morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-04
From: Haven's Motel, NC

To: Haven's Motel, NC
Miles today: 0.0

OK, getting ready for the Superbowl. Michael asks: Why I started so early, would I do it again, and was it smart?If I did it again, I would start January 1st. Is it smart? Well, contrary to my "keystone cop" antics; I have done alot of hiking and camping. I am not taking to many risks that are life threatening. I would say that if you are a raw rookie hiker/camper, it would be smart to start on April 1st to have alot of peer support. The reason for my early start is to absorb as much of the trail sub-culture as possible. I want to chop wood; help folks associated with the trail; I love to counsel; I love to teach; I want to learn; etc, etc,. So, the longer my experience, the better. If anyone needs help along the trail, Im available! Ok, I worked out my first firm intinerary:Mon: Carter Gap ShelterTue: Rock Gap ShelterWed: Wayah Bald Area?Thu: NOCFri: Brown Fork Gap Shelter?Sat: Fontana Shelter The weather is suppose to be incredibly cold & windy; but, dry. I plan to start a raging bonfire each night to dry out each night and assist me in waking up. We'll see. Wish me luck & pray for me? Oh, why the schedule now? I think that I am in good enough shape now to push a little and see what I can do.
Date: 2007-02-05
From: Haven's Motel, NC

To: Haven's Motel, NC
Miles today: 0.0

All fired up to get hiking again, I have to "psych" myself up to go out into this weather. Ate a good breakfeast of eggs made by "The 'Mr Happy' super fantastic terrific show". He scrambled them in his Jet Boil. Turned out pretty good. Drank a bunch of hotel coffee and took my vitamins. Made a bag of popcorn for the drive to Standing Indian Campground. Ron Haven picked us up and decided to change from the van he was driving to the 4 wheeled drive pickup that he picked me up in a few nights before. He did this when he found out that "Mr Happy" wanted to be dropped off on Wayah Bald. After a back road ride to Wallace Gap and many stories from Ron we arrived at the campground. I got out of the truck. It was around 15 degrees with 15 mph winds @ 11 am. I got my poles out and was getting ready to put my pack on. As I reached for my pack; I realized that I left my fingerless gloves/reversible mitts in Ron's van. I took them off to eat the bag of popcorn and forgot them when we changed vehicles. I promise that I did! Anyway, I had to make a decision what to do: "slack pack", go without the gloves(I do have my technical O.R. mitts), etc. At this point, Ron said that god has plans that are different than ours at times and its for the better quite often. With that, I got back in the truck and decided to ride up to Wayah Bald and let "Mr Happy" out. Im glad I went. It was a beautiful drive! All the mountains were snow covered & the road was a sheet of ice. Ron knew what he was doing. We only almost lost it one time. We were slidding backwards a Ron just lowered the gear into "granny" and we were fine. Whew! We let "Mr Happy" out at the bald. Incredibly cold and windy! Ron and I taked about how we were worried about dropping this 19 year old off here in this weather. When he got out, I gave heim some newspaper for firestarter to go with the firestarter stick that I gave him at the motel. It looked at me and was going to say that he did not want to take it; but, out of respect, he sighed and allowed me to stuff it in one of his outside pockets. Oh, the new trend it light weight backpacking. I hope it doesnt kill this guy. I talked to him about everyway I knew to start a fire in these conditions. I knew that with his 10 degree bag and his new liner(which is suppose to add 10 degrees) that he was going to suffer. It will be at least 0 degress tonight. As Ron and I drove back to the motel, I decided to stay another night as it was suppose to be sooooo cold that night.
Date: 2007-02-06
From: Haven's Motel, NC

To: Haven's Motel, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I watched the weather all night and it was supposed to be in the teens the next two nights. That meant single digits in the mountains. Man, I need to hike; but, I dont want to freeze. Lord help me. I dont want to quit my AT hike, but I dont want to hike today.
Date: 2007-02-08
From: Haven's Motel, NC

