morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tree and I spent most of the weekend working out and organizing for our upcoming hike. We have grouped maps with pages cut-out from the data book and companion book so that we have "sets". Now we can take those sets and coordinate them with our maildrops....thus...not having to carry anything extra but yet having all the info we need at one time..hopefully anyway!We are actually making good progress with all the 'details' that are necessary to deal with when planning to leave your house for 5 months! Lots of pre-planning involved for that but...we are working our way through it all and everything is falling into place.We are sooooo looking forward to meeting our fellow 2007 hikers! I enjoyed the miles I did last year and understand the hiking community is really great! Lots of good times ahead for all.Ok...about this physical training...it is going to get up to 50 today so I am taking an old pack (which is heavy than the Gregory G Pack I will hike with) and loading it up to go hike at one of our parks. Training for the trail here is difficult in that our terrain is so flat so....I will carry the weight and find an incline when I can...also my daughter has an eliptical bike which I use about 3 days a week..probably should get on that more especially now! Oh well...will do what I can do.Take care everyone...oh really great to hear from those of you who sign our guestbook...always a good way to meet new people and share emails!See you on the trail!
Date: 2007-03-01
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Maildrops...check...gear...check...post office...check...bank...check...oh gee the list goes on for preparation for the trail but we are making progress! We have had the great fortune to take the last two days and celebrate, with friends, family, and coworkers, my husband's retirement from Logan Aluminum in Russellville,Ky. It was a tearful while joyful goodbye to almost 24 years of service...lots of good friends...great trips..many close coworkers...we know he was fortunate to have been associated with all of his coworkers and to have worked in such a unique environment. A special thanks to all who helped to plan Tree's potluck and his reception...OUTSTANDING ! Really...thank you all very much!! Retired!! Yep, he did it...we are now able to focus on the next six months and make this hike a reality.Today it is rainy here at home...a perfect day to pour over maps and think about gear. We feel like we are really getting organized and have high hopes of sitting back and relaxing a few days before we leave...Weds, March 14th to travel and actually start getting miles behind us on the 15th! Sounds like we are going to be in great company and we look forward to meeting everyone along the way.Stay tuned...we hope to be able to update our journal often and we look forward to hearing from all of you when you sign our guestbook! Happy hikes to all!
Date: 2007-03-08
From: home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone,   Time is flying by and we are about to wrap up the details of closing down the house and all our maildrops...time to enjoy the family and grandkids this weekend. Thanks to all of you who have been soooo supportive...we could not do this without your help.   Next week we leave on Weds to drive down and Thursday we hit the trail. Oh I just can not wait for those sore bones, tired legs, dizzy head, and cold hands....but...along with all of that comes great views, many new friends, animal sightings, and a fabulous walk in the woods. This will also be the first time my husband and I have been able to "vacation" together for a long period of time...oh gee....should we rethink this retirement thing...hmmmmm. No...I am sure we will have a great time! Our hiking friend David is really getting wound up...seems he has put "A LOT' of his preparation work off until now! Come on David!! Belly up!! We are about to leave! Got to run...need to finish a few more chores before hitting the sack tonight...oh I will miss our comfortable, warm bed...I digress...OK...look forward to hearing from you all! Stay in touch.Please let the Ibuprofen work!
Date: 2007-03-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is the day...yes! We are finally heading south! Tree and I are anxiously awaiting our ride to Georgia. Our plans for the day are to go to Amicalola Visitors Center to weigh our packs and sign in. We would like to then go to the lodge for dinner after which we will drive a short distance to the Hiker Hostel. Tomorrow is the big day...we start hiking! Forecast is for rain....yippee...wet on the first day...oh well...could be a sign!Lane and Riley...we love you and will miss you. Send us a picture of you playing ball...These boots need to make tracks!
Date: 2007-03-15
To: Hightower Gap
Miles today: 8.1

the first day...what can I say! We are all really excited with the added bonus of having Nancye accompany us on this first leg of the trail...she is a real trooper...first giving us a ride down and then hanging out with us overnight in the hostel and then....hiking the first leg with us!! Thanks again Nancye for all your help and support! Our first day on the trail was a great day! The weather was very mild, sky was blue and the sun was shining. We hiked to Long Creek Falls for our lunch break and then back on the trail again until we reached Hightower Gap. Along the way we came across Cherokee Tom...I had been emailing him prior to getting on the trail...he was having a little bit of a difficult time so we were glad to come along and give him a hand. Nancye had been with him a little while and let us know what we might do to help him.. glad to know you are now good Cherokee!!! The trail from Springer to Hightower Gap is pretty soft and not too strenuous...a nice way to start out. So far we have met...Cimarron, Bear Bag, Trocar, Plod, Buckles, Deborah, Josh, Leigh, the Old Man, Jamie, and sorry to say many others who I can't recall at this moment...sorry but my journal is two stories down and I don't want to give up my computer time to go get it...if I failed to mention your Name I will later....anyway...we have been staying here at the Hiker Hostel and the faces have changed everyday...we will try to keep you posted on the hikers we meet. In a couple of weeks it appears the environment on the trail will be changing quickly...the plants are all at various stages of bloom...should absolutely be a beautiful spring...supposed to turn off very cold tomorrow..we feel very fortunate to be here...wow....what an experience!! Need to go....will try to update soon!
