|
Post by andyc251 on Apr 26, 2007 14:53:35 GMT -5
So, I just wanted to get some ideas, advice and input from the wheelers on here about adventure sports and expeditions. I'm thinking about leading an expedition/adventure holiday for other wheelers next year and wanted to know what kind of things you would want to do if you were to go on a trip like that. At the moment I'm thinking of probably two weeks in the Canadian Rockies, hancycling to the summit of a mountain (taking about 4 days) before biking down the other side (woot!) to a river and then kayaking a 100km or so for another 3 or 4 days. I want it to be an actual arm power expedition, not something where AB volunteers just pull you up the hills and will probably use the One-Off Titanium Offroad Machines with all the wheelers powering themselves up, and two AB's on ATV four wheelers carrying the camping supplies and acting as tow trucks if needed. The kayaking will be on open decked boats like this one and be on a flat water river with a rescue boat. Does anyone think it sounds like a good idea, have any suggestions or ideas about anything else that could be included (I will be including paragliding at some stage but I have to get some specialised equipment designed and made first) or just any input at all. Thanks guys.
|
|
|
Post by Ouch on Apr 26, 2007 16:27:52 GMT -5
Hmm...sounds like you've got it pretty well planned out. I'd say white-water rafting, but that might be a little too out there. Hunting depending on what time of year, may also be an idea, again, it's not exactly, 'mainstream' so to speak.
There's a sort of thing like you're talking about that goes on in New Hampshire (United States), some mountain biking and kayaking in one trip.
|
|
|
Post by Triassic on Apr 27, 2007 7:46:00 GMT -5
Wow, guys...clawing your way up a mountain using arm strength alone sounds like ah, a Really Bad Idea. That's way beyond the upper body's design specs, surely. I don't see how the muscles, ligaments and tissues of the arms and shoulders could take that punishment w/out injury over time. Going DOWN the mountain souinds fun, tho.
|
|
|
Post by Ouch on Apr 27, 2007 9:54:27 GMT -5
Well he didn't mention 'climbing or "clawing"' so to speak, but actually, adding some legit mountain climbing does sound like a logical add-on.
I s'pose it would be different for different people, but it's entirely possible to climb/bike up/through the mountains...a few years back I did a trip through the Applachians, an awesome experience.
|
|
|
Post by andyc251 on Apr 27, 2007 18:18:21 GMT -5
Tri, Yeah I know its not what the shoulders were designed for, but its pretty much the only way to go now-a-days, huh I know that over time its going to cause damgae, but its only a few days and not exactly 'clawing', its on all-terrain handcycles, which have awesome low range gears and transmissions, you have to go up them to enjoy going down the other side somehow. I know the ski resorts change to bike trails in the summer and you can use the chair lifts to go up much easier, but this is more about getting back into the wilderness again and enjoying the freedom of making it to summit and looking back over the terrain you have covered. Actually I think going down the other side could well be MORE damaging than going up, as basically your shoulders will be absorbing the impact of every little bump on the trail, that kind of shock is going to have a bigger and more immediate impact than the stress of going up. We will be taking ropes and 'winching' eachother up parts too steep to handcycle, with ATV's used to tow if they are needed. Windrider, I really want to do some whitewater stuff in time, but to start with things will be on flat water until I get comfortable with a company that can deal with the needs of a group of wheelers on a raft. I might well put in a rock climb section if its possible too, Im going down to the 'No Barriers Festival' in june to see what techniques are available and such, should be pretty good I think. Allthough I can just imagine peoples reactions if I was to take them climbing somewhere: Wheeler Dude: So youre sure this is safe? Andy: Oh yeah, dont worry I know what Im doing, trust me. Wheeler Dude: So how did you end up in a wheelchair again? Andy: ..........................Um. ;D <<edited because I cant type>>
|
|
|
Post by Ouch on Apr 27, 2007 22:21:34 GMT -5
Cool, keep us informed, I might have to make my way out there if time and money permits.
|
|
|
Post by Ray T on Apr 28, 2007 1:29:30 GMT -5
all i can think of is where do i go to join in on this.... I have all ready been kayacking once on flat watter it was a blast... may want to think about tandom boats for the higher paras and quads also I have a ATV that I have adapted so i could come with that to help tow as needed lol...
|
|
|
Post by Triassic on Apr 28, 2007 4:55:48 GMT -5
One thing that gets me-Tony and I were talking about this f2f the other day-is how many paras and wheelers are, by nature, by inclination, athletes, outdoorsmen, etc...VERY active guys used to maxing out their bodies.
I certainly was as a kid; I biked, rode horses, SCUBA dived, played kinetically, and loved it. Stephen Hawking is said to have been always moving, always up and about as a kid.
