morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well this is the way it is folks. I had my feet examined by a doctor yesterday, and he has informed me that the reason the bottoms of my big toes are numb is that I have had some degree of "cold damage". Which he explained to me is as close to frost bite as one can get with out actually having frost bite. He assured me that the feeling in my toes would come back in 4 to 6 weeks as the small nerves in my toes regenerate. He also cautioned me about going back right away, and if I did that I would have to visually check my feet often as I wouldn't know if there was a problem. I also talked to a good friend of mine last night about the weather, the snow, the trail conditions, and all the hikers who are stuck in town, who had gotten off the trail, or who had pushed their respective start dates back, and everyone thinks given all the information, that I should wait another week before returning. My outfitter Johnathan was right about my feet and he also believes that waiting is a good decision. So, that is what I plan to do. Looking at the calender I believe March 12th will be my return date. I am not exactly happy about this but I believe this to be the right thing to do.I am so blessed to have so many people who support me, and I need to stick by my word that I would not compromise my physical safety to be on the trail. I have already done that, and do not plan to do it again all for the sake of pride. The journey may not just be the walking, it may include everything one learns along the way. There must be a reason for the delay that I simply can't see, or may never see. Either way, God is in control.
Date: 2010-03-09
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The weather is changing so much, its hard to make a decision. The bottom line is that the weather is going to continue to be "the weather", so I will be returning as planned on Thursday to Franklin. I plan to stay one night at the Budget Inn and then head out on Friday morning as early as possible. Not getting started till 0930 or 1000 each day is going to have to stop. Getting started closer to 0800 will be the plan from now on. I do have some time to make up, and some miles.Talked to Rocker this morning and got the Trail update. He and Will made it to Gatlinburg, and took a zero day there today. He said that the Trail was impossible to follow from NOC to Fontana Dam, so he and Will hiked back to NOC and got a ride up to Fontana Dam. He also said the snow in the Smokies has been the deepest, and most difficult so far. He also said the snowshoes aren't helping. It was good to hear from Rocker and Will. See you guys up the trail.Everyone is trying to talk me into waiting till the next 5 or 6 days of rain has passed, but I have a restless spirit and feel the need to return. I'm sure that I will get wet, cold, and muddy, but then that was going to happen anyway. I just feel that if I can just get started again everything will be fine. I can't take much more sitting around. Doing nothing is TUFFFFF!!!Medical update: The stomach nasty took about 5 days to run its course, and I have felt fine for the past 3 or 4 days. The toes however are still not eactly well yet. The feeling in the big toe on the left foot has started to come back, but the old right toe is still completely numb on the bottom. I plan to carry 4 pair of socks for the next few weeks so that I can change often and try to inspect the toes more often. I will pack up all the gear tomorrow and give you an updated weight. I did make a few changes and do hope that it has saved me some weight.One day at a time!!!
Date: 2010-03-11
From: Home

To: Franklin
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: moderate rain

Made it back to Franklin, NC today and plan to start at Winding Stair Gap in the morning. Should make NOC in 3 days. Then Fontana Dam 3 days later. I have corrected the miles and will have to come back later and pick up the trail we all missed when I got sick and everyone's gear got wet. No problem really.Ran into Joe, and Jasper (Joe's dog), and had a good time catching up. We plan to go to the Road House tonight for some food and some more trail jabber.All in all, very excited about being back. Life is good!
Date: 2010-03-12
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to the shelter before the worst rain started. Got rained on some today but mostly lite stuff. The first 6 miles were nice, the last 5 were back in the snow again. It is raining and hailing now. So glad to be in the shelter and in my wonderful zero degree bag. Not to cold. There are 6 of us here and we are having a "great" time. Pray for us cause we can't be all that smart!
Date: 2010-03-13
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: light rain

