When I was asked on December 27, 2000 whether I wanted to be part of the upcoming 2001 National Federation of the Blind Everest expedition, I replied to Dr. Marc Maurer, NFB President, "Sure I would. But of course, you're kidding, right Sir?" He assured me that he most certainly was not joking. Within 48 hours of much discussion and prayer, I had my answer.
This once in a life time opportunity came at an interesting time for me both personally and professionally. As a Rehabilitation Instructor for the blind at Blind Industries and Services of Maryland I was in transition from teaching computer technology to blind people to beginning to teach travel with the long white cane. In considering the historic Mt. Everest NFB expedition I could think of no better challenge to independent travel as a blind person than this one. It is, therefore, with great interest that I offer these thoughts on the subject of independent travel.
I have wide and varied experience in travels both nationally and internationally, in rural and urban areas, with the long white cane and with a dog guide. Nothing could have prepared me adequately for the current trekking experience in the Himalayas save for the helpful consultation of Erik Weihenmayer who is embarking upon his attempt, along with a very talented team of other climbers, to reach the summit of Mt. Everest.
The first thing that I had to learn is that everything that I previously mastered for cane travel, such as sidewalks, street crossings, and shorelining where no sidewalks existed, would be utterly irrelevant in the Khumbu. When we started up the trail to Everest Base Camp I discarded my cane for two adjustable trekking polls which would serve me throughout the remainder of the voyage. This is not to say that everything which I have learned thus far in use of the cane to give me as much information as possible was not useful. On the contrary I firmly believe that it is a strong asset. The trick is to use both of the long trekking polls to determine each step ahead of me for both the left and the right foot. Extending the polls narrowly to determine the smoothest and most direct path before my next steps does this. The position of my hands on the polls is depended upon whether the terrain was up hill or down. As I previously mentioned in my first dispatch from base camp, the trail is cut through rocks and boulders into makeshift stairs, not at all even or uniform. Often narrow footpaths can be detected with the trekking polls between perhaps high boulders and drop off ledges. Teamwork is an absolutely essential element from the planning to the execution of the climb up the largest mountain itself. This being my first experience of its kind, I cannot invision how I could possibly have determined the trail without the persistent guidance of a member of our trekking team carrying a bear bell, used to ward off bears in the mountains of Colorado, and giving helpful information about the terrain ahead of me. For most of the trek the patient and consistent help of a Sherpa friend insured that a misplaced step did not result in a long slide or drop off a boulder or ledge. Balance, sure footedness, and a good dose of patience are key skills to be employed here.
Each day's hike added an average of 2 to 3 thousand vertical feet in altitude increasing the exersion required and slowing the speed of the treker. From the Italian Research Center to Base Camp were moraines, which are rock and gravel hillsides formed by receeding glaciers. I imagined these to resemble more like walking on the moon than anything that I have experienced. Loose and erratic rocks made each step more and more uncertain. Mt. Everest Base Camp is the same rocky glacier with the occasionally added snow cover to contend with.
I hope I have given you a small taste of what the trek was like leading to the 17,600 feet high Base Camp. For Erik Weihenmayer and the climbing team the fun had only just begun.
Check out dispatches from the other team members to get a further idea of the climb itself.
Up here new trails are being blazed for blind people everywhere who might only have dreamed of taking on such an adventure.