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Blind hiker intends to conquer the Appalachian Trail
A 44-year old Minnesota man named Mike Hanson will set out tomorrow to hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail, which is of course always a major undertaking for any hiker. But in Hanson's case, it is an even more formidable challenge considering he has been blind since birth, and will navigate all 2174 miles of the AT through the use of a GPS device. The Appalachian Trail is considered one of the true classic long distance treks by backpackers the world over. Running from Maine to Georgia, while crossing through New Hampshire, Vermont, and a dozen other states, the Trail offers everything from steep mountain passes to beautiful open meadows and gorgeous alpine valleys, complete with rushing rivers. By all accounts, it is an amazingly scenic hike from end-to-end. Of course, none of that will matter to Mike, who won't see any of those backcountry vistas while he makes the hike.
Hanson will use a special GPS device that connects to his cellphone, and he hits the trail with it already programmed with all of his waypoints, including sources of water, campsites, shelters, and more. With all of that data in place, he'll be able to hike confidently knowing where he is in relation to those places at any time. To make things even easier, the device will actually talk to him in a computer generated voice, keeping him updated on his progress. A high capacity 32-hour battery will help keep the GPS powered at all times.
Mike says he intends to average about 15 miles per day, which means it should take him approximately seven months to reach Mount Katahdin's Baxter Peak, the trail head for the AT in Maine. He will also stop in a town once a week in order to restock his food supply and pick up any gear items that he might possibly need.
The blind hiker won't be alone on this trek however, as he'll be accompanied by filmmaker Gary Steffens, who will document the entire hike. Steffens says that he won't do any of the navigating along the way, and that he'll simply follow Hanson up the trail, capturing every moment of the hike.
Mike says that he is making this journey to prove that the visually impaired are still able to lead full, independent lives and are far more capable than many people believe. If successful, he will become the first blind man to make the trek by navigating it himself. You can find out more about Mike on his website and follow his progress on his Facebook page.
The blind hiker won't be alone on this trek however, as he'll be accompanied by filmmaker Gary Steffens, who will document the entire hike. Steffens says that he won't do any of the navigating along the way, and that he'll simply follow Hanson up the trail, capturing every moment of the hike.
Mike says that he is making this journey to prove that the visually impaired are still able to lead full, independent lives and are far more capable than many people believe. If successful, he will become the first blind man to make the trek by navigating it himself. You can find out more about Mike on his website and follow his progress on his Facebook page.
Filed under: Hiking, North America, United States, Camping
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Robin Mar 2nd 2010 9:21AM
I interviewed Mike Hanson yesterday, see blog post:
http://backpackbasecamp.com/basecamp/blogengine.net/post/2010/03/02/Interview-with-Blind-AT-Hiker-Walking-2175-Miles.aspx
Scott Mar 2nd 2010 1:20PM
Hey this guy lives in my neighborhood! I see him walking all the time, didn't know he was planning this until he was on the local news. Definitely going to keep up with his progress!
Norene Mar 3rd 2010 12:11AM
The news story was very exciting,until I came to the part on how Mr.Hanson was blind and not able to take in "the sites".The writers comments-Appalachian Trail ,(Kraig Becker) were not of a sensitive "nature".Blind people are very much a where of their senses.Touch,smell,sound,are how blind people experience the world around them. Who ever proof read this ,should do a better job,in researching the subject matter of a story-before printing it.I will keep tabs on Mr.Hanson,and his exciting trip ahead of him.If you are to write another story,when he's done with the hike...I hope you will write it, quoted from Mr.Hansons lips to your ears.From the man who sees the world ,with his whole body
Willy Mar 3rd 2010 7:00AM
Seriously, Norene? YOU are complaining about proofing before publishing?
Norene Mar 5th 2010 9:42AM
This is to Willy...Not the proof reading,silly-the fact that blind people are just like you and me.Only they "see" the world in another way.Have a great day!
dennis Mar 3rd 2010 2:23PM
Congratulations, I sure hope you don't end up in Venezuela like Governor Mark Sanford did.
OU812IC? Mar 3rd 2010 4:31PM
To dennis: good one, said the blind man to the deaf dog.
Dan Mar 3rd 2010 2:34PM
I jist hope he doesn't get attacked and robbed by the illegal aliens from Mexico.
Kristi Mar 3rd 2010 3:37PM
He's not the first!!! Check out the first at billirwin.com!!! He completed it in 1991, before GPS, he did it with a dog. Now that is navigating!!!
Kate Mar 3rd 2010 3:31PM
While Mr. Hanson is certainly undertaking a very ambitious task, he isn't the first blind person to through-hike the Trail. Back in 1990, Bill Irwin (who is also blind) hiked the entire trail aided by his service dog, Orient. Bill had no GPS or other high tech devices to aid him on the hike. His book, Blind Courage tells the story of his hike and how he and Orient overcame many obsticles and the array of people they met while through-hiking the Appy. It's a good read and a true inspiration.
Kraig Mar 3rd 2010 3:47PM
There have been several blind people who have thru-hiked the trail, and yes Bill Irwin is probably the most well known of them thanks to his book. But Bill made the journey in a very different way than Mike is hoping to do. Bill used a guide do along the way, and Mike will be navigating it all on his own through the use of his GPS, something that wasn't really possible back with Irwin took his journey.
Jim Melanson Mar 3rd 2010 3:53PM
I am a ranger along the trail in NY and have met two blind hikers who have done it over the last 30 years.
Sasafras Mar 3rd 2010 4:05PM
Is this the Governor of NY "hiking the Appalachian" like that other politician?!?
citation1947 Mar 3rd 2010 4:12PM
I hope he is able to enjoy the sites along the way.
Fiver8 Mar 3rd 2010 4:56PM
So! Is that fancy talking gps device gonna tell him when he's about to get ass ate up by a big ol' bear?
Kathie Mar 3rd 2010 5:39PM
Bill Irwin, also blind, from NC completed the AT in 1991 with his guide dog.
Peter Mar 3rd 2010 5:55PM
Pretty dangerous enterprise. There are many sections of the AT which run along ridge lines with sudden drop offs, sometimes on both sides. There are lots of unmapped obstacles and poorly maintained places along the way too. To me it makes more sense to have a trained dog as a guide rather than a GPS.
J.L. Bradford Mar 3rd 2010 6:11PM
3/4/10
I certainly wish the best for Mike Hanson. I think he is very brave to start a
project like that, but I am glad that he has the technical help that he will need
to find his way to a safe place. There will be a reporter to record his every move; that's a good thing. Good luck, Mr. Hanson, have an enjoyable trip
and a very safe one.....
Warren Mar 3rd 2010 7:04PM
Have a great time Mike Hanson! The trail is full of experiences for everyone. Don't count on the 15 miles a day though. Most of the trail requires negotiating rocks, step-ups and step-downs which will certainly slow your pace. Even those having full sight capabilities have trouble with 15 miles a day.
Bob Ramar Mar 4th 2010 8:26AM
I live near the Appalachian Trail in northwestern North Carolina and can tell you that he will not get very far if he is starting tomorrow (March 5). We have six to seven feet of snow on the ground all along the Appalachian Main Range (Bald Mountain to Hump Mountain). Also there are lots of blowdowns from the winter storms that have not been cleared (can't get to them).
Regards,
Bob Ramar