morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-19
From: chillin

To: somewhere up in maine
Miles today: 0.0

hey this is not an official journal but im just checking in with everybody. sorry i havnt been keeping up with the journals online but i have been writing them they are just not posted. Hang with me folks im out in the middle of nowhere for most of the time. with a little patience you might be suprised one day to find them up but right now we are chillin in damascus va and we are doing great. we've been havin a lot of fun and hopefully will be. just a quick summary to hold you over. We finished the smokies which were awesome then hit up hot springs which was cool then on to erwin to the infamous miss janets which was a very chill place then onto kincora hostel which was a great place and up to damascus virginiaaaaaaaaaaaaaa. we have been hiking a lot with no worries and little bro. they r leaving for a week it looks like so we'll miss them for a month but hopefully they will catch up. we been seeing a lot of kurly, swansons, granite, yeti, cookie, snake, pebbles and that whole gang. Its been a lot of fun and we are heading out of damascus today around 5:30 or 6. We did some pack lightening and i am down to 39 pounds with 16 pounds of food for 4 or 5 day which is a ridiculous amount of food but its the only thing i dont mind carrying. I am proud because 23 pounds is an awesome base pack weight. We switched to an alcohol stove and got rid of our ridiculous whisperlight. in foresight we will be in virginia forever almost 600 miles i think. So we will be chillin with the virginians for a while but its all gravy and we should have a lot of fun. the grayson highlands are in a couple days and we will try and ride some ponies. the shenadoahs are something we are also looking forward but my meal is ready so everybody peace out and have fun.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Spence Field

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: snow

20 days on the trail! Wow its been absolutely crazy these last 20 days. I mean incredible. Everything I dreamt the AT would be and a bit more. Today we woke up around 9 and got hiking by 10. We woke up and it was raining and hailing. We dozed off as the entire shelter left by 9 and then we got up ate a breakfast of a kinda squashed banana and 2 granola bars and then started hiking. We walked into a wintery wonderland in the Smokies. The hail came and frosted the land with a white coat. Some of the prettiest scenes I have seen came this morning. We stopped at Derrick Knob Gap when we got there everything was cold and wet. They had a fire going and we ate and then took off for the next 5.5 miles to Siler Bald shelter. By the time we got there all I wanted to do was crawl up in my sleeping bag. To prove how cold it was today some section hikers came in the shelter and one of them was almost hypothermic. I used my mylar blanket and he warmed up. We then just ate a bunch of our food because we are going into Gatlinburg tommorow for a suprise town day. It was a pretty cold day on the AT but we cant complain because we have had such good weather this year so far. Peace
Date: 2006-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Whats up everybody just chillin at a bed and breakfast in montebello. Just wanted to say whats up and thank you Uncle Ed and Aunt Dorothy and Diane for sending me that great package. I actually was down to one good pair of socks so you guys are my savior. Just telling everybody that we are alive and even hiking some miles we are headed back to damascus on thurs for trail days which will be a lot of fun. thanks to everybody for signing my guestbook and keeping me updated about everybody back home and everywhere. One of the hardest things out here is being out of touch with people but its great to hear from everybody. hiking is a lot of fun peace
Date: 2006-06-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just wanted to give everybody an update while i have the chance. Right now we are in a town im not sure what it is called but we are getting some things done. Yesterday we instruments at walmart orangutan got a guitar and i got a ukelule and im going to learn how to play. we just recently arrived in our 7th state Pennsylvania and will be passing the halfway point shortly. We are healthy and happy and loving life on the trail. Tomorrow is hike naked day so it will be an interesting day. we are planning to be finished sometime in september or early october. we are officially in the north since we past the mason dixon line yesterday. we can already sense a difference from dixie. We've been reading alot and playing alot of chess and doing a bit of hiking as well. we miss everyone and look foward to seeing everyone when we get back or when you come hike with us. until next time peacestinky
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Rutland

To: 10 miles up da trail
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone,we are in rutland in the library ready to hike out of town. we are doing well and planning to be in Hanover NEW HAMPSHIRE in 3 days!! we are excited. everything going well and cant wait to be in new hampshire and the whites. still planning to be home on the 1st of october. we are hiking with a very cool crowd right now. but the trail calls love you all and peace. Stanky
Date: 2006-09-29
From: monson

