morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap - Holiday Inn Express Hiawassee 
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: broken clouds

Even with the day off for blisters, I am only one day behind schedule. But I am finding that I am a slow hiker - so I will probably continue to fall behind my original schedule. These young kids just fly by - one guy was actually running down the trail today. David, Teddy and I completed our two day adventure and arrived at Dick's Creek Gap at 2pm. Gayl picked us up and deposited me back at my home away from home - the Holiday Inn in Hiawassee, GA. You pretty much hike in circles around here so you are always within reach of Hiawassee. As nice as Georgia is, I am really hoping to be in North Carolina either tomorrow night or the next day. Depends on the weather.Blisters have stabilized but the feet hurt. Pretty common at this stage - just requires some extra Advil. There are a lot of rocks in northern Georgia and they have done a number on the feet. Everything else is fine - no other aches or pains.I head off tomorrow when the shuttle picks me up at 8am. I will either be just short of the NC line or just within - depends.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Dick's Creek Gap - Holiday Inn Express Hiawassee 

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

I hiked out of Dick's Creek Gap with Easy Does It. Another repeat hiker. I meet at least one or two every day. The hike out of the Gap was tough - as they all are. The word 'Gap' is a dirty word on the trail. Very nice to be walking down into one because it usually means you have access to a town. Very bad to be hiking out of one because you have to walk back up and you usually have a full load of food and water.This was my longest day yet and I did quite well. The trail was beautifully maintained in this section. The section between Springer Mountain and Unicoi Gap was pretty rough - partly because it gets a lot of use and partly because I hiked in much rain and the mud made the hiking difficult. I passed into NC today - a great milestone. But the climb out of Bly Gap was a tough one. The shelter area was crowded. I have avoided sleeping in the shelters because they tend to be mouse-infected and I don't want to deal with the snorers. I was explaining to someone that a shelter on the trail is a pretty rustic thing. They are essestially wooden platforms under a roof. You put your sleeping bag and pad down and sleep shoulder-to-shoulder with the rest of the hikers. The big benefits of shelter sleeping are protection from the rain (unless the wind is blowing in the front of the open shelter) and the time saved because you don't have to put up and take down your tent. The best scenario is to be able to put your tent up in the shelter so you are still under a roof but you are also protected from the mice. But that is considered rude on the trail - unless the shelter is almost empty for the night.I arrived at the shelter at 3:30, set up camp, ate and climbed into my home away from home just before the skies opened up. It rained hard during the night - my first experience with a thunderstorm. Oddly enough I was not worried at all. You start to feel very secure in your tent. Others at the shelter included Maverick and Rawhide - the gentlemen from Oklahoma who I hiked with out of Woody Gap; Mudslide and his dog Gypsy (the 'pound puppy' as Johnny Thunder named her); three guys from Columbus OH who managed/worked in a restaurant (so they knew how to cook on the trail); four or five other young guys hiking together; Happy Trails, who was section hiking from Dick's Creek to the NOC; Easy Does It; and various others. There is a nice fire pit at this shelter so the guys had a nice fire going before the rain hit.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

