morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-01-05
To: waiting on March
Miles today: 0.0

We have been having a lot of rain and have not been on the trail much with the weather and the holidays.I have been working on my gear down to just about clothing and a still losing weight and don't want to rush as I want have the correct size. A little info about the new A.T. GuideI have not been as Weight conscious as I should be but take a look at this.2014 A.T. Guide 8.6   ounces 245 grams2015 A.T. Guide 11.8 ounces 335 grams 2015 A.T. Guide is 3.2 ounces heavier or 90 grams heavier.I have had some good friends and family that have helped me with a few things along the way and have saved me a good bit of money.Going to get back out this week and hike and ride my bike.Time is getting away and still a lot to do to be ready and to have my home and my mother taken care of with getting someone to take care of my yard and the church yard that I have been caring for.I have got some much needed repairs around my house that I am working on now.I also have a 110 gallon aquarium that I am tring to have ready with a new sump and a self changing water system. So many thing going on and I thought I would have all the time I needed with retirement, but it just seems like I am falling behind. Who would have thought that.Seems like every one told me that and I just said yea right with 7 days off a week I can be ready in no time.Well that about it for now got to get out and get started.And I want to say thanks to my friends and family for all the neat stuff they have given me.Thanks to Ryan,Eric and Dee the best sister one could have.
Date: 2015-01-09
From: waiting on March

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I went to Gadsden Al to meet Gary Forbus he is Thru hiking this year and leaving March 15 also. we had lunch at Fire House Subs and then went to Gadsden Outfitters and check out some new gear.Tonight I setup my tent to make sure all is ok.My Big Agnes Fairview 1 Tent with DryPitch technology.Very pleased with it.
Date: 2015-01-17
From: Hiking Pinhoti

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today my good friend Buddy L. And I Went out for a day on the Pinhoti.We hiked about 4.5 miles today with a total asent of 967 feet.Was in the upper twenty's this morning with a lot of cold wind at the summit.Looking forward to another two day of hiking in TN on Sunday and Monday.We made a stop at the new Hawkin's Hollow Shelter today.Awesome Shelter.Time to get some zzzzz's??Hike On
Date: 2015-01-18
From: Day Hiking in Tennessee

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After hiking on the Pinhoti yesterday we started a little later today I joined Buddy L. at 7:00a.m. at Walmart in Gadsden and head to Tennessee for two days of hiking while Buddy was activating Ham Radio's SOTA (Summits on the Air).We hiked to four summits on Sunday and three on Monday for a total of seven summits, with Saturday we did eight summits and a fair amount of hiking and a few Geocaches along the way. We did one really nice 110' Water Fall (Ozone Falls) Earthcache near Crab Orchard TN. N35°52.883 W084°48.618 Take a look if you get close you won't be disappointed. About Buddy L. he is a good friend I met while Geocaching, Buddy will be the one to drop me off at Springer Mt. on March 15 to start my Thru hike on The Appalachian Trail and will be there to hike Mt. Katahdin in ME. and be the one to bring me Home.Hike On.....
Date: 2015-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I am all ready as far as I know for a March 15, 2015 hike.But I know I have forgotten more then one thing.As of now I have all of my gear but a few stuff sacks that are delayed in shipping due to weather and maybe they will be here tomorrow.I am still having problems with this site not letting me on unless I log on with Free-proxyserver.com. I have ask for help a few more time maybe I will be back on line soon. If not I am going to set up my own web page.Hike On....
Date: 2015-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well yesterday I got out to the Lake Guntersville State Park where I retired from to see some coworkers and on the way I stopped to hike a bit as I have been having some back problems, I hiked the Tom Bevill Trail and made the 4 mile loop. And then went up to see my friends. I left about 12:00 p.m. and on my way out of the park I thought it was so nice out today I would hike a little more so I went back to the trail head and made one more loop and it felt so good to be out I made one more trip around for a total of 12.3 miles.I ran out of water on the second trip around and I thought I would be ok but I was starving for water. started to get leg cramps in my calves just about the time I got back to the truck. I had a good night and no sore mussels to speak of. Well March 15 is just 6 days off I am ready just working on my mail drops now. Got every thing I need and some junk I may drop off along the way going to try to get all packed into my backpack today and put it on the scale. still have a few things to do around the house but the rain has set in for a week or so. May have to ask my nephew to take care of a few things for me.I have Three Nephews that are going to help around my house while I am away.They are the best.I am still having problems with this site not letting me on unless I log on with Free-proxyserver.com. I got an E-Mail from Leif from Trail Journals today and said he was working on it I just Replied to his E-Mail that it was still not working sure hope he can get me good access with out hiding my IP address sure hope he can get it worked out before I leave Saturday.Hike On
Date: 2015-03-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Started working on my pack, been hiking with it weighted now that I have everything, Wow got to leave some of my luxigerious of home at home. The weight adds up quick. Got out this morning in between rain storms and got about 5 miles in on my bike. The time is getting short and so many things to do. Thanks to Leif at trail journals.com for getting my journal page working, that saved me some time not having to setup a new page.Four more days.Hike On......
Date: 2015-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Only four more days till the journey begans and so many things to do.Got all mail drops for the first 1.5 to 2 months ready will be headed to the post office this afternoon.I have set up a E-Mail to use for the trail so if you are using one of my old E-Mails please use this one "2015Beep@gmail.com"I just had breakfast and will stop on my way home and put about $20.00 worth of gas in my tank so my nephew can start my truck about once a month. So looking forward to not buying gas for the next 5 to 6 months. I think all is just about ready for me to leave on Saturday.Hike On......
Date: 2015-03-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today turned out good got to have lunch with my mother and sister then home to try to finish up around the house.Then out to supper with some good friends from Gadsden Al. Now back home I got my pack all loaded with 3 liters of water and 5 days of food it was a challenge but I managed to get it all in.May work a bit more tomorrow to see if I can shave a bit more weight and repack a little better.One more day at home then off to Dahlonega, GA to the Hiker Hostel.Hike on.
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Springer Mountain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.8

