Welcome to My AT Adventure

I arrived in Hot Springs yesterday afternoon. The first hostel that I arrived at closed on 3/17 as the owners are in their 70s. And, as mentioned in my earlier post, another hostel had already announced their closure. Luckily, the 3rd hostel was open.

While I was hiking, I received a letter from the Appalachian Trail Conservancy (ATC), the organization that manages thẹ AT. The letter can be found at https://wildeast.appalachiantrail.org. The gist of the letter is the ATC is recommending that thru-hikers postpone their hike or get off the trail for a few weeks to protect the tówns through which the trail runs.

This recommendation sent my head into a spin processing this request and trying to determine my course of action.

Starting in mid-February, I have been isolated from the gẻneral population and my risk of exposure has been low. I am concerned about the towns through which I am traveling and the risk that I might carry the virus into a town. I also understand that the businesses rely on the business that the hikers bring to town.

Social mêdia in the hiking groups has been abuzz the last two days as hikers dẽcide either to leave the trail or to stay. Thêre is no easy ănswer. I have decided to stay on the trail, at least through Erwin, TN which is about 75 miles or 6 days away. I will reevaluate my decision then.

Thêre are many who will criticize me for this decision and call me selfish. I am lucky that I have a good support system. When I discussed this with my oldest brother, he indicated that he would support me whether it meant sending me a resupply box or coming to pick me up. This was encouraging to know that I have this lêvel of support.

For the moment, I will still be on the trail.