The rain was awesome, and the storms lasted most of the night. We were all up and on our way by 8am. All my clothes were wet from yesterday and putting them on was turf. I walked in just rain pants, a lite weight wicking layer with my rain jacket. Not sure exactly what to do about clothing and what to hike in. I can't seem to find the right combination so that I don't sweat or freeze. The snow and ice were again very hard to walk in, the rain didn't seem to melt the snow very much. I fell yesterday and pulled my groin, and today my right knee started hurting on the down hills. I was really having a tuff day, so with all wet clothes, pain in my right knee, I called a shuttle at Tellico Gap. It was raining, sleeting, and snowing while I waited for my ride. So I'm back in Franklin with ice on my knee and wondering what to do next. I will hold up here for a day and reevaluate. I think I'll head back out on Monday. The Smokies are still giving everyone a hard time, so waiting a day or so on the knee will workout okay. I really do not want to skip over anymore trail.The weather, the snow and ice, and the trail conditions have beat me pretty bad. I just need a few days of sunshine and some good trail conditions to renew my spirits. I know, that may not happen,but it doesn't hurt to pray for good weather. There is always tomorrow.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Tellico Gap

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I can't beleive I'm writing this again, but I am home in South Carolina. I got up yesterday morning in Franklin and my right knee was very stiff and painful, plus I was beatup in the head as well. I walked across the street to Hardees and had some comfort food, "Biscuts & Gravey". Walking was pretty painful but it seemed to get better the more I moved. So I went back to the hotel and payed for another day as I realized getting back out that day wasn't going to happen. I took some Aleve and got back in bed with the knee on a pillow.Later friends called and as we talked I realized I would have to get my knee checked even if the pain went away in a few days. Having few choices really, I decided to return home to see the othopedic doctor I had seen in the past about this same knee. I have just gotten off the phone and the earliest I can see him is Thursday morning the 18th. Today the knee is much better but it still feels like something is wrong, but not near the pain as yesterday. I fell on Friday and thought all I had hurt was my left groin but that seems to be fine. I know the down hill walk to Tellico Gap is where the pain started so maybe it is just overuse/inflamation and not a real injury.I was tatolly beaten when I arrived there, and the weather was taking its toll on my morale as well. Walking in the snow and ice is just simply killing my spirits about the hike. I had hoped that having been off the trail for almost 2 weeks from being sick before that a lot of the snow would have melted, and it has, but there is still a lot there and the walking in difficult. Every step could be a fall or an injury. Being cold and wet everyday has also kicked my butt too. I know this all seems like complaining but the trail conditions have been terrible. Many people have gone home, and many more are hurt as well and have had to go home. Everyone says that they have never seen things this bad. Between the snow, ice, blowdowns, setbacks with sickness and injury, and the cold and wet day after day, I feel beaten. The only hope I feel this morning is that somehow my pride will get me back to the trail.It is funny that as I sat there at Tellico Gap with Hobbot, Mellow Yellow, and Kevin, we all decide that the only thing keeping any of us there was our pride. We were all miserable. After they all moved on I sat there in the rain, sleet, and snow for a long time and then realized I would have to again leave to have my knee checked before I could even hope to return. Icepack posted a great note yesterday about not knowing the trail conditions ahead of you. I am not the only one beatup in the head, sick, or in pain, so I suppose the trail is winning is some ways. I have no idea what I'll do but time will tell. Time has a way of helping all things which should also include the weather.Thank You Lord for the opportunity to struggle today. For when I struggle I know you deeply.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

