morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Wolfe laurel top

To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.4

To start my entry I wanted to let everyone know I am the proud owner of a trail name. My trail name is "City Slicker". let's just say it has something to do with Jimmy Choo. When you read further entries look for City Slicker. Brian has the name of Cabana Boy and Ham has the name of Dutch Tape. Most times when hiking the AT people refer to other hikers by trail name. Most hikers will never even know my real name.So class does everyone remember when I said I resupplied at Mountain Crossings? I don't know about you, but generally when you resupply you are supposed to get all the gear you need for the next several days. This usually means toilet paper. Guess what? I forgot the flipping toilet paper. Have you stopped laughing yet? Ok that's enough! Without going downhill from here( no pun intended) I have had to ask other hikers for some. And not for nothing but TP is a hot commodity on trail. These are the real trail angels.Anyway, we woke to a gorgeous sunrise on top of Wolfe Laurel. We broke camp and were on our way. We camped with River, husband Fable, their dog Joey and Grolar Bear. All vey nice people with interesting stories. The night before Fable shared some of his rice and bean burritos that he made. They were hot and yummy. We seem to be leap frogging with them. Leap frogging is when you pass them and then they pass you. When we arrived a Hogpen Gap there was a Baptist church group serving hot dogs,chips, soda, and yes Pink Angels tootsie rolls. I easily inhaled 3 dogs soda, chips, and tootsie rolls. I left Dutch Tape and Cabana Boy there socializing. I hiked the remaining 4.5 miles to Low Gap Shelter. It was a long afternoon in the sun. There are no leaves on the trees. So, you are pretty exposed to the elements. We all know how well I do in the sun. Even with sunblock it's hard to avoid geting sunburned. Low Gap Shelter is a great spot. I camped in my tent. I haven't used a shelter to sleep yet given the mice, noise, etc. I am getting into a schedule on trail. There are always chores just like home. You have to set up and break camp, do dishes after cooking, make sure you have enough filtered water,laundry, and hanging your bear bag. After all that you may have a little energy left to socialize with other hikers. I mentioned the toilet paper fiasco. Picture this, I had hot dogs,bean burritos, etc. I am coming into the home stretch to the shelter with my belly grumbly. I have blisters. I am tired. I am wearing my knee brace and can barely walk. I get all the way there only to realize two things, the privy(outhouse) is up another hill and I have no flipping toilet paper. What an end to my exhausting day.Please stop laughing.Hiker midnight is usually between 8 and 9 pm. It is now 8:17pm and everything is quiet. Seems like a good time to sign off.GoodnightCity Slickerp.s. Forcast for tomorrow and the next day torrential rain and snow.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.4

Not much new to report. We broke camp and headed out. It started raining around 9am. Dutch Tape and Cabana Boy started around a half hour before me. I caught up to River,Fable,Grolar Bear, and Joey. The first part of the day was easy. Just rolling mountains mostly ridge hiking. We put in about 5 miles in 2 hrs. The rain picked up to torrential and the wind was somewhere between 40 and 50 mph. We made it up to Blue Mnt Shelter and had a hot lunch. The terrain became very tricky. It was rocky, alot of roots, and very slippery. The rocks were covered with moss, which was a beautiful green color. It was foggy as well. It was a tranquil feeling being surrounded by all this. Even though the weather wasn't agreeable, it was really nice to be out there. Try to picture it. The trail is about 2 feet wide. The mountain side is up above and down below for hundreds of feet. Rain, fog, streams, trees, moss covered rocks are all around you. All I could think was how cool is this that I am able to be doing this. Man, am I living my dream or what? When you are picturing this, also think of standing at elevations of 4000 feet or better. There are views of the mountains for miles on a clear day. The sunrises and sunsets can't be beat. So, we made it down to Unicoi Gap around 5:20pm. We stayed at the Helendorf in Helen Georgia for the night. I was soaked to the bone. It was hypothermia weather. At one point it started to hail. It was nice to take a hot shower, do laundry, and eat real food. All for only 24$ a night. A hiker special. They also have Internet. The town of Helen is full of hikers trying to warm up and take a break. Monday will be a zero day. Meaning no miles hiked. We will eat calories and rest and hydrate. The forcast is for snow in the mountains. The good news is as I calculated it I burned about 25,000 calories this past week. I'm gonna go put the feet up!City Slicker
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Zero day helendorf Helen,ga

