morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-21
To: Two weeks and countingÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ¦
Miles today: 0.0

After years and years of dreaming about a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, I am only two short weeks from standing atop Springer Mountain taking that first step. The feelings that I have been experiencing are innumerable as I¢m sure the feelings will be running rampant two weeks from now as well. The two feelings which frequent me the most are excitement and sadness.   Of course everyone can guess why excitement is on my list, but sadness you ask? Well, I¢m sad to leave my family and friends behind. I know I will miss them dearly. I¢ve read that some other hikers have been troubled by homesickness and missing their loved ones. I know that I too will be challenged with this, having done some section hiking in the past. Oh, the mental game is all part of the fun, right?? One thing that will help the situation is, the ¢Trail¢ is more than just a path along which people walk. The Trail Community will soon become my new ¢family¢ and support team. I¢ve been reading how hikers assist and help out their fellow hikers. That type of generosity is hard to come by outside the hiking community. So I am leaving my house in less than two weeks by my lonesome, but I will soon have many new friends. Friends who share the same obsession, a long walk to Mt. Katahdin in Maine¢¦The ¢To Do¢ list is getting smaller, but there are still a number of things to complete. I have gear laid out all over the floor and a nice pile of food in the corner. Now, the trick is to get it all to fit in my pack. That pile of food needs to be repackaged into smaller portions. Then I need to box it up for my mail drops. Baggies and Ziploc bags everywhere¢¦ My Pocketmail device arrived on Friday. What a neat toy. While the idea this thing weighs 8.5 ounces isn¢t all that appealing, I love the idea of how convenient it will be to exchange email. As with many other hikers I plan to use it to write my journal entries while out on the trail. Getting used to the small keyboard will take a little getting used to. The hunt and peck method with my thumbs is not what I¢m used to when it comes to typing.Speaking of journal entries, time to post this and catch up on reading of some other hiker¢s journals.
Date: 2004-03-28
To: T minus one week
Miles today: 0.0

If all goes as planned, I¢ll be atop Springer Mountain one week from now. Since it¢s now almost 9PM, I will have made camp, cooked dinner, socialized a bit and of course written my first ¢Currently Hiking¢ journal entry.Fortunately, all of the gear prep work has been completed. I also finished up my mail drops. Man, there was stuff everywhere. Baggies galore!! Amazing the amount of stuff someone consumes in six months. Now, all that remains is cleaning up loose ends back here at the homestead. Just five short days to finish up, then it¢s off to the airport Saturday morning.With all the gear preparations complete and the food shopping done as well, I¢ve got everything ready to go and sitting in the corner. I managed to weigh my loaded pack which contained 4 days food, fuel and 1 liter of H2O. While I wish my pack would weigh even less, but I was pleasantly surprised to see the scale read 25 pounds. OK, I was sitting on the couch this morning nursing my hangover and figured I¢d head to Wal-Mart to pick up a few remaining items for my trip. While driving back home, I saw a thermometer on a bank sign and it read, 71 degrees. I thought to myself; wow, that is really warm for this time of the year. I should be out hiking now. Since all my gear is in the corner in stuff sacks, why not going hiking?? Right?? After returning home, I packed up the pack and headed out to put in a few day hiking mile on a local hiking trail near my house.I managed to get in about 5.5 miles this afternoon. It was for the most part flat, but nevertheless it was a beautiful day and it felt good to spend some time in the woods. The birds were chipping and squirrels running around playing. Unfortunately, the trees have yet to start budding and no flowers either. Again, it was great to be out there.Time to catch up some other hiker¢s journals¢¦
Date: 2004-04-03
To: The Eagle has landed
Miles today: 0.0

