morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-02-26
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0

Got a lot of the food dehydrated already. Going to make some jerky tomorrow, and finish up some sewing on the tent and poncho. I might take a trip to REI to get a down sweater. I'm usually a pretty warm type body but it does get pretty cold in GA this time of year. Leaving next week; Amtrak to ATL then MARTA to Gainesville then shuttle by Paddy's to AFSP. I should be on top of Springer by 10 AM on Mar 7...50 years to the hour from when I was born. Nice birthday present to myself.NOTE: it is said that "the best laid plans of mice and men aft gang agly." How true
Date: 2011-02-27
To: Still preparing
Miles today: 0.0

Still getting things ready to go. I may have to delay by about a week. I was expecting some checks to get here and they haven't shown up yet...I can't leave until I get them. I've got all my food dried and packed up, now all I have to do is make up the maildrop boxes. Still breaking in the new boots...they feel real good and I think they'll do just fine. Went for some walks today and I'll probably do a few miles on the treadmill tonight.
Date: 2011-03-03
To: Ready, Set, GO!
Miles today: 0.0

I've got all the food packed into the drop boxes. Just got back from a last minute shopping trip tonight. Picked up some more food that might be hard to come by on the trail, things like Nutella and Malted milk mix. I still have to make a small mod to my poncho. I need to add about 12" of fabric or so to the tail and add some snaps. The extra fabric will keep my legs covered with the pack on and the snaps will keep it closed somewhat when the wind blows. I'm also going to add a tie to it just to see if it helps prevent it from billowing.Oh one other thing...I'm going to be starting the trail on the 8th rather than the 7th. I was expecting some checks that I knew would not arrive until today. I wasn't sure so I put off buying my Amtrak ticket until I had the money in hand. You just know what would have happened if I didn't
Date: 2011-03-06
To: 1:21 train to Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Because there is no midnight train to GA from Philly!Last night at home and the day before the 50th anniversary of my successful uterine expulsion. Everything is packed, batteries are charged, all the maildrop boxes are ready to be shipped and I'm amped up right now. I've got my ride arranged and I don't think I'll be able to sleep a whole lot tonight.A friend of mine wrote this:Be present and notice every living thing and also non living things that comes before your path.With every foot step realize that it is your foot step, hear the crunch of the earth and be present to every last step.Learn as I have not that you have a self. Gosh, the only way that I might know to do that, is when you hear your footstep crunch on the earth, to know that it is your footstep and it is you that are making this sound.Be conscious of ever moment.See when a simple leaf falls from a sycamore tree.And by God notice for me every sycamore you pass, because that is the most majestic tree on earth.When your feet are sore remember what your purpose is.Walk for all of the lonely and sad people when you feel you cannot make another step. Walk for me. Lonely is the most horrific sad feeling anyone could ever have.Every time a leaf drops from a tree along your path think of me thinking of you.When I walk I will do the same.Smell the wood forest for me and know I am smelling the same.When it rains huddle up and see the candle I will burn for you.
Date: 2011-03-07
To: Hikers Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

I just had one more thing to do before I left and that was to go and get my hair cut. My last haircut was 4/19/2007 and that was the day before I left to do the HF to Kent section. This year is a little different...I'm donating all the hair to Locks Of Love, a charity that makes wigs for people who are losing their hair due to apopecia or medical hair loss, usually from radiation or chemo treatments, and those people are usually kids. When I started to let my hair grow out I wasn't thinking of doing this it just happened that way. Anyway I went to the salon this morning and did then deed. My stylist, Aubrey, removed a ponytail 16" long and it is now on it's way to the LOL offices in Florida to be made into a wig.One other charity that is near and dear to my heart is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Diabetes hit hit our home 5 years ago when my oldest daughter was diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile onset diabetes. She' a brave kid and a real trooper. She handles it now just like any other function in her life, but all the same it is still a debilitating and deadly disease. I haven't set anything up for on TrailJournals.com or WhiteBlaze.com or even FaceBook for donations to JDRF, but if you want to donate to them I'm sure they would be glad to hear from you. I stepped on the scale this morning and clothed in my hiking gear, I weighed in at 257lbs. I'm hoping to weigh a considerable amount less than that upon returning. Most of that was put on when I quit smoking last year for my birthday. My pack weight is 28lbs. w/ food but no water or fuel.
Date: 2011-03-08
From: Hikers Hostel 

