The Disabled Hiker, Feeling Earth, Part 11

Episode 4, Feeling Earth

Part 11, On the Way Home

As the final installment in the Feeling Earth episode, it is my wish to get a little personal with my audience by finally discussing My Life With Invisible Disability.

This past August I had the amazing opportunity to attend the US Pain Foundation Ambassadors Summit, in Parsippany New Jersey. While there, one of the many things I learned was the importance of sharing our own pain story. Advocating to the community and our legislative officials can have a huge impact on the way those living with debilitating illness are viewed and often stigmatized.

As a person living with invisible disability, and understanding that added pain is inevitable on my hikes, over the years I've crafted what I like to call My Back-Home Recovery List. However, as these six ideas are basic in nature, it is essential to consider adding to them and making your own Back-Home Recovery List.

I know a great many of my followers are very inspired by the things I do. And I am so grateful and humbled by this. Which is why I feel it is so very important to let you in on a few things about the filming that goes on behind the scenes. If for no other reason, for safety sake alone.

This year's episode, Feeling Earth, was filmed over the course of three separate hiking trips to the same location. During which I film as much as I possibly can depending on my pain and mobility issues at that time. At the end of the filming season, I chose one of these filmed excursions as the narrative for the episode itself and then added scenes from the other two trips to make sure everything gets included.

The safety of my viewers is of the utmost importance to me so that none of them are injured in any way trying to do as it 'appears that I have done. But I stress that this is an appearance only. And it is my profound wish that by imparting this knowledge about how the episode was created, that it will encourage you to slow down, take as long as you need, only go as far as you can, carry only what you can, and above all else... Come home safely.

In closing, I would like to thank my many subscribers and followers, as well as a long list of wonderful people who helped make Feeling Earth possible.
(Please check out the list in the credits, as all these beautiful people are listed there.)

Until next time my friends,
Happy Hiking.
Terry Craig
~ The Disabled Hiker ~




Check out these other great links from

THE DISABLED HIKER.

The Disabled Hiker on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kjY2wAfE8uq_1gwYihVog

The Disabled Hiker on G+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114850936977149697861/posts

Terry Craig on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/terzhc

The Disabled Hiker on FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/175962465784239/

The Disabled Hiker on Twitter
https://twitter.com/TheDisabledHike

The Disabled Hiker on  Instagram
https://instagram.com/the_disabled_hiker/

The Disabled Hiker on Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/disabledhiker/

The Disabled Hiker on ReverbNation (music)
http://www.reverbnation.com/terrycraig?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

The Disabled Hiker on SoundCloud (music)
https://soundcloud.com/terry-craig-2

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The Disabled Hiker, Feeling Earth, Part-9

Episode 4, Feeling Earth

Part 9, Hanging around for Night Two

A few years after I started hiking, I switched out my tent for a hammock for the first time. For years after, on any hiking trip that was accompanied by exceptionally warm temperatures, I would immediately pull out the backpacking hammock and off I'd go.

Unfortunately, after my surgery, the gathered or whipped ends on the standard backpackers hammock turned this easy and lightweight alternative to a tent, into somewhat of a torture device by crushing my shoulders together and causing me added pain.

Looking to get back some of the freedom that my old hammock once provided, Warbonnet Outdoors LLC came up with the perfect answer to my problems.  ie, the Ridgerunner hammock.

Although there are no knots to tie when hanging the Ridgerunner, the height adjustment buckles could give some with hand and dexterity issues a few problems. But not to worry. I came up with the perfect solution with a little how-to segment entitled, Make a Ridgerunner Adjustment Key. This easy to make and attach tool will make adjustment of the Ridgerunner a breeze, while adding less than 3 grams to the weight.

Hammocks are one of the lightest and easiest ways to access the backcountry. So I am greatly indebted to the folks at Warbonnet Outdoors for helping to returning this wonderful freedom to me.

 Check out these other great links from

THE DISABLED HIKER.

