Michal Yadgar - Hikes without Limits

Michal Yadgar is a tour guide and nature lover. On September 2018 she was diagnosed with ALS, a degenerative muscle disease. The loss of her body was not as hard for Michal as the understanding that she would lose the ability to create and do what she loves the most – hiking in nature.

The first period after diagnosis of the disease, when she did not have a wheelchair adapted for hiking, was like an eternity for her – the fear that she may never go on hikes again saddened her tremendously.

The need for a special chair for Michal was clear: she needed a chair “without limits”, for entering the water, hiking, climbing mountains, and observing beautiful landscapes.

Once she received her special chair – Michal was able to surprise even the greatest experts in the field with her achievements and with the challenges that she and her chair overcame – together they conquered mountain peaks and hiked along streams. ‘The hikes I did and the places I visited were above and beyond all that I had imagined I would be able to do.’

Michal understood that she must share this life experience and success with others, so she decided to establish the website ‘Michal’s Hike’ – a website for hiking trails without limits for people with disabilities. The block is an index of hikes in which Michal writes, describes and also answers questions and provides tips.

I always loved hiking at Ramat Hanadiv, since my work as a tour guide. This region has such diverse nature that you can cross a great number of landscapes and experience countless unexpected experiences in any hike.

‘I always loved hiking at Ramat Hanadiv, since my work as a tour guide. This region has such diverse nature that you can cross a great number of landscapes and experience countless unexpected experiences in any hike. Here you see an open field, there a small cyclamen forest, and after a few minutes the great sea spread out in all its glory. When we came this time, we were challenged by the puddles, which we could not pass. First we jumped among the rocks so as not to get wet. Very quickly we got into a rhythm of movement, the ‘melody’ of the hike. By the time we reached Manzur Al-Aqav, we were already all covered in mud. Satisfied and relaxed, we sat down on the ancient threshing floor. Behind us, thousands of years of history in the ancient villa, and in front of us, the yellow sun and sparkling blue water. I was happy.’

Michal’s story and time spent with her in the field inspires and generates thoughts about the magic of nature, its healing powers, the power of belonging and creativity provided by nature, the yearning for the field which proves that (almost) everything is possible, and above all, one woman who doesn’t let any limitation stop her from climbing and teaching all of us an unlimited lesson about will power.