Sensei Mike Armstrong (First Blind Man to Thru-hike the Arizona Trail)

Earlier today I was privileged to guide Sensei Mike Armstrong across the Arizona/Utah border. In the past 57 days Mike has hiked 782.3 miles and became the first blind man to hike the Arizona Trail end to end.

When we first set out on this adventure we realized it was ambitious and as we made our way up and down the hills and deserts in the south, climbed over and under trees in the Mazatzals, weathered freak snow storms outside of Flagstaff, and crossed the Grand Canyon rim to rim. We realized this adventure wasn’t just a long hike through Arizona.

It was a life altering journey of hardship through hiking, and the beauty of the Arizona landscape that while Mike cannot see; he was able to experience in a way only a handful of people can share.

While the journey was longer and more treacherous than we imagined, we hiked on. Even with injuries and overwhelming homesickness Mike Armstrong tasted bitter and hiked on until his journey was complete.

Now that the trail is complete he can finally take a much needed vacation with the family he has missed dearly.

Congratulations Sensei Mike Armstrong, you have inspired me and many more with your dedication and perseverance.

-Ben Cane (Sighted Guide)

Mike has told me that his leg is feeling great and he is ready to push out 20+ mile days from here on out. He also said that the terrain has gotten a lot easier as the northern part of the Arizona trail is known to be much more travelled and less rugged than the southern sections.

I will keep everyone updated on his progress as I find out, and I will be joining Mike to guide him from Saturday – Tuesday so you can expect Spot Checkin’s again starting Saturday.

Also here is a video taken by Bob when he joined us during the Mazatzal Divide

Sensei Mike’s regular guides Ben and Yancey unfortunately had to return to work today. Luckily other guides have stepped up to help guide Mike to the finish line.

Sensei Mike is on schedule to finish on Saturday, May 28th.

-Ben

Sunday May 8th – 8.8 Miles – Bear Spring Jct (400 yardsS to spring box; no trail to Fisher Spring)

Monday May 9th – 13.2 Miles -The Park (Get water at Hopi spring or Horse Camp Seep) (no water at the park)

Tuesday May 10th – 14 Miles – LF Ranch

Wednesday May 11th – 15.3 Miles – FR 251 (Need Cache or Meet vehicle)

Thursday May 12th – 8 Miles – Pine

Friday May 13th – 19.3 Miles – FR 300

Saturday May 14th – 16.5 Miles -Hwy 87 ( Possible to drive into Happy Jack or Strawberry )

Sunday May 15th – 19.7 Miles – FR 135

Monday May 16th – 19 Miles -Navajo Spring TJ ( 1 Mile E of Mormon Lake Lodge )

Tuesday May 17th – 25 Miles -Marshall Lake Trailhead (Flagstaff)

Wednesday May 18th – 24 Miles -Marshall Lake Trailhead to Fisher Point TJ then on resupply route to Schultz Pass (Flagstaff)

Thursday May 19th – 22 Miles – FR 523/FR 416

Friday May 20th – 10 Miles – FR 9008A(Cedar Ranch TH)

Saturday May 21th – 25 Miles -Moqui State Station/ Trail 101 TJ

Sunday May 22rd – 19 Miles -Grandview Lookout TH

Monday May 23rd – 23.5 Miles -South Kaibab TH (Tusayan)

Tuesday May 24th – 21 Miles -Grand Canyon

Wednesday May 25th – 21.9 Miles -FR610

Thursday May 26th – 23.1 Miles -FR205B

Friday May 27th – 23.2 Miles -Winter Road

Saturday May 28th – 10 Miles -Utah

We just met with Sarge for resupply and we are eating real food tonight.

All of the X-Rays and Test results show no breaks and the doctors believe it is a mild strain but has recommended Mike stay off of it for 1 – 2 weeks.

Originally Team Armstrong planned on being finished by May 11th but with the injury and difficulty of some of the terrain on the Arizona Trail it may take longer. Mike Armstrong will finish the Arizona Trail; Mike and his Sighted guides are scheduled to get back on the Arizona Trail on Sunday, May 8th.

Today, as I celebrate Easter with my family, I am in pain.  My feet are swollen, my knees ache and I have trouble sitting and standing.  My body is fatigued by the 12-mile, 8-hour trek south of Theodore Roosevelt Lake on the great Arizona Trail.  Yet, with all my pain, I am already looking online to determine when I can go back to join Team Armstrong on their historic hike across Arizona.  I don’t know why my mind drifts back to the grueling trail with its shin high cactus and its toe-crushing, blister-forming rocky terrain.  But here I sit, less than 18 hours after stumbling to my car and heading home for a long, 3am hot tub soak, wondering “When can I go back?”

Then it becomes clear that it’s not the Trail that beckons me.  Rather, I want to be among this great team led by Mike Armstrong.  I want to be part of this adventure.  We all read the great books “Endurance”, “Unbroken”, “Into Thin Air” and imagine ourselves in dire straits and wonder what we would do.  Could we endure so much?  Would we survive?

Stumbling in line with Mike Armstrong and his two great sighted guides, Yancy Herriage and Ben Cane, as they climb up mountains and stagger down valleys only to repeat the process mile after mile, is surreal.  At 11 pm, my knees are giving out.  My mind wonders from my blistering feet, to the cactus in my toes and shins, to my shoulders straining under the weight of my backpack, to my brother’s feet spotlighted by my headlamp as I follow him in the single file line up and down the slippery trail pondering,  “Why am I here?”  But as I listen in the darkness to Mike, Yancy and Ben talk about the cold of Patagonia, the altitude of Mount Lemmon, the tea saucer-size spiders in Sabino Canyon, I realize they are experiencing an adventure only nine hikers a year dare to attempt.  Only 9!  Even Everest boasts 150 climbers a year.

I want to go back.  I want to walk with these heroes again.  I will never be able to boast that I hiked the 807-mile Arizona Trail, but I will be able to taste their adventure, if only for a day.  An adventure I will be able to feel far beyond the closing of a book. I want to be able to tell people I was there when heroes endured and Mike becomes the first blind man to hike the great Arizona Trail.

Parker Canyon Lake from the crest trail on Miller Peak

It’s amazing out there, I don’t know how to describe it, It is incredible feeling the amount of raw wilderness surrounding us. It’s strange yet appealing to travel 20 miles and not hear planes flying overhead, No sounds of traffic, …or signs of today’s technology.

As I look back at the 116 miles we’ve travelled, it leaves me in awe of the beauty and majesty of the country that we have already experienced. One does not have to see to appreciate this treasure.

Life is going to be a serious trip for the next 5 weeks.

God Bless
Sensei Mike