morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-14
From: Pierce Pond Shelter

To: Caratunk (Sterling Inn)
Miles today: 3.7

Slept on hill under the stars and it was wonderful. Up at 6:15 for breakfast at 7:30 at Harrison's fish Camp. Eggs,sausage and 12 pancakes. Not 12 silver dollar pancakes but 12 - 4" pancakes. They were buckwheat with fresh apples, blueberries and cranberries. They were good and yes I ate all 12. Picture of the stack is attached. Then hiked 3.5 miles to take canoe ferry to town. Pictures in folder of the ferry. Got lucky in town that driver for Inn was dropping people off as we got there so no waiting. At Inn by 10:00. Laundry, resupply and naps to fully recover. Out to dinner and had a great hamburger with Stadfast and Shortbus. Great day
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Caratunk (Sterling Inn)

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept to 5:30 for a 6:30 breakfast. On trail and best trail in a long time. Few roots, few rocks and mostly dry. No wet rocks,no wet roots and few bogs is great. Late morning and at pond soaking feet. Spend an hour for lunch, getting water and soaking feet. Enjoy e moments. I have a picture if feet in the water. Afternoon hike was one climb but then a brook. Soaking feet again for a half hour while eating a snack and getting water. I am beginning to really like Maine. Into camp at 4:30 and ate quickly and set up camp because bugs were tough. Laying there listening to creek flow by, birds in trees and realizing how good life is. A great day.
Date: 2013-07-16
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean-to

To: Piscataquis River fording
Miles today: 15.3

Up at 5:30but a lazy morning of prayers and hot food. A 15 mile day but I easy terrain. Going to again cross two rivers so chance to soak feet. On top of Moxie Bald (only climb today in a nice breeze (no bugs), sun and cool temps. Journaling and getting a snack but mostly enjoying the moment. Hiked down, got lunch at first fording and then sat in the sun for a half hour. Nice nap. Hiked and came to a spot by the river so stopped and soaked for an hour soak. Hiked to camp after fording river. Went back to river and soaked for an hour by sitting in the rapids with water up to about my waist. It felt so good. Life is really tough.
Date: 2012-11-27
To: Terry Peak
Miles today: 0.0

The life of Jesus from age 12 through 30 is summed up in Luke's Gospel where he states that Jesus "grew in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men." At the end of each year I review the past year and try to determine if I have grown in these four areas and set goals for doing so the next year. In preparation for the Thru-hike I am trying to set goals in each of these areas in relationship to the hike. Wisdom- I have been and continue to read all I can about the trail and gear. I am corresponding with those who have accomplished the task. I want to be as a knowledgeable as possible and I am not too proud to ask for help! Stature- I am working hard at being physically fit. I am hiking 6,OOO footers and swimming in Wyoming where I am visiting my son for a couple months. Also, although I don't really have weight to loose I am trying to eat healthy. In January I will begin hiking with a pack on and increasing the weight each week. Favor with God- I am hoping to be in such a healthy relationship with God that I will be a living example of Jesus on the trail . I need to know well the one I hope to share about. Since I am not currently preparing sermons each week it is enlightening and freeing to read large portions of scripture each day with myself in mind rather than the guy in the pew. I am also studying in depth the book of Ephesians which continually refers to the Christian life as a walk. I believe that a walk is the most used idiom in scripture for the Christian life . Favor with Man- From past section hikes on the trail I can say that some of the most giving, funny, eccentric and interesting people I have ever met I met on the trail.I look forward to getting to know many thru-hikers on this adventure.So these are my goals. I'd better get started now rather than January 1st!!!
Date: 2012-12-01
To: Bell Nob, Gillette, Wy.
Miles today: 0.0

In October I had the privilege of hiking the Jesus Trail in the Galilee area of Israel. You can learn more about it at Jesustrail.com. In order to get to the trail I had to catch a bus to Nazareth from Jerusalem , but first I needed directions to the bus station. I asked a man on the street if he spoke English, but he said no, he didn't. From behind me I heard a woman with a British accent say" I speak English, can I help you?" I turned and saw a young woman in her mid-twenties . I explained to her my need to find the bus station. "Are you legging it?" she asked. Confused , I said "What?" She repeated herself,"Are you legging it?" and tapped her leg. "Oh yes", I said " I am legging it." Then follow me ,I 'm legging it there,"she said .I hadn't heard the expression legging it before , but have since been told it is a common expression in England for walking briskly. We are all legging it somewhere and following someone. It is important that we are on the right path and following the right Person.
Date: 2012-12-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

i am frequently asked if I am going to be hiking alone. Thankfully, although I have done much of my hiking alone I will not be doing so on this trip. My friend Bruce Sparks (trailjournals.com/sparks )will joining me for the first two months and several friends will be joining me for smaller sections. There are tremendous benefits to hiking with companions. Ecclesiastes 4:9- 12 states, "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down his friend can help him up.But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together they will keep warm. but how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Date: 2013-01-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Last weekend I had the privilege of speaking at a men's seminar in Chicago on Spiritual Lessons Learned on the Appalachian Trail . It amazes me how people who are not hikers still respond to the metaphor of the Christian life as a walk. I leave in the morning for Costa Rica to share the same messages with pastors in the jungles and the city of San Jose. I believe the reason it relates so well to everyone is that we may not all play football, basketball or soccer but we all walk.
Date: 2013-02-17
To: Potato Creek
Miles today: 0.0

