morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Pearisburg

To: Perisburg
Miles today: 0.0

I am laid up for 48 hours in a trail town motel giving my leg a rest. However, I am not alone . Nomad is here with several injured hikers. Tonight I will be joining " the injured" for supper. There are probably 20 hikers in the motel I am staying in. Although we are not on the trail there is a special bond between us . We are all a part of the trail community. It reminds me of the community of faith.In the community of faith we should be seeing the " one another's " as they are called of scripture. Here are just a few:Love , honor, encourage, respect, be devoted to, live in harmony with , accept as Christ has accepted you, be concerned about, serve, be kind and compassionate to, forgive, spur on, pray for, offer hospitality to, and greet one another. I see this happening often as a part of the hiking community. May we also see it as a dominant feature of the faith community.
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Perisburg

To: on the trail
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I got a call from Nomad to come to a birthday party he was throwing for Z who turned 28 on the 20th. I have hiked with Z on and off since the Smokies. We met for the party at a Mexican restaurant across the street from the motel. Tarzan, Coffeepot, Nichelodian, Z, Packrat, Nomad, and I were there. It was a great time with fun stories of the trail. Z, a saxophone player and instructor from L.A., said there was no group he would rather be with than the hiking community.After the party I was able to offer hospitality to Nomad by having him share my motel room as he was going to sleep in his van. Thankfully, he does not snore!My leg is doing better so I am hitting the trail in the morning!
Date: 2013-04-21
From: Perisburg

To: Mile Marker 644
Miles today: 13.0

My leg felt 90 percent well this morning so I took off thinking I would go to the first shelter seven miles in. But after seven miles, my leg felt fine, so I continued on and made 13 miles today. Most of the day I was alone however Rash and his dog, Buckshot, yo-yoed with me a few times and we had lunch together. It was a new experience, hiking and camping alone . I thoroughly enjoyed the seven weeks with Sparks, but there is something to be said for having time alone as well.It gives uninterrupted time for reflection and prayer. In my previous journal entries I talked a lot about the communal experience out here on the trail, and that is important. Jesus was a man of the people, a social being, and He spent a lot of time with the disciples and was always interacting with people. However, we also see him often going off alone to pray. I have found that I need time alone so that when I am with people I am worth being with and have something to offer.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Mile Marker 644

To: mile marker 697
Miles today: 53.0

After hiking 4 days alone I came to a road where my guide book said a gas station was only a half-mile away I went there, bought food and sat outside eating and charging my phone on an outside outlet. Suddenly, a truck full of hikers I recognized pulled up. They were all staying at a hostel(a garage) right down the road, so I joined them. I really enjoyed the time alone but it was really good to be with other hikers. Tomorrow several of us will be leaving together and heading north to Daleville. I plan to resupply in Daleville and quickly head north toward Shenandoah. Friends from home are meeting me there to hike with me for a week. Today I hiked over Dragon's Tooth Mountain. It is very difficult and demanded extreme care. I never fell because I "walked circumspectly." However, yesterday I was not being careful since the trail was smooth and easy to hike. Suddenly, I tripped over a small root and had a really hard fall. I reflected upon this and realized that spiritually we usually fall when we are overly confident and not being careful. We need to be walking through life carefully, wisely, or circumspectly (with our eyes wide open) as the King James Version says.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: mile marker 697

To: mile 716
Miles today: 19.0

Today was an exciting day because we would be summitting Mcafee Knob. It offers beautiful views, but more than that, at just over the 700-mile mark it is seen as the 1/3rd point of completing the hike.As I entered the woods,there was Joe the Hiker!He had gone home for a few days and had been doing big miles to catch up. It was so good to see him and summit Mcafee together. We are stealth tenting tonight just six miles from Daleville. Joe, Dovetail, and I are all going to an outfitter to get insoles as we all have bad blisters and bruising on the bottoms of our feet. I understand now how beating the bottom of a person's feet is a form of punishment in some countries. It is painful! At least I am not alone in the misery but am experiencing it with friends. "Misery loves company and the company it keeps".
Date: 2013-04-27
From: mile 716

