morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Pigeon River

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 19.5

March 24 was a fairly nice day that ended with a beautiful view from Max Patch Bald. We camped in our tents just .04 of a mile beyond the bald in a stand of trees. Soon it began to rain and then snow. We woke up to frozen tents and it took an hour to break camp. We decided to go for a big day in order to get to a hostel in Hot Springs. We hiked through very cold, windy and snowy conditions and arrived around 5 p.m. having hiked for nine hours without hardly stopping. So tonight we are inside, well fed, warm and wondering about tomorrow which is also supposed to bring more horrible weather.One hiker did not have the $15 to stay at the hostel so we paid for his night. We are with Z, Nichelodian, Disciple and his dog, and Crow. We are having great conversations with other frozen hikers!
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Many hikers stayed in Hot Springs due to snow in the mountains. Sparks, Nichelodian and I had Chuck Norris (the hostel proprietor)shuttle us ahead so that we could hike back to the hostel. Tomorrow he will take us back to where he dropped us off. It was very snowy but beautiful! We carried just the necessities of the day and our tents and sleeping bags in case we got stuck in the storm. This technique is called slack packing. It is so much easier to carry 20 lbs. rather than the usual 35. It made it much easier to enjoy the journey and natural beauty. We passed a section hiker carrying a very heavy pack. I said, "Beautiful day, isn't it?" He grunted, "I hadn't noticed." This exchange reminded me about how important it is to travel light in our spiritual journey. Jesus said, "Come unto me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest." Peter states, "Cast all your cares upon him knowing that He cares for you." Jesus wants us to slack pack and enjoy the journey and beauty of life.We also had a surprise reunion with Joe the Hiker whom we lost track of in the Smokies. It was a great reunion on the trail.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Allen Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

It is early morning and we are getting ready to head out. Reports are we could be in three-foot snowdrifts today. We are headed back into 5,000 ft. elevation. We plan to hike around 12 miles to a shelter where there will be water and a privy. We plan to stay in tents due to the fact that a tent covered with snow is much warmer than a shelter.The next 62 miles to Erwin has spotty cell and Internet service, so you may not hear from me for a few days. However, Sparks calls his journal in to a recording device so he can usually get his journal entered. Please be sure to read his journal as well at trailjournals.com/brucesparks. He is an excellent writer and a great hiking companion.The picture is of Joe the Hiker and me. It was a joy to see him again having lost track of each other in the Smokies. I am glad he made it through! Around 25 percent have dropped out by now. Joe is a tough guy!!
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: few clouds

A highlight of today was a lunch break with several other hikers. Hikers leapfrog one another and periodically seem to meet at a location. I was airing out my feet in the cold and Baker said I ought to put a tag on a toe as my feet look like they belong to a corpse! Actually, I haven't had a hint of a blister yet which is very unusual. My feet are doing the job.The major topic of conversation was food. Word is the KFC just two days away has an all-you-can-eat buffet. They are going to lose money with this bunch.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.8

Hogback Shelter was difficult. It was .06 of a mile round trip to obtain water. Z, Nichelodian, Justin and I spent the night in the cold shelter and Sparks tented. As usual, our boots were wet and frozen so we packed up and started hiking. We had various types of weather but had some cold, snowy, windy balds to go over late in the day through three-foot snowdrifts. Late afternoon I called friends from the past that I hoped we would be meeting up with in several days. However, the Polsgroves said they would drive around 35 miles, pick us up and take us to their home. So, after six more miles of hiking we were picked up at 6:30 p.m. and taken to their home. We showered, ate (a lot) and slept in a warm bed. Judy washed our clothes and we even watched some March Madness. Trail Angels preforming trail magic!For the next 2-3 days we will be staying at their home and slack packing. We will even get to go to church with them Easter Sunday. You may notice Sparks and I do not complain in our journals. We don't complain on the trail, either. Yesterday from noon until 3:00, though, we were going up a very difficult bald called Big Bald. It was Good Friday and during the difficult three hours Sparks and I went over and discussed the words of Jesus from the cross. Just as we accomplished the climb I looked at my watch and it was 3 p.m. I looked at Sparks and said "It is finished!" We accomplished the climb. His climb up Golgotha accomplished our salvation.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, Tenn
Miles today: 11.2

On the trail everyone is longing to get to the next trail town. There you find food, a hostel, a shower and the ability to rest and do your laundry. Erwin is a trail town. What startled me on the trail was that everyone talked about getting to Erwin by Saturday in order to go to church on Easter Sunday! This aspiration was discussed more often than food. I thought quite a bit about this and reflected on the fact that man does not live by bread alone. Jesus is the bread of life and feeds the soul. Could it be that it is a reflection of the truth that the hikers being made in the image of God long to feed their souls? Perhaps living in the beauty of God's creation had awakened many hikers to this longing? Sparks and I got to feed both longings. We shared delicious meals with the Polsgroves and attended a wonderful worship service with them at Celebration Church. We were well fed!Going out for a 20 miler on Monday.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Erwin, Tenn

