[Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!

Wed Feb 15 14:30:51 UTC 2017

I was fortunate enough to learn about hiking strategies from Mike Armstrong
last year. He organized a group to hike the S. Kaibab trail down into the
Grand Canyon and back out in the same day. We did a lot of practice hikes
on trails in and around Phoenix as preparation for that day. He uses
trekking poles (one in each hand) and he bear walks - which means the same
hand/foot/pole goes forward at the same time (gliding close to the ground).
For the hikes we used guides with vision wearing bear bells. Mike didn't
need any information other than the general direction of the trail as
provided by the sound of the bell on the guide (who didn't need to remain
very close) and he used his trekking poles for both information and balance
(not to mention he's very athletic). Others in the group preferred more
information so the guide was available to provide whatever level of info
was useful. We did work to establish standard verbal phrases for ease of
processing while hiking such as 'step down' or 'step up' and 'rubble' or
'rocky' for terrain descriptions (these were really really long
hikes!). Coming out of the Canyon one hiker was slowing significantly and
struggling so Mike directed her to keep one trekking pole and with her
other hand grab his pack (like a hiking version of human guide technique)
and it worked really well. I used these techniques with young hikers on a
more commercial trail as part of a sports camp in OR. At first they weren't
keen to trade in their mobility canes for the trekking poles, but it
quickly became clear that the poles were more effective for weight-bearing
and information gathering on the trail and they were able to be more
independent with the activity then they expected.
Cheers, Erin K

On Wed, Feb 15, 2017 at 7:35 AM, Cindy Ray via SportsandRec <
sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> You know, that walk in the park thing isn't the point. There are people
> who aren't where some of you are. It could be the beginning of their hiking
> experience, and they might then move on to bigger things.
> Cindy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Michael via SportsandRec
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 11:18 PM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List <
> sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Michael <bonsai1b at bellsouth.net>
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!
>
> Nella, I hadn't thought of the bell or leash.  Each in their own situation
> would offer great help, although the bell might drive the person carrying
> it crazy.  I have used trekking poles and find them to provide both support
> and input much the same way that a cane does.  I agree that most special
> trails I have encountered are essentially a walk in the park.
>
> Michael
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Nella Foster via SportsandRec
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 1:22 PM
> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
> Cc: Nella Foster
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!
>
>
> I'm totally blind and haven't hiked alone, but used to go a lot with
> friends
> and family.  Depending on the difficulty of the trail determined how I
> hiked
> it.  My last guide dog was very good on fairly difficult trails.  When
> using
> him sometimes I went in front and other times followed others.  I use a
> hiking stick to feel the trail and for balance.  On narrow technical trails
> I've even used 2 hiking sticks.  Sometimes I put a bell on the pack of the
> person in front of me so I could follow.  I've also attached a leash to the
> pack of the person in front of me.  I only did this on really steep narrow
> trails, the kind with big drop offs to one or both sides.
>
> I've encountered a few places where there were large boulders on the trail
> and getting around or over them was challenging.  I'm not above getting
> down
> on my hands and knees and crawling over something if I feel it is the
> safest
> way.  I did that once when going over a log to cross a creek.  I was
> concerned that my balance wasn't good enough to make it and I really didn't
> want to fall several feet into icy water.  So I just crawled across; some
> of
> my friends laughed, but I didn't care.
>
> If you're carrying a heavy pack it will change your balance.  Also if it is
> a tall pack I think it interferes with my hearing.
>
> I've never really used special trails.  The few that I've been on were
> nice,
> but I would have called them a nice walk, not a hike.  I have seen a couple
> trails that had plants labeled in large print and Braille.
>
> Nella
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Michael via SportsandRec
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 10:27 AM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List
> Cc: Michael
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!
>
> Yes, this is one of my top two desires after losing my sight ten years ago.
> I was an avid hiker and backpacker and would love to get tips from the
> group.  I read Michael O Hansen's book and it gave me increased courage to
> undertake sunch a journey.
>
> Michael
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Gaston Bedard via SportsandRec
> Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2017 5:53 AM
> To: 'Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List'
> Cc: Gaston Bedard ; 'Jennifer Boylan'
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!
>
>
> Hello folks,
> This is an interesting topic, it would be nice to know what folks have to
> say.
> So, please share your experiences with us.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Jennifer Boylan via SportsandRec
> Sent: February-13-17 10:07 PM
> To: sportsandrec at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Jennifer Boylan
> Subject: [Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!
>
> Hi listers, a nearby lions club has a project to redo the sensory trail at
> a
> national Park. They have been working on this and would like some of your
> expert advice, tips or in person in put in encouraging the blind to explore
> the outdoors, hiking marked and unmarked routes, etc. Please share your
> experiences and advice and your contact info if you would be willing to be
> consulted by lions club members, thank you!
> JENNIFER Gass
>
> Sent from my iPhone, please forgive any typos. ☺️
>
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