I started out at the Springer Mt. Parking lot made our way to the plaque and got a few pictures then How Far and I started on our way.we made about 9.2 miles the first day the not too bad. After the first day How Far I split ways. Now I am hiking with Decaf and Onestep really nice couple. Day two was a bit slow only about 2.3 miles as we ran low on water and I found a little water coming out of some rocks and started pumping we were there for over two hours and ended up pumping about 12 to 15 liters of water. Then made it up to the top of sassafras Mt.we made camp and bear bagged our food had a good night . lots of wind.On the next day we made it to Gooch shelter 3.6 miles.Then day 3 we hiked 5.0 miles to woody gap with the rain coming in we decided to stay at Wolf Pen Gap and then take a 0 to let the rain pass by.We had pizza and some good snacks. The staff at Wolf Pen Gap are great and free shuttle service with a stay only $20.00 a night. Life is good and retirement is great. Thanks to everyone for all your support. Hike On.
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Woody Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

This is for the last 2 days on 3/20/15 we left Woody Gap and had a great hike we did about 3.5 miles and had to stop before Blood Mt. as we did not have Bear containers for our food to keep from making an 11 plus mile hike with the terrain of Blood Mt. We made it into camp about 1:00 pm and got came setup and got our first fire made that was not a total loss maybe better next not much dry wood after all the rain. Was nice to set up camp early and had my supper before it got dark. First time for Roman Noodles not to bad.we also had a little lite rain, note to self take off fleece jacket and put on rain jacket. Saturday 3/21/157.4 miles today.We broke camp early and was on the trail by by 8:00 am now that's early for us. Oops I woke everyone up an 1/2 hour early.Today our goal is to get over Blood Mt. and to Neel Gap I don't know what came over me but I had the stamina with no stopping me and moved ahead and summit ed Blood and waited on Onestep and DDecaf and had lunch on the ground. We took a lot of pictures and moved on our way.I knew bunks in the hostel would be short with the number of hikers at Lance Creek so I put it in hi gear and stormed down Blood Mt. In hopes of getting one of The Blood Mt.Cabins I got down in less then an hour and a half. Then I hiked down to the cabins and got a cabin and hiked back up to Neels gap to meet my hiking buddy's coming off the mt. We got supper and settled in for the night.Looks like we have more rain coming in.I am having the time of my life. I kicked Blood Mt's Butt. Hike On. ......
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Blood Mt. Cabins

