morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Abol Bridge Campground (Tent)
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Started at: Rainbow Stream Lean-toEnded at: Abol Bridge Campground (Tent)Miles: 15.0Rainbow Stream Lean-to was so beautiful that I hardly wanted to set out this morning. If we had more time it would have been a good place to spend a few days, just reading or something. It's funny that the closer we get to finishing this trip, the less I want to get to the end. I think we are all in somewhat of a euphoric state right now. We are all in very good spirits, but it is a bittersweet feeling for some of us. The truth is that I do not want to get to the end...but I am still very excited about the next few days. It would be nice to put it off for another week of two though. Anyway, it is very cool to know that in just 2 more days we will actually finish hiking 2200 miles over 6 months.We started out today by trying to get across a very wet and slippery log bridge just in front of the shelter. I thought Heather was going in for sure, but she managed to inch across. She has become pretty good at this trail stuff, despite her reputation back home as being a cluts. It was a nice day of hiking. We took it slow and had a long lunch. Camel even broke out the hammock during lunch; that's when you know we are taken it easy.We made it to Hurd Brook shelter (what people think of as the last shelter on the AT) just a bit after lunch. We stayed a while to read everyone¢s "last" shelter register entries. There were very interesting. People were reflecting on the trip and talking about what they got out of the experience. There were many differences but some common themes. They appreciated the people they met, the quiet time to think, the wilderness, the freedom, the challenge, the success, the pleasure, and the pain. Like everyone else in the world, they were out here looking for something special, and many found it here where most people would not even think to look. I can't get over how much time and energy people put into the register entries.We left the hundred-mile wilderness, got to the road, and started crossing the bridge before Abol Bridge Campground. I was halfway across before I looked up to my left to see the most incredible site. A view of Mt. Katahdin sitting by itself close on the horizon. The waters of the river below were like glass and held a perfect reflection of the mountain. We all stood there for a while.I was happy.We made it to the general store and started eating of course. Everyone hung out for a while talking about finishing. We met Wings and Feather, a mother and daughter team that had been behind us for a while. We were hoping D©j Vu would catch up but she didn¢t. Hopefully we will see her again. We got to meet Camel's parents because they drove up to find him. As we were going over to the campground to set up camp my mother and Marisa drove up in a mini van. It was really good to see my mother. We went into town, ate a wonderful dinner and came back to camp for a long nights sleep.-ACamera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-08-20
To: Journey's End
Miles today: 0.0

It's 6:30 in the morning and I should still be asleep. I know my body is exhausted and in desperate need of recovery time. But I'm wide awake. Yesterday in the height of euphoria over completing our journey, our goal, I wondered what I would feel like today. It's our first zero day in nearly two months, since my birthday, 6/27. I guess they'll all be zero days from now on.It's hard to put into words what I'm feeling this morning. Not sad that the journey is over. Not happy at having made it all the way. I am filled with poignance, brimming with vague, non-specific emotion. I have a dim sense that life is about to change dramatically, though I can't seem to anticipate exactly how. The demands of the cotton world will soon be beating down our doors. We have just a short time to sort through six months worth of memories, file them neatly away and turn our attention toward our responsibilities at home.However difficult this next leg of our journey is for me, I sense it will be doubly so for Arwen. I have not seen him so happy, carefree and childlike since we were teenagers, uninitiated in the responsibilities of adult life. It is a very rare breed of person who is able to wake up each morning on the trail, excited for whatever might get thrown their way - good or bad. Arwen is one of these. Nothing ever seemed to get him down. In fact, the worse things got, the happier he seemed to become. Where ever our journey takes us next, we each walk away from this experience having learned something about each other. After 12 years together I would not have expected that any surprises could remain. Arwen has learned that I'm stronger than he thought. That when the chips are down, he can count on me to dig deep for an inner strength and meet life's challenges by his side. And I have learned that I can count on my husband for a profound, unquestioning understanding and support. There were so many times along the way when I struggled. Many times I was on the brink of giving up entirely. When we first set foot on the trail, I did not know what I could expect from Arwen in hard times. Had he shown impatience, had he laughed at me, had he shrugged his shoulders or rolled his eyes... I think there's a good chance I might have thrown my hands in the air and walked away from the trail entirely. But instead, every time I looked to him for support, I found it in abundance. Now we know that whatever difficulties come our way in life's journey, we will meet those challenges hand in hand, in strength, together.
Date: 2005-05-16
To: Trail Days 2005
Miles today: 0.0

