morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Pawling Nature Preserve
Miles today: 13.0

Up early this morning, tent is damp on outside, but no rain last night so that¢s a blessing. Cook a leisurely breakfast of oatmeal, eat a pack of pop tarts, pack up and get underway. And then the rain starts again.Found out that 3 of the 6 guys that were in the shelter last night are going back to Ohio, while the other 3 presses on. Can't say I blame them, as this is not fun. I was lucky, in that the first 2 weeks of weather I had were marvelous, so I have no problem, (philosophically) with this. It just part of the toll you pay for being out here. Interesting section of hiking today, no real bad steeps, mellow rocks. Stopped for lunch at a peaceful place called Nuclear Lake. Ominous it sounds but so peaceful, ate lunch, took of boots, watched the birds float over the lake and fell into another world, of not sleep, but somewhere in between; aware of your surroundings but blissfully unconcerned and at peace. Sort of sums up why I hike. Must have been there an hour or so, before it started clouding over, for anther dose of rain. It was a peaceful respite. Met a volunteer trail maintainer, woman probably in her 60¢s, but energy of a 30 year old. She had walked into a section of trail where she was working on a re-route, and her walk in was about a mile. She had a metal bucket with her tools, a pair of gloves with flowers on them, and a small day pack with water and some food. Very proud of the section she maintained and we were sure to tell her, what a pleasure it was to pass thru it! She told us the last section out of the woods was something that she and her friends had done. Well thank goodness; as once we got there we saw what they had done. For about a quarter of a mile the trail was in a pasture, which was essentially flooded. They had gotten from somewhere, pallets, and laid them out, as a foot path, so you wouldn¢t get caught up in the swamp! A lot of work, but my gosh, it would have been impossible to get thru otherwise.Next was the crossing of a railway, with a stop called ¢Appalachian Trail¢. Seems that on the weekends only, you can get a train ride right into New York City! We sat there for a while took a break. The wooden platform is naturally painted with yellow warning stripes telling you to stay so far back from the edge of the platform, which we did. But I spotted a train coming in the distance, and grabbed for my camera to get a picture of it. Well, I saw it in the distance, reached and got my camera, turned it on and the train in the distance BLEW by me! It must have been going 70 miles an hour!!! Everything I had blew everywhere, my hiking buddy was laying on the ground laughing so hard, and I never got the picture, just a bewildered look on my face trying to figure out how something that looked so slow, was moving so fast!
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Pawling Nature Preserve

To: Schaghticoke Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Ran out of gas after climbing a long gradual hill. Made the mistake of passing several great camping spots, looking for the perfect spot. I don¢t know how many times I¢ve done this but I still haven¢t learned. So we end up way back in the woods where the mosquitoes or so bad, Iceman broke out his mosquito net hat, and I used up a lot of my DEET. This morning, I packed up my stuff as quick as I could, threw some Pop Tars in my pocket, and told Iceman I¢d see him down the road. He¢s a faster hiker so he¢d catch up.The rain has made this part of the trail a swamp, so the misquotes were still there, but I¢ve found in you hike fast, they don¢t keep up. So, dodging puddles the size of lakes I hike until I get out of the marsh, before I stop for a break.I had no idea it would happen, this far north, but it did. Thru-Hikers!? This far North? This Early? Met several today. They were all at this point averaging 20 -25 mile days, and contrary to my thoughts, looked to be in great shape. When I get off the trail, I look emaciated, but I guess you get to a point where your body adapts, and is able to make you eat, to keep you in the shape you need to be in. I never get to that point in section hiking. I always have to force myself to eat, because I maintain my ¢normal¢ home appetite. I never get to the hiker appetite. So in talking to these folks, they are some of the first of a wave of hikers coming, and the first 2 guys we see, about a day apart from one another, and are trying to catch someone that we never saw, way in front of us. Seems like the Testosterone thing might be going on to see who can finish first! Just think, these folks left in March, hiked thru snow in the Smokies, put on frozen boots and shoes and have endured countless things that I haven¢t, but they still LOVE it out here. One guy we talk to stops, pulls out a packet of Swiss Miss, dumps it into his mouth and chases it with water! Have to look at the calorie content of that when I get home!Well, about half way thru the day, I see on the map, that there is another deli about a mile off the trail. Road Trip! Not as good as the last one. This place has the ¢premade¢ sandwiches and what not, but it is better than what is in my pack! I have an Italian sub, Ice cream sandwich and 2 yoo-hoos. Just as we finish, the rain starts up again.Back up the mountain, we realize that the trail is going to be a little more difficult than what we expected. Short little climbs over big rocks, so were going to tent out tonight on the only part of the trail that is on an Indian reservation. The only problem is, that when we get there, we see it is about a quarter mile climb straight up to get to it, and it¢s stating to rain again! Up we go, pitch the tent in no time and throw all out stuff into the tents. Did not hang the food tonight because it is coming down, so left it in the food bags and set out about 100¢ from our tents. We are thinking it is so bad out that even the bears will be holed up!By the way, I¢m in CONNETICUT!!!!
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Schaghticoke Mtn Campsite