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 20.1

Today we hiked over 20 miles! It was a little easier since we were slack packing. Gordon Polsgrove dropped us off early this morning and we hiked nine hours to accomplish the mileage.Joe-the-Hiker hiked with us, and at the end of the day we brought him back to the Polsgroves' home for the evening. The great surprise was that Scott and Kim Polsgrove and five of their six children came over for supper. I performed their wedding nearly 25 years ago.It was a real blessing to sit at the table with Scott and his family, his parents, along with Sparks and Joe-the-Hiker. Our suppers have been freeze-dried dinners gulped down in our sleeping bags while trying to stay warm. It made us realize how wonderful sharing a meal with family and friends can be.It is amazing how prevalent the topic of food is in scripture. Meals were a shared experience and were not rushed. In Revelation 3 Jesus says He desires to have supper with us. The word "supper" here refers to the long evening meal that was shared with family and friends.Tomorrow morning we return to the trail with our new friend, Joe-the-Hiker.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Ephesians 5:15 states that we ought to "look carefully how we walk, not as unwise but as wise because the days are evil."Today we needed to walk wisely. We we were making great time over Roan Mountain, which hikers call "Groan Mountain," when suddenly we realized it was going to take more time than expected.The snow had melted and turned into a frozen river of ice. Around 3 miles of the trail over the mountain was " evil"! Every step had to be planned and taken carefully. Joe-the-Hiker, Sparks and I, fell several times. Thankfully, although bruised and battered we were mot injured.It reminded me of the passage in Ephesians because of how slippery life can be at times. We need to be very careful how we walk . . . that is, how we live our lives.The book of Ephesians goes on and says we ought to walk in love, as children of the light and that we ought to walk worthy of our calling as Christians. Walking over Roan Mountain demanded very careful attention ,so does life. Still, even when beIng careful we all fell.We see throughout scripture that many of the great characters of scripture that loved God fell at times in their spiritual lives. Yet, as it states in Proverbs: "though a good man falls seven times yet he rises up again." We kept getting back up and made it to over "Groan Mountain" bruised and battered, but unbroken .
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Carvers Gap

To: US 19 East
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night I slept in an outhouse! By the time we got down the mountain we couldn't make it to our intended destination due to the ice. Therefore, we set up camp at a little pull-off area at Roan Mountain. There was an open outhouse and I decided to set up camp in there. Life on the trail is always changing. Today was a beautiful day with little ice. We went over several balds with beautiful views. It was quite a contrast from yesterday. It is interesting what a day might bring forth. A highlight of yesterday was the young lady who shared with me through tears that she was getting off the trail because she had developed tendinitis. I asked if I could pray for her. We prayed together and then there were more tears. It was a meaningful moment to share with a fellow traveler. Later I learned that she healed up and was able to resume the hike.Tonight Sparks and I are back at the Polgroves' home with a new friend, Boo-Boo (trailjournals.com/BooBoo) as well as Joe-the-Hiker (trailjournals.com/joethehiker).
Date: 2013-04-04
From: US 19 East

To: Morelend Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Today began with rain. As we ascended into higher elevation, the rain turned into sleet, then to hail and then eventually to snow. We were wet and cold and yet were awestruck by the beauty of the day as we experienced the changing weather and scenery as we passed several waterfalls. When we arrived at the shelter we were wet and cold. Joe-the-Hiker, Sparks and I crawled into bed around 6:00 p.m. and cooked our dinners while in our sleeping bags. We were in bed for around 13 hours. Several hours later, hiking by headlamp BooBoo showed up extremely cold, wet and tired. He didn't even cook a meal; he just crawled into bed. It was a long, uncomfortable and restless night yet we woke up glad to have experienced the previous day and ready for another adventuresome day of hiking.On a previous hike in Vermont I once saw a sign at the Long Trail Inn. It said: "Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday, and all is well." I believe all will be well at the end of this day as well.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Morelend Gap Shelter

To: US 321
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

On the trail people do not go by their real names but rather by a "trail name" they have been given or chosen while hiking the trail. This new name reflects their new identity as a thru-hiker . It is frowned upon to ask someone their real name or their profession"off trail". In scripture we find that God would often change a person's name to reflect the new identity. One example in the Old Testament would be Jacob who's name was changed to Israel and in the New Testament we have Simon whose name was changed to Peter . Both men, over time lived out lives which reflected the character depicted in their new names.The book of Revelation chapter two states that God has given his children new names. He wants us to live out our new identities as His children. It is worth reflecting upon what new names God might have given us and if we are living out that new identity.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abington Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

