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

BELIEVER

Jim Chatterton Lubbock, TX


Stroke survivor instills hope in others.


Every trail name has a backstory. Jim “Wipeout” Chatterton’s came to him on California’s Lost Coast Trail in 2008, when a rogue wave swept his feet out from under him. He was lucky not to get washed out to sea. In fact, after a stroke in 2007, he was lucky to be hiking at all. “I’m legally blind and suffer paralysis in my left leg and arm,” he says, “but I hike, though it’s slow and difficult, because I want other disabled people to believe they can still accomplish great things.” Chatterton has hiked the Lost Coast and Colorado Trails. He writes about his hikes at jimchatterton.net. 


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