morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-01-02
To: Welcome 2008!
Miles today: 0.0

I hope everyone had a joyful new year celebration. Tis' the season to be jolly, although since I like jolly (retired being a good definition of it) all year long, I try to practice during the rest of the year just so I am ready for the winter season. This means lots of jolly hiking and fishing. Cheers! Now it is time to get really serious about planning for the journey. I am down to slightly more than 60 days and still much to do. I have copy of 08' Data Book and have updated my excell spread sheet to reflect the updates.   The hiking plan for the first 1/3rd of journey is mapped out and I can now make up a few drop boxes for the resupply points that are far from a good food supply source. Mixing mail drops and local purchases seemed to work really great last year so I will follow a similar plan this year. The estimated rate of travel has been reduced a great deal based upon past experiences--maybe I learned something about trying to go too fast. I am thinking that a much slower pace may cut down on the injury rate. Anyhow, I will need to pack a paper back book to keep occupied after a day of hiking. I think my reading list is in my tackle box or maybe my tool box, it's someplace....The snow keeps piling up around here which makes me exercise a few muscles that I don't normally use and is cutting into my training time. I would like to be a bit more along in the training--I know there will be a penalty on the trail for lack of it. Two months is not much time to get to where I wanted to be, but I am not going to force the issue. Just take it as it comes.I found my menu from last year and am making some changes to the food list to reflect new thinking. Some things really don't change much. Coffee, hot cereal and breakfast bar in the morning for breakfast until it gets warmer than drop the hot cereal for baggle or something cold. Lunch is various kinds of crackers, cheese or meat, dried fruit and small candy bar with a constant trail mix. Dinners are the only thing creative and see changes from last year. Same strategy, about a ten day meal rotation for the mail drop boxes and what ever I find on the grocery store shelf when I do the local resupply. Most of the creation is around how to dry and package stuff into small and light weight serving and supply lots of calories. I am not big on serious cooking, one pot and everything has to be done around dump in pot, boil and eat mentality. I don't do freeze dried--too expensive and I have not found too many items that I liked the taste after eating several times in a short span of time.I see a few folks have started north from Springer, I wish them luck. I can do with a bit warmer than the 20 degree temperature being reported, so I think I will wait until the first of March. I hope they knock all the snow off the brush.........Good luck everyone planning to hike this year.
Date: 2008-01-09
To: Carla joins the party
Miles today: 0.0

Just finished cleaning up after the last snow storm and the next one is already on the way. Tonight we are to get another ¢moderate¢ accumulation. Sure wish some of this snow would make its way diagonally across the US and make a much needed deposit in the southeast. Reading Sumpknocker¢s TJ, is seems he is finding a good water supply so hopefully it will last until most of us get through the southern end of the trail. Maybe the snow storms here will slow down so I can get things done before the departure date¢55 days until Springer Mountain start.There is a change in my hiking plan. Carla my wonderful wife has decided she would like to thru-hike and best of all, with me. Maybe she is getting tired of me only making part of the trek and is going to monitor my good behavior. This is already turning out to be a better hike.   So, we are gathering more gear and we will change some of the gear to better accommodate two travelers. Yesterday, we were in the MountainAir store looking at women¢s back packs and getting some of the gear pulled together. Looks like we will drop the alcohol stove and get something that better heats the larger quantities of water for the coffee this is going to take. I like the speed and power of the MSR stoves, but they tend to create havoc with the quiet morning sunrises (or rainstorms gently pitter pattering on the tin roof-ha, ha). I also think they disturb the late sleepers, so sad. Guess we¢ll sort that out in a few days. We have an old MSR (1970 model) that still runs and can out compete any jet engine getting ready to launch skyward, but I think it will stay home. I have been admiring the whisper lite, just because of the oxymoron name-since when is jet engine a whisper? We have a couple one way plane tickets on the credit card. It is so much cheaper to fly all night from the west coast to the east coast that we are doing an all night flight. The bad news is we get to Atlanta before the chickens get up so we¢ll go find breakfast and hang out at the airport until the sun comes up. We have made repeat arrangements to stay at the Hiker Hostel doing the Thru-Hiker special which obviously means we make a good recommendation for Leigh and Josh¢s outstanding help getting thru hikers out on the trail.The tentative hiking schedule (spread sheet) has been updated so that we will be going a bit slower and doing a few more town days and visiting along the way. Schedules have a way of being modified early in the journey so we¢ll see how it goes. Some of the dehydrating has been done, but still have the majority yet to do. Also need to redo the quantities so we both have enough to eat.   The re-supply plan is pretty much the same, a mixture of mail drops and town stops. Mail drops where supplies are short and town days where there is a good choice of supplies. It¢s a pretty easy switch from one to two hikers since I really don¢t have too much of the journey locked in stone¢just go with the flow.Next big task is to find an appropriate trail name for Carla¢¦¢¦¢¦We are getting excited¢¦¢¦..
Date: 2008-01-25
To: Updating Journal
Miles today: 0.0

