morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-11-02
From: Winding Stair Gap - Franklin, NC

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

For breakfast this morning, we walked to Mountain Vittles to dine on tons of pancakes, sausage, and eggs. After the feast, we washed our clothes and took our time getting ready to leave.Ronnie Haven, the Budget Inn¢s proprietor, shuttled us back to Winding Stair Gap around noon. He was a super nice guy and quite a character. Today¢s hike seemed to fly by. Before we knew it, we were atop Albert Mountain and it's fire tower. From here we could see back into Franklin, NC and also the SC mountains to the East. The weather was again perfect! I can remember last year when Paul and I did this section of the trail that Albert¢s Southern side was rather technical. But today¢s descent seemed quite easy. Perhaps walking over 2000 miles has changed my perception slightly¢¦Tonight, it¢s just Samoa and I at Carter Gap Shelter. The woods are quiet and the stars are out. Hope to get a good nights rest since crossing into our 14th and final state awaits us tomorrow!!! Hard to believe that we¢re < 100 miles from Springer!!!
Date: 2005-11-03
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap - Hiawasse, GA
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: clear sky

It¢s funny how tentative our plans are out here. If there is one thing the AT has taught us, it would definitely be flexibility. We had planned to meet our friends from home at Unicoi Gap on 11/5 and hike with them up to Blue Mountain Shelter. However, this morning they had changed their minds and car camping is now the new game plan. This change influenced Samoa and I to rethink our schedule¢¦Originally, today¢s destination was Plumorchard Gap Shelter, but now it was Dick¢s Creek Gap.Today¢s miles were flying by and we crossed into GA shortly after 12 p.m. We jumped up and down, hollered with joy, and took a picture to commemorate the moment. Our adrenaline was pumping, so we basically jogged into Dick¢s Creek Gap. Here we got a quick hitch from a nice man who drove us to Larry Barrett¢s house in Hiawasse, GA. We had bought property from him before we left for this trip, and he said it would be ok if took his four-wheeler to top of the mountain where our tract is (we called him from Standing Indian Mountain earlier in the day for permission). No one was home when we left on his ATV, so we were in the process of setting up our tent on our tract when he pulled up. He said, ¢You don¢t want to sleep on the ground again do you? Why don¢t you come down to my place for showers and my wife and I will take you out for a good meal.¢ There wasn¢t much arm twisting he had to do in order for us to oblige. After cleaning up, Larry and Cheryl took us to the Yacht Club in Hiawasse for a delicious dinner. Once we finished eating, we came back to their place where we enjoyed a great conversation before we hit the sack. Wow!
Date: 2005-11-04
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Hiawasse, GA

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

Larry cooked us an unbelievable breakfast this a.m. There were biscuits, gravy, eggs, and bacon that covered the kitchen table. After gorging ourselves, he took us back to Dick¢s Creek Gap where we began our first full day of hiking in GA. Thanks for treating us like royalty and we are forever grateful for your kindness!The terrain was up and down for most of the day with Tray, Rocky, and Blue Mountain being the most memorable summits. We met lots of section hikers today and enjoyed conversations with most.Currently, Gantz, Samoa, and I are at Blue Mountain Shelter. The temps are much warmer tonight and the sky is clear again. I guess another warm front has slid its way into GA. P.S. We just set the tent up since Samoa and a mouse came nose to nose¢¦I told her it was a freak thing but she didn¢t buy it:-)
Date: 2005-11-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Hog Pen Gap - Car Camping From Here
Miles today: 11.4

