morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2002-09-29
To: My Roommate and Moving out of the Townhouse
Miles today: 0.0

Well I had a conversation tonight with my roommate about what is going to happen in the next few weeks with me moving out and what exactly his plans are. When I came to work for Virginia Power way back in 2000 after graduating from school they could not get anyone to come in to do the job that I was brought here to do in there Operation Center. The work was shitty stressful shift work and there was no effort on the part of the company to really promote the position to anyone inside the company. They came to West Virginia Tech to recruit us into the positions there partly because college students are money hungry and partly because we were clueless as to why no one wanted to work here. I came here first and about six months later there was another position open and I put my roommate in for the position and a few weeks later they hired him on the spot. I don¢t really think that when I look back now that I really did a whole lot to make any difference in the big picture for Dominion Virginia Power. I was just a li¢l¢ fish in the big bowl. The one thing that gives me some gratification about what I was able to do here was to bring my roommate here. He is calmer that I am, and he plays golf, and some day he will probably make a real good manager with the company. So as he moves forward with his career here I hope that he is able to make the most of the opportunity that I created for him, and I hope that some day we will be old and be back at some West Virginia Tech Football Homecoming and he will be thankful for what I did for him.In the mean time he has to go buy furniture and dishes and a TV and all the other things that belong to me that I will be taking when I leave here in a few days.As far as getting ready for the trail and my hike I have found that I am going to have to put a few small things on hold for the next few weeks while I sort out the rest of this stuff that has happened.
Date: 2002-11-06
To: AT in Carslile PA
Miles today: 4.0

I hiked from the Rt 11 bridge near the Flying J truck stop all the way to the base, up and over Blue Mountain on Wednesday.This was an interesting experience because it was the first time that I have hiked a large section of trail through such a populated are and in what was rather muddy conditions. Frankly a few parts of the trail through cow pastures and through this one swamp were like 3" deep mud. I was not real happy about that but what the hell right?I took pictures of a cows ass walking on the trail in front of me. I took pictures of two different red fox, and I even took a few pictures of some other wierd things. Instead of taking up the space here on TJ's server I am going to just post the URL's for the pics and if you want to see them you will have to go throught the effort to pull them up.Well I hope to be meeting some of the other AT2003 Thru Hikers on Friday in PA
Date: 2002-11-09
To: Meeting other 2003 hikers, and whew, 128 to go!
Miles today: 4.0

The past few weeks have been rather intersting. I have been finishing up my ski patrol training. I have been working on rehabilitation of my two older Jeeps that needed some work to become reliable transportation for the winter time.I was invited to Chippewa PA to Diane's house ( trail name Journey from 2003 journals) There I met her and her husband Jack. I have to admit that I am a bit taken by the whole atmosphere and now sorta regret that I did not meet the two of them sooner. Elaboration more along the lines of why is simple. Diane appears to be a purist type of individual who is very close to the natural states of nature. Her home, and her salsa a chips are very home made, very refreshing, and very natural. Her home was built some time in the late 30's or early 40's around the time that Seven Springs Mountain Resort was just starting to be developed as a large ski area in southwest PA. The wierd thing is that her house is 90 miles from Seven Springs yet the construction, wood siding, stone work, and interior hard wood accents remind one of the exact type of construction of the older estates that are at Seven Springs. Some how there is a relation between the two I am sure.Anyhow on Friday night Toby (trail name Leap Year) showed up at Diane's house with his buddys in this old Motor Home. I hope that the thing made it to its final destination in Morgantown WV when his friends left. This thing was your classic run of the mill old rusty motor home.We stayed up late and shared gear notes, checked out each others things, clothes, packs, tents, slepping pads etc. Quite possibly the most interesting thing though was Toby's Pepsi Can Stove. This thing is literally the coolest home made contraption that I have ever seen in my life. I am so amazed that I will probably spend the next few days making a few of them just because I like to make things.We went of about a 4 mile hike at a Beaver County park near Diane's house. It was difficult by the standards that I have been training by because it was very up and down. The first climb was probably 1000 feet and was very intimidating to me about half way up. We stoped half way and cooked meals, I settled for oatmeal and cocoa but Diane and Toby had those prepackaged freeze dried things. What they were eating looked much more filling than what I was eating. I believe that if I eat alot of oatmeal and ramen that I am going to have to make sure that I am not around the others and there yummy meals.All in all I am very happy that I met these two fellow hikers, along with Diane's Husband. I hope that in 30 years when I am 50+ that I may have some of the beautiful things that Diane and her Husband have like there home and there dogs. Such wonderful people is the only thought that comes to my head....Now back to working on my Jeeps...
Date: 2002-12-04
To: The past two weeks, and the next two weeks, n more
Miles today: 0.0

