morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-09
To: So Close I Can Taste It
Miles today: 0.0

Today has been the first time in a while that I have been able to focus my thoughts entirely on thru-hiking. Yesterday I took a test that could determine the logistical direction of my future. So, of course, I have been studying for this test rather intensively and am glad to report that I achieved and even exceeded my goal score. What a blessing ...what a relief!So now I have nothing to do except a few minor hiking-related chores before I go to Springer on Friday afternoon. Having spent so much of my time studying for the GMAT over the past month or so, I've had little time to mentally absorb the fact that I will be starting this journey in only a couple short days. Perhaps such a distraction has been a blessing in disguise, though, since I am basically ready to go and since "over-thinking" the trip can probably lead to trouble in one way or another. I've heard of people becoming very discouraged early on as a result of thinking about the journey holistically when they are still only in Georgia. So, with that in mind, I am going to start hiking in northern Georgia this Saturday and will be taking things one step/day/state at a time.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Springer Mt. (GA)

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 7.6

Day 1: I think today might spoil me for the rest of the trip. The weather was absolutely beautiful once the sun came out and the miles were fairly smooth. Lots of people on the trail today, many of them thru-hikers. I passed some weekenders heading south who said they had counted 39 thru-hikers to that point. I hiked with a guy named John from NJ whose section hiking for a week or so. We chatted about our personal histories for a while before I walked on. I stopped for a snack on a log next to the trail and John caught up. We talked for a second before he noticed something on the ground that turned out to be a bandolier of blank machine gun bullets. Sounds like "trail magic", Georgia style. Hawk Mt. shelter looks like a shanty town with the number of tents scattered all around. I met lots of folks tonight, many of them thru-hikers. We've got a good crowd out here and I look forward to getting to know many of them. It was hard saying goodbye to Dad, Mom, and Philip this morning. I will miss them greatly, but its kind of hard to think of that right now. I still don't think the reality of what I'm doing has entirely sunk in, so it felt like I was saying goodbye to go hiking and now I feel like I've just been hiking for a day. It sunk in a bit tonight though as everyone was cooking and talking. It was a good feeling of excitement and joy for the path that God has laid before me. This is going to be good. weather: cold & windy in the morning, beauitful throughout the day. Windy again at night.
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter (GA)

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Day 2: Today was another day of absolutely beautiful weather. Unfortunately, however, I somehow allowed myself to become dehydrated to the point of getting a headache. So I had to stop a bit early and re-hydrate at Gooch Mt. shelter. What a great shelter though! This place has a covered porch, two hiker boxes full of food and other treats, and even a chess set. I played a three game tournament with a spring breaker and lost in the third game. I hiked with Rocky, Babysteps, Gazer, and Wizard for a while and then with Pomar, Doc, and Coach. The Lord has blessed my hike so much to this point and I am so thankful to be out here. The shelter tonight consists of Babysteps, Rocky, Swampfox, Runaway, AhYouth, Traction, Subman (there's your plug, my friend), and two spring breakers. Well, conversation still seems to be going on, so I'll join. weather: Pretty hot all day. Thunder storms at night.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter (GA)

To: Wood's Hole Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 3: Today was another great day. The foggy weather was nice because it kept things cool. I felt much better today in terms of hydration, so that was nice. Subman and I hiked together today and had a great time. He was able to impart a good bit of "trail wisdom" on me since he thru-hiked in 2003. We were pretty early out of the shelter and, after passing Rocky and Babysteps, didn't see anyone for quite a while. Traction left before us and he's probably in Hiawassee by now. He had to get to Kathadin by August 20th so he could get back to school for the fall and he is already interested in knocking off twenties. I kind of feel sorry for him because of that. He seemed to be having fun though. Subman and I pulled into this shelter about 2:30 and decided to stay because Subman needed to dry his tent from last night. I'm content with doing short days for now since its enabled me to meet a lot of people and spend time just hanging out. Tonight should be cold, but I look forward to being able to actually zip up my sleeping bag.weather: fog all morning, sun in the afternoon. Clear skys at night & cold.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Wood's Hole Shelter (GA)

