morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-11
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was very hard to sleep last night for many reasons. Out of my element for one; it was 50 degrees out for two. I have a 15 degree bag, so it was tough to get comfortable and find the right mix of clothing and bag cover.Woke up at sunrise to 50 degrees and partly cloudy. Packed up my gear and was on the trail about 9:30 am. Scenery was beautiful today. Trail was in great condition, packed dirt.Today was awesome.....night and day compared to yesterday. I'm glad I started a day early as I met Marc Deluca today. We had corresponded earlier through Trail Journals and I thought we were both starting on the same day, 11 March. However, he wasn't doing the Approach Trail, but was starting on Springer Mountain. So I got to meet him tonight at Hawk Mountain Shelter and we had time to talk some.Along the trail today I came across some army soldiers doing some training. I come blundering down the trail and I see a group of about a dozen of them with one guy in the prone position with his machine gun pointed right at me. It was very cool. I quietly asked one of them if I could take pictures and got a shot of them and their helicopters. I appreciate their service!!I am surprised at how many hikers are out here with dogs. I met Jones today with her two dogs. This is her second thru-hike attempt. I met Karl from Asheville, NC with his dog Joni. He is a very nice guy...and the dog is cool too....more on them later.I camped tonight with Ian and Kendra again, Marc Deluca, and Bruce from New Orleans. He verbally expressed how most of us must feel; "What do we do next, what is the rythym of life out here?"We'll see what tomorrow brings, easy hike to Gooch Shelter. Eating good, no injuries, and better spirits today.
Date: 2009-03-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to 42 degrees and mostly cloudy. Still haven't slept well. First time sleeping in a mummy sleeping bag which is confining and hard to get comfortable. I'm not comfortable sleeping flat on my back all night long, so this is something I will need to figure out.I did some measurements and found out that my tent adds about 10 degrees of warmth....woke up to 52 degrees inside the tent and it was 42 outside. I think it would add even more warmth if I would let the fly rest against the tent instead of staked out, which I could do on nights that were sure to be clear (no rain) and no condensation.Started out the day hiking out of camp at 9 am with Spokes (Marc Deluca) for just a bit. I knew he would be blazin' and he left me in the dust at the first uphill we came to.Todays' obstacle was Sassafras Mountain. It also kicked my butt! Today's trail was in perfect condition, but was either up or down....no flat hiking today. Mid-day temperature was 55 degrees which was just perfect to me!Thanks Peanut, AT '08, for the suggestion to tear out and carry the Thru-Hiker's Handbook pages for the section I am hiking. It helps me keep track of my pace (about 1.5 mph right now) + it's nice to know the slope of the upcoming terrain so I can get mentally prepared for the climbs. Everyone hiking around me thinks its a great idea too, and are always asking me where we are and how far we have to the next point of interest.Today I leap-frogged all day with Ian and Kendra and met Amanda, Goof, Steve (from Manchester, England), Daniel (Mr. Right), and Chris (Amanda's brother). Chris' pack weighed in at 60 pounds!! Ouch!I met a girl, Heather, today who was hiking at her family's disapproval. I hope she does well. I really think she is safe out here. Definitely more threats back wherever she lives.OK, so far the body is good, although sore as heck. Going out tomorrow for 12 miles (the next shelter). I think I will probably end up stopping short, but we will see.My favorite equipment so far are my hiking poles. These have saved me from falling at least a dozen times already. And the strain they take off my knees on steep descents and stepping down is uncalculable. They work just like cross-country skiing poles when hiking on the level or slightly uphill acting to "push" you along. Then you use them to pull yourself up on step-ups. I think anyone with a "heavy" pack or rookie hiker legs would benefit greatly from using poles. I already know I will never hike without them again, with a pack. Before I started the hike, I found a cool website that explained the proper use of poles and it has paid off big time!