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well we are taking a Zero day today got into the cabins late yesterday afternoon. Nice two bedroom, sure beats the hostel with 32 people and one bathroom. Was rain in the forecast but not much yet. Nice to catch my breath. We walked back up to Neels gap and got a bite to eat now the laundry should be done.Hike On. ..........
Date: 2015-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.2

This is for last three days.We left Neel Gap and hiked to Hope gap.Was a good day we Covered 6.9 miles and camped with 4 other thru hikers. We skipped the Whitley shelter as it was 1.2 miles off the trail.Tuesday 24 we made it to Poplar Stamp for a total of 6.0 miles stopped at Low Gap shelter to get water and use the privy man that thing needed to be serviced. Then we moved on maybe a mile more and set up camp about down the trail. Had a good night with a bit of snoring coming from the tent beside me and then had to get the earplugs out. Not a bad night then up early to find a squirrel or chipmunk had filled my body with hickory nuts must have been 15 nuts in it. I though it was Decaf messing with me. Just to funny. So we made our way on down the trail now Wednesday I moved ahead of Onestep and Decaf and had lunch on top of Blue Mt. Them down the Mt to Unicoi Gap and toy surprise there was trail magic. I had 2 cokes and orange 2 cupcakes and a few goodies to go. The shuttle was about an hour late getting there to pick me up. No big deal was having a great team talking to the trail angel and other hikers.Well the shuttle showed up and off we go. now after about 20 minutes we got to the motel to see the GBI and 2 or 3 hiawassee city police in the parking lot. Turns out to be a sad day while doing our laundry I went up the service station and asked the clerk if she had heard what had happened as I saw them roll the body out on a gurney. She told me a hiker had committed suicide. Very sad for sure. Well that's about it for now going to resupply in the morning and hit the trail.Hike On. ...
Date: 2015-03-26
From: Unicoi Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.7

To day I left Onestep and Decaf they went to the hospital to get an x-ray and I left for the trail. I was able to grab the 11:00 am shuttle and was at Unicoi Gap by 12:00 p.m. to grab a little trail magic and headed up Rocky Mt.and. down to Indian grave Gap then up to the top of Tray MtAnd the down to Tray Mt. Shelter. Made the 5.7 mile track in about five hours. I was moving a bit slow today as I did about 5 miles in town also.Today I started out a little depressed as I split ways with Onestep and Decaf. First day to hike by my self.Hope things get better for themHope the rain holds out at least till I break camp. There is 4 teenage boys that are making a lot of noise, hard to sleep with all the talking.Well it's been a good day and hoping to reach Dicks Gap tomorrow afternoon. That's about it.Hike On Beep
Date: 2015-03-27
To: Tray Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

3-27-15Today started off with waking up to a cold rain. I got up and went and got my food bag from the bear cables at the shelter and ate my 600 calorie bear claw honeybun before heading back to break down camp on the rain by the time I was Don my hands were like ice cubes. So off I head down the trail. I start out with my frog - toggs not long I am sweating like a pig. Well now I am ringing wet so I stop and take my jacket of and now I eat a quick bit to eat. Now the chills set in and I think I am going to die out here so the jacket go's back on and I start hiking faster to worm up. Well as it go's the sun comes out later in the day and I Finley dry out and I got to the shelter and see its only about 3 miles to Dicks Creek Gap and I decided to make a go of it, man that was a long 3 miles. Got to the gap and was blessed with trail magic. Got a cold drink and within 5 minutes a shuttle for Top of GA hostel showed up. Got to the hostel to find more trail magic had two hamburgers and got checked in. Settled in and had a great time shearing trail stories and talking about the weird people you see along the way. Got a hot shower and had all my clothes Landry ed . Now it is snowing good choice to stay here tonight. Now come to find out my new friend friend from H-3 Outreach had paid for my nights stay so I will be taking a Zero tomorrow and going to meet up with another trail friend in the morning. All in all it turned out to be a good day. Life is good.Miss my family and all my friends. Thanks for your support. Hike OnBeep
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: -2.2