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we zeroed today. It was nice to keep the feet up. It was also nice to hang out with the other hikers. What a great group of people. We stayed at the Helendorf. There is myself,Cabana Boy,Dutch Tape, River, Fable, Grolar Bear, Joey, Smokey, Mustafa, Lucky, and many others. I feel like I have known these people my whole life. We hung around the lobby talking about everything from politics to where we are from and what we do who's married how many kids etc. A bunch of us walked around town then went out to eat. Helen, GA looks like an authentic German town. It's really neat. The body feels a little more like 39 today and not so much like 80. We are getting a shuttle tomorrow back to Unicoi Gap. Tomorrow will be tough especially after a day off. Alot of PUDS tomorrow( pointless ups and downs). We have a couple thousand foot climbs. Yikes!A shout out to another City Slicker who hiked in the early 70's. It was good to hear from you. A special thank you to everyone who is sending me notes. It's nice to know you guys are interested and will follow. I hope I will keep you entertained. The notes I get really keep me going. I have to be careful not to get emotional what with the toilet paper shortage and all.Goodnight y'allCity Slicker
Date: 2010-03-23
From: The helendorf in Helen,GA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.6

We were shuttled back to Unicoi Gap this morning at around 9:00am. We only hiked 5.6 miles today. We enjoyed every minute of it. We laughed and carried on the whole time. Myself,Cabana Boy,Dutch Tape,River,Fable,Joey, and Grolar Bear stopped and had lunch today for about an hour. Joey looks better today. He is the golden retriever. He needed to rest at the hotel as well. He is a great hiking partner. The hike was pretty graded, but went up and down today. We had 2 one thousand foot climbs as well as the ups and downs. The day brightened up and most of the snow melted. We got to the top of Tray Mtn early and hung out there for a little bit. You feel like you are on top of the world. The views were amazing. We got into Tray Mtn shelter early and just sat around with the other hikers. We laugh alot and enjoy each others company. You begin to become a family of sorts. There are different types of people from different backgrounds. On the trail this fact doesn't matter. Pretty much everyone looks out for each other.Oh, I fogot to mention trail magic. Sometimes trail angels will leave drinks or food along the trail for hikers. It's usally soda or snacks or beer. Today right up the trail from Unicoi Gap we found on such box. Trail angels are great. Thanks to them. My nieces Sammy and Marisa and nephew Dylan helped make my trail mix bags. I have had all that I brought and can't wait to have more. Thanks guys they have been wonderful. I think it's great that young kids their age want to get involved. It been a great educational experience for them. Sammy has even been talking about it in school with her teacher and class. I love being Auntie Rachel, but I love the positive influence I feel like I am giving them by doing this.Thanks Mark for the Jimmy Buffett quote. I am a complete parrotthead. I have been singing his songs as I hike. Mark knows me so well. I figure if I keep practicing my singing I can try out for the next American idol, hiker style. I don't think they would like my outfit or how I smell though. We are at 4200 feet tonight and it's getting pretty cold out here. The fingers are getting cold and stiff. Time to get my down on and into my sleeping bag. I think I might even have to wear gloves tonight.Signing offCity Slicker
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Emilie's log home Dick's Creek Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.8