To: Standing Indian Shelter, NC
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up with a weather report of winds light and variable for 3 days and the highs in the 40's with lows in the mid 20's. I knew I had to get a move on or I would lose all of the physical gain. Also, mentally I was shot. I pounded some coffee. Ate a couple of bologna sandwiches, took my vitamins, and told Dave(the front desk clerk) that I was ready to get back up in the mountains! Around 11 am, a guy named Bill showed up to drive me to the campground. As I went to shake his hand, he pulled back and said that I shouldnt shake his hand because he was on the downside slide of a 2 week flu. Oh man, I cant get sick! The ride was not bad, he only coughed about 5 times on the way. He had some good stories. The best was the story about 2 societies that were coming out to look for bigfoot in the spring. He dropped me off and I headed up the Kimsey Creek trail. I cant believe that I am back out here & no wind! As I climbed the 3.8 miles to Deep Gap, I only noticed a couple of footprints that were not mine. As I got about half way up, there were no footprints, but mine. So, if I would have stumbled: no one would have found me in this 5 days! Im glad that I am a careful dude. As I climbed, I was having all kinds of negative thoughts: I should not have taken so many days off; you cant afford to stay in those hotels; you should be making more miles; you have not even gone 100 miles yet; your alone with no honey; etc. I am a counselor by trade; so, I knew I had to change my self talk or I was going to be in trouble. When I was in the Hotel for 5 days, I watched an episode of THE GOLDEN GIRLS. Not my favorite show; but, Rose got the other girls to go to her eternal optimist club. It was funny. Everyone at the meeting was smiling and it was getting Dorothy all mad. Well anyway, Dorothy tried to be positive all the time and that is what I have to do at this point. Im still hiking. I have went 83 miles. I am in better shape. As of tomorrow, I have not smoked a cigarette. Im young. The sun is shining and there is no wind. Cheer up, you have 2000 miles to go and an adventure of a lifetime ahead. Well, I got to Deep Gap. I could tell that the snow had not melted much here & the walk to Standing Indian Shelter was slippery and treacherous. I really had to watch my knees. I got to the shelter and ate a couple of more bologna sandwiches and took my first ibuprofen in awhile. My feet were hurting and I wanted to go to the next shelter. It was 2:20pm and 7.2 miles to go. After much thought, I decided to stay here. As I was not sure that I could get there before dark. I was not ready to hike in the dark, yet. As I waited till dark I noticed how beautiful this spot was. The snow and the sunshine was making quite a seen off of Yellow Creek Mountain. I was about asleep when two section hikers came in. A guy and a girl. They did not say much; so, I asked them a few questions and fell quick asleep around dark.
Date: 2007-02-09
From: Standing Indian Shelter, NC

To: Carter Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Did not sleep very long last night. I woke up around sunset, yes sunset. The two sectionhikers said,"you waking up to see the stars rise?" I said no that I had to use the restroom. I tried to talk to the two hikers; but, after 5 of my questions with one word responses, I just laid down and tried to go to sleep. Hey I am an extrovert, but I runout of questions after awhile.I could not get back to sleep for the life of me. I had taken some over the counter sleep aids in town to avoid staying up all night and watching TV. I was having the payback now! I laid there trying to think of positive thoughts. About every hour the female hiker would ask the male hiker, if he needed to pee. The male hiker would ask the female hiker what time it was about every other hour:1,3,4:30. Finally, the male said that he had to pee when asked and they peed right next to the shelter. And every other hour they could eat a candy bar, according to the male. Im not sure what that was all about? Well, the last time update was 5am!(14 degrees)I did not wake up till the early afternoon and did not get going until about 1pm. As I climbed up Standing Indian Mt(my first 5000 footer), the snow got deeper and it was 1/2 thawed and frozen. It was very difficult, slippery, and hard on my knees. At the top it was about 8 inches deep and beginning to flurry. This was not in the weather forecast. I saw a SOBO here named "Early Bird". I could smell him 10 feet away! I wondered if I would smell this bad, soon. He said that when he went through the Smokies it was -10 degrees with 2 foot snow drifts. He said that he ate 8000 calories a day and still lost 5 pounds from "postholing" through the snow. Finally made it to the top. This is usually a moderate climb because of the numerous switchbacks. On the other side it was about 4 miles down and the snow ended around Betty Gap. The snow picked up again around the shelter and was around 4 inches deep at the Carter Gap Shelter. When I got to the shelters(there are 2 here, 1 old & 1 new), I could see a group of young adolescent boys.Sometimes a group like this can be loud and unruly; but, these boys were well behaved. They would say yes sir and no sir, etc. One boy built a fire. The first of the trip. We sat around talking about the movies NAPOLEON DYNAMITE & DUMB & DUMBER. They were from the McCally Prep School in Chatanooga. This encounter really lifted my spirits. I figured if these boys could love this, I could too.I did not get to sleep until 1 am.
Date: 2007-02-10
From: Carter Gap Shelter, NC

