A week of weather challenges for all the hikers

This last 6 days has been a battle with Mother Nature along the trail. Snow, rain, high wind gusts and very cold temperatures greeted Tom and the other AT hikers as they made their way from altitudes of 1,900 feet near Erwin, TN to the 6,275 foot high Roan Mountain area.

This is a view of the Unaka Mountain area after a  6 inch snowfall that Tom hiked across and over

 Yesterday Tom and  a group of hikers stayed all day in Overmountain Shelter at mile marker 382 along the trail due to 50 MPH winds and a snow storm. One hiker did come in about mid day and reported that the high winds actually knocked him off his feet on top of one of the Balds earlier that day.  It was really great for them to be at that location for the extra protection from the weather. This photo below left  is of an early spring view of the shelter.  Tom had been hiking in 2 feet of snow and drifts at some points this week.


Overmountain Shelter a converted barn-a spring picture

Tom at Overmountain shelter

Today the weather has cleared, in fact Tom tells me he is hiking in shorts and just used sunscreen as he makes his way toward the shelter which should put him past the 400 mile mark. The warmer weather is very welcome for the hikers.





Jones Falls March 31, 2014

Anne