Sorry it's been so long. It's been hard to get service.Mom beware!Here mousy,mousy,mousy. After I finished my journal last night, Emilie turned out the lights. All of the sudden SNAP! KAPOW!........Dead mousy. She got up emptied the trap outside and reset it. She turned out the lights THWAP! SHAZAM!.......Dead mousy. Hence, my reference to the wildlife in her log cabin. Did anybody get the Batman reference?Emilie has an interesting job down here. She is in charge of running an amphibian monitoring project in the Blue Ridge Mountains. After we finished our slackpack hike today,she showed us her ponds. She has to monitor for disease and population dynamics for salamanders and frogs. It is really interesting. She also took us to an awesome waterfall. Along the way she educated us on many of the flora. The buds are just starting to come up now.As far as the trail goes.... I got some bad news from home late last night. I couldn't sleep last night. When I woke up this morning, I wasn't in a good place. Emilie offered to have us stay at her house another night. We said yes and decided to slackpack. This means we could take less stuff to hike with and she would pick us up down the trail. I hiked by myself today. I needed to clear my head. I was standing on a ridge at about 3800 feet. It was cold and misty after a hard rain. I am not outwardly religious, however, I felt the need to stop at this spot and say a prayer for the folks at home who are going through such a rough time. I am so sorry for them and wish I were there.The trail throws mental,physical,and emotional hardships at you. They all take you to places that test the sriprit. Right now mentally I am ok. Physically, I am getting there. My legs are strong. However, my breathing,heart,and legs are not on the same page. The break-in period can be up to 6 weeks. Emotionally, it's hard to be away from everything you know. When things are tough on family and friends so far away it's hard not to contemplate "Why am I not home?" "Am I doing the right thing?"Hoping for bluer skies tomorrow and in the days ahead both literally and figuratively.Settling in for a better night sleep.GoodnightCity Slicker
Date: 2010-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

If you have A queasy stomach turn away.A revolting devlopment:my feet are uuuuuuugly! They are rebelling to the point where skin and nails are falling off. I know gross right? I am taking care of them the best I can. My best friends are ointment,medicated powder, bandaids,moleskin, duct tape. It takes me about half hour in the morning. I sent my crocs home and have been wearing flip flops. The crocs weren't allowing enough air circulation. The blisters aren't going away. I have a choice. I can either suffer it out with these boots or buy a new pair. Suffering it out would mean my feet not healing and possibly leading to infection. I am really upset, but I have no choice but to spend money and buy a new pair. Icarefully planned for this and had no intention of spending this extra money. I tried a pair of Keene targhee ii. The toe bed is wider. There are no pressure points on the areas where my blisters are. So, you know where I am going with this. I ended up buying a new pair. A word of advice, even if you think your boots are broken in unless you hike alot with them there is no way to tell. My boots were broken in, but obviously not for the trail. With the crocs went home the boots. They are ll bean so I'll be able to get my money back.Thank God we had a zero day.The first thing we did was put on a feedbag at breakfast. Fable wasn't feeling well so he didn't join us. The day was sunny and around 80deg. The NOC is a great place to hang out. It's a big vacation spot for kyakers and white water rafting. There were alot of kids and dogs pLying in the water. There were alot of hikers hanging out for the day. The river looked very inviting. So all of our sorry hiker feet took a dip. The cold water felt really good. Guess what time it is? Time to eat lunch.Twisted Hair and Cheesemeyer drove an hour to come and meet us for an early dinner. Once again we were lauhing for the next two hours. Then they were off to go to a Starbucks. I was so jealous. I don't think I will see them again. It makes me sad because I really like them alot.I went back to mu bunk for a little while. I got bored and met up with Dutch Tape,Cabana Boy, and River. We talked until after 9pm. I went to go settle in for the night. I couldn't sleep. It was hot and uncomfortable. The hike out of the NOC is making me a little crazy. Its really tough. Remember what comes down must come up. The trail is 7 miles uphill from 1723 feet to 4710 feet. It's supposed to be really hot again. I feel stressed out. It feels like going to work on a bad day. I keep thinking I shouldn't feel this way. This is something I want to be doing. Thi s is part of the mental game that the trail throws at you. I finally fell asleep around 1 am.Tired and crankyCity Slicker
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone,I'm sorry I haven't posted in a while. I will update soon on trail adventures. I have finally made it through the Smokies. It was really challenging. I mean really challenging. I haven't seen Cabana Boy or Dutch Tape in a week and miss them. I have been hiking with River and Fable. I absolutely love being in the woods. I feel free and rejuvenated. I push my body to difficult lengths everyday. My body feels very strong and happy. Yesterday was my longest day at about 18.5 miles. There were alot of uphills. We went from 6400 down to about 3500 and up and down all day. My new boots are good, but I continue to get blisters. It's just the way of trail life. I have been hanging with Superman,Cope,Sockeye, and Grizzly the last 4 days or so. They are a great group of guys. They call themselves the fraternity. I have had some late nights sitting around fire pits and telling jokes. I know I have said it before, but it feels so good to be who I am and laugh my butt off. I am probably going to meet back up with Cabana Boy and Dutch Tape soon. That is if these guys don't kill me first. I need sleep. More soon Y'allCity SlickerP.S. A shout out to John Oldershaw and all my collegues at the hospital. I hope you guys are enjoying this.
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Abby's hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 220.0