When I reached Deep Gap, I had a decision to make. It's the last 'out' point for almost three days. My feet had still not healed from the blisters and they were swollen and they hurt. I did quite well until my gear got wet and added at least 6 pounds to my back. It made the difference between about 34 pounds and 40 pounds - which is too much for me. The wet weight, coupled with my ill fitting boots (I am finally conceeding to this fact - even though I really loved them for the front of my feet - they were doing a number on the back of my feet) was too much and I decided to take a break before I tackled Standing Indian Mountain and did further damage. I called the Hiawassee Inn shuttle and Ron came to pick me up. I managed to get another ride to the MARTA outside of Atlanta and was was snug in my Naples FL bed by midnight.The new game plan - I will rest my feet and let them heal in FL (I could have stayed in a hotel in GA for two weeks but that didn't seem reasonable). Cougar Bait and I are going to Aiken, South Carolina the week of April 20th to stand up as sponsors for College Gayl's son Teddy for his Confirmation. We will stop at the outfitters at Neel's Gap and I will tweak my gear - which includes new boots/shoes, a new sleeping bag and a new stove (see my Gear comments). The new footwear, plus a lower pack weight, should solve my problems. When we are driving back to MA from FL in mid-May, CB will drop me off - probably somewhere in Virginia or Maryland - and I will continue north. Then I can do the missed section when we drive back to FL in November. For those of you in the "pool" that High School Gail put together - I will recommend to her that this off period between today and my May resumption not be counted and that the count continue when I hit the trail in mid-May. But it will be up to her based on whatever rules she put in place.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Deep Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Just a few thoughts as I plan my re-entry strategy.Thanks to all who have posted to my Guest Book. I do appreciate the encouragement. I would be remiss if I did not mention Joyce and Sally - who run a shuttle service for hikers in Northern GA. Thanks for 'bailing me out' when I needed the help. I also love their 1970 VW Camper/Bus. Very vintage with all the original bells and whistles. You can get a glimpse of it in one of my pictures (there are a few pictures - even though it says there are none. I can't figure out how to fix this).I plan to re-enter the trail later this week - at Deep Gap. Just a few tender areas on the heels where blisters are almost healed. CB will drive me up and after getting properly (hopefully) fitted for new shoes, I will slack pack a few days to make sure the shoes are ok on my feet ('slacking' is when you hike a section without carrying your whole pack - and you get a ride back to the hotel at the end of the day). I may slack for a week - then it's off again. I hope to get to Erwin, TN by mid-May, meet CB there when he drives back to MA from FL, and then go back in somewhere around Harper's Ferry. I really want to hike late May and June in the PA/NJ/NY/CT/MA areas - the areas I am most familiar with - during the nice weather. Then I may take the month of July off, go from MA to ME in August and Sept. and then complete the missed Virginia/Tennessee section - starting in mid-October when we are driving back to FL. I would still love to complete a 'thru' (means I need to do the entire trail in a 12 month period) but we will see. If not a 'thru', then I will section hike the entire Trail during the next few years. The weather can play such an important role in this whole endeavor. I hope I learned enough during my almost 2 weeks of hiking to make some adjustments and get some serious miles in. I have been very discombobulated this entire week in FL and I really miss the hike. Check back for updates!
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

CBait and I are in Erwin TN where I am trying out some new shoes to see if I will be able to resume this hike. I hiked a little over 11 miles today with mixed results. My feet are very sore and I have some new hot spots. The folks at Mountain Crossings had a hard time fitting my feet yesterday.   I will see how they feel tomorrow and make a decision. Final option is to get my boots custom made by a company in New Hampshire. I would do it in June, when CB and I are back in MA.   I would then do some section hikes this summer and accumulate some miles. No thru hike but I would still try to hike the entire trail during the next few years. Stay tuned..................
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Erwin TN

To: Indian Grave Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

Put in another slack pack hike today. Unfortunately, my feet are killing me and I can't keep eating Advil everyday. I did well for about 3 1/2 hours but as soon as the Advil wore off, my feet started screaming. New shoes have solved the blister issue I think but have created another issue with my arches. So - I am pulling off again. When we get back to MA in mid May, I will go see a ortho guy/girl and see if they can custom fit me for something that I can wear with my shoes. Maybe arch support will solve this problem. I do plan on doing section hikes this summer - not sure of exact plans yet but stay tuned......Also will do some trail magic in MA this summer and try to time things so I can see some of the folks I started with (if they are still on). Good news is that I crossed the 100 mile mark today. 5% done! I just have to do the same thing 20 or so more times! It doesn't sound so grand if I look at it this way. Weather has been beautiful the past two days. The section of the trail between Spivey Gap and Erwin was great - but a fire (we think a controlled burn) this past weekend has scarred several sections of the trail - it was very smelly and there was still heat rising from the ground in a few places. The section I hiked today - Erwin to Indian Grave Gap - was very rocky and rooty (is that a word?) in several places - with some very nice sections. Not as pleasant as yesterday but still better than the trail was in GA. I was going against the flow today and I met several hikers - the "Pirates", wearing the Long John Silver's hats (saw them yesterday also - something about a bet and beer); Red (the "hypothermia girl" - in quotes just in case she reads this - I know she does not like quotation marks); the twin brothers from Michigan; Thought Criminal; and a few others. I also met three women (my age finally) doing a section hike from Hot Springs to the 19E Elk Park, Newland, Roan Mtn TN road. Although I won't be heading back tomorrow, the last two days have been some of the best of my hike.Stay tuned.......
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Lake Buel Road, MA

