morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

First, my apologies for slacking off on the journal this past week. It was purely a matter of too many things needing to get done -at the office, at home, last minute hike prep, etc. But all that is behind me now. I am typing this final pre-hike entry from the dining room of the Amicalola Lodge!Yesterday, Break flew in from Iowa to see me off - actually, I think she just wanted to be sure I was going. We drove down to the Shenandoahs so she could start work on her "research" (you remember, that story I told you about earlier). I can't wait to see what she comes up with.Last night we went to see my youngest son, Adam, in a school play, and he was incredibly good. Then it was home for the last few items on my "to do" list. To bed at one, up at five, to the airport by 7:30. Into Atlanta by noon, and my oldest son, Rich got me to the Lodge. Bless you for that - and the BBQ!We opted out of his trying to get us up to Springer, as the road is tough even with 4-wheel drive, and his car is 2-wheel. Fortunately, Josh of the Hiker Hostel agreed to shuttle me up tomorrow morning. It will mean a slightly later start than I'd like, but the alternative is the approach trail, nine miles of up, and an extra day before getting to the AT, so I'm happy.As I sit here typing this, I am feeling extraordinarily grateful to my wife for all of her love and support, without which this hike wouldn't be happening. Thanks, Babe. You are loved, but you know that.On arrival at the Lodge, I was greeted by Ham and Brian, so that Tenners thing I launched back in December is all the more real. Let the games begin! I'm SO excited. OK, now I have to go hit the dinner buffet. I am, after all, officially hiking now.
Date: 2010-03-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

After dinner last night I sat with Ham and Brian and their friends Rachael and Steven. Steven drove the other three down here, and returns Monday when they hike out. Good folks - lots of fun.At 5:00AM this morning, for those of you who failed to set your clocks forward an hour last night, I was up and getting stuff into my pack. This was followed by a leisurely breakfast with Ham and company. I also ran into Knight Crawler, a friend of Ned the Fed, an '08 thru-hiker and friend of Phoenix from my '05 hike.(That sentence wasn't confusing AT ALL, Longhaul. In case you were wondering.) He starts tomorrow.My shuttle up to Springer showed up at 9:30,and by 10:30 four of us were at the trailhead ready to start hiking. The road to the top was a bit hairy, but Josh managed to keep the Suburban moving through the mud, which was impressive!At the summit I ran into Flow Easy, and he took my official summit picture. I signed the register and was about to leave when Mrs. Joy, another Tenner, showed up. I took her picture with her cell phone, which reminded me to do the same. After that it was off to the races.Depite the fog and almost constant drizzle, the trail wasn't too muddy. I made decent time for a first day out - about 2 miles an hour, including breaks. I felt pretty decent when I reached Hawk Mountain.The only disappointing thing is that there are so few hikers out right now, less than a third here at the shelter tonight compared with both last year and '05. And it was too wet for a campfire (lower lip quivers noticeably...).Altogether, a very good first day on the trail. I thought a lot about how blessed I am to be able to do this again this year, and how grateful I am to my wife and family for their support. Whenever I thought about the drizzle, the cold wind, or the overcast skies, I couldn't help recall a line from Adam's play Friday night:"It's important to know the difference between an inconvenience and a problem. Life is lumpy. But there's a difference between a lump in your oatmeal, a lump in your throat, and a lump in your breast."I don't have any problems out here on the trail. Occasional inconveniences, maybe. Well except for that bone infection last year that cost me a toe. But that's not going to happen this time. (And when a gun shows up in the first act, it'll go off in the third act. But no, Nine-Toed Walter and the Trek of Doom will finish this year's journey with all remaining nine toes still intact. Really. They will.)
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

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

A cold and windy day, but no rain, patches of blue sky and occasional glimpses of the sun. A tougher hike, with Sassafras and Justice Mts., but nothing too bad and a relatively short day.Some interesting folks out this year, including "Captain Guts," a former Marine who is hiking barefoot for reasons not entirely clear. He is also a heavy smoker, and snores loudly according to those who slept - or tried to sleep - with him in the shelter last night. Then there's Caribou, a deaf hiker, who seems like a really nice guy, but is traveling with a dog that is, shall we say, NOT so friendly. But there are others that seem to fit the thru-hiker profile, and I'm enjoying their company.This entry will be short, as I have a long day tomorrow - twelve miles, and want to try to get an early start.
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a long day for this early in the hike, but an absolutely gorgeous day to be out here.Thanks to my usual early start, I was one of the first one into Woods Hole. Beef Sticks, an '03 thru-hiker, was here first. Then came a number of others with no trail names, so I've already forgotten their real names - too hard to remember! I managed to get a fire g2ing, despite the really wet wood, and we had a good time sharing experiences and joking around.It's way past my bedtime, and I want another early start tomorrow as I'm heading into Neels Gap, my first town stop. Could definitely use a shower. Will do a better entry tomorrow. (I should hope so. You ask me to mock you and then you give me this kind of dreck to work with....)
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