Two weeks ago today I had a Pilonidol sinus (cist) cut off of my tail bone. So the past two weeks I have been nursing a wound that was large enough to stick a golf ball into. It is healing nicely and I have a ton of other things going on...First and foremost is what I think is some success with the DEHYDRATOR and the preperation of vacume sealed one pot meals to put into the mail drops. I have made stroganoff, chicken and rice, chicken and potatoes, tuna noodle (cheddar) casarole, and a ham and scallop potaotes. All are things that I think taste good and I think that I can eat. I will be using oatmeal, cereal bars, and some powdered eggs for breakfasts, and high protien finger foods for lunch.The other newest thing is my employment that has started this past weekend, and will be full time as of this coming Sunday as a Ski Patroler at Seven Springs in Pennsylvania. I am going to get lots of outside time, and will be snowshoeing and working out every day to get ready. Time is going to fly now that it is only about 100 days away from the 15th of March.I need input from people on the meals... if you have anything to offer please send me a message or sign my guest book.I also have two seats in the Jeep Cherokee that I am going to drive to Georgia to start this hike if anyone needs a ride from the mid-atlantic, or anywhere along the I95 corriodor between Virginia Beach and Atlanta. I have to goto Norfolk/Virginia Beach area to drop of my Dog where she is going to stay while I am hiking and I would be willing to give some one a ride if they need it?Well I have a million things to do so this entry has to be cut short now.Friday I will be going to Daine (Journey) Manning's house again to meet with her and Toby.
Date: 2002-12-15
To: My daily training regimine.
Miles today: 0.0

I have started to get reay for this hike by increasing my physical activity yet another notch.I have started to walk several miles almost daily on a treadmill and I have been trying to hike at least three times a week carrying my pack. Both pairs of my boots are broken in and I am gettting very very excited about this.Diane, Toby, and one of Toby's friends were again at the Diane's cabin this past weekend. We all sat around and chit chatted about stuff and we hiked the circuit hike again on Saturday at the little park in Beaver County Pennsylvania.Next month we will finally get to meet Clair, the seemingly interesting young woman from Kentucky who will be starting this journey with us. More later.
Date: 2002-12-25
To: Saved a life today
Miles today: 0.0

As I have been working the past month as a ski patroller today I think that I saved my first life.I was summoned only 50 feet away from where I was standing talking to friends to the scene of a young woman who was laying on the ground grabbing her right thigh. Any of you who are EMS JUNK A HOLICS know the Femur drill that we do over and over again for practice with the Traction Splint.The deformity was noticeable from very far away. This is/was my very first accident of this nature and much of my training was definatly worth while.The girl was stable when she left our care nearly 45 min after we initailly started to treat her and transport her off the hill...A Knee brace is what I believe broke her leg. Anyone who knows alpine equipment knows that a ski binding has no verticle to release. She fell backward with her skies wedged under another skier. When the brace limited the movement of her knee joint it acted as a lever to snap her leg.
Date: 2003-02-07
From: GA - ME

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Febuary 03 lordy mercy things are going at light speed. I have all my gear assembled except for sleeping bag. My six year old Slumberjack 20 degree bag aint no 20 degree bag any more!! My friend Randy Ainsworth gave me a zero degree Northface but it weighs about four and a halfpounds.I've got more shoping to do.My friends at work and here on Tybee Island are all behind me and Michael Sullivan wrote a very complimentry article in the local island magazine Tybee Breeze about me. My son and daughter are all for my hike and Robin (my daughter) and her friend Chris are going to hike the first 31 miles (Springer Mt to Neels Gap) with me. Sooo,   I guess the rest is up to me no excuses, lets go hiking!! See you on the trail,Tybeepete
Date: 2003-02-28
From: GA - ME

