Backpacker Magazine – January/February 2010

Inspirational BACKPACKER Readers

Meet five of BACKPACKER's most inspirational heroes–they're also readers.

Tags:
• Destinations
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• Skills
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• Gear
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Life Changer | Believer | Mentor | Explorer | Survivor

SURVIVOR
Dennis McKenna Stamford, NY


Accident victim backpacks again.


Thirty years ago, during college, Dennis McKenna was one week away from a buddy trip into New Hampshire’s Presidential Range when a motorcycle wreck left him paralyzed from the neck down. After months of rehabilitation, he regained his ability to walk, but he never backpacked again. Until last summer. McKenna commemorated his 30th year of life after the crash by taking the Presidentials hike he missed. “He trained for months,” says his wife, Cathy. “And on July 6, we set out to hike Mts. Pierce, Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe.” They completed the 20-mile hike in four days.


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