First let me say "Thank You" to everyone who has signed my trail journal, and who has been concerned about my set-backs. It is so exciting to get so much encouragement from friends and family, and especially from those who just love the trail and hikers. It's awesome.First, the trip to the orthopedic surgeon today went better than I had hoped. I am not seriously injuried, and can continue. However I have reinjuried an old right knee problem I had about 2.5 years ago. The doctor said that when I fell it torqued my right knee and that it took about 24 hours for the inflamation to set in. Today I had x-rays that showed no injuries, and most importantly, no changes from 2.5 years ago. I had my right knee injected today, to help it heal quicker, yep that is fuuuuuuun, with steriods and Marcaine, so now I feel nothing. My knee feels like it did when I was 18. Also I have a brand new knee brace, yep, I am offically old now!!! The doctor said to wear it as much as I could, and especially on the down hills. Frankie The Gimp might be more appropriate now! Lastly, I think I will give the steroids a few days to start to work and return to hiking on Monday. I am still feeling the effects of my set backs and really need some sunshine and no snow to brighten up my spirits. I admit that the weather has really taken its toll on me, and I suppose on many others as well. I will be arranging a shuttle back to Tellico Gap and will start back where I left off. Then I will do something new, and that is hike my own hike. I am guilty of trying to hike with others for the sake of safety in numbers. The weather has been nothing to take chances with, but hiking with all these 20-somethings is kicking my butt!!! So when I get to the Smokies I will be looking for a slightly older group because you still do not need to be in the Smokies alone. All the journals say it is still difficult to navigate, and that there is still several feet of snow in places with even deeper drifts. God is good, all the time. I am blessed, and need to focus on the positive and not the negative. I need to take more breaks, more pictures, write in my journal more, and spend more quiet time with the Lord. Maybe all this is to help me come back to why I wanted to hike the AT in the beginning. I may have lost sight of that with the weather, the trail conitions, and the pain. Again, thanks for all ya'lls support, I have no chance of completing my journey unless I keep my heart and spirit healthy.Courage hides fear, by daring to take yet another step forward!
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Home

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have had a great day, and have also packed up and am ready to return to the trail. My right knee brace seems to be doing well, with no adverse feeling associated with wearing it. The real test will be hiking with it on. I plan to start back at Tellico Gap where I left off and hike to NOC. Then after that I plan at least 4 days to Fontanna Dam. This way I have five days of hiking with no more than 9 or so miles each day. I have got to remember to take it easy on this knee for a few days. Also sitting around, well makes you kinda lazy. So I have to overcome that as well. Smile!!! I have packed up all my gear and with a few changes I am still at 36 lbs with food and water. So this is a good weight. I again waved off on the snow shoes as this would add another 4 lbs to my pack. They are available if I need them. And I sure hope I do not, but anything could happen to the weather before I start into the Smokies next Friday. Some of the posts I have read still say that one stretch after Clingman's Dome is impassable. I can only hope that all this beauitful weather has melted a lot of snow. Everything here at home is budding out, the Monkey Grass in the flower beds is 6 inches long, and those wonderful weeds are coming up in the yard. Funny how they never seem to go away even if you put out weed killer. So, I put out more weed killer.All in all my spirit is hungry for the trail, and I feel restless, and need to return. Someone said never let go of something you think about everyday, so I'm heading back. I have lost 3 weeks of my 6 months and I must admit that this is weighing on me, but I am determined to get this out of my mind so that I can enjoy every step and every mile I can complete.God is good, all the time.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Franklin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We had a great time riding up to Franklin today, myself, Steven & Jenn. We did get lost once and drove 15 miles in the wrong direction, but it was still a fun ride. Everyone please pray for Jenn! She really needs it, if you know what I mean.My shuttle to Tellico Gap has been arranged and will pick me up at 7:30 am. So I should be hiking again by 8:30ish. With only 7.9 miles to NOC I hope to really take it easy and get there by 3 pm. Hopefully before the rain starts again tomorrow afternoon. Then try to make Fontana Dam for sure by Friday. I have a mail drop there so need to arrive before the PO closes. Then lastly, make a decision about the Smokies. One last thing. If by some 1:1000,000 chance that Sandra Bullock might read this, I will be home in Augusta and would love to have dinner with you. There are some good guys out there, so you just need to give one of us regular guys a chance. I know I look a little ruff right now, but I clean up well. Sorry this happened to you. You deserve better.We have not because we ask not. So be courageous.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Tellico Gap

