morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-11-13
To: Erwin, TN (Miss Janet's House)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow...time flies when you're out here. It's tough to believe that it's been three weeks since I've been able to sit down and write anything.I've been hiking with Fu-man, Lunchbox and Uncle Bob for the last three weeks. All of us are anxious to be done, and we've been putting in at least 18 a day. Days like that don't make it too horribly easy to get in, sit down and type entries in a trail journal.In any case, I'm in Erwin at the moment at Miss Janet's, perhaps one of the more famous hostels on the trail. The place is incredible, and reaffirms the notion that I want to run a hostel after I retire. To be surrounded all the time by so many people doing something they love must be an incredible way to live life.So yes, I'm pretty sick of hiking. The weather has been less than stellar, the days have been getting much shorter, and the nights are getting much colder. I had to pick up a new sleeping bag in Damascus, an expense I didn't anticipate. I'm trying to keep moving so that I can finish before too much of December goes by; hopefully I'll be done before the 2nd or 3rd. Notable events of the past couple of weeks:1. PONIES! The Greyson Highlands were incredible. Great views, great weather, and the ponies were so cool to see. 2. Leaving Virginia and stepping into Tenessee was reason to celebrate. I did a little jig on the state line.3. I'm really not enjoying the lack of privies on this section of the trail.4. Bob Peoples at the Kincora Hostel was a hoot to hang out with. Everyone on the trail should be that great to hang out with. I have about 340 miles left. It's amazing to think that the trip is almost over. I'm definitely ready for it, but at the same time, I'm sure that I'll miss it once I'm home. I wish I had the luxury of taking a few zeros to get my spirits and energy back up so that I can fully enjoy this last leg of the hike, but the weather is getting so much colder and the days are getting so much shorter that I can't really afford to.I haven't heard anything new on the job front; I've not been able to get to a phone or get a cell phone signal during business hours on a week day. Assuming that things are still the way I was told they were the last time I checked in, the plan is to go to go home for a couple of weeks, then head out to Park City to wait out the last couple of weeks before I can start work in DC. Here's to hoping.
Date: 2004-11-17
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sitting in Hot Springs...slacked yesterday, and stayed with Elmer at Sunnybank for a couple of nights. Great place.Just a small point of good news...I made it into the January class. Once I get the paperwork signed, I'll be starting Jan. 24. Good times...it's a huge weight off the shoulders.Hoping to catch the meteor shower tonight. We're sitting in the outfitters getting a late start, so we'll definitely be night hiking. We'll see how things work out.
Date: 2004-02-11
To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello and welcome to my first entry on my first journal of many many more to come. My name is Frank and my trail name is Red Hank. I will explain later how I got that name. First here is a little about myself. I was born in Texas and raised in Ohio for 58 years, big give away I am 63. Have done all of my backpacking in Ohio. I have done some day trails and some 3 day trails. I have also hiked part of the Buckeye trail for 6 days with a friend I meet on one of the other trails. As a matter of fact I still have his walking stick which he forget and left in my jeep. I am a retired railroader and I am enjoying every minute of it. I am marriedand have three children. I enjoy soccer and sifi movies, I think I have seen them all. I plan on doing the AT on March 20th which is the first day of spring. My wife is drving me down and my nephew's wife is going along to keep my wife company on the way back. Spending one night at Amicalola Falls State Park lodge. I am not sure yet if I am going to start there or use one of the forest service roads to get me with in 0.9 miles of the summit Springer Mountain.          I have been planing this trip for more then 2 years and just now realized it is not a dream now, but the real thing. I can hardly wait to hit the trail and meet people and make friends that enjoy the same thing I do.                   TILL THE NEXT TIME RED HANK
Date: 2004-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