To: Rock Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

The boys woke up about 8am; so, that was the time I woke up. It was 14 degrees and they were all moaning about the cold. I felt the same way; but, said "awe, you get used to it". Thinking maybe I was, but still feeling very cold. Well, today was going to be my big day. Hike a whole 12 miles! I know its nothing, but the ice and Mt Albert awaits. There is alot of downhill for 3 miles until I got around Mooney Gap where I slipped on a sheet of ice and really hurt my elbow. It took awhile to see if I had broken anything. It was a struggle to get to my feet as well. I finally rose, cussing and wondering if ill ever get a day with an iceless hike. You know it's global warming and an EL NINO winter!? I then skirted a mountain called Butt. The trail basically follows the side of this mountain fairly level. The only problem was that it was on the dark side of the mountain and was covered with ice. I did alot of praying here as there were 100 foot drop offs and in places, I had to cut me some footholds in the ice to pass. I made it to the base of MT Albert w/o another fall. I was just hoping that Albert was "On the sunny side". It was. I did the steep climb with "all fours" at times. No snow at the fire tower, only a beautiful view into Macon County, NC. Now once I started going down the other side of the mountain, there was still about 4 inches of snow. When I got to the sign pointing to the shelter, there were 2 day hikers. They were wondering if they could make it up Albert. I said they could & I went down to the shelter where 5 guys from the Atlanta area and Chattanooga area had a fire going. It was heaven. My sweat steamed off of me by the fire. I got water & cooked my meal. All with the heat of the fire. It made such a difference. I did not shiver as I was preparing my meal. We talked about the war in Iraq and how heavy my pack was. They all curled it and said it was not very heavy, which actually made me feel good. I then took off for Rock Gap. At Glassmine Gap, I met up with the day hikers who went up to Albert, Lonnie & I forgot her name. I really had to pee; so, I cut the conversation short and for the 1st time went up and down some "puds" without stopping. I wanted to get far enough ahead of them to pee. Finaly, I did. I made it to the Rock Gap Shelter with a couple of hours day light still left. My knees were hurting from all the downhill hiking and that pain started up again on the top of my right foot. There was wood everywhere and someone left the fire smoldering. I just through some paper on it and it started up. It was a "rager". Went to sleep with a great sense of accomplishment with the smoke occasionally blowing into the shelter.
Date: 2007-02-11
From: Rock Gap Shelter, NC

To: Rock Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up around noon with weak knees and my foot still hurting; so, I decided to take a zero here. I gathered a bunch of wood. When I first started the trail, I was not in good enough shape to gather alot of wood. If you have not camped in the winter; it is incredible the amount of chores you have everyday. You take these things for granted at home like using the restroom in freezing weather; doing personal hygiene; putting on clothes; cooking; getting water; etc. Then throw in hiking all day. Then gathering wood, breaking it up, then starting the fire, & then tending it. It is really a serious upper body workout. I know many readers are going: Zero, why a day off at a shelter? Well, I did not want to go back into the warmth; spend money; watch TV; Get a ride to & fro. Also, you never know who you might meet? It is one reason why I do not really push to catch people because you never know who will catch you? Just as I was getting ready to start my fire, a guy with his 2 dogs showed up. I could tell he was local because he was not carrying anything but a water bottle. I kind of became mindful of my personal safety and wear my wallet was. Not everyone is out here to be your buddy. Well, him and I talked for a great deal about politics, the war, young America, revolution, local issues, sociology, history, etc. It is amazing how crisp my mind is after being out in the woods for this long. After awhile he offered me a Marlboro Red cigarette. I was like Golem from the movie/book, THE LORD OF THE RINGS and Frodo was handing me the "Precious" ring. I fought it and said no. He asked if it would bother me if he lit up, I said, no go ahead. He told me that he owned a local newspaper that his parents had built up. He said his name was Colin Gooder. As he was leaving, I told him that he could read about me story on trailjournals.com & search Zero. He said he would. Then he suddenly stopped as he was leaving and asked if I would be interesting in him possibly printing my journal in his newspaper. I said certainly & told him to contact me through the website. As I went to sleep this night, I was dreaming of being a journalist. I always wanted to do that when I grew up. As the smoke from the fire blew in to the shelter occasionally.
Date: 2007-02-12
From: Rock Gap Shelter, NC