To: Hikers Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

After a long and exhaustive ride on the train, I arrived late, but safe at Gainesville. I thought I would be able to catch a little sleep on the train. I was right...I caught very little sleep. a lot of noise and the seats aren't the most comfortable in the world. It was a different experience though, I've never travelled by train before, and I must say it was interesting. The train was sidelined north of Toccoa for almost an hour while track maintenance was being done. I was supposed to get in around 7AM but didn't arrive until 8:30. I have a reservation at the Hiker Hostel in Blairsville and it includes a shuttle from the station. Leigh Saint, one of the owners of the Hostel is aptly named she has the patience of a saint. She was there, bright and cheery, waiting for me to arrive. The Hostel is beautiful and has great views of the Georgia mountains. I can't post any pics just yet but as soon as I can I will...promise.
Date: 2011-03-09
From: Hikers Hostel

To: Springer Mountain shelter
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Woke at around 6 this morning and it is POURING! It's forecast to get worse but I don't have the option to stay here tonight, then place is booked solid. Got all packed up and went down to have breakfast...bacon, eggs and grits. We got started for the trail around 9 or so. There were a few other hikers to be dropped off at the visitors center at Amicalola. Art Gypsy , Andrew Becky and I all got dropped off at FS 42 parking lot. It is still pouring and now the wind is blowing pretty strong as well. It became apparent to me almost immediately that my poncho was not doing a very good job. My clothes were getting wet very quickly and I knew I wasn't going to be able to make it much further than the Springer Mountain shelter. Got to the shelter after the short walk to the top. I'll have to save going to the summit for tomorrow. There were a few guys just leaving as I got there. Changed into dry clothes and resolved to buy a pack cover and rain coat or hard shell when I got to Neel's About a half hour later another hiker stopped in for the night. His name is Sean (Kilo-3) and he's trying to thru-hike as well. A little while later, Dave the shelter caretaker stopped in to deliver some wood chips for the privy and deliver the usual rant about LNT. We had a nice chat, had dinner. I can here the Rangers training down the hill. That and the thunder and lightning gives me a nice cozy feeling about being in a metal roofed structure on top of a hill in a lightning storm...heh! Went to bed around 7 and hoped the rain and mist doesn't soak the rest of my gear.
Date: 2011-03-10
From: Springer Mountain shelter

To: Hawk Mtn shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Woke this morning to a very cold wind and snow! Had b/f and started to the summit at 10. Got up ther and it was snowing like crazy! Took a couple of pics of the plaques and the summit, signed the log book and start4ed down the hill at a very quick pace. Just past the parking lot at FS42, I ran into a hiker named Greg, his wife and her father. She told me that he was heading to Springer to see the summit before he started his thru-hike. Well he was going the wrong direction so I told her that and she yelled up the trail "Greg...Turnaround!" I looked at him and I said "that's your trailname!...Turnaround" So Greg, if you're reading this...I know it's not the trail name you probably envisioned...but Oh Well! Good luck on the trail. He took to the name and it does have a humourous story behind it.Had lunch at Stover Creek shelter and it was snowing pretty heavily there as well. Got to Hawk Mtn and there was room inside the shelter so I set up my stuff and had dinner. There are a bunch of other folks here and I'll probably never remember all their names, but here go's...Walking Man (Chris), Wild Card, Black Thunder (Ty), Roman, Nosebleed (Robert), Sean (Kilo-3) and quite a few other that I didin't catch their names.
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Hawk Mtn shelter