      Well I think I have done more reading in one year than I ever had in school. I just made out all my mail drops and entered them on my journal,if any one has a better idea your emails are always welcomed. Tomorrow I will enter some of my gear and pack weight. I have packed and repacked my pack more then a dozen times and I am still not done. I think when your pack weight starts going up its time to stop.       I have ordered my 2004 Thru-Hikers Companion, and it arrived last week. I sure have put it to good use. I have had my data book for a while. Some good advice while using your data book is to USE A PENCEL to write in the book. Guess what I used Yeeeees a pen. Plan on taking both books the weight is well worth it. I also have all the maps. They were bought while they were on sale(Guess what I got for Christmas). If you guessed maps your right and freeze dried food, but not much. I got the 2 person meal.      THAT'S IT FOR NOW TILL NEXT TIME REDHANK
Date: 2004-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

         Another day of reading. I have never been on the AT, but I feel like I know it. By reading all these journals and pictures I feel I've been there. Thank you all. Today I went out to eat with the wife for Valentines day.                      Also today I am going to make a list of all my equipment and post it on my journal. I ahve been collecting equipment for 10 years and upgrading whenever I had the money. I have had a GPS for about 5 years, but I don't think I'll take it with me on the trail. I got it on sale, as a matter of fact most of my equipment I brought on sale.            Well I have managed to get my pack weight down to 41lbs, but I have a faney pack filled with all my other stuff about 22oz. The 41lbs includes water and food. I carry a 2 liter camel back in my pack, and a 2 qt water bottle. An over kill, but I can always leave the bottle empty. Plus I have 9 day supply of food. Any advise on that is welcomed. That's it for now till next time.
Date: 2004-02-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

                        Just another crazy day today. Went to a funeral. All I did today was my daily workout. My two daughters helped me get my web page started. I'm not to good with computers yet, but I am working at it. I finaly got my pack down to about 40 lbs. I'll be posting everythig I have in my pack and its weight in the next few days.            I know my journal is rather boring, and may have some misspelled words, but again I am trying. It will get crazy when I start the trail. Until next time.                              REDHANK
Date: 2004-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

         The last few days I've posted most of my gear. I'm not going to post all my things like socks, t-shirts, pants, shorts etc.. I will tell you however,none my clothing is cotton. I had a bad experience with cotton on one of the trails in Ohio and I stayed wet for 3 days. Never again! The only cotton I have is a long sleeve shirt for real cold nights. The only reason is because if I buy anything else my wife will leave me. I have spent way too much and have to leave a little for the trail for those zero days.      Down to 30 days and I can hardly wait! I have a doctor's and eye appoinment next week. All my food is brought. I have 15 mail drops, and if I have time I'll post some of what's in my mail drops. Each box is like a broken record; oat meal, cup of soup, rice, roman noodles, and snacks. Same old snacks in each one. About the only good thing I have in my maildrops is freeze dried. About 5 freeze dried to every 10 meals.      Well thats it for now if you have time check out some of my gear. I'll have some pictures next week or as soon as I can develop them. I decided to use a 35mm camera rather then a digital. Why! I would have to buy the camera then buy 3 or 4 memory cards, and it is expensive.                                 REDHANK
Date: 2004-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