To: Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To, MA
Miles today: 4.2

Finally had a chance to get back out on the Trail to test new boots and calmer feet. I actually walked 8.4 miles - but I walked in and out the same way so I only get credit for the 4.2. Beautiful day - only a few bugs, nice breeze, low 70 degree temperatures. This was my first time hiking on the AT when it was green. Wow - what a vast difference from hiking in GA, NC and TN in early spring. The Trail was not as beat up as it was in the south. The traffic is much lower here and the Trail is narrower in most places. Speaking of traffic, I walked all morning without seeing anyone. I ate lunch at the Mt. Wilcox South Lean-To (the old one) and chatted with two guys who were doing a section hike. I then stopped at Benedict Pond and chatted with two thru hikers - Chatterbox and Damus. They were running low on food so I gave them what I had left. Boy - did they stink! I forgot how bad hiker funk can be and was mostly shocked by the fact that I probably smelled that bad when I was in GA and NC. I think they both started from Springer Mountain on March 1 (I know Chatterbox did) - so they are making pretty good time. I also ran across an older gentleman who appeared to be doing a thru - didn't catch his name - and a couple just out for the day. The Trail seemed empty compared to the crowd in April in the south. It felt very odd. I would recommend stopping at Benedict Pond for a break/lunch. There is a rock that sits overlooking the Pond and it provides a nice place to sit - very beautiful. I also found the small section I did very easy compared to southern sections. AND - my feet don't hurt! I wasn't carrying 30 pounds on my back (only had a day pack) but the last time I hiked with only the day pack, my feet were killing me. I am thinking about getting back on the Trail at Bear Mountain in NY and hiking north to the Vermont border. Maybe I will join up with Sparky and Stubby and do Vermont (the Long Trail section) with them when they come through later this summer. We'll see.I took a bunch of pictures today. I still can't figure out how to get the Photo section to work - so even though it says there are no pictures, there are. I used the iPhone for once and the quality is pretty good - so I will probably leave the camera at home and just use the iPhone. Anything to save some weight.'Til later
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Bear Mountain Zoo

