morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Amicalola Fall State Park

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

What an unbelievable day! I got about a total of 4 hours of sleep. Met Ricky, Jason and Mike for breakfast. Ricky says he knows the owner of NOC and he is going to get me a room with a jacuzzi. And the way my body feels now I'm going to hold him to it!So we said our goodbyes and took off for Springer. Oh, I forgot 1st I had to sign in and weigh my pack. It was 40 lbs. exactly but the good news is it will never be heavier. I had winter clothes and a weeks worth of food. It took us about 45 min to drive to the parking lot where you can hike 0.9 miles to the south terminus, sign in, and hike back without carrying my pack. Words cannot express my gratitude for my wonderful "step" sisters. They were troopers and hiked with me to the top. Susan wore my boots since she only had dress shoes. Karen spoke heart felt prayers and it was a tearful goodbye. I forgot to mention to our suprise, Ricky, Jason and Mike were waiting at the top for us. They had taken a different trail and beat us by about 15 min. I hiked about 5 miles total to Stover Creek shelter. It is very nice. It has a loft. We gathered wood and had a fire after dark. Dinner was tuna tetrazinni. One hiker brought his beagle dog, Rufus. He is great. I miss Bailey. She would be having a blast. I forgot to do my stretching exercises, but I'm tired and already in my tent. So until tomorrow...
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Mt shelter
Miles today: 5.0

Today was beautiful. Woke at about 8 and got on the trail about 10:30. I learned some valuable lessons today. First, if the privy seat has wood chips on it, brush them off your butt BEFORE you pull up your long johns! And second if you come to a muddy stream with a branch across it, don't step on the branch because you don't want to get your boots or your walking sticks muddy! Fall #1 was painful!! I tore my pants and got an abrasion on my knee and pretty much limped the rest of the day. I don't think I want my trail name to be wounded knee. I also found out Dr Kuhl was right, I don't like to be dirty. It is almost impossible to maintain anything that looks like cleaniness especially after rolling around in a mud puddle!!Hiked 5 miles today to Hawk Mt shelter. Not as nice. I don't really like cooking after breaking camp, hiking, and setting up camp again. Think I'll switch to Ramen noodles next week or maybe just jerky.
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Hawk Mt shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

