morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Chairback Gap Lean To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean To
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night Smoothie and I did some re-evaluations of our plans. It has become obvious that we won't get to Katahdin in time to meet our family at the rate we are going. Additionally the extreme heat and rigorous hiking are a bit more than Smoothie and Sniffy are looking for in an enjoyable hike. We are crossing a gravel road tomorrow that connects with a popular trail head. It is no longer the weekend, but the SOBOs tell us that we might see some traffic. I ask Smoothie what she would do if she saw a car. She said she would lay down in the road to make it stop. I think she wants to go back to civilization!   The problem is, we aren't sure how far civilization is. My trail map has an arrow pointing west, labeled with a town name but no miles. I am not sending my sister down a gravel road not knowing if the town is 10, 20, or 50 miles away! Smoothie wants out of the wilderness, and soon Sniffy lets us know that she concurs. The dog has a wicked case of morning "Hiker Hobble," but she shakes it off and is still hiking. Coming down Chairback Mountain, however, is the last straw. It is a half-mile of boulders and Sniffy makes it part way down before quitting the trail. She is laying down on a boulder in the blazing sun, refusing to go up or down. I don't blame her, this section is tricky for a dog to navigate. Smoothie ends up lifting the dog from boulder to boulder until we are on smooth ground again. Then we run into a Trail Angel, heading up the trail. A Trail Angel of information! It is a Ridgerunner--a worker along the Appalachian Trail that is responsible for teaching visitors the Leave No Trace Ethics. The first ridgerunner I've met, and at a perfect time. We discuss the possibility of evacuating Smoothie and Sniffy. He informs us that the road is privately owned by a timber company, and there is a guard station seven miles down the road with a telephone. Well, now we know that evacuation is a possibility. We thank the Ridgerunner, and then tattle on all the unacceptable stuff we saw yesterday: the tent in the trail, the food scraps, the large group of boyscouts (10+ people). We are down to the road by 10:00. We take off our packs in the shade, hoping for the unlikely car to pass but believing that walking the seven miles to the telephone is more likely. I really am not thrilled about walking a round-trip distance of 14 miles on a gravel road today. We have been waiting an entire hour when we are surprised by a passing vehicle. Smoothie jumps up and runs in the road waving her arms. Her yogi-ing skills are sharp, and she has scored a ride all the way back to Monson where we left her car!I still have 85 more miles to hike and I try to talk Smoothie into finding something to do in Maine for a few days while I get it done. It would be a shame to drive all the way to Maine and not climb Katahdin. When we part ways, she is unsure of her plans, and I am unsure of when I'll be finishing.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean To