The Disabled Hiker on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kjY2wAfE8uq_1gwYihVog

The Disabled Hiker on G+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114850936977149697861/posts

Terry Craig on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/terzhc

The Disabled Hiker on FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/175962465784239/

The Disabled Hiker on Twitter
https://twitter.com/TheDisabledHike

The Disabled Hiker on  Instagram
https://instagram.com/the_disabled_hiker/

The Disabled Hiker on Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/disabledhiker/

The Disabled Hiker on ReverbNation (music)
http://www.reverbnation.com/terrycraig?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

The Disabled Hiker on SoundCloud (music)
https://soundcloud.com/terry-craig-2

The Disabled Hiker, Feeling Earth, Part-1,

Episode 4, Feeling Earth

Part 1, A Long Hike In

 

Its so great to be back.

Part 1, A Long Hike In (The 1st Half)
Join me as I begin episode 4 by embarking on yet another backpacking trip with my dog TaSunka and a pack full of new, Disabled Hiker friendly backpacking gear, trail advice, and much more.

Besides the usual antics of TaSunka and his little friend in the opening credits, part one begins with TaSunka and I being dropped off on Ashfield Road, in Slatington PA, near the Appalachian Trail, to begin yet another episode of The Disabled Hiker. Despite the chronic pain, depression and anxiety, I continue to do my best to hold onto and reconnect as often as possible too the one thing that brings the most piece to me. The wilderness.
And so begins part one of Feeling Earth, A Long Hike in.

The Disabled Hiker on G+
https://plus.google.com/u/0/114850936977149697861/posts

The Disabled Hiker on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kjY2wAfE8uq_1gwYihVog

Terry Craig on YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/user/terzhc

The Disabled Hiker on FaceBook
https://www.facebook.com/groups/175962465784239/

The Disabled Hiker on Twitter
https://twitter.com/TheDisabledHike

The Disabled Hiker on  Instagram
https://instagram.com/the_disabled_hiker/

The Disabled Hiker on Pinterest
http://www.pinterest.com/disabledhiker/

The Disabled Hiker on ReverbNation (music)
http://www.reverbnation.com/terrycraig?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

The Disabled Hiker on SoundCloud (music)
https://soundcloud.com/terry-craig-2
 

 

The Disabled Hiker, [short clip] Bear Spray Again.

                                            

Bear Spray is a must for the handicapped or physically diminished hiker, if not for all who hike in bear country. But it's important to get the right stuff. I've had a few sails people admittedly try and sell me common pepper spray instead of Bear Spray. But the difference could save your life, and here is why...

Don't forget to check out these other Disabled Hiker links.

The Disabled Hiker on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kjY2wAfE8uq_1gwYihVog
Terry Craig on YouTube http://www.youtube.com/user/terzhc
The Disabled Hiker on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/groups/175962465784239/
The Disabled Hiker on Twitter https://twitter.com/IgmuTanka5
The Disabled Hiker on ReverbNation (music) http://www.reverbnation.com/terrycraig?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav
The Disabled Hiker on SoundCloud (music) https://soundcloud.com/terry-craig-2
The Disabled Hiker on Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/disabledhiker/

IT'S HERE !!!

THE COMPLETE AND UNEDITED EPISODE 3

 

    

Filmed at Lehigh Gap Pa, 

Eps, 3 talks about his new hiking dog and reviews new hiking equipment while delivering his views and techniques on adaptive hiking and camping for the disabled striving to get back into the wilderness.

 ~

Direct link to Ep-3 on YouTube

~

Or Watch Here

 

The Disabled Hiker on YouTube 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3kjY2wAfE8uq_1gwYihVog

Terry Craig on YouTube 

http://www.youtube.com/user/terzhc

The Disabled Hiker on FaceBook  

https://www.facebook.com/groups/175962465784239/

The Disabled Hiker on Twitter 

https://twitter.com/IgmuTanka5

The Disabled Hiker on ReverbNation (music) 

http://www.reverbnation.com/terrycraig?profile_view_source=header_icon_nav

The Disabled Hiker on SoundCloud (music)  

https://soundcloud.com/terry-craig-2

The Disabled Hiker on Pinterest  

http://www.pinterest.com/disabledhiker/

The Disabled Hiker: Episode 3 Video Library

Now you can view Ep3 of The Disabled Hiker, all from this one page. Just click on the link below.