It was very tough today. Walked 7.8 miles to Gooch shelter. I was very tired. I have discovered I don't want to cook after hiking all day. So I think I'm changing my food plan next week. Lesson #20--this am I was one of the last to pack up and leave. I got back to the trail and couldn't remember which way to go. I had to hike back and ask the last hiker which way to go. So now I will pay attention when I hike off trail to shelter. I have met Helen. She is from Oxford, England. I love to listen to her talk. She is here for 3 months to hike as much as she can. Also Andy seems like a fine young man. We will hang tomorrow. Tonight is the 1st time I'm sleeping in the shelter. It is suppose to rain tomorrow. I didn't want to have to take my tent down in the rain. Stay tuned tomorrow to find out if there were any mouse problems. It may be my last sleep in the shelter.A couple with a 3yo stayed in the shelter tonight. They are just doing an overnight. It is different being in the middle of nowhere and seeing a 3yo.
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was the worst day so far!! I really started to question why I'm doing this. It turned out to be a good decision to sleep in the shelter because in the middle of the night it started pouring!! I didn't get much sleep though, because I could hear the mice and thought I felt one run against my arm. One got in Helen's pack because she left trail mix in there. I said her name should be mouse feeder. She liked just feeder but I don't think it will stick. Helen named Andy, Skywalker, because his snore sounded like the light sabre on Star Wars. I think he likes it. Still no name for me. I first thought of spending the day @ Gooch Mt shelter again as there was no hope of the rain letting up. But we decide to hike 5 miles and hitch a ride to the hiker hostel. But when we got there, they were all booked. Josh, the owner, took us to a near by motel for the night. We will slack pack tomorrow to Neels Gap (10 miles) and return to the hostel Thurs night. Hopefully the rain will have stopped by then an we can go back out on the trail. It feels really good to have a shower and clean dry clothes. The dirt does bother me no matter how you try, things get dirty and muddy if it is wet!! Here's hoping to sleep well....
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was the worst day yet!! I know I keep saying that but it is true. I asked one guy who has thru hiked before, and he said it will be that way for about 2 weeks. We did slack packing today, through the hiker hostel. They loaned us day packs and drop us @ Woody Gap to hike 11m to Neels Gap. I knew I couldn't wear my boots 11m and my trail shoes aren't waterproof so I put plastic bags on my feet and wore trail shoes. My feet were soaked inside of an hour. It poured the rain till about noon then slowed to steady rain. Feeder, Skywalker, and myself got to the top of Blood Mt. It would have been very beautiful except the fog was thick. So we started down and the mountain side was slick rock faces. I fell twice. We some how lost the trail and ended up on an animal trail, so we had to backtrack and find the last blaze. That is up the steep, slick rock faces!! I was as scared as I have ever been. I was cold and wet. It was impossible to climb the rock and we had to skirt around the edge all the while praying. We did find the trail and it was a grueling climb down the mountain side. I thought I was tough, but this trail may beat me. If we hadn't been coming back to a hot shower and bed, I would have quit today. We have decided to take a 0 day tomorrow (God willing) but we need 2 people who have a reservation to decide to hike tomorrow. I'm fighting the urge to hold a pillow over someone's face!!!LOLI bought a new pair of boots today. It is my last ditch effort at footwear. My body hurts, my knees especially. Hopefully we can have some R&R tomorrow.
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yea!! We got a rest day! The couple decided to hike, so we could stay... They shuttled up to the trail but decided to stay when they saw how hard it was raining. Many thanks to Josh and Lee, who run the hiker hostel. They are very welcoming and accomodating and made room for us all. Cimarron, the oldest thru hiker(87) is here. He is coming back to thru hike again after having a total hip replacement and prostate CA last year. I don't know how he does it! I'm in awe. Feeder, Skywalker, and I are contemplating another 0 day. The epic rainstorm is suppose to be worse tomorrow but clear for Sunday. I don't really want to hike another day like yesterday, when the only saving grace was that we had the hostel to come back to. But there is a big hiker party in Franklin NC (80 miles) next weekend that we would like to make. That would mean 80 miles in 7 days. I don't know if this old body can do it. We'll see...What ever happens is what is suppose to happen. But for now it is nap time...Jeanna
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was another 0 day. It was a little hard to fight the desire to push but not wanting walk in the rain all day. I figure we just took an early weekend. Tomorrow we leave for Franklin NC and it will be perfect. It is 3pm now and it has stopped raining and seems to be clearing. I went through my pack today with everybody and got suggestions on where to cut weight. I'm bounce boxing 4 lbs of food so I will only carry 6 lbs of food. I didn't cut very much from my pack, only some rope, my cup, and an ace bandage. I'm mailing my boots and trail shoes home along with a book, sunglasses, my extra knife and multitool. Anything else I'm just not willing to let go of yet!! I think I need to get better about how much food I carry and let go of my fear of running out of food. I'm sure I can live off the "fat of the land" for weeks! And I'm never more than a day or 2 from a ride in to town or a hiker that has extra food. It has been fun just hanging out at the hostel, getting to know people, playing games and of course, the daily trip to WALMART. That's all for now. The weather is clearing. I think I'll go for a hike tomorrow.....
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The only thing positive I can say is the hiking terrain was more like I expected today. Walked from Neels Gap to Low Gap shelter. 11.5 miles. I guess my longest day. I was crying by the end of the trail because I just wanted to be done. My right knee bothered me alot. It was cold all day and I had to wear gloves for the first time. I think I'll probably sleep in them. It is going to be a very cold night. The wind has to be about 20-30 mph and the temp in the 30's. I'm worried about Skywalker. I don't think he has enough warm clothes. He and Feeder are staying in the shelter and I in my tent. I didn't want to deal with mice and a tent will be much warmer. My new boots are good so far. My feet hurt but not my heel spur particularly.
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Blue Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 7.2 miles to Blue Mt shelter. My feet hurt but still no problem with heel spur. I have blisters on both big and small toes not really from the boots just more like pressure blisters. My spirits seem a little higher today. It was a pretty easy hike except 2 areas where the trail was just rocks. The only way you knew it was the trail was because they were the only rocks that didn't have moss on them. I decided today that I hate not having my watch. So I called Steph and asked her to mail it to me. I thought it wouldn't matter that I would get up and go to bed with the sun. But I want to know how long I've been hiking and etc...Plan to go into Hiawassee tomorrow to resupply 2 miles down and when we get back about 6 to go.
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Blue Mountain shelter