Lots of changes in gear thinking. Spent the morning updating the gear list and there is still a fair amount to do. Way too many oz's are showing up. So will need to do some more thinking about this.Sunny today and I saw a mink along the creek. I figured it was out for a stroll to check out the snow and ice. They sure are fun to watch. They just run along looking sort of playful, but I know they are all business when they find something to eat.......sure glad I am not a small rodent.Still cold around here, but warmer by 2 degrees this morning. It was right at 0 degrees when I got up. It has warmed up some in the sun, but is still only 25 degrees. According to the weather forecast, warm weather is coming--along with more snow. More gear updating over the next couple days......
Date: 2008-02-16
To: Two weeks & counting
Miles today: 0.0

In the past, the gear list was updated and updated and updated (did I say updated) right up to the start of the hike and then it was adjusted and adjusted and adjusted (just reminding myself to adjust my gear) along the trail. Along the trail towns, every Outfitter gets a visit, just because they are there and you can never see enough gear. Besides something you see may work better and be lighter than something you are carrying or you are killing time in town because it¢s too cold and snowy to hike. And finally, it seems like every shelter stop for the first several weeks was characterized by at least one discussion on some gear item. In fact, we did not get out of the Springer parking lot in 05 before we were hearing about the wonderfulness of alcohol stoves and cozy. After a few weeks, the gear discussion is about how to get it repaired and what to do while it is getting repaired. Never-thee-less, what we are now journaling represents our current thinking (as in last update on this topic) and what we will start the hike using until we change for the better.      It is obvious that having a gear store along the trail is location, location, location as they say in marketing. In all fairness, most outfitters do a real good job of customer service. They know the trail and what it takes to make a trip successful. Plus the good ones know and have the newest of new gear that may not be available other places. There is no sense repeating what others have posted about the help they have received along the way. Along that line of thinking though, I remember in Damascus in 05¢ when a thru hiker¢s pack was stolen and the outfitters replaced most if not all the gear with new stuff¢all for free since the thru hiker was very short of funds.   What more can you say!We are getting down to the departure time¢¦.15 days and counting¢¦..who¢s counting?
Date: 2008-03-02
To: Out the Door
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a pretty hectic couple weeks getting ready for this trip. All the boxes are packed and sealed up for the trip. The pack boxes have been mailed to Hiker Hostel and the food boxes have been mailed to Neels Gap and Cloud 9. We have one box and two packs to take on the plane today. The remaining boxes are going to be mailed at the appropriate time as we go north. Brownie Troop 40366 of Western Washington is going to mail our boxes from here on and they will be tracking our progress as we travel north. Many thanks for all the help. Of course we have cookies, but not all of them will be making the trip¢so good¢¦¢¦..Our daughter Brenda is driving us to the airport, but not before we make a lunch stop with other family members for a small celebration. We will have two celebrations, one on the east side and one on the west side of the Cascade Mountains.The snow storms have passed and are heading for Georgia and we will meet up again about Tuesday. The good news, we were spared from more snow as only the west side of the Cascade crest bore the brunt of the action. While we would like to see Georgia get a bunch of much needed rain, it would be nice if Tuesday was sunning for the start from Springer Mountain. But then again, maybe we will get all our rain on the first day of the trip and it will be sunny and cool the remainder of the trip---and pigs will soon fly as well, ha. Our next stop is Hiker Hostel. Good luck to one and all making the trek north (and south) and we look forward to meeting you. Cheering has started¢¦¢¦¢¦¢¦.
Date: 2008-03-03
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Brenda, Meredith and Mitchell gave us a ride to Seattle where we met Sue & Rock, Norm and Carla's Mom for lunch. Then it was off to the airport where we were delayed for half an hour. Fortunately we had plenty of time between flights so we ended up in Atlanta only a few minutes late. We picked up our baggage and went to the airport food court for breakfast, what can one say about airport food...you can bet it is not too good.We were met by Leigh from the Hiker Hostel(HH)and transported to HH for the night and then we will be off to Springer Mountain in the morning. Ordered pizza and coke for dinner and called it a day. It was a long day after an all night flight.
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: moderate rain