Hi y'all,I promise I will update soon on my adventures. There have been many. They include bear,snakes,deer , and a bottle of tequila. I have lost 25 pounds. My highest pack weight is 43 pounds. We have stayed in hotels and hostels a bit lately. There has been alot of tornado type weather and we all have been trying to stay out of the woods when they happen. I hate staying in towns and can't wait to get back to the woods and nature. Everything out here is amazingly beautiful. The group I have been hiking with has become my family. We all look out for each other. You have to depend on each other to stay safe. You become very close as a result. They know more about me than I thought I would ever share. I love these guys and gals. Every social standard disappears and you get back to basics. One guy is a trained opera singer, another a smoke jumper, another a dancer, another an engineer. Some poor others with money. The amazing thing is out here you are all the same. For the first time in my life outside of my family people love me for me. Wouldn't it be nice if it was always like that?Well dang! Look at the time. Gotta go. More later!Bye y'allCity Slicker
Date: 2010-05-29
From: Wood's Hole Hostel Pearisburg,VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone,I am at over 600 miles. I have hiked through Georgia,Tennessee,North Carolina, and now am in Virginia. Virginia is 500ish miles long. I will be in this state for about 1 month. We are starting to cover some real miles per day now. There has been alot going on. I am having a blast and being in the woods has become a learning experience. The animals are out in force now. I have seen a bear, about 20 feet in front of me, snakes, dear, all kinds of birds etc. The forest is in bloom and everything smells wonderful, except the hikers. We are all officially hiker trash and smell bad. Even if you shower and do laundry you can't get rid of the funk. The cell phone service has been really bad. I think I should get a refund from ATT from lack of usage. When I can't get service I can't talk to anyone and that can be hard. I can honestly say that I am not homesick and am looking forward to the rest of my adventures. I have had a couple of bad falls. I look like an action hero in a film with all my bruises and bloody scrapes. I thought I broke my hand the other day. As it turns out I just bruised the bones. The up side I went to a hotel to heal up and got to watch the Celtics game. They lost. One of these years a Boston team will actually just win a series without the torture of going 7 games.Ellen , thanks for the toast at the Rhumbline. I miss all you guys. Please tell everyone I said hello. To everyone in my family and Steve thank you supporting this. I couldn't do it without you.Hi to all the kids. I miss you and love you very much. I have been getting updates on school and sports and am very proud of you all.I will update soon. Until then picture me with my 40 pound pack on and trekking through the beautiful surroundings that we call the Appalachian Trail. It has become my home with the waterfalls, flora, animals, and majestic mountains.See Y'AllCity SlickerP.S. I have lost 30 pounds and am down 3 sizes.
Date: 2010-03-05
From: Spring Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The BeginningThis is always something that I¢ve wanted to do¢hike the Appalachian Trail . There¢s the full state map hanging on my closet door in my apartment and every spring, like many others, the thought crosses my mind and I think, what-if? The urge to become part of this phenomenon that is the AT really started when I was on one of our many family vacations to New England and we stayed at Lake of the Clouds. My young teenage self woke up to a clear, sunny day with Indigo Girls playing in the background and the hut staff making breakfast. That feeling I had mixed with me finding out about the AT is what really planted the seed of me wanting to do a thru-hike in the future. It was written on my virtual bucket list. My parents were the ones who taught me about the AT by taking my brother and I on outdoorsy vacations, being members of the ATC and AMC, and taking us camping/hiking throughout our childhood. My father has hiked many sections of the AT and always wanted to thru-hike as well. I read many of his books about the trail and a love affair started in my head. Fast forward a few years and I¢m living in New York City . I¢ve been there for almost eight years and I need my fix of nature. There¢s just way too much concrete and not enough green. After spending a summer vacation last year, weekends mostly, in Fire Island , NY , I dreamt about the AT for the following year. The timing was right, spring was around the corner and I was seeing signs everywhere. So that¢s roughly how I ended up on the AT.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Spring Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