Date: 2007-03-16
From: Hightower Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Man...what a difference one night can make in the weather...yesterday the temps were in the 50's, blue skies, and plenty of sunshine to welcome us to the trail....then overnight it began to rain...and rain...and rain...yep a steady rain allllll night and the temps have plummeted...we began our hike today in cooollllddd drizzly rain, lots of fog, and the windchill kept the temp to about 28...reallly cold. we were hoping for the clouds to break up by the afternoon and at least get to see some blue skies but that did not happen...mountains stayed socked in all day and into the night.we made the best of our day tho....just kept our heads down and plowed on to Gooch shelter in hopes of getting a break in the weather and wind...no such luck! Really windy around the shelter but we stopped in and spoke to Twinkles who was getting back on the trail for the day..then we met Hurdy Gurdy Man along with Granny Hero and Seattle Sailor. Granny Hero is celebrating her 70th birthday on the trail this year so if you see her cheer her on!!!!We pushed on until Woody gap where we met with a shuttle to head back to the hostel....way to cold to stay out tonight....lots of hikers bailing due to the night temps tonight expected to be in the teens!!! Chilly on the mountain.I did have a pleasant surprise last night...Snake (who finished the trail last year and I got to hike with a little along the way) showed up at the hostel. We had a good talk...nice to catch up with folks...great to see him!We also met a couple who live in Maine. They flew down to hike north so that they can hike home...Troll and his wife...she does not have a trail name yet. Hope to see them again...last I heard they were at Woody gap and planning to get off Monday at Helen, Ga.....hope to see them again further up the trail.By the way...to all of you who have emailed and/or signed our guest book...thanks...really a surprise to see so many and we need the encouragement along with the news from home!OK...need to work on some things in my pack...hope to be in touch soon.Keep on hiking!!!!
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Happy St. Patricks day!!!! we began our hike today from the Woody Gap parking lot....22 degrees and fallling!!! Yep ..it does get cold in these Georgia hills!!! Snowflakes and ice in the air this morning...gradually cleared through the day but the winds are still strong and cold...nice to at least see the sun and a few views along the way.   Lots of people on the trail today since this area is fairly accessible to the general public so...there are two trail runners, two boy scout troops, and one family group out to try and enjoy one night on the trail!!! Hope they have one clothes and gear!!!! We are really happy with our clothes for this cold weather...our layers consist of our base layer (hiking pants and shirt) then we added our rain pants and fleece ear warmer, then our down jackets and gloves and then our Marmot rain coat for a wind break! Believe it or not most of the time we were comfortable but on occassion (when the wind blew really hard) we would get a little cold! All in all tho we were really happy with our choices.Made it to Blood Mtn shelter early afternoon...hoped to have lunch there and enjoy the view off the back overlooking the valley but the wind really picked up and there boy scouts running amuck like crazy so...we kept on movin! Headed down to Neel's gap to go into the Walasi-Yi Center and warm up. Pirate was there...he is here working again this year...Pirate makes his way up and down the trail for most of the season...works at several places and then moves on...retired navy man and is quite the character...fun to see him again.Dave B., Tree and myself went to a St. Patrick's Day party at the Hiker Hostel...great food...cabbage, corned beef, potatoes, fresh bread....keg on the deck...yeehaaa!!! Stumpknocker showed up and we had a good visit. got to meet several new people and hope to get to know them better.Trail duties calling...need to run!
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Neel's Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Shorter day today but a super hike!!!! Temps in the mid to upper 30's and the sun was shining all day and best of all.....NO WIND!!!! That made for a much better day and hike.   Most of the trail from Neel's Gap to Hogpen is not too strenuous and then.....you have to descend into Tesnatee Gap....that is one lonnnnnggggg way down and fairly steep only to be followed by one straight uuuuppppp mountainside to get back up to Hogpen Gap. tired...really tired today....feet hurt..but I am so proud of how well we are all progressing. this week the weather is to improve each day so hopefully we can make some miles. Today is Jaime's birthday...she and Paul bought the Appalachian Trail Lodge in Millinocket and will be heading north April 1. Everyone went to the mexican restaurant for dinner to celebrate. Nice people, we had Margarita and Taco's, Enchilada's...lots of good stuff. We should be in Hiawassee on Thursday...may be able to update the journal then.....until then....we miss you all!!!Lane and Riley....Chris and Trey...Michael...and all of our family...thanks again for all of your support and sweet messages...we miss you and hope to talk to you soon.to all who are helping with home, maildrops, yard, cars...etc....we really appreciate everything!!!Come see us!!
