morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-18
To: 3 more weeks to go!
Miles today: 0.0

I hope I won't write this journal too long because I have several new things to say since the last time I wrote the journal on March 5th. My shopping list now reduced to 2 more items needed. 1) Two 512MB memory cards for my digital camera.   I am sure some of you wondering why I changed my mind about the size of the memory card. I just realized that I liked the higher resolution the better, which will be good for my screensavers and picture sharing. So, I will stick to 512 MB cards than 16MB cards. 2) Turtle-skin snake proof gaiters.   I checked the information through search engine. I found one that is perfect for the thru hike.   Very light, look like the normal gaiters. I spoke with company representative and was concerned that it is only one pair of gaiters left in stock. There will be more on production. Turtle skin gaiters is $125.00. I will buy one pretty soon. I purchased two sleeping bags, which cost me $360 for both. (One for summer and one for winter) They arrived with my greatest apprecriation. I think I will enjoy those two bags on my thru hike. My friends doubted that I would be able to carry both of bags with me on my thru hike. I explained to them about bounce box. They are amazed about how we can be able to use bounce box. Since the last entry, I didn't go to New Orleans, and even didn't go to Las Vegas. I wished I would work that week. Forgive me, if Chef Jay reading this, my excuse for a week off from work for wedding is not true. I just don't want to give the bad impression of my week off from a new job just because of Mardi Gras. Actually, yes, I bought the plane ticket way before I got a job. The reason I decided to stay home instead of going out is because I want to invest some more in backpacking gears and AT Maps. I realized that it is worth my money staying here in Arizona.After this journal, I will write a letter, to request for LOA from work or 2 weeks notice to quit if LOA is not granted. This is what I don't really want to do. I hope everything will turn out to be good. I will not let anything that would stop my thru-hike opportunity.I got email from FishinFred, the current thru-hiker who started from Springer on the 3rd of March(?), hoped that I would catch up on him and hike together at most of the time. I met him at Trail Days Festival last year in Damascus, VA. I hope he will hike slow. I was told that he is already in Hiawassee, GA, which is pretty close to GA/NC state line. I am really thrilled to know somebody I met,is thru hiking this year. What am I doing right now after this... writing e-mail to my bosses. Argghh.. am not looking forward to it.
Date: 2005-04-02
To: Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, GA!
Miles today: 0.0

Finally I am in Dahlonega, Georgia, waiting for my first day of thru hike tomorrow at Springer Mountain!   Couldn't believe my eyes on how beautiful this hiker hostel is. Very spacious and very nice. Owners also have a great pet dog and is very playful!So, about the anxious of 2 weeks notice, everything goes well! Chef Jay is very understanding and supportive of my dream. My 2 weeks notice was handed out easily and was told that I will be welcomed back. On the last day of job, I was surprised by group of waiteress, waiter and cooks with a farewell card and $100 bill!! I was so speechless and couldn't believe the surprise. I was also given a great dessert. I couldn't describe every word on how thankful I am for those people who express much support for my dream of thru-hike. After work, I was very busy packing stuff for storage and backpack. At 8pm, we left for farewell party at Dos Gringos in Tempe, AZ. I was looking forward to meet my friends. The party went great! Everyone wished me best luck.   I finally went home at 2:30 in the morning.   I still have packing to do. It was so much things than I thought. I finally made the packing, putting stuff in storage, preparing the backpack and bounce box. Got to Greyhound Bus Station on the 31st, gone on the road trip for 2 days. Arrived in Gainesville, GA on Saturday morning of April 2nd!Was picked up by Josh Saints, the owner of Hiker Hostel. He came with a great smile. Josh and Leigh were the thru-hikers in year of 2000. They know how to help other hikers and give them great place to stay and comforts them!   I am looking forward to sleep on mattress after 2 long days on crowded bus. When my hike starts? TOMORROW!!!   Wish me luck! I will write journal here everytime I see internet in trail towns along the Appalachian Trail.Counting the final hours of living in the world of civilization!
