They say a journey begins with a single step.
For Randy “Zip” Pierce and his canine companion, “The Mighty Quinn,” a single step onto Mount Tecumseh began a journey to all 48 of New Hampshire’s peaks over 4,000 feet — and ended with an emotional climb to the summit of Cannon Mountain.
Pierce is the first blind hiker — and Quinn the first guide dog — to climb “The 48” in one winter.
The attention is for 2020 Vision Quest, a non-profit that raises funds for the New Hampshire Association for the Blind and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. Saturday’s climb completed a winter version of that goal, but Pierce isn’t done. Pierce intends to hike all 48 peaks by 2020 in “non-winter” conditions.
“The truth is, a blind person hiking in the summer is a magnitude more challenging and slow,” noting rocks, holes and roots make it difficult to find safe footing. “In winter, it’s easier because snow fills those areas.”
I am Jeff Clark, founder of Internet Brothers, producer of this blog, and passionate about hiking. My regular hiking companions have designated me the lead hiker, so I suppose that makes me the slowest Meanderthal. I live in Western NC near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests are just out my door, so the content will focus on these areas, but let me know what you would like to see on the site. 
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