The day began overcast, and got colder and windier as it went on. The hike up Blood Mt. wasn't too bad, and I was into Neels Gap by 11:30. There was still some snow at the top of the mountain, but the trail was mostly clear. Visibility was limited, so I didn't linger.Arriving at Neels Gap, I found a church group cooking hamburgers, so I managed to down two of those on my way into the outfitters. Once inside, I collected my mail drop (thanks, babe!), picked up fuel for my stove, and called to reserve a cabin for myself, Pyro, and Ishmael. (More about them later.)After saying hi to Win, the owner, who helped me with my gear in '05, and Baltimore Jack, who's working in the outfitters' shop, I went down to the hostel to talk with Miss Janet for awhile. She's cooking for the hikers this year.The shuttle to the cabins arrived at 1:30 and we were soon showered and in clean clothes again. After the usual chores, we hit our first AYCE buffet for dinner, which we damaged but didn't destroy - at least not like we will a few weeks from now when our thru-hiker appetites kick in.Hiking with or around me over the last couple of days, in addition to Pyro and Ishmael, are a couple of college-aged girls - Megan and Jocelyn from Massachusetts; Beef Stick; River and Fable, an older couple and their dog Joey; Mary Beth, an older woman who tried a thru-hike with her family in 2000, but it didn't work out so now, ten years later, she's having another go at it; and others whose names I don't remember...
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

It was nice to wake up in a real bed, have fresh coffee, hot chocolate, cheese and bacon grits and apple pie for breakfast. My legs felt rested, and the weather forecast was for clearing skies over the next three days.Hiking out of Neels Gap, I ran into some kids from the University of New Hampshire spending their spring break doing trail work. I stopped to say hi, and thanks, and found that their crew supervisor was Bob Almand (yes, Longhaul, you're welcome for the spell check. 'Allum.' Sheesh.), the head of the ATC.Today was also the day that more of our regulars got trail names. The nice couple from Woods Hole became Scat and Unicroc. She likes to study scat she finds along the trail, and he developed tendinitis in one foot, so he was hiking with a boot on one foot and a Croc on the other. A young German kid became Cheeseburger. So it goes. Trail names are so much easier for me to remember that real ones. I don't know why...I also ran into Patches, who hiked last year (she started late, so I never met her.) She fell of when she fractured her foot, which got infected and ended up as osteomyelitis - like I had in my toe. We compared "PIC line" scars.Arriving at Low Gap, we discovered the remnants of yesterday's St. Patrick's day party, with the beer still flowing. It was a nice group, however, so I enjoyed their company.Physically, all systems are functioning well, so that's good. My paranoia still lurks just below my consciousness, however, and I am immediately aware of every little tweak of the knee or foot. But I'm feeling good and getting stronger by the day. All is good.
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Low Gap

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

This was a fast day, with a relatively low 7.2 miles, but the last mile of rocky, steep up reminded me that I am not yet in shape. I arrived at the Blue Mt. shelter at noon. As expected, the Mileage Monster tried to talk me into doing another 7.5 miles into Tray Mt. Shelter. I was in no mood to argue, however, so I just shot him. He'll be back soon, no doubt, but I'm way too ready for him this time out. We are NOT going to go too far, too fast, too soon this year!Before doing this journal entry, I tried once again to send my previous entries using my cell phone. I'd been unsuccessful on previous attempts, and suspected some sort of glitch on the Pocketmail end. Somehow, today, they all seemed to go out. Another miracle!I had expected to be able to send the first few from a landline in Neels Gap, but that plan was thwarted due the illness of the owner of the Goose Creek Cabins. There was only one guy trying to take care of the whole complex, so the office phone was never available when I was. C'est la vie...As I type this, other pilgrims are starting to arrive and set up camp for the night. With the good weather today, we should be able to do a campfire. I like campfires.In so far are Scat and Unicroc, Kentucky, Mary Beth, Ishmael, Pyro, Jim, Mrs. Joy, and others I haven't seen before.While I have not yet got my hiker legs, I am feeling good physically, with no apparent injuries - knock on wood. So that's good.After dinner, I managed to get a call through to my wife, and it was so good to hear her voice and to catch up on things on the home front. It really made my day.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Addis Gap campsite
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Now THIS was a long day, longer by nearly 6 miles than my original plan, but it wasn't my fault. The mileage monster made me do it. OK, all right already, I lost a round to the little green monster. So sue me!I think of it more as just having gotten a six mile head start on the trip into Hiawassee tomorrow. Now I'll only have 5.4 miles to get to a hot shower and the all-you-can-eat buffet instead of 10.5.I'm typing this in my tent at a very pretty little gap - just before tomorrow's major climb up Kelly's Knob. There are six of us here - me and 5 20-somethings - Patches, Green Abe, Tiger Woods, Chas, and a kid whose name I don't recall. We had a great campfire going, and music from one of their iPods.Earlier today, I finally met up with Erin Fuller from the Tenners, which was cool. She was 2 days ahead, but took 2 zero days with her family, and is now back on the trail. She went on to Deep Gap tonight. I was tempted to join her - but there was that Kelly's Knob 1,200 feet up, so I wished her luck, and waved Bye.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Addis Gap campsite