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Nice, clear cool day today. Hiked from Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap....had a great day. Most of the trail was pretty soft...seems a lot is on an old logging road. Went down to Lowgap Shelter to sign the register and get water. Met One too many and Hangman.   They were here for the St. Patricks Day party...man they had a big one.   Some of the hikers hitched into town and came back with several cases of beer, lots of food, and also included a fiddle player. There was also a guy there who is getting married soon so they also had a bachelor's party as well...another words...no sleep in low gap last night!!!    Tree is having a great time. Beginning to get in the mindset of the trail...noticing the blooms, animals, and terrain. He knows a lot of trees and signs of spring...great to have him along. Ok...need to try to catch up on other entries....having trouble getting to a computer that will actually let me get to this journal...I think the website was down a couple of days too.   Having a great time....more miles to come!
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Left Unicoi Gap today at 9:15....can't seem to get an early start...I guess we will sooner or later...trying to avoid the heat. Anyway...we hiked today to Sassafras Gap campsite. During the day we climbed Tray Mtn....long, hard climb...stopped into Tray shelter and of course had to call our son-in-law Trey! He was busy at the barber shop but sounded good and said everybody at home is doing fine. While we were at the shelter we met the ridgerunner Josh...nice young man who is working in this position until Nov. 1. Today we had our first Trail Magic!!! We stopped at the Cheese Factory site to have lunch when out of the woods (literally) came Holly Trout and Slick B. They both thruhiked last year and have journals. They wanted to do something for the hikers this year so they have brought in cold beer, drinks, and a grill to cook some bratwurst tonight. Had a great visit with them...enjoyed hearing some of the tales of the trail from last year. Thanks to Holly Trout and Slick B. everyone appreciates your generosity. oh...they also had a guitar and banjo with them....fun!!!! We also met Joe today....trailname now is Vanilla Gorilla...hope to see him further up the trail. Pulled into Sassafras gap around 5. No one else in the campsite....we had a nice campfire, got water, watched the sunset and went to bed early. Early in the morning we awoke to the sounds of owls in the distance and a beautiful sunrise...wow....there are many joys of the trail. Tired, tired...hope to push into Hiawassee tomorrow. Need a break. Adios!
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dick's Creek
Miles today: 7.2

Shorter day today!   We hiked into Dick's Creek Gap with Stinger, Swamp Dog, Ranger, McDuff, and Joe. Ranger and McDuff are staying at Cloud 9 while the rest of us are going on to Hiawassee Inn. The hardest push today was to get over Kelly Knob!!! Wow...tough...right straight up from 3200' to 4276' in about 3/4 mile...tough ...but we made it. Cold and fogged in on top...could not get much of a view but we were definately glad to be here. The trail today is nice and wide...easier to make a little time on. We are enjoying passing both and forth with other hikers and hearing about their hikes and family. David has decided he needs a new trailname...Fly Away...he is sooo fast...on some days he has waited as much as two hours...I am sure he will go on his own hike after Hiawassee since we have decided to take a zero day and he does not want to so...he has flown the coop so to speak.   Thanks again to all who have signed our guest book!