To: Low Gap Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Day 43/15Start: Wood's Hole ShelterFinish: Low Gap ShelterMiles: 14.3Weather: Snow flurries in A.M., perfect the rest of the day.Last night I stayed up later than everyone else and had to go to the privy. Walking toward the privy I saw a dying fire about thirty feet below the privy. After moving closer to the privy, I realized that the light wasn't a set of coals at all but a pair of bright orange eyes about as far apart as those of an adult human. Since I had my headlamp on, I figured the animal couldn't see me very well. So to let it know that I was a ten-foot tall killing machine, I banged a bit on the privy door and made several deep-grunting noises. The creature scurried up a tree about twenty feet and continued to stare at me. Eventually, it came down from the tree and moved slowly around me, keeping its distance. After describing it to several others that night (my noises had woken everyone up except Sub Man, who was making noises of his own), most seemed to think that it was a bear cub. However, I am pretty sure that it was some type of mid-sized cat. Either way, it was pretty cool.Today was relatively uneventful, except that I came to my first re-supply at Neel's Gap. I was incredibly inefficient with my purchasing as well as the whole "town" visit. I was able to talk with my Dad on the phone but not my Mom unfortunately. Pied Piper stayed at Neel's that afternoon since his knee was still bothering him (I'm praying for you about that, man) and Subman got tired of waiting for my slow pokedness, so I ended up hiking the remainder of the afternoon alone. We seem to have jumped forward to the next group this evening and are now staying with all new people - Lumbermack (named tonight) and his Sunshine, Wasabi (spring breaker from UGA), McNugget, Sparticus and Rainbow, Balls (also named tonight), and Bear Tracks. This is a really fun group of folks and we had a great campfire going tonight (my first of the trip). The views today were stunning - an eternity of beautiful blue ridges dancing in the distance. Hiking alone this afternoon provided me with a wonderful opportunity to spend a lot of time praying and thanking God for the gift of being out here. I feel so blessed that the experience of being out here is made infinitely significant through seeking God's glory each day on the trail. Seeing the magnitude of God's creation more fully each day causes me to marvel all the more that He loves me as an individual and knows me deeper than I could ever be known by anyone else or even by myself. Although this might sound simple enough, it's been blowing my mind today. Now off to sleep in this over packed (but consequently toasty) shelter.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter (GA)

To: Blue Mountain Shelter (GA)
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Day 53/16Start: Low Gap ShelterFinish: Blue Mountain ShelterMileage: 7.2Weather: Rain/sleet/snow, cold, windyWell, the weather and mileage reports about say it all, but I'll elaborate a bit. It started raining sometime last night but quit by the morning. However, after hiking for a few miles, it started up again and by the time I reached Blue Mt. Shelter, I was pretty soaked. Sub Man and Bear Tracks had been there for a few minutes and we all decided that the day reeked with the potential for hypothermia. So, we decided to call it quits for the day, even though it was still before eleven in the morning. While eating some lunch, The Balls came in overflowing with energy and trying to coerce us into pushing on. He was really craving some famous Blueberry Patch pancakes. But on a day like today, I can wait. So, he went on and the three of us retired to our sleeping bags and waited for the others. Soon enough, everyone from the night before (except Wasabi) came rolling in - first McNugget, then Lumbermack and His Sunshine, then Sparticus and Rainbow, and finally Vitaman and Tim (new folks who I passed yesterday). With the help of some fire starter someone left in the shelter, Bear Tracks was able to start a fire and we burned wet wood all afternoon to keep warm. The temperature continued to drop during the day and the fog continued to roll in as the velocity of the wind increased. We all ate dinner quite early and were in our sleeping bags again before nightfall. This shelter is at a fairly high elevation and is known for taking on a lot of wind and being quite cold. Ye-haw!
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Deep Gap Shelter (GA)