To: NOC
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

I was dropped off at Tellico Gap at 8:30 this morning, and of course it was snowing! Imagine that! I hiked at a slow pace because I had all day to get to NOC. The long decent to NOC was tuff on the old knee but as I sit here now it seems fine. No pain today. I took some Aleve just in case. The snow didn't stop till just before I arrived here. 7.9 miles in 4.5 hours. Not to bad.Tomrrow is the dreaded climb back out of NOC. It is 6.5 miles uphill, and a 3000 foot elevation change. I'll need about 10 hours to complete that. Well, maybe only 7 hours. I really need to take it easy on my right knee for the next week to make sure it is on the mend. Knee injuries are everywhere, and there seems to be no age standard either. Actually, I have only met one person here at NOC that is not injuried.I took a few pictures today, and plan to take on with the Droids in the morning at the NOC bridge, than geo- tag it.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: NOC

To: Sasafrass Gap
Miles today: 6.9

Let me just start out by clarifying that the climb out of NOC was tuff, like hard!!! I'm definitely feeling it today. Hiked out with Doug at 9 am and made it to the shelter in 4.5 hours. Not bad. It started out overcast and then the sun came out about 10 am. It was so awesome to finally hike when the sun is shining. I really needed a sunny day too. Really helped the hiking soul. The weather is suppose to be great for the next few days, so I hope some more snow melts. Planning 9.1 miles tomorrow because I'm still trying to give my right knee some time to get used too hiking again. I wore the knee brace all day today and it feels good. No pain in the knee, but my quads are screaming this afternoon. So Aleve to the rescue. Will check in tomorrow afternoon and give some trail updates. The trail maintainers have cleared all the blow Downs to this point. But not sure about what's ahead. Very little snow here, maybe an inch.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Sasafrass Gap

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

What a beautiful day. Best day so far on the trail. Not a cloud in the sky. Hiked alone all day, sorry Doll Face, but it was wonderful. Setting my own pace is better than trying to keep of with the youngsters. I made a mistake yesterday with my entry, Shuckstack is in the Smokies, I climbed up to Swim Bald out of NOC, either way it was tuff. Today I hiked up some no name mountian coming up from Stecoah Gap that nearly gave me a heart attack. 700 feet elevation change in less than a mile. Everyone here at the shelter agreed. The shelter is full with one guy tenting. The knee is doing fine but still taking Aleve just in case. Wearing the knee brace I'm sure is helping. I had a bad fall this morning but landed on my big butt so no injuries. After that I sorta slowed down. I made to BFGS at 14:30, so set up in the shelter and ate dinner before anyone else arrived. It is awesome this evening only in the 40s. We have a fire, good company, and warm sleeping bags. Cool.I added a few pictures today so enjoy.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Got up early this morning and started out at 0825. Didn't get much sleep last night, nor the night before really, so I was dragging my tracks out when I left. I was determined to make some miles today. There is nothing a hiker want do for food or indoor lodging. Anyway, after I got going good I woke up, and the trail was up hill first, imagine that!!! It started raining about 10 am so I striped down and just walked in my rain gear for the rest of the day. It rained on and off all day, but never really hard. Just enough to keep the rain suit on, and the wind blew all day out of the south-west, and it had a bite to it as well. So a pretty brisk/windy walk.Made it into Cable Gap Shelter at about 11:25, and sat there with Eltoro and had luch and talked about how small CGS was, then moved on. I was determined to get the Fontana today. The climb out of the gap was like 2.4 miles uphill but it passed. I was dreading the 4+ mile down hill into Fontana because of the knee. It seemed to go on forever too. Finally got to Hwy 28 around 1500 and to my suprise I still had 1.1 miles to go to the shelter. When I reached the shelter it sounded like everyone there was living large and loud. So after a few minutes thought I decided to go the Fontana Lodge. I will be taking a day off tomorrow to rest the old knee, and then start into the Smokies on Saturday.My right knee started hurting after I posted in my journal last night. So I got up and took some pain meds, and tried to go back to sleep. This morning it was hurting still, so I took another pain pill and headed out. Hope that don't bite me later. As I sit here typing I feel the 12.7 miles in both knees but the right one doesn't feel any worse than the left.So, now I have had three diet cokes, one huge ribey and fries dinner, followed by chcolate volcano desert, and I'm going for one last diet coke on the way to the room. I took a 1 hour shower, with real soap, and real shampoo. So right now I'm in heaven.Today was a great day for me and the Lord. Lots of things shared.
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I just had dinner with Dr Evil, Swift, and Slackamus, so you know I had some good company. Everyone, except FTS was partaking in a little alcohol. Lots of fun really. It brought back memories when I did drink and thought I was the same without alcohol as with. Right!!! There were about 50 buzzards flying over the river and they were mistaken, by someone drinking, for the largest "flock" of Hawks ever seen before. I just couldn't bring myself to say any different. They were spectacular!!! Smile.I have become human again so now I must return to heathenism and head back into the woods. The trail awaits. Tomorrow I enter the Smokies so for the next 7 days I will cover most of the highest ground on the AT. I am not completely excited about this as there are mixed reports about just how much snow is left up thar! Well we are about to find out. Also, not sure about cell phone service in the Smokies. So not hearing from me for a week doesn't mean anything bad. I will update each day if I have service. Also, Steven I forgot to drop my cell phone photos in the right folder, so if you would kindly fix that for me, thanks. Seven days food weights a lot!!! If I'm beat up by Gatlinburg I will get off for a warm place to sleep for the night. Looks like tomorrow will be nice, followed by 3-4 days of rain. Maybe snow at elevation. Sure hope NOT!!!!!!!Medial report: both big toes are still numb, left is getting better, right knee still a little sore today, left knee fine, doing surprisingly well in the head, and I finally got some sleep last night. Hoping for another good night tonight. Small blister on left pinky toe looks great when covered with moleskin. Not to bad really.Don't stop praying for me as I will surely need it for the next week.Kathy, sister!, I plan to be in Erwin on April 10th.
Date: 2010-03-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.3