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The last Prep entry! From now on its the real thing. I'm overweight every where but I'm not worried the weight will drop off and the pack will get lighter as the weather gets warmer. I'm once again homeless and jobless and Free!!!Monday my feet will hit the trail and wont stop hopefully until,..... Katahdin!!!See ya down the trail.tybeepete
Date: 2003-03-02
From: GA - ME

To: Amicalola Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got to Amicalola Falls around 12:00, but the lodge wouldn't let me check in until 4:00PM. So I jumped in my pickup to get stuff at the grocery store. I almost made it out of Amicalola Park when my truck went dead. With much calling I got somebody to pull it down to the truck hospital. Anyhow, after my daughter and her friend and I got checked in at the lodge, we had a nice dinner and a good night's sleep.
Date: 2003-03-03
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.9
Weather: few clouds

It took almost the whole day to get my truck repaired. We finally parked my truck at Neel's Gap and then drove to the parking lot below Springer Mountain.My pack weighed in at 49 pounds, so between it and me, my legs are carrying about 315 pounds. One of us has got to lose some weight.A Scottish couple, Jason and Victoria, are staying in the shelter and we are in our tents until tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-04
From: Springer Mountain

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

My first full hiking day. 7.6 miles doesn't sound like much, but I'm very tired.I stopped at Long Creek Falls and it was very impressive. The water in the creek is up and the falls were in all their glory. I'm very sleepy.Good Night,TybeePete
Date: 2003-03-05
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First, about last night. I made a dumb mistake and put a bag of trail mix in the pouch at the top of my tent. So about 4:00AM this morning I heard and felt something pass across my face. When I turned my light on I spied two mice in my tent. They had chewed through my tent to get to the mix.Then the Great MAN against MICE war began. I smacked the tent webbing where they were. The mice (Micky and Minnie) scattered and disappeared. Thinking I'd won, I turned out my light and went back to sleep. It could not hve been more than 10 minutes later I was awakened by soft chewing sounds. I get my light and smack the trail mix bag again. Minnie scampers out the hole in my new $365 tent and Mickey drops down on my sleeping bag and heads for safety amongst my stuff. I gave chase with mighty blows everywhere I think he is. Both Micky and Minnie disappear. So I cut my losses and throw the trail mix out of the tent. It only went about 3 feet from the tent flap, but that was far enough. I looked for Micky but he was gone. As I went back to sleep I could hear chewing and rustling noises out in the front of the tent. I was happy to settle for a draw.People I have met: BigTinyLittle, IBeHiking, Jason and Victoria, Deborah, Robin and Chris, Mario, RockyTop, Gizmo and Night Stalker.When I got to the shelter, Deborah's father had missed the turnoff and hiked on another 4 miles (as we found out) to Woody Gap. She was worried to distraction.I was really tired, and had to force myself to eat something. At least 3 thunderstorms rolled through with lightning and lots of rain.
Date: 2003-03-06
From: Gooch Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke to a drippy, foggy, cool morning. My daughter and her friend got a little water in their tent, but were dry otherwise. As it turned out I was the last to leave, about 8:30AM. I got to Gooch Gap Road Crossing about an hour later.TRAIL MAGIC struck.As I came in view of the road crossing I see a gang of ex-hikers standing around laughing, drinking beer, and eating hot dogs, pizza and bacon. As I approached, I hear "Come on, have a beer and hotdog/bacon in a bun or pizza, or both!" We all shook hands and talked about other hikes, etc. All the other hikers in front of me didn't stay for long and before I was ready to go I had drank three beers and and eaten three hotdog/bacon in a bun thingies. Then more TRAIL MAGIC. One of them says "Why don't we slack pack you in to Woody Gap?". So we agreed to them taking my pack to Woody Gap while I walked the 3.5 miles to Woody Gap. So about 12:30PM, I get to Woody Gap and find not only my pack, but my friend BigTinyLittle, and Robin and Chris's packs there. Robin left a note saying that they were slack packing to Neel's Gap and would be back for me while I babysat the packs.I offered Night Stalker $20 to take me and the packs to Neel's Gap. So I was sitting there on a rock when Robin, Chris and BigTinyLittle came out of the woods. We all drank the four beers the Gooch Gap group forced on me and here we are in Hiawassee, GA. We are spending the night at the Holiday Inn Express. Tomorrow Robin will drop me off at Woody Gap and I'll slack pack to Neel's Gap.Tybee Pete
Date: 2003-03-07
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Walasi-Yi Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Just stayed at the Holiday Inn Express last night. Ate at the "All You Can Eat" restaurant. I think I came out ahead. BigTinyLittle split the room cost. He will stay here tonight and I'll be staying at the Walasi-Yi Hostel tonight and off first thing in the morning.Thanks Doc's Bar, Wanda, Bill D., Julian and everybody else. Ryan, thanks for cooking the fish fry.TybeePete
Date: 2003-03-08
From: Walasi-Yi Hostel