YA YA YA YA What a week, went to the eye Dr. Also had to get a stress test(every thing OK for a go). Twenty-one more days. I have worked on my mail drops all week. I must be paranoid. I added one more mail drop, and changed one mail drop. Thanks to an email from Boyd. I rechecked all my mail drops, and did a few changes. Went to Wal-Mart, and finished shopping for all my meals(Lipton pasta, cup of soup) you know all the good stuff. Oh yea good old roman noodles can't forget those.The next thing I have to do is bring my pack weight down. The one thing I am going to leave behind is my camel back, and replaced it with another water bottle. That will cut it down 15oz plus water weight,if I do need it I'll have my wife mail it to me. My weight right now is 51lbs with about 4liters of water and 5 day supply food. Sent a bunch of e-mails to all my friends. Gave them all my e-mail for this journal. Well that's it for now until next time. REDHANK (Frank)
Date: 2004-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is Saturday morning 5am. Yesterday I did an entry in my journal, and it vanished into thin air. So here we go again. I woke up yesterday about the same time, but I felt a little diffrent almost like when I asked my wife to marry me 37 years ago. It must be butterflies, but then I felt so good almost like when she said yes. That's how close I am to the trail. Think, what I am trying to say nobody will ever know how I feel about this journey I am about to take. For the execption of other packers. My kids worry ,my wife will miss me, my friends think I am crazy(some of them). All in all I have the support of my whole family especially my wife she has been great and by the way she will be my transcriber along with my daughter Mary.Today my brother Joe has planed to have a farewell party,or should I say a family gathering; farewell sounds forever. Not sure if I was suppose to know, but mom spilled the beans.         I had a surprise yesterday! My son and his wife came over, and my mother-in-law" she is as we old people say, "So cool". We went out to eat. It just so happened it was my daughter-in-law's birthday. We had a great time. I will miss them all. Oh yes hours later my daughter showed up with two cats and a bag of food from McDonalds. She missed out on all the good stuff. Oh well!This might be my last entry, maybe one more just before I leave for Georgia.      By the way my trail name, and how I got it.One day I was on a trail in Ohio. It was very hot, and I always have a hankerchief around my neck, and carry one in my pocket. I was walking down the trail, and kept hearing hey you,hey you red hankerchief. When I findly turned around another packer came running, and wanted to know if I had dropped my hankerchief. It was mine and it was red. It was a young boy wearing the smallest pack; which was full to the brim. He was only four years old. I had been pondering for six months to find a trail name. It took a four year old two minutes to find my trail name. Just shortened it to REDHANK, And that is the mistery of my trail name. Well that's it for now, might have one more entry, and after that it will be from the trail.UNTLL THEN REDHANK.
Date: 2004-03-18
To: Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

      This will be my last entry I make before leaving for Georgia. The next entry will be on the trail. It will be posted by my daughter Mary she will be doing all my transcribing,she teaches specal edicuation in the Columbus area.Her spelling is better then mine.      I wish to thank all who have signed my guest page and all the words of encouragement,I will surely need it,thank you all.      There is so many people I wish to thank. I wish to thank all my children Julie,Mary,Frank and his wife Maria they have traveled so far to see me off. My daughter Mary who is so gracefully accepted the job of keeping my journal.I will surely miss them all. To Marilyn for going with us to Georgia to keep my wife company on the way back home.Mike and Jackie for being such good friends.They will stay in touch with my wife while I am gone (TAKE HER DANCING) to a good Rock and Roll band (BOOZE BROTHERS)thanks Tim and Emly. To Joe thanks for the wonderful party,I had a wonderful time and his sneaky fiance Sheri. I made the front page of our home town paper. It was great thanks Sheri. Thanks to all who were at the party. To all my brothers and there support Tony,Rudy,Ruben,Joe,Rolando and my little sis Marie (big Catholic family). To the boss of the family, my mom. She turned 85 and still going,she will out live us all. I will truely miss them all. I will also miss those taco days at the Eagles and the two crazy girls I work with Bobbi and Sheriel they are lots of fun to work with. To my wife who has been so great throught out all my moods and all the times I have gone on trails to get in shape for the AT. Not to mention all the money I have spent on the trip, through out all this we are still together. So I dedicate this journal to her and hope she gets as much pleasure as she has given me through out my life.I will miss her the most. Will be starting out on Friday about 3am heading for Georgia. Should arrive at Amicalola Falls Lodge about 4 or 5pm stay over night. Next morning heading up service road to get withen a mile of the summet Springer. The journey begins. There was an old saying my mother used to say every time we left the house when we were kids and it always stuck with me it was a very simple one,and it went like this, "DIOS POR DELIENTE." In english it simply means, "God In Front." He will be with me through out my journey. SEE YOU ALL ON THE TRAIL (REDHANK)
Date: 2004-03-19
To: Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge
Miles today: 599.0
Weather: clear sky

We left home about 3:00A.M. from Bellevue. We got lost three times, but not bad, because of construction. Arrived at Amicalola Falls Lodge about 3:30P.M. Made good time only stopping three times for food, gas, and to stretch our legs. It was a beauitful drive. Spring was all around us, and the temp. was 77. It got up to 84 before the day was over. It was a 599 mile trip from our home to the lodge.We went out looking for the short cut to get wihtin 9.1 mile, but got lost and couldn't find the right place. So I decided to start the approach to Springer Mountain at the lodge. I'll be behind, but I'm here to have fun. Will try to start about 8:00A.M. Excited and nervous. REDHANK
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Amicalola Falls State Park Lodge

