[pct-l] wheeled backpack

[Timothy Nye]

This, it would seem to me, would be akin to service dogs being allowed in national parks where dogs are otherwise banned.  I imagine medical certification as to the necessity of this type of alternative conveyance would be a requirement.  However, the terrain and resulting ergonomic forces and torsion on the spine may actually render this approach impractical or even harmful. Hence the importance of medical advice, probably from an orthopedist, as to it's advisability.

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 20, 2013, at 12:13 PM, Dan Jacobs <youroldpaldan at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Jan 20, 2013 11:47 AM, "Robert E. Riess" <robert.riess at cox.net> wrote:
>> 
>> Wheeled conveyances are prohibited anywhere on the PCT, even for trail
>> maintenance crews.  Hike on!  Good luck to the Class of 2013.  BR
> 
> I hope that handicapped people aren't stopped by the idea that their
> wheeled conveyance isn't allowed and they are barred from sharing even a
> brief once in a lifetime experience. I would hope that there would be more
> support for this kind of thing, and no, it doesn't mean opening up trails
> where bicycles and motor vehicles are barred. Not everyone can own a horse,
> llama, or a couple of goats. If the fellow's feet walk the trail, he's a
> hiker, whether his load is on an animal or a one wheeled load carrier
> designed for a single track trail. One wheeled pack carriers don't eat,
> urinate or defecate, so I see this as a valid attempt to practice LNT for a
> handicapped person.
> 
> There is no good reason I can think of to ban handicapped people from a
> reasonable accommodation to enjoy the wilderness just because they have
> found a way to carry their load that involves a wheel. Putting thirty
> pounds of kit on a ten pound frame with a wheel on it does not do the
> damage that a bicycle and rider and their kit would, so don't even try i to
> make that comparison unless you want to advertise your extremism and belief
> in exclusivity. Some might anyway, and while I respect your beliefs, it
> didn't mean that anyone else had to believe as you, or I, do, or practice
> as you might peach.
> 
> It belongs as much to you and me as it does to my handicapped wife with
> arthritic knees or a young man with issues that prevent him from carrying
> his load on his shoulders. If his feet and/or shoes push directly against
> the ground to move it all, then he's a hiker in my mind, and I hope he has
> the wonderful kind of experience that many before have had. He deserves it
> as much as anyone else does.
> 
> Dan Jacobs
> Washougal
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