Here it is the day before my hike is to begin on top of Springer Mountain, GA. So, what has happened since my last entry you might ask? Well, I am sitting in the Atlanta airport typing this. That is a big change from being back at home in PA.After a number of drinks with friends last night, I am surprised that I wasn't hungover. The morning began with last minute preparations. My ride showed up and off we went. We stopped at the PO to mail bills and taxes. What a pain trying to take care of my bills remotely. Upon arrival at the airport the lady checking me in gave me the news, "Your PIT to ATL segment is oversold and I can't issue you a seat because there are none to give." So I stood there thinking, Houston we have a problem!!! I can't start my hike like this!! I guess the trail gods were shinning down on me, because I had no problem getting a seat. In fact the seat next to me was vacant. Ah, room to stretch out and relax. That weigh was lifted from my shoulders. Soon those shoulders will be lugging a 25-30 pound pack up and down the mountains of the Appalachian chain.It was tough to say bye to my good friend Joe who graciously drove me to the airport. With goodbyes said and a warm embrace, off I went to start my pilgrimage south. Thanks Joe!!Starring out the window of the plane, I watched the ground whiz by. I realized that in a short 1 1/2 hours, I was transported from PA to GA. That is close to the same distance it will take me 3 month to cover by foot. The world we live in is so fast paced.Now, I sit in the airport typing and people watching. Killing some time before getting on the MARTA (subway) and heading for my pickup location. Interesting to see how people rush around and all seem to be in a hurry. I look forward to the laid back adventure which awaits me.Ok, made to the pickup point and waiting for my ride. The weather is great today. 65 and hardly a cloud in the sky. Wow, it's nice to see green grass, leaves on the tree and the smell of Spring in the air.Met Andante at the MARTA station and we were whisked off to The Hiker Hostel. The Hostel was really great and I highly recommend their services. Josh and Leigh were fantastic hosts. Dinner was a group affair at Dave's Roadhouse or something to that effect. Z-time for me! Big day tomorrow. :-D
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Amicalola Falls Visitor Center

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: clear sky

Today started with a fantastic breakfast at the Hiker Hostel. Biscuits and gravy, sausage and of course grits. No southern beakfast is complete without grits, right??Next came the shuttle out to Amicalola Falls and the start of the aproach trail. I've the it's pretty brutal following it up to Springer. I weighed the pack. :-) I was actually pleased!! All loaded with food, water and fuel it weighed 25 pounds. I asked the guy at the visitor center what the heaviest has been that he's seen. He said 92. Oh, my!! That's way too heavy!!Anyway, Andante and I started up the trail about 9AM. Of after the obligitory picture at the arch and starting sign. Now for those not familiar with the trail, the actual Appalachian Trail doesn't start at the visitor center. It's 8.8 miles to the top of Springer Mtn, which is the actual start of the AT.The climb wasn't really as bad as people have made it out to be. I was at the first blaze about 1:30PM. Lunch was consumed at Black Gap Shelter. Yum, PB&J on a bagel.I knew when I was planning this trip that I'd have problems doing small miles in the beginning. You see 2 years ago I did a section hike in SW VA. I started with a 19 mile day. That detroyed my knees. My month long trip was quick shortened to just 100 miles over a week.Today was suppose to terminate at Springer Mtn Shelter which is only .2 miles from the actual start. That would leave me with a 9 mile day. Survey says, buzzzz. It's going to be too windy tonight to be up on the ridge. So I've pushed on to Stover creek shelter, 2.5 miles from Springer. That gives me, 11.3 miles for the day and a big peak. That's more like it!!So I'm already a day ahead and will likely be 2 by the weekend.I met the ridgerunner for these parts, Gizmo. He informed me that it's suppose to get into the low 20's or teens. Brrrrrr. I hope nope. My sleeping bag isn't rated for that cold. :-( Guess I'll have to wear everything I've got. LOLThe hike off Springer was really nice. Sunny, not a clound in the sky. Spring in the air with the flowers starting to bloom. Walked through a nice rhododendrum tunnel to get here. That was neat. Ok, time for some camp chores. The most rewarding is eating. Yum!!!
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn shelter 
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Well, I survived last night, albeit I was cold all night. It dropped down to 35 degrees. Brrrr. I'm glad the weather is calling for it to warm up.After the sun came out it warmed up to somewhere around 60 or 65. I started hiking in all my clothes and was down to shorts and a long sleeve by noon.Today the trail started off following a babbling steam, and some more rhododendrum tunnels. At one point I was hiking threw a large pine forest. It was great to smell pine. There are lots of little flowers starting to pop out too. Unfortunately I'm not well versed in wild flowers.Since I skipped Hawk Mtn shelter (stopped there just for lunch) I missed out on the military games. There is a military base close by and they like to play war games in middle of the night at or near the shelter. I did hear they had a bear encounter there last night. Oh, leave food stuff in the shelter and see wha can hapen?I heard previously that Sassafras Mtn would kick my as. Well, it did put a hurting on me, but was still in great spirits once reaching the top. It was the two consecutive big climbs that beat me to pulp.Here is the list of people I've (at least as many as I can remember. Met Andnte at the MARTA station on Sunday, EZ does it, Old Man and Navigator, Kirk and Julia, Amy (who plans to thru hike in 2005), Toby, Myykl, Little Fish, Nona K, John, Jay. And I'm sure there are some that I've forgotten. There are loads of boy scouts out right now. Unfortunately they tend to overtake a shelter area.When I started this trip my concerns (and many of those who know my hiking history) was my knees. Back in 2002 I had to cut a section hike short due to knee pain. Anyway, knees are doing great. Not sure if my knees are getting better, the terrain isn't too rough, or it's the prescription of naproxin. Nevertheless knees are doing fine. The feet are a little different story. That was actually one thing I wasn't worrid about. Is that why I'm having problems?? LOLThe boots I've obviously aren't broken in enough. The cuff is too stiff, which is giving me a bruise on my ankle. OUCH. So loosened the laces on upper boot. That has the unwanted result of allowing the heel to lift. That then resulted inthe blister on my heel. Those things should be thing that I can overcome in time. Just a little pain to get there.Still no trailname. I guess I haven't done enough stupid things (yet). Of course today was the first day I've met a wealth of thru-hikers.Sun is going down, time to change. Soon it will benappy time.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Gooch Mtn shelter 