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

Today was a fast day, into Hiawassee by 11 am. I caught an immediate ride at the trail crossing from a previous Through-hiker who was out with a friend doing trail magic for this year's hikers. The hot shower felt really good, my second of this year's hike, after which I got laundry done ande hit an AYCE buffet in my newly clean clothes. Ah, civilization.   Next stop was a grocery store for re-supply. I threw in a chocolate cake as a birthday surprise for a kid celebrating his 21st birthday on the trail. Any excuse for a party! We had a dozen or so of us in the breakfast room at the Holiday Inn. Good times!I talked briefly with my wife on the phone, caught the televised House vote on Obama's Health Care Bill, and went to bed. A very good day on the trail -- and in town.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Hiawassee

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light snow

I got an early start out of Hiawassee (which I know will come as a real shock to my snarky editor...) and made it to my planned destination by 3:30 in the afternoon. Yesterday afternoon, while I was mostly lazing about in Hiawassee, it had rained really hard. The forecast for today was for scattered showers, mixed with snow in the higher elevations. They lied. As I started up the first hill, I noticed tiny little crystalized pellets hitting my face. That was the opening act of what became a gradually developing snow event. By the time I got to camp, there were about 4 inches of the powdery white stuff on the ground, which I stomped down enough to set up my tent. It's about 7:30 now, and the snow still hasn't let up. The temperature is also somewhere in the high teens, low twenties, and everyone is complaining of the cold, but I am nice and toasty warm here in my tent and sleeping bag - compliments of Big Agnes. I'm not sure how low the temperature may go overnight, but I feel ready for whateve comes. It's kind of a test of your gear, and I've got a fair amount of confidence in mine. It's one of the reasons my pack is as heavy as it is, but tonight is the reason for all that weight. Unfortunately, an early start is not in the cards for tomorrow morning as I need to allow someone else to get out there and break the trail through the snow. I also don't want to risk loosing the trail due to the snow and getting my butt lost. I'm funny that way...It should be another interesting day. The plan is to do another 12 pus mile day into Carter Gap Shelter. Let's see what happens...
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Boy, was I ever counting my blessings last night as I lay in my sleeping bag and listened to the snow and sleet hitting my tent. It was one of those nights that tests both our gear and your judgment aobut what you decided to carry wiht you, and on both counts I was thrilled. Before crawling into my sleeping bag, my new down jacket paid for itself by keeping me warm as I collected water and cooked and ate dinner. My new sleeping bag was definitely warmer than my old one would have been, and I was glad to have brought the seal-skin dry socks my wife gave me for my last hike, which are this winter's sleep socks. Today was a day of total weather contrasts. I took my tent down in the snow at 7:30 this morning, and put it back p this afternoon in the sunshine and 50 degree weather, letting the ice on my rain fly finally melt away in the afternoon sun. Tomorrow, it's Big Albert -- a 500 foot climb in three tenths of a mile, with a rock scramble at the top. I'm not concerned, as I've done it twice before, but it's not my favorite mountain. I may try to do a sixteen mile day into Franklin, as I did last year.   If I make it, then Thursdday will be my first zero day. I was able to do it last year, and I'm feeling even a bit stronger this year, so I'm optimistic. But we'll see...
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

This will be a short entry -- for two reasons: first, the day's hike was relatively uneventful, even including Big Albert; and second, because I sort of miss all those "short" jokes/jibes that Break contributed to last year's journal.I succeeded in getting over Albert Mountain, and was rewarded at the top with vista views on a beautiful sunny day. We had a growing herd of hikers congregating for a lunch break: Loose (formerly Erin Fuller of the Tenners); Caribou and his dog, LoLo; Beef Sticks, Mitch, Danger Mouse, and others. I hiked on, over mostly kind and gentle trail all the way into Rock Gap Shelter where I stopped for a break. We are hiking over mostly brown hills, with little sign of the spring to come. All is mostly tan, brown, beige, and grey of fallen leaves and bark and mud or drying soil. And rocks. After a lunch break, I headed on toward Franklin. The remaining four miles included a pretty good up, and given that this was a sixteen mile day, I felt fresher and stronger than I had any right to feel, but I guess that's just my hiker legs beginning to develop. At the road crossing, I caught an immediate ride into Franklin with two delightful ladies out for a drive, and was soon registered at Ronnie Haven's Budget Motel enjoying all the luxuries of civilization, including a hot shower and BBQ ribs. Tomorrow -- my first zero day of this year's hike.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Franklin