The Disabled Hiker: Episode 3 Video Library: 
The Disabled Hiker LIFE IS CHANGE   pt- 1.  A NEW FRIEND After more than a year, it's great to be back on the trail again. T...

DISABLED HIKER Eps-2 Video Library

EPISODE – 2

Eps-2, Part-1. – THE HIKE IN.

* Filming the second episode became increasingly difficult as the colder months closed in on me. I had dealt with several health issues over the preceding summer months that seemed determined to put me out of action until the following year. However with a little extra cold weather gear I was able to pull it off.
In hindsight I would say I had everything I needed except for one thing. Something I left behind in order to save a little weight in my pack. But that item will become apparent in part -8 of eps-2.
For now just sit back and enjoy part-1. The Hike In, with the same assumptions I had at the time..... ie; I had everything I needed with me.

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Eps-2, Part-2. – WHY A TENT?

* This part of episode 2 dives into some of the little things to look for when looking for the proper campsite. Especially when you have back problems. Simply doubling up on the sleeping pads you carry can really enhance the experience. As well part two also touches on why one would prefer a tent over a hammock especially in cooler temperatures. This one's for you chronic pain sufferers as there is not one among us that does not suffer at the hands of the cold icy dagger-like grip that comes along with being slightly hyperthermic. Often I think because of the pain I've become acutely sensitive to the cold. So staying warm is essential if I intend to enjoy myself out there.

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Eps-2, Part-3. –BEAR BAGS. WHY, WHERE, AND ATLATL'S.

* Strangely enough the word Atlatl was the most accurate term I could find to describe the ball throwing device. The Atlatl was a prehistoric spear throwing lever that enabled prehistoric man to bring down things as large as mastodons and mammoths. And just calling it a ball throwing who–jiggy–ma–whatsit just didn't sound right to me. However considering the modifications I had to make sticking with it's store-bought name wasn't such a hot idea either in my mind. Just imagine a world where when you saw a need for something useful you simply created it. Yup, that's where I live.
When it comes to hanging a bear bag just when I think I've seen it all someone comes along and proves to me that I can still be surprised from time to time. Such as the group of young folks I saw who preferred to hang their bear bag directly over their tent while boldly stating, "There! If the bear wants my food he's going to have to stand on me to get it." ..... I don't know what made this gentleman think that a bear would not be more than happy to stand on him to get to his food. But these are the people I like to camp far far away from. Especially after losing so much mobility. There's an old joke about two men standing in the woods. One turns to the other and says, "If a bear attacks remember, I don't have to worry about out running the bear. I just have to worry about out running you." I always remember that joke when I see a bear. And then looking back at my hiking dog I start to wonder. Hmmm. Did he hear this joke before too?

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Eps-2, Part-4. – THE SHIYO WILDERNESS DOG RUN.

* THE SHIYO WILDERNESS DOG RUN is one I experimented with for many years. Even though S'iyo was never much for running off. Their were plenty of times where I needed to know that he was not going beyond his boundaries. Such as while I was setting up camp and he tended to be a little underfoot. Which as you can imagine is something that gets a little interesting for me. It also comes in handy In the wee morning hours when your hiking partner wants to go find that special tree that needs watering out there somewhere, and you don't exactly feel like climbing out of your nice warm sleeping bag to go watch the selection process.

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Eps-2, Part-5. – * A PAIN IN THE WOODS.

                         * THE HOOK.

                         * THE REAL WORLD.

* A PAIN IN THE WOODS. Most of us who have survived 15 years or more on heavy pain meds have stories about overdoing it. Striving so hard to achieve that pain free feeling once so familiar to you comes at a heavy cost. At one time I thought that cost was a necessary evil of my situation. I seem to constantly be hiding the amount of pain I was in from my supervisors at work and even from my family. But, just as all bad ideas do. It led to some serious consequences. And so although I may say I wish the drugs were stronger. I know the consequences of that as well and today I'm content to just keep on wishing.