But there are LOTS of guys whose idea of 'exercize' is struggling up out of the recliner to trudge 20 feet to the fridge for another beer. They don't walk one step beyond what necessity demands.
I wonder; would paralysis even bother a guy like that?
|
|
|
Post by Ouch on Apr 28, 2007 8:22:07 GMT -5
I count myself in the ranks of the 'athletic'.
...I've read different about Hawking though...he did engage in some collegiate athletics, he was a part of the crew team at Cambridge...but from what he's said himself, was that he was never really athletic, but ironically enough, his involvement in the crew team, was how he discovered his ALS.
It is sad of those you speak in the latter, sometimes, even though it is wrong, I wish they would have to deal with a day of what we deal with, so they can see that some things they take for granted are an ordeal for us at time.
|
|
|
Post by Pony on Apr 29, 2007 12:42:21 GMT -5
Glad you brought that up, Tri-man...i was extremely active and loved playing sports (Basketball, Tennis, Swimming, Running, Weight-lifting and playing guitar), so i literally had to build a new self-identity, or re-channel my athletic energies, and musical energies, which i became a singer out of necessity. I still workout in my own way, exercising the muscles i have use over, but i miss sports and playing instruments in a TERRIBLE way.
Now, about the lethargic lazy bastards you mentioned, my brother-in-law and guitarist i play music with are complete slugs. They don't do ANYTHING physical - nothing!!! I would hate myself if i had all my faculties and did absolutely ZERO with them. Neither guy will work, or do anything outside that requires any exertion. I'm amazed their heart doesn't just stop.
On one hand, i can see them ending up in chair, and nothing changing, but i'll bet you it's the opposite. I think they would be the biggest PUSSIES ever about it, and claim they're losing sooooo much, when it's guys like us that are really losing more than they will ever know.
|
|
|
Post by dolly on Apr 29, 2007 15:32:04 GMT -5
Allthough I can just imagine peoples reactions if I was to take them climbing somewhere: Wheeler Dude: So youre sure this is safe? Andy: Oh yeah, dont worry I know what Im doing, trust me. Wheeler Dude: So how did you end up in a wheelchair again? Andy: ..........................Um. ;D lmao. your idea sounds really cool, andy. let me know if you guys need a water girl....
|
|
|
Post by Triassic on Apr 30, 2007 8:00:31 GMT -5
That's pretty interesting Jason; that far from bothering him, being a quad fulfilled his dreams. He's an extreme, and not very positive example, tho. I was more thinking of a regular couch potato-a guy whose life revolves aroung TV, video games, sedentary work, and sleep. Or like an ex-friend of mine who could easily spend SIXTEEN HOURS per day at the computer, day in day out. These guys-well, would paralysis change how they live all that much.
Jason, your example of a drunken hillbilly quad reminded me of a guy I met a few years ago. He was a para I met in a mall parking lot. He'd locked himself out of his car, so I used my AAA card to get help for him. So as we're waiting, he told me his story; ex-army guy, heavy partier, semi outlaw and scammer, got into a drunken ATV accident a dozen years ago...and as his monologue(he was totally self focussed-didnt ask one thing about me) continued, I realized; this dude HASNT CHANGED ONE BIT. Because he was still living now exactly as he had pre-injury; drinking, drugs, lowlife stuff, etc. The injury and a dozen years as a para hadn't caused any re-examination of his life.
t made me wonder how much one's basic self remains unchained even through 'transforming' events; maybe a whole lot.
|
|
|
Post by Triassic on Apr 30, 2007 8:04:57 GMT -5
Ooops, I meant to write Unchanged instead of Unchained.
|
|
|
Post by E on Apr 30, 2007 9:17:50 GMT -5
I was born disabled, so I've never been athletic -- I never had any athletic spirit to lose... I didn't have to give up soccer, but I'll say I definitely notice I'm in a wheelchair. And it's surely affecting my life.
|
|
|
Post by Pony on Apr 30, 2007 17:04:35 GMT -5
After my post of how much i miss since my car accident, i have to add that there's been a lot of positive things that's been added to my life, and i don't really know what would have happened to me if SCI didn't. There's something to be said for having your back shoved against the wall...you have to reach down deep, find out who you are. Being in a chair MAGNIFIES everything; therefore, if you're an idiot, you become a BIG idiot. If you really have some strength, talent, good qualities, i believe they come out more. Sorry to say, but i've met many jerks in chairs, and i always thought they were probably jerks before, too. In my case, i found great things in my life after SCI, but at same time, it's very hard to give up so much to find them. Still, it's all about attitude. At the end of the day we all have weakness and strength, just what you focus on.
|
|