[Sportsandrec] Forest Safety

[justin williams]

Make sure you clear above you and wo either side.  

-----Original Message-----
From: Sportsandrec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
JUSTIN LOUCHART
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 7:35 AM
To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
Subject: [Sportsandrec] Forest Safety

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

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