morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-02-28
To: Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, let me start by telling you a little about myself. My name is Jonathan Hall and I live in Panama City, Fl. Doing a thru hike on the trail has been something I have wanted to do since I went on my first week long backpacking trip with the boy scouts about 5 years ago. I go to Gulf Coast Community College in PC and have taken a semsiter off to complete my goal. I have just a few credits to finish up there once I return and then hopefully I will transfer to the University of Central Florida in Orlando to study ____. Hopefully I'll get that figured out while I'm out here. I decided in January of 04 that this is something I definately wanted to do. Before then, it was something I always talked about, but it was like "Oh, one day I'm going to hike the trail". But after a little research, I was sure that this is what I wanted to do. The next year would be spent researching gear, buying gear, resupply options, and countless hours reading journals on this site. It seemed like March would never come. At the time I was working as a shift manager for Burger King, saving enough money for my hike and to cover my truck payments also. They knew about my hike and were more or less willing to give me the time off for it. In July, it came my time to part ways with the BK and I set out to make my fortune with Winn Dixie as a stocker (not stalker) in the dairy department. I worked hard, made a good name for myself and let the bomb drop shortly before Christmas. I got the expected, "Are you crazy?!?" but I did get a leave of absence. I left work at the beginning of February to take time to visit my grandparents, relax, prepare gear and maildrops, and to get focused on what lies ahead.Now I do have to say, I wasn't going to put my journal up until I finished my hike, because I thought it was going to be a big hassle to keep it updated. I'm writing this as I sit in the library in Damascus on my zero day and Stick convinced me to go ahead and get it started. I won't be able to post pictures until I get home, but I will try to give you guys a good visual. Just don't expect updates out the wazoo because I will update only if I have spare time, but will try my best to keep it up to date. If you are looking for profound thoughts, deep insight, or anything of that sort, I am sorry to disappoint you. I'm not really good at that sort of thing, but every once in awhile I might come up with something good just to keep you guys on your toes. Peace.
Date: 2005-03-01
From: Amicalola Falls Lodge

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

I started off from the lodge early, about 7:20 after a small breakfast and a quick shower. My parents walked me down to the lobby of the lodge where we took pictures and said our goodbyes. Mom looked pretty sad. I know I sure was. I walked down the road then up and away on the trail. It was very cold, about 20 degrees and starting to snow lightly. It wasn't bad at first, but soon the clouds came in and the wind started blowing. The situation became rather miserable. I actually questioned what the heck am I doing out here. The hours it took to walk the7.6 miles to Springer Mountain was some of the loneliest I have ever experienced. The only people I was were a husband/wife and their son coming the opposite way. Made it to Black Gap shelter, at the base of Springer Mountain around 10:30. By this time, there was about 2 inches of snow on the ground and the weather isn't looking too promising. Stopped to put on more clothes and to eat a snack. Got to the top of Springer right at noon. Up there was a girl, Ellen, with her family. She was starting her thru hike also. The wind was howling, so we took pictures, signed the register and were quickly on our way. My original plan was only to hike to Stover Creek Shelter for the day, but got there around 1, too early to stop. Stopped in for a quick lunch. Passed 3 forks campsite about an hour later, but it didn't look to great, so decided to push on with Ellen to Hawk Mountain. Met two married couples today, Bill and Cindy Bellaty, and Chuckles and Gotta-Go. All very nice people. Made the shelter around 4:30, completely exhausted. A lot of people here tonight, the shelter is full with about 25 of us tenting. A group from UF is up here on spring break camping also. One very weird guy though, he calls himself Mountain Man. He has nothing but a blue tarp, wind breaker, and some moccasins, which were nothing more than pieces of leather duct taped together. Most of the time he said he doesn't even use shoes. Planning on a short day tomorrow, only to Gooch Mountain Shelter. Both of my upper quads are hurting severely and my feet are screaming. Although my official miliage is only 7.6, I walked over 15 today, including the approach trail, which is waaay to much for the first day out. It is supposed to get into the teens tonight, so the water bottle and filter are in the sleeping bag. Well, it's 7:30 and time for bed.
Date: 2005-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was not as bad, either physically or mentally. Got a pretty late start, didn't wake up until 8 and was on the trail around 10:20. There were three tough climbs today, over Sassafras, Justus, and an unnamed mountain. All three were pretty hard. Passed Chuckles and Gotta-go, on the way up Sassafras. They are from Gatlinburg and will be celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary out here on the trail. Very cool. Ate lunch at Justus Creek around 2:30, where I met Shadow and Sassy, a couple from Maine. Very pretty at the creek, I could have stopped and camped here. Back hiking around 3 and it was a quick mile to the shelter. Only a few in the shelter, including me, Ellen, Humpty Dumpty, who is also from Maine. Sleeping on the 2nd floor, hopefully it won't get too cold tonight. Ate an early supper, too much food though. It will be a while before I get my hiker appetite. Trying for Woods Hole Shelter tomorrow, a 12 mile day. I will have to wait and see how the body feels, my feet are still hurting and my legs are still really stiff, but the stiffness goes aways after hiking a bit. It is quite a challenge to climb the ladder in the shelter. Plenty of daylight left, will work on some letters for awhile.
Date: 2005-03-03
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Slaughter Creek Campsite
Miles today: 12.4