To: Jo-Mary Road
Miles today: 22.6

Back to my old routine as a Katahdin-bound soloist. Back to hiking at my get-it-done-keep-the-bugs-off-me pace! It sure is quiet though, I miss the company of Smoothie and Sniffy! I find myself searching for puddles for Sniffy to drink out of all day long, even though she is probably in an air-conditioned car driving back to Wisconsin. This morning I finish what is the last major mountain range before Katahdin. Wasn't that supposed to be the Bigelow Range? I thought so, but no matter what people tell you about the trail, it is always going to make you sweat and it is never easy! The last peaks are Gulf Hagas Mountain, West Peak, Hay Mountain, and finally Whitecap, each getting increasing higher. Getting so close to the end, I am seeing SOBOs all over the trail now. Finally, other thru-hikers that have bigger packs than me! Days into their hike, they are still figuring out what they do and don't need. Unfortunately, a SOBO can't send home unnecessary gear until Monson, 114 miles into the hike. So far I've seen two thru-hikers with guitars! Both we already talking about sending them home.Of the four peaks I climb, just Whitecap has a view. My guidebook says "view of Katahdin." Not today. Boy am I getting anxious to see that mountain! There has been so many vistas I've walked over when Katahdin can be seen on a clear day, but every view has been hazy. I just want to catch a glimpse of this famous peak! The view, though hazy, is still spectacular. I take a break in the breeze, but the black flies are pesty even up here in the breeze. After Whitecap, the rest of the trail is pretty "flat," except for "some peaks!" And so the story goes...I keep asking about Just Mark, and it seems like he is a half-day to a full-day ahead of me. If I really hike some crazy miles, I might be able to catch him before the end. By the time I near Cooper Brook Shelter, I know I won't be doing crazy miles. I think I've got a case a finish line fatigue...I am just flat-out tired. Cooper Brook Shelter is awesome! There are nearby waterfalls. Three SOBOs are drying off from a dip in the gigantic swimming hole. "That's Hydro-Heidi," one exclaims, "did you find our note?" What note?They pass on some surprising information. Smoothie is waiting for me at Jo-Mary Road and she'll be there until 9:00PM. Apparently she has been sitting under a shade tree all afternoon waiting for me. She and sniffy have been doing trail magic for the SOBOs, fixing ham sandwiches! Awesome! I was thinking about those two all day, I assumed they were driving thru Ohio by now! Wahoo! I get a second wind and I'm really moving down the trail to get to the road, 3.7 miles away. I get there in 70 minutes, talk about motivation!I did break one of my personal hiking rules: "Just say no to Twenties." But I did it all for a ham sandwich! I meet up with Smoothie and Sniffy by 7. It sure is a good thing that Sniffy got off the trail when she did. She is limping and really stiff as she stumbles over to me! They have found a campsite just 5 miles down the road at Jo-Mary Campground. Showers! Laundry! Real food!
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Jo-Mary Road

To: Jo-Mary Campground
Miles today: 26.0

Smoothie and Sniffy have found their own way to be a part of my last remaining miles, and it doesn't involve trudging up mountains in the heat and getting eaten alive by bugs. I am the only one that has to do that! After talking with Keith Shaw (Shaw's Hostel), Smoothie was able to find me initially, and has devised a way to slackpack me to the base of Katahdin. Believe it or not, there is a way to slackpack the 100-mile wilderness. Slackpack and wilderness do not even belong in the same sentence, but here I am...slacking...the wilderness. Let me point out that "100-mile wilderness" is a misnomer. This last section of trail is the most remote of the entire AT and it is the longest a hiker goes without resupplying, but the wilderness does have a network of roads, private cabins, and campgrounds! If you put the blinders on at the handful of road crossings, it isn't hard to get the same feeling a 100-mile stretch of true wilderness would have. I certainly never imagined ending my journey by slackpacking the most remote part of the trail, but if there is one thing you learn after living on this trail, it is to go with the flow. Relax and let the adventure unfold! It's time for me to slack...My remaining days on the trail have been split up into three days: 15, 26, and 9 miles. It is not easy cruising for Smoothie and her passenger car to drive me to the road crossings each morning, so I wouldn't recommend this method of hiking.   The wilderness has really flattened out, so the hiking has been a breeze. There is water all over this stretch in the form of falls, ponds, lakes, swamps. The hike along Rainbow Lake was five miles long. Because of all the water near the trail, the last stretch has been a bug-pit! Katahdin is so close by now there should be views at every other bend in the trail! I keep seeing signs "view of Katahdin," and my book keeps telling me the same, but I still have not seen the mountain! I think mother nature is playing a joke on me. Temperatures are still in the high 80's and low 90's, so the haze and humidity limit visibility. We've been camping at Jo-Mary Campground for two nights. Katahdin can be seen from Jo-Mary Lake, 10 feet from our campsite, but I've been standing on the lakeshore every night and every morning...no Katahdin. Dayhiking the trail is not only easier on my tired feet, but it is letting me indulge in the things I was missing most. I can begin practicing normal hygiene again! Tending to all my insect bites is a good thing as well. It does feel like a part of my journey has ended, and I suppose to some degree that is true.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Abol Bridge