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at sunrise to 44 degrees and cloudy. Got packed up and out around 9 am knowing I had a long day ahead of me. It started raining immediately as I started hiking and rained all day long.Today I am Bison, that will be my Trail Name. I leap-frogged again today with Ian and Kendra and they thought it was fitting. I told them the story of how Bison are more durable than cows because they will travel into the wind thus being in the bad weather for a shorter time than cows who will walk with the wind thus being in the bad weather for longer periods and possibly become weak and sick. Early farmers preferred Bison to cows because they didn't get sick as much, but the Bison were more stubborn and hard to control.....thus there are many cows today and the bison are endangered. Anyhow, I had my head down into the weather today determined to make the 12 miles, stubborn as a Bison.Not much to see today with the weather the way it was so I pushed along at a good clip and arrived at the shelter around 4:30 pm. We had a full shelter tonight. It says it holds 7 people but we squeezed in 9. Great bunch of people, same group as last night and with Karl, and dog Joni. Fred came in late and ended up setting up a tent...literally no room in the Inn and he didn't want to sleep in the gravel under the overhang.I used my stove for the first time tonight....made hot chocolate. My camera got some moisture inside (rain and cold temps) and it shows up on all the pictures...hopefully it will dry out and be fineBy the way, the temps dropped during the day and was at 40 mid-day. This is my first night sleeping in a shelter. Too tired with long hike + didn't feel like setting up a tent in the rain.Sorry for the long entry, but here are some notes on the Trail itself: The Trail is usually wide enough for just one person to travel. It really resembles the footpaths through the woods in my hometown; Franklin, PA. I am amazed at how "less-traveled" the trail actually is.The woods are still mostly dead from the winter. With the fog and rain today, the forests look like a backdrop for the next Friday the 13th horror flick.The terrain so far through Georgia has been very up-and-down with very few level stretches. Some of the gradual ascents and descents have allowed some easy going at times.
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap - Walasi-yi Center
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: snow

Sleeping in the shelter last night was surprisingly comfortable. Basically, everyone climbed in bed at sundown and we all woke up together at sunrise. We were all out around the same time around 9 am for a short 3-hour hike into Neel's Gap. Woke up to 40 degrees and rain.Todays' obstacle was Blood Mountain. Thank God the Trail up and down Blood Mountain is very rocky because it has been raining constantly for the last 2 days now and the trail that is not rocky is muddy and slippery. The shelter at the top of Blood Mountain was built in 1937 and is very cool. It is built of stone and has a fireplace inside. The top of Blood Mountain was also cool as it was solid rock. Who knows how big that rock is...I had to have taken 50 paces on top of one piece of solid rock....just the part sticking out of the ground!!OK. So we get to the Walasi-Yi Center and Farsang went through my pack with me. We cut 10 lbs of weight out of my pack....a smorgasborg of items. Unfortunately part of that was buying a new pack. I thought it may come down to that so I was prepared. The pack I was using was not the correct size for my torso. A friend of mine gave me the original pack to use...he had it and had never used it. I still thank him as it did get me and my equipment on the Trail and to the Walasi-Yi Center. Not to get ahead too much, but the new pack feels so nice and I can tell now how a pack is supposed to feel. I also switched out my water bladder and headlamp.I did laundry and got a shower!! Yeah! And I'm sure everyone within sniffing distance of me appreciated it too. The Internet was down...the reason for the entries being on line so late.I highly recommend the Hostel here hosted by Pirate. Pirate told me he has hiked the A.T. 21 times and carries a 70+ pound pack. Wow! Just hanging at the Hostel tonight chillin...people playing cards, watching movies, etc. Very comfortable place to stay. Pirate cooked up some Jumbalaya and potato stuff followed by some delicious cake. Awesome food!!Met Shelley today, a National Guardswoman from South Carolina. Very pleasant girl. That girl can hike....she left me (and our whole group) in the dust (tomorrow)!