The Appalachian Trail is actually very easy to follow. There are approximately 80,000 white blazes on trees or rocks along the trail. Also, the trail itself is generally pretty evident. However, there are side trails that are called blue blaze trails which lead to other destinations along the way. A.T. "purists" will not blue blaze; they stay on the Appalachian Trail. I had committed to not blue blaze due to an experience I had in 2007 in the White Mountains. I blue blazed around Mount Madison due to a storm, only to get lost. I fell down a cliff during a storm and got laid up in Gorham, New Hampshire, for a couple days. I found out later that I was on one of the most dangerous trails in the White Mountains during a storm. To make the matter worse, I was alone with no one to help me.Psalm 1:1-2 states: "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night." Jesus had a chance to blue blaze when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane. He said (Matthew 26:39) "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Jesus chose to stay true to the will of God rather than take any other trail to hopefully accomplish the course set out for Him.The Apostle Paul states in II Timothy 4:7: "...he fought THE good fight, he finished THE course, he kept THE faith." He is very specific that he was true to the course laid out by God.
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Abington Ridge Shelter

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 10.0

We made it to Damascus, Virginia. This accomplishment means we have completed the Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee sections of the trail. We have now completed around 20% of the A.T. Only around 1,700 miles to go! I have been looking at the trail in segments. Usually, I look to see how far it is to the next trail town where we can resupply, eat real food, take a shower and sleep indoors for a night. These segments are usually around 60-75 miles apart. To think of reaching Mt. Katahdin at the end of the journey is too much to consider. I think this concept holds true spiritually as well. Today when we reached the Virginia border I thought of how God told Samuel to set up a large stone in the place where a great victory over the Philistines had occurred. Samuel named the stone Ebenezer ( meaning stone of remembrance or help)because the Lord delivered them there from the Philistines. Likewise, we ought to have memorials in our lives to commemorate milestones in our spiritual journeys.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

At 85 years old, my mother received her first pedicure. Her statement afterwards was: "Why did I wait so long?" We tend to neglect our feet--but they are extremely important. Our feet take a beating out here on the Appalachian Trail. At periodic breaks, hikers air out their boots, socks and feet. Most hikers, including me, have black toenails from the constant rubbing against the toe of our boots. On the Smokies one hiker looked at my feet and said "Hoosier, why don't you just put a tag on it?" My feet looked like they belonged to a dead man!Scripture has a lot to say about feet. for instance, Isaiah 52:7 says: "How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!" Our feet are to take us to others to share a message from God.Ephesians 1:22 speaks of Christ sitting at God's right hand "with all things under His feet."Ephesians 6:15 says: "Having your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." Not only am I working to keep my physical feet in shape on the trail, I am also hoping to share the good news of God"s offer of peace through Jesus Christ.I wasn't so fortunate today at keeping my leg in shape. I got off the trail and into barbed wire!(see picture) However, duct tape came to the rescue.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Nochelodian (a young, strong and fun hiker) said I was an inspiration to him by staying on the trail with my shin all cut up and duct-taped. I am glad I could be such an inspiration to a young guy! He has been to me as well. He has been dealing with infected blisters, but he continues hiking and always has a smile on his face!
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 16.1

Nomad approached me in Erwin, Tennessee, and told me he felt called of God to get off the trail. Instead, he bought a van, filled it with food, and began showing up at road crossings to offer trail magic. He now has six injured hikers riding with him who help serve other hikers while they heal up. He also transports hikers to various destinations ; such as a doctors office. He recently took Joe the Hiker to the airport to fly home and surprise his daughter by attending an awards ceremony. He will be getting back on the trail in a few days and hopes to catch back up with Sparks and me.Nomad is now serving this linear hiking community on the A.T. by offering a "cold cup of water in Jesus' name."
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Dickey Gap

To: Vt. 672
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: snow

Last night storms were brewing. Sparks, Mot, Pumpkin Pie and I got off the trail and hitched a couple miles to Troutdale Baptist Church which has a bunk house out back for hikers. It was the pastor's wife who picked us up! We slept indoors through a terrible storm. This morning we hiked just a few hours to a point where a longtime friend of mine picked Sparks and me up and took us to a hotel for the night. He also treated us to an all-you-can-eat buffet!Kevin arrived with a trunk full of trail magic which we gave to around a dozen hikers we have been hiking with and who had tented through the storm. It was so much fun surprising them with grapes, oranges, apples, juice and sandwiches. Jesus was right when he said "It is more blessed to give than to receive."
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Vt. 672