To: Siler's Bald Shelter, NC
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up the next day well rested, but late around 11am. I did not get going until around 2pm and I was wanting to try to get over Wayah Bald because a storm was suppose to be coming in. I moved pretty fast down to Wallace Gap and old highway 64. I then made the climb over the mountain before Winding Stair Gap and new 64. I really was hiking well and the sun was out with little wind. The last 2 days have not been terribly cold upper 40's to low 30's. My MSR Dromedary bag only froze a little last night. Well, I got to 64 and set down by the piped spring by the rest stop. I watched the cars go by and was waved to by some girls. I then ate a whole bag of Pizza combo's. It had 9 servings @ 120 calories a piece. I climbed the 3.7 miles to Siler's Bald Shelter very quickly and powerfully. I really noticed that 1000 calorie plus snack. I think I have high blood pressure now though! When I got to the trail to the shelter, I had to decide if I was going to Wayah Bald Firetower in the dark and stealth(stealth camp is to camp illegally) cowboy camp(cowboy camp is to camp under the stars) or go to the shelter. It was getting dark, colder, and "Mr Happy" said there were 2 dudes, a hippy chic, and 2 dogs(sounds like a country song) living at the shelter since October living off of white rice and wild greens! Well, With me not "digging" the night hike and drifters at the shelter! The Shelter it is. The trail to the shelter was on the dark side of the mountain; so it meant snow & one ice fall that caused me to leap once and just pray that I stuck the landing. Which I did! When I arrived there were no drifters, man! But there was alot of fire wood, books, trash, hiking gear, etc. I started a raging fire & began reading One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich is a story by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. Years ago I read THE GULAG ARCHIPELAGO by him. The wind picked up and the giant fire kept blowing my way, no matter where I sat; so I went and laid in the shelter. Smoke from the fire blew in all night. I am learning again that fires always seem to blow into a shelter. No matter where they are built. Also, they are dirty. I went to sleep with just my 20 degree REI bag because it was so warm.
Date: 2007-02-13
From: Siler's Bald Shelter, NC

To: Siler's Bald Shelter, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, I woke up to a driving rain storm. That means no hiking for me! The only times I will hike in the rain is in the dead of summer; the rain is real light and looks as if it is going to stay that way; or if I am near a town. I know your saying: oh, what a whimp! I know; but, I also know that behind just about every rain storm in these mountains comes the cold. The worst thing is to hike in the rain and then the next day you wake up to frozen clothes and gear. I took the day to read the book about the Soviet Prison camp. And you know what his day was alot like a winter camper/hiker! Read it and you'll see. I read it in one day. He talks about waking up to the cold; only wanting to stay in bed; the morning formation in the cold; looking at the thermometer; etc. Also, he shows the proper way to "Yogi"(Yogi-ing refers to Yogi Bear who was always looking for a food hand out from campers) and how not to. I went to bed very warm with the rain pounding. Oh, and you know what: the mice have disappeared from the shelters. Since climbing into NC, I have maybe heard one a night. I dont know if it is the cold or less frequented shelters; but, they are a non-issue now.
Date: 2007-02-15
From: Burningtown Gap, NC