To: Blue Berry Patch Hostel (GA)
Miles today: 3.5

Day 73/18Start: Deep Gap ShelterFinish: Blueberry PatchMiles: 3.5Weather: cool and sunnyToday Subman, DuBouis, Beartracks, and I hiked into Dick's Creek Gap to find a Christian ministry providing tons of free food for hikers. After getting our fill, they drove us into the Blueberry Patch a few miles down the road. The Blueberry Patch is a wonderful hostel that also serves as a Christian ministry to hikers. After taking a shower and having my laundry done by the hostel owners, the same person who dropped us off at The Patch, Walter, showed up with Lumbermack and Sunshine and offered us a ride into town. DuBouis, Beartracks, and I did all of our town stuff together and then ate at a Mexican resturant. While trying to hitch a ride back to the Blueberry Patch, a different guy, Todd, from the Trail Angel group picked us up and gave us a ride back in. These people really did a great job of reflecting Christ's love at every opportunity.The rest of he day was spent doing normal town stuff to get ready to go back out along with a good bit of eating. The crew at the hostel ended up being Beartracks, DuBouis, Vorheis, Sparticus, Rainbow, and me.The first week of hiking has been wonderful and today was such a great opportunity to recharge and prepare to go back out for week number two.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Blue Berry Patch Hostel (Hiawassee, GA)

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter (NC)
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 83/19Start: Blueberry PatchFinish: Muskrat Creek ShelterMiles: 11.6Weather: cool and cloudyThis morning we woke up and prepared ourselves for the famous pancake breakfast served with blueberry syrup made from organically grown blueberries at the Blueberry Patch. The breakfast was incredible and before long we were being dropped off back at Dick's Creek Gap.What a great day of hiking. Since we got off the trail, we were able to meet an entirely new set of hikers today. We met Flip Spiceland, Hot to Trot, Lion King, and several other folks whose names escape me at the moment. It felt great to start hiking again and I am very excited about the next stretch.The highlight for today has definitely been crossing the first of many state borders. It is a great feeling to complete a state and it is incredible to see the beginning of a new state unfold. The first landmark in North Carolina was this brutal climb out of Bly Gap. Despite its difficulty, however, the climb offered some amazing views of the Georgia mountains, really enabling you to bring closure to the first of fourteen states.
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter (NC)

To: Carter Gap Shelter (NC)
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Day 93/20Start: Muskrat Creek ShelterFinish: Carter Gap ShelterMiles: 12.5Weather: perfect in every wayToday was a beautiful day, but I started the day off a bit downcast due to some of last night's campfire conversation. Several of the folks in attendance decided that since the Christian ministries we had encountered had been so gracious to us over the past couple of days, they should spend some time talking about how much they hate being hassled by Christians during their thru-hike. The mob-rule format of the conversation just made me sad and the ignorant comments made me a bit upset, so I had to pray for patience and temperance before I spoke. Even this morning, though, the very premise of the conversation (that these folks were bashing the very people who went out of their way to help them) just made me want to vomit. It really put a damper on an otherwise beautiful day.Aside from my sour mood, my left Achilles tendon was really beginning to bug me today. [I know, this is not the most positive entry so far. But in no situation can you expect six months of pure joy.] it felt sore and a bit tender throughout the day, but I still hiked pretty fast and made it to Carter Gap Shelter by lunch after hiking a good little while with John, a guy who owns an outfitters store in Greenwood, SC. After eating lunch with Vorheis at the shelter and taking three vitamin-I tablets, I decided to rest it up for the remainder of the day. Besides, this is where I told Jason I'd meet him. At the shelter, I met a south-bounder (SOBO) named Scooter who began his hike on June 9th - wow! he had some pretty good stories to tell. DuBouis showed up and Beartracks soon after him and, finally, Hodges Hiker. Beartracks finally got sick of carrying his veggie dogs and offered me the last two. Being the hungry hiker that I am, I started a fire and cooked them as a mid-afternoon snack. The afternoon was wonderful just sitting in the sun and eating soy-based hotdogs; another wonderful moment to recall on a rainy day. Jason and Trey showed up and we all had fun chatting around the fire until bedtime. Trey, Jason, and I prayed together by the dying fire before we went to bed, ending the day on an incredibly positive note.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Cold Spring Shelter (NC)