Today, I hiked out of Fontana Shelter. I hiked 11.3 miles to Mollies Ridge Shelter. Beautiful day, absolutely gorgeous. The wind blew hard, but the sun has shined all day. Not a cloud in the sky!! The first day in the Smokies is incredible and I am in heaven!!Sincerely,Admin Jennifer
Date: 2010-03-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.4

Today we went from Molly Ridge Shelter to Spence Field Shelter. It was only a 5.4 miles hike but it is storming something fierce, the wind is terrible and it is pouring down rain as we speak. I even got sleeted on a little bit. We are all soaking wet. We are in Spence Field Shelter changing into dry clothes, making some hot chocolate and getting into our sleeping bags to get warm. Later on, I will get up a make some dinner. No views today from the shelter. The trail currently looks like a river. We will be heading out in the morning trying to get Silers Bald Shelter or Double Spring Gap Shelter, which ever one we can get to reasonably. Sincerely,Admin Jen
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Gatlinburg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Good evening everybody. It is hard to believe that up in the mountians it is in the 30s with 4 to 5 feet of snow, and here in Gatlinburg today it was 80 degrees and sunny. The dream must come to an end tomorrow morning as I head back to the Trail. Our shuttle is already arranged so we should be hiking by 8:30. I plan 3 days to Davenport Gap because the trail conditions north are pretty much the same as what we walked through to this point. I do hope that all this sunshine has helped some.Spent the day cleaning up gear, getting it dried out, and repacking it. I have no idea how many Sprites I have drank since arriving in town. Strange, I have never liked Sprite, but for some reason that is all I could think about coming down the mountian. The Trail does strange things to your mind. I had a wonderful breakfast at Flap Jacks, which I plan to do again in the morning, ate lunch at Burger King, and I have a pint of Ben & Jerry's Mouse Tracks cooling in the small frige in my room. Not sure about dinner yet.Also, I did get all my pictures loaded off my camera today so please check them out. Everything should be updated. I will continue to update with the Droid, and send pictures with it, as long as I have 3G service. If not I will try and call my niece Jennifer so she can post something for that day. I'm starting to like this!!! I may never come back!!!God bless all who are praying for me, and the other hikers, and please keep those prayers coming.