To: Burningtown Gap, NC
Miles today: 0.0

woke up this morning around 8am. It was 1 degree. All the water in the tent was frozen solid through. Last night "Apple" asked if he could give me a ride into Andrews, NC the next day. Last night, I was not sure; but, with the weather, I asked if I could "go to town." He said sure and we stopped at the library. I felt bad because I had not updated my journal for about 2 weeks. I do have my readers to think about. I could only update a few days because I spent alot of time reading and answering e-mails. Also, it was the loudest library ever. Since I had been in the woods, I was not used to all of the human stimuli(distractions). I am not kidding here; but, the two librarians were actually trying to decide on what ringer to pick for their cell phones. And at full volume, over and over. With some being "rap" songs that were pretty graphic sexually. I could not help to laugh or to think straight. The librarians thought I was laughing with them about the cool ringers. I try to enjoy and appreciate local culture; but, they were just silly and I was laughing at them. Apple and I got hungry and went to the all you can eat(AYCE) Kentucky Fried Chicken. I eventually quit eating when "Apple" did to avoid embaressing my self. Went back to the tents and it was around 35 degrees. We talked into the night about my travels to Newfoundland(NFLD), Ukraine, Appalachia, etc. He is now going to NFLD this summer! About 30 minutes after the sun went down the temp went from 32 degrees to 20 degrees & eventually bottomed out at 2 degrees by morning. The night before I was saying poor "Mr Happy"; but, in an e-mail, he told me he had went home. Said he would start again March 2nd at Fontana.
Date: 2007-02-16
From: Burningtown Gap, NC

To: Wesser, NC
Miles today: 13.0

This was going to be a big day for me. I was going all the way to Wesser. Got up at 7:30 and got all of the propane appliances going to thaw out all the water. "Apple" made some cinnamon rolls, I drank about four cups of coffee, and "hit the ground a'runnin". I need to mention that the trail from here to Fontana used to be called "the jump up" because you basically climb up and down to the Smokies. They have added alot of switchbacks to the straight up and down climbs and decents; but it is still a very difficult 45 miles of trail. I was really bundled up as it was cold; but sunny and no wind. I got to the Cold Spring Shelter where I was going to stay 2 nights before. I thought how tough it would have been to move at 1 degree. I read the register and there was a NOBO named Tom from Wisconsin. He passed me when I went into Franklin for those 6 nights. He always talks about how lonely he is. I think he is around 60 years and has hiked from Springer alone. He is 2-3 days ahead of me now. I had a great day of hiking. I ate alot of snacks and never got to tired or cold. The descent into Wesser is an undulating 6 mile drop from Wesser Bald. I have camped at the tower up there before. It is really nice if you can ever do it. It is just one big remodeled platform with rails. I went to the Wesser Bald Shelter and read where "Mr Happy" said he was freezing. I saw the newspaper that I gave him as fire starter. Guess he did not need it. Some nice views on the way down to Wesser. The air is so clear this time of year and no trees. You really need sunglasses more this time of year, rather than when the leaves are on the trees. Kind of rushed to get to the Nantahala Outdoor Center(NOC) before it closed. I made it there at 4:30 with 30 minutes to spare. (I told the guy at the front desk that I want the 15 dollar bunk and he said that the prices went up. He said, "you know with the economy being bad and all". I have heard this comment from many lodging proprieters in the mountains over the last few years. Shouldnt price go down if the economy is bad, I've always thought to my self?) And this place shuts down on time with no mercy, especially this time of year. This place is geared more towards paddlers than hikers. They see so many hikers that it is no big deal. Like when I asked them about the weather: "Oh, it is supposed to get colder". That is all they had. Since my radio broke, I do not know what the weather is going to do and my classical music/jazz experiment is over. I went up and took a shower. AAAAAAHhhhh......My first since Franklin. I was suprised that the girls at the lodge were so friendly. I know I smelled something terrible. I definetly had my "hiker goggles" on(this term is similar to "beer goggles" or "the girls all get prettier at closing time". It means that after you have been hiking for a week; the look and "scent of a woman"; mixed with all of the testosterone built up; drives a man wild. Nearly every female is desirable) I washed my clothes, ate, cranked up the heat in the bunkhouse, & looked around for the girls. They were all gone; so, I went to bed.