It was fantastic to see so many of our friends this past weekend at Trail Days. In some ways it was like no time at all had passed. As we sat around a picinic table will all the usual suspects, I couldn't help but think, "How many miles do we have to hike tomorrow?" It was hard to believe it had been a whole year since we last stepped foot in Damascus.As many of you know, we carried a video camera with us on our trek. We will be posting some clips soon for your enjoyment! Cheers,
Date: 2003-11-14
To: Basic Approach
Miles today: 0.0

Hi, welcome to my Journal. Hope you find something interesting in the days that follow.ATC friends, met on trail maintenance crews in the Mid-Atlantic Region, have been a great source of encouragement and information. (The intro picture in this journal is taken from a shot of my ATC crew this year. The complete picture is also attached). We were working with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, building a stone wall between the AT and a river in Caledonia State Park, Pennsylvania.My basic approach will be to adopt as much ultra-light techniques and gear as I can stand. Have been reading quite a bit on backpacking light and it makes sense to me. By the way, I recommend Ray Jardine¢s ¢Beyond Backpacking¢ and the web site, backpackinglight.com. Also learned a lot from whiteblazes.net. These sites have several interesting links to other informative sites.I'll be hiking alone, at least in the beginning. One of the highlights of my trip will be meeting friends and family along the way.
Date: 2003-11-14
To: Shake Down Trip
Miles today: 0.0

November 4, 2003Just got back from a little shake down trip with my youngest son and his wife, Mark and Noel. (see pictures) We went to Perdenales Falls, State Park in Texas. As you can see, in early November fall is just beginning to reach us here in Texas. There is another shot of me trying out a new stove for the first time. Probably will not use it. Instead I am planning to use a Pepsi can stove and alcohol. Decided to ditch the picture and substitute another shot of Mark and Noel because the new stove picture was so bad.
Date: 2004-01-15
To: Gear Gear Gear
Miles today: 0.0

Whoa!, I thought I was just about there. Been fooling around with gear and preparation for well over a year. But, a recent trip to San Antonio put me on a different path. Visiting there with the folks at Whole Earth Provisions, I began to question again just how smart it is for me to try to go ultralight. When I could not get all my stuff in the Golite Breeze pack it really began to bother me.To make a long story short. Have been trying to moderate things a little. Had my pack down to 13 1/2 pounds except for food and water. But then I began to realize that I just do not have the experience to face the weather with that thin a safety margin. And, I have never been satisfied with the decision to combine rain gear with wind shirt - trying to do everything with a single garment.Now have purchased a slightly larger pack. Have a ULA P-2, highly rated and very nice. Talking with the guy who makes these packs, Brian Frankle, I realize that if I stay as light as possible I can still make my The North Face (TNF) Cat's Meow bag retain its loft by not packing it down into its original stuff sack. The P-2 pack works better if full and Brian suggested keeping it in a larger waterproof bag in the bottom.There is a lots more on gear. Got a Mountain Hardware Extend long sleeve base layer. Its supposed to have silver compound in it that does not wash out but tends to retard bacteria growth that causes smell. Also finally opted to get a good rain jacket - Arcteryx Theta SV. Have a few more items to go but I am about settled on equipment.Started working on itinerary. Will publish it soon. Have revised it three times. They say do not make it too binding and leave flexibility. Even knowing that I want to work it out the best I can. Have been getting advice on places to stay. (Even have a couple offers of private places to stay!) Super exciting.Have arrangements to stay in new hostel, Hikerhostel with Josh and Leigh Saint, in Delonaga. Josh has been very helpful. Will get ride to the trail with him.Must close. Did not even go thru the PDA-PocketMail saga at Christmas. Finally decided that Pocketmail is best. Have been playing with it. I expect to mail home flash cards from digital camera and have my wife post my pictures. Gave up on the idea of wasting time on the trail trying to do journal work in town........Later.
Date: 2004-01-19
To: Giving and Taking
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, young son Mark and wife Noel told me they plan to take off and join me for a short while in June. Guess that should be about somewhere in Pa or NJ. What a hoot! Did not think they could make it. It will be great.A couple of other friends have also changed plans and will not be able to hike a section with me. Who knows, something could happen to cut my trip short too. Guess our attitude should be to just accept whatever happens and to enjoy what we are able. Seems someone said its possible to enjoy all things.
Date: 2004-02-22
To: 12 Days 
Miles today: 0.0