All thru hikers are striving to get their packs as light as possible for the upcoming hike. I know a person who actually removed several feet off unneeded dental floss in order to not carry excess weight.Hebrews 12:1 states that we ought to throw off any weight that would slow us down in our spiritual journey. I desire to travel light in my spiritual pilgrimage as well. So, what needs to go?
Date: 2013-02-25
To: Potato Creek
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a beautiful day for a hike but they are not all that way. Some days the weather is very challenging; just like life. However,I have learned to enjoy and appreciate every kind of weather I experience at the park. That is primarily due to having the right clothing for whatever weather I face out there. Someone has said "there is no such thing as bad weather just bad clothing" . In many ways that is true about life as well. Being prepared for whatever life brings makes it possible to not just endure but actually enjoy life. I believe the spiritual preparation that comes from a rich relationship with God is the preparation we most need.
Date: 2013-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Psalm 92 states that it is good to declare God's love in the morning and His faithfulness at night. I try to practice this with each new day. To do so gives tremendous confidence to face the day, and each night I have been able to reflect upon His faithfulness .I plan to do so on the thru-hike which is only a week away!
Date: 2013-03-01
To: Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Sparks and I arrived at Amicalola Falls and hiked the beautiful 1.2 miles of the approach trail along the falls to the lodge. Tomorrow we will complete the 9 mile approach trail and officially begin the Appalachian Trail. My friend Bruce Sparks ( AKA SPARKS) will be joining me for the first two months of the hike. Another friend ,David OBrien who lives a few hours away from here came to spend the night and see us off in the morning.The journey begins!
Date: 2013-03-02
From: Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge

To: stover creek shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light snow

We got off to a cold start; windy and 16 degrees! Sparks and I only stayed at Springer Mountain a few minutes due to the wind and cold. We met Shepherd there. We were familiar with each other through our trail journals. Shepherd is a contra dancer and plans to get "off trail" often to attend dances in small towns along the way.
Date: 2013-03-03
From: stover creek shelter

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 13.0

It was a very cold night but we had a great time chatting with other thru-hikers. I got a kick out of one guys trail name; Joe the Hiker. With all our differences we have much in common out here. We follow a common path and have a common destination. Someone has called the communal aspect of the trail a linear community.
Date: 2013-03-04
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Sparks and I have made it to Neels Gap. Counting the approach trail we have hiked around around 40 miles. This is where approximately 20% of thru-hikers get off the trail and go home. I used to wonder how they could give up on the journey so soon. Now I understand. The hike has not been easy. At this point hikers are usually carrying extra weight in their packs and on their bodies. An outfitter store at Neels Gap offers a "shake down" by employees who have successfully completed the trail. Hikers who continue on usually do so with several pounds less in their packs. If they continue their bodies will shed several pounds as well. Spiritually speaking I believe we could all use a " shake down" to help us continue on and complete the trail of life God has called us to.
Date: 2013-03-05
From: Mooney Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 7.0

Keith, known as the Jesus Burger Guy, serves free meals to hikers staying at the Neel 's Gap Hostel. Sparks and I helped him serve burgers and he put us up for the night in a cabin used for missionaries. The next morning he took us to the Sweet Water Cafe near the town of Helen. Carolyn the owner was very gracious and gave us a special energy tea for the trail . We were her first customers of the day and she was just bringing fresh baked scones out of the oven. Carolyn would prove to be one of many wonderful Trail Angels serving up trail magic along the AT.
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Blue Mtn. Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 12.6

Sparks and I have now completed nearly 70 miles of the AT and should complete the Georgia section of the trail tomorrow. Georgia has been bitter cold. We are planning to spend tonight inside and warm at the Blueberry Patch Hostel in the small trail town of Hiawassee. .
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Mooney Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 7.6