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Last night, several thru hikers and I went to Italian Restaurant a few miles from Hiker Hostel. It was a great place. I wish I can post pictures here but the Town of Helen's library doesn't allow me using USB Port to transfer pictures here. I hope the next places that would allow me to transfer pictures. Yes I was disappointed. Anyway, at restaurant, I ordered a meal and two coronas. The waiteress forgot to register bill for two coronas but instead, gave me FREE coronas!   YAY! That is my first trail magic!So, I went to my room to the final packing in my backpack.   I went to sleep at about 11pm. Leigh told me that she would cook breakfast at about 7am and then leave for the trailhead at about 8am. So, in the morning, a hiker woke me up, saying its time for breakfast. I looked at my watch, it is around 6:15. I was like, why so early? Later on, I realized that I forget to put one hour forward because or daylight saving time. So, Josh Saints dropped first 5 hikers off at Amicalola Falls State Park, then dropped two of us, the remaining ones on the van, off at parking lot by Springer Mountain. It was beautiful day, sunny and breezy, bit cold but comfortable. I hiked up .9 miles to the summit then hiked down to Hawk Mt. Shelter. It was a tough hike because my body is completely unprepared!. Sometimes I wish I would have exercised at home before leaving for hiking. Tal, the thru hiker hopeful, that I met at the hostel, is citizen of Israel. He came to United States third times and this time, he is doing a thru hike. He can write and speak English. I had a good short converstation with him. I met EZ DOES IT and Mickey as One, the experienced thru hikers at Stover Creek Shelter. EZ Does It thru hiked 5th times and is going to do 6th and Mickey as One thru hiked 3 times. I stopped and slept at Hawk Mt. Shelter. The first shelter to slept in.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

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

I woke up and left at 9am to hike to Gooch Mtn. Shelter. I did stop for two hours break by the beautiful Justus Creek. I got there before group of thru hikers arrived. They played frisbee and chatting. It was a nice relaxing by the creek. The place is awesome, just north of Justus Mountain.   I left at around 4:30pm and arrived at Gooch Mtn. Shelter. I slept in the shelter again.   I was really out of shape. My dry and chapped throat have been very irriating. I don't really feel good and in shape. I have to move forward and continue my trekMy new hiking peeve. When you put your pack on your back, buckled up and discovered that the water hose from the camelback in the back is nowhere to sight. I have to take 55 pounds backpack off and locate it, then put it back on again. And, when hiking, my pants keep falling down, and my underwear keep crawling up my ass. I wish they goes opposite. I keep trying to pull my pants up but it was my underwear. I have to take backpack off then fix this problem. It goes again and again, geez.Weather is very nice, breezy, sometimes warm but very warm when hiking, enough to just wear one shirt. Gone to sleep before dark. Really tired.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Jarrad Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Got up and left shelter at 8:30am. Damn those shelters MICE, who took some bites on my two breakfast bars! I overlooked those two to be bear bagged and now I have only one left! Again, it was beautiful day, breezy and not cold.   How fortunate am I?, Went through Gooch Gap, met two day hikers up on the trail and was told that I can get a drink from their truck. So, I thanked them and hiked down to the truck, took a really good fruit punch drink. They are my first trailangels! So, then I hiked up north and stopped for one hour break at Woody Gap, and got another trailmagic, COCA COLA! What a refreshing drink! Then hiked to Jarrad Gap, and decided to stop for the day instead of Woodshole Shelter. My ribs become seriously hurt, frequent spasm between ribs and couldnt move or twist for a while. I think I tightened my backpack too tight that might caused this.Jarrad Gap is very nice place, a great campsite area, with springs flowing nearby. I slept in the tent for first time on the trail.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Jarrad Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up and left Jarrad Gap at 9AM. Stopped for an hour break on the summit of Blood Mountain. Did a short sunbathing on the summit, but got a bit burned skin. Must be a bad atomsphere out there letting more sun rays in. So, I left Blood Mt. Shelter to get to Neels Gap. It was a nice weather again. Beautiful day! Walasi-Yi Hostel is 23 years on the business. Very old but very nice hostel. It was built by rocks. It also have very good full service outfitters and short term resupply. I quickly log on in the internet to email Mother Nature and Smokestack to let them know that I couldn't make the trip to Unicoi Gap as I promised today. I had the guy called them to let them know. They