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Dick's Creek

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

Had a great day in Hiawassee...we met M&M, Not Guilty, Rags, Waffle, Kiwi, Hangman, One too Many, and others....lots of hikers in yesterday. Left Dick's Creek with Waffle and Fred. The weather was clear and beautiful but hot! 87 degrees...too hot!!!! Our goal today is Muskrat Creek Shelter...11.2 day...turns out this was mostly an uphill day....hot and hard...long and steep! Coming out of Bly Gap is especially steep,...we huffed and puffed but finally made it to the summit. Something we have noticed is the gnats here in Georgia are HUGE!!! Tree refers to them as Goliath Gnats! They bite so hard...we have huge places where they have vicously swarmed and attacked...geezz....you would think with this trail funk aura would keep everything away from you but it doesn't!!! Tree led the way most of the day as Bluebelle was desperately trying to breath! Wo....tough!!!Anyway...we made it to our campsite around 5:30. Luckily there was a little creek where we hid from other cam0pers to bathe and revive ourselves. Cold water and a bandana can do a hiker a world of good. We had stroganoff for dinner...yum, yum....watched a fabulous sunset while toasting witha little Ky. bourbon ( yes we carry a small flask for medicinal purposes) and also celebrated completing our first state! Whoopee! Georgia is finished and we are putting miles begind us in North Carolina!   Having a great time, working hard and looking forward to the cahnges in our bodies which we hope will allow us to complete the miles we want to hike a little more efficiently.   continuing to observe the birth of spring....small buds on the trees, peaks of green tips emerging from the ground, a few wildflowers, woodpeckers, hawks, a garter snake...all reminding us of the season to come. Hangman came in late...nice young ma...trying to catch up with One too many but we think he is really waiting for someone else....mystery woman?????   OK - off to bed...tired, tired...thanks for all the emails and support.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the campsite around 9...we can't seem to get moving any earlier so maybe this will be our MO. Today we conquered Standing Indian Mtn.   (5498') wasn't as bad as we thought...the ascent was a gradula climb, nuch less harsh than out of Bly Gap. Trail is a pretty soft and not too many rocks or roots today. Went into Standing Indian shelter just long enough to sign the register and get a drink. Today was clear and hot..we did get some great views of the valley from the summit. We took a sidetrail to the best vista and sat and visited with a young man who is a painter in Franklin. He had a coworker with him...they were out for two nights. He told us about how he and his wife lived in Brevard at one time and come up to this area to perform trail magic for the hikers. On one trip back to Brevard they spotted a house here in Franklin and moved. Really friendly and nice young man...we decided to nickname him Magic Painter...wonder if he could use that trailname??? Hiked today with Stealth Blew and Kiwi...we keep swapping positions of the trail. Ended our day @ Carter Gap around 5. Met a gentleman at the shelter who loves these mountains and is quite knowledgable about the trails. We were especially happy to have the oportunity to meet and visit with him when he revealed the only reason he was out this night was due to the fact that his daughter agreed to stay overnight with his wife who is fighting cancer. ...we are so very fortunate.Time to turn in.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Lots of miles today...we know this part of the trail is a little more downhill and softer so we knew we could make the miles.   The hardest part of the trail today is Mt. Albert....5250'....the last part of this climb is all rocks and boulders...really hot and hard for Bluebelle but Tree just flew up.   Once on the top you are under a firetower and have a magnificent view of the valley and Franklin, NC>   Great today!!!   Looked up also and here comes Vanilla Gorilla (Joe)....glad to see him again!   Stopped in to Big Spring shelter for water...saw NOBOhiker and Mr. Hanky Man. Really great day today!! Lots of goals met!!! We have passed the 100 mile mark!!!! Yippee!!!! We also walked right by two baby bear cubs....they were climbing up a tall tree in a grove of rhododendrum where we think the mother bear was in the grove...we did wait and watch to try to be safe...NOBOhiker and Mr. Hanky were the hikers who actually showed us the cubs...they were afraid to continue on the trail around the bears until we went with them....I guess they wanted bait ahead of them...anyway...we got some great pictures! Also found this fabulous tree at the mouth of a spring runoff of the mountain...fabulous cold clear water....OK...long hike into town but we made it....going to stay at the Sapphire Inn and take a zero day....need to run to the outfitters and get a little bit of laundry done.....talk to you later......
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero Day in Franklin...needed to get laundry washed, make a trip to the outfitters, catch up on our journal and try to get some rest. We were shuttled around by Ronnie Haven...we stayed at the Sapphire Inn and it is great!! Great hiker rates! Ronnie took us to the Epicsopal Church for an all you can eat home cooked dinner...really good...homemade chicken enchilada's....wonderful...Thanks Ronnie!!! Swampfoot, Sauce Master, Kiwi, Slinky Dog all here for the night....moving on tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Franklin

To: Licklog Gap
Miles today: 10.3

Hiked from Winding Stair to Licklog Gap...hard, hard, hot and uphill...we did take the time to go up on Siler Bald...we met the members of the Mountain High Hikers club...took some pictures ...and enjoyed our conversation with them. The day was a little overcast so we did not have the best views but it was nice just to be there.Continued on up the trail and also crossed Wayah Bald...there is a stone tower there which gaves us a nice view of the valley below. Tree was excited because you could see Whitetop Mtn. from there as well as many of the mountains we have already summited! Nice! We are making progress.The day continued to be hot and humid...we stopped several times just to cool off around some of the mountain springs...sometimes a bandana dipped in that cool spring water is just the best!!! Can't believe that at this time of year we are hiking in such heat...oh well,,, better than the other extreme. Finally decided to stop for the night at Licklog Gap...nice campsite with rock firepit. We were able to quickly get a fire started which helps to keep the gian gnats at bay....got the tent set-up and began to cook supper when here came M&M, Bowleg and Bono. They decided to camp at the same spot. Nice to have someone to visit with around the fire. Well better move on...lots to do...more journal entries to come.