To: Bear Mountain Bridge
Miles today: 0.1
Weather: clear sky

I am taking mileage credit for my walk through the Bear Mountain Zoo today! I was in the process of driving from MA to NJ and decided to stop in Kent, CT yesterday and do trail magic. I set up where the trail comes out to the road into Kent. Between 1 and 3:30 - there were no hikers! Finally, Mountain Lion, Hoot and Sundance emerged from the woods. We talked for a bit and they had a few of the snacks and drinks. A bit later, Fizz showed up and she stayed for a few snacks. I ended up taking her into Kent so she could run some errands. There was one other hiker who came through but I can't remember her name. She was trying to get to the Post Office before 5 so she kept going. According to the hikers, Sparky and Stubby were in Kent doing a zero yesterday. Bogie and Bacall had hiked out that morning, as had Peach and Fuzz. Others reported to be in the general vicinity were Franklin and Johnny Thunder. I left Kent and drove to Fort Montgomery, NY last night. I was trying to decide whether to set up trail magic by Bear Mountain today when I ran into two hikers at the HI Express in Fort Montgomery - VigilAuntie and Y. They got in late last night and were leaving tomorrow early so they were not able to get through the Bear Mountain Zoo. I took them over there and while we were walking back to the car, we ran into Easy Does It and Slow Train. Bear Bait was with them - she started the same day I did but she is a very fast hiker so I was surprised to see her. She has been taking a lot of zeros so she was behind the others from my April 1 group. I'll be doing trail magic one more time - next week in MA. Trying to catch up with Sparky and Stubby since I owe them a dinner. May try to slack them for two days and do trail magic or some short trail hiking during the day. 'Til then
Date: 2008-08-08
From: North Adams, MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Drove to North Adams, MA on Friday and picked up Sparky and Stubby's backpacks at the Holiday Inn. They were slacking today to Bennington, VT. I then drove to the trailhead and set up trail magic while I waited for them. Several hikers came through in a wave about 1 pm - Mooch and Buffet, Circuit Rider, Fizz, Willow, Long we Tru, Moses and Blacksnake. I had run into Fizz last week in Kent - she recognized my car and table from a hill on the trail and was excited to get trail magic again. Moses and Blacksnake (father and son) are from Isreal and are attempting a thru hike. They need to finish by September 20th so they are really moving. Blacksnake - the son - seemed to be having problems with his knee and they finally got a hitch into town so they could have it checked out. Everyone seemed in good spirits but they were covered with mud up to their knees and some up to their butts. It's been raining a lot in the northeast this summer and I feel bad for them but they seem to get accustomed to it. Sparky and Stubby arrived at exactly 5pm. We drove to the Kirkwood Motor Lodge in Bennington, checked in and had dinner in an Italian restaurant in town. After breakfast the next morning, I drove them back to the trailhead. There was a sobo trying to get a hitch into town so I drove him back in. Two Liter was his trailname. Nice kid. I was home by 2pm on Saturday. I haven't given up on my dream of hiking the Trail and I will do some small sections this year. I asked Sparky and Stubby what they would do differently and they said that they might have section hiked instead. They recommend the section from Springer to Damascus, VA. Maybe I will do Deep Gap to Damascus next spring - and take it from there. Maybe wing-it a little more. Being on a set schedule and trying to adhere to a spreadsheet (yes, I had one - old habits die hard) puts a lot of pressure on you to make a certain number of miles each day. In my case, its all about what the feet can handle. Til later
Date: 2008-09-25
From: Deep Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Sorted through all of my gear today - getting ready to go to FL for the winter and I am trying to figure out what will fit in the car. If it were up to Cougar Bait, we would be there now. He whines about how cold the weather is in MA - and he is a Chicago native - go figure. Made a list of new things to get - will try to use the Steripen with Aquamira backup and drop the filter system to save some weight. Also bought a MSR Hubba - to replace the Big Agnes SL1. I had too much trouble climbing in and out of the SL1 - the Hubba seems roomier and easier to get in and out of. Every morning, I would almost take the SL1 off the ground with my butt when I was climbing out. All of the condensation would come into the tent and weigh everything down. I am also looking at different sleeping bags. I plan on doing a section hike in late Feb. next year and need to get a sleeping bag that is rated lower than the one I have. Looks like a Western Mountaineering bag, rated to 0 degrees, may be in the budget. Will also order the short ExPed down sleeping pad and give it a try. I used the Big Agnes Insulated Pad on my hike this year - but for a few extra ounces (ok - maybe a pound or so) I can get a thicker mattress. Thicker mattress=better night's sleep. I am tweaking a few other things and would love to hit the trail with three-day's food, 2 liters of water and a full pack at 25 pounds - but looking more like 30. I think I can get to 27 and still be comfortable. I would like to go from Deep Gap to at least Damascus next year. But I would also like to start in late Feb. and hike for two months and I am not sure I can get access to Deep Gap via the Forest Service Road at that time of year. Stay tuned.....
Date: 2008-10-27
From: Keep Tryst Road, MD

To: ATC Headquarters, Harpers Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: few clouds