To: Zero Day in Franklin
Miles today: 0.0

I ate more good food. Today it was coconut shrimp. And Salad, and a huge baked potato. And desert. My usual non-prescription dietary supplement -- ice cream. I also cleaned all my gear, including my boots, which I noticed had developed a total crack in both of the soles. I called the manufacturer -- Vasque -- and they told me to take them to a local dealer and have the dealer call them and they'd work something out. An hour later, I was at the Eagle Outfitters, who happened to carry Vasque boots. In 20 minutes, I had a brand new pair of boots on my feet, for a net cost of ten bucks, as they are a slightly higher priced model. Impressive. Thank You, VASQUE!The herd is growing, with Beans (formerly Ishmael), Pyro, Mule, Megana dn Joclyn, Caribou, Loose, Akaedo Joe, Beef Sticks, and Mitch, among others. Zero days are good!
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Zero Day in Franklin

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The day was cold and over cast. Visability fro Wayah Bald observation tower was about ten yards. There were a couple of pretty good climbs. Fortunately, my trail legs are beginning to kick in. That's a good thing, since we have a major climb coming up -- an unrelenting eight miles of climbing out of the Nantahala Outdoor Center(NOC) going up 4,200 feet. I got into the Wayah Bald shelter at 2 pm, my planned destination for the day, but it was COLD. Too cold to just sit around for the rest of the day waiting until it was time to cook dinner and go to sleep, so I hiked on. It was, frankly, the best way to stay warm. It also feels good to be able to keep up with a bunch of 20-somethings -- not because I want to or need to, but just because I can!There is a really good group at the shelter tonight: Leslie, Loose, Beef Sticks, Green Dog, etc., and a bunch of others camping just beyond the shelter. The plan is to do a twelve mile day tomorrow into the NOC, doing in two days what I have previously done in three, and then take a second zero day. That will keep me exactly on plan, given my higher milage days, not that the plan counts for anything. It's just a rough guide. Having hike 400 miles just last year, however, seems to be helping me aclimate to the physical challenges this year, so that's good.
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

What a beautiful day to hike! It started out cold, and ended up as a tee shirt weather day. Of course, for those readers familiar with my '05 hike, you'll appreciate that this section of the trail, from NOC into Fontana Dam, carries a lot of memories. That was when I realized my injuries were serious enough to threaten my hike. This year, everyone's main concern is the condition of the trail in the Smokies. That was topic "A" as we hiked the final steep slope down into the cabins and bunk houses of the NOC. I got a bed in a dorm room a shower, laundry done, and chowed down on a pizza at the lodge. Tomorrow, my second Zero Day. I'm ready...
Date: 2010-03-28
From: NOC

To: Zero at the NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

A loverly day made especially fun by the group of hikers I've been traveling with: Loose, Beef Sticks, Roughin' It (formerly Mitch), in particular. We're sharing a four bunk room tonight and will hike out together in the morning. I don't know to what extent we will continue on together, but will simply enjoy the company while it lasts. One thing I know I will not do this year is to stress about "keeping up with my friends", as much as I may like being with them. THIS year, I am totally committed to hiking my own hike, come what may. At noon today, a group of six of us hitched into Bryceson City to destroy an innocent Chinese Buffet. With that large a group, it took awhile to get a ride, but we finally got one. All six of us with the driver and her dog in the front seat, and the rest of us crammed into the second seat and the back trunk space of a Honda something. Not comfortable, but we made it in time for lunch. Afterwards, we headed for the local IGA grocery store where we figured we would have the best chance of "Yogi'ing" a ride back to the NOC. I struck up a conversation with a cashier, asking her if she knew anyone with a pickup truck or something that might want to earn a quick $20 bucks. (I had the name of a shuttle driver who would have to make two trips and charge us $60, but figured I could do better than that.) I also asked an older guy who was standing nearby. To make a long story short, I managed to get us a ride back to the NOC in a long black Cadilac Limosine. Ok, it was compliments of the local funeral parlor, but after all, hikers can't be choosers. It was a hoot! A photo op from start to finish. It turned out, the older guy owned the IGA store, the funeral parlor, and a couple of local restaurants. It was even better arriving back at the NOC in the limo, and getting out in front of all the other through-hikers standing around in front of the outfitters. Needless to day, my stock is pretty high right now with Loose and the Gang. Long climb tomorrow. I'm going to bed now.