"I think I am ready to go home. If it hadn't have been for Chuckles and Gotta-Go, I would have lost it. My feet are hurting so bad, I have really bad blisters and my arches are killing me. I miss home very much. I never relized how hard this was going to be. It's really different when you are doing this alone. Walking away from my family into the snow was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. It takes a special person to thru hike and I guess I'm not it. I will stay at Neels Gap tomorrow night and make my descision the following morning. Going to bed without supper, too discouraged to eat". **The previous is exactly how I felt at the end of the third day. The day started off good enought, I walked with Chuckles and Gotta-Go the entire day. My feet were aching, but not too severely. Made the 5 miles to Woody Gap with relative ease. Met up with Bill and Cindy at the gap, they were done for the day. I stopped for a snack, and to put on moleskin, and to duct tape my arches for support. The guy at the Hiker Hostle came by to pick up Bill and Cindy, said that it was an easy walk to Slaughter Creek Campsite. What a lie that turned out to be. Up and down and up and down all the way to Blood Mountain. Awesome views from Preacher Rock though. Those waning hours of the day were pure torture. My feet were hurting so bad. The only thing that kept me going was Chuckles encouragement. I thought I was never going to make it. We pulled in to the campsite right at dark. Set up my tent and didn't bother doing anything else, went straight to bed. I was convinced that I was done with my hike, and I wanted to go home. What wonders a good night's sleep will do for you.
Date: 2005-03-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Good day today. The new boots made all the difference. Woke up to some clouds. It is supposed to rain today, hopefully it will hold off. Waited for the store to open, so I could get a few stamps to mail off some letters and get a pepsi. Off by 8:30. Walked all day with Humpty Dumpty, we kept a pretty good pace. Only one complaint for the day, even though it's my own fault; left this morning with only half a liter of water. I was planning on filling up at a spring about 2 miles down the trail. Somehow I missed the spring, so I had to go the whole day on a half liter of water. Had some good views throughout the day. The climb coming out of Testnatee Gap was very rough. I have aptly renamed it, "Nasty Gap". The four miles after Hogpen were awesome terrain. Very gentle grades. It's too bad my feet were hurting too bad from the previous six miles to enjoy them. Made the shelter about 3 pm, and immediately filtered water and made gatorade. Shadow and Sassy were already here. Chuckles and Gotta-go came in around 4:30. All 6 of us fit in the shelter very snug, with about 7 or so tenting. The rain did hold off today, it was actually quite nice weather for hiking. Pushing for the Cheese Factory site tomorrow, will be a 13 mile day. It won't be easy but will give it a shot. I must make a better effort to stay hydrated though. I think that is part of my problem, I run out of energy after about 1 or 2. Going to bed early, going to be a long day tomorrow. Shooting for Hiawassee by Tuesday morning now, instead of Monday evening, that way we have extra time to do town chores.
Date: 2005-03-06
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Campsite
Miles today: 13.0