* THE HOOK I had originally designed after becoming frustrated when attempting to throw my knives as I had once done in order to get some much needed exercise. However my skills had diminished over time and the constant bending and squatting to pick up missed blades quickly took its toll. Soon after I started I would be in pain. The whole idea was to take something I used to love and use it to get some amount of exercise. But this wasn't working at all. At first I tried one of those store-bought grabber devices. However the blades proved to be too heavy for the jaws to maintain a grip on them. Then it occurred to me that almost every blade had at least some whole and the handle and that perhaps something as simple as an L shaped hook was all I really needed. I soon found myself lasting a full 10 min. at a time throwing my knives. Twice as long as before considering before creating this little gem I would have spent most of that time adding to my pain making any exercise I got from it counterproductive and frustrating. This little invention really blossomed though as soon as I took it hiking with me. I keep it close in case I drop a walking stick or other gear while wearing my pack. I've even found myself tying little loops of string on many of my things so they can be more easily retrieved by The Hook should I drop them.

* As for THE REAL WORLD? ...... it's real and it's out there, so get out there and enjoy it.

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Eps-2, Part-6. – *THE BIG FALL.

* After years of hiking Pennsylvania trails I can honestly say that falling today does not scare me anymore or any less than falling when I was completely healthy. To be honest, it scares the crap out of you just as much. Often when falling the only thing there to catch you is a pile of rocks. All pointing upwards sharply of course. If you're lucky you can turn and land on your pack. Sadly and more often than not you come down on your knees adding catastrophe to injury. Even the healthiest of hikers can be taken out by a single and seemingly innocent fall. I guess that's why, as the old saying goes. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Early in my disabled hiking days I decided it's just better to be prepared then to be put out of action. And part six has everything you need to be ready for, The Big Fall.

* Even though he is not in the frame most of the time my dog S'iyo was a very big part of filming this segment. As I laid there recording he stood constant and silent watch over me standing just a few feet off the right. In fact he always made me feel well protected out there. It is for this reason that at the end of part six you will notice a short remembrance of my protector and friend S'iyo S'unka. There is no love so deep as that of a faithful dog.

                                 
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Eps-2, Part-7. –  D.H. EQUIPMENT REVIEW.

             * THE TEA LIGHT CANDLE LANTERN.

* My daughter Jamie bought this for me for Christmas a few years back when I was in the process of trying to find lighter gear. These candle lanterns are the lightest and from what I've found they are also very well made. Sadly however I cannot say the same about the tea light candles manufactured to put into them. Even the more expensive ones seem to have this common flaw to their design. Part seven goes over how you can turn the cheapest of tea light candles into a Tea Light Powerhouse for your lantern.

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Eps-2, Part-8. – * NIGHT VISITOR.

               *EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED.

* Encounters with wildlife, the land and water. Even the elements. That's one of the biggest reasons I still love to go out there. "Surprise me Mother Nature!" Let's just say that this night however, was just full of surprises.

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Eps-2, Part-9. – *PACKING AIDS.

* Often packing and unpacking can be a tiring chore in itself. Part nine sheds light on a few methods I've come to really appreciate over the years. Used in conjunction with The Hook (featured in part 5.) I can easily pack everything myself as well is put my own pack on without adding to my pain and discomfort.... Well, most of the time anyway.

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Eps-2, Part-10. – * TIME TO GO HOME.

* As a footnote to part 10. Please be careful when attempting to get out there again. Take every precaution. Never hike alone. Always carry bear spray, a whistle, and a cell phone. Don't overdo it by expecting too much of yourself. And most of all and at the top of your list above all the others, Have Fun out There. It's your world too. And you deserve your piece of it and place in it.
Mitakuye Oyasi
(we are all related.)
Terry Craig ~the Disabled Hiker

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The Disabled Hiker: Tas'unka's Trail

:"Hi my name is Tas'unka  and I'm Terry's new hiking partner. I came to Terry through the Save Our Saint's, St. Bernard ..."



 Check out the full story at 

The Disabled Hiker. Tas'unka's Trail