Mooney Gap is known for getting the most rain in the East: over 93 inches a years! We camped there last night ;it was cold, windy and rainy. I had left my rain gear in the hostel in Hiawassee so I got very wet and cold. We hiked as fast as possible to Franklin. A kind lady drove us 11 miles from the trail to town. I then went to an outfitter store which was holding my rain gear that was delivered there. We went to a cabin in the woods where A friends brother Dale and his wife Joyce live. They are putting us up for the night! Not only that but Joyce did our laundry as Dale drove us to town to resupply. Joyce also prepared a wonderful meal!Dale and Joyce are called Trail Angels who give Trail Magic. It is a gracious gift!Life off the trail gives us all opportunities to serve others needs as well . Jesus said that even a cold glass of water given in His name will not go unrewarded.Back to the trail tomorrow,but for tonight; inside,warm,dry and clean.
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Roch Gap

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 13.8

After a great breakfast with Dale and Joyce we returned to the trail. Today was beautiful; 50's and sunny! Tonight it is in the 20's,we are over a mile high and the view from Wayah Bald is amazing. Sparks and I are here along with Dirty Bird. She is doing a 10 year anniversary hike having completd it in 2003. She is a strong hiker!We received trail magic again today from Fresh Grounds. He is a Christian who does this as a ministry. In the middle of the woods we suddenly came upon his tent. He served us salad, hotdogs, hot chicken soup and coffee. He then sent us off with oranges. He said the Lord told him to do this and that we would see him again in the Smokies. Thank you Lord!
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Wayah Bald

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 17.2

It was cold at sunrise! Sparks, Dirty Bird and I broke camp at sunrise and took off without eating breakfast in order to stay warm. We hiked hard and long(17.2 miles) and arrived at a hostel only to learn we arrived too late . So since it is going to be in the low 20's Sparks and I are staying in a local house trailer. Though humble ,it is warm and we are grateful to be inside. Still,though cold , last night was amazing! An awesome view at over a mile high, clear skies, millions of stars, shooting stars, and an emergency blanket to keep warm. A room with a view!!
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

David O'Brien met Sparks and me As we headed into the Smokies we met a father,his daughter and her two friends.; all students at Ga. Tech on spring break with plans to hike the Smokies.We shared the shelter with them and a thru-hiker named Grrrr at Moolie's Ridge Shelter. They were late in arriving so Sparks hiked back to them to check on them. During that time Grrrr and I had a moving time sharing life in the military. When he found out I too was a veteran and brother in Christ he shared that his hearing loss came from his time in Vietnam and some of the baggage veterans carry from the war. I love it out here!
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

The last 29 miles have been challenging. I had previously asked for prayer that I would have "legs for the journey". I also need lungs for the journey. Downhill hiking is hard on the knees and uphill is hard on the lungs. This last 29-mile section from Franklin to Fontana Dam began with a 7-mile uphill climb. The section ended with a descent from a 5,000-ft. elevation to 1,700 ft. Thankfully, the weather has been wonderful! Also, we have met some wonderful hikers. Several are section hikers like Stephen who is out for just a couple weeks. He is a chef from Boston. Z is a thru-hiker from Las Angeles who is a saxophone instructor. He is 27 and represents many of the younger thru hikers. Then there is Grrrr from Connecticut who has retired and is attempting a thru hike.He taught Sparks and me the song "Thy Word" in sign language.We spent last night camping with three men from Chattanooga, Tennessee. They were a delight and prayed for Sparks and me. They also gave us Snickers bars and said they would be be following us on trail journals.My friend David O'Brien met us at Fontana Dam. He sent us off two weeks ago today and agreed to meet us here to give us the supplies we left with him. So tonight we,to quote David "slept indoors and ate real food".Tomorrow we enter the 72-mile stretch known as the Smokies. It has been interesting listening to others talk about the Smokies. The best word to describe it is fear. This is not due to the terrain but the weather conditions. We will be at over 6,000 ft. elevations and the weather can change in a minute. However, there is an expression on the trail that "if you don't walk in the rain you'll never make it to Maine." We must face our fears and go on!
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

The Smokies are to be feared! Today a storm hit while we were going over Thunderhead Mountain. The winds were probably 40 to 50 mph, and it was raining.We got to our shelter before the full force of the storm hit. Inside the shelter we found four students from Tufts University. They made us hot tea! We returned the favor with hot food and coffee when Roadrunner from Germany showed up. By this time it was hailing and raining fiercely. Then Grrrr showed up and we made hot coffee for him as well. They were very cold ,wet and in the early stages of hypothermia.The Smokies were showing their stuff but we found "a shelter from the storm" Life has its storms as well,and can be very fearful. In Psalm 27 David states "God will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble". It is interesting tat the most repeated command in the scriptures is "Do not fear". That must be because God knows we are so prone to being afraid. later in the same Psalm David says "be strong, and let your heart take courage". I prefer that over fear.
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Derricks Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