To: Kent Conn
Miles today: 3.2

Short day today. This is where I need to get off the trail, as today is Friday, and I need to get back to work on Monday. We pack up all our stuff after having breakfast of, Oatmeal again and coffee. I start organizing my food; I¢ll give some to Iceman, and as always, leave the rest at the next shelter, for whoever comes along. When we get down to the next helter, about 3 miles away, there is someone at it already. I give him my food, and remaining fuel and he is a happy camper. I don¢t believe he is a hiker. You do meet people out here form time to time that utilize the shelter system and other hikers to get by. It seems that they do, and are always grateful. So hopefully this offering will tide him over, until he figures out what¢s next for himself.As we are hiking into town, we see to more thru hikers that had stayed at the shelter last night, hiked into town for breakfast and were now hiking back to the trail. The first fellow is a 59 year old gentleman who had just retired and had always wanted to do this. Slight build, large pack, but FLYING! He also was doing 20 mile days. The next person was a young lady that had graduated high school and before starting college wanted to get this adventure out of her system. She was feeling real good, as she had just gotten a big breakfast, (whatever that was for her, she was probably 5¢2 and 100 #¢s), and she had a brand new pair of hiking sneakers, that she had just gotten at the outfitters! She was finishing up the remnants of what was probably at the beginning a large ice cream cone.        So on to Kent, for our night stay, a few beers, Iceman to pick up his mail drop. Well 2 out of 3 ain¢t bad. Got the mail drop, had lunch and a few beers, turns out the hotel is the next town down the trail. It is about 2:00, and although we might be able to get on the trail and hike, the beers have sapped our enthusiasm. I call the proprietor, over him a sizable gratuity, and about an hour later we are at the hotel, taking hot showers!Turns out the thru hikers we met over the last couple of days are all staying here as well. A perfect way, to end the last day of my hike!
Date: 2006-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Back home, body still recovering form not hiking every day. Seems like after you stop, your body tries to put things back where they were before you started, so a very sore week, but not unexpected. In spite of my best efforts still lost weight, got back at about 165#. My doctor will be happy but no one else will!Iceman continued the hike until he got into Massachusetts and then made his way back home as he had to be at work on the 29th. The night before I left to go home we all went out for a nice dinner in Kent at an Italian restaurant. Said our goodbyes the next morning and we are on our way. An 8 hour drive from Kent to home, so I think future trips will need to be coordinated by train or plane as, that is a long drive!I¢m toying with the idea of coming back up here in September for a couple of weeks if my job allows it to get a few more miles under my belt.So about 700 miles left to go, until I get to my home state of Maine and Mt. Katahdin!!!Again, thank you to all my co-workers, friends and family, without whose support, this dream would not be possible.......You are never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however. ---Richard Bach
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Black Gap
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

