Trevor Thomas (born ) is the world's only professional long-distance blind hiker and has hiked over solo. He was the first blind person to complete the

Appalachian Trail The Appalachian Trail (also called the A.T.), is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, extending almost between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, and passing through 14 states.Gailey, Chris (2006)"Appalachian ...

on an unassisted solo hike, in 2008. He hikes with a

guide dog Guide dogs (colloquially known in the US as seeing-eye dogs) are assistance dogs trained to lead blind or visually impaired people around obstacles. Although dogs can be trained to navigate various obstacles, they are red–green colour blin ...

, 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. 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. He has hiked the

Pacific Crest Trail The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), officially designated as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail, is a long-distance hiking and equestrian trail closely aligned with the highest portion of the Cascade and Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, which lie ...

, the

Tahoe Rim Trail The Tahoe Rim Trail is a 170-mile (274 km) long-distance hiking trail that forms a loop around the Lake Tahoe Basin in the Sierra Nevada and ranges of Nevada and California in the United States.Hauserman, Tim ''The Tahoe Rim Trail'' The trail ...

, the

John Muir Trail The John Muir Trail (JMT) ( Paiute: Nüümü Poyo, ''N-ue-mue Poh-yo'') is a long-distance trail in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, passing through Yosemite, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. From the northern terminus a ...

Long Trail The Long Trail is a hiking trail located in Vermont, running the length of the state. It is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States, constructed between 1910 and 1930 by the Green Mountain Club. The club remains the primary organiza ...

, 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, and Mt. Friel. Thomas lost his sight at age 36.

Guide dogs

Thomas's first guide dog was Tennille, who was born 27 November 2010 and accompanied him from 2012 until she retired in 2018. Together they walked over and climbed five summits. 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". His new dog is Honolulu or Lulu. They met in October 2018. , Thomas was training Lulu for her new role.

References

External links

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Team FarSight Foundation website
1960s births Year of birth missing (living people) Living people Hikers Long distance walkers Sportspeople with a vision impairment American mountain climbers {{US-bio-stub