Novel Heights

Shout out to the Elevation Sports Performance community raising $300 to support adaptive adventure!! We greatly thank you for your support in helping others reach Novel Heights!

Big shout out to U of A and UAMS's Doctorate of Occupational Therapy program for letting Novel Heights come out and talk about our passion... increasing access to those hard-to-reach places!! These students had a ton of passion themselves for the outdoors and we're excited about building these relationships!

https://occupationaltherapy.uark.edu

The Leave No Trace Principles were established by the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. These principles help keep nature the way it is, so that generations to come can enjoy the beauty it has to offer.

The basic principles are outlined 👇
- Plan ahead and prepare
- Travel and camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors

For more information, visit https://www.nps.gov/articles/leave-no-trace-seven-principles.htm

Let's talk about planning for that long trip... consider completing a preparticipation physical examination. This allows the adventurer to understand their potential needs and risks involved in participating in the outdoor environment. A preparticipation evaluation focuses on risk assessment, prevention strategies, early recognition of altitude related symptoms, management plans, and appropriate measures to follow-up on post adventure. The main goal is to safely plan for risks that may occur in the wilderness environment to ensure successful adventure participation. Consult your doctor about risks associated with your current condition and any risks associated with current medications. Some medications can be effected by temperature extremes, decreased hydration, and altitude exposure.

Consider the Four Ps of Energy Conservation next time you take a hike...

Prioritize ⛰ Plan ⛰ Pace ⛰ Position

PRIORTIZE: decide what the most important view is for that day

PLAN: choose the route with the least amount of elevation gain when possible, or plan for rest breaks throughout the hike. Try to get an early start on hot days to avoid the heat, as this can be more fatiguing.

PACE: use a slow and steady pace, resting before you feel tired. Avoid holding your breath and use pursed lip breathing (in through your nose for a count of 2 and out through your mouth for a count of 4)

POSITION: bending and reaching can increase fatigue and shortness of breath. Maintaining an upright posture helps to get more oxygen to your lungs, allowing your body to work more efficiently.

We have a new line of hats coming out with options for full front logos and bottom left logos! Check us out on our Etsy store to donate 25% of all purchases to adaptive hiking! Shipping included in all prices!

Check out our new store front on Etsy for all your Novel Heights gear! 25% of every purchase goes to funding adaptive adventure!

Zip ties - great for household quick fixes and... stepping up your tread game. Here we added them around the wheel of a standard wheelchair about every 2-3" to provide better grip through muddy and uneven terrain.

PRO TIP: make sure the locking head is positioned towards the axel of the wheel to prevent scratching the user's hands

Meet Ariel! Novel Heights first adventurer! In this picture, she is featuring a homemade attachment that hooks to a backpack to assist in propelling her personal chair, as well as elevate the front casters to maneuver over encountered obstacles on the trail. Zip ties were attached about every 2 inches around the wheel to add additional tread.

I'm an occupational therapist with a passion for the outdoors. My greatest goal in becoming an OT is helping others do those things that are most meaningful to them. My hope is that this page will be a tool others can use to find resources and ideas on adaptive strategies for exploring the outdoors!