morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Newfound Gap

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Today I gave the backpack the day off. It's been a wonderful day. Bean and I stayed at an amazing place called Buckberry Lodge. It was perfect! We went this morning to downtown Gatlinburg to get a couple gear items, resupply groceries, and get a haircut. Real short! It's been so good to spend this time with her. The hard part is leaving in the morning. I will be back in the GSMNP for the next couple of days, and will probably not have service. I'll be posting again ASAP. Let me say a huge thanks to all of you who have called, texted, and posted to the guest journal. It is a great encouragement and I'm humbled you would make the time and effort. Also, thanks so much to each of you who have donated to Special Kids. SK is doing an amazing job and it's so good to partner with them. My account is carried at http://impactspecialkids.com/dan-decker . I hope to be able to thank each of you personally in the future.Until later . . .
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

39 years ago I spent a frigid night in this shelter. In 1975 as a college student on spring break, Bob Erneston (who's the best friend a fellow could ever have) drove up from Florida for a 3 day hike. We put in at Newfound Gap and proceeded to walk the 3 miles to Icewater Shelter in just that- Icewater. It rained, sleeted, and snowed on us. 30 minutes before we got to the shelter a helicopter went over us. They airlifted 2 guys out with frostbite. When we got to the shelter, we were wet and cold. We tried to get into something dry and make it through the night. The next morning everything was froze solid and it was snowing. We hiked back out and went to the Ranger station to tell them we were abandoning our hike. Good idea! There was 3 feet of snow with 5 foot drifts on unbroken trail. Not good for a rookie hiker and a warm blooded Florida boy!This morning Bean dropped me off, and amidst rain,wind, and tears we said good bye. It rained all morning with a lot of fog and mist. Let me say to, there a lot of steps on the AT in GSMNP. Up,down,up, down,. . .I made the 16 miles rather quickly, and got to Tri-Corner shelter just before 4:00. I was a little cold and damp, and couldn't seem to get warm, so after making and eating supper, I crawled in my bag about 6:30. I read my Bible (on IPad ) for a while, and finally it got dark and I got to sleep. Never got real warm all night. Later on. . .
Date: 2014-03-24
From: Tri-Corner Shelter

To: I-40 Underpass
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Okay, how does this work? You're hiking the AT and taking pictures of yourself with your grandkids! Well, crazy how that worked out. Short version is this. Yesterday as I was hiking I kept hearing, " Weather is going to get bad tonight!" So I thought, "I'm hiking to the I-40 underpass, why don't I get a shuttle to Newport (15 miles away), get a room for the night, and see what the snow and ice is going to do." As I hiked I said, "Wait a minute. For what I pay for a room, I could rent a car, drive 3 hours, and be home. See my family (one month old baby Moses), sleep in my own bed, check on some things, and come back Wednesday morning. Or I could spend all day Tuesday sitting in a hotel watching it snow." So I came home for a day!Got home at 7:15 CST and met all the family (except daughter Kady), at Sunshine's (daughter) for supper. It was so good to see them, and so unexpected. Also gave me an opportunity to get some new boots at REI. I bought a pair of Lowa GTX Renegades for the hike, and really like them. However, even though I thought I was buying them a half size large, my toes were pushing the front on the downhills. I went up another half size, and hope this will correct the problem. Way too far to go to have to deal with that!I'm so thankful for the adage HYOH! It means Hike Your Own Hike! I hadn't planned on coming home, but God worked it all out, and the timing was perfect. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-03-25
From: I-40 Underpass

To: Murfreesboro Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Wow! A zero day at home. Well not really, but as far as the AT was concerned it was a zero day. It was so good to see so many folks at work, church, and around. Last evening baby daughter Kady drove down from Nashville to have dinner with us. We met at our favorite restaurant, Chop House, and had a great time together. The manager, Brian Breece, always makes us feel so welcome and special. Last night was no different. He along with so many others is following this journal. It is very humbling that so many would take the time to share this adventure with me. Leaving the trail for a day sure seemed like the right move. The weather was pretty nasty, but I'll be heading back this morning to see what it's like. I have a pair of strap on Micro-spikes, and I guess I will take them. They weigh a pound, but if I need them in snow and ice, I'll be glad to have them. FYI. In titling the daily journal entries, I will not be counting the zero days. I will only count the days I actually hike. Therefore, the days and the weeks might not add up. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Murfreesboro Home

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I left home this morning about 5:00 and got on the trail about 10:00 after being dropped off at the I-40 underpass. Almost immediately I was in snow, and the higher I went, the heavier it got. The trail was fairly clear, but there were places where the drifts were a couple feet high. It made for a beautiful hike, but it kinda slowed the progress some. It seems like the snow has somewhat bunched up the hikers also. I've seen more people on the trail today, and when I got to the shelter, it was full. I decided to tent rather than jamb in, and that was a first. I've set up up camp in the snow when hunting, but never backpacking. It went pretty good. I got all my gear in the tent without getting too much snow inside. The night was a little chilly, but not unbearable. Later on. . .
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 18.0