To: Tray Mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, my spirits are in the dump today. I'm lying here in my tent at 7pm because it is cold, windy, and raining. Hiked 8 miles. Good hiking but my feet were killing me as usual. More toes with blisters. I now have almost every toe wraped in duct tape.We are at Tray mountain shelter. I think I was a little hypothermic after it started raining. I just couldn't seem to get warm. And the wind is loud like it was at Low Gap. It sounds like tornado winds but I can hear it more than feel it. The tent doesn't move like it is windy. It's very strange.Feeder has now changed her name to Snuggles with strangers, of course, because she snuggles with strangers. The past 2 nights she has been freezing in the shelters. Damascus told her it was because her bag is a 55 degree bag. So she called Neel's Gap and fortunately someone brought her a new 15 degree down bag to the trail at Unicoi Gap. Some very nice people that go the extra mile literally at Mountain crossings.. I think I have failed to mention my trail name is Moxie. I had read a email, that my friend, Terry, had written telling me that I had moxie. Skywalker told me the next morning that he liked that for a name and I did as well. Now I spend everyday trying to live up to it. I use to think I had moxie but I feel on the verge of being beaten. The trail is brutal!! I don't want to quit but I'm not sure I can go on. Damascus says it is suppose to rain for the next 4 days. We may have to go into town again.
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Tray Mountain shelter

To: Deep Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started horrible. It poured the rain starting @ 3am. It was cold and windy. I had to sleep in my down jacket. I had to break camp(take my tent down) in the rain. Everything was wet and dirty. The hike wasn't too bad except there was no view because it was foggy even after the rain stapped. Hiked 7.2 miles to Deep Gap shelter.I was very down at the end (last 2 miles). I'm pretty niserable out here and I really want to go home. But I know I haven't gotten what I came for. I knew this journey would either make or break my faith but I'm afraid it is going to break it. I'm not this strong. I don't know how much longer I can do this. I thought this was a calling from God to do this hike but does he want me to be miserable every step of the way?? I know I can't do 6 months of this but at the same time I don't think I can quit!We are only hiking 3.5 miles tomorrow. We are going into Hiawassee. Clean up and resupply. I'm not sure how all this will work to make Franklin by Friday. Maybe we can work in a slack pack.
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Deep Gap shelter

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: moderate rain

Suprise!! NOT!! We woke up to rain this am. I had to carry everything to the shelter to pack my backpack and take the tent down in the rain. Not only is it a muddy mess, carrying wet gear it is heavier. We hiked 3.5 miles to Dick's Creek Gap. Most of the trail was down hill so it probably would have been easier on skis. Skywalker said he was just going with the slide (in the mud)and he made better time. Made it to the Hiawassee Inn. Not the nicest motel I have ever stayed in but I'm very grateful to be here. Had a hot shower, THEY did the laundry and loaned us clothes to wear, and shuttled us down the road to dinner. Can't beat that for service!! All for the low price of $23.25. Plus I got to share my room with not 1 but 2 fine looking young men. Makes one wish she were 25 years younger. Oh well!!!We plan to take a 0 day tomorrow and shuttle into Franklin NC for the hiker party. I'm getting a box from home and my bounce box that I mailed from the hostel. We have reservations at the Sapphire Inn (party central). Hopefully after a couple of day's or R & R, I will be able to face going back to the trail.
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