Overall, a very good day. Ate a cold breakfast of bagel and peanut butter. Slept very well in the shelter last night, stayed rather warm. Got an early start, around 7:40. The first four miles or so were very gentle in terrain, practically flew through them. Walked with Humpty all day. On our way up Blue Mountain, we were passed by about 10 trail runners. They practically flew past us. The trail was very rocky, I don't know how they do it. Maybe the fact that they aren't carrying 45 pound packs has something to do with it. We stopped just short of the shelter to get water. Made Blue Mountain Shelter, about 7 miles right around 11:30. Stopped there to filter water, sign the register, and eat a small snack. Left a few minutes before Humpty and made it down to Unicoi Gap,about 2 miles in just under an hour. Stopped there to take a short break. A van with a couple and their daughter drove up. I asked them to take my picture in front of the boulder with the plaque and talked to them for awhile. Humpty and Rich, or "Quater of the way" showed up right around 1. All of us sat a talked for awhile. A man drove up in a truck and gave us each an ice cold coke. Awesome!! Trail Magic! I forget his name, but he said he thru hiked in 2000. That was such a morale boost. Thank you wherever you are. The climb out of Unicoi Gap was killer. Was very slow going, but I can tell I am starting to get stronger. My feet are also taking longer and longer to start hurting everyday. I still go very slow uphill, but I don't have to stop as much. On the summit, met Pine Needle a thru hiker from 2001, and talked to him for a bit. The rest of the way to the campsite was very slow going. Had to stop several times for breaks. Made it to the campsite around 4:20. The Cheese Factory site should be renamed, "The Crap Factory Site". There are toliet paper flowers all over the place, such an eyesore. It's Mom's birthday today, so I pulled out the phone and tried giving her a call. No luck, it was busy, but I did get to leave a message. Very tired today, late getting to bed, it's past 7:30.
Date: 2005-03-07
From: Cheese Factory Campsite

