Thomas and Team Farsight make rigorous 6-month backcountry journey
from Mexico to Canada
Thomas and a small support group of backcountry enthusiasts – known as Team Farsight – completed the 6-month PCT thru-hike Sept. 25, 2010. Hiking from Mexico to Canada, the four-person team relied on Ahnu footwear to safely and comfortably guide their steps as they passed through some of the most demanding terrain on the planet.
An experienced expedition athlete, Thomas is now the first blind person to thru-hike both the PCT and the Appalachian Trail. In 2008, Thomas became the first sightless person to make an unassisted thru-hike of the 2,175-mile Appalachian Trail. Thomas, 40, lost his sight five years ago to a rare eye disease.“Trevor is a true inspiration to both the blind and sighted communities. Wee are incredibly proud to support him and Team Farsight with the footwear they needed to accomplish such a rigorous mission,” said Ahnu Footwear founder and President Jim Van Dine.
The challenge of the PCT thru-hike is one that few athletes have overcome, as fewer people have successfully completed a thru-hike of the PCT than have summited Mount Everest. One of the primary reasons for the low success is that the PCT traverses some of the most rugged, remote and dangerous terrain in the United States.
Beginning near San Diego and finishing in British Columbia, Thomas and his team passed through the Mojave Desert, the Sierra Nevada and Cascade mountain ranges, parts of Yosemite National Park and the Ring of Fire Range.Team Farsight braved blizzards, extreme heat, native wildfires and non-existent trails throughout the PCT. One of the hardest expeditions on the planet, the trail is demanding on both athletes and equipment.
Ideal for the numerous terrain and climate challenges on the PCT, Ahnu’s unique Numentum™ technology (a neutral positioning system) was essential to Thomas and his team. Rooted in advanced biomechanical design, Ahnu Numentum™ technology positions the foot in a natural, centered position promoting proper foot balance for optimal performance in any terrain. Thomas and his team used Ahnu’s rugged hike and cross-terrain products, including the Westridge Mid, Moraga Mesh and Firetrail styles.
ABOUT AHNU FOOTWEAR® (a division of Deckers Outdoor Corporation NASDAC: DECK): Deckers Outdoors Corporation strives to be a premier lifestyle marketer that builds niche brands into global market leaders by designing and marketing innovative, functional and fashion-oriented footwear developed for both high performance outdoor activities and everyday casual lifestyle use. Teva®, Simple® Shoes, UGG® Australia, TSUBO®, and Ahnu® are registered trademarks of Deckers Outdoor Corporation. For media queries, please contact Caitlin Welter at caitlin_welter@madriver.com or call 802.583.6069.
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