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Neels Gap - Walasi-yi Center

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

Got up today at 6 am and hung out with Karl (and dog Joni). It was nice talking with him and also Bruce from New Orleans. Pirate turns on the sleeping quarter lights at 7am sharp and serves up some breakfast.It was cold and rainy this morning, but Shelley and I were the first out the door at 8 am. She soon left me in the dust. I'm hiking at 1.5 mph and am one of the slowest in the group.The hiking was muddy but quick. It rained and was misty all day so there were no views, so you hike fairly quickly. However it was very comfortable hiking. I had on my REI convertible pants; no rain pants. I had on a capilene top, a shirt, a fleece shirt, and an anorack (rain pullover) and was perfectly comfortable (i.e dry and warm) all day long.The new pack was awesome!! Left the Walasi-Yi with a 37 pound pack, and one that fit perfectly....they even heat-molded the waist belt to fit my hips! I had 4 days of food again + 2 liters of water. By the way, I started out with all my gear in an 80 liter pack. After the shakedown, they showed me how to pack all my stuff in a 60 liter pack....and my sleeping pad and water were inside the pack. On the original pack, I had the sleeping pad and water on the outside of the pack. The "pack shakedown" at Walasi-Yi (Mountain Crossings) was time well spent!!I got to the shelter tonight early, but decided to tent so if people rolled in late they could just jump in the shelter and not have to set up a tent late. The sun actually came out at 6:30 pm and about 60 degrees...yahoo!!"Band on the Run" was the song of the day! It seems each day while hiking, some song will pop in my head and I'll be singing it most of the day! "Smoke on the Water" was another one I was singing previously!A slew of people here tonight: Ian and Kendra, Amanda, Mr. Right, Chris, Goof, Shelley (Jolly Ranger), Fred (White Shoes....he wears white Crocs at camp), Finch, High Tops, Weatherguy, and Gator 65 from Jacksonville, Fl.Just in case your curious: During these rainy days I am wearing sock liners, socks, and shoes; pants; capilene top, shirt, fleece top, and rain pullover; windstopper gloves to keep rain and wind off hands; "safari" hat. The wide brimmed safari hat is awesome as it keep sun and rain off my face and back of neck.Right on schedule so far....light day tomorrow.
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain again (day #4 in a row with rain) and 44 degrees. Up and out at 9:30 am. A stray dog followed us out of Neel's gap and has followed us for 2 days now. He slept outside my tent last night as watchdog. Barked a few times during the night. I didn't shut him up though....figured I'd trust his wilderness instincts and if he thought there was something out there that needed barking at....go for it!! He barked for a long time once, so I got out my tent to see...I don't know what!! So if the bear isn't afraid of the barking, ferocious, not scared dog; do you think he's going to be afraid of the scared hiker in his underwear banging the two hiking sticks together?? I've stayed dry through the rain so far. Took my time getting up and was last out of camp today. And still ended the hike at 2:30 pm. Kept mileage low today knowing I have two tough climbs tomorrow. The trail today was very muddy and slippery. One of the benefits of being last is that you know when its really slippery when you can see when someone ahead of you had put their foot down in one place and then slid for about 3 feet!! The stray dog, which we named "Bear" followed me out of camp today and up the trail. We had called back to the Walasi-Yi center but no one knew who owned the dog. How slow do I hike? When I took my first break, the dog just kept on going!!The whole gang is here chillin at the shelter. I stayed in the shelter tonight. Definitely didn't feel like setting the tent up in the rain again. Ian brought a sling with him and White Shoes spent the afternoon honing his knew skill. Ian got a fire going today just in time for heavy rains to drive us all into the shelter.A couple of thoughts on equipment: The REI convertible pants are the bomb! Quick drying, comfortable, definitely a keeper. The watch which clips on to my beltloop is also a keeper. The anorack has been awesome at keeping me dry, but also breathes enough to not be a sweat box.I'm sitting in the shelter in my capliene top and bottom with my down jacket on and am perfectly comfortable. I sleep in socks and my underwear liners and my capliene top. I leave the top of the sleeping bag open since it has been in the low 40's at night and the bag is rated to 15 degrees. If I zip it all the way up.....I sweat my butt off.