Preparing an accessible ride guide for the West Coast Wilderness Trail

The West Coast Wilderness Trail Trust welcomed Ross Ormsby to assist with the preparation of an accessible ride guide for the trail. Ormsby is the first known tetraplegic to ride the entire trail.

Following a rugby injury at just 16 years old, Ormsby (55) lost the use of his body below his shoulders. Describing himself as an adventurous person, Ross was totally inspired by the experience the West Coast Wilderness Trail was able to provide for him and others challenged by access issues.

“It makes life worth living. It is so, so important to have access to these special places. Your spirit desires to be in them but your body restricts you. I can’t move my hands or roll over in bed, but with the right equipment, support and how well this trail was built and is maintained, I was able to get into, what for me, is the back country. It is mind-blowing. It opens up a world of possibilities. The scenery is stunning. These are places I shouldn’t get to go but when you do it, it is just ‘wow’.”

The Trust has already mapped, with photographs and measurements, most of the pinch points they could identify on the trail. This includes all the bridges and narrow sections.

The end product will be a hardcopy and electronic guide together with video and still imagery for communicating the accessibility of the trail. The aim is for those planning to ride the trail to be able to make their own assessment of the sections they can ride and the help they will need.

“The Wilderness Trail is very accessible which is probably surprising given its very remote sections” Trail Manager Mrs Gurden reported. “Not only do we want people with all sorts of special access needs to ride it, we hope the project will also help build mental wellbeing and even promote confidence building. If our trail can be used as a tool to help and provide enjoyment, we are really keen to invest the time and resources to enable that.”

Text and photos: West Coast Wilderness Trail Trust

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