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Found the approach to Springer. Weighed my bag, 48 lbs. Full of water and five days supply food (too heavy). The journey begins. The weather is a dream or maybe not. I am on my way to reality when I start climbing Springer.Met Philey the Sneaker. He was also through hiking, using the forest serivce road. He had already done the approach. I have met many people on the trail(day hikers). The appraoch was very hard and I wouldn't want to do it again. I'd rather be hugged by a bear. Lance a through hiker is getting off the trail because of bad knees. He was very disappointed. There is a lot of hikers at the shelter. Lance and I are getting off the trail and shivering in the shelter. The rest are tenting. Very tired. That is it for today. Maybe I'll see a bear tomorrowRedhank
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Left Black Gap at 4:45 a.m. The going was very hard. Harder than I figured. I ran into Falls a through hiker and G-man. G-man was only going to Hawk Mountain to see Falls off. Oh, by the way, after I wrote the last journal the shelter filled up in Black Gap. There was 9 in the shelter which holds only 8. I ran into a lady who is a through hiker that had read my journal. She called out to me, "Hey, Red Hank." We talked quite a bit. I have to make supper. I have to walk 1/4 miles for water and it is cold out. It's very cold out. I had to crawl into my sleeping bag to get rid of the shakes. After me five others have crawled into their sleeping bags. It is only 6 p.m. At 7 p.m. everyone is in bed. 6 women and 3 men in the shelter, all through hikers. Good night.Redhank
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Finally able to get a hold of my wife Monday morning at 8:36A.M. They got home without any trouble.It was a hard 7.7 miles. Arrived at Hawk Mountain for the night with 4 other people. The trail has more women than men. It's not as bad as the first two days. A lot of ups and downs today. The temp. was 25 with 30 mp. winds. Everything frooze up for us. My filter forze up on me. I will have to take it to bed with me. We where all very cold, but managed to stay warm enough. I feel like I'm getting toughened up. Packed up and on my way to Gooch Gap for the night. Cold but feel good. I had my fist trail magic today. Thanks to Renea and Hank for the goodies. It's 6:30 and everyone is already in bed. Next update in about a week.REDHANK
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Wood Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Made good miles lots of ups. I don't think Georgia has any level ground. You are either going up or going down, more downs then up. Met Mississippi Muel. He was through hiking and I walked with him for a while. He was a guidance counselor now he is retired. Made it to Wood Shleter about 5 p.m. Hungry and made some chicken alle king. Willie has left the trail. I will miss him. The gang all arrived about 6 p.m. the shelter is full. Tomorrow I have to climb Blood Mountain. On the other side is my care package to pick up at Neels Gap in the Walasiyi Center. That's it for now. Redhank
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Wood Hole Shelter

To: Walasi-Y Center
Miles today: 4.0

Went up Blood Mountain. Very rocky some places you have to grab bolders to climb up hill. Had out some meat for a break and washed up a bit so I wouldn't smell too bad at the center. It took me 1 hour and 30 minutes to climb up and 2 hours to climb down. Lots of big rocks but the sight at the tip was well worth the climb. God must have lived here. It's so beautiful. I was the second of the original gang to get to the center. Met my first through hiker Falls, at the center. It was good to see him. The other girls arrived shortly after I did. We are going to make a short day of it. Right now I am eating 2 Ham and Swiss sandwiches and drinking a diet coke.Haven't seen Walksalong yet. She generally passes me by. I hope that she is all right. I have showered, shaved, and put food in me. I feel like a new man. I got my care package and I am going to do some nasty laundry. I have to buy some new shoes and send something back to get my wieght down. I might have to get a new sleeping bag (weighs too much).Last night Fred and Joyce took us to the next town and we in Blairsville, all you can eat. There were nine of us in a pickup truck. The ride down was cold for us. There was delicious candy kettle is was great eating. Have to go now. See what tomorrows brings. Oh yeah, met Mississippi Muel. She is staying at the center. Beautiful day out.Redhank
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Walasi-Y Center