received my message which I am glad because I really don't want them to wait for me. Unicoi Gap is 20 miles north of Neels Gap. So, I was surprised that Mother Nature and Smokestack came here instead. They surprised me with a peppermint cookies. It is very delicious so I took them with me for my hike. Mother Nature and Smokestack gave me a ride to the restaurant and treated me a dinner. I was so delighted and very glad to have them as my friends. They are my trailmom and traildad =) Sweet people! Mother Nature and Smokestack will plan to hike from Harpers Ferry, W. VA to Katahdin next year and Smokestack will plan to thru hike in 2007. So at hostel, I saw a cat, I dunno who owns it, maybe one of the staff at Neels Gap? juggling the dead bird. How fun? Beautiful bird with yellow on the chest. Poor bird. Damn cat.I met Icebreak at Neels Gap. I was surprised to see him. He was attempting a thru hike last year but got off due to sprained ankle. He is attempting a thru hike again this year but with his sister. I am glad to know that I am not the only hiker to try another attempt on thru hike.I learned that weather will be ugly tomorrow and Friday. Drat!My pros and cons of thru hiking:Pros: You can urinate anywhere and anytime legally!You don't have to worry if your stinky, no one is aroundDrink more water and only water. No junks available in the woodsFree SheltersCons: Rainunpack and pack everydayyou carry toliet paper all of the time!New peeves: Bugs that tried to get in my eyes!If your shoelace loosen out and you have to tie it with your 55 lbs backpack on your back. Get out of sleeping bags in the cold mornings.Discovering many lost items hikers left in all shelters... yes that include jacket, flashlight, camera, exposed roll of film, utsenils, etc. Poor those hikers who found out they lost them on their next shelter stop.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Decided to take zero day cuz of ugly weather and need so much rest! I haven't rest since for a week and half due to working, two days bus trip, and hiking. My body is already worn out and need a long beauty sleep!At around afternoon, I reserved a spot on the shuttle ride list for AYCE (All You Can Eat) meals. So, I keep eyeing on this staff to be sure he remember me. So, during the hour, I keep checking and he said, in few minutes. So, Somehow, I feel something wrong, and some hikers came inside the hostel. So, I checked outside, *poof* he's gone. He already shuttled those hikers to AYCE meals. Damn.. I guess he forget that I am deaf and don't hear the bells. He promised me that he will come and take me but he didn't. So, what I get? a same old domino pizza for $15 bucks (tips included) instead of yummy AYCE meals for just 7.95. Being deaf sure does pay the price. Next time I WILL STALK THEM until they got in the van. Last year, Kincora and Standing Bears Farm Hostel forget about me, but I caught them before they leave, but I am 5 minutes too late for Walasi Yi Hostel shuttle.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Got up early but tempt for a few more sleep, but had to get up at 7 cuz all other hikers are already up. Hate to be the last person out of bed, and look fool. I am the first person hiked out of Neels Gap because I already packed my backpack the day before. I hiked up to Low Gap Shelters and the first hiker to get that shelter before others. It was rainny in most of the day. I got soaked but not the backpack. I put on my new rain poncho but they got torn out and drat, next time, don't buy cheap one. The weather is really strange. It rains when I hike. It got a nice sun out, some clouds when I got to shelter. I was tempted to hike a little bit further but decided to stay in because it was 3:30pm and don't think I could make it to the next shelter before dark. Good riddance!, mother nature decided to shed more raindrops at around 4:30pm I am glad I stay dry in the shelter. Low Gap Shelter is full with thru hikers. Some tented outside.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up, nice day! Hiked through Blue Mountain and stopped for a break at Blue Mountain Shelter. Then, at about 12:30pm, I left Blue Mt. Shelter and hiked steep down the hill to Unicoi Gap. I saw a trailmagic of drinks and cookie chips on the trail just before the road. I took a bottle of fruit punch, what a great drink. So, I hitchhiked to get a ride to Helen, GA. I just want to sleep in Super 8 motel. Only 5 minutes later, senior citizens couple who pull out of the parking lot, offered me a ride to Helen. Very nice couples! I was dropped off at Super 8 motel. Quickly, I got a pack of budweiser, got in shower.. stayed there for one hour. Watched TV. What a beauty rest. Got stroll around the town.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Decided to spend a zero day because I am hooked into the town lifestyles. I went to some restaurant. I also went to model railroad museums, a nice look at. I also got some good stroll around the town, and went to some bars. Nice and beautiful day. I wish I could have more of them during the hiking!