To: Woods Hole shelter 
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

The day started out a little warmer today. It was 38 degrees this morning. However, it quickly warmed up to around 70 thanks to the cloudless sky. Actually, in the sun with no beeze it became a bit too hot. I'm starting to get sun burned. Guess I need to get some sunscreen until the leaves are out in full force.I've learned that the little purple flowers are violets. The white flowers which I thought was a daisy is actually Blood Root. I noticed many more birds out today. I even saw a bunch of deer drinking from a stream when I rounded a corner in the trail. So today was filled with Mother Nature.I spoke a bit too soon about the war games in yesterday's journal entry. I guess the military guys stormed Justus Creek, which is just down the valley from the shelter. So about dark the fire fight started. It went on for about 15 minutes. Interesting start to the evening. To quote another journal (can't remember whom) I watched some Cowboy TV (campfire) the off to bed.The hike started out pretty easy today. From the shelter to Woody Gap flew by. It was a bit crowded with all the hikers leaving the shelter within a 15 minutes spread. It was Rush Hour on the AT. Stop for a quick slug of water and get passed by someone or a group. Might be nice when the crowd thins a bit. Gizmo (Ridge Runner or care taker around Springer) said Saturday night had 40 hikers at the first shelter south of Springer and 40 at Springer Mtn shelter. Wow, that's a lot of hikers. Not sure how many are thru-hikers, since it was a weekend. There seems to be a bunch of spring breakers (High School) out right now.Anyway the second half of the day was a bit more rough. I think the heat and sun beat me up. It seemed as if I'd never reach the shelter. It was climb after climb today. I did meet, speak and hike for a bit with Jakebreak (another TJ journalist). Nevertheless, I'm still having a great time and enjoying myself. Much better than being at work.Tomorrow is a hike over Blood Mtn, looms in the distance right now. Hopefully it's not really all that bad. I hope to make it there for lunch tomorrow. Real food, shower, phone and a real bed.Time to listen to some radio, then head off to bed.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Woods Hole shelter 