After a glorious night of sleep inside our tent on Blue Mountain, we took our time getting packed up this morning. Our friends are picking us up today at Hog Pen Gap at 2 p.m. and taking us to a ¢car camping¢ spot. The terrain from Blue Mountain Shelter to Hog Pen Gap was short and sweet. At Chattahoochee Gap, we noted the headwaters of the Chattahoochee River and Brasstown Bald off in the distance. Brasstown Bald is Georgia¢s highest mountain; however, the AT never crosses it. Before we knew it, we were being picked up by Cory Payne and Daniel Warren at Hog Pen Gap. These are some of my best friends from home and we were glad to see them. They drove Gantz, Samoa, and I back to Unicoi Gap where we picked up our comrades Super T and Don King. From here, we drove deep into the Tray Mountain Wilderness on a USFS road to a campsite along a nice creek. Our friends Letson, Nathan, Stephen and Jamie Pinney, Haley, Ruthie, Matt, Chuck, Dean, Trent showed up soon after. Everyone brought drinks, tons of meat, and lots of cookies. Needless to say, everyone was well fed and watered¢¦Thanks guys ¢ we all had a blast!
Date: 2005-11-06
From: Hog Pen Gap - Car Camping From Here

To: Neels Gap - Via Toccoa, GA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

Last night was SO much fun! It was nice to hang out with our friends from home and the trail. The weather was awesome, too, except for the freak rainstorm that rolled through about 4 a.m. Gantz, Super T, and Don King were cowboying and had to make a beeline for the inside of our friends cars for refuge. When we awoke this morning, the rain was all but gone and the skies were clear ¢ figures;-) After we tidied up the campsite, Cory and Daniel drove Super T and Don King back to Unicoi Gap. Then they dropped Gantz, Samoa, and I back off at Hog Pen Gap.Shortly into today¢s hike, we took a break on Cowrock Mountain to soak in the sun and views that were before us. Since our families aren¢t able to meet us until the 9th, we¢ll be doing chill days all the way to Springer. Quite frankly, the JHP wouldn¢t want it any other way. We reached Neel¢s Gap, today¢s destination, by 12:30 p.m. The trail goes through the Walasi Yi center; the only time it actually goes through a building. After signing their register, we picked up our free pints of Ben and Jerry¢s ice cream and took them outside to indulge. The owner of this store at Walasi Yi give SOBO¢s a pint of ice cream for making it this far. Thanks! We sure appreciate it!Then we called a great friend, Stephen Caudell, who happened to be in the area. The next thing we know we¢re in his truck and on our way to Lake Rabun. Once at the lake, we sat on his dock and admired the fall foliage and how it contrasted with the green waters of the lake. It was truly remarkable! Since he lives in my hometown of Toccoa, GA, we decided that rather than him drive us back to Neels Gap, we would go home with him and surprise my Mom and Step-Dad. Our visit with them was great and now we¢re about to climb in my brother¢s bed,who is off at college, to sleep. Gotta love it when your this close to home!
Date: 2005-11-07
From: Neels Gap - Via Toccoa, GA

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

My Mom drove us back to Neel¢s Gap this a.m. Our clothes were washed; we were freshly showered and fed, and ready to knock out these last 30 miles. Thanks Mom!!!Here we met Super T and Don King as they were coming out of the hostel at the Walasi Yi center. They got in last night after hiking the 20 miles from Unicoi Gap to Neels. We¢re finally all back together again! After we said our goodbyes to Mom, we began our final march. Blood Mountain was the first mountain we summited and the biggest on the AT in Georgia. Atop the JHP enjoyed the views and looked South and tried to figure out which mountain was Springer. The rest of the day was a breeze and we took our time enjoying these last few miles.Gantz, Super T, Don King, Samoa, and I are staying at Gooch Mountain Shelter tonight. We¢ve been discussing how sweet and surreal it feels to be within an earshot of Springer. It¢s been our beacon for the last 5 months and 5 days and we¢re finally within a 12 day of her ¢ crazy! All of us have that ¢Christmas Eve¢ feeling: Butterfly¢s, anxiousness, happy, etc. I sure hope we can go to sleep tonight.
Date: 2005-11-08
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: SPRINGER BABY!!!
Miles today: 14.9