To: Baxter State Park
Miles today: 9.9

Yesterday I hiked into Abol Bridge Campground. Abol has a small store for resupply, thus ending the 100-mile stretch of wilderness beginning in Monson. Being the fourth of July holiday, we were lucky to find an unoccupied campsite. There are just nine trail miles I need to cover before the climb of Katahdin, and Smoothie is hiking with me again. The border of Baxter State Park begins shortly after Abol, so we have boarded Sniffy at a kennel in Medway for a few days (No dogs in Baxter). On the drive we finally see a Moose, my second and Smoothie's first. It was just 40 feet from the road and didn't seem to mind our observations.Nine more miles...a breeze as the hot weather has finally cooled off to the low 60's. There are no major climbs today, and we are clipping along at a pretty fast pace just to keep the bugs off us! There is a great side trail we take to "Big Niagara Falls." We stop for lunch, but decide not to eat, the mosquitos are that bad. We are jogging for a few minutes--I am ready to get out of this bug pit! To quote Keith Shaw, "word on the trail spreads faster than the internet." It's true too! I've been collecting trail news about Just Mark for days, and I know he is summiting Katahdin today. I've been carrying a picture around in my backpack for days hoping I'd catch him. When we are within a mile of Katahdin Stream Campground (the base of Katahdin), we see a SOBO that was at the summit with Just Mark. We are running down the trail again to catch him! We finish the last stretch and arrive at a quiet campground. I can see a hiker dressed in rain gear and doing the hiker hobble down the road. I yell out, and sure enough, I have finally caught Just Mark. He just finished the final climb of the Big K, his hike is over.   Today is overcast, so he too has walked through the entire state of Maine without seeing Katahdin. Is this normal?There is just one main road that leaves Baxter State Park, so it isn't hard for us to hitch back to Abol Bridge Campground. One last slice of trail magic for us. My family is flying into Boston this afternoon and driving to Millinocket tonight, so Smoothie and I head to town to meet them.We run into Just Mark again, and drag him along to dinner with us. He is already trying to change back to eating like a normal person again. This is going to be hard. He announces that he will be thru-hiking again when he turns sixty, as I pull out my newly purchased book "Hiking the Triple Crown!"
Date: 2005-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ray's sister Carolyn and her husband Lyman are driving him to Georgia this week so he can begin his long-anticipated hike. Ray will spend Saturday night (March 12) at the Hiker Hostel where he will meet his two hiking companions, Larry and Chuck. They have been in e-mail and phone contact with each other but have never met. Sunday morning (March 13) Ray will take the first step on his six month journey from Georgia to Maine along the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2005-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ray retired from his job at Stark Electronics on February 25. He had worked there for 41 1/2 years making many friends and memories. His friends, family, and former co-workers will be following Ray's progress as he walks the Appalachian Trail, sleeping in his tent, in shelters, in hostels and occasionally in motels along the way. Ray will call with or mail reports to me (his wife Diane) so everyone can be kept informed about his hike. I will also forward any guest book entries you write to him. We have been dehydrating most of the food he will be eating along the Trail. I will send his food and other items he needs in mail drops (approximately 35 boxes). We all wish him well as he enjoys his dream!
Date: 2005-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Some general information about Ray's upcoming hike!(an interview by daughter Heidi before starting out)-When am I starting the Appalachian Trail? March 2005-Where does the trail begin? At Springer Mountain, Georgia-How long will the hike take? 5-6 months to complete-How many miles will I hike? 2,175 miles-How much will my pack weigh? An average of 40-45 lbs depending on the season-How will I resupply? Mostly through prepacked packages mailed to different locations on the trail-How many miles will I hike per day? I'll be taking it day by day-Where will I sleep? Mostly in my tent, sometimes in hostels or shelters-Where is the finish? Katahdin, Maine
Date: 2005-03-13
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Ray met fellow hikers Chuck and Larry (and others who planned to take off on the trail today also) at the Hiker Hostel yesterday afternoon. They left the hostel to be shuttled to the approach to Springer Mountain at 6:30 a.m. His sister Carolyn and brother-in-law Lyman who had accompanied Ray to Georgia met the hikers at the shuttle stop. According to Carolyn, the weather was sunny and in the mid-50's as the hikers prepared to begin. Ray's pack weighed in at less than 40 pounds without his water supply. Pictures were taken, goodbyes were said and six people began the hike to Maine. Ray was so anxious to start that he was the first to begin the uphill climb. Out loud (or under his breath) Ray probably said his signature "eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya".I will update Ray's journal as often as I hear from him or about him from another hiker's journal.Ray thanks everyone for their interest and support.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ican, Turtle and Seneca hiked together on Sunday to Springer Mountain, the beginning point of the Appalachian Trail after signing in and weighing their packs (Ican's weighed 38 lbs.) at Amicalola Falls State Park. The 8.8 approach to Springer Mountain does not count as official Appalachian Trail mileage. They reached their destination in about 5 hours. Wind and rain came during the night and interupted sleep a little. Tents did a good job of keeping them dry though. On Monday morning, they left Springer Mountain at 9 a.m. for their first real day on the trail. They logged 15 miles of hiking in good weather. They are meeting and getting to know many other hikers. All three are holding up well. Camped in their tents near Gooch Mountain Shelter at the end of a fulfilling day of hiking.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Wood Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Another good weather and good mileage day. Ican not taking many pictures yet, but hopes to soon. Trying to get some miles in and learn all the ropes at the same time. Ups and downs are challenging occasionally but they are getting used to them and conditioning as they go. The trio (who didn't meet until Sunday night) seem to be getting along just fine. Turned in early to avoid the evening rain and prepare for tomorrow.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Wood Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Rain, rain, rain. It rained last night and continued through the day today. Only 3.5 miles today to get to Walasi-Yi Center in Neels Gap (near Blairsville, GA), an important stop because it offers an opportunity to shower, launder clothes, dry out equipment, sleep in a building, pick up mail drops, and call home. We were SO glad to hear from them. Ican gave me the information I needed to update his first four days of hiking and reassured me that everything is more than okay. He is enjoying the experience and meeting lots of interesting people. He has a small blister on his heel but is taking care of it. His cooking stove is working fine and he doesn't mind the food. Says he is eating well. Others already at Walasi-Yi Center when Ican called were Cuppa Joe, Just Playin Jane, Seneca, Turtle, Mike (from Chicago), Red Hat, Nimblefoot, John and Carlene. They were planning to shuttle into a nearby town for an all you can eat buffet, quite a treat. Then back on the trail after sleeping inside for a change. We hope to hear from them again on Saturday, March 19, when they hope to be in Hiawassee, Georgia, at the Blueberry Patch.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light snow