To: Gooch Mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6:45 b'f and packed early took a few pics of the shelter in the snow. On the road at 8:15. The first mile or so was fairly easy, but the climb up Sassafras and Justus Mountains kicked my ass! I'm out of shape and uptil a year ago, I smoked several cigars a day. My old lifestyle is catching up to me with a vengance! I stopped for breaks at the tops of both mountains. Took a long break at Blackwell Creek. Talked to TJ, another thru-hiker. Got to the Gooch Mtn. shalter about 3:30 and the place was packed. I decided to tent on the hill next to the shelter. The shelter is nice but the tentsites are not level so I spent most of the night sliding down the hill. Had Teriyaki Noodles and coffee for dinner...just what I needed...something hot and delicious! I decided to try for Jarrard Gap tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-12
From: Gooch Mtn shelter

To: Dockery Creek Trail / Dan Gap
Miles today: 7.5

Woke around 7A. Had b/f up at the shelter with everyone else. Swift, who was tenting at the tentsite just above mine made some comments on my snoring. What can I say...I snore...at least I'm somewhat polite about it...I'll stay up later than everyone else just so they can get to sleep first. We had a long conversation last night about hiker midnight..9PM and how it just doesn't work until the sun starts to set later. I usually just time my sleep to give me 8 hrs. from when I want to wake up. I headed out last and just made a slow and steady progress all day. My legs are very sore and my ankle is hurting, so I don't want to cause any more damage. I'll be OK I just don't want to hurt myself to where I'm out of the game. Stopped at Woody Gap and there was some trail magic...water. that was nice. Took a nice long break, talked to some touristas and a weekend warrior type. The climb up Big Cedar Mtn. wasn't bad but I knew that I wasn't going to make it to Jarrard Gap before dark so I stopped at the Dockery Lake Trail crossing in Dan Gap. There was a tent already set up there and I thought it was a couple but I was wrong sorta...a father and daughter out for the weekend were there. I set my tent up and talked with then a bit, made a fire and cooked my dinner. Double Ramen platter...YUM! If you do the Ramen right and load it up with dehydrated veggies and meat...it ain't bad. Inbed by 7:30 just as the stars were coming out.Pics today: The Gooch Gap sign for the Gooch at home, Views from the top of Big Cedar Mtn. and the campsite.
Date: 2011-03-13
From: Dockery Creek Trail 

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: few clouds

Slept fitfully most of the night due to back pain. I awoke around 6:45 or so I thought. I forgot that we set the clocks back last night. so I'm cruising along all morning thinking I'm like way ahead of schedule, when somebody I was talking to said he had forgot to change his watch back! I had packed and started out right away because I didn't have any water, so I went to the next creek crossing and had b/f and got some water. Had a second b/f at Jarrard Gap. Sardines in Louisiana Hot Sauce with Oatmeal...YUM! Had lunch at Slaughter Creek and then began the ascent of Blood Mtn. It was long and steep, but not that bad. Took a break at the top and looked around. Took a lot of pics today. The views from the top of Blood are fantastic.I'm also really glad that I didn't make the decision to stay at the Blood Mtn. shelter at the top. It's very old and has a concrete floor. It looks very dirty and I think it would suck every last ounce of warmth from you if you did sleep there. Went down the mtn. and stopped at the Byron Reece Mem trail junction to take some pics of the famous balancing rock. Got to Walasi-Yi around 3:30 and checked in. The first order of business was to get a coat and a pack cover. I knew what it was that I wanted and they had it in my size so I was an easy sale. Baltimore Jack was the salesman. I'm going to bring my pack in tomorrow when it's loaded so that Jack can fit the cover. Bought some food stuff from the store and went and got a shower and ddi laundry. Took a lot of pics of the Hostel and the views surrounding the area. It's beautiful here and theres a lot of traffic from motorcycles because the road is a world class twisty. Pirate the Hostel Caretaker made spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I'm here with Roman the Moravian, Robert (nosebleed), Turnaround, Restless, Peregrine from SC, Commanche and Prince from NO.I've been hiking in shorts and tee shirts for the last 2 days and didn't even write about it, because I was so caught up in other things at the time or I didn't have time to update.
Date: 2011-03-14
From: Neel's Gap