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Was up before the sun, packed and ate some trail mix for breakfast. Got an early start, about 7:15. Was chilly, but soon had to stop to take off a layer. Left Humpty on the climb up Tray Mountian. I was feeling good, so I wanted to push myself. I practically flew up the mountain. People made it out to sound like this climb was a killer, but it was not bad at all. The views from the top of Tray were just breath taking. Made it to Tray Mountain Shelter right at an hour. Stopped to read and sign the register. No one was there, so was quickly on my way again. Hiked pretty fast throughout the morning. It was so hot, I was pouring sweat, this is as hot as it has gotten since I've been out here. Ran into a married couple, I forget their names, but the guy wore army pants. Stopped at Sassafras Gap around 11. Went down the steep side trail to filter some water. Came back up, had a snack and decided to wait for Humpty. Humpty showed up about 20 minutes later. He said he saw a bear! Pretty cool. Too bad I missed it. Me and Humpty walked the rest of the way together. The dark clouds were starting to roll in, so we picked up the pace a bit. The climb up Kelly Knob has been the hardest yet, 950 feet of elevation gain in 1.1 miles. It just seemed to keep going up, up, up. It was full of things I have named, "pseudo summits". You think you see the top, but when you get there, there is just more mountain. We climbed for about an hour, passing several of these false summits before we reached the real summit. I hiked this section with the scouts a few years back and this climb is as bad as I remember it. The rest of the way to the shelter was easy going, we got there at a quarter till two. We put our packs down, and immedieatly it started to rain. We couldn't have had better timing. Soon, a man came in by the name of "Walks Alone". Said he was training for the PCT and how he has to do all these 20 mile days. Seemed kind of full of himself if you ask me. We found a huge mouse nest, so we knocked it out and swept it out the door, hopefully they won't bother us tonight. Filtered water and ate an early dinner. About 8 of us in all in the shelter tonight as the rain comes down, including PJ, Scrubs, Sherpa, Sparkles, Kip, and Doc. Doc has this wicked cool hand-cranked cell phone charger. It did look heavy though. A short day into Hiawassee tomorrow with Humpty and we will be at the "plush" Holiday Inn Express. The temperature has been steadily dropping, hope it doesn't get too cold tonight.
Date: 2005-03-08
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up around 5:30, only to find it steadily snowing with about an inch already on the ground. Just yesterday I was sweating like crazy. Left as soon as it was light enough to see the trail, around 6:30. Once we got out of the gap, the wind was blowing sustained around 40 mph. Pretty uneventful hike, just hurrying to get to the gap. Made it there in about 2 hours. This would be the first time I have ever hitch hiked. I'm just glad Humpty was there with me, I'd hate to have to do it alone. We had only been hitching for about 5 minutes, when we got picked up. The guy was a game warden of some sort, we had to put our packs in the empty fish tanks. He was a very nice guy, took us the 11 miles to the hotel. We checked in and even made it in time for the free continental breakfast! It was the best hotel breakfast I have ever had. Boiled eggs, warm cinnamon rolls, cartons of milk, bagels. After we ate, went up and took a shower and did laundry. Went to the post office and picked up our maildrops. I am still carrying way too much food, I really overestimated how hungry I was going to be. Going to put the oatmeal, bagels, and honey in the hiker box, I just can't stomach them anymore. And only after one week, how pathetic is that? Met a bunch of hikers here, and we all went to lunch at this Mexican resturant. Met Gravity and Danger, a couple from Colorado, Cat Toy and Rocky, two sisters from Ontario, Spoonie Love, also from Canada, and Stick, from Michigan. A real nice bunch. Me and Humpty went to Rite Aid afterwards to drop off his film. Also stopped by Ingles for another camera, gatorade mix, and other little things. Made a few calls to friends and such. They have a hot tub here, that sure did feel good on the aching muscles. In the weight room they have a scale, I have already lost 10 pounds. Ate a late supper at Huddle House, Humpty says they don't have those up in Maine. Next stop is the NOC in 6 days. Will be in NC tomorrow.
Date: 2005-03-09
From: Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I only got about 5 hours of sleep last night, but it was very good sleep. Haven't slept that well since I've been out here. Up around 6, packed and went down for free continental breakfast number 2. Only ate two cinnamon rolls and milk. We were going to wait for the shuttle, but it didn't come until 9:30 and cost some money. So we hitched a ride. It took a little longer this time, about 20 minutes or so. Like yesterday, this guy went out of his way to bring us back to the trail. Thank you whoever you are. Pretty chilly this morning, but soon took off some layers after hiking a while. Hiked by myself most of the morning. Nice terrain, not too bad at all. That is, until you get to North Carolina. Made it to the border around noon, when Eric from Canada caught up to me. We took each other's pictures at the border and he was gone in a flash. Stopped at the twisted oak tree in Bly Gap for lunch when Spoonie showed up. Ate lunch with her. Humpty showed up soon after and I hiked with him the 3 miles to the shelter. Those 3 miles were brutal. The trail went straight up like it was going out of style. NC really welcomes you with a slap in the face. About a mile before the shelter, I really started to drag. Humpty got way ahead of me. He stopped and waited for me and told me to drink some water. That is been a problem, I have not been drinking enough and getting dehydrated in the afternoons, that's why I'm always dragging. Arrived at the shelter very discouraged. Pitched my tent, changed, ate, and drank two liters of gatorade. That did the trick, felt 100% better. Not sure how far we're going tomorrow, depends on my feet, will decide in the morning.
Date: 2005-03-10
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Deep Gap, Franklin
Miles today: 4.0