The trail turned into a frozen river of ice! I fell five or six times. It got bitter cold! Once we made it to the shelter we went to bed. Roadrunner was there as well trying to stay warm in his sleeping bag. Well after dark another hiker suddenly drew back the tarp over the front of the shelter and announced: "Not a Bear!" I thought he said "A Bear!" (It was a scary moment.) Now his trail name is Not A Bear.The next morning we packed as quickly as possible and began the hike to the next shelter to avoid frostbite in these cold conditions.
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

With Z again. This morning he said he found it quite amusing that our boots were frozen and that we could hardly get our feet into them. We hiked with anticipation, though, because we were nearing the end of the Smokies! The Smokies had given us a challenge! No wonder statistics show that by now 30 percent of would-be thru hikers have dropped out.
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Brrrrrrrr! Z was at the shelter. He announced in the morning that it had snowed several inches during the night. We were later told it was 11 degrees. Z, Sparks and I all fumbled through packing up with numb hands and feet. We hiked together much of the day toward our last shelter of the Smokies.
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Pigeon River
Miles today: 9.5

Just 1.2 miles from the Pigeon River there were two signs. One said we were leaving the Smokies. The other (a homemade, temporary sign) said Fresh Grounds was at the Pigeon River! That meant the best trail magic thus far (and for the third time from Fresh Grounds) on the trail was just ahead. As I came down the last mountain before the river I saw his tarp set up and I yelled, "Fresh Grounds, it's Hoosier!" Two minutes later I was handed hot coffee, soup, a banana, and a hot dog! What a Trail Angel he is! He says he does this as a servant of Jesus to fulfill giving rest to weary hikers. Z ate four hot dogs!A few minutes later David O'Brien pulled up to take Sparks and me to his and Mary's house(2 hours away) for our first Zero(a day without hiking). There we will rest, resupply, shower, wash clothes, eat, eat again and then eat some more. Then we will return to the trail with the Smokies behind us.
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Pigeon River

To: Last Resort( The O'Brien's Home
Miles today: 0.0

I am writing this in the warmth of the O'Brien home. I have not been able to post entries through the Smokies due to the fact that I do so on a mini iPad. The keyboard is heat-activated and my fingers have been too cold for the keyboard to work. Often there was not Internet service either. Sparks calls his posts in by phone to a recorder from which his daughter writes up and posts for him. I may try that soon.Throughout the Smokies there was one word that kept coming to mind, shelter. We desperately needed shelter. In the Smokies it is required that you stay in or camp beside a shelter. This is due to the drastic and sudden changes in weather, and the presence of bears. However, we were told that bears are not an issue yet due to the cold weather. They are still hibernating. Maybe we should have been too!Each daily hike was an effort to reach our next planned shelter. Once inside we would eat, crawl into our sleeping bags and try to get and stay warm. One evening Sparks, Z, and I were in our sleeping bags 13 1/2 hours! I figure you get around half that in sleep.While hiking through the Smokies, I kept thinking of all the Bible passages that speak of God being our shelter in the storms of life. One of my favorite passages regarding this is found in Isaiah 32 which foretells the time when King (Jesus) reigns in righteousness and justice it will be like a shelter from the wind and a refuge from the storm.A great lesson thus far is that Jesus is our safety, our protection and should be the place of shelter we pursue each day.
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Last Resort( The O'Brien's Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Leaving in a few minutes to return to the trail. Because this was our first day off the trail since March 2 I did not know what to expect. It was very refreshing. We return today with clean clothes, a clean body, well fed, warm and with rested legs. I think God knew what he was doing when he planned a sabbath rest. The O'Briens were so gracious in opening their home to us as a shelter in the storm. Oh, the weather report is for winter storm warnings for the next three days!
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Pigeon River

To: Maxie Bald Camp
Miles today: 14.9

After a hearty breakfast at the O'Briens, David took us to Pigeon River. Fresh Grounds was there, so we had a second breakfast! It was a fairly nice day and we made 14.9 miles to a campsite just 4/10ths beyond Maxie Bald Summit. It was a beautiful site! We could see Mount Mitchell in the distance. It is the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River. Shortly after putting up our tents it began to rain, sleet and snow. In the morning we awoke to a wintry scene . . . very cold, very windy, very snowy. It took an hour to break camp because our hands kept going numb. Then we took off and realized if we put in 19.8 miles on March 25 we could get into Hot Springs and not spend another night outdoors like that!It was our longest day yet; it was a difficult day as the weather was horrible. However, after nine hours of solid hiking, we arrived in Hot Springs at a Christian hostel.After a hot shower and a great meal, we are back and making plans for tomorrow, which it is suppose to be very bad weather-wise, as well.One of the big lessons again today was the necessity of shelter, how needed shelter is to be safe in such a terrible environment. It is a reminder again of life, that we are only safe under His wings and Jesus has invited us all to come under his wings of protection.In the hostel are many friends from the past. Z, in particular, is here and I hope to spend time with him. He is a good guy!