0 day today. We got a ride from Hiawassee to Franklin this am. It was really quite comical. There were 5 people (not including the driver)and a dog the size of a person, plus backpacks, in a trooper(similiar to a Jeep). 3 of us sat in the backseat with the smallest guy lying across all our laps and the dog was in the cargo area with all the backpacks. Wish I would have taken a picture! I spent most of the day sorting food from my maildrop (thanks to Steph) and bounce box and making phone calls. The party started with a fantastic dinner organized by Ron Haven, owner of the Sapphire Inn. It was quite a spread. Barbque, pork chops, beans, potato salad and many more dishes. My belly is still full!!I met alot of hikers that I have seen on the trail previously but not recently. It was great. Like meeting old friends and catching up. I got to meet Hometown and his wife Susan. I really enjoyed getting to know them. They are wonderful people and I received a standing offer of help. And it turns out that Hometown thru hiked with Superchunk last year. Superchunk is a friend of a friend that I was talking to pre hike. The thru hiking community is kind of like 6 degrees to Kevin Bacon! Thanks Hometown for the pep talk!! I feel ready to face the trail again.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Franklin NC

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today there was no hiking. I got up early and went to the free pancake breakfast at a local church. When I offered a donation, they turned it down. They didn't even try to convert me! Kudos to First Baptist Church for being a good christian example.Went to Walmart to resupply. Took a nap and generally hung out and rested. Was very sorry to hear that Feeder will move on with Damascus and Roots. She will be missed!!!
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Franklin NC

To: Muskrat creek shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

I was hoping Feeder would change her mind about going with Damascus but alas she did not. I pray her journey will be blessed.Walked not quite 12 miles today. It wasn't that bad but we just didn't get started until 1130. Many thanks to Bulldog and his wife for dropping us at Dick's creek gap. I crossed my first state line GA-NC. I probably would have missed it were it not for people stopped there. The sign was on a tree facing the same direction as the trail. The wind is really picking up now. I hope it doesn't rain. I need good sleep as we have another 12 miles planned tomorrow.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Muskrat creek shelter

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up and moving early as I knew we had a 12 day again. Weather turned cold and windy. Next shelter was 5 miles. I gave consideration to staying @ that shelter but it was only 1230, no one was there, and I was afraid of freezing to death if I stopped moving. So I hiked on to Carter Gap shelterI was exhausted when I got there. Funny how it always seems to take longer then I think it should. 1 mile seems alot longer in the woods!!!Of course, both shelters at Carters Gap were full. I was so tired and by now it had started snowing(it wasn't suppose to until Tues night). All day I had been just this side of too cold. I was too tired to cook so I ate trail mix and a clif bar and went to bed.After talk of hiking 16 miles to Winding Stair gag and into Franklin, I decided that I couldn't hike that far because I had barely made it today.Thankfully, I had a phone signal and called Ron Haven and asked where the closest place was that he could pick me up. I was cold and it was suppose to snow 2 inches through the night.We agreed that I would hike back south about 0.5 miles and then take Timber Ridge trail about 2.2 miles to the forest service road.
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up about 7a feeling scared, sad and discouraged. Scared about freezing to death. Sad because I was quitting the trail. And discouraged because things weren't working out the way that I wanted them to. I know I haven't been on the trail long enough to find God much less deepen my relationship with him. And just feeling that this is too hard and I'm not strong enough to do this. I packed everything up, called Ron to verify meeting place and off I hiked. I actually could have enjoyed the hike if I would have trusted that everything was as it should be. But I was worried about getting lost or freezing to death or the bus not being there or you name it!!!I almost freaked out because as I was getting close to where I thought I should be, there was a raging creek (more than a stream and less than a river). I started to cry knowing there was no way I could cross it and not end up wet. I didn't realize that the trail went left until I looked up and Pirate was standing in the distance, next to the BRIDGE that went across the water. Thanks to Pirate for walking down to meet me!!!So I checked into the Sapphire Inn once again. Leebo and Gorgonzola happened to be at the office because they were taking a 0 day. Many thanks for the words of encouragement, the heart to heart talk and the hugs. You are right, Gorgy, I just need to hike my own hike!
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Franklin NC

