morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-14
To: Amicalola Falls, Ga
Miles today: 0.0

MARCH 14THAS I SIT ON THE BALCONY OF OUR ROOM AT AMICALOLA LODGE AND WATCH THE SUNRISE,I'M THINKING ABOUT WHAT A BLUR THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN.MONDAY NIGHT WE HAD A FAREWELL DINNER WITH GOOD FRIENDS, I ATTNEDED MY LAST 3MEETINGS FOR WORK, WROTE MY REPORTS, AND HANDED OVER MY NOTEBOOK TO MYCO-WORKERS. GUARD IT WITH YOUR LIFE MARY ELLEN.MY FRIENDS AT WORK THREW ME A SURPRISE GOING AWAY PARTY COMPLETE WITH A CAKETHAT SAID "HAPPY TRAILS". I NOW HAVE AN ANGEL FOR MY SHOULDER,NUMEROUS GOODIESFOR MY 1ST AID KIT, A KEY RING FOR MY WHISTLE WITH A BRASS BOB THAT READS,"DIANE'S GREAT ADVENTURE" AND A VILE OF WATER FROM THE CHALISE WELL INGLASTONBURY ENGLAND. YES JOYCE AND MIKE, MY PACK IS BLESSED. SO ARE ALL OF THEANIMALS. THE BIRDS WERE THE TOUGHEST, BUT IT'S DONE! THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FORMAKING ME FEEL SO SPECIAL.TOBY ARRIVED ON TUESDAY NIGHT. WEDNESDAY WE VISITED THE OUTFITTER FOR THE LASTTIME, STOPPED AT SMITH' MEATS {SMITHSMEAT.COM} FOR A FEW MORE PACKAGES OF THEIRDELICIOUS JERKY AND BEEF STICKS. CRAIG AND BRUCE ASSURED ME THAT I COULD CALL ORE-MAIL THEM FROM ANYWHERE ON THE TRAIL AND THERE WOULD BE A NEW STASH OF GOODIESWAITING FOR ME IN THE NEXT TRAIL TOWN. THEY'LL DO THE SAME FOR ANY HIKERS.THURSDAY WE PICKED UP AARON IN WASHINGTON,PA AND WERE ON OUR WAY TO GEORGIA.JACK DID A GREAT JOB OF GETTING US THERE IN ONE PIECE. IT WAS A LONG BUT HAPPYDAY. WE ARRIVED AT THE LODGE BEFORE 9PM AFTER WINDING OUR WAY UP, UP, UP RT 52.CLAIR AND HER PARENTS, SUE AND GERRY HAD ARRIVED EARLIER. WE ALL SETTLED INFRONT OF THE FIREPLACE TO TALK ABOUT PLANS FOR THE NEXT DAY AND SNACK ON SUE'SBROWNIES AND RICE KRISPIE TREATS.SLEEP CAME EASILY TO THIS HIKER WHOS DAY HAD STARTED ALMOST 20 HOURS BEFORE.I AWAKENED RESTED AND HAPPY AT 5:30 THIS MORNING, MADE TEA, AND HERE I SIT,WRAPPED IN A BLANKET ON THE BALCONY. I WISH MARYANN AND KAY WERE HERE WITH ME,SHARING IN THIS SPECIAL TIME BEFORE I LEAVE. I'LL MISS YOU BOTH.TODAY IS SOONER'S 9TH BIRTHDAY AND I CAN'T BE THERE TO RUB HER BELLY OR KISS HERSWEET FACE, BUT I KNOW OUR SON JEFF WILL DO IT FOR ME. THANKS J.THE NEXT TIME YOU HEAR FROM ME I'LL BE: JOURNEY~ON THE TRAIL
Date: 2003-03-15
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawks Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6