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NC)
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Day 133/24Start: Cold Springs ShelterFinish: Nantahala Outdoor CenterMiles: 11.4Weather: beautifulBeartracks and I got a pretty early start out of the shelter this morning and made the 11.4 miles into the NOC in plenty of time to catch lunch at the local restaurant (which is a pretty big rip off by the way). Since the lunch didn't fill me up, I ate a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream. We planned to stay the night but weren't too psyched about staying in the hostel. Fortunately, we met up with some hikers (Tater and his wife, Trip) who showed us a nice spot by the river. So, after a nice campfire, Beartracks, the Crazy Canoks and I fell asleep under the stars to the beautiful sound of the river.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NC)

To: Cable Gap Shelter (NC)
Miles today: 22.1
Weather: clear sky

Day 143/25Start: NOCFinish: Cable Gap ShelterMiles: 22.1Weather: hot and sunnyBeartracks, the Canoks and I decided to have one more meal at the rip off cafe in the morning, which was actually a good idea since the breakfast was very filling. The first seven miles or so out of the NOC included a good bit of climbing and, before long, I was hiking shirtless and in shorts. We took a pretty long lunch and then stopped again shortly thereafter for about an hour at Cheoah Bald to soak up the sun. We hiked the rest of the afternoon pretty slowly, stopping several times to do some bouldering on the side of the trail. We got to Brown Fork Gap Shelter shortly before dark to a full house and had some dinner. After reading Flip's register entry, I realized that I needed to get to the Fontana post office before it closed at noon to get my package. Beartracks couldn't do the big miles in the morning because McNugget spilled almost boiling water on his foot while Beartracks was cooking dinner. After some thought, I decided that, since the weather was nice and the moon was full, I would hike 6.1 miles to the next shelter that evening so that I would have no problem making it to Fontana in the morning. So, I told the Canoks my plan, waited for the moon to rise, and hit the road. The weather was still warm and I hiked in shorts and a t-shirt for about three hours until I finally reached the shelter just before midnight. The night hike was beautiful and lots of fun, but I was unable to get to sleep immediately afterward because my mind was still hiking.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Cable Gap Shelter (NC)

To: Fontana Dam (NC)
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 153/26Start: Cable Gap ShelterFinish: Fontana DamMiles: 5.5Weather: very warm, sunnyI slept in kinda late this morning but was able to start out the day in shorts and a t-shirt. Most of the hiking today was downhill, which was a bit trying on my knees. Seeing Fontana dam through the woods six miles before I actually reached it was a bit trying on my morale. When I reached the dam I found a family of four wandering around the closed visitors center. Wondering what time it was, I approached the folks only to have them offer me a ride to the post office. The wife (Pat) was starting her AT thru-hike that day and seemed pretty excited. At the post office, I was able to pick up Beartracks' package but not mine since the worker accidentally sent it to a local hiker hostel. So, I walked up to the Fontana Village Adventure Center where I planned to wait until three o'clock for my package. DuBoius was there with a few other thru-hikers (the Odd Couple, Jim, Deborah, and Private Joker) and we began raiding the relatively well-stocked hiker box (I found duct tape and Tiramisu). Shortly after beginning a game of checkers, two guys came in looking for salt and pepper to do some burger and hotdog trail magic by the dam. They offered us a ride over there, which was a rather convenient escape route since DuBouis was beating me pretty badly at checkers. We rode in the back of the truck, elated from the warm weather and the anticipation of lots of "real" food. When we got to the dam, the wives of Rabbit and Cruiser (GA>ME '00) were already producing loads of burgers for members of the Gallop. We hung out there and ate all afternoon until I had to go pick up my package. Back at the post office I ran into Beartracks and the Crazy Canoks. We decided to get a motel room in Robinsville, since Fontana Village was essentially closed for the season. After more burgers and hotdogs, Rabbit, Cruiser, and their lovely wives gave us a ride into town where we found a room, washed our cloths, ate Chinese buffet, resupplied at Ingles, and ate Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream. Good times.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Fontana Dam (NC)