Wow, our day is finally here! Our breakfast conversations this morning were full of excitement and sadness. It was weird knowing that today¢s destination was the end of the line. After everyone was packed up, we set out to accomplish what we¢ve been dreaming about for the last 5 months and 5 days.The JHP marched proudly and strongly up and over the remaining mountains that stood in our path. While the terrain wasn¢t difficult, it was hard imagining how we would feel on Springer. So, at Long Creek Falls, 5 miles from the Southern Terminus, Don King and I felt the need to get our ¢gills¢ wet one last time. The water was frigid cold but it did help soothe our nerves. Who would have thought you could get in a mountain river in November???At Big Stamp Gap the JHP stopped for one last photo before we summited Springer. We were only .9 miles from becoming official thru-hikers. It was 3:45 p.m. when we summitted Springer and saw our last white blaze of the AT. A wave of emotion quickly overwhelmed us while we took a moment to comprehend what had just happened. Gantz met us there with a smile and we enjoyed the rest of the day congratulating each other, taking pics, eating, and reflecting over our amazing journey! Tonight, Samoa and I are tenting on top of Springer, and tomorrow our families will be meeting the JHP for one last celebration before we say our goodbyes to our thru hike and the AT.While we aren¢t able to fully process and articulate our emotions at this time, we would like to extend a HUGE thanks to our families, friends, and the many awesome people we¢ve met along the way. Our AT dreams would not have been a reality without the help and support from all of you. Also, how amazing is it that on the first day of our trip we would meet two great guys, Super T and Don King. And what¢s even more hard to believe is that we stayed together all the way to the end. We¢ve made so many more unforgettable friends along this journey! A big shout out to the Jersey Boys, Gantz, Blaze, Ody Green, Skip, and the so many more SOBO's we met - we'll never forget you.Another note, as unbelievable as this may sound, we noted the most perfect silhouette of an Angel in the clouds. It wasn¢t to the left or to the right of us; it was directly above us as the sun was setting over the mountains in the West. It lingered only for a few minutes and quickly vanished. We were shocked and amazed, but we¢re pretty sure we know who was responsible for this. A surreal ending to a surreal trip. Thanks to all who have followed our journey and we hope that you found our trip to be as entertaining as we did! Peace!P.S. We'll be updating the journal with new pictures over the next few days.
Date: 2004-09-02
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I promised some people that I would start one of these for my thru-hike next year, and here it is. I'm still considering a few trail names right now, so I'm not really sure which one I am going to go with. As of right now, I am still planning on leaving on March 15th, 2005. I can't wait! All of my preparations are falling into place, and it is going smoothly at the moment. I'll add more about the gear I am planning on taking soon. (as soon as I figure it out myself!)
Date: 2004-10-25
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's October and there is less than 5 months until I depart from Springer. I have had thoughts of switching to SOBO because of monetary reasons, but I am not sure yet. As of right now, March 15th is still my departing date. I have been considering me gear also. I went on a week hike in the Smokies a week and a half ago, and it was great! My pack felt great, but it would feel even better if it were just a little bit lighter. I am looking at the granite gear nimbus latitude pack, and maybe even switching to a hammock. Those are some pretty big maybes though! Well, I've got to balance work, play, and school! (5 months can't pass fast enough!)
Date: 2004-10-26
Miles today: 0.0

Did I mention that the week through the Smokies was awesome? ...well it deserves mention twice! I went the 10th through the 17th. I had so much fun! I went with my friend Kevin. He drove down from Michigan and we met at Fontana then drove to Davenport Gap to section the 70 miles of the AT in between. The first couple of days were great! Don't skip the Mt. Cameron (I think that's spelled wrong) fire tower. The views are beautiful, and the fire tower alone is worth seeing. The weather got pretty cool and rainy for the next couple of days, but we lucked out because at every overlook it would clear up long enough to take a picture and enjoy it for a minute before it clouded over again. The last day was beautiful too. We headed out from the Mollies Ridge Shelter to Fontana. It was really windy that day, and we decided to go up the Shuckstack Mountain fire tower. This one was no where near as nice as the other one, but you can get a great shot of Fontana Lake from the top. It can get a little wobbly at the top with strong winds, but it is still worth it just to get the view. oh, and the best part about the trip.... FREE SHOWERS AT FONTANA!!! (very much needed after 6 days!)
Date: 2004-11-21
Miles today: 0.0