Last night I had taken my pack down to the Visitor's Center to be weighed. It tipped the scale at 29 lbs! We went back to our room and I dumped the entire contents onto the floor and went through every single thing, holding it in my hands and saying to myself, "Do you REALLY, REALLY need this?" I was able to ditch almost 5 lbs. of "stuff", including several pieces of clothes, lots of things from my first aid kit, food,some maps and a journal book. The trailjournals journal would have to do.After a filling breakfast at the lodge, we piled into 2 cars and headed to the parking lot a mile from Springer Mountain summit. Jack and Clair's parents were going to join us on the first climb.The summit was cool and foggy, a fitting start. We took turns having our pics taken with the plaque, signed the first ledger and headed back down to the parking lot to say our goodbyes. On the way down, Jack chose a stone for me to carry to Katahdin, but before giving it to me, he broke it into pieces, one for me, one for him, and one each for our sons. I placed the precious stone in the small container along with my parents ashes and put it safely in my backpack. Back down in the parking lot, there were hugs and tears as we said our goodbyes. I would not be seeing Jack until June, the longest we had ever been apart. It was all too strange to fathom.Clair, Aaron and I headed off into the woods while Toby continued to video the signs in the park. Clair and Aaron being half my age, quickly outdistanced me. I walked slowly enjoying the trail and the passing of my first white blazes. I thought about the monumental undertaking I had embarked on and was both excited and frightened at the same time.I met up with Clair and Aaron a while later in a clearing where they had stopped to eat a snack and joined them. When they started off again, I waited for Toby to catch up and when he did we hiked together for a time, stopping for lunch right on the side of the trail when the sun peaked through the clouds for an hour. After eating, we napped for a short while. Neither of us had had much sleep in the past 2 days and it was catching up with me.I arrived at Hawk Mt. Shelter and finding no room in the shelter, set up my tent. Toby arrived a short time later and set up his tent close to me. We went to get water, treated it, then went to the shelter to cook dinner. I made a Lipton Broccoli Cheese Noodles dinner that was less than successful. Because I boil water and add it to my dried meal in a zip-loc baggie to "cook" for 10 minutes instead of simmering, the noodles were a sticky, yucky, uncooked mess. So actually what I had for dinner was broccoli cheese soup. The noodles were left in the bottom of the baggie and would have to be carried to Neels Gap for disposal. No more Liptons for me I guess.I met Happy and his friend Jack and we talked for a while. Nice guys! By 6pm I was settled in my tent to get out of the rain. I am tired as all get out, sore, but oh so happy.
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

My day started at 6:30am, awakening to the drumming of a ruff grouse. I was up and dresses by 7, packing up my meager belongings and thinking of the day ahead. Everyone complains of having to break camp in the rain, so I'm glad that I was able to get it out of the way on the first morning! It wasn't so bad.I left the shelter at 8:15 and stopped for breakfast with Fremont and Leap Year an hour and a half later. My meal consisted of jerky which I shared with Freemont. He enjoyed it and liked the idea that Smith's Meats would ship to him anywhere on the trail, so I cut the label off for him with their e-mail address.My next few hours were spent going over Sassafras and Justus Mountains. They kicked my butt big time. After stopping for a lunch of peanut butter and whole wheat crackers, I saw a note in my Data Book from Warren Doyle's class the year before; more difficult! I'm glad that I didn't see it until after it was over with.Around 3:30pm I arrived at Gooch Mountain Shelter. The sun came out of hiding for the first time today and I was able to make camp in the warmth of it. Kudos to the people that built this beautiful shelter and camp sites; I highly recommend the accommodations. I chose a campsite in the rhododendrons and pitched my tent, collected and treated 2 liters. of water, made a dinner of mashed potatoes and chicken (absolutely delicious after last night's disaster), and was in my tent at 7pm. With me at this shelter are: John from Chicago, John from Delaware, Noids, Goober, Fremont, Plugger, Red Rover, and Perigran. Great company, great food, a great day and a 0 degree sleeping bag waiting for me, what more can a hiker ask for at the end of a day?
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