To: Daleville
Miles today: 7.0

This morning we hiked the last seven miles into Daleville. There are around 25 hikers here that I have hiked or shared a shelter with over the past two months. Stories abound! The most talked about subject is how the last 100 miles tore up our feet! The terrain seemed to consist of nothing but sharp rocks. It seems everyone bought new insoles or shoes in order to go on.It got me thinking about the journeys of the Apostle Paul. Scholars say that scripture records around 13,000 miles of his journeys. Much of his journeys were on foot. II Corinthians 11 records some of the great difficulties he went through in order to share the good news of Jesus Christ. Sore feet aren't even worth mentioning! I bet he didn't even get to buy new insoles; instead, he was nursing wounds caused from being stoned for his message. What a man!
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Daleville

To: Mile marker 743
Miles today: 19.9

Weather-wise, it was a miserable day. Other than that, it was wonderful. Pumpkin Pie called me last night and said his wife, Gloria, was visiting him in Daleville and that they could slack pack me today. So, Joe the Hiker and I were driven 20 miles north and hiked back in the rain and wind to the warm motel. The trail was not rocky (yea!) so my feet did not take a beating, and the new super feet insoles really helped cushion the impact. We covered the miles in less than 7 1/2 hours since we had light packs. Tomorrow the receptionist at the motel is driving us 20 miles north to get on where we started this morning.Previously in this journal I have referred to the benefits of slack packing and its spiritual application. Now let me add a bit more. In life we all need to carry our own load. We need to be responsible. However, we should also help others by helping them shoulder the load of life ,especially when we see they are carrying a heavy burden. This is spoken about in Galatians chapter 6. I am certain there were times when Jesus helped someone carry their burden as he and his disciples walked the difficult and dusty paths of Israel. I am also certain there were people who asked Jesus if they could help carry his burden. Although not asked, Simon of Cyrene was told to do so by the Roman soldiers as Jesus carried the cross to Calvary. I bet it ended up being a highlight of his life.(see Luke 22)
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Mile marker 743

To: mile 818
Miles today: 75.0

Today I arrived at a hostel to meet friends from home who are joining me for a week of hiking. Joe the Hiker has family joining him for a few days as well. In order to get here on time we pushed hard the last few days. We did a 25-mile day, which is a huge day for us. It was also a very difficult day due to elevation changes. However, we pushed hard and accomplished it because it was important for us to be at our destination in order to meet friends. I had shared with another hiker that Joe and I were pushing were ahead as we needed to meet friends. He responded by quoting the popular statement that we should "hike our own hike"Jesus had quite an important task, yet we often see him responding to other people's requests and schedules. He seemed to put others first. However, when it came time for him to go to the cross, he "set his face like flint to go to Jerusalem." Even then, though, he was doing so in order to meet our greatest need.Paul asked Timothy to do his best(push hard ,put in big miles)to get to him before winter. He also asked Timothy to bring certain items he had left behind. Late in life Paul said he had no one else like Timothy who put others' needs (schedules?) above his own.I have come to believe that except on rare occasions we ought to do our best to accommodate others, even if it means pushing ourselves a little harder.Joe the Hiker and I arrived tired, but now have the reward of hiking with friends and family. Speaking of hiking with friends, Joe and I agreed that hiking together made it easier to get to our destination. We will be parting now, but hope to join up again somewhere further up the trail.
Date: 2013-05-06
From: mile 818