We were up about 6 am, took showers and then packed our packs to be ready for the ride to Springer.We ate breakfast with a lot of guests (full house)--here are Aunte Mame, V8, Newt, Bayou, Brad, Laura, Tuit, Jess, Zoom, Pete, General and Kirby. Everyone has different plans for the day. We travelled to Springer with Newt and Laura. Josh and Leigh with their new help Scott continue to do an outstanding job caring for hikers.We reached the parking lot about 9:30am and hiked to the top of Springer Mountain. We forgot to mention it was raining. After signing the guest book and taking a picture, we turned around and started north. For Limestone, it was the third time to make the turn and the excitement is pretty high. We stopped for lunch at the new Stover Creek shelter as it was still raining and occasionally we could hear a bit of thunder and lightening. Laura has a trail name, Driftwood. Very appropriate name for a person who likes boats and sailing. After lunch, we continued north. It stopped raining long enough for us to take off our rain gear. But soon the rain returned along with more thunder and lightening. Did we say it was raining? Actually it was really, really raining. We got to Hawk Mountain Shelter just as the rain let up and the cold winds begain to blow. We cooked dinner and then went to bed. A great day on the trail.Some really good news, all the creeks and springs have water.......
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

We got up to real cold (maybe 28 degrees), a wind, and an occasional snow flake. We ate the hiker staple of hot cereal, coffee and tea. Packed up our packs and headed north.At the shelter were Banana, Driftwood, Cannibal, Chris, Newt, Sasquach, Baboon, and a section hiker with a dog named Pete. It was cold and windy for a few hours and then the weather cleared off and we enjoyed a sunny warm lunch sitting on a rock just north of Cooper Gap. We then walked to Gooch Shelter in the sun.So far, we have not seen to many wildlife critters--just one lonely squirrel. We were kept awake last night by the gnawing of a shelter mouse, fortunately it was making a nest and was not chewing into our packs. The mouse did manage to stuff Driftwood's boot with nuts-we think maybe the mouse thinks Driftwood needs more food in her pack.
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Knowing it was a short hike to Woody Gap, we slept in until 7am. We got up and had a pancake breakfast with a couple cups of coffee before we headed north about 10:30 am. At the shelter were Bannana, Chris, Cannibal, Driftwood, Sasquatch and Baboon.We met Newt at the trail shelter-AT trail junction. She spent the night at Justis Creek last night. It was a beautiful camping spot we passed about 1.3 miles from Gooch Gap.We hiked in a warm sun and stopped at several rock out crops to take in the views. Except for Driftwood who continued north, we all stopped at Woody Gap for a trip to town. AT HH, we are washing cloths and catching up on the trail journal. HH is full again tonight.
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