Wow!I just realized that I have only 12 more days to work here at Shell. It seems that time is flying by - but all my jobs are in good shape and I will be ready to go. Probably will not be quite as confident when it gets time to take that Delta flight to Atlanta. In a way, this post is a final test. Am sending it by my cell phone and Mary Ann will upload it to the journal. The picture shown here is my Feathered Friends Swallow bag. It shows the white storage bag and a down pillow. The storage bag stays home and I will pack the pillow with the bag. Bag with stuff sack is 2 lb 6 1/2 Oz. Pillow is a bit of a departure from light backpacking but what the heck -- It's only 6 Oz. and very nice. Expect to use it a lot!
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Texas

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

Initial Leg - March 22, 2004 Mailed Income Tax this morning. Rushed to the airport, flew to Atlanta and made easy contact with Josh (Hiker Hostel). Arrived at Hostel about 3:20 PM. Temp is about 55 degrees. Got down to 18 last night. Went to eat Mexican food in Dahlonega for dinner. No trip to town would be complete without shopping at Wal-Mart. Picked up powdered chocolate milk, chapstick, and tangerines. Plan is to be up at 6:45, breakfast at 7:15. Expect to start hiking by 10:00.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Springer Mountain - Hiker Hostel

To: Hightower Gap
Miles today: 8.25

First Day - March 23, 2004 Up at 6:45, Breakfast at 7:15, tooled around hostel getting pack reorganized, then to trailhead. Arrived at parking area at about 10:45.First we had to make a 0.9 mile U-turn because road access crosses the trail 0.9 miles from the top of Springer Mt. On the way up, I saw icicles about 1 foot long on the rocks. Had been 20 degrees the night before (but we are in a warming trend)On top signed the register, dedicating this journey to my wife, Mary Ann. I wrote, "I'm on the way home, (by way of Katahdin)". Saw Gizmo, the section caretaker (trail runner) had nice visit, started down at 11:30 with Jon Mott, a guy who has been teaching and writing text books for three years in Tiawan. Walked most of the day with Jon but he wanted to go a little faster at the end of the day. He went on to an unmarked shelter at Hawk Mt. I walked a little farther and ended up camping across the road from One Leg and his kids. More on that later. Covered 8.25 miles the first day and it only got down to 33 degres that night.
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Hightower Gap.

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter 
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: few clouds

To Gooch Mtn Shelter - March 24, 2004 Slept late at my first camp site and took leisurely time getting gear lined up. Hit the trail at 11:00 and arrived at the shelter at about 5:45. Again did 8.00 miles and spent night at very nice facility. Think the night time temp was about 42 degrees. All is great and no blisters. Food is too heavy. It adds more weight than any other item. Met the Peters twins. Holly and Heidi from Vermont at Gootch Mtn Shelter. They slept in the loft. Also met Joe Rndnoak and Keith Appler at the Bear Bag Cables. First time to use provided steel cable system to hang food bag. Finally met Buddy Nix as he was hiking out from tent site nearby the next morning. Allen, the deaf guy traveling with One Leg also tented here. Met a very friendly guy, Tom ?last. I called him "star gazer" because he and I looked at the stars and moon. Not certain, but think we saw Venus very close to the moon; was a beautiful site. Steve Kimball, from Bridgewater, Mass also stayed at the shelter. I thought he and Tom and the twins were just two couples; not the case at all. Tom is really taking this journey to sit and reflect. He stayed at the shelter to read. Got a lot more sun than I realized.
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Dockery Lake Trail
Miles today: 8.0