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Unicoi Gap

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

After using Library for the internet, beg the motel clerk if check out at 1pm is not a problem, and which is not.   It took me about 20 minutes to get hitched for a ride to Unicoi Gap. The driver gave me a free beer while on the trip. Nice guy.   Yeah, the beer is good and COLD!   I started the hike at 3:15pm, tough climb of Tray Mountain.   Arrived at the shelter at 7pm. With belly full of beer, I hiked slow and easy.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Got up but left at 9;30am, (bit late) from Tray Mountain Shelter. When I got to Adidas Gap, the weather start to showering on me, it was a tough climb up the Kelly's Knob. When ascending the Kelly's Knob, I notice there are some damage on the trails, the soil were digged up, the soil was digged around trees, along the trails, and last for around 1/4 miles and it SCARED me as hell. Its because, the only wildlife I know that would dig this up is WILD HOG! If you can compare the size of human and wild hog, you will know why I am scared! I prayed briefly asking that I don't get crushed or biten by wild hog, and nothing happened after that. WHEW!   When I descending the Kelly Knob, it start to rain harder. I tried to get to the next shelter as soon as possible before I got drenched. Yeah, I did, I made it to the shelter before I could be well soaked. I planned to go further but with the ugly storm going on, at around 3pm, I decided to stay, taking my sleeping bag out, setting up my bed with sleeping bag and therm-a-rest, but finally, the sky turned sunny with part cloudly. I was like, what the F*** they are playing on me. I don't want to re-pack but decided to stay. The weather become nice and beautiful. It won't last til 8pm. Rain came back. If I left at the moment the sky cleared up, I would've made to the next shelter before I get drenched at 8 anyway.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Happy Birthday to my MOM!I got up with sky, 1/2 grayish and 1/2 beautiful, sunny and fluffy white clouds, which turned later to be great day anyway. The 1/2 grayish which I consider them a fog steaming out of mountain. I expect to hike through to Muskrat Creek Shelter but when I came to Dicks Creek Gap, descending the mountain, and arriving to the road, there is a hiker, with pack on and two hiking poles standing in the MIDDLE of the road, look like waiting for me, turned out to be my friend of 2004 thru hiking class! It was Sal Paradise. When hiking to the road, I looked at him, I said to myself, why was he waiting there for me in the middle of the road, PLUS how did he know I was coming down. Later on, I asked him if he knew I was coming down, he said no, he was hitchhiking to get down to the Town of Hiawassee, and when he waited for the next car, he looked at me, and he said to himself " Is that Flash Hand???" He thought I was about 2 or 3 days ahead of him, he would be right if I didn't take zero days in Helen, GA and Neels Gap. I decided to join him for NERO (Near Zero Days) and got a ride to Hiawassee Inn. When got to the Inn, Immediately, I went to the library to check the internet and was surprised to learn that WWW.Trailjournals.com was banned from this library because it is considered CHAT room.   I hope some day, they would change this policy.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

