By Chris Richards
Arizona Daily Wildcat
September 30, 1997

Sound of the Woods

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat Sean McMahon, undeclared junior, takes part in this weekend's Outdoor Adventures trip to the Chiricahuas. The trip, co-sponsored by the Center for Disability Related Resources, was designed for blind and visually impaired.

Sean McMahon is speaking in his best tour-guide voice. "And looking out of the van to our left is a another important series of mountains, small tan-colored mounds of various sizes. If you look off to our right ..."

We're traveling along Interstate 10, east of Tucson, and what he's saying is kind of right, after all, there are mountains around.

But what's odd is that McMahon, an undecided junior, has no idea what's on either side of the highway. It doesn't matter. He's blind.

What he's actually doing is poking gentle fun at me and the rest of us who can see.

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat

Beginning last fall, UA Outdoor Adventures, the Center for Disability Related Resources and an informal group of visually impaired UA students have made camping trips into the wilderness around Tucson. We were returning from one of those trips, an overnight in the Chiricahua mountains of southeastern Arizona.

They're a fairly remote range, and boast seven forested peaks higher than 9,000 feet. It's pretty, visually speaking, but that wasn't really the point.

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat

For students who are blind, scenic vistas and postcard sunsets don't matter nearly as much as stuff they might trip over.

Unfortunately, that didn't stop myself and others from providing non-stop commentary on everything in sight. McMahon and the others were polite enough to put up with it, or, in this case, generous enough to make fun of it.

After camping Friday night, we spent Saturday hiking a ridge trail, turning around to pack up and make Tucson by nightfall. We moved at an easy pace, taking time to touch bark and smell pine cones, talking about school, life and adventures. I found out that Cheryl Fogle, a first year anthropology graduate student, has more camping experience than I do, despite being blind from birth. She's even hiked the Grand Canyon.

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat Cheryl Fogle, first year anthropology graduate student, sets up her tent as her guide dog, Feather, looks on.

Others talked of rafting, rock climbing and mountaineering. Psychology senior Dave Talas is the CEDRR staff member who got this program rolling, and he aims to lead trips himself soon, despite his visual impairment. Nothing is out of the question.

So what is the point of camping for students who are blind?

All the things that make up any good trip: Wood smoke and campfires, cool breezes and hot cocoa. Loud jokes to keep away the bears. The good-tired you get from carrying a pack. Adventure. Fun. Friends.

Chris Richards Arizona Daily Wildcat