3/28/15 was a zero day at Top of GA. Hostel3/29/15 I joined Semi-Colon around 12:00 p.m. and started our day a bit late. We hiked to Plumorchard Gap Shelter this was the first shelter for me to stay in.It is definitely one of the nicer shelters three story and we were on the top and was a good choice as we had a thunder storm nice and dry.We hiked 4.5 miles.3/30/15 we were up and out by 9:00 a.m. and on the trail today we hiked 7.3 miles and were at the NC border at 12:45 p.m. and at Muskrat shelter by 4:15p.m. For a total of 7.3 miles was a nice day hiking. We ran into strider and the Bionic Woman she is a hiking machine. Had a good night with no rain and headed out around 9:00a.m.3/31/15We left Muskrat shelter and had a 12.5 mile day I hiked ahead of Semi Colon and got to Carter Gap around 5:15 p.m. it was a great day of hiking.4/1/15We left Carter Gap around 8:45a.m.Today was the day we went over Albert Mt. where the fire lookout tower is at it was a long hall straight up in a bolder Mt. But well worth it for the view was GREAT. I spent over an hour on the top waiting on my hiking friend. And then started making my way down the Mt to find I now had my first blister at the 102 mile mark. Darn thick sock liners and my smaller wool socks.And we made it to Long Branch shelter for an 8.6 mile day4/2/15We left around 8:00a.m. At Long Branch Shelter and made a 7.5 mile day and ended at Winding Stair Gap and into Franklin NC. We did not intend to take a zero day but the shuttle guy forgot us and then it was too late to start the trail. 4/3/15 Zero Day4/4/15 I started out on the trail and made 1.5 to 2 mile and started having side pain and knew after one kidney stone last night that I was having another one so I headed back for the trail head and back to the Motel.I called my nephew Brett and he said he would pick me up and I came off the trail for a few days and now have passed a total of 3 stones. Now it is Tuesday the 7th and I am feeling good and will head back to Franklin NC tomorrow 4/8/15 and be back on the trail on Thursday morning.
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Franklin NC.

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is 4/10/15 and I am back in Franklin NC. I have my resupply and ready to hit the trail in the morning. I had to take a few day off due to kidney stones, I passed 3 and hope that's it. I spent 3 days at home and got to my mother out for Easter Supper. I have now joined back up with Onestep and Decaf they are about 3 miles behind me and they will hit the trail at 9:00 a.m. and I will start about 11:00 a.m. so we should all be at winding stairs about the same time.I am ready to get back out.I talked with How Far and he is headed back today also. Weather is starting to break now.Well that's about all for now.Hike On
Date: 2015-04-11
From: winding stairs

To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.2

4/11/15Today started a bit late to join Onestep and Decaf at winding stairs gap. Did 4.2 miles today.Was an easy hike today to start after 3 kidney stones. Hope to knock out 11+ miles tomorrow. I am at a camp site just before siler bald shelter.Got my water for tomorrow and about ready for bed. Hope to be up and out by daylight. Today was a solo hike with just me and the ipod.Hike On
Date: 2015-04-12
From: winding stair

To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.4

4/11/15 Well back on the trail after 3 kidney stones. Feel great started about 1:00p.m. had lunch at winding stair gap with Onestep and Decaf and off we head I hiked ahead and made it to Siler bald shelter setup camp and had supper with 3 other hikers.4/12/15Broke camp around 8:00 a.m. and joined up with Masters around noon and we made it to Wayah Bald Shelter around 2:30 and claimed a spot in the shelter as the rain was moving in around midnight.    4/13/15We broke camp around 7:00 and was on the trail around 7:45 today Masters, Onestep, Decaf & myself hiked together and we made it to Tellico Gap and got a shuttle to Nantahala Mtn Lodge. Now this has got to be the best place on the A.T. to stay. Maggie and Steve are the Best of the Best host.We had the best supper and going to do the breakfast in the morning. As for tomorrow we are going to slack pack from Tellico Gap to the NOC then shuttle back here to Nantahala Mtn Lodge for the night then shuttle back to NOC.
Date: 2015-04-14
From: Tellico Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.1

