Mike Armstrong » team armstrong http://blindmotivation.com Blind Musician, Adventurer, and Martial Arts Instructor Mon, 15 Jul 2013 00:21:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.6.1 First blind man to thru-hike the Arizona Trail http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/29/first-blind-man-to-thru-hike-the-arizona-trail/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/29/first-blind-man-to-thru-hike-the-arizona-trail/#comments Sun, 29 May 2011 06:17:17 +0000 admin http://blindmotivation.com/?p=588 Mike Armstrong (in Blue)

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)

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/29/first-blind-man-to-thru-hike-the-arizona-trail/feed/ 3 Update from Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/27/update-from-team-armstrong-3/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/27/update-from-team-armstrong-3/#comments Fri, 27 May 2011 04:38:54 +0000 Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/?p=586 Passed the 750-mile mark of the Arizona Trail today. Team Armstrong will complete this 807-mile journey at noon Saturday. FBC CEO Marc Ashton hiked with me for 22 miles Wednesday along along East Rim of Grand Canyon–finished in under 10 hours!

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/27/update-from-team-armstrong-3/feed/ 1 Check in from Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/23/check-in-from-team-armstrong/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/23/check-in-from-team-armstrong/#comments Mon, 23 May 2011 04:25:40 +0000 Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/?p=584 We finished off 24 miles and arrived in Tusayan, we got to the hotel about 7pm and enjoyed a steak dinner. Both Sensei’s feet are sore and mine are pretty well blistered. We are both tired but we only have 10 miles tomorrow where we will arrive at Yaki Point.

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/23/check-in-from-team-armstrong/feed/ 3 Arizona Trail Checkin http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/17/arizona-trail-checkin/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/17/arizona-trail-checkin/#comments Tue, 17 May 2011 01:37:03 +0000 Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/?p=571 Just checked in with Mike Armstrong’s logistics support and even though the GPS was giving them issues Shane and Sensei Mike have completed 21 miles today.

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

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/17/arizona-trail-checkin/feed/ 0 Team Armstrong’s New Itinerary http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/13/team-armstrongs-new-itinerary/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/13/team-armstrongs-new-itinerary/#comments Fri, 13 May 2011 02:41:41 +0000 Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/?p=563 Just in case you are wondering attached is Team Armstrong’s new schedule.

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

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/13/team-armstrongs-new-itinerary/feed/ 0 Checking from Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/12/checking-from-team-armstrong/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/12/checking-from-team-armstrong/#comments Thu, 12 May 2011 00:50:18 +0000 Team Armstrong http://blindmotivation.com/?p=557 Evidently our spot messages for the past few days didn’t go through but we have now finished Passage 25 and we are one day away from Strawberry/Pine. We stayed at LF Ranch last night and it was awesome. Great food, a hot shower, and a bed was great!

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

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/05/12/checking-from-team-armstrong/feed/ 1 Blind Hiker sets out to trek Arizona (Video) http://blindmotivation.com/2011/04/30/blind-hiker-sets-out-to-trek-arizona-video/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/04/30/blind-hiker-sets-out-to-trek-arizona-video/#comments Sat, 30 Apr 2011 12:12:24 +0000 admin http://blindmotivation.com/?p=533 Team Armstrong stopped in with Channel 12 news on April 28th. Here is the segment in case you didn’t get to watch it.

]]> http://blindmotivation.com/2011/04/30/blind-hiker-sets-out-to-trek-arizona-video/feed/ 0 Day 3 update from the road http://blindmotivation.com/2011/04/05/day-3-update-from-the-road/ http://blindmotivation.com/2011/04/05/day-3-update-from-the-road/#comments Tue, 05 Apr 2011 04:03:22 +0000 admin http://blindmotivation.com/?p=444 Day 3 down we did 16 miles today and it was much easier than the past 2 days. Tonight and Tomorrow we are in Patagonia for rest and staying in this awesome ranch http://www.spirittreeinn.com/

We are all pretty sore, tired, and I think my calluses are getting callus.

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