To: Neels Gap / Walasi-Yi Center 
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a short day for me. The ankles really hurt and I thought a short day and some rest might help. I'm a day ahead of my initerary already, so why not.The day started with a rough walk to get H2O and climb out of the shelter. After getting into a groove, I was able to hurry up Blood Mtn. The climb really wasn't as bad as some people have made it out to be. The view from Blood was excellent!!! Took a number of pictures. About an hour later I arried at Neels Gap after fighting the descent which is the roughest on my ankles. I signed in at the outfitter. I was number 568 to pass through. Wow, that's a lot of hikers. Wonder what number I'll be when I pass through Harpers Ferry.Neels Gap has other special significance as well. The rule of thumb says, this is the location by which 50% of the people who start never reach. So I'm pretty happy about that!! I have made it further than 50% of the people who start this trek. :-)Another milestone has been reached for the trip. I know have a trailname. I'm now known as Radio Flyer, just like the little red wagon. Only, it has nothing to do with a wagon. So how did I end up that name?? Read the "about Trailname" link to find out.The rest of day was spent eating food, showering, eating, doing laundry, eating, sending email and eating. And I haven't even gotten my hiker appetite yet. Wow, when that happens I should be able to do some serious damage to a large pizza. Tonight we had a large group go into Blairsville for an AYCE dinner. For those non-hiking folk reading this, you may be wondering what is AYCE. Well, it's All You Can Eat. It's a thru-hiker's paradise!!Ok, it's 9PM. Time for bed.Happy tummy & Happy Trails.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Neels Gap / Walasi-Yi Center 

To: Cold Springs Gap 
Miles today: 14.4

The day started out a little slow this morning. I forgot that I needed to get fuel for my stove last night. So I had to wait until the outfitter openned this morning. I got on the trail about 8:35. The grind out of Neels wasn't really all that bad. Don't get wrong it wasn't flat, but I managed to grind the whole way up the hillside before stopping for a break. Could I be getting my hiking legs? The climb down off cowrock mtn was killer as was the climb on the other side as well. I hiked a good deal with Jeremy and Ladybug. Both of whom are realy cool. Ladybug is doing a charity thing for breast cancer in conjunction with her hike. If you haven't read her journal you should check it out.I pulled into Low Gap shelter about 3:30PM. Jeremy and Ladybug rolled in shortly afterward. We all decided to push on past the shelter. So we ate dinner at the shelter, tanked up on water then moved on for another 4 miles or so. Now we are camped at Cold Springs Gap. Only 3 miles to the next shelter in the morning for water, then hopes of Tray mtn. That should be pretty rough.Right now I'm about two days ahead of schedule. :-) And should reach Hiawasee by Saturday. I also realized that I'm only about 30 miles from bagging my first state on the AT. That makes me very happy!! Might reach that goal by Sunday.Didn't see much wildlife today, unfortunately. Maybe some will appear tomorrow.Today's weather started out overcast, but started to sprinkle about lunch. It did quit about 3. Another reason we decided to push on. We wanted to get in some miles while it wasn't raining.Ladybug yogi'd us three Cokes at a road crossing today. Boy, did it taste good. If you are not familiar with yogi'ing it's the art of getting something you want without actually asking for it. LOLWell, it's getting too dark to continue typing, so goodnight.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Cold Springs Gap 

To: Tray Mtn shelter 
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: broken clouds

If I had to give one word to describe today's hike it would be, brutal. I awoke to 40 degrees, which made it hard to get moving. As we were packing up Excellent-Good Half Moon strolled by. Then of course the map profile lied and we started with an easy up followed by a really steep descent inti Chattahoochee Gap. The climb from the gap up to Blue mtn shelter was full of rocks. That did not help my feet issues! The descent into Unicoi Gap was pretty steep too. Had some lunch at Unicoi while Jeremy and Ladybug hitched into Helen for some sodas. On the AT, what comes down must go back up. And the grind up out of Unicoi was rough!! The temps today were in the 70's which made it really hot. Lots of water!! Lots of sweat!! And lastly the climb up Tray mtn was the last of killer climbs. I was rewarded with some excellent views, but the time was ticking. I still needed to hike on to the shelter (about .4 miles), make camp, make dinner and then clean up. Right now all those chores are done. However it's now 9PM and I'm typing this by headlamp. ! :-( I really need to start getting into camp a bit earlier. However it is nice to be pushing myself a bit.I figured out my ankle issues. It's not bruising as I first thought. I'm pinching a nerve. The bad thing is I'm not sure what to do about it. :-(Tomorrow the plan is to hike inti Hiawassee. Not sure where I'll be staying, but it will liking be in a real bed and I'll chow some real food. Chance of rain tomorrow afternoon and evening. That might make leaving on Sunday a bit ugly.Ok, time to get some sleep. I sure hope tomorow is uch easier than today (only suppose to be one big up), cause I'm getting tire of the constant pain. Despite the pain, I'm still having a great time and have no intentions of quitting...
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Tray Mtn shelter 