We have lost track of all the people at the HH-there are too many for our feeble brains to keep up. The HH has been full every night with new both new hikers and folks returning from the trail. We recall Puppy, V8, Aunte Mame, John and Bannana. We decided to stay at the HH rather than Neels Gap so we'll be back here for another night.The hike today was rainy and foggy so there were no views from the top of Blood Mountain. In fact, it was so foggy that you could hardly see the shelter as we walked past it. Again, a couple hikers missed the left turn off the rocks and ended up way down the hill in the dead end draw so they had to hike back some distance up the very steep hill (slab rocks).After the hike, we stopped at Neels Gap and picked up some sun glasses and hat for Limestone and a T-shirt for Carla. At Neels Gap, we weighed our packs. With 3 days of food, fuel and full water bottles, Limestone's pack is 34 lbs and Mrs Limestone is 23 lbs. A bit heavier than planned, but not a bad start.
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Just as we finished breakfast, it started snowing (about 7:30am). The weather forecast was for snow and wind and it was correct. It was a pretty cold night about 22 degrees, windy and snow everywhere. We hiked in the cold and wind all the way to Low Gap stopping only for lunch. Tomorrow is suppose to be much warmer. We stayed in the shelter at Low Gap along with a lot of other hikers, in addition to a 9 person crew from the University of Kentucky on their spring trip. Here at Low Gap are Turtle, Rain Fly, Greg & Kristen, Alleghaney Wood Rat.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

It was a very cold morning, but it warmed up fast and we had a warm hike to Blue Mountain. We left Low Gap about 10:30am, stopped at the first spring for water and to take off some winter clothes. We hiked on to a sunny spot and stopped for lunch on the sunny side of the ridge. After lunch, we applied sun screen and hiked on to Blue Mountain Shelter. Again, there are a lot of hikers here, Shephard, Burple & Toots, Chris and Rain Fly. We called Cloud 9 for a shuttle ride and reservation for the night.We noticed where the pigs have been rooting around along and in the trail looking for nuts. We did not see any of the pigs, but we did hear our first grouse of the season. Additionally, we saw a hawk fly overhead, but it was too high to determine the species. At the shelter there was a LGB (little grey bird) or Junco.
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We were one of the last ones out of Blue Mountain Shelter, but it was a nice sunny hike all day. Short sleeve shirt and sunscreen weather. Today was a day of significant up and down-the really first day of significant elevation change. We started the day climbing over Blue Mtn (4,025'), then dropped into Unicoi Gap (2,949') before climbing back up and over Rocky Mtn (4,017'). We then descended down to Indian Grave Gap (3,113') and ended the day climbing over Tray Mtn (4,430'). there were some minor ups and downs of 500' or less in-between the major ups and downs.Tray Mtn Shelter is full of people and there are 9 tents along the ridge line. This is the largest group of hikers so far. Here are Burple, Toots, Shepard, Turtle, Lil' Mac, RainFly, Allegany Wood Rat, Bear Paw and Windjammer, Piece of Work and TLC, and many others.We took pictures of the sunset.
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

We were up in time for a spectacular sunrise. We skipped the hot oatmeal, but made coffee and ate a couple breakfast bars. We left camp just as the sun disappeared for the day. The hike was generally down hill from 4,200' to 2,675' only the 1,300' of climbing broke up the down hill. It certainly was easier today than yesterday as the climbs were about 1/2 of yesterday.We were the last one to leave Tray Mtn, but soon we saw RainFly and Turtle. We hiked with Turtle most of the way after lunch.We are staying at Cloud 9 tonight where Limestone met "Crutch" who was at Ron Haven's last year. It was good to see a familiar face.Also here are Cannabil and Driftwood from earlier in the trip. Driftwood has blisters and is going to stay a few more days.We are staying in the camper as the rest of the Hostel is full.Laura (hostel owner)provided smoked trout dip and crackers, very good food. Tomorrow we go north again.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

