Why I Love Hiking as an Amputee
One of my favorite hobbies is hiking. I love being outdoors and in nature. I really enjoy pushing my body, but within my comfort zone.
as an amputee there are a few tools I use to get out on the trails.
if there is chance of ice/snow i bring yaktrax.
https://amzn.to/4qO9xv3
for every hike i like to bring my trekking poles.
Why I Love Hiking
How Hiking Is Different With a Prosthetic
The Two Things I Don't Hike Without
Hiking poles
Yaktrax
Uphill, Downhill and Uneven Terrain
What Hiking Has Taught Me About Being an Amputee
You Don't Have to Hike Like Anyone Else
Introduction: Why hiking?
Start with your personal relationship with hiking, not equipment.
Questions to answer:
What do you love about hiking?
What does hiking give you that other forms of exercise don't?
Is it the scenery, challenge, freedom, accomplishment, being outside, getting somewhere you couldn't otherwise reach?
Do you remember when you first realized, “I really love this”?
Has your relationship with hiking changed as you've become more experienced?
You could also address the obvious question:
“Why would an amputee choose something that involves uneven terrain, rocks, roots, hills, and potentially snow and ice?”
Hiking doesn't have to look like hiking did before amputation
This could be one of the strongest sections.
Talk about the idea that you don't have to hike the same way someone else does.
Questions:
What have you had to modify?
Do you take more breaks?
Do you choose certain terrain?
Do you use poles?
Do you change your pace?
Do you approach hills differently?
Do you use different footwear or traction?
Have you learned to pay more attention to where you're stepping?
This also lets you make an important distinction:
Adaptive hiking isn't necessarily about making the trail easier. It's about making the activity work for your body.
Hiking poles: my secret weapon
This is where your existing observations fit really well.
Rather than simply saying “hiking poles help with balance,” break down what you personally notice.
Potential subsections:
More points of contact
Increased base of support
More stability on uneven terrain
Something to catch yourself with if your prosthetic placement isn't perfect
Taking weight off my leg
How you use your arms to help distribute your weight
Especially noticeable when you're tired
Uphill vs downhill
Better posture
This is a particularly interesting personal observation.
What happens to your posture without poles?
What changes when you have poles?
How does that affect your back?
Do you feel like you can maintain a more upright position?
Confidence
This is worth mentioning too.
Sometimes an adaptive tool isn't just physically useful. It changes how comfortable you feel tackling terrain.
Then your affiliate recommendation can fit naturally at the end:
The hiking poles I use: [Amazon affiliate link]
Yaktrax and winter hiking
This could be another very visual section.
Your “Velcroed to the snow/ice” description is actually great because it communicates what the traction feels like rather than just saying “they provide traction.”
Talk about:
What winter terrain is hardest for you?
What does slipping feel like with a prosthetic?
What difference does traction make?
How does it affect your confidence?
Are there situations where you simply won't hike without them?
Do you put them on both shoes, or how do you use them with your prosthesis?
Then:
“The traction device I use”
Amazon affiliate link.
I'd also include a disclaimer that traction devices don't eliminate the risk of falling, particularly on unpredictable ice.
The uphill/downhill difference
I would give this its own section rather than burying it in the poles section.
Hiking is interesting for amputees because going uphill and downhill can feel completely different.
You could talk about:
Which is harder for you?
How does your prosthetic behave differently?
How do you position your body?
Do you shorten your steps?
Do you lean differently?
How do poles change the experience?
What happens to your back?
How does fatigue affect your gait?
Uneven terrain and learning to trust my prosthetic
This is another personal section I'd definitely include.
Consider writing about:
Rocks
Roots
Loose gravel
Mud
Side slopes
Steps
Descents
Changing terrain
And the mental side:
How much of hiking is learning to trust your prosthetic?
You could discuss the difference between:
“My prosthetic can handle this.”
and
“I trust myself to handle this with my prosthetic.”