The day started out nice enough; another foggy, cool morning, but no rain. I hit the trail at 7:30 after a breakfast of 3 pieces of jerky and was able to get 2 hours of hiking in before the rain started. I walked alone today, occasionally passing hikers going in the other direction, with only my thoughts for company. At 10:30 I stopped for a snack of peanut butter and whole wheat crackers. Whoever thought to put peanut butter in those little tubes must have been a hiker. I was joined by Goober and John from Delaware. A half hour later We were on our way and I was quickly passed by these stronger hikers.It rained steadily for the rest of the day,but I stayed warm as long as I kept moving. Lunch was out of the question, but it didn't matter as I wasn't hungry anyway.I met up with a great young fellow named Ryan at Jarred Gap and we mistakenly took the blue blazed trail thinking that it was the trail to the shelter. After going a half of a mile almost straight down, we realized that we had made a mistake. Going back up was difficult for me at the end of a LONG day, but I made it finally and there at the top was Ryan, waiting for me. He must have waited 10 minutes. We figured out our mistake and moved on. Ryan from Salisbury, Md your parents should be very proud of you, your a fine young man.I arrived at the shelter by 4:30 after 9 hours on the trail (7 of which were in the pouring rain). The "inn" was full, but just about when I started to pitch my tent, miraculously, the rain stopped and didn't start again until I had completed making camp. I immediately changed into my only dry clothes; mid weight long underwear, put my raingear back on, and headed to the shelter to make dinner. Last night I burned the sleeve of my new Patagonia jacket, so tonight I was more careful lifting the pot from the Esbit flame. Dinner was a Mountain House Chili Cac and Beef. It was cooked in a zip lock bag and put inside of my jacket to keep me warm while I waited the 10 minutes for it to be ready. At 6pm I was ready to bed down for the night. Sleep came to me shortly after and now it's 12:30am. I find that sleeping for 4-5 hours and journaling in the middle of the night works for me.Tomorrow is a short day of about 5 miles to Neels Gap and my first re-supply. The bad news is it's straight up Blood Mountain!I'm battered and sore, tired as all get out, but my spirit is intact and I'm looking forward to tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi Center @ Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

This was my best day yet! I left the shelter at 7:30am after cutting a section of my z-rest off to make pads for my hip belt and shoulder pads which worked beautifully on my 5 mile hike up and over Blood Mountain. I ran out of water on the way down and drank several times from the collected rain water in huge boulders. I'm still alive hours later so I guess it was ok.My destination was the hostel at Walasi-Yi Center. Included with my bunk is a hot shower and coin operated laundry services. I'm clean, dry, fed, re-supplied, and eager for tomorrow. Several of us plan on heading out early for Low Gap Shelter a mere 11 miles away. Severe thunder showers are predicted for Thursday, so we may be forced to stay there for a day.Again, it's been a great day. This happy hiker is signing out for today.
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We were out of bed at 6am, packed and ready to go by 7. The weather report was for a 50% chance of thunder stormsWhile packing up we had opened the door and checked outside. It was cool and foggy, which is actually great hiking weather, minus the views. When we opened the door next to leave, the winds had picked up and the skies had opened in a drenching rain. The lightning was cracking all around us.Slow Walker (formerly John, from Chicago) headed out into the storm. Soon Noids, Goober, Yo Yo, Plugger and several others had gone on. Twofiddy and I made the decision to wait for our bounce boxes that were sent one day UPS from Amicalola Lodge on Monday. They were due to arrive around 10:30am and then we would hike out and get as far as we could. The first shelter was 5 miles from us and the second, 11 miles.The boxes arrived and the decent weather had not! Twofiddy pushed on out into the storm. Never having been a big fan of lightning, I decided to stay another night at the Walasi-Yi Hostel. Red River and Peragrin decided to keep their cabin another night and 5 of the girls in the hostel also got a cabin.Tomorrow, the weather report is for a 90% chance of thunder and lightning storms and very high winds. If the report is correct, I'll sit out another day and heal. My muscles feel so much better since coming here and giving them a rest.In the meantime I will continue to stretch to help keep me from getting stiff.Last night was the first night that I had trouble sleeping. Ironically, it was the first night that I had slept inside. So tonight I'll be snuggled in my bag early. I have a top bunk; can't remember the last time I slept in one of those!
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I enjoyed every minute of my zero day today. I'm happy, my feet are happy andI'm eager to get back on the trail tomorrow. Of course that will be afteranother breakfast of sausage, cheese biscuits, and pancakes with home-madeblueberry syrup and orange juice.Thank you Gary and Lennie for tending to this weary hiker!
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, GA.