PhillyI¢m spending the first week after my last two weeks of work with my parents where I grew up, aka, the suburbs of Philly. Some highlights of the week: Sleeping in my tent in the backyard and having Canadian geese keep me up at night. Who knew geese traveled so late at night? Assembling more gear, making frequent trips to REI.Taking long hikes in Valley Forge Park and adjacent Horseshoe Trail. Spending quality time with Barry and Bonnie while we pack food boxes. (Thank you for keeping me well fed!!!) My grandma lending me her North American animal field guide book so that I can learn about what animals will maim/strike/attack me.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Spring Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

New YorkWrapped up with many emotions this week¢¦socializing with friends, shipping gear to Georgia, getting daily exercise running in Prospect Park, eating my last glorious suppers in Brooklyn (oh, La Villa say it isn¢t so. I will miss your baked ziti more than you know! )
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Spring Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Athens, GeorgiaFinally, my pack is fully stuffed with everything I need, and probably more so, which is why I¢m about to go to my friend Charli¢s gym to weigh it. I can lift it and it¢s comfortable, although I have no idea how much it weighs. Hoping for no more than 30 lbs. and if it is, I¢m going to have to repack again tonight and shed weight!I¢ve been planning my hike for a few months now and have spent the past week hanging out in Athens, Georgia, with my best friend Charli. I¢ve been taking my loaded pack out on the road and walking around town. Some people have even taken notice of me and have commented in conversation to Charli that they¢ve seen me! I¢m the vagabond of Athens! It¢s been a little over 80 degrees almost the whole week and I¢ve already gotten a weird sunburn! I have a line on my calves from my socks, a line on my arms from my shirt and a shape of a watch on my wrist!
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Spring Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Springer Mountain Visitors CenterFinally the start of my journey; ALMOST! After my best friend Charli dropped me off the at the visitor's center. I had to make my way to the Springer Mountain shelter which is approximately 8.8 miles, this the actual start of the Appalachian Trail. It was cloudless, sunny and verdant as far as the eye could see!It took me about 4 hours to walk it, and I arrived at about 3:30 pm. Once I got there I set up camp and prepared for dinner. Afterwards, I actually met a different assortment of folks; a family from Florida (they were just hiking in the area), an older couple and there was even member of the AT conservancy documenting all the thru-hikers. Some of the hikers mentioned they were going to watch the sunset, which was a great ending to a long but beautiful day!
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 7.8 miles to Hawk Mountain Shelter. Stopped at waterfalls. The weather has been great - even a little warm. Started at 9:30 and reached the shelter around 3:00 PM. Not much of an appetite yet. Not used to the 'shelter sleeping' arrangements - at least one loud "snorer." The privy is stinky, but functional. Went from 2 blisters to 10 blisters. Feet are sore. Hiked with a guy from Seattle - MadHatterIzzy. He has a website and is doing a video documentary of his journey. Check out his website. (BBF)
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked 7.3 miles to Gooch Mountain Shelter. Again the day was beautiful. Arrived at the shelter around 3:30 PM. The shelters have been full, but getting there early ensures a spot, so no tent setups yet. Check out MadHatter's video called "Not water." It shows part of the shelter and me as I walk behind MadHatter's camera shot. (BBF)
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Katahdin, ME
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's hike was going to be 12.5 miles to Blood Mountain shelter, but instead went on the extra miles to get to the Walasi-Yi Center. Arrived late - shelter was full so split a cabin rental 3-ways. Bed, shower, laundry, food.(BBF)