At Hiawassee Inn, I got up late, missed the breakfast provided by this Inn. Even, he refused the shuttle to the trailhead because I missed the shuttle schedule on time. I tried to convince them that I wasn't warned bout the schedule. He said that my hiking partner, (Sal Paradise) told them that we plan to stay for another night. Sal mentioned only himself, not including me! So, I decide to hitchhike, and it took only 10 minutes to get hitched by a nice guys in around 60's.   He dropped me off at Dicks Creek Gap then I hiked to Plumorchard Gap Shelter, and sat on the Pink Throne, which left by another thru hiker, Class of 2003. I read the register enteries then I left for some more miles to arrive at NC/GA State line. I arrived at Bly Gap, the site where Gnarled Oak at around 4:45pm, taking pictures of the famous tree, then hiked up the tough climb, got to the shelter at around 7:30pm.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Got up late because it was SO COLD!   I can't even get out of the sleeping bag during the cold day! ARGGGGGHHHH. During the hike, my first wildlife sighting! RABBIT! My foot start to eat me up. I hope I wouldn't fail the dream just because of the pain I experienced from my foot and legs.   I took one hour break at Beech Gap, to rest my feet. After that, I hiked 3.2 miles to Carter Gap. My feet handled well.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Got up early, just because I am trying to get to Winding Stair Gap early like 4pm or 5pm. When I get closer to Albert Mountain, I happen to encounter the trail magic. When I got there, I noticed that trail angels are cleaning up as I suspected that I missed the trail magic the night before. I still am up for the leftover, i.e. soda or snacks. Here come the surprises! Fishin Fred, my friend that I met last year at Damascus, VA, and was told that he hooked to the trail magic area for one month.   He spent the whole month there. We chatted and he told me that he is going with Gatoraid, (Trailangel who provided part of this magic) to Franklin for the night, then a long ride to Hot Springs. FishinFred told me that he will come back and finish up the 165 miles section after Katahdin. I thought harder about my "purist" hiking adventure and decided I will give it a break because I don't want to be solitude all the way. So, I decided I'd join Fishin Fred. So, after the chatting with Fishin Fred, I continue my hiking just to Rock Gap, (instead of Winding Stair Gap) and met a sweet young woman, with a young and active laborador retiever, and she noticed me as an umble hiker, complaining of hurt feet and hoping to get a ride to Franklin. Indeed, yes, I am an umbles hiker with a pain in the feet, hoping for a ride. She gave me a ride to Haven Motel. Then I took a good hot shower and joined Fishin Fred and Co at Rathsekllar Cafe. When I come in the cafe, I was surprised to learn that beers are free.   Its the law in the county or regions that no beers are selling for consuming. IT IS OK to provide beers for free (tips are accepted). So, This cafe mainly makes money from selling coffee, wines and other thing but NOT BEERS. So, all I can do is tip them well.   I wasn't used to getting free beers. Something that I never seen before. After 11pm, I went to the convenince store near the motel, to buy a case of beer. I noticed something funny. The store clerk have a necklace around the neck, with dollars in the pouches with notice of $100 reward. I continue to try to read it across the counter. It said that if THIS cashier forget to ask ID if you look 30 or younger, and you will be rewarded 100 dollars. WOW but this cashier asked me for ID anyway... its good to know that I still look young than 30 HAHA. After that, I went back to Haven Motel and met another thru hikers, to chat for a while.. then crash to bed!
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Hot Springs NC 

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Darn... I took a long hot shower. The water starting to drip and stop. I was like, oh boy, isn't a woman really pissed off at me for a long shower. I got out of the shower and dressed up. I hoped that when getting out of shower, that I wouldnt encounter angry woman outside. I didn't see her, as I sneaked out of the shower and walked to the campsite. I told Fishin Fred what happened and he said that I used up the city's water supply. Actually, the Town of Hot Springs cut off the water at same time. Oh boy.   And, he said that Gatoraid got stuck at laundromat with no water in the machine. HAHA.   HOW FUN!