To: mile 857
Miles today: 39.0

Three section-hikers have joined me for a week of hiking . One is a longtime friend of mine and the other two are her friends and now my new friends. I am so proud of them! They joined me at a difficult section and hiked two 4,000-foot steep mountains on their first day. Even the thru-hikers were sharing with them what a hard section they had their first day. they slept in tents through cold rainy nights, hiked through thick fog and rain and even hitched into into a trail town. They are having a blast and so am I as I watch them learn about and live out trail life. They spent an evening sitting around a campfire talking to thru-hikers and I think are catching "hiker fever".Spiritually, it reminds me of what the Bible calls discipleship. I believe we are meant to find the same joy in introducing others to the path of following Jesus and seeing them follow Him. The best description of discipleship I have heard is defines discipleship as listening, learning and then living as a follower of Jesus.
Date: 2013-05-07
From: mile 857

To: mile 869 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Waynesboro must have 30 hikers holed up due to rainy, cold weather. Since the ladies hiking with me are out for only a week, we chose to go hiking. We saw only one other thru-hiker. These ladies are tough! We did 12.6 miles and called for a ride back to the motel since it was perfect weather for hypothermia and our gear was damp. However, we went out and had a good day! It was actually beautiful walking in the wind, rain, and fog. At the same time, I am grateful Nomad came and got us off the trail so that we could warm up, clean up, and sleep in a dry bed. Back to the trail in the morning! Heading North!!!!
Date: 2013-05-11
From: mile 869 

To: mile 937
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I have hiked 78 miles since my last journal entry, but not alone. Friends from home section-hiked with me for a week. I loved having them with me and seeing them come to love the trail, thru-hikers, and trail culture. Mot has also joined us. I love hiking with Mot. He is a true Southern Gentleman who is full of stories and humor. If you hear I fell off a cliff it was probably due to laughing at Mot's stories. Mot and I are hoping to get to Front Royal in two days to join up with Pumpkin Pie who is holed up there with a leg injury. He should be ready to hit the trail with us by the time we arrive.This journal entry as well as the others is full of names. If there is a lesson that has been repeated in my journal it is that the trail is great but the hiking community makes it fun. you just cant say "remember when" to yourself. Life is to be a shared experience with fellow pilgrims.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: mile 937

To: mile 969
Miles today: 0.0

You may remember that in the Smokies we had snow drifts over 4 feet deep to hike through. However;someone had pioneered the way and " broken trail"for us. I found out later it was a long lanky hiker from Germany named Roadrunner. it was very difficult for him to find the trail. Not only was the path covered with snow but the white blazes on the trees were covered up as well.Today I came across Roadrunner and thanked him for going out before us. He said it was very difficult and that he was only able to cover around 7 miles a day. He was genuinely moved that I would thank him. I also gave him two donuts I was carrying for a personal snack. He knew then that I was extremely grateful!
Date: 2013-05-16
From: mile 969

To: Harpers Ferry mile 1,016
Miles today: 0.0

Today Rash and I hiked into Harpers Ferry together. It is considered the mental halfway point of the Appalachian Trail. It is actually 80 miles short of it but the Appalachian Trail Conservatory is in Harpers Ferry and the exact spot in in the woods. I plan to arrive at that spot in 4 days. It was an emotional moment for Rash and me to arrive In Harpers Ferry. We both know many people who for various reasons are no longer on the trail. several,hikers were frostbitten in the Smokies , one hiker died of hypothermia, many got sick with Nora Virus and several have had serious foot and leg injuries. We both expressed humble gratitude for having made it this far . Stronger hikers than me are off the trail. Statistics would state that at least half do not make it to The half-way point. Some get off here, deciding not to go on. I would like to take this opportunity to thank God and all the friends and family following the journey for your support and prayers. I would also like to thank Fresh Grounds and others for providing trail magic at just the right time. Many others have provided housing and meals along the way. I offer a deep bow of gratitude.Next Wednesday I will be headed home for a few days to preform a wedding and see family!I will bathe but I will not shave! I also need to get a new suit for the wedding as I weighed in at 130 today; a loss of 20 lbs! I plan to return after several days to where I got off which I hope will be the actual half way point and then continue on to Katahdin.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Home for a week!

