FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — Michael Armstrong stood at the starting point for the path to Marshall Lake near Flagstaff Arizona earlier this month.
His rain gear was to protect him from the cold. Her hands clutched his poli guantati excursions. His pack and his head covered by the cold caused by light drizzle, smiled a sketchy.
"Okay," he said. "Let's Go."
And off he went to try another 24 miles of Arizona before leaving for the day. One would be hard-pressed to understand that he is blind.
Feat of Armstrong's 41 years of hiking the entire trail Arizona 807 km was made for a purpose. He wants to raise $ 43,000 put 43 children through a summer program from the non-profit foundation for blind children to help them realize their potential.
"It really helps children expand their horizons," he said.
The Foundation helped him when he went blind at age 26 from a hereditary disease that hit her retina. Prosthetic eyes now.
The Foundation helped him with the execution of his martial arts, improved his skills and he returned to tours. In addition to running his own shop in martial arts, Armstrong also plays the drums into three groups. The help that he received at the Foundation has given the desire of wanting to help the children to believe that they are able to more than people think to inspire.
"Really it saddens me to see a child to live a life away when they can do much more," he said.
The Foundation's summer camp helps children learn the skills necessary to achieve greater independence, according to the information provided by the Foundation. The Foundation started in 1952, served more than 2,000 children and adults last year.
"It's amazing to hear in their voices as they changed the way they think what they can and cannot do," Armstrong said of the children attending the summer camp.
A sedentary lifestyle, before his blindness, Armstrong began his journey on the trail, Arizona, on April 2. He's going to be on the border of Utah from Saturday.
Originally had planned on the excursion taking 40 days, but he injured his foot on the step four peaks and was immobilized for a week of recovery. For the first half of the route, he averaged 16 km per day. But, now, in the northern half, he and his guides are averaging closer to 20 km per day.
For the first mile 522, guide Ben Reed and Yancey Herriage used a cow's Bell attached to a stick of long excursions to lead Armstrong. As he hears the doorbell, he uses his trekking poles to "feel out of the ground." On the most treacherous portions of the trail, which has a guide to seeing behind him to ensure his safety.
"If I'm heading to the edge of a cliff, he is right there to make sure it doesn't get too out of line," added Armstrong.
The cow Bell duties are now shared between multiple people who serve as guides.
As regards the daily grind of pumping out two-digit mileage, said, laughing, "I have adapted to it. But surely I'll sleep well tonight. "
Even if he was sleeping in a tent for most of the time, took four days off on his trip. In Flagstaff, received a stay at the Best Western Pony Soldier.
"The biggest advantage of a hotel is able to take a hot shower," he said.
Peace Surplus to Flagstaff was the main sponsor of his effort. He travels with the logistic support of people along the way. On parts of the trail where he is able to receive logistical support, he brings up to 45 pounds of supplies and tools to push him in his pack.
Some portions of the trail Arizona must still be completed, requiring alternative routes. Some sections are well marked and other sections have almost no markings, Armstrong said.
"We're kind of taking it day by day, following the GPS and the book data," he said.
The experience, he said, was amazing.
"Although I am totally blind and can't see the ground, I can try it through smell and sound," said Armstrong. He added that when he hears his voice guides at their pleasure, with "oohs" and "ahhs" gets pleasure in that, too.
Sometimes, when the soil is challenging and frustrating, said he remembers why he is doing.
"It is also uplifting to hear about people who are inspired by what I'm doing this," he said.
Armstrong said that he is eager to complete the trip and get back his wife and three children for a planned vacation to Disneyland.
Before tackling the Arizona trail, Armstrong hiked the Grand Canyon Rim to rim to rim. He also set a world record, reaching the top of Mount Kilimanjaro in Africa with seven other hikers.
For his future plans, he said that he definitely is planning to climb Mount Whitney next year. He is also training to do triathlons and do a tandem bike ride from the Pacific coast to the Atlantic coast.
His motivation: "the feeling of accomplishment when I do. The feeling of not being blind. The exhilaration of accomplishing these goals just makes me feel less blind. "
And his advice to other blind people who may feel limited by their blindness? http://hikingholiday.org
"Is there a way to accomplish anything, as long as you put your mind and your heart in it." he said. "The greatest handicap is in the mind".
So far, Armstrong's trek along the path of Arizona raised $ 17,000. He is still confident that he can raise $ 43,000 by the end of the trip.
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Information from: Arizona Daily Sun http://www.azdailysun.com/,
