, I wanted to ask, where is this because I want to go!
I've wanted to go to a Renaissance festival for a few years, but I'm 
having trouble finding one in the summer that isn't a million miles away.

Julie

On 2/12/2013 6:34 AM, JUSTIN LOUCHART wrote:
> 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
>
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