To: mile marker 1080
Miles today: 0.0

Earlier shared that Roadrunner the German broke trail for us through the Smokies. I had actually met Roadrunner in the Smokies. It was a rough day for him. Sparks and I arrived at a shelter having caught the beginning of a storm. We experienced some rain. The rain then turned to sleet and hail. Roadrunner came in a few hours later having caught the full. brunt of the storm drenched and shivering. We told him to get in his sleeping bag and warm up while we made him hot food and coffee. He spoke little. i was fearful that he was going into hypothermia. However, early the next morning he thanked us and then hit the trail.Little did I realize I would be indebted to him for breaking trail by hiking through 4 foot drifts and that we would follow in his footsteps.The book of Hebrews states that Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith. It is actually the picture of one going before. and breaking trail for others to follow. Roadrunner was a picture of Jesus who went before us clearing out the obstacle of sin which separated us from the Father , making salvation possible and showing us the path of life. He continues to do so as the finisher of our faith as well. Our faith journey continues as we daily trust Him to clear out obstacles and show us the right path
Date: 2013-05-20
From: Harpers Ferry mile 1,016

To: mile 1080
Miles today: 64.0

Upon leaving Harpers Ferry the trail follows alongside the Potomac River on a tow path for several miles. The hiking is easy but the trail is very poorly marked. White blazes are rare. After not seeing a white blaze for over a half mile I backtracked to see if I had somehow gotten off the trail. That amounted to over a mile of wasted walking. Later the same thing happened again. It was very frustrating. When I finally saw a white blaze I lifted my hiking poles high into the air praising God that I was on the right path. It is very frustrating in life to not have direction. In Psalm 119 the psalmist repeatedly praises God for His word which gives direction for life. It is the longest of the 150 psalms.. I can almost see the writer lifting his shepherds staff into the air and praising God for direction!This morning I am renting a car and heading home for a week to conduct a wedding and see family. I have thoroughly enjoyed the first half of the trail! What an adventure! i sure hope I can catch back up with fellow hikers when I return.
Date: 2013-05-21
From: mile 1080

To: home for a week
Miles today: 0.0

It certainly seemed strange driving a car and going so fast. I noticed that others at the turnpike plazas found me a bit strange too.In trail town thru-hikers are treated with respect even though we are quite grungy. In one trail town, a shuttle driver greets hikers by jokingly stating "You stink and you are ugly, I don't care what your name is--real or trail name--because I will never see you again. Where you from?" He provides free shuttles from the trail to town and does not accept money. He actually likes hikers. It reminds me of the statement in the Bible: "Man looks upon the outward appearance but the Lord looks upon the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7)However, I did clean up when I got home.
Date: 2013-05-23
From: home for a week

To: home
Miles today: 0.0

I have found it is more difficult to live well at home than in the woods. Although there are many legends as to where the word Hoosier originated, from my study it seems most likely that it originated in England and refers to a person who is adept at living in the woods. Indiana was originally all woods with several Indian tribes living here. I actually live on Miami Road; an old winding. ridge Indian trail named after the Miami Indians.For several years I have spoken to various groups on the topic "Spiritual Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail". Lessons learned from nearly 20 years of section hiking. I have several speaking engagements lined up for after I complete this thru hike .The great challenge is translating the lessons and life lived on the trail to life off the trail. We can't just live in the woods!For instance, upon arriving home this week for a short break from the trail I had to deal with a mountain of paper work dealing with various insurances, bank statements, medical bills etc. I hate climbing that mountain. Give me a literal 4,000 footer instead! Just before getting off trail I was hiking with a section hiker who is a male nurse. When departing I said , "We'll, back to the real world huh." He replied, "That is not the real world. The world was never meant to be like it is. The world is sick!" I laughed and agreed and then had several miles of hiking alone to reflect upon his statement. The world is sick. Why do we try to fit into a sick world? Romans 12 :2 states, " Don't be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind" . On the trail we have time to think about how the world squeezes us into it's mold and how before long we fit in. I pray I am transformed on the trail to such a degree that I am healthy and do not fit into this sick world.
Date: 2013-05-25
From: home