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got up early at about 6:45 a.m. and called my wife to give her the news about sending back my cell phone, along with some other things. I left the center about 7:30 a.m. It was pretty nice out at first then it got really foggy out and I wasn't able to see much but the going was good. I ran into Sunset. He hiked the AT in 2002. This is his second trip on the AT, he is with a young guy; D.C., who is on his first trip. Coming down Teshatee Gap and on the side of the road I met Trapper and his wife Mertle. Two trail angels, they had pop, fruit, cookies, and candy. It was great! I arrived at Low Gap Shelter about 4:30p.m. Buck was there so was No Beard and two women who were traveling together. I will try to get the trail names later.The shelter was full. I had chicken and rice today. It's after 6 p.m. and it is hard to write because it is getting dark. Low mileage, tomorrow I will make Blue Mountain Shelter. Red Hank
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

I got up to Blue Mountain about 1:00 p.m. I decided to stay because my new boots gave me blisters on both of my heels. Hopefully they get better by the next day. Crash Bang, Moo Juice, and Beagle stopped for lunch, so did No Beard and No Name. They are going to the Cheese Factory for the night. I am going to make a short day of it. It's getting better walking up hills. The view is still beautiful. I met one of the ridge runners, Mike. He stopped at Blue Mountain Shelter. He is ridge running until November and he takes care of Low Gap and Blue Mountain Shelter. It's beautiful out. I am laying in the shelter and as I lift my head I can see ridges and mountain tops as far as the eyes can see. I think God had a hand in it, there is no one else who can make it this beautiful. Vagerant arrived he is from New Jersey, so did Walks Along. There are three of us in the shelter so far. It's only 4:30 p.m. The night is still young. I am having Beef ala King for supper and I am planning what I will have for lunch tomorrow. I think I will have spring vegetable soup with rice and cheese potatoes. Beleive it or not the mosquitos are bad already and I wish I had my deets. It's only March! Got to go, until tomorrow.Red Hank.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Started out about 7:00 a.m. It was easy going for the first couple of miles. Then came Rock Mountain. Then Tray Mountain, the hardest but with the most beautiful view. My heels are still bad. I hope that they get better tomorrow. Arrived at Tray Mountain Shelter about 3:00 p.m. I Went to get water. It was three tenth of a mile from the shelter. I am going to have some kind of chicken ala king and hot chocolate for supper. Vagarent just came in about 3:30 p.m. Behind him came Walks Along. The closest thing I have seen to an animal are mosquitos and gnats. Rick let me use his bug spray. He is hiking until July then he is going to law school. There are other over night hikers here who are tenting. I think nobody wants to use the shelter except the through hikers because we are too smelly and looking pretty rugged. So far to date it has been very rocky and many mountains to climb and it overwhelms me as to the ruggedness and the beauty of it all. I am beginning to realize why I am out here. Not because of the challenge but to see how beautiful our country is and now I have a chance to see it.Red Hank
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Tray Mountain

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

I was up about 6:30 a.m. I had some oatmeal and raisins and I started out about 7:30 a.m. It seems to be a nice day out I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt. The going was good for a while but I am still having trouble with my shoes and blisters. I had to climb two mountains at the same time, it was hard. I stopped at Sassafras Gap for lunch. Walks Along stopped and had lunch with me. We knew we had to climb two mountains before we got to Deep Gap Shelter. It took me two hours to climb up Gap and Kelly Knob. It's like one mountain on top of the other. I arrived at Deep Gap Shelter about 3:00 p.m. Went to get water, it was two tenths of a mile from the shelter. There were already two people there. I had beef and noodles and hot chocolate for supper. We have about seven people in the shelter now. There is a lot of good conversations about food, beer, and hiking in the order. I had to take a group picture. Vagarent is going to post is on trailjournals.com Got to go the next shelter Plumorchard Gap Shelter. Good Night.Red Hank