To: Whitley Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at 6:30. Had a good night's sleep for a change. Tossed and turned a little but I don't think it bothered the other guys in the hostel...they were snoring like the London Philharmonic. They have crowned me the snoring champion. So I guess that makes me the conductor. Like I said in an earlier post, I usually let everyone else get to sleep first even if it sucks to have to do that. One of the reasons I like tenting. Note to self: Spend less time analysing progress and more time MAKING progress. I'm doing the same thing that I was doing in '07. I'd spend a lot of the time on the trail checking my position and computing my speed, my pace, location, how far to go ...etc.Had b/f, bagels and cream cheese, pop tarts and coffee. YUM!I'm waiting for the store to open so I can get the pack cover fitted. I got the raincoat last night.I'm going to need to rethink...no, replan my itinerary. Actuallly I ought to just throw the damn thing out. I had originally planned on doing Springer to Neel's in 3 days, but it ended up taking 5. OK, so the first day was a wash...literally...but I'm still 2 days behind. I was planning on making the Low Gap shelter today but I'll have to tent somewhere nearby instead if I don't get going soon. I definitely underestimated the mountains down here. My eyes are bigger than my feet. I am out of shape and that will change but for now , I'll have to settle for the miles I've been doing and build from there. Not a big deal. The forecast is calling for heavy rain later today and into tonight. I don't want to tent in it if I can help it. I may stop at Whitley Gap shelter even though it is 1.2 mi off the trail and a long way down the hill. I got to the Tesnatee Gap and there wee a bunch of kids playing frisbee. I asked if there was water at the Hogpen Gap and they said there wasn't. So I decided to stay at Whitley. About an hourlater Prince rolled in. We had the shelter all to ourselves. Dinner of Backpackers Pantry Pad Thai with spicy Thai tuna added. YUM! double YUM!The GATC does a real good job with this shelter. It shows signs of lots of use but is very clean and seemingly well kept. I went to the privy and there was no roof! Doesn't look like there ever was one!
Date: 2011-03-15
From: Whitley Gap shelter

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

It started to rain about 4AM. About 5AM the hiker known as "That One Guy" showed up he wouldn't come into the shelter and just stood outside in the rain. I told him to come inbut he'd just hover around the corner of the shelter and occasionally peek in. When I did get up at 6, I told him to come on in and he said he didn't want to wake us up. He had stopped to take a nap at tesnatee the night before and didn't set his tent. when it rained he abandoned pad and sleeping bag and made for Whitley. 7AM...Still pouring rain and pretty cold too. A hiker named Tim (Tenderfoot) showed up because he was getting wet. He sat in the shelter and I took a real nice pic of him with the 'stare'. I got started around 11 or so once the rain let up. I still wore my new rain gear and it worked good. I was a bit too warm but that was because I was wearing thermal pants under the rain pants. All in all, a good walk , if too short. I've been thinking a lot lately about my Dad and how he got me started on all this hiking business. I'm grateful that he did. Thanks Dad! Got to low Gap around 2:30. The walk seemed kinda fast but it really wasn't. I ran into Matt (Treebeard) at the top of the Low Gap where he was busy getting a fire going in the rain..an impressive bit of woodsmanship! Smiling Jack and his buddy are here. along with Terry (Sugar Daddy), EnZed from NZ, High Five, Tyler and Eric(Forrest Gimp), Booksmarts. Turned out later that K-3 and Prince were both tenting up the hill. The crew here is all hunkered down in the shelter trying to stay warm and dry, telling jokes and generaly having a good time. Most of my thermal stuff is wet so I hope it doesn't get too cold tonight. Had a nice dinner of Shepards Pie mashed Taters which really impressed the crowd...they were about to call me Emeril, but I've already got a good trail name.
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Blue Mountain shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up around 7A but stayed in the bag until 7:30 or so. It's not too cold out but the chill is enough to make me want to stay nice and warm as long as possible. Hit the trail around 9:15 and was at the Blue Mountain shelter around 1P. I got there and saw the view and said to myself that this would be a great place to catch a sunrise. Indeed it was! I find that I hike faster when I'm cold...when I started this morning I was rolling along about 2.5 MPH, but I dropped down to 1 MPH when the trail started getting rocky. I started off wearing my fleece and long pants and about 3 mi. shy of Blue I stopped to take them off. The temps were up and down all day so I just left the darn things off and if I get cold ...walk faster! I did get to hear some real quiet when I stopped. Not a sound except the forest and a few birds. It takes a while for it to sink in when you hear it but real quiet is a treat!When I got to the shelter there was a couple who were cleaning up the place. Booksmarts and Sugar Daddy were there but moved on. The place filled up quickly and I made the decision to tent that night. It was so worth it! K-3, Chris ( Riverdance) and I made the decision to room at Hiawassee tomorrow when we get in ...it'll cut down on our costs.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Blue Mountain shelter