This morning was an interesting endeavor. Breaking camp in the snow without getting snow in and on everything. I did pretty good, but wouldn't want to do that every morning. Then the fun started! As Paul Simon says, "Slip Slidden Away". The ice and snow were frozen hard overnight, and it was about 10:00 this morning until things softened up. I was sure thankful for my hiking poles, but I'm still glad some of you guys couldn't see me. I looked like a little old lady! Funny how I ain't as agile as I think I am (or as I used to be). Anyway, as I got lower in elevation things cleared up and I made it into Hot Springs with no trouble. I just finished having supper at one of the local restaurants with a couple of real nice guys I've met on the trail. Route Step and Midnight Sparkle. They are both ex-military and great to be around. I think they may stay at the same hostel as I am tomorrow night. This warm room and soft bed sure look inviting, soLater on . . .
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Hemlock Inn Hostel
Miles today: 17.0

This morning I ate a big breakfast in Hot Springs before heading out. The first mile or so ran beside the beautiful French Broad river. (Sorry, the pictures wouldn't download). That was the calm before the storm. When the trail turned up from the river, it really turned up. Ever heard of the guy who walked to school uphill both ways? It seemed like the mountains were uphill both ways! This afternoon things averaged out, and I got here to the hostel about 4:00. It is a very interesting hostel run by a lady and her son. I've already met a lot of really unique people on the AT. Yesterday I was talking to a fellow hiker and we commented that hiking the AT was not a competition. Then he said something that made me think. He said," Really it is a competition. It is you against the trail." As I thought about that, I don't think I agree with it. I don't think of the trail as being in opposition to me. I think of it as something that presents a challenge and allows me to be successful. When I look at the AT, I realize that others have done this! People older, younger, weaker, handicapped, and even a blind man has hiked the AT. Others have done it, so can I. It's a little like a list of men and women found in Hebrews chapter 11. These men and women were successful in some of the hardest situations in life by having their faith in God. They are examples! Then in Hebrews 12 the writer tells me to lay aside sin (things that are wrong for me) and encumbrances ( things that may not be wrong but are not right for me). It then tells me to run with endurance. I can do this! Others have done this! By faith in my God, through his Son Jesus Christ, in the power of his Spirit, I can conquer any mountain - Physical or Spiritual!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Hemlock Inn Hostel

To: Devil Fork Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My nephew Greg Hylton drove up from Augusta, GA to hike a couple days with me. He arrived at the hostel late Friday night (I was thankful he found it). Just about the time we started hiking today, it started to rain. It rained off and on all morning, and even though we were slack packing, the hiking was a little tough with the wet trail. At a few places on Firescald Knob we had rock scrambles, and with the wind and wet, it was a little treacherous. I'm glad Greg was there even if it would have just been to tell people where I went over the edge. We had a good and long day of hiking, and both of us were glad when the 19 miles was finished. We had a pick up at Devil Fork Gap who took us to a hostel a couple miles down the road. The hostel owner, Mark, made us cheeseburgers (the filet mignon of the AT) after we got settled in. He was a big, jolly fellow and it was a fun place to spend the night. I got up during the night expecting it to be raining, stepped outside, and whoa! It was white! It started snowing about 2:00, and was still snowing the next morning. Later on. . .
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Devil Fork Gap

To: Street Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

A Surprise Snow!! I did not hear anyone who had expected this snow. There was about 4-6 inches at the gap where we started, and it got deeper as we went up. This morning Greg (my nephew) was planning to give it a go, but when we saw how deep the snow was we decided to call off his hike. He did not have any boots, gaiters, or snow gear, and it would have been a tough day. It was a good call as I encountered 8-12 inches of snow with 1-2 foot drifts. The snow made the hiking hard and slow, but I don't think I have ever seen a more beautiful snow! It was a real wet snow, and everything was covered. It made great snowballs, and I just couldn't resist making a big one and rolling it down the hill. It gathered speed and size until it met a tree! A kid's fun from a grandpa!This afternoon it warmed up, and by the end of the day, a lot of the snow (especially on the south and west sides) had melted. The trail was pretty sloppy from the melting, and several times I slipped on the downhill grades. The poles saved me again! This afternoon, Michael, the shuttle driver picked me up back in the sticks at Street Gap, and brought me to Erwin, where I got a room. Real comfortable, but I got a 20 miler tomorrow, so I better sign off. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Street Gap

