[Sportsandrec] Hiking/nature recreation input please!

Erin K Work e.kav.coms at gmail.com
Wed Feb 15 22:03:06 UTC 2017 

Ok, now I understand what you're talking about with the poles Cindy... Yes, they are long with a point at the end and a similar grip to ski poles. They are collapsible with the pieces locking in place. About $25 each (depending on quality) at any outdoors store. 
The little I do know about skiing came from a presentation by a Paralympic skier so maybe the use of headsets was for competition.
Cheers, Erin

> On Feb 15, 2017, at 4:33 PM, Cindy Ray via SportsandRec <sportsandrec at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> They didn't use a headset at Ski for Light. But the ski poles make me think of the poles you are speaking of.
> Cindy
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: SportsandRec [mailto:sportsandrec-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Erin Kavanagh via SportsandRec
> Sent: Wednesday, February 15, 2017 1:00 PM
> 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!
> 
> 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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