Whether on an out-and-back hike at a local trailhead a grueling ascent up Mount Everest with a hiking wheelchair, the members of the adaptive hiking community will get the job done. As you probably know, most folks in this community don’t have any “stop” in them. Today, in the first part of a two-part series, we want to share with you some of the toughest adaptive hikers we know, including those using GRIT Freedom Chairs and other all-terrain wheelchairs.
The adaptive hikers in this two-part series embody what GRIT is all about. They hike for the pure love of the sport, and we cannot be more excited to tell you about these individuals here.
Some of these hikers use GRIT Freedom Chairs and some do not! Read more about their stories below and then plan a hike of your own. Hike big. Hike small. Hike however you want to hike, but get on out there!
And of course, if the GRIT Freedom Chair, an off-road wheelchair or hiking wheelchair could help you or someone you know make it to the trails, give us a call at 877-345-4748.
Tyler Rich
We met Rich when he first got his GRIT Freedom Chair in 2017, and he has since logged thousands of miles and traveled the globe pursuing new adventures. After completing an almost-innumerable number of Spartan Races and medaling in two Para Spartan World Championships, Rich has become a household name in the world of adaptive obstacle course racing. But that’s just the beginning.
He is an active hiker and has helped hundreds of others get to their own trailheads. Rich recently worked with Northeast Off-Road Adventures (NORA) in New York to spearhead the location’s first adaptive trail system, giving visitors the chance to get on the trails, using equipment they may not have been able to use before. For more details on NORA and their adaptive adventures, click here.
Rich’s competitive persistence and his advocacy for the adaptive and veteran communities make him an important figure to keep on your radar. By doing what he loves (through the mud, the snow, the dirt, and more), Rich pushes himself and the people around him to always be better. His love for the outdoors is contagious, and his grit is, frankly, unmatched.
Melissa Simpson
In 2020, Melissa teamed up with No Barriers and “What’s Your Everest?” to climb to the top of a 13,000-foot mountain near Leadville, CO with her all-terrain wheelchair. She trained hard to prepare for the climb and, by summiting the massive peak, proved the No Barriers mantra that “What’s within you is stronger than what’s in your way.” Joining Melissa on her hike was her friend, Erik Weihenmayer, the first blind man to summit Mount Everest.
Melissa’s 2020 adventure was filmed by a media team and can be seen here. This incredible documentary has been featured at (and named winner of) many film festivals. If you haven’t yet seen it, grab the popcorn and check it out!
Evita Rush
An outdoor adventurer who does most of her hiking on the Pacific West Coast, Rush is also a wheelchair basketball athlete, whitewater rafter, and an all-around force of positive, get-outside-and-have-fun energy.
Rush recently worked with the Oregon Health & Outdoors Initiative to develop an accessible trail and travel guide for Oregon. She is closely involved with Adventures Without Limits (AWL), a group that also aided in the creation of the trail guide. AWL helps people access and enjoy the outdoors, regardless of ability level, socioeconomic status, gender, ethnicity, or age. See their video on Rush, at this link (CLICK HERE).
“As a person living with a spinal cord injury, recreating outside can sometimes be a bit of a challenge…I’m so excited to share with you a small handful of accessible outdoor features across the state of Oregon so that you can be prepared and know what to expect before heading outdoors.”
—Evita Rush, in the Oregon Accessibility Trail Guide
When she isn’t helping others get outside, Rush is out enjoying her own adventures. Rush recently hiked Jedediah State Park, in Oregon. Below, see photos from her adventure.
Rush received her GRIT Freedom Chair through the Kelly Brush Foundation (KBF), which helps individuals with spinal cord injuries secure adaptive sports equipment. Learn more about KBF and their Active Fund equipment grant here: (CLICK HERE).
Roger Poulin
Born with Usher Syndrome, Poulin has faced vision, hearing, and balance challenges his whole life. If you think this has kept him off of the trails, think again.
In 2014, Poulin joined hiking partner and Support Service Provider, Roni Lepore, on a four-year journey through the 2,190-mile Appalachian Trail. Piece by piece, the two completed the famed hike, dueling inclement weather and health challenges. This hike is only actually completed by about 25% of the people who try it (this statistic includes able-bodied hikers).
Poulin became known on the trail as Roger “Adventurous Cane” Poulin. Watch his account of the trip here (CLICK HERE).
Images sourced from thetrek.com
Matt Brewer
A former top-ranked US snowboarder and BMX rider, Brewer adds a bit of adrenaline to whatever he does—whether through powder, sand, gravel, or other terrains.
After battling cancer, addiction, and a 2014 double-above-the-knee amputation, Brewer has relearned to walk using prosthetic limbs and a wheelchair. While getting used to new equipment is a huge endeavor for any individual, Brewer hasn’t changed his ways a bit—you can now find him hiking, swimming, surfing, competing in the Angel City Games, tearing up the ski slopes, and more.
He also uses his GRIT Freedom Chair to conquer Spartan Para Races. In 2019, Brewer’s team, “Never Stumped,” won the silver medal in the Para Spartan World Championships.
Even when he’s not racing for a podium, Brewer is no stranger to speed. See this video of Matt crushing trails at Mirror Lake (UT) here (CLICK HERE). To read more about his story (CLICK HERE).
Update: Since the original publication of this post, Brewer has RETURNED to the world of competitive downhill sports and is a member of the US Paralympics team. He competes on the US Ski and Snowboard team.