By Chappy Jack

Mile: 274.6

Location: Hot Springs, NC

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for so by doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.

In the world that we live in today, it is difficult to trust people, especially strangers.

On the trail, I continuously ask myself where this high level of trust in the Hiker community comes from. How could people that are so different have such a trusting bond?

A similar aspect of the trail is Trail Angels that provide Trail Magic. I received my first trail magic in the form of a free shuttle to start my hike at Springer Mountain in Georgia. The 2017 AT Chaplain, Matt “Trigger” Hall, had made a friend on his 2017 thru hike. This same friend is the Trail Angel who gave me the free shuttle.

Only a half mile into my hike, the Stay Young group of Ellijay, Georgia gave me trail magic in the form of a granola bar. It is amazing and uplifting to come to a trailhead and to find a Trail Angel grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and to sit with other hikers and just enjoy.

Have I ever entertained an angel without knowing it? I hope so! If I haven’t, I hope that through the trail that I will become more trusting of people. Maybe, just maybe, one of those people will be an angel.

Lord Jesus, help me to trust people more, but especially to trust you more!

Chappy Jack

April 3, 2019

Location: Newfound Gap, border of North Carolina and Tennessee

Mile: 207.7

Psalm 94: 18-19 When I said, my foot is slipping,” your love, O LORD, supported me.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought joy to my soul.

I awoke yesterday to a beautiful snowy morning. However, I knew that my plans for the day included climbing Clingmans Dome, the highest point in the Great Smokey Mountains.

The climb with the elevation and the snow was very enjoyable. I was not surprised that the 360-degree view from Clingmans Dome was clouded over since it was still snowing when I arrived.

I was very surprised when I started my descent on my way for another six miles to Newfound Gap.

The snow had very quickly turned to ice that was very difficult to see. Falling is common on the AT, and I fell a total of 4 times. Thank God, no injuries. I arrived safely to Newfound Gap.

In Psalm 94, the Psalmist writes of the Lord’s love supporting him when his foot was slipping. My literal feet were slipping yesterday, but I believe the Psalmist is speaking of anxiety as he talks about the Lord’s consolation in verse 19.

Thankfully, we have God’s Holy Spirit who is our Peace! He is the Peace that passes all understanding!

March 28, 2019

Location: Fontana Village, N.C.

Mile: 165.9

Please read: John 14: 5-14

John 14: 5-6 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus answered , I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.

Approximately 165,000 white blazes mark the path of the Appalachian Trail to show hikers the way from Georgia to Maine.

These white blazes can be seen mostly on trees, but also on stone boulders, posts, sidewalks, streets, and buildings.

My family will tell you that I get easily lost while in the woods. I have a very poor sense of direction. However, this simple system of white blazes has served me well, and I have not been lost, yet….

Similarly, Jesus’ answer to Thomas’s question is very simple. Jesus answered, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me.

Lord Jesus, I tend to complicate things. Please help me to keep your simple truths simple.

Hints of spring in the lower elevations. I’m about to enter the Smokies, I bet I see a lot more winter.

I hope all are as blessed as I am!

Chappy Jack

March 24, 2019

Location: outside of Bryson City, NC, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center

Mile: 137

Please read: John 4: 4-26

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst again. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4: 13-14

A very common occurrence on the AT is hikers gathering, filtering, and purifying water at springs and waterfalls along the trail. Having been spoiled by the overabundance of water sources, I foolishly skipped a water source because I deemed it too far (two-tenth mile) off trail. Big mistake as my lips became parched indicating that I was becoming dehydrated.

As the above scripture came to mind. I wondered, how thirsty was Jesus that day, and with all the walking that he did, how often did he thirst?

When I finally found water, it was cool, refreshing, and delicious! I then wondered, was the water that Jesus drank that day cool, refreshing, and delicious?

I do long to drink the water that Jesus promises in which I will never thirst again. I am thankful that Jesus provides a spring of water leading to everlasting life.

Blessings to all!

Chappy Jack

March 20, 2019

Location: Franklin, Ga.

Mile: 109.4

Please Read: I Thessalonians 5: 11-18

Verse 11: “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just in fact you are doing”.