Slow start today. Left Neels Gap with Turtle and Seneca at 10 a.m. It was nice being inside last night. Back into the elements. It snowed all day. Slippery and muddy hiking. Temperature 38 degrees at 6:38 p.m. at Low Gap. Thought of St. Patrick's Day and drinking green beer.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Low Gap

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Snow continued into last night, but this morning was sunny and bright. Got off to good start at 8:00a.m. Walked on snow most of the way today. Muddy hiking.   Experienced some trail magic -- people asked if they were thru-hikers and offered coke and chips. Sad news of the day -- Turtle decided to spend the night in the town of Helen, Georgia at a motel and got a ride into town from a road crossing after hiking the first 10 miles of the day with I Can and Seneca. Hopefully the three will reunite at some point further along the Trail. An early night to bed (7 p.m.) in tents at the top of Tray Mountain after having a hot supper of cheesy noodles with dehydrated string beans and dehydrated turkey cooked on the pop can stove.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Tray Mountain

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Good hiking weather today and off to a good start at 7:30 a.m. Trail a little tougher, a one mile stretch all up. I Can and Seneca wondering about Turtle and how he is doing. Shuttled from trail by a helpful former trail hiker named Fred. Arrived Hiawassee, picked up I Can's mail drop at Blueberry Patch. Decided to stay at the Holiday Inn Express. Quite an experience to be in a motel again. Showered, did laundry and called home. I Can hasn't shaved yet, says his beard is gray. Ate out and went to a grocery store for Seneca to resupply. Explored Hiawassee a little.In answer to the question about mice--have they been bothering I Can (one of his concerns before starting the hike)?   Because I Can has been sleeping in his tent or inside of a building, he hasn't seen a mouse or rat yet!!Talked again before I Can and Seneca called it a night at about 9 p.m. Reassured them that Turtle was about a day behind them and that he was okay. (We wives have each other's phone numbers.) Seneca and I Can planned to have packs and water ready to go right after eating as much complimentary continental breakfast as their stomachs could hold.I send I Can copies of your guest book entries. He appreciates everyone's interest and encouragement!!Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

