Different Socks
11-16-2011, 00:58
Knowing that my left eye may never fully heal so that i may be hiking a trail with both someday, what are some of the things you have seen a hiker/backpacker cope with when it comes to thru hiking the AT? Or any other trail?
What I mean by that is this: When I leave to go on a trail, I have to deal with a strong hearing loss, bad knees, a moderate to strong prescription for my eyes and now I may have to hike with the use of only one eye.
I've seen people with prosthetics or missing an arm, using a cane(s) to help their legs, and even met one thru hiker in Troutdale that was deaf and rarely spoke. Hell, I even met Bill Irwin the year after he thru hiked the trail--and he was blind!! These people are courageous for dealing with and coping with these things.
So what are some of the ailments, handicaps, injuries, or other mental and physical problems have you seen hikers have to deal with in order to just start a hike(or thru hike)AND keep going?
What I mean by that is this: When I leave to go on a trail, I have to deal with a strong hearing loss, bad knees, a moderate to strong prescription for my eyes and now I may have to hike with the use of only one eye.
I've seen people with prosthetics or missing an arm, using a cane(s) to help their legs, and even met one thru hiker in Troutdale that was deaf and rarely spoke. Hell, I even met Bill Irwin the year after he thru hiked the trail--and he was blind!! These people are courageous for dealing with and coping with these things.
So what are some of the ailments, handicaps, injuries, or other mental and physical problems have you seen hikers have to deal with in order to just start a hike(or thru hike)AND keep going?