[Sportsandrec] Forest Safety

[JUSTIN LOUCHART]

Hi, Julie,

It's in southern Michigan. You should, they're a blast.

The torches are important only so that I don't light myself on fire.
And although people stay where light is, they're in one of the various
inns or small houses on the property, or in tents in a roped off
section of the site. Whereas I won't even notice it's dark out, so
I'll happily wander well into the morning.

Someone mentioned to me that if the poles are made out of metal, I
should be able to find them with my cane with no problem. My logic was
that the texture difference of aluminum foil against wood would be
helpful, but I guess with all that soft foliage, it really would be
tricky even then.

Thanks for the thoughts,
Justin

On 2/12/13, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
> 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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-- 
Justin Louchart
JALOUCHART at GMAIL.COM

Inveniam Viam Aut Faciam