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well we made it to monson guys. We think this is the end we have lost the will to hike and to finish the trail. We just want to take a nap. jk. we gotta push on we have 115 miles to hike and gotta do them in 5 days and weve been pushing 20s the last couple of days to get here. a feat stinky and orangutan have never pulled off. looking foward to being at the 100 mile wilderness as soon as we get out of this town and finally to our destination katahdin. it has been a long trip and we are ready to get home and move on to bigger and better things. When i get home along with the million other things i have to do i will be redoing this site. im pretty excited to sit down and share my thoughts, experiences, recollections and little bits of nonsense with everyone out there. im not sure what my plans are yet when i get home i guess ill just feel it out. We are planning to summit on the 4th of october fly home the 5th and have some fun with everybody for the rest of the time. i am tired of typing so goodbye my friends i will be home in a week and we can do some things that involve not walking. peace
Date: 2006-03-02
To: MENTAL PREPARATION
Miles today: 0.0

While physical preparation is important, mental preparation is the most difficult for us of the older generation. Either the body is willing and capable or not. The mind, however takes much more preparation. I have become accustom to my family and I need their support and love. I am blessed with a loving family and so consequently it becomes difficult to think of them in a distant place, while I am alone in the forest.I have spent a lot more time getting mentally prepared for this hike, than I have physically and I think I have found the proper balance. I am ready and excited for the journey.
Date: 2006-03-03
To:  FINAL PREPARATIONS
Miles today: 0.0

My son-in-law, Matt is going to be my transcriber on this trip and he will probably have something to say and maybe a picture or two to add when they return from taking me to Springer.We will leave home (Leesburg, Florida) on Saturday the 18th of March. Sunday will be a fun day, as the family will hike the 1.8 miles from USFS 42 to Springer Mountain and back. The girls have little backpacks and really like hiking with Grampa. We will spend the night in Dahlonega and on Monday morning they will drop me off at the parking lot on USFS 42. I will head north and they will return home.The adrenalin is starting to flow. I love being out in the woods and I also enjoy meeting and talking to people. I should have plenty of both, at least for the next several weeks. After Franklin the crowds should start to thin out or at least space out as we all adjust to our own personal hiking style. I have section hiked over 500 miles of the AT in the last 4 years covering 6 states. It's now time to connect the dots.Good luck and God bless to all.
Date: 2006-03-13
To: 'Scriber Signon
Miles today: 0.0

Stones' Entry:Matt is our other son (in law). He has graciously consented to be my transcriber and will, I hope, spell check and edit as necessary.I know I said I would not write again until I had started my hike, however I thought it important to let you know who to blame for misspelled words or poor grammar. Now if I can figure out how to blame him for pictures out of focus and boring content, this should be an interesting journal. So, without further adieu I give you Matt, to whom all complaints should be directed.Soon,Wayne - Headin' NorthTranscriber's Entry:Greetings one and all,As mentioned above, I have the privilege of making available anything Pop (as I call him)/Wayne/Stones is able to get in from the Appalachian Trail. I'll do my best to get the journal entries and any photos posted as they come in. Like those of you that know him, the thoughts and prayers of me and my family go out to Wayne as he prepares once again to take that first step from Springer Mountain. May it be a safe, rewarding, and fulfilling journey.Pictured above is my family, which God for some reason saw fit to bless me with. I'm the thorn among three roses, in case you're having trouble picking me out...For all of you that have ever chosen to embark on a journey such as this, you have my utmost respect and admiration. I get upset if the remote control gets left on the other side of the room, so for those of you that possess the spirit to count off step after step, mile after mile, Godspeed!Well, enough for now; I'm not the one you want to hear from. Let's see if I can push all the right buttons to get this where it needs to go. Thanks for reading, and please check back again!Until next time,Matt
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Springer Mountain

To: Big Stamp Gap USFS Road 42
Miles today: 0.9

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"One Small Step"That's right, 0.9 of a mile! My all-girl support group and I hiked 0.9 of a mile in a fraction under 3 hours. It's a good thing they are not hiking to Katahdin with me or we wouldn't finish until September of 2011!After their introduction to the AT we drove down to explore the falls and then had dinner at the lodge. We then returned to the Holiday Inn in Dahlonega for one last night on a real mattress. Tomorrow they will deposit me back at the USFS Road 42 parking lot, where I will continue hiking North and "the team" will return home.That's it until Neels Gap in 3 days.Wayne - Headin' North'Scriber's Note: Use the "Photos" link in the left margin to see additional photos from this day.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Big Stamp Gap USFS Road 42

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: moderate rain

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Officially Day Two"My all-girl support team dropped me off around 9:30 AM. It was very foggy and drizzling, which it did most of the day. I arrived at the shelter at 3:00 PM, and shortly after 4:00 the rains came. It rained hard all night. The shelter was full with 12, and there were 10 or 12 people in tents. By 6:30 it was very, very quiet.Good night Abby.Wayne - Headin' North'Scriber's note: Since Stones is sending me his journal entries by e-mail via his PocketMail Composer (clickhere if you're wondering what one looks like), each e-mail includes a subject line. That's what I'll include centered at the top of each entry, as you can see here.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

