He Can’t See, She Can’t Walk: “Hiking With Sight” Duo Shares Stories About Exploring The Wilderness As a Team

Not many people can say they’ve climbed a mountain after hiking for 14,000. But when you think of blind people going hiking, you wonder how safe it is for them out there, where the terrain poses many dangers. What about people in wheelchairs?

You might realize that hiking is not a hobby everyone can enjoy. Well, this is where you’re wrong. You see, a woman that cannot walk has teamed up with a blind hiker and they together go on amazing adventures.

You could say she’s the eyes and he’s the legs! Let’s check out their story.

20. The Dream Team

Melanie Knecht and Trevor Hahn are from Fort Collins, Colorado.

Melanie hasn’t been able to use her legs at all since she was born with spina bifida. Trevor had lost his eyesight to glaucoma. But that didn’t stop him from pursuing his goals. One day, he met Melanie and together they formed the dream team.

19. The First Time They Met

Both Melanie and Trevor loved being outside and enjoy the outdoors. They first met at a boxing class and then at an adaptive rock climbing class. It was as if fate brought them together.

Melanie loved exploring and Trevor was a hiker. One time, she went with her friends on the Easter Island. This is how the idea of “Hiking With Sight” was born.

18. Hiking on the Island

Melanie recalls in an interview that she thought of going more out in the wild, but on her journey on the Easter Island, she found that it wasn’t that easy.

She said they “brought a backpack for carrying toddlers around, and my friend carried me around Easter Island.

I was able to see things I’d never have seen if I’d have just been in a chair.”

17. Getting the Right Equipment

However, the chair was not meant for an adult and the friend that carried her was not in the best shape to do it.

It was an uncomfortable journey back then, but when Melanie heard about Trevor being a hiker and needing guidance, she thought they could make the perfect team.