4/14/15Today Maggie and Steve shuttled us to Tellico Gap and we started out slack packing and covered 8.1 miles in 4 hr and 45 minutes. It was a great day of hiking a little rain in the a.m. and then it cleared up and the sun came out.We got to the Wesser Bald observation tower we climbed up with no view and got a few pictures of the fog.We got to NOC around 2:15 and shaped a few pictures and had a larger burger . Great place to eat.Then back to Nantahala Mtn Lodge for the night and another great supper. We will join up with another company and slack pack two more days.Tomorrow we are looking at 13+ miles tomorrow. Life is good.Hike On :-)
Date: 2015-04-15
From: Stecoah Gap south bound

To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.4

4/15/15Today shuttle guy dropped us off at Stecoah Gap NC to hike south and back to NOC, and off he headed and up we started and I noticed I had left my hiking poles. Well off we head slack packing in the mist and fog.It was a long day without my hiking poles and a lot of slick mud to navigate. Well within 30 minutes it starts raining and we ended up hiking just about all day in the rain. About 1/4 of the way my pants were wet. Did I say I also left my rain pants in the shuttle also.We started at 10:15a.m. and ended at 7:15 a p.m. and covered 13.4 miles.For the most part it was good but the last two hours I was wet and cold. I got to the Nantahala Outdoor Center restaurant and sat down to order a burger and the waiter said all I could get was a drink no food, we close at 7:00. Well the shuttle guy took us by Wendy's to get supper. Man that was the best burger. We stayed at Cabin in the woods great place and Phil and Donna were great and a full breakfast. And as for tomorrow we will slack pack to Fontana Dam.Hike on
Date: 2015-04-16
From: Stecoah Gap 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

4/17/15Today we started at Stecoah Gap at 7:45a.m. and hit Jacobs ladder being it rained all night it was a bit slick but made it up in good time. And now we are on the way to Fontana Dam. I made the 14 miles in about 8.5 hours.And feeling good.we did slack pack.And now we are headed into the smokey Mountains tomorrow. We stayed in a overrated cabin at Fontana Village. $245. Per night :-(Hike On
Date: 2015-04-22
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.3

Wednesdays 4/22/15   7.1 milesAfter a few days off in Gatlinburg we are back on the trail, it is good to be back but today was a bad day we did 7.1 miles and most was up hill. We started at green corner Rd at Standing Bear Hostel and up we head.long hard day. We got to Groundhog Creek Shelter and set up camp. We had a good supper and settled in for the night then to top off a bad day the seam on the bottom of my tent was leaking and I did my best to stay dry. Got up to great weather. And dryer out.Thursday 4/23/15 8.2 milesToday started off better we headed our about 9:00 a.m. it was an easy day with gentle hills up and down and just after lunch we got to a Max Patch Rd. And there was trail magic and I got a Hot Dog chocolate ice cream and a drink. We got water after crossing the road and started up to Max Patch Bald. Wow what a view we had blue sky's and a lot of wind that was cold. We spent about 45 minutes to an hour up at the top and the headed to the   Roaring fork shelter and got there about 5:00p.m.Set up camp and got supper made and now in my tent 6:00 p.m. and a lot of chit chat going on at the shelter with the younger people. Way to much foul language. Maybe when the sun go's down it will get quite fast.Just a great day.Hike On
Date: 2015-04-23
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.0

4/24/15 Friday 4.9 milesToday was a good day and a short day only 4.9 miles. We made it to the Walnut shelter about 1:00 p.m. and set up camp. Was nice to set up camp and not be rushed, and Decaf and I gathered wood and build a fire. We just about had the area to our self and fixed supper and the the hikers started coming in.4/25/15 Saturday 13.1 miles Well we woke to a lite rain and about 7:00 the rain stopped and we broke camp and moved out.turned out to be a nice day we hiked about 9 hours and made 13.1 miles. It was a great day for hiking. One of my best days.We got into Hot Springs NC about 6:20 p.m.and stopped at laughing Heart Hostel and got 3 bunks good thing a server thunder storm came through. Bad thing is one guy had the worst case of sleep apnea and was blowing the roof off the join.Until next time.Hike On