To: Dicks Creek Gap / Blueberry Patch 
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

The day started out with another low 40's morning. Fortunately it did warm up quickly. The plan was an easy day into Dicks Creek Gap. Well, that easy day was pretty brutal towward the end.Ok, the pain got to be too much to handle today. I had to swap out the hiking boots for sandles only 1.5 miles into the hike. The sandles made a world of difference!! In fact I enjoyed the hike for the most part. The last 2 miles into the gap seemed as if it would never end!The clouds rolled in around lunch and cooled things off a good bit. That was a nice change. The heat has been beating me up. Fortunately the rain held off all day. Not much different in the flower and tree department today. Very little wildlife today too.Staying at the Blueberry Patch tonight. Great place!! Staying tonight is Half-Moon, Roadie, Stickman, Puck Fin and myself. Ladybug and Bear (Jeremy) are at the Holiday Inn.Dinner at Daniel's steakhouse was excellent. I highly recommed it!Well, time to head off to bed. Going to sunrise services, since it is Easter Sunday.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap / Blueberry Patch 

To: Bly Gap 
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

The day started at 6:30 with a trip to sunrise Easter services. After that followed a fantastic meal at the Blueberry Patch. Gary and Lennie are such great hosts.I gavea call to the Holiday Inn to check in with Ladybug and Bear. They had mentioned maybe taking a zero day if it was raining hard. It had just started to sprinkle at the services, but the sun was out when it came time for the shuttle to depart for the trail. I got no answer at Ladybug's room, so I left a message saying I was heading back to the trail since it wasn't raining.Today's hike was pretty easy in the morning. I was treated to the smell of cedar trees for most it. The rain also held off for the most part.Upon reaching Plumorchard shelter, Stickman and Puck Fin had just finished lunch. Half-moon was still working on his lunch. I decided that since I've got way too much food that I would cook somethig and wait for a bit to see if Ladybug and/or Bear showed up. Neither showed... So they either took a zero day (a day in which a hiker walks zero miles) or they got a really late start.At 2:30 I packed up and headed out for Bly Gap. Bly Gap holds some special signifiance. It's only .2 miles into North Carolina. So right now I lay in my tent in NC, with GA behind me. Yahoo!!!! I would have liked to make it to Muskrat Creek shelter, but it started to rain just as I got to Bly Gap about 4:30. So I made the decision to stay here tonight.I sure hope Ladybug and Bear catch up. I miss thier company. Since it is Easter today there was a noticable absene of day hikers today. I did get a bit lonely today. Good thing for my radio to keep me company.The bad news for the day is that I went back to hiking in boots. I was afraid to hike in sandles in the rain. Guess I need to get into a set of trail runners when I hit Rainbow Springs Campground cause the boots are killing me!! Not sure when I'll get there, either 2-3 days. Depends on the weather and if I can pull a 15 mile day tomorrow over some fairly nasty terrain. I'm happy to be in NC, but it has some long climbs. I'll hit my first 5000 foot mountain son too. North Carolina is also home to the highest point on the trail (Clingman's Dome in the Smokeys)Getting dark, time for bed.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Bly Gap 

To: Standing Indian Shelter 
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

I am very pleased to be out of GA and into NC. The bad part is that the rain showed up yesterday. To complicate things the wind shifted around on me last night which great effects how my tarp-tent operates. I spent a good portion of night babysitting thing to make sure I stayed dry. What an ugly night!!The day started with rain, and it's still raining. This was one of those days that make you think about quitting. I can deal with rain. I can deal with cold. Today was cold rain!! It's 45 degrees out now. We are also in a cloud so everything is soaking up the humidity. Blah. I sure hope tomorrow is better!The hike today started out a bit rough with a climb up sharp tooth. The wind must have been around 30-40 mph since I almost got blown over a couple times. Stopped in at Muskrat Creek shelter for ramen lunch. Yummy.The shelter is full tonight, wonder what will happen tomorrow? Nobody has passed Ladybug and Bear. Wonder if they took two zero days. That sure would get expensive, staying at the Holiday Inn.A rather un eventful day. Rain, cold, no wildlife.Time to do some chores then hit the sack.