After enjoying a continental breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express, Ican and Seneca got a shuttle back to Dick's Creek Gap and were back hiking the trail at 8 a.m. According to Ican, they had lots of elevation changes (four good size mountains to ascend and decend in Georgia before crossing into North Carolina for four more). Tenting at Standing Indian Shelter tonight. Thought about Bob and Diane today while sharing the dehydrated apples (from the supply of apples Diane donated last fall). Ican says his trail name really helps and he has had lots of positive comments about it. Thanks, Dina and Heidi!Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-21
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: broken clouds

Up and on the trail at 7:25 a.m. Good weather today, but rain expected tomorrow so want to get some good miles in. Trail Angels were wonderful today. Rainbow Camp Crew was set up near Bear Pen Gap before Albert Mountain. They were serving wonderful variety and amounts of food, glorious food, burritos being the main attraction. Ican mentioned liking the apples and oranges also. Many hikers were staying there a while to eat and talk. Ican and Seneca enjoyed their short stay but continued their hike. At 6:30 p.m. they arrived tired but happy at Rock Gap Shelter to set up camp for the night. Ican's thoughts today drifted to friends and relatives in Belview. He hopes Ruby and Ella are doing fine.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday's high miles in the good weather paid off -- lots of rain today. After hiking 3.8 miles to new Hwy 64, Ican and Seneca caught a ride into Franklin to spend the day in town and stay overnight in at the Microtel Motel. They took showers, washed clothes, ate lunch at Pizza Hut, ate an all-you-can-eat supper at Shoney's, called home and had some down time to relax a bit and continue to fine-tune their packs. Ican bandaged his blister on his right heel. Both say they are enjoying the experience, tolerating trail food fine and getting along fine with each other. They enjoyed having some time to relax today. They are still hoping to be at Fontana Dam, NC, by Sunday to take their first zero mile day there. We'll try to keep you posted.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter Campground
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Got a ride from Franklin to Winding Stair Gap to get back on the trail. Started around 9:00 a.m. Went around 4 1/2 miles in a steady incline to 4900 feet. Went about 16 miles today staying at Cold Spring Shelter Campground. Heel a little sore, got a blister on right foot. Going to bed at 6:58 p.m. Windy and cold.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Cold Spring Shelter Campground

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Left Cold Spring Shelter around 7:30 a.m. Cold and foggy night, but no rain. Went around 11 miles to NOC where we are staying in a cabin with bunks. Am sending back a box to make my load a little lighter. Seneca and Ican are tired but fine. One more stop before the Smoky Mountains.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: ?
Miles today: 16.0

Started at Nantahala Outdoor Center. Long uphill climb of 6 miles. Hiked 16 miles today. The last mile was real steep (3200 to 4000). Long day, probably one of the toughest so far. Good Friday today. Tired and ready to sleep at 6:58 p.m.Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!
Date: 2005-03-26
From: ?

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Ican called from Fontana Dam on Saturday, March 26, but didn't have his notes with him to read. Seneca and Ican had arrived early in the afternoon at Fontana Dam and were going to be spending the night at the "Fontana Hilton" (actually a shelter, but supposedly the best one on the trail). They had planned to take their first zero mile day at Fontana Dam, but had decided to start their Smoky Mountain hike on Easter Sunday morning. At this point, they are running a bit ahead of their estimated schedule.Ican's notes: In Fontana Dam Shelter, a new experience for me because I don't like mice. Got my food drop. Might rain tonight. Did 12.6 miles today. Took a shower at visitor's center. It's almost 8:00 p.m., past normal bedtime. Good night!Eiya-ya-ya-ya-ya!!