[Only have 2 hours here at the library so I'll try and post as quick as possible.] The first day was pretty good. My parents dropped me off at Amilacola Falls State park in the late morning.(Kind of a slow start but I'm in no hurry. The ranger was signing people in (I later found out that some 10 people registered for the trail that day.) and taking polar-roids of the would-be hikers. Mom & Dad hiked with me to the up there where the lodge trail broke off and we said our goodbyes and well-wishes. I met an interesting fellow with a full beard [very common on the trail haha] named "Lowgear". He started a bit after me but caught up by lunch-time. We chatted a bit and talked about the trail and expectations etc. I liked the quote he heard from some marines; "Pain is just weakness leaving the body". I caught up with another hiker named Ed (no trail as of yet) near Black Gap. It was pretty funny, we both pitted to refill water at black gap but he'd just met me so he hauled his BP all the way down to the spring. He got back up and said "!#@@#, next I'll leave my BP up here.". [No one tells you that just about every water hole/spring is usually 100-300 yds downhill.] I decided to park for the night at the Black Gap Shelter and tackle Spring Mt the next day. I shared the shelter with 2 other thru-hikers "Jellybean" and Chris. Jellybean was a pretty cool lady traveling light and fast. Chris had a 50+ pack. We swapped stories and life experiences etc till it got dark and exhaustion caught up with us. Jellybean clued us in on some nice info for the trail. http://www.whiteblaze.net/ and http://www.trailplace.com/ and a cool way of seeing Alaska. Apparently you can buy a state ferry pass and camp on the ferry at night and visit all of the towns during the day as it moves up / down the coast. Pretty cool inexpensive way to see the sights. I'll have to look into it some more.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Black Gap

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

I forgot to mention that Chris's water filter broke last night. Jellybean and I spotted him some Iodine tablets to use till he could resupply. As I was walking today took solace in two things: 1) If that happened to me I was prepared with some tablets, and 2) The other hikers are are kind and supportive. It was a pretty good feeling. I got the top of Spring Mt fairly early in the morning to find it vacant of people etc... There are two neat plaques embedding in the rocks up there. I got some pictures but my camera cord is in my bounce package, which I get in Fontana Dam. Met a section hiker Jim (who thru-hiked 9 yrs ago) and his dog Jack. He gave me some advice and what to expect on the trail etc... I stayed the night at the Hawk Mt shelter. There were tons of people there that night. Ed and Chris were the old faces. The new people where "Paws", E.R. Speleo(sp?), Gadget Girl, Carter, and Brian. We made a camp fire and had a fun time. Speleo found like 8 quartzite(?) arrowheads (not sure if they all came from around the shelter area or on the trail) that day. Most were fragments but all were pretty cool. You know how I love to make crap like that. Maybe I'll try to make some arrowheads to see how tough it really is.We also had a visit from Glenn the GATC ridge-runner. He was doing a haul-out of crap that other people left at the shelter (a big no-no according to the pack-it-in -> pack-it-out rules). Anyhow, we all had a good laugh at some of the crap that other bring on the trail. A huge McCormick Black Pepper shaker(like 4oz worth), baby powder, a 25'x25' tarp, food, a METAL hand shovel(like 2' long), etc... Of course we had to ask him what the strangest thing he's had to haul out was: a 32oz bottle of massage oil (whoah) [though a traveling masseuse could make a killing on the trail]. He's also found(or had turned in to him, I'm not sure) a loaded military issue hand-gun(I had more later that the soldier who left it got sent to the brig for it, oops!). He also relayed a funny story where a hiker ran his boots up the bear-line only to have a bear get them down somehow and then proceed to run off into the woods with them; leaving the poor sod bootless.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Gooch Gap, USFS 42
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a pretty restless night's sleep; Chris and Ed SNORE! The morning was fairly uneventful. I passed a squad of marines as I descended Sassafras mt. I stopped at a beautiful spot called Justus Creek for lunch. Soon after I stopped I was joined by Ed and a new pair, a mother and daughter (Mouse and Cat) duo of section hikers. They told Ed and I about the trail in the northeast (NH I think is was) where they did a good portion last summer. Mouse was saying there is a tradition that on the Summer solstice that thru-hikers hike naked. [Note to self, stay in town that day, HA]. We finished up lunch, refill water, and headed onwards. I decided not to stay at Gooch shelter so I could make a few more miles that day. Ed reinforced that decision when he found a nest full of mice in the TP box at the privy. I ended up staying at a camp site a bit up the trail when Cat & Mouse; Ed wanted to do a bit more and went on ahead. Cat and Mouse were interesting people. Mouse has a background in library science and (IIRC) specializes in medical applications of library science and is now retired but keeping active(I'd say so!). Cat has a Ph.D. in ecology (small mammals) and does post-doctorate works through Yale in South Africa for months at a time. We had a leisurely night talking about trail experiences and making small talk and enjoyed a meal by the fire.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Gooch Gap, USFS 42

