To all those along the way that know of Bill Irwin (the only blind person to thru-hike the AT)…he will be speaking the morning of Sept 14th in Dover-Foxcroft,Me…at Living Word Church…at 10:45am…He will have a book signing afterwards…by the way…he just climbed Mt K for the 12th time…
Greenwing
I won’t be able to be there. Could someone ask him how many times per hour he fell on the dog? I saw him fall full on it 3 times in 5 minutes. It was one of the worst cases of animal cruelty of all time. It was truly a miracle poor tortured creature survived the trip (no pun and I am NOT joking).
Blue Jay
Bluejay isn’t joking. The last two times Irwin was at Katahdin were disasters. Several people called the authorities and reported him for abusing his guide dog, when he got down off the mountain the animal control officer from Millinocket was waiting for him. And just over a week ago the ranger from Katahdin Stream had to go up and rescue him because he had fallen several times and was covered in blood. And just for what it is worth, he might have been to Katahdin 12 times but he certainly hasn’t climbed it 12 times. The reason Irwin is not banned from the park is because he is a personal friend of the park director, Buzz Caverly.
Moose
A blind man tripping on his dog is the among the ‘worst cases of animal cruelty of all time’? Try spending a day volunteering at your local animal shelter or pound. Watch the parade of starving, diseased, and fight-injured dogs that are brought in every day and you’ll probably re-think your statement.
Besides, I have it on good authority that every time he wore out a dog the Leader Dog program would just bring in a fresh one by helicopter wherever he was on the trail 
Joel
Joel, not only does he treat his dog very roughly, he uses the dog to break his fall. He falls quite often, and lands on the dog on purpose. Maine hiking trails are not sidewalks or shopping malls. Katahdin is no place for guide dogs, but the law says they must be allowed. Thankfully, the law also says these dogs may not be abused, as Irwin found out.
Moose
Well, While we’re on the topic of Bill Irwin, I have been wondering how on earth he did the entire AT without help, I mean, I could see using the guide dog to keep on the trail, but was the dog trained to follow all the white blazes?? and how about sleeping at shelters not right on the trail, did the dog read the signs??? and how bout finding water in places pretty much dried up, the dog knew to lead him to water???..I mean, if he had HUMAN help,fine, but dont claim otherwise.
Cutman11
I had the pleasure of meeting Bill Irwin at Antlers Campsite in 2000. He had set up a free all you can eat spaghetti dinner for the hikers. I talked with him on how he did it. He did have help from passing hikers and many people came out to meet him. His dog was trained to stop at each sign which Bill would read with his fingers. The dog was also trained to stop at fire rings and therefore camp sites and lean-tos. I can’t speak to the animal cruelty issue as I never saw him hiking with the dog. He had his guide dog with him plus a couple of pet dogs all of which seemed healthy and happy. For what its worth I found him to be a freindly and amazing guy.
Big B
When I was at Shaw’s in Monson I watched a video on Bill Irwin. It was sort of short and low-budget, but gave a good idea of the hows and whys of some aspects of his hike. Prior to watching the video, I had no opinion on the dog issue. I think I’ll leave it at that, but urge people to watch it to form their own opinion.
Jitterbug
Bill’s book was OK, rather preachy, but still an interesting tale.
It’s true that Bill was reported to the dog officer and had to be rescued recently at Katahdin. I was told about that by someone I trust, so I believe it.
I don’t buy the ‘he gets away with it because he’s the Park Director’s friend’ stuff. Buzz puts the Park first in all issues. If Buzz thought Bill should be asked not to climb, he’d tell him, and he would not be allowed to climb with his dog. I always expect Buzz to do the right thing, he’s well informed about what happens in the Park, and if he thinks something should be addressed, it will be.
TJ aka Teej
Without passing judgement on the man, I suggest that you first read his book. Then, go to the Gathering and meet him.
Peaks
I read his book and have heard his “talk”. Seeing Eye Dogs are precious animals that do not deserve to be moving safety pads for personal glorification.
Blue Jay