OUTPOSTS ARE FOR EVERYONE
Think only expert anglers can have a fun and memorable backcountry adventure? Think again
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Pete (left, leaning on his cane), Wes (centre) and the author#7 Many outpost cabins are accessible for mobility-challenged anglers
I haven’t mentioned this yet, but as well as being a novice angler, Pete faced another challenge during our trip—one he also faces on every day of his life. Pete has multiple sclerosis. MS, in case you don’t know, is an incurable disease of the central nervous system. It can have a number of unpredictable and often debilitating symptoms, and almost always manifests between the ages of 20 and 40, when people are in the prime of life. Pete has mobility issues and uses a cane or walker to get around, and also gets fatigued easily. (If you look closely, you can see his cane in some of the previous photos).
As a mobility-challenged angler, the outpost format suited his needs perfectly. I just checked ahead of time that the path from the cabin to the dock (and the one to the outhouse) wasn’t too ragged, so he could navigate without much trouble. It did take a little practice to find the best way for Pete to get into and out of the boat, which was much lower than the HaberCraft he runs at his cottage. But once we cracked that, it was smooth sailing.
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In addition, the DIY pace of an outpost trip was perfect. Since it was a small lake, we could fish in the morning, then come back for lunch. Then Pete typically rested up during the afternoon, so we could all head out in the evening for the prime fishing hours.
Because the backcountry is, by its nature, wild and rugged, it can be hard for people with disabilities to experience outdoor adventure. It’s not something we think about enough. An outpost really does offer an excellent opportunity for the mobility challenged to get out there, and Pete hopes that his example will encourage other folks living with disabilities to try it.