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Got a pretty early start today saying goodbye to Mouse and leaving them my contact info etc... I got to Woody Gap ~10:30 and took a break at one of the picinic tables. Man, it's a beautiful place; shady with a cool mt breeze. A SOBO section hiker clued my in on the Unicoi Gap which I had to look forward to in a few days(he wasn't kidding man!) where the AT plunges down just to regain every step on the other side of the road. Later in the day I refill water and must not have tightened the camelback all the way and ended up losing about 1L of water down my backside. Oops. Other than that I pushed on through to Wood's Hole that evening. I did see some wildlife along the ways(no pictures though): a wild turkey, a hawk(red tail?), and a lizard of some kind.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Woods Hole

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

I hiked over Blood Mt and arrived at Neels Gap early in the morning about 30mins behind Ed. There were several hikers/bikers milling around the place. A bunch of the hikers staying the night ordered pizza (mmmmm) and watched a movie on the little TV they had in the common room. Brad went through my pack and help cull out some unnecessary eq but also had some suggestions. He's a cool guy with many many trail miles on the AT, PCT, CDT? so I listened carefully and took measure all the advise he had to offer. Also, Winton took a look at my heels and said, "You're gonna need new boots". He's the foot/shoe expert and fitted me with new boots that fit really well. (No more ankle chaffing or squeezed in toes). A few call outs of the hikers that were there that night: Ed, Chris, Phil, "Lord Hansen", Steve; also some that stayed till mid-day / early evening: Alex (also with blisters on the heel), Mary (a vet who hiked the PCT last year), and a few others I didn't catch the name of.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Ate a leisurely on top of Cowrock Mt under an old pine tree which was kind enough to provide shade from the sun. The scenery was spectacular and I was entertained by chirping finches / sparrows(I think). I stayed at Low Gap shelter that night along with Ed, Ken (an air marshal) and Bonnie "Hobbit", whom looks & sounds exactly like Aunt Elvina. It was uncanny; so you know you have a twin out in the world Elvina. That evening I laid out for like an hour on top of the picnic table staring up at the stars through the leafless branches. The shelter is apparently home to a pair of bats as well. They paid a visit during my stargazing. The shelter itself is down by two streams that merge together. I must say that water is plentiful and easily spotted from a distance; just look downhill and for a swath of blooming flowers and lush green plants.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Low Gap

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Met Alan & Robin, a newly married coupled a little older than me) early in the day and several times through out the day. Alan is going to SOBO thru-hike the AT starting May 1 when they open Baxter to TH'ers. They were section hiking for Robin to Unicoi Gap where they had parked. We discovered some jellybean filled Easter eggs in the Blue Mountain shelter during lunch and chatted a bit longer before they headed out. I saw Ed a few times that day but he decided to make for the Cheese Factory campsite. Looking and hearing about Unicoi Gap I decided to take it easy and just go the gap and stay on top of Rocky Mountain for the night. I got passed by a day-hiker toting gatorade and flip-flops on the climb out of the gap. After I had the tent etc setup up and the sun was setting he passed back through toward the gap again. He passed along that he saw a big black bear about 1/2 mile down the hill. So a hung the bear bag a tad higher that night and of course starting hearing bears in every little sound in the woods, heh; it's like someone saying tick, flee, poison ivy, etc... it just plants that thought in your head and next thing you know you're itching nothing.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 9.5

