[Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!

Wed Feb 15 19:00:12 UTC 2017

Hi Cindy, I'm not overly familiar with skiing so I can't speak to the use
of poles (maybe someone else on the list can). I do know headsets are used
between a guide and a blind skier to communicate information so in that way
yes I think there are similarities.
Erin

On Wed, Feb 15, 2017 at 9:55 AM, Cindy Ray via SportsandRec <
sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:

> Is that a little like the method of skiing with the ski poles?
> Cindy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of
> Erin Kavanagh via SportsandRec
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 8:31 AM
> To: Sports and Recreation for the Blind Discussion List <
> sportsandrec at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: Erin Kavanagh <e.kav.coms at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!
>
> 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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