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Mar 19, 2014 · Bill Irwin -- noted for being the first and only profoundly blind person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail (AT) alone -- passed away on March 1, 2014, following a battle with prostate cancer for the two previous years. Bill's career was diverse and specialized. He was a chemist, teacher, and founder of Birmingham Clinical Laboratories.
Mar 15, 2014 · Mr. Irwin was feted as an inspiration to hikers and disabled people when, on Nov. 21, 1990, he became the first blind man to traverse the Appalachian Trail, which stretches more than 2,100 miles ...
- Early Life
- His Appalachian Trail Experience
- His Legacy
Bill Irwin was born in 1940 in Alabama and graduated from Samford University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Chemistry. As an adult, he became a teacher, chemist, and ultimately a founder of Birmingham Clinical Laboratories at the young age of 24. Irwin was born sighted but at age 28, he lost his left eye due to a false diagnosis of malig...
In 1990, at the age of 50, Bill and his guide dog Orient started the 2,100-mile trek along the Appalachian Trail. Walking this trail would prove his faith and serve as an act of devotion. On the trail, Irwin and Orient became known as the “Orient Express,” as Irwin completely relied on his dog to follow the trail—which included high peaks, river cr...
After his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail, Irwin co-authored Blind Courage with David McCasland and sold over 100,000 copies. Orient became the inspiration for a children’s book called Orient: Hero Dog Guide of the Appalachian Trail.Since then, many other blind hikers have completed thru-hikes of their own—inspired by Bill Irwin’s courage and hi...
Feb 1, 2021 · The following is a guest post by Eddie “Leaky Boots” Lough. Bill Irwin was the first profoundly blind person to complete an unsupported thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. “God, if there is any way I could pay you back for. what you have done for my life, just please, let me. know what it is, and I’ll do it.” And then the Lord
Mar 8, 2014 · SEBEC, Maine (AP) — Bill Irwin, the first blind hiker to complete the Appalachian Trail without assistance, has died in Maine at the age of 73. A posting on Irwin's website says he died of prostate cancer on March 1, the anniversary of the start of his historic 1990 journey. In November 1990, Irwin arrived at a campground in Millinocket, Maine, with his sole companion, his guide dog Orient ...
Mar 7, 2014 · Bill Irwin, who in 1990 became the first and only blind person to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail without human assistance, passed away last Saturday morning. Irwin, at 50 years old, started hiking north from Springer Mt. with his dog Orient on March 8, 1990 and reached Baxter State park on November 21, 1990. Unlike most other hikers, Irwin did not use any guidebooks or maps during his hike ...
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Why did Bill & Orient hike the Appalachian Trail?
After kicking both reliances, he decided to hike the Appalachian Trail as a testament of his newfound freedom and as a spiritual journey dedicated to God for saving him from addiction. Irwin wrote about his experiences in his book, " Blind Courage ". Bill Irwin died of prostate cancer on March 1, 2014, but his story is not forgotten. Bill Irwin ...