Mountain Stream and Wild Turkeys - March 25, 2004Can already say my three most favorite things are: My sleeping bag, my hiking poles, and my hoser water bag.Left the shelter at 9:30, took a long lunch then stopped at stream after Dockery Lake Trail. Arrived at about 5:20. Great camping - I pitched my tarp beside the stream and could hear it all night. (see picture) Wanted to push on farther but was persuaded by Fred Colling "High Trailer" to stay. Glad he did. Spring break campers and Maggie and Chris LeCroy also stayed here. I walked a few miles with Maggie and Chris.Chris told me the white tail deer in northern Georgia were almost all introduced from Texas.Great visits around the camp fire. Stories about hunting accidents, etc. Good times. Next morning woke to sound of wild turkeys on the ridge.
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Docery Lake Trail

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: scattered clouds

To Neels Gap - March 26, 2004 As I was leaving the stream camp site, Eric Pope and Andy Borhese came along. We leap frogged each other through the day.Reached top of Blood Mountain at 1:50. This is the highest point on the AT in Georgia. Lots of mossy rocks. Elevation is 4461 feet. Met interesting couple, Debbie and Ken. She told me its best to not use deodorant soap because it washes off or masks natural oils that gives protection against bugs and poison ivy. Not a problem - have not had a shower in four days!Reached Walasi-yi center at Neels Gap by 3:00 PM. Decided to stay at the Hostel. Picked up my first mail drop here. Now I have more food than I know what to do with.Went to Blaireville and ate at the Cookie Jar Restaurant (buffet). Pigged out big time. Full salad, beef-veggie soup, fried chicken, rice/gravy and mashed potatoes/gravy. Polished it off with cake and ice-cream. What a great way to do my "Extreme Makeover".
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Neels Gap

To: White Oak Stamp
Miles today: 7.75

Mar 27, Neels Gap to White Oak StampFooled around at the Walasi-Yi Center deciding what to do with all my food.Buddy Nix, "Homer" spent the night at a motel and came along as I was separating out supplies. I forwarded 3 days of food to Davenport Gap. Homer convinced me to get a copy of "Wingfoot's" Handbook. Its very handy.Got started at 12:00 and passed a group of kids from a Church of Christ. They were planning to stay at Whitley Gap Shelter, or original destination. Trying to avoid the crowd and possible sleep deprivation, we pressed on to White Oak Stamp. At the trail to Whitney Gap Shelter, we saw a sign drawn in the ground saying "TREE FROG" with an arrow. Figured this was by High Trailer who did know about the kids. Later learned the kids did not make it and some guy at the shelter was giving out Cornish Game Hen dinners and drinks. -- Oh well.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Mar 28, To Blue Mt ShelterI got off to a good start today. Off by 7:00, no breakfast because water supply was limited. Stopped at Low Gap Shelter to get water. "High Trailer" caught up with us there. Met Radar. ************ e-mail sent to Mary Ann from Paul **********My two brothers and I were out on a day hike today (Sunday, March 28th, 2004) in North Georgia and bumped into these two young gentlemen. They were at Cold Spring Gap along the AT. They were having their Sunday Lunch Feast and seemed to be doing quite well enjoying the hike and the beautiful weather, which was quite Sunny and between 75 and 80 degrees. Their plans were to hike on up to the next shelter for the evening. I promised them I would send along this picture to their loved ones back home. Enjoy ! Paul
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.75
Weather: broken clouds

Mar 29, To Tray Mountain ShelterThings seem to be coming in pairs. Yesterday we did 10.5 miles and I got 10.5 hours of sleep. Today we get to make two 1000 foot climbs on the way to camp at Tray Mountain Shelter.Was able to reach Mary Ann by cell phone from top of Tray Mountain.. (Big treat to talk to her)
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To:  Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassi
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: light rain