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise on Blue Mountain! It was 44 degrees. Everyone was up with the sun...so happy to actually see it still existed!Packed shelter last night with the bunk row full, two on the ground under the over hang and one in a hammock + Bear!I could hear the mice scurrying around last night but they never bothered me and I got more sleep last night than any night so far....finally!! Chris slept next to me and said a couple of mice scampered across his forehead!Everyone pretty much headed out together around 9 am. We came off Blue Mountain on a good descent into Unicoi Gap where we were met with our first trail magic courtesy of Dwayne and Linda who fired up a grill and cooked us eggs, cheeseburgers, potato salad and macaroni salad. Thanks Dwayne and Linda....great grub and our first Trail Magic! Good timing too. We were just about to start our first big climb of the day....Rocky Mountain....1000 feet in one mile. Dwayne and Linda also took Bear into the local animal shelter where he can find a good home! He'll make someone an awesome pet. He was a great hiking partner and watch dog.....we think he was a red chow.Great hiking weather today...actually perfect. Great trail....couldn't believe how fast it drys up. Great views....finally nice to actually see something other than fog, mist, and the trail right in front of you. By the way, camera dried up nicely and works fine. Very slow pace today! Today's trail was all up and down....no flats at all.Met Backyard Boogie, AT '07, today at a Forest Service Road handing out Trail Magic in the form of Baby Ruth Candy Bars. Then he actually hiked with us all the way up to Tray Mountain and hung out with us a while. He had a great sense of humor and some great stories from his hike.Very relaxing night at camp tonight. The MRE's are working out great. So very convenient, and tasty too!! The entrees I have had so far are Beef Stew, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Pasta with Veggies, and Chicken Tettrazini.
Date: 2009-03-18
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I was the last out of camp again this morning at about 9:30 am. It rained last night a bit, but the sun was out by about 8:30. Forgot to look at the temperature but it was warm and had to be in upper 40's when I got up.Today the whole group was going on a mission to conquer 11 miles and make it into the town of Hiawassee, GA. The weather was incredible...sunny and low 60's. The Trail was in awesome shape and the scenery was gorgeous. It was the perfect day to be hiking! The obstacle of the day was Kelly Knob, another 1000 foot climb in one mile. These types of climbs are killers and I find myself climbing from one "chair" to another. When a huge tree falls across the trail, the group maintaining that section of trail will go out and chainsaw the section of tree that covers the trail. Well that leaves two logs right by the trail which can make for a good resting seat. I look forward to these "seats" on these big climbs and take advantage of most of them!There was a vista between Kelly Knob and Powell Mountain that was absolutely gorgeous. I took pictures but they do not do the view justice. Wow! This was exactly why I am out here.It was a long hard hike today. Sam, from the Hiawassee Inn, shuttled us all in to town. Most everyone is staying at the Hiawassee Inn but Sam brought me down here to the Holiday Inn Express. The Holiday Inn had a computer with Internet Service and I knew I had several hours of computer time needed to update this journal. Plus the Hiawassee Inn was having water heater problems and I really, really wanted a hot shower badly.....and a long one!We all went out to dinner together at an AYCE (All You Can Eat) Chinese place and chowed down....great food, great company. Mike (aka Flat White) from Atlanta was just finishing up a section hike and had hiked with us for the past couple of days. He was kind enough to give me a ride from the Holiday Inn to the Chinese Place and back. Thanks so much....last thing I wanted to do was walk another step. Great guy...wish he was going farther with us.Now here I sit at the computer, relaxed, typing away on Trail Journals. There is so much to write about, but I also don't want the entries to be too long. So if there is something specific you want to know about, let me know in the Guestbook, and I'll try to address it.Tomorrow is a Zero Day (no hiking) so I'm going to try to write a little about the group of people I have been hiking with for most of the last week. They are very cool people and I am fortunate to have had the chance to share this part of the journey with them.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Dick's Creek Gap, Hiawassee, GA