Today was pretty hard. I didn't see many people so the time and miles passed fairly slowly. Fortunately, I had a little luxury item left in the hiker box at Neels Gaps to perk me up (Swedish Fish, Mike & Ikes, and jellybeans! mmmm sugar). I did meet another Steve (who was also nursing a sore knee) and another fellow doing a section hike to NOC at the Trey Mountain shelter where I chilled for a nice mid-day heat siesta & lunch. I pushed on to Addis Gap campsite for the night. Man was I glad I did that! I was greeted at the gap by a trail magic cooler courtesy of "The Preacher Dude". Nice cool coke, caprisun, and fun-sized snickers bar: Hiker's heaven baby. About 30 mins later I meet the Preacher dude. He was packing in the gear to setup one hell of a welcoming wagon for hikers at the gap. He was migrating over from the Deep Gap Shelter site which doesn't get as many hikers through since it is a ways (.3m) from the trail. He figured Addis Gap would get more visitors(probably so). He fixes dinner and breakfast along with the trail magic out of the kindness of his heart. I got a taste of the effort he puts into all of this by helping him move some of the gear up from the 3rd staging area. (Ultimately he hauled all of this stuff ~ .5 miles UPHILL to the gap, wow man!) We stayed up chatting about the trail, listening to the tail end of the Braves game on the radio, and stargazing on a clear night.
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Addis Gap

To: Hiawassee Inn, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: broken clouds

During the night the weather change for the worse. Gasp, the first day with out a clear blue sky. hah. It was pretty cold in the morning. Granted, we were inside a cloud, so it was bound to be cold and damp. I help him setup the awning, which turned out to be a big jigsaw puzzle since the directions got lost somewhere, so there'd be rain / sun cover for the cooking area. As it turns out he sets up camp for a week or so at a time, so he brings several luxury items for himself and the hikers. I packed up camp and chowed down on the marvelous eggs, bacon, sausage and OJ he provided. I got his card and will have to remember to send him a donation so he can continue the trail magic for others. Kelly knob was a tough climb in the cool rain today. The Preacher Dude said it was one of the hard GA climbs on the AT. It's a kite tail(I.e. no switchbacks, just straight up) and has several "top teasers". You know the "PHEW! I made it finally....wait, why #$%^$ there's more..DOH" It's not quite that bad, but you definitely celebrate each mountain top on the trail, so discovering you aren't at one when you think you are is fleetingly disheartening. When I got to the top the weather was improving so I shed the rain gear and continued on to Dick's Creek Gap for a much anticipated trip into Hiawassee, which Steve was telling me about yesterday at the Trey Mt Shelter. Another trail magic box full of icy soda was right before the road courtesy of the Hiawassee Inn(the place Steve recommended and I ended up staying). The 1st Steve(from Neels Gaps) was taking a meal break up the hill at a picnic table at the gap but said he was moving on and not staying in town the night. Another group, two couples, was sitting next to their car at the gap as well. I, unsuccessfully, tried hitching a ride into town for about 30-45 mins. Luckily, the section hiker I met the day before came up from the Cloud 9 hostel down the road to see if any hikers needed a ride into town. Turned out it was just me, though we stopped back at the hostel, and again at the gap, before we went into town. Thanks for the ride man! I got a room at the Hiawassee Inn, took a nice long shower, did laundry and headed to the Chinese buffet around the corner. Heh, Ok, AYCEs are things to look forward too, BUT you're eyes and stomach don't agree sometimes It took my over 3 hours to eat 2 small plates(like tea saucers) and 1 large plate of food and a bowl of soup. Mind you the plates weren't heaping either. Shocking huh, I hardly believe it myself. Oh ya, the pair of couples ended up staying at the inn as well. The one couple is thru-hiking and the other was just spending a few days on the trail with them. Anyhow, the non-through hiker girl dubbed me "Mountain Dew" after I said I didn't have a trail name yet and seeing me working on the 2L of mountain dew I got from the Rite Aid. Not sure it counts since she was a thru-hiker but I'll keep it for a while