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night I stayed at the Walasi-Yi Hostel at Neel's Gap. I met the Maize and Blue, who are from Michigan. During the conversation they found out that I was from Tybee Island and that I was TybeePete. It seems that one of their wives has been following my journal since some of their kinfolk are residents of Tybee. BigTinyLittle stayed at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawasse. My daughter Robin and Chris left me on my own late yesterday.So here I am, on a beautiful afternoon, just lazing around on Rock Spring Top Mountain taking a long break before I get to Hogpen Gap. Last night at the Walasi-Yi bunkhouse, Maize, Blue, myself and Jason & Victoria (the Scots couple) ordered pizza and pigged out on that.I hiked on to Hogpen Gap and pitched my tent down by a spring. I was alone but it was a very pleasant night.
Date: 2003-03-09
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: clear sky

When I woke up it was very foggy. I crawled out of my tent and fixed something to eat, and by 9AM I was out of there. The hike today was tough, but it was a perfect day for hiking. When I got to Low Gap Shelter at about 2PM, I decided that was enough and am spending tonight in the shelter.Other hikers at the shelter were John-O & Kit, Josh and John from Michigan and a free spirit with dreadlocks and a ring through his lower lip named Frank. Frank was on Spring Break from Florida Southern. He was dressed in army cammo trousers and shirt. The guy was very soft spoken and easy to like. He is a vegetarian, about 6'2", very thin, and a really fast hiker. While the rest of us got out our Whisperlite and propane stoves, old Frank starts a fire in the fire pit and when the fire burned down to coals he boils some water with carrots and rice. While the water was heating up Frank sat down and snacked on a package of uncooked Ramen noodles. I really liked Frank and I gave him Hershey bars and he gave me a fresh orange.We built a bigger fire and sat around talking for several hours. Then we went to the shelter to sleep, but not Frank. Even though there was room in the shelter, he fixed himself a place by the fire and slept in his sleeping bag. I liked Frank.
Date: 2003-03-10
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Mountains and areas hiked:Poplar Stamp Gap, Cold Springs Gap, Chattahoochee Gap (3500') Red Clay Gap. Blue Mountain Shelter was cold and windy and had the most beautiful sunrise you would ever see.I had gotten my tent set up and was getting ready to fix some red beans and rice when who would show up but BigTinyLittle. I was glad to see him again. Beside his company he brought cheese, tortillas, fudge bars, Rice Krispy cakes and plenty of his good humour and spirit. After talking it over we decided to get an early start tomorrow and try to get into Helen, GA, from Unicoi Gap.
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 2.2

