Has anyone ever seen or heard of a midget (dwarfism) successfully backpacking?
It's a weird question, I know...

Hey Justin, pass the scotch.

Come to think of it I have not heard of any midget unsuccessfully backpacking.
But then again most actors are not into outdoor activities.
Franco

I think TolkIen posted a couple of trip reports on another site...

If I remember correctly, there was a group of 12 dwarves (and one hobbit!) that completed the NMET (Northern Middle Earth Trail) that ends at the Lonely Mountain. Granted it was semi-supported along the way. The other was 4 hobbits, a dwarf and some others that successfully completed a thru hike of ME down to Mordor and yo-yo'd back.

They certainly weren't SUL, though to my knowledge, they didn't carry shelters. They had a rather unhealthy obsession with big knives and axes. Perhaps I saw this on a bushcraft site...

Yes, please pass that scotch.

Edited by BER on 03/04/2012 09:40:16 MST.

Seriously? We're going to start joking about midgets and dwarves now?

If you want to see something real about short people and just what they can do and what kinds of daily prejudice they have to deal with, watch this wonderful movie, The Station Agent. One of my favorite movies and Peter Dinklage is a fantastic actor.

Don't get so hot so quick. It is a fair question without malice. I have not. A fair amount of those with that type of condition do usually have some type of health issue associated with it. Respiratory and cardiovascular issues are common. Finding gear that fits too would be a problem, especially packs.

Fair question. I sure haven't.

I wonder though, is it because of health issues or difficulty finding appropriate equipment? Or is it for a lack of desire?

I have noticed that there are certain groups that I rarely if ever see backpacking. Black people are a good example. I've never seen one more than a mile into a park, and I have only seen a few in a park in the first place. Heck, I don't know if I've ever seen one car camping even. Same with Mexicans, however I do see them car camping at least.

OP,
no info here


Nick Larsen,

a far as the rest of your post goes, check out this thread:

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=57781

I have never seen a midget backpacking.

I have guided a blind person to the top of a peak in the winter. having all the rocks and sticks covered by snow, in a fairly uniform and wind crusted way, made it a bit easier, and she said she had a good time. We had crampons so her grip on the snow was secure, and she had an ice ax to use for support. In those days the ice axes were long enough to be used as a walking stick.

Went backpacking with a black guy once, a college student with a summer job at the place where I worked. We headed off from camp to explore some upper benches covered by snow, and he said the trip was a new and novel experience for him. He was a football player from the East coast so it was good that he experienced some wilderness.

Saw a paraplegic lady on a backpack once. She wasn't carrying a pack, but was self ambulatory by scooting on her butt with her hands. Where was she? At the top of Asgard Pass in the Enchantments of Washington's Stuart Range, 8 miles from the trailhead. She and her party were starting the 1800' descent on a rocky trail to Colchuck lake. That is not an easy walk from any direction.

So they do exist! Awesome.
Still seem rare enough that they hardly run into each other...

A black guy who likes to hike made a video, I think it's legit (it's funny in any case):

http://www.funnyordie.com/topic/black-hiker

Edited by ewolin on 03/06/2012 10:44:25 MST.

>"Black people are a good example. I've never seen one more than a mile into a park"

Nick, A trend for sure, but I'm expecting Eugene to kick my pasty white butt on our Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim next month.

I saw a stunningly beautiful 6'2" African-Cheerokee-Dutch woman at 12,000' on the Whitney Trail in 1982.

But that was sampling bias as I'd organized the trip and she was my GF.

Edited by DavidinKenai on 03/06/2012 10:49:03 MST.

I have seen a midget backpacker only once and that was on the West Highland Way in Scotland when I was hiking John O'Groats to Land's End. He was with two "normal" buddies and they all looked liked a group of old friends. They were all in their twenties and apparantly having a great time. I met them late in the afternoon and they inquired about camping spots. I don't know how many days they had already been hiking,, but they had at least hiked the whole day - so you have to decide whether this qualifies as successful backpacking.

+1 for "The Station Agent". Also, I'm almost positive the word "midget" isn't used in polite conversation for people with dwarfism anymore.

"....Also, I'm almost positive the word "midget" isn't used in polite conversation for people with dwarfism anymore."

Indeed and dwarfism isn't either.

I haven't seen any midgets on the trail, but I think they could hike and backpack if they wanted to. They would have to use children's size for their gear.

www.backpack-and-gear.com

Ben, I had that coming!

Worst part is "midget" derives from "midge", making it esp. pejorative among hikers! :)

Justin,

Out of interest, why did you want to know?

Not being overly PC, but I wouldn't want anyone to be offended by use of the terms dwarf or midget.
Courtesy, pay it forward!