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

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Hikin' in the Rain"It rained until I crossed over Sassafras Mountain, and then it stopped and the wind started blowing. Hiking in the rain is bad, but hiking in gale force winds is not fun either.The shelter was full with fourteen bodies when I arrived at 3:30, so I set up my tent and prepared for a rainy night. There were 16 tenters counting me.Good night Emily.Wayne - Headin' North'Scriber's note: One of those songs from "the good ol' days" that Stones loves to sing to his granddaughters (or anyone else who will listen J) is a little ditty entitled "Courtin' in the Rain". If I was a betting man, I'd say that tune was in his head as he started typing in this entry.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"The Wind She's A-Blowin'"The sun was shining when I left the shelter at 8:00 AM and it was a beautiful day for hiking. I still kept my long pants on, but hiked most of the day in a sleeveless shirt. I have not been hungry in the evening, but have eaten a hot breakfast every morning. I know that I must eat more, but the smell of others cooking makes me nauseous. Surely this will pass. Tomorrow Blood Mountain, Georgia's highest peak.Goodnight DeAnnaWayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Bull Gap
Miles today: 6.1

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Neels Gap and Food"Hit Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center and boy was I hungry for a $4.00 turkey and cheese sandwich and a bottle of Gatorade.It was 31 degrees when I woke up this morning; it has been below freezing every morning and the weather is calling for snow showers. The hostel is full, so I will be tenting about a mile north of here. I may return in the morning to shower and wash clothes. We shall see. I have regained my appetite!Goodnight Matt.Wayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Bull Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"It's Snowing!"I camped about a mile north of Neels Gap with a fellow named Don, who is from West Virginia and is only doing a section hike while his wife is attending a conference in Augusta, Ga. Also at the site wereOrk and Bean.I had talked with Ork and Bean at Neels Gap and told them that I would probably be at Bull Gap that evening. They went on and eventually I strolled into camp and started to pick on Ork, because he didn't have a fire going. Well he sent "his woman" out to gather wood and by the time she returned he had a near-perfect fire started with just some grass and twigs that I think he was carrying in his coat pocket along with a couple of pieces of flintstone. A short time later Bean (his woman) returned with a cord of logs, and not a moment too soon, for by now it was starting to snow! Pretty soon it was snowing so hard that you could just barely make out our tent sites. If it had not been for that beautiful fire we might have gotten lost in that blizzard! "And that's all I'll say about that..."Goodnight Dan.Wayne - Headin' North'Scriber's note: If I can find journals for the other hikers that Stones references, I'll include links to them in my notes, as I'm doing here. Clickhere or on their names above to view Ork and Bean's journal. My links should open up in a new browser window, so when you close it, you'll be right back here.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Just a Walk in the Woods"Nothing really exciting today. I did sit gazing at the view for about 30 minutes and I took a couple of pictures. I have the urge to take pictures at every vista, as the views are somewhat inspiring.Last night I realized that I had forgotten to buy fuel for my stove at Neels Gap and I probably would not have enough to reach Franklin. A little later there it was, a new can of fuel sitting on my backpack, placed there by the couple from Alaska, Ork and Bean. Don't you just love those trail names! Anyway they would not let me pay for it, so they will probably expect me to gather firewood all the way to Maine.Goodnight Jean.Wayne - Headin' North'Scriber's note: In case you missed it in yesterday's entry, clickhere to access Ork and Bean's journal. I assume you "faithful readers" have the hang of this link thing, so from this point I'll probably just stick with adding the link right in the text, as I did above. I trust you'll be able to recognize them when you see them.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Trey Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"There Really Are Angels Out There"Last night we discovered a small bear cub roaming around about 70 feet from the shelter and this morning it was still here, snuggled down at the base of a tree about 50 yards from the shelter. It looks like he has been abandoned by his mother either on purpose or accidentally. The rangers have been advised and will capture and place him in a shelter.About those angels. Upon reachingUnicoi Gap there were four people cooking hot dogs, along with many other goodies. For example, potato salad, cold drinks, potato chips, cherry cobbler, and cakes and cookies. A tip of the old trekker to the trail angels at Unicoi Gap. Onward and always upward.Goodnight Mike and Gini.Wayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Trey Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"I Need a Bath!!!!"I had a miserable night last night and so I decided that if I didn't get a shower today, I wasn't going to sleep with me any more. The dirt on my body was starting to weigh more than the contents of my backpack.Tonight I am roughing it at a Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee, GA. But not to