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn, Hiawassee GA
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: clear sky

Woke at 6 this AM. got up right away despite the cold and staked out a good spot in the area for some pics of the sunrise. Got a few decent ones...I'll get them uploaded as soon as I can. Started down the mountain at 8:30 and was there by 9:30...too bad the shuttle doesn't come until 11:00. There was a trail magic box near the bottom but it was empty....waaaah! Met Uncas at the bottom. He had called Padd'ys Taxi to take him into Hiawassee. While we were there, Gene the other shuttle in town showed and offered us a ride, but I deferred because I had already asked Bob from Hiawassee to come and get us...I didn't know the 2 of them work together doing this. Got to town at 12 showered got some supplies, went to the PO to pickup my maildrop. K3 and I walked about 1 mile to the other end of town to get some mexican for dinner. Nice place and very generous portions. We were discussing doing a slackpack from Dick's Creek back to Unicoi...16.1 miles...so we stopped at a few places on the way home to pickup stuff we'd need for that...snacks and energy drinks. Went to the Dollar General and was looking for a small backpack when I came up with the idea of getting a Hello Kitty backpack just for laughs. That would look funny... When we got home we made arrangements with Gene to take us and Rambler from Ambler...yes a guy from Ambler, PA. out to Dick's in the morning. In bed fairly early to be awake and fed at 6
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Hiawassee Budget Inn, Hiawassee GA

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn, Hiawassee GA
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Up at 6, got some grub and prepped and packed for the day. Gene Roll met us at 7 and took us all to Dick's Creek Gap. Rambler from Ambler is going North and K3 and I are going south. The first hour or so I was really going strong but a couple of the big hills really kicked my ass. Stopped for lunch at the Tray Mountain shelter. Ran into Uncas there...actually we were overtaken by Uncas, as he was doing the same thing as we were. He gave me some coffee to charge me up again...Thanks man! I really appreciate that! He also told us that Paddy's had charged him $46 to take him the 11 miles from Unicoi Gap into Hiawassee. Apparently that's the going rate if you have a cab. K3 and Uncas left before I did, I had to get some water from the spring. Ran into Riverdance and Robert at the top of Tray Mountain, also had a nice chat with an older couple who were out with their dogs. The rest of the walk was pretty goood until I got to Indian Graves Gap. I had heard there was trail magic there. I was too late! Boooo! Waaah! However Gip-C Girl was there, out of water and with no phone reception. She told me that Uncas and K3 were about a half an hour ahead of me ...so I hadn't lost that much time. She told me to have Robert the HBI shuttle guy pick her up there. When I got to the top of Rocky Mtn. I called K3 and relayed the message. I ran into That One Guy on the way down and was at the bottom by about 5. I was totally kicked and wouldn't have been able to do any more. Back home I got a quick shower, ate and did my laundry I also went across the street to a meeting. Bed never felt so good
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Hiawassee Budget Inn, Hiawassee GA

To: Hiawassee Budget Inn, Hiawassee GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero day Had to recover from the slack pack yesterday. It's nice to know that I can do the miles if I have to but that hike really took it all. I had to call on all my dead relatives and even the ones that weren't feeling so well to give me the strength I needed for that hike. In the end it was worth it and we actually gained a little ground even with the zero day! Went to Ingles to reup and get a few last minute items and ran into one of the fellows from last night at the PO. I went there because I promised Tyler I would take his box to the PO and make sure it got sent. This guy was a real friend and gave me a ride back to the hotel. Subway for b/f and lunch...DQ for dinner.