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 21.7

Yesterday, I think, was my favorite day thus far on the trail. It was a beautiful day, but it was more than that, it was who we were hiking with. For the first 11 miles Sparks and I didn't see anyone. We had hoped to catch up with those who we were hiking with previously. We had taken a nero so we were behind. Eleven miles in we were surprised to see Dovetail, Caribou, and Rash coming up from behind us. We hiked together for the rest of the day. They really enjoy the journey. I told Dovetail and Caribou that they are the two happiest hikers I had ever seen. They really, really enjoy themselves. They remind me of Ecclesiastes 11:9 "You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth, follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see."I love hiking with them because they love life. Caribou said to me, "We are living the life to the max", and they are. Rash is also. He says of himself: "I am just a good ole country boy." I invite you to look at their trail journals at trailjournals.com/rash, trialjournals.com/caribouanddovetail.These guys delight in the journey on the trail;but also in life. We are to enjoy the journey of life and not be "a victim of the destination".
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 18.9

Today, while hiking, I thought of four things that have been going on out here on the trail. First of all you need LEGS and LUNGS for the journey. There are LESSONS to be learned that relate to life that I hope to share when I get off the trail. But also there are LIVES out here.We hiked hard yesterday with Rash, Caribou and Dovetail in hopes of catching up with Mot and Pumpkin'Pie. Other trails, such as the Pacific Crest and the Continental Divide I am told are less communal than the AT. Surprisingly, this community of hikers has become what I love most about the trail.. That is a lesson for life as well; as the thru-hiker Grrrr said ¢If it were just trails and trees I would be off this thing, but it is the hiking community that keeps me on it." A great lesson for life "off trail". it is the people in life that make the journey worth living.
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: overcast clouds

There were times today when I could not see 50 ft. due to heavy fog. . It made it very difficult to see the white blazes showing where the trail was. Philip Yancey writes about a man who swam out into a lake one evening when suddenly fog rolled in and he became totally disoriented. He was petrified , until he heard a familiar voice on shore. He swam towards the familiar voice which led him to shore.11 Corinthians 5:7 states "For we walk by faith, not by sight.¢ That was literally true today hiking but it is also true in our spiritual lives as well. Thomas, said in John 20:25, ¢Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.¢ Jesus said to him, ¢Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.¢ Thomas said to him, ¢My Lord and my God!¢ Then Jesus told him, ¢Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.¢ Out here I have thought about the fact that I want to live by faith and not by sight. I want to experience Him as my Lord and God by faith.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Rt. 58 to Bland, va.
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The barbed wire cuts are swollen and not doing well. At times I had to stop hiking. I was moved by the compassion other hikers showed me as they passed by and saw me dressing the wound.It reminded me of the "one another" passages of scripture which speak of sharing in the joys and sorrows of others. Those who passed expressed their concern for my situation For tonight, we are in a motel in Bland and plan to return to the trail after icing and dressing the wound.I pray the wound heals quickly!
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Rt. 58 to Bland, va.

To: VA 606
Miles today: 18.6

At 4:30 this morning (17th) thinking through the options of the day. It seemed like I really should take a zero, due to the leg situation. However, I would lose the group and it would set Sparks back because he would have stayed with me. We are trying to get Sparks to McAffee Knob, a beautiful overlook one third of the way through the AT and one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail. Sparks has to get off on the 26th and we have over 100 miles to go. As it turned out Mott"s wife visited Mott and carried the majority of our gear by car 20 miles ahead. By carrying a light load I was able to hike. Galatians 6 states that we should carry one another's burdens. Today we arranged to have the majority of our gear transported again so that I can stay on the trail.Sparks is carrying my gear thus fulling what is called "the law of Christ". It was a very difficult day for me physically. I just set my face to the grind and put in a long hard day. Life is like that at times. Even for Jesus! The Gospel of Luke states that "Jesus set His face like flint to go to Jerusalem to accomplish the will of God for us.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Surgar Run Gap

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.0

I've known for a few days that I really need a day or two off my feet. Otherwise, I may jeopardize the hike.Sparks and I have taken only two days off in nearly two months. God graciously brought a doctor into our hiking group and he has been expressing his concern. I wanted Sparks to have a glorious finish to his hike at McAfee Knob next Friday,so we needed to push on. However, I re-injured the leg again today and knew I could not go on tomorrow. So, Sparks will head out in the morning and I will be staying in Pearisburg to heal up. Nichelodian, Caribou, Dovetail ,Coffee Pot and several other hikers are also staying here to heal up. Jesus once told his disciples to come away for a time of needed rest. They must have needed a zero or two.