In the Apostle Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians, he encourages the Thessalonians to encourage and build each other up. In fact, Paul acknowledges that they are doing so.

As the AT Chaplain, my role also is to encourage and build up other hikers. However, I do have to acknowledge, that other hikers bring me much more encouragement and build me up all during the day.

Those in the hiker community are all working toward the same goal of completing the Appalachian Trail. We all realize that we need each other to meet our individual goals.

Lord Jesus, help me to encourage and build others up in their relationship with you!

This has been a week of small goals met. (1) I completed Georgia and passed into North Carolina. 13 states to go, (2) completed the first 100 miles, 2000+ miles to go, and (3) completed my first 12 mile day. I’ve intentionally kept my miles at about 8 miles per day to avoid early injury. However, it’s time to step my mileage up to 10-12 miles per day. At some point the mileage will need to increase to 12-18 miles per day.

My son and his family were vacationing in Gatlinburg. They drove to Franklin, picked me up, and I spent the night with them. Great breakfast before they dropped me.back off in Franklin and they headed home.

Blessings and thanks to all. Be encouraged!

Chappy Jack

March 14, 2019

Mile: 69.2

Location; Hiawasee, GA.

Read: Colossians 1: 16-17

In my prayer time I frequently reflect on how awesome our Creator is! He created the tiniest of things that can not be seen. He created the “glue” that holds everything together, and he created the vast universe that knows no end. I can’t even imagine no end!

What better place to marvel at God’s creation than the AT. How fortunate I am.

When walking the AT, you find yourself in a bubble of hikers. Sometimes hikers will pass you on the trail. Sometimes you will pass those same hikers during the same day. Often those same hikers will be staying at the same shelter or tent site.

I had the delight of passing and being passed by a really fun married couple doing a thru hike together. Suddenly, as I came to a beautiful vista, this couple had stopped to admire not the vista, but the tiniest of wildflowers growing out of rock crevices. Being caught up in the beautiful vista, I would have missed the beautiful wildflowers had it not been for this hiking couple.

Oh, how much of God’s Glory do I miss everyday!

The last few days I left from Neel’s Gap, hiked to and slept at Whitley Gap Shelter, then Low Gap Shelter, then Blue Mountain Shelter, then Tray Mountain Shelter, then Deep Gap Shelter. I then had a short hike to Dick’s Creek Gap for a shuttle into Hiawasee, GA. for a resupply and a zero (no mile day). Because of stormy weather, I will also take a nero (short mileage day) tomorrow.

I have learned what a Gap is… Simply, the area between two mountains. Simply said, but not simply completed! Every step down a mountain equates to a step up the next mountain. Strenuous for this old man, but I’m loving every second.

I’ve had difficulty with keeping my electronic devices charged even with battery back up. My pictures are very limited. I promise to do better the next blog.

It has warmed up a little bit, but notice the ice among the rocks. My biggest fall came from admiring ice and slipping on the same patch of ice. Also notice the ice in my water bottle. On cold nights I sleep with my water in my sleeping bag. The water in the bottle above froze while making breakfast.

My photos really doesn’t do justice to the beauty I see every day out here.

Blessings to all.

My prayer for you today is that you experience God in the smallest and the greatest ways.

Chappy Jack

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Mile:32.1

Location: Neel’s Gap

Please read: Luke 14: 25-34

In verse 28, while speaking to a large crowd on how to follow Him, Jesus says, “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he first not sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?”

The Appalachian Trail has many cost.

Financially, some say about a thousand a month counting gear, clothing, food, off trail lodging, and off trail expenses.

Relationships, including my wife Marty, a son, a daughter, their families, and my mother and father, church family, and my many close friends.

Of course,there is also the cost of walking away from many commitments and responsibilities and asking someone else to shoulder those commitments.

Thanks to the Holsten Conference of the United Methodist Church for this unique ministry and for supporting me financially and supporting me through a large network of prayer support.

Thanks to my family and friends that are supporting me with prayer and encouragement. And for forgiving me for being away during Easter, birthdays, sporting events, and prime shellcracker fishin’.