To: Rock Gap shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

Ah!!! Today was a glorious day. Great hike perfect weather. Left this morning from Franklin aboard Ron's shuttle bus headed for Betty's Creek trail to get back on the AT. Many thanks to Ron a true gentleman. May God continue to bless him richly. I missed about 3 miles of the AT from where I came out but I'm not a purist so that's OK. The summit of Albert mountain was as tough as I have encountered but after that was a mostly flat smooth trail. For the most part, the only thing green in the forest these days are the Rhododenrons and mountain Laurel and, of course, moss on the rocks and trees. I have also started to see some ferns. Something with a long green leaf is starting to push thru the ground. I wonder if it will be Lily of the Valley??? It is very different being with a completely new group of hikers. Skywalker and Basher are ahead of me as they started @ Winding Stair gap today. Tomorrow Siler Bald. BTW it is suppose to rain tonight!!!
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up about 730. I decided to go ahead and get my tent down because it hadn't started raining. Boy, am I glad I did!!! As soon as I had finished packing the sky opened-up and rain poured. Even had a small amount of hail.My plan was to go on to Siler Bald shelter and eventhough, I waited until the hard rain stopped, I was soaked to the skin and cold within the hour. I think I need a new rain jacket!!!When I reached Winding stair Gap, the draw of town was just too strong.. This is one of Ron's regular shuttle stops. Of course, as soon as I called for a ride, the sun came out and started looking like a decent day. Maybe, I'm just suppose to stay in Franklin???? Alas, when Ron picked me up, he told me I had made a good decision. The weather report was bad (there's a suprise!!) This evening calls for severe thunderstorms with strong winds and hail. Good decision or bad, I'm happy because I'm warm, dry and I've had a nap. Life is good!!! And I plan to hike 11 miles tomorrow so I won't lose any time.
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Franklin NC

To: Wayah Bald shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Went to the free pancake breakfast for the last time (I think!) and took the 9:00 shuttle up to Winding Stair Gap. We got stopped by someone from the Natahala hiking club asking if we wanted to detour to the clubhouse where they were putting together baggies of candy to take up to the trail to give out to the hikers. Many thanks for your thoughtfulness on this Easter holiday.Traveled 11 miles to Wayah Bald Shelter. The weather forcast was partly cloudy afternoon. Not so, where I was hiking. It was fogged in and although I don't think it actually rained, there was moisture in the air and drops dripping from the trees.I'm sure there were fabulous views from Wayah bald but once again I could only imagine them!!I think I was a bit hypothermic. I just couldn't get warm. Ate dinner and got in my tent. Even with my down coat on and in my down sleeping bag, I still couldn't get warm. Here's a gear review. My phantom 32 by Mountain Hardware seem to only be able to keep me warm to 40 degrees at best. I would think I could expect better from a $250 bag. There are lots of areas in the bag that you can see it is only 2 pieces material (no down). My advice it isn't worth the money!!
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Wayah Bald shelter

To: Wesser Bald shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Weather was beautiful today. 70's and sunny. The morning was a little cold but no problem after I got moving. I was hiking along and all the sudden I started seeing Easter eggs along the trail! It brought a much needed smile to my face. Some previous thru hikers were camping at Burningtown Gap and passing out candy, fruit and drinks. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!!I still think of quitting this hike everyday. Today was beautiful and I still can't imagine continuing. I think God is going to have to give me the desire to continue. I pray everyday for guidance.It is suppose to rain tomorrow. Hopefully, I can get to NOC before it starts. I'm staying in the shelter tonight so I don't have to put up my tent in the rain.