Blind AT Thru Hiker Zero/Zero

Trevor Thomas of Charlotte, NC successfully completed a Thu-Hike of the AT this fall. While that’s commendable, Trevor deserves special recognition for being blind and successfully hiking the 2,172 miles. His trail name, Zero/Zero, refers to his visual acuity, which is the result of a degenerative condition which began about 5 years ago.

“I started just to prove to me that my world was not getting smaller,” said Trevor. “My goal when I started was just to see if I could make two days, then three. The greatest thing is, I turned into an ambassador for the blind.”

Trevor hiked in the footsteps of Bill Irwin, who famously was the first blind hiker to complete the AT. The story of he and his guide dog Orient is told in the book Blind Courage. Since the Appalachain Trail opened in 1937, there is no complete record on Thru-Hikers who complete the AT, much less those for hikers with a disability. It is understood that four other hikers who are blind have previously completed the trail.

Please click here for a recent article in the Portland Press Herald.