I'm getting all excited about the hike next year! As of right now, I've got three jobs trying to save up the money to cover my expenses. I really hope that I have enough by March! If I don't, then I am going to head Southbound, either way I'm going to be on the AT next year, so I'm still really excited! It really helps working at REI, I can stay pumped up about it and continually look at new gear (which could also be a bad thing!) Well, I must turn in for the night! Dreams of the AT will come shortly...
Date: 2004-12-31
To: New Year's Eve
Miles today: 0.0

Wow... the start date is creeping up on me. In less than 24 hours I won't be able to say that I'm hiking the trail next year. It doesn't really hit ya too hard until you say, "I'm hiking the trail this year... in less than 3 months... wow... that's really close!" I'm so excited and nervous at the same time! I can't wait to start hiking! I'm still in my planning stages and figuring stuff out, but I feel that I am getting closer and closer to being prepared... which is a good thing. My family is still pretty worried about my leaving for a while. Well, I'm off to work, I hope that everyone has a great new year! (and I'll see ya in '05!)
Date: 2005-01-14
To: Only 60 days to go!
Miles today: 0.0

There is exactly 2 months until my birthday, and 60 days until the start of the Appalachian trail. I am getting so nervous! I've never been so excited about anything before. I just got my thru hiker handbook today and I've got the AT itch really bad. If I could have the money magically appear, I would be out there tomorrow (but I guess that's what everyone would do!). I'm in the process of saving up, I'm having some problems right now, but I think I have found another job to fix that. Well, Good luck to the rest of the Class of '05, I'll see you out there!-Krazy Katie
Date: 2005-02-07
To: Nervous?
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, I just looked at the Calendar and it's only 36 days until the journey begins! I'm so excited but nervous at the same time. I've been dehydrating some food lately, but I feel that I am a little behind. I had hoped to have about 90 meals done, but I think I will fall a little short on that, but I figure that ramen will be very accessible on the trail though. :P I can't wait until I am hiking! I go on short walks and it's amazing how 10 or 20 minutes can revive you and just clear your head... I can only imagine what 6 months will do! I still have some small gear items to get before I head out. I'm going to go look at some professionally built stoves on saturday, not that I don't trust the one that I made, I just need one that is a little more efficient. What's really going to be fun is meeting all of my hiking buddies! I'm excited to meet John, Michelle, and Jeremy, but most of all I'm really excited to see Kevin again! Hopefully the next 36 days will go by fast, but slow enough so I can get everything ready!
Date: 2005-02-08
To: inspired
Miles today: 0.0

I'd like to say that I think this website it great. I just finished reading parts of a former thru hiker's journal, and it has given me more inspiration than any "how to" book could have given me. From reading his journal, I have thought about my reasons for hiking the trail. I have asked myself, "will I make it?," and "will I accomplish what my heart has been burning for for so long?" Only the trail holds the answers to these questions. I have many goals for the trail, some of which I have stated in previous journals, some of which are too personal to list. I hope to get better at putting my thoughts and feelings into words. I have dreamed of the trail since I was in my early teens. The thought of a footpath that stretched past the view of the horizon through fourteen states was unbelievable. To this day, with only 35 days remaining, I still cannot believe that I have decided to hike this mysterious trail that began so long ago in my dreams. I know that it will change my life, and that is a change that I will gladly accept. I have read that it's not all about the destination, it's the journey that gets you there that teaches you the most. I hope that the journey that takes me to Katahdin is long and that I discover things about myself that I haven't been able to find. My biggest goal for the trail is to have fun and not to rush, goals that are definitely attainable. I wish that all of the thoughts in my head would become words and display themselves on the screen, only then would the importance and mysteriousness of the Appalachian Trail show itself. I can only attempt to describe the trail in words that don't seem to encompass the beauty and magnificence of it all. Only 35 short but long days away until I begin my journey northward, not only toward Katahdin, but to the better understanding of myself and others.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: inspired