Well, today turned out quite different than I had originally planned. Woke, decided to do the 12 miles to Carter Gap Shelter. Last night was very cold, was about 20 degrees when I woke up. There was talk among everybody about going to town from Deep Gap. Stick was sick and Spoonie's eyes were pretty swollen. Humpty and I weren't sure what we were going to do. Most everybody left before me and Humpty, but we were soon to follow. After hiking for about an hour, we both decided not to go to town. But, once we got to Deep Gap, there waiting for us we found Stick, Sci Fi, Spoonie, and the sisters. It didn't take too much to convince us to go to town with them. We had to walk the 3.7 miles out on a side trail to get to Standing Indian Campground, where we were going to call for a ride. Almost got lost a few times, very few blazes. Made it to the campground around 12:30. Called the Haven Motel and they came by and picked us up in no time. Checked in, only came out to 12 bucks for each person, not a bad deal. This isn't the best hotel, but they are very friendly and sure beats being out in the weather. Tried calling Mom, but no answer. Humpty, Stick, and I went to the AYCE buffet behind the hotel. Was pretty good, but I still do not have my hiker appetite. Later on, Ron, the hotel owner ran a shuttle to the outfitters and K-Mart. We have all decided to slackpack for the next few days. The weather isn't supposed to be that great for the next 2 or 3 days.
Date: 2005-03-11
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 9.6

We are still in Franklin, and have decided to slackpack for a couple of days. Today we did a section a little bit ahead of where we areat, but we will go back and fill in the gaps. Got up about 6, and were down at the gap at 7:30. Some of us took the half mile side trail to see the world's second largest poplar tree. It was huge! It also happens to be dead. But still worth the walk. The section from Rock Gap to Winding Stair Gap was awesome. Very easy grades, we just flew along. Just north of Wallace Gap, we found some trail magic, pepsi in the creek and a bucket full of snacks. After passing WSG, my leg started cramping up really bad in the upper quad, very painful. Maybe I am still not drinking enough. Walked with Spoonie most of the day, she is a really fun person. We got to Siler Bald around noon, and stopped to take a few pictures. We made it to Wayah Gap a lot sooner than we anticipated, so we called Ron to let him know we were done. While we were waiting to be picked up, it started to snow. The really big flakes were falling, it was very pretty. Ron picked us up and we all went back to the hotel to change and Humpty treated us all to the Buffet. Hung around most of the afternoon. Later, Ron took us to Walmart to pick up a few things. Met Nathan and Bottle, a newlywed couple about my age today, also staying here, very nice people. Not sure where we are hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Wayah Bald

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 4.2

Well, today we decided would be a short day. Ron came by around 9. I rode in the back of his pickup with Humpty and Not-Guilty all the way to the top of Wayah Bald. That was absolutely freezing. Not-Guilty is a lawyer from Alabama, but went to school in Alaska. We got to the top and there was 5 inches of snow on the ground. Not-Guilty said if he wanted to see all this snow he could have stayed in Alaska. He was continuing on with his hike and we were going back south down to the gap for the day. Today, it is only Humpty, Stick, Spoonie and myself. Sci Fi, Rocky and Cat Toy decided to do 14 miles instead. We started down, and after about 2 miles, ran into Ellen, on her way up. Haven't seen her since Neels Gap, when she kept going while we stopped. Talked to her for about 20 minutes, then left to catch up with the others. It was very easy going all the way to the gap, practically all downhill. Ron was there waiting for us, as he had just dropped off Sci Fi and the sisters for their slack. A very short day today, only took us about an hour and a half to complete the walk. We all came back and then went to lunch. Afterwards, went to the laundrymat. Gravity and Danger made it in today. Spent the afternoon resting and napping. Later, went to dinner with Gravity and Danger at a homestyle resturant. The food and conversation was good. They are a really nice couple. Tomorrow, we will be doing an overnighter to complete the section from Deep Gap to Rock Gap that we haven't done yet, about 21 miles.