To: Fontana Dam (NC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 163/27Start: Fontana DamFinish: Fontana DamMiles: 0.0Weather: cool, windy and cloudy in PMWe woke up in the motel room this morning and went downstairs only to be somewhat disappointed by the sub-par continental breakfast. Nevertheless, the morning quickly picked up when I went to Robbinsville First Baptist Church and was warmly welcomed by the congregation. I stayed for Sunday School and the Easter worship service and was then given a ride back to Fontana by Rick, a very nice man from the church. It was a great encouragement to be able to go to this service and then to talk with Rick on the way back to the trail.The remainder of the afternoon was spent just messing around and meeting and greeting hikers who arrived at the "Fontana Hilton". It is amazing how people who you've never seen before will show up if you take a rest day. It is the same deal with going to town - each time you return to the trail, you are surrounded by a new group of people.When I began to cook dinner, I realized that I had forgotten to resupply on fuel. Since it was about thirty minutes before dark, I thought I might still have a chance to catch a ride (or the shuttle) to Fontana Village (a.k.a. The Shinning of the east). No such luck. I walked two miles to the village only to find that the Adventure Center appeared to be closed. The door, however, appeared to be open and I thought someone might be inside to help me. I pulled open the cracked door and immediately an alarm sounded that caused every dog in a five mile radius to howl until they could howl no more. Since I wasn't too interested in fleeing the scene of the "crime", I decided to sit in he closest rocking chair until the authorities arrived and told me to stick 'em up. Besides, once I explained the situation, they might be willing to at least give me a ride back to the dam. No authorities ever arrived, however. So, I eventually fled the scene at a rather casual pace. While walking back down the road, a car crept up from behind and the driver asked me if I was a hiker and if I needed a ride. I soon realized that the female driver, Tina, worked at the village and I identified myself as the alarm-tripping villain. She responded to this new information by driving me back to the Adventure Center, filling up my fuel bottle for free and then driving me back to the Fontana Hilton. Conclusion: crappy town, wonderful people.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Fontana Dam (NC)

To: Spence Field Shelter (NC)
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: snow

Day 173/28Start: Fontana Dam ShelterFinish: Spence Field ShelterMiles: 16.0Weather: rain/freezing rain/sleet/snow mixAfter a bit of bad weather based dilly-dally, I finally crossed the great dam and headed into the Smokies. I left Beartracks, believing that he would eventually catch up. Soon enough, it began to rain and the rain turned to freezing rain and the freezing rain to sleet and the sleet to snow as the elevation increased. The hiking was pretty easy today for several reasons. First, I had plenty of energy due to the zero day. Second, the difficulty of the initial climb into the Smokies was highly over-estimated. Finally, the distance between both the first and second and the second and third shelter was so small that it seemed to push me forward once I reached the first one. When I got to the shelter, a couple sleeping bags were layed neatly across the sleeping platform and packs were placed at the foot of each of the bags, but no one was to be found. With the descended fog and the general quiet of the rainy day, this scene began to seem a bit spooky. Thus, I was quite glad when the Canoks came in about thirty minutes later. Eventually, a couple came into the shelter and claimed the equipment. Finally, Fokker Fokkerstein showed up and used his uniquely German craft to construct a fire entirely out of wet wood. The night was very cold and large chunks of ice fell from the trees onto the tin roof all night long.