To: Erwin Tn
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

As I sit here in my room after a 20 mile day, the hours just kinda slipped by. Today I did a dumb dumb thing! I left my hiking poles by the door when I left this morning to meet my shuttle. When I got to Street Gap and opened the trunk I realized my mistake, and it was too late. Thankfully, I was slack packing back to Erwin, and planned to be at the same room tonight. I called and they said, " Yep there here and we'll put them in your room."That started about 5 hours of sliding down the mountain with no poles. Uphill was tough but at least I didn't slide. I slipped several times, but never went completely down. I decided that if I went all the down in the snow, I'd just make a snow angel while I was down there! Thankfully, or maybe not, I made no snow angel. This afternoon it really warmed up, and for a few hours I was hiking in the snow in shorts and sleeves rolled up! It was beautiful. The bluest of skies! Peaceful! This afternoon when I got back I got a shuttle to a local restaurant and Wal-mart to resupply. When the shuttle came to pick me up it was a fellow hiker named 10-K that I met 2 years ago when I was up here hiking. We ended up eating supper together and had a wonderful time sharing stories and thoughts. He did an AT thru hike in 2011, and is leaving next week for a 2650 mile PCT (Pacific Coast Trail) hike.As I hiked today, my thoughts kept going to a week from today when Lord willing I'll be seeing Bean again in Damascus. I can't wait!Tomorrow I head out with a full pack and will be tenting for a couple nights at least. I may not have service, so I'll be back in touch when I can. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Erwin Tn

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

After a good breakfast and being dropped off at the trail as it crossed the Nolichucky River,I started my hike in beautiful weather. It was mostly uphill, as it will be for the next two days as I head up Roan Mtn. Carrying a pack that I had just resupplied, it was as heavy as any time on my trip thus far. I seemed to feel strong, and thought my legs were coming around. (Little did I know what the next day would bring). I got into the shelter about 5:30 and set up my tent. There were 4 thru hikers there that I had not met, and a section hiker. Shortly thereafter, Ginko came in. I had hiked a little with him a couple days before along with Professor Turtle. Ginko had injured his leg, and was hiking very slow. He is from Germany, and this is his first time in the states. He has hiked in several European countries as well as South America. Professor Turtle is a very interesting person. One of the nicest guys I've met on the AT. He just graduated from Va Tech, and is headed to University of Wisconsin in the fall. He will be studying in the area of ecology. The amazing thing about him was he knew every tree and plant on the trail. He was more than glad to share his knowledge with me,and I had the best time as he pointed out trees and plants. Tea berry, striped pine, mountain laurel, and others. I could not keep up their pace, so I had to let them go on, but it was a really neat experience. Hope to see him again. Later on. . .
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Hostel
Miles today: 7.0

Wow! What a difference a day makes! This morning I got up, broke camp, stuffed some breakfast in my pocket to eat on the way, and started out. I hadn't gone a half mile when I knew something was wrong. My legs were so weak, and I just felt tired. I passed it off as doing 20 and 19 miles back to back (and maybe that did have something to do with it). I had decided to call the hostel if I could get reception and arrange for a slack pack. I thought if I could get some weight off my legs they would be okay. I met CC (the hostel owner), and she took my gear. As I started out, I just couldn't seem to get going, and finally decided I needed to walk the 4 more miles to the hostel and recuperate. As I walked on, all I could think about was getting in a bed and resting. As soon as I got here, I showered and got in bed where I immediately got the chills. I could not get warm and found out I had a 100.8 fever. So, I've spent all day in bed, hoping this will pass. CC is really kind and is making me some chicken soup for supper. I hope to be able to go again in the morning, but my wise wife has told me to take it easy. I guess I'll see how I feel in the morning. I think my fever has gone down, but I still am not myself. Funny how things change. Isaiah 55: 8,9 "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not your ways," saith the Lord. "For as the heaven is higher than the earth, so are my thoughts higher than your thoughts, and my ways higher than your ways."His plan is best!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-04-03
From: Greasy Creek Hostel

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight finds me where I certainly did not expect to be. Yesterday after talking to my dear friend and doctor, Bob Dray, we decided that I probably should come home and be sure that my illness was not serious. With my health history, he felt that we should not take any chance. Two people I trust immensely are Bob and my wife. They both agreed I should come home and get healthy, so here I am. I plan to be home a few days, get my strength back, and head back to the trail. Part of me wanted to stay on the trail and just "push through", but the wiser part knew I needed to listen to Bob and Bean. I will probably not journal each day home, but I'll be writing again as soon as I'm back on the AT. Again, thanks to all of you who have contacted me to let me know of your prayers and concern. I trust this is only a slight bump in the road and soon we will be back on the AT.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Home

