Trevor Thomas (hiker)

Trevor Thomas is the world's only professional long-distance blind hiker. He was the first blind person to complete the Appalachian Trail[1][2] on an unassisted solo hike in 2008.[3][4] He has hiked more than 20,000 miles.[5] He hikes with a guide dog,[6] and uses sophisticated digital technology, emailing his route to his phone to convert to audible sections, using echo location to identify obstacles, and having a satellite beacon which updates his Facebook page with his location every 10 minutes: if he is in the wrong place or not making the expected progress his expedition coordinator is alerted.[3] He supports himself through speaking, writing, blogging and sponsorship, and has set up the Team FarSight Foundation to support young blind people in outdoor activities.[3][5]

He has hiked the Pacific Crest Trail, the Tahoe Rim Trail, the John Muir Trail, Long Trail, the Colorado Trail, and the North Carolina's Mountain to Sea Trail. He has climbed to the summits of Mt. Mitchell, Mt. Rose, Mt. Whitney, Mt. Elbert,[7] and Mt. Friel.[8]

Thomas lost his sight at age 36.[9]

Guide dogs

Thomas's first guide dog was Tennille,[10] who was born 27 November 2010 and accompanied him from 2012 until she retired in 2018. Together they walked over 10,000 miles and climbed five 14,000 ft summits.[11] In 2016 she was said to be "currently the only dual mode dog capable of performing backcountry guide work in addition to her standard guiding duties".[10]

His new dog is Honolulu or Lulu. They met in October 2018. As of March 2019, Thomas is training Lulu for her new role.[12]

References
  1. "5 Questions to a Pedestrian: Trevor Thomas, the Blind Hike". www.huffpost.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  2. "Blind Faith". www.charlottemagazine.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  3. Morris, Sophie (2015-11-11). "Blind hiker uses satellite technology to find his way". The Independent. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  4. Beaven, Steve (2010-08-29). "Blind hiker Trevor Thomas stops in Cascade Locks on trek to conquer Pacific Crest Trail". oregonlive.com. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  5. "Trevor Thomas breaks all rules of being blind; long-distance hiking the Appalachian Trail saved his life". The Denver Post. 2016-06-22. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  6. Kumutat, Lee (2015-09-11). "The blind hiker who takes on the wilderness". Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  7. Health, Mary Shinn; Thursday, topics reporter; July 30; Thursday, 2015 8:43 AM Updated; July 30; Pm, 2015 3:15. "For this hiker, stunning vistas aren't required". Durango Herald. Retrieved 2019-03-04.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  8. "Inspiring Story of Trevor Thomas, a Hiker Who Is Blind". www.perkinselearning.org. Retrieved 2019-03-04.
  9. Abrahamson, Jake (2014-03-05). "Second Sight". Sierra Magazine. Retrieved 2020-05-11.
  10. Schenker, Michelle (16 September 2016). "Top Dog Interview: Blind Hiker Trevor Thomas' Dog Tennille". Canine Journal. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  11. Thomas, Trevor. "About Tennille". Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  12. Thomas, Trevor. "About Honolulu, "Lulu"". Retrieved 5 March 2019.


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