(FORTUNE Magazine) – BILL IRWIN, 50, DOES NOT GIVE UP EASILY. IN November, he became the first blind person known to have walked the entire Appalachian Trail. The trail runs 2,167 miles, from Springer Mountain, Georgia, to Mount Katahdin, Maine. Bill lives in Burlington, North Carolina. He is a recovering alcoholic, and he decided to walk the trail to show that with enough religious faith he could overcome any obstacles. Bill overcame plenty. He and his German shepherd guide dog, Orient, began their journey in Georgia on March 8. Along the way, they encountered floods, snow storms, and even a bear. Bill wore out five backpacks and seven pairs of hiking boots. He also broke a rib when he slipped during a downpour in Pennsylvania. Still, he and Orient, nicknamed the Orient Express by other hikers, never gave up. On November 21, they reached the end. After almost nine months on the trail, Bill was happy to return to a warm bed and good food. ''Orient is ready to go again,'' said Bill. ''But I'm ready to rest. I'm tired!''