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

FIRST DAY ON THE TRAIL! WAHOO! GOT A FEW HOT SPOTS ON MY FEET, BUT NO BLISTERS. RAN INTO THE RIDGERUNNER FROM THE SMOKIES TODAY TOO. HE GAVE US A BOOK OF MATCHES THAT HAD THE AT MAN ON IT. WEIGHED MY PACK TODAY, CAME OUT AS THE LIGHTEST IN OUR "BEWARE THE IDES OF MARCH" GROUP. (COMING IN AT 34 LBS) HIKING WITH A GROUP CAN BE REALLY COOL, BUT IT'S ALMOST LIKE THERE IS AN UNSPOKEN PACT TO STAY TOGETHER. NOT SURE HOW LONG OUR GROUP WILL LAST TOGETHER, BUT IF WE DON'T, I'M SURE WE'LL HEAR FROM EACH OTHER ON THE TRAIL. HIKING WITH KEVIN HAS BEEN A LOT OF FUN. IT'S ONLY A DAY IN, BUT I JUST FEEL BETTER ABOUT THIS WHEN HE'S AROUND. THE COMIC RELIEF IS AWESOME. IT'S KINDA EARLY NOW, BUT IT'S A LITTLE CHILLY OUTSIDE. SHORT DAY PLANNED TOMORROW, HEADED TO HAWK MTN. WELL, I'M PRETTY CASHED FOR THE DAY.
Date: 2005-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.5

7.5 MILES....REALLY COLD THIS MORNING. FIRST TIME THAT MY HANDS HAVE STUNG FROM BEING SO COLD. TENT GOT A LITTLE CONDENSATION IN THE TOP THAT DRIPPED DOWN AND GOT ME. AS SOON AS I STARTED HIKING, I IMMEDIATELY WARMED UP. WE WERE HAULING THIS MORNING AND MADE IT TO HAWK MTN BY 12:40, BUT MY FEET WERE FEELING THE BURN, SO WE GRABBED A SPOT IN THE SHELTER. WE ALSO PASSED SOME ARMY RANGERS IN TRAINING, IT WAS PRETTY COOL. WE'RE AIMING TO MAKE IT TO THE GOOCH MTN. SHELTER, WHICH WILL BE ANOTHER SHORT DAY. WE'LL MAKE IT TO NEEL'S BY SATURDAY AFTERNOON. MAYBE WE'LL SWAP IN OUR MATCHES FOR A COOL ORANGE BANDANA! WELL, MAYBE IT WILL CLEAR OUT AND WARM UP TOMORROW. LOOKS TO BE A REALLY COLD NIGHT.
Date: 2005-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.7

8.7 MILES....FELT A LOT BETTER AFTER TODAY'S HIKE. PRAISE THE DUCT TAPE! STARTED SNOWING TODAY, PRETTY CHILLY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WE MADE IT TO THE GOOCH MTN. SHELTER, BUT DECIDED TO PUSH ON A LITTLE FURTHER TO GOOCH GAP. THERE ARE SOME NICE TENT SPOTS HERE! WE HEARD FROM SOME ARMY RANGERS THAT IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE SUNNY AND 55 TOMORROW. THAT IS GOING TO BE REALLY NICE! MAYBE WE'LL HANG HERE A LITTLE LATER AND LET THE SUN DRY OUT THE TENT SOME..(IF IT DECIDES TO MAKE AN APPEARANCE). THINGS ARE GOING GREAT BETWEEN ME AND KEVIN. WE SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PACE, SO IT'S REALLY EASY TO HIKE WITH HIM. I WAS KIND OF WORRIED WHEN I HEARD THE STATISTIC THAT VERY FEW COUPLES MAKE IT ALL THE WAY TOGETHER, BUT I THINK WE HAVE A GREAT CHANCE. WE RAN INTO SOME COOL PEOPLE TODAY, A LADY AND HER THREE KIDS (I CAN NEVER REMEMBER NAMES), ARE HEADED TO HARPER'S FERRY. ALSO RAN INTO DENNIS, A THRU HIKER I'D MET AT REI BEFORE. OUR GROUP ALSO SPLIT UP TODAY. BLAKE WENT AHEAD TO SUCHES, AND ME AND KEVIN ARE ABOUT 1.4 MILES AHEAD OF EVERYONE ELSE. I'M SURE WE'LL RUN INTO EVERYONE AGAIN. BUT FOR NOW, I'M PRETTY DAMN COLD...
Date: 2005-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.5