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Couldn't wait to get back on the trail! Up at 8:00 am and on the trail by 9:20. Absolute perfect conditions today. Bright blue sky and dry trail. The air was brisk and you could see your breath, but so comfortable to hike in.My Dad was on the hike with me today....not literally. He passed away several years ago, but he would have loved the woods today. He had me hunting as soon as I was old enough and today the woods reminded me of spring small game hunting season. And of course as soon as I thought of that, I spent most of the morning reflecting on my time spent with him. I'll just sum it all up with the statement that "I'm glad I had MY Dad!"OK. Back to the trail. I had only planned on 4.5 miles today but doubled it to 9.0 as the miles came easy today. The group I had been hiking with went even farther today, but I knew it would be best for me to keep the mileage low at first....and the other 3 miles they were planning were all uphill. I don't know if I'll ever catch them or not.The highlight of today was crossing the Georgia-North Carolina state line. Woo-hoo, first state done; 13 to go. Did I mention how nice it was out today? I'm still moving at the 1.5 mph....as fast as I can go and still look around everywhere. I guess I'll pick up the pace someday....maybe. I'm not sure I'm really hiking vs strolling!!OK. Note on Georgia: It has been a fabulous hike through Georgia. Yeah, it did rain 4 days in a row but you know going into the hike that it's going to rain 20 out of 30 days in Georgia in March. Just the way it is.I think Georgia may have spoiled us with nice large shelters, nice privys and well maintained trails. I guess it has to be this way to handle the large March crowds trying to thru-hike.Equipment Note: Thanks again Peanut, AT '08. Crocs are the way to go as far as camp shoes are concerned. Easy to clean, don't get soaked, comfy, and strap on to the back of the pack easily. First pair I have ever had -- SOLD!Even though I have fallen behind the group, I am here at Bly Gap tenting with Karl and Joni, Gator 65, the Flying Scottsman, Old Goat, Check-Six, and Sam (girl I just met today from southern Georgia, now living in Florida).
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night I slept pretty good. It was finally cold enough to fully zip my sleeping bag and be comfortable. I was toasty and it dropped to freezing or a little below.The wind was blowing and I packed up camp with my parka on, gloves, and winter hat on. Hiked all day long with capilene top, shirt, and fleece shirt on. Had gloves on all morning. Perfect combination to be comfortable all day.I had only planned on 8 miles today; to Standing Indian Shelter. I got there at about 2 pm feeling great and some southbound section hikers told me the rest of the climb was easy (switchbacks). The top of the mountain was only about 1.5 miles away and I thought I would enjoy the summit much more in the heat of the afternoon than in the freezing cold morning with wind. So I climbed on, and it was an easy climb. This was a good choice. I had a great 30 minute "sit and relax session" with an awesome view (see pictures). Sam and I hung out there and waited for Goof and Chris. Woops...yes I did catch up to these two, and Rusty, and found out I'm only 3 miles behind the restNOTE: "The rest" is Amanda (Plunger), Daniel (Mr. Right), Ian, Kendra, and Fred (White Shoes, Chef).The shelters have been packed recently, especially in front of and behind our group, so it has been very comfortable tenting in the gaps (unoffical campsites) the last couple of nights. There were 7 of us last night at Bly Gap and 7 of us again here tonight at Beech Gap. Very nice. Tonight it was Chris (Mr. Buffalo man), Goof, Karl and Joni, Rusty, Sam and myself. Another hiker came in late and kind of kept to himself.I really didn't want to be doing 12 miles right now, but I wanted to see the summit when it was warm and I could spend some time in comfort, and I thought it would be warmer sleeping down in the gap than up on the mountain.Some quick notes: 1. Not much wildlife, a lot of little blue birds , sort of like canaries. There are a couple of pictures of them. 2. Still maintaining the 1.5 mph. 3. Nice hanging with Goof, Chris and Karl tonight. 4. Haven't stayed in a shelter area for 2 nights in a row and nice to know I don't have to....seems everyone is hiking shelter to shelter, and some have been crowded.