To: home for 48 more hours
Miles today: 0.0

it has been great seeing friends, eating great food ,drinking Starbucks coffee and spending time with Jan and family. Today I will have the joy of conducting the wedding of a dear friends daughter. He and his family are very special to me. It was interesting walking into the church where I was the pastor for 26.2 years. Several people asked if I missed it. I do miss people but I do not miss being Pastor Clapper. I had a wonderful marathon pastorate there, but I am now Hoosier. My new sanctuary is the woods and my new congregation is an eclectic group of dirty .stinky , hairy ,hungry hikers; and I am one of them. I really like them and I really like being Hoosier. Hoosier is still about the same thing as he was as a pastor; trying to be as much like Jesus as he can and serving others. Not long before retiring I preached a sermon on the Greek word Huperetes. It is a word used in scripture for a servant. However, it was used specifically of slaves who were under rowers on ships. You know; like in the movie Ben Hur. The Apostle Paul said he wanted to be a Huperetes for Christ . A friend had this picture with the poem made as a retirement gift for me . It expresses well the desire of my heart for the next half of the trail.I will be meeting and hiking with a new set of fellow travelers since I have been off trail a week. It should be exciting getting to know and hopefully be a servant to them.I will be returning to the trail near the halfway marker. I pray Hoosier hikes well is a Huperetes for Christ.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: home for 48 more hours

To: Chambersburg, Pa
Miles today: 0.0

Today I returned to the same location where I had gotten off the trail in order to resume hiking. I missed the trail while I was home. More specifically, I missed fellow hikers. I spoke to Joe the Hiker this evening and received a text from Mot. They are both pretty far ahead of me and I don't know if I will see them again. However, there are hikers that I met a month or two ago that were behind me so I hope to see them on the trail. Also, there are many hikers I have not met, so that could be interesting.The father of the bride whose wedding I went home to conduct told me that his barber gave him some advice for the wedding. He told him to walk very slowly down the aisle to the altar, and when he thinks he is going too slow he should slow down. The barber told my friend that he ought to relish the walk down and to walk slowly in order to take it all in. I thought about that advice as I drove to Pennsylvania to begin the second half of the thru-hike. I should probably slow down and enjoy this journey. I should savor it. Soon it will be over and I will only have pictures and memories. I don't want to ever look back at this hike with regret. I want to enjoy each day . So, rather than rush to catch friends, maybe I will slow down and make some new ones.
Date: 2013-05-29
From: Chambersburg, Pa

To: mile marker. 1121
Miles today: 44.0

Today's terrain was very diverse. I hiked on paths much like those at a park, through rock and boulder fields, swamps, hay fields, corn fields, and right down the main street of Boiling Springs. Today's hike reminded me of life. In any given day we face all kinds of "terrain" in our daily walk. We need to accept whatever the path of life brings and walk it faithfully.
Date: 2013-05-30
From: mile marker. 1121

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 22.0

The thru-hiking crowd has thinned out. In the past three days I have seen only three of them. Two have injuries that are slowing them down and one has a girlfriend currently hiking with him. So, it has been a bit lonely out there on the trail. It has also been stifling hot and humid. The new challenges are heat, humidity, mosquitoes, ticks, rocks, and loneliness. I usually do just fine with hiking alone, but today was a tough one. The terrain was rocky and the town I strove to get to was a disappointment. I am eating supper at a truck stop.The truck drivers remind me of thru-hikers on wheels! it looks like a lonely job. All this is a reminder of a passage I spoke on at the wedding I did last weekend, "It is not good for a man to be alone."I know I said in a previous journal entry that I was going to slow down and enjoy the journey. Well, I am thinking of pushing myself in order to catch Rash who is only 60 miles ahead of me. A thru-hiker can change his mind, can't he?