worry my journal enthusiasts, I will be back on the trail bright and early tomorrow morning after a couple more showers and an all you can eat breakfast. Ah, the life of a rugged outdoorsman. I wonder how many days Daniel Boone went between showers?Goodnight Nancy.Wayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Springtime in the Smokies"I left the Holiday Inn at 11:00 AM and returned to the trail 30 minutes later. The hike today was relatively easy compared to yesterday's. Tomorrow will be a little tougher. Twelve plus miles and going to go up to 4700 feet, also going into North Carolina. Yea!Goodnight Mr. Dillon and Miss KittyWayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"North Carolina"I left the shelter at 7:00 AM with a fellow named "Old Drum". At about 11:30 we crossed into North Carolina, one down and a few more to go. NC was not very welcoming. For almost 2 hours we climbed up, up and up. Finally it leveled out a bit and we hiked until 5:00 PM. We have been hiking with 4 people who are deaf and they are trying to teach us how to sign. I have decided that I must be too old to learn a second language. A couple of things of interest; TRAILMAGIC - when you come upon a cache of cold sodas, candy, fruit, etc. TRAIL ANGELS - those that provide the magic. There is rumor that tomorrow morning there is a group of people serving blueberry pancakes down the trail. We shall see.Goodnight Keith and Barbara.Wayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Turkeys and Ruffed Grouse"No magic today, now the word is tomorrow morning for sure. Again, we shall see. I was the first to leave camp this morning (a first) at 7:42 AM. The climb up Standing Indian Mountain was somewhat demanding and definitely long. All night long we listened to the owls hoot from one hollow to the other. This morning I could hear the ruffed grouse beating their wings in the hopes of attracting a cute little hen. A couple of miles later I heard the gobble of wild turkeys. The forest is a magical place to be alone. If you sit quietly for a few minutes it slowly comes alive with the sounds of birds, small animals and possibly large animals, too. On the one hand I thoroughly enjoy the solitude, but on the other hand I enjoy meeting and talking to the other hikers. I am having a great time. Goodnight Mom and Dad. Wayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Blueberry Pancakes and Franklin Too"There were 6 of us camping here last night and there was a steady drizzle all night long. I was able to get everything packed except the tent without getting wet and it had pretty much stopped by the time I finally emerged. I left camp at 7:30 AM in search of blueberry pancakes.One of the disadvantages of being first on the trail in the morning is that you are the one knocking the moisture off the rhododendron bushes. However, in this case it was not all bad as I was the first to discover a group of trailangels cooking blueberry pancakes with real butter and Vermont syrup. What a way to start the morning.I still had 10 miles to go before I could call it a day and Albert Mountain was just around the corner. Man what a climb! The toughest so far. There is a fire watch tower at the top of Albert Mountain and I could see it as I neared the top, and all I could think about was who in the world would want to climb that thing after climbing this mountain? Shortly after I reached the top and caught my breath I took off my pack and climbed the tower.After regaining my sanity I continued my trek to Franklin and the promise of a hot shower, a home cooked meal, and a warm soft bed.Goodnight Kevin and Martha.Wayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Rest and Relaxation"GO GATORS!!!!!Goodnight Tim and DebbieMy first zero day. (No hiking)Wayne - Headin' North'Scriber's note: For those of you reading after the fact, this was the date of the University of Florida's Final Four win vs. George Mason.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"How 'Bout Those Gators?"I watched Florida beat George Mason last night and tomorrow night they will face UCLA for the NCAA championship. Nobody could have predicted this.My son Dan says, "Dad, you have to watch this game," but alas the trail is calling and I must return. I have made arrangements to be driven back to Winding Stair Gap, however there are severe weather warnings for this area and the possibility of tornadoes. Maybe I will see the game, we shall see.Goodnight Tom and Mary JaneWayne - Headin' North
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

Transcribed by Matt -- smithm55@gmail.c0m"Visiting My Carolina Family"I spoke with my wife, Jean, last night and she says that I am assuming that everyone knows where I am, but actually only our immediate family knows that I have been spending the past three days with my mother and father.Besides visiting with my parents, I also have an uncle, cousin, brother, and sister-in-law that live here in Franklin. My sister Gini and brother-in-law Michael live in Asheville, and Mom and I drove over there today to visit and have lunch with them. So you see even though I did not intend on taking 3 days off from hiking (zero days) it has certainly not been boring. Oh, incidentally I am getting ready to watch the Florida Gators play UCLA for the NCAA championship. The misery we hikers face!I had every intention of returning to the trail this morning, but local tornado warnings were not lifted until 11:45 AM today. I do not know what conditions I will find on the trail, however my Uncle Ron is returning me to Winding Stair Gap at 7:00 AM Tuesday morning. It will be good to be back.Goodnight Phil and MarshaWayne - Headin' North