My biggest thanks goes to my wife Marty. At first she called me “Crazy” for wanting to thru hike the AT. She is now very supportive, she encourages me every day when we talk for a few minutes on the phone, she has picked up all of my home commitments. She loves me even if I might be a little “crazy”! Thank You Marty! “Crazy” me loves you!!

May your Trail be full of God’s Peace.

Chappy Jack

Dear Chappy Jack, 

I can’t help but feel a chill run down my spine as I think about the incredible journey you are about to embark on, the community you are about to become part of, and the transformation you are about to experience on the trail. 

Like myself, I know that you have dreamt of walking the trail for year and years. Like myself, I bet you had no idea you’d be serving as the AT Chaplain for Holston when those dreams started brewing in your heart. I’m sure you are experiencing a wild mix of hopes and dreams alongside fears and questions. 

Will the trail be anything like what you expect and have prepared yourself for? How will you wield the name of Christ in a community where the Lord is both ever-present through nature but often forgotten by those wandering down the path? Will your body stand up to the seemingly infinite miles between Georgia and Maine? How much will you miss your family and comforts of home? How will you balance your role as Trail Chaplain with your personal journey on the trail? For goodness sake, what will you do when you would rather be water boarded than eat another pack of ramen noodles and instant mashed potatoes? 

Take my words with a grain of salt, but here’s what I’d like to impart:  

·         Embrace the suck—there is plenty of it on the AT, from cold rain to oppressive heat and feet that look and feel like they went through a meat grinder. You’ll miss this dearly when you enter the bland comfort of normal life again. Laughter is the best medicine. 

·         You are about to walk through the closest thing to Eden I’ve ever known. The Lord will come walk alongside you in the cool of the afternoon if you let Him. Don’t be afraid to walk with just the Lord for a few days. You have to be fed to feed others. 

·         Take Solomon’s wisdom in Ecclesiastes seriously—there is a time for everything; a time to share faith and time to simply live honestly in front of other hikers, a time to give prayer and time to receive it, a time to hike and a time to stay put.

·         Never pass up a good meal—always pack out the leftovers (if there are any). 

·         Don’t be afraid to ask for help, whether it’s hanging your bear bag at mile 1500 or a ride to town and place to stay with a random stranger.

·         Pick all the blueberries in New England. Schedule at least 90 minutes per day for this. 

·         Give yourself grace to adapt to life on the trail. Each section holds new challenges. 

·         There’s no shame in riding out a storm in the Motel 6 or hiking a 3 mile day just because you can. 

·         Become best friends with Miss Janet; she’s a true AT gem. 

·         Remember SLRTT in every town: Shower, Laundry, Resupply, Trash, TP and you’re golden.

·         Use the long days of grinding out miles to incessantly intercede for other hikers. 

Chappy Jack, you’re going to make your Father proud. I simply can’t wait to see how your journey unfolds. 

                                                                                                                                                              Blueberry

Location: Opelika, Alabama

Miles Walked: 0

Proverbs 11:25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

Most Appalachian Trail (AT) Northbound (NoBo) thru hikers can receive a shakedown (help with ridding packs of unnecessary items and weight) thirty miles into their hike at Mountain Crossing Outfitters. I had the opportunity to meet with the 2016 Appalachian Trail Chaplain “Wildcat” Bert Emmerson and the 2017 AT Chaplain “Trigger” Matt Hall at the Little River Trading Company in Maryville, Tennessee for my shakedown.

I learned that during Wildcat’s thru-hike that he kept a supply of Chai Tea Latte to refresh other hikers. Not only did this bring refreshment, it helped to build relationships with other hikers.
An expectation of the AT is that it will be more difficult than can be imagined. Weariness and extreme fatigue sets in and can end the dream of successfully completing the Georgia to Maine 2,192 mile thru hike.

Serving others with a Chai Tea Latte sounds so simple. However, in times of great fatigue, it sounds like, and I am sure is a great sacrifice. Proverbs 11:25 tells us that in refreshing others,  we will be refreshed.

My prayer: Lord Jesus, Help me to take my mind off of myself and set my mind on serving others.