10.5 MILES....OUR "BEWARE THE IDES" GROUP ALL HAS TRAIL NAMES NOW...ATJOHN IS "RAWHIDE", MICHELLE IS "BROWNIE", EDDIE IS "JAX", JEREMY IS "SOULEMAN", KEVIN IS "RADIO", AND BLAKE IS "BASSLINE". WE MADE IT TO WOODS HOLE TODAY. SNOWBUNNY, HAIRBALL, CUPCAKE, AND DRAGGIN ARE HERE. THERE WAS GREAT HIKING WEATHER TODAY. THE SUN WAS OUT ALL DAY, AND IT GOT REALLY WARM; EVEN GOT TO ROLL THE SLEEVES UP A FEW TIMES. GOT MY FIRST BLISTER TODAY. ALREADY HAVE IT DOCTORED UP WITH MOLESKIN AND A BANDAID AND DUCT TAPE THOUGH. SO HOPEFULLY IT WON'T BE A PROBLEM TOMORROW. OOOH! TOMORROW WE'RE HEADING TO NEEL'S GAP TO RESUPPLY. ME AND KEVIN ARE THINKING OF GOING TO AN AYCE (ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT) TOMORROW. OH, I GOT MY FIRST CRAVING TODAY. A MCDONALDS DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER. YUMMMM! WELL, GOING TO CRASH FOR THE NIGHT....BOY SCOUTS JUST SHOWED UP, BUILT A HUGE BONFIRE..."THAT'S GOING TO LEAVE A TRACE"...
Date: 2005-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.5

9.5 miles....Today was a great day! We left Woods Hole and topped Blood Mountain for some beautiful views. We made it to Neel's Gap to resupply and grab a shower and do laundry. My box made it there, so that was great! We resupplied for seven days , hopefully enough to get us to Franklin. The group split today. Me, Rawhide, and Radio left out a little earlier, so we were able to get a little further. We were aiming for Cowrock Mountain, but overshot it, so we're camping roadside at Testnatee Gap with some boyscouts and other thru-hikers. Aside from logistics, things have been going great. I talked to my mom today and it was great to hear her voice. My spirits have been so high lately. I owe a good bit of that to Radio, he's an incredible guy to hike with. At moments when I begin to wonder if my aching feet can take another step, he helps me remember to look up and notice the absolute beauty the mountains hold. Well, i'm crashing out, looking forward to the dollar menu in Franklin. Krazy
Date: 2005-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.3

12.3 miles....Today was a harder day. I felt the best I have ever felt. . The sun came out today and knocked out all the clouds, pretty good since it was supposed to be rainy. My knee kinda bothered me today, but when I focused on my breathing instead of my knee, I didn't feel it anymore. Jax, Souleman, Domino, Bramble, Doc, Tiny Dancer, Gypsy Lulu, Touk, Bassline, and some others are here tonight. This shelter is so beautiful, (Blue Mtn.), it's right on the ridge, so you can see for miles on either side. Tomorrow will be a short day to Tray Mtn. We have a plan to get to Franklin by Saturday which leaves us with a few short days and a few long days. I think I got a cold yesterday, my throat is kinda sore. Hopefully it will be out of my system soon. Well, my mind is drawing a blank. I hope every day will be as memorable and beautiful as it was today.