Mar 30, To Dicks Creek Gap and HiawassiStarted raining at 12:30 A.M. and it's still pounding my tarp like a drum as I write this at 6:23 A.M. Kind of feel like I'm pinned down by enemy fire. Everything is dry now but afraid that may change as soon as I get up.Just heard a big old tree frog over at Homers tarp; guess he's about to get up too.Only one big climb today (plus several others of a few hundred feet). The assent from Addis Gap to Kelly Knob was 965' in distance of 1.25 miles. As I departed from Kelly Knob (elevation: 4275')heard clucking of turkey hens near the crest. Great day hiking. All day by myself as I was last to leave Tray Mountain Shelter. Talked to son, John on cell phone. What a kick! Total distance 10.3 miles. Reached Dick's Creek Gap at 5:35. Hitched a ride to the Bluebery Patch Hostel. Actually did not have to go into Hiawassee. This place is the greatest. Very fine service. They wash your clothes, provide excellent shower facilities, good bed, serve breakfast and then give a ride back to the trail! All this for $17. Got to charge up my cell phone and send pocket mail to boot! Could not ask for more. On top of all this I was able to get enough food from the hiker box that I did not have to buy any more. Best of all - its raining tonight and supposed to be getting colder. Kind of glad to be inside tonight."High Trailer" and "Bucket" are staying here too.
Date: 2004-03-31
From:  Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassi

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Mar 31, To North CarolinaLooking at the maps last night I see it will be a bit of a push to get to Franklin by Saturday afternoon. But that is still my objective. The idea is to spend the night with Vick and Burma Kelly and go to church with them the next day.Struggling to finish book, WILD AT HEART by John Eldridge so can shed the weight. Its a very good book - gives perspective on the nature of God as well as man's soul.Its now 6:54 and I am sitting in the front room of the Blueberry Hostel. We are being served an AYCE breakfast, sausage, eggs, orange juice, etc. Rained last night but sun is shining brightly now. Will report later on the final leg in Georgia.Arrived at the Muskrat Creek Shelter late just behind High Trailer and found it very crowded. Had to pitch my tarp outside on the snow. Yes on the snow. I found it possible to put a ground cloth on about 2" of snow, then using a mat and down sleeping bag, I was plenty comfortable. Was truly an exciting time. Met Cat-Dog at this location. She and her dog were already asleep when High Trailer and I arrived.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Muskrat Creek

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

No Journal available for this day. Postscript: I think Beech Gap was the place I camped alone. There was bear scat near the campsite and I put up my tarp right next to a big log. Slept fairly well. The wind came up during the night and it blew like crazy. It was a good test for my tarp pitching ability. I ate well and felt like a million bucks the next morning. It was a time of great adventure for me, just being out in the wilderness alone like that. I really loved it. A picture of the campsite is available from my files.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Beech Gap

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

No Journal available for this day. Postscript: Fairly tough hiking for a new thru-hiker. Went over Big Butt Mtn (4600') and Albert Mtn (5220'). Continuing to hike by myself. Not trying to go fast, just trying to listen to my body and keep a good steady pace, realizing I am getting good conditioning. Have really enjoyed the tarp so far but now I can see some time savings when staying in a shelter. You just get up, eat, pack and go. I believe this section gave me the feeling of being in a really remote location. looking forward to getting into Franklin tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.25
Weather: few clouds

No Journal available for this day.---Postscript: Wow!, I did not realize that I failed to make entries so many times in the early days of my hike. As I look back over these scenes one year later I recall that so much happening! This picture, for instance, shows the 'Wasalic Popular, said to be the second largest yellow poplar tree in the world. While looking at this tree a fellow hiker came down the side trail to see it with me. He did not have a trail name and I named him 'Big Tree'. The name stayed with him for the entire trail. The last time I saw Big Tree was in Monson, Maine. There are other large logs still laying where they were cut near this tree. An information sign tells the story that these trees were too heavy for the teams of oxen to pull out of the area. When this was recognized by the early day lumbermen they simply did not cut the larger one - and that tree survives to this day and pictured here.