The Cloud 9 Hostel filled up last night so there were a lot of folks and new faces.Crutch gave us a ride back up to Dick's Creek Gap. It was a pretty nice day for walking-sunscreen, T-shirt and shorts weather.   Today we crossed from GA to North Carolina so we have completed one state.   The hike from Dick's Gap to Bull Gap (first 3.3 miles) is pretty much uphill with the 1,000' elevation gain. Then the trail goes up and down in 400' increments before the steep climb from Bly Gap to the top. Once on top, the trail is a nice walk to Muskrat Shelter.Here at the shelter are Lil' Mac, Kabota, Of the Earth, Toit, Zoom and Buzz Light Year. It was a long day by the time we went to bed.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

We are getting into a rhythm of being out of camp about 9-9:30 am and stopping about 4:30-5:00 and are getting to the point we hike about 10-12 miles per day. It was a comfortable walk to Deep Gap and we enjoyed the views from the higher eleveation along the ridge. We walked by Toit, Zoom and Buzz Light Year at Deep Gap and then Shepard passed us at Standing Indian Shelter. Although it is a lot of elevation gain, the climb up Standing Indian (5,498') was not too difficult. We ate lunch on top of Standing Indian and then hiked to Carter Shelter. Here at the shelter are Shepard, Captain Jack, and Popeye.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Creek Gap, Franklin
Miles today: 12.1

We got up to a windy sunny day, but the sun soon disappeared. About the time we started up Big Butt Mountain, it started raining and then it decided to really pour down the rain. It rained all the way to Rock Creek Gap. We stopped at Big Spring Shelter for lunch and watched it rain. The hike over Mt. Albert was one of the toughest so far, lots of rocks to climb over. A little more difficult for Carla with her short legs. When we got to the top it was so foggy we had no view. KTR gave us a ride from Rock Creek Gap into Franklin. We are taking a couple zero days at the Budget Inn.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Rock Creek Gap

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Town day. We ran around town doing the ususal town day things-updated the trail journal, washed clothes, went to the outfitter and got our picture taken after picking up a few things, ate lots of food and watched it rain. It was good to see Ron Haven and KTR from last year's fame. We are still waiting for our mail box. Tomorrow being Sunday will mean we will need to wait another day.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another down day waiting for a box. Hobnockers computer shop is closed so no way to update pictures, until Toit lent us his little black box that we used on the Haven Motel's computer to down load a few pictures. We ate dinner last night at the old "all you can eat" place which is now a steak house and is very good. Today was a real day of rest as most of the town day chores are done.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Wayah Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: mist

The hike from Wayah Gap to Wayah Bald was all up hill. We stopped at Wayah Bald for lunch, but it was so foggy that we could not see anything. We did see one robin who seemed lost in the fog. After lunch, we hiked the rest of the day in the fog to Cold Spring Shelter. We did stop at Burningtown Gap for the large tent trail magic--thank you so much.After dinner, Mule, Cannibal, Ya-Zi, Tupperware, Toes and Turtle arrived and we all crowded into the shelter.
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: moderate rain

It rained all day, it started when we left the shelter and did not end until we reached NOC. We stopped briefly at Wesser Bald shelter for lunch and we were joined by Mule, Cannibal, Tupperware, Turtle, and Toes. When we reached NOC, Hit and Miss left us a note to call them if we could not get a room, but we managed an $80 special with four bunks. Our box was there when we arrived, right as planned--thank you. After taking showers and hanging our wet gear all around our room, we went to dinner at 6pm with View Finder, Cav, Thorney and Burl.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: NOC

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

After a big breakfast, we left NOC at 10am. It was just one long day of continous up hill, and more uphill. The views were great, but the snow from last night and north wind made for a cool day. In the afternoon as the sun warmed things up, ice was falling from the trees. Along the way, we were passed by Toit, Zoom, Buzz Light Year; Tupperware and Turtle; Train Wreck and Pearl; Hit and Miss; Burple and Toots; and Nest. We last saw Piece of Work and TLC as they were leaving NOC.