I know, I know it doesn't seem like we are going very fast. I have decided not to get in a big hurry. I've got seven months to get to Maine. Hardly anyone knows how stressful this trail is to your body until you start to hike over these mountains. I'll be trail fit in another two or three weeks. I'm already feeling stronger.We were on the trail by 7:30AM and when we hit the bottom of Blue Mountain at Unicoi Gap, a semi truck driver offered us a ride into Helen. TRAIL MAGIC.After getting a place at the Motel 8 and cleaning up, we spent the day just eating. I had two big bacon cheeseburgers and fries and a big garden salad with Italian sauce. Later we saw John-O & Kit, and the Scotch and Soda couple from Scotland, Jason & Victoria. We had drinks at the Hayloft Irish Pub with Scotch and Soda.
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Helen, GA

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at Unicoi Gap and climbed 2000' over 5.5 miles to 4900' and then down to this shelter at 4200'. The weather held and we didn't get rained on. People here tonight are BigTinyLittle, Brace, John-O & Kit, Tinman, Dakota, Slick Mark and 10 others I don't know. There are five people in the shelter tonight. BigTinyLittle and myself are foing to hike to Dick's Creek Gap tomorrow and then hitchike into Hiawassee.
Date: 2003-03-14
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

At the shelter tonight were BigTinyLittle, Brace, myself and 9 others in the shelter. The weather was cold and rainy. I got to the shelter at about 3PM and was shivering and cold, so I got into the upper loft and into my sleeping bag to get warmed up. I think I must have slept for 13 hours. We had hiked over a bunch of little hills of 100' to 500'. The last mountain was called Kelly's Knob and it was over 900' straight up and then down. My knees were killing me it seemed. I took four Advil and that helped kill the pain.
Date: 2003-03-15
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

BigTinyLittle and I were up and out of the shelter at 6:45 this morning. Early this morning, about 4:30AM, the coyotes were singing their songs. It rained all night very lightly, but constantly. The climb out was a tester. It was 1/2 mile from Deep Gap Shelter to the trail head. Then up Powell Mountain and 2.5 miles down to Dick's Creek Gap.BigTinyLittle had gone ahead of me and was sitting in the back seat of a car when I got there. A nice young couple got me, BigTinyLittle and another hiker into their car and took us to the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee. TRAIL ANGELS.Until Tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: light rain

St Patrick's Day. Cold, rainy and very wet. Stopped at Plum Orchard Shelter to try to be dry. With me so far is BigTinyLittle, Medicine Man, ToeBow and 4 Southbounders. This shelter is three tiers. BigTinyLittle and myself were sleeping on the bottom tier and so were three of the Southbounders. When I woke up at 5AM BigTinyLittle and myself were the only ones on the bottom tier. I guess the others had moved to the upper floors because of our snoring. We left the shelter about 7AM.
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The weather was rainy all day. But this was the day that I left Georgia and entered North Carolina at Bly Gap. I took pictures of the sign and the old gnarly oak. I finally made it to the shelter and of course it was full but they made room for me anyway (7 on the floor. Here tonight are Bob, Bob & Mike, Happy Pappy & Dave, Linden from Canada, Jason (AT maintainer), ShortLeggedKiwi (female) from New Zealand, BigTinyLittle and me.
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke before daylight after a stormy, rainy, cold, crowded night. Everybody was up and ready and waiting for the morning rain storm to let up. BigTinyLittle who had been feeling bad with stomach cramps was very sick. So we didn't get back on the trail until 10AM. Even sick as he was, BigTinyLittle is still a faster hiker than me, so we decided to hike the four miles to Deep Gap (the base of Standing Indian Mountain) and meet up there.After hiking there through constant rain and wind and fog, we decided to cut the distance in half with a short cut down Kinsey Creek Trail through the Standing Indian Campground and then four more miles to Rainbow Springs Campground for a 14-15 mile hike. BigTinyLittle thought it would be better to make one long hike and get to a dry place for rest and then to get some medical help for his stomach. So here we are at Rainbow Springs Campground after a very long, wet and cold hike.When we finally got here, BigTinyLittle lay down on the floor and the lady in the store made hot soup for him and I ordered a big pizza, coffee and a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream. We then went to the bunkhouse where we met Strap-Pack Moon, Monster and Red. After getting into dry clothing, we both were soon in dreamland and it rained and stormed all night.