CB and I are driving to FL for the wintaa (as they say in MA). Took a side trip so I could rack up some more AT miles. Did a very short one hour hike today. Ran into several bike riders on the C&O Canal Towpath and several SOBO's checking in at the ATC Headquarters. I looked through the hiker pictures to find some of the folks I met along the trail this year. They offered to take my pic but only if I intend to complete a thru-hike someday. I told them I would think about it and would be checking back in on Weds. am. I plan on hiking a bit tomorrow and another bit on Weds. before we continue south. The weather is pretty nasty - rainy and in the high 40's - low 50's so I am not sure what I am going to do yet. 'Til Later
Date: 2008-10-28
From: Keep Tryst Road, MD

To: Crampton Gap, Gathland State Park, MD
Miles today: 7.1

Continued my quest to hike the Trail. Did 7.1 miles today over mostly easy terrain. Some small rocks and a few ups but otherwise fine. Didn't rain but VERY windy - was worried about falling branches but managed to avoid them. Ate lunch at the Ed Garvey Shelter - very nice double-decker with the second floor enclosed. The wind was blowing from behind the shelter so I was able to sit and have a very peaceful lunch - fired up my new stove and ate a very hot Chicken Ramen, half a bagel, peanut butter and a small Snickers. All washed down with water. Made great time to Gathland State Park where Cougar Bait was waiting for me. Ran into two SOBO's today - one with a rescue dog. Also two guys who were out for a walk - one was running on the trail. I just can't figure out how people do that - I have to constantly look at my feet for fear of tripping over either a rock or a root. Another small hike tomorrow and then its on to FL. Will be posting a few pics once we get to FL.Til later.....
Date: 2008-10-29
From: Keys Gap, W. VA 9

To: ATC Headquarters, Harpers Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: few clouds

Hiked a rougher 5.8 miles today. The trail was very rocky in spots and the down into Harpers Ferry was a little slow going. The weather was nice and all in all it was a nice hike. The hunters were out in force - saw many pickup trucks at the trailhead but only heard one shot during the hike. I made sure to make a lot of noise as I was walking through the woods. I even turned on my IPhone IPOD without the ear buds. Ran into a SOBO named Pounce. She was heading to the Bears Den Hostel for the night. It was supposed to be very chilly so I hope she made it. I met CB at the ATC and they took my picture for the Hiker Book. In addition to NOBOs and SOBOs, they also take pictures of section hikers if they intend to hike the entire Trail. What the heck. CB also took my picture standing in front of the Mother Ship - check back for my pictures in a few days. Onward to FL - by car!'Til later.......
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Plane tickets Fort Myers FL to Asheville NC - check; shuttle from Asheville NC airport to Hot Springs - check; hotel reservation for three nights in Hot Springs - check; Bounce Box and supply box mailed to outfitter in Hot Springs - check; Gear ready and packed - check. Plan to slack for two days north of Hot Springs to warm up a bit and then hit the trail towards Erwin - planning to get to Rt. 19E and then flip down to Franklin - Deep Gap (where I dropped out last year) back to Hot Springs. Hope to meet up with Xanadu in Franklin to hike a portion and Sparky and Stubby in Fontana for a zero day. 'Til later
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Tanyard Gap, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

Took my warm up hike today. It only took me 3 hours to hike almost 6 miles - so I feel pretty good about that. But - I slackpacked so I was only carrying about 5 pounds of gear. It is absolutely beautiful out and its expected to stay that way for the next few days. I am staying at a property owned by the Mountain Magnolia Inn - thanks to a recommendation from Sparky and Stubby (thru's in 2008). It's a 'cat free' zone so no wheezing. The cat allergy thing becomes an issue out here. Many of the nice inns have cats wandering around. I'm good for about 30 minutes and then forget it. I plan on slacking again tomorrow - hopefully about 9 miles. And then I hit the trail in earnest with my full pack on Sunday - just when the forecast is calling for rain. Oh well. 'Til later