To: AT at Greasy Creek 
Miles today: 0.0

Thankfully I am, Lord willing, headed back to the trail in the morning. I made the trip back over to east TN this afternoon, and plan to head to Greasy Creek in the morning to resume my hike. The good and bad things about being off the trail for a week is that I have lost contact with my "hiking bubble". All those folks that I would see daily are now about a week ahead of me. The good thing is I get to meet new people. I'm a little apprehensive about taking off in the morning. I start out going up Roan Mtn., and I'm not 100% just yet. I plan to take it slow, and we'll just have to see how it goes. Anyway, it's good to be back! The only bad part of being here is not being home with Bean and family. Wish I could figure out how to do both!I want to say thanks again for all the encouragement and prayers from everyone while I was recovering. ( Except for all my fellow elders who said I looked puny). I've lost about 23 pounds, and I guess I do look a little frail. Such is the life of a thru hiker. Later on. . .
Date: 2014-04-09
From: AT at Greasy Creek 

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 11.0

Confession! This is being written a day late because last night when I wrote it I lost it somewhere in cyberspace! I am such a moron when it comes to anything close to a computer. Anyway, I'll try again. The morning started out with me driving to Greasy Creek hostel and leaving my Jeep there. I then hiked back up to the AT in a steady rain, and got started back on the trail about 9:00. It was good to be back on the trail after a week off. (I just wish I could figure out how to be on the trail and with my family at the same time.) It was real foggy and raining for the first few hours and as I got higher it turned to sleet. Soon sleet covered everything! I made it up and over Roan Mtn. but coming down was another matter. When I section hiked this area last year, I felt coming down Roan was harder than going up. The trail is real rocky and the rocks are loose rocks about the size of bowling balls. This time the trail was covered with sleet and ice! Yeehaw!!When I got to Carvers a Gap, I was an hour early for my shuttle, so I decided to hitch down to the town of Roan Mtn. AT hitch hikers are known to be safe and friendly, and most of the people that pick you up want to know about you and your hike. The second car that passed me picked me up. It was a couple who had retired to the area from Baltimore. They were so nice and we had a wonderful conversation for 15 minutes down to the town. After waiting a while, I got picked up, taken back to my Jeep, and then drove to the hostel where I was staying To my surprise, a couple I had met earlier(around Fontana) we're staying there, so we went to supper together. The bad thing was I couldn't eat. Between the giardia and the antibiotic I'm taking for it, I don't have much appetite. I hope I can eat enough to keep my energy up. As always, I'll let the Good Lord guide and I'll do my best to follow. I think that's what Walking Worthy is all about!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Carvers Gap

To: US 19E
Miles today: 14.0

Today was an unbelievably beautiful day to hike. The trail was a little muddy, and I slipped down once, but overall a good day. The most significant thing was that I left North Carolina behind. For much of the last 200 miles, I've walked with my left foot in TN and my right foot in NC. Today I pased through my second state. Two down and twelve more to go!I need to sleep soundly tonight as I have a big day tomorrow. I plan to head out early and pace myself to make it to the next hostel. We'll see!Later on . .
Date: 2014-04-11
From: US 19E

To: Dennis Cove Rd
Miles today: 26.0

No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth! I haven't had reception for days, and last night was too tired, so please forgive, and thanks again for following. I've gotten a little spoiled with slack packing, and so today I paid the price! 26 miles. I did not have a good stopping point so I went for it. I made it, but I was one whipped puppy. I did it in 10 hours, but really pushed it. It was not much fun, and I don't think I'll be doing that again soon. Had several monumental moments today. Went over 400 total miles, swatted at my first mosquito(rest his soul), and was blessed again by Buck Mtn Church. It may be a small thing, but I was touched again by the fact that the church welcomes hikers to fill their water from their hydrant as they pass by. Other churches and homes along the trail open their doors to hikers and accommodate them. All thru hikers are not model citizens, and everyone living along trail is not crazy about the AT, but the vast majority of hikers and locals have a wonderful community. Thru hikers are appreciative of support, and locals have learned to respect, befriend, and share with the hikers. It is this community that makes the AT special and unique. So thanks again Buck Mtn Baptist Church. Mark 9:41 "For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you belong to Christ,verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."Later on . . .
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Dennis Cove Rd

To: Wilbur Dam Rd
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a pretty short day, but my legs played tricks on me. When I started out this morning, I walked on the level road for a half mile to the AT. My legs felt good and I said , "All right!" First uphill climb and my legs said, "Whoa, we ain't doing this again!"Laurel Falls was within the first couple miles, and the AT goes right down to the base. There was a lot of water due to spring rains, and it was amazing. I was thankful that today there was only one big climb up to Pond Flats from which I could see the beautiful Watauga Lake and river. It was some of the most awesome views yet. The trail goes around the lake and then across the dam. It is a deep lake with some areas being as much as 400 ft deep. I would love to come back here with the family one day. Later on. . .