To: Bly Gap, NC.
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

This morning I awakened at 6:45am and jumped out of bed to light the stove and take the chill out of the hostel kitchen.By 7 Night Fever, Digger and Nathan were all up and getting ready for the day. The only one not moving on this morning was Nathan; he was resting a sore knee and waiting for his hiking partner Devon.At 8:30 when Gary rang the breakfast bell, my pack was ready to go.We dined in Lennie and Gary's breakfast room, that Gary had built himself, on pancakes with blueberry syrup, cheese biscuits, and sausage. Again, it was delicious and we walked out with full tummies and happy hearts.Gary shuttled us back to the trailhead at 9:45 and we were off on a late start. The day was sunny and had already grown warm so it wasn't long before I had to stop and change into a short sleeved shirt.Pippy, from Kansas, caught up with me in about an hour and we hiked together for the rest of the day, stopping for lunch at the abandoned road after Blue Ridge Gap. The deviled ham went first because it was one of the heaviest lunches that I carried out of town. I'm carrying 4 days of food to get me to Franklin, NC and this makes the weight on my back heavier than I would like; probably about 26 lbs. I also enjoyed an orange that had been left at the hostel yesterday by Footslogger's (F) sister. After about an hour we were on our way. At 4pm I crossed left the state of Georgia and entered North Carolina. If 2 girls had not been at the sign for pictures, I would have missed it.there's a great picture of me at the sign that will show up in my photos shortly. It's taking me longer to use a disk than expected due to the 6 days of rain starting out!So, thank you to the people of northwest Georgia for sharing the trail with me. It was beautifully tended, meandered through beautiful hemlock forests where the hemlocks were 12 feet around, passed through areas of ancient blow downs and rocks where every square inch of the woods was covered in moss and climbed to the ridges of many mountains where had it not been for days of rain and fog would have afforded me fantastic views. My favorite place would have to be Blood Mountain. The climb up challenged me, the top was magnificent even without the views, and the climb down fun and rewarding.My original destination for today was Muscrat Creek Shelter, but stopped 3 miles short due to the time.I set up camp on the ridge, collected water and cooked a dinner of cous cous and dehydrated ground beef. I finished with a Balance Bar.In my tent at 6:30 I tended my weary feet, washed up, answered some e-mail (even though it won't be sent for 3 days) and settled into my cozy sleeping bag at 8pm. Sleep didn't come for quite a while, but that's ok because there's always lots to think about..........
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Bly Gap, NC.

To: Carter's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

I awakened this morning at 6:45 and had broken camp and shouldered my pack by 7:30. Pippi was going to hike out with me, but when I looked over the hill to her campsite, she wasn't anywhere near ready so I left a message for her with another hiker and off I went. The climb out of Bly Gap was not easy, but I can feel my legs getting stronger every day. I ate my Chocolate Java Avalanch Cliff Bar as I walked. By 11:30 I was ready for lunch and stopped at the Standing Indian Shelter to eat and to rest my feet.I had gone 7.7 miles in 4 hours on a truly delightful trail!Originally I had planned to spend Wednesday night here, but ending what had been a strong and easy day for me just didn't make sense, so after a half hour break,I headed out to the fairly new Carter's Gap Shelter, another 7.6 miles down the trail. Most of the day was spent hiking alone with short visits along the way with passing hikers. The number of hikers has dropped dramatically since Neels Gap and I can now go for hours without seeing anyone.I saw my first white tailed deer today. It was huge compared to the delicate little deer we have at the cottage; probably a buck.I also had a big bird fly out of the bushes right next to me while I was hiking. It was either a quail or a grouse, but my heart was beating out of my chest and blocked my view of it!The only wildlife that I saw in Georgia was 2 gray squirrels and a few crows.About 4 miles from my destination I met up with Matt and The One, both of which had spent the night in Bly Gap. They had left an hour after me, but are young and strong hikers.We stayed together for 3 miles, separating about a mile from the shelter. Carter's Gap Shelter is 5 years old but looks much newer. It has a cooking table and ledge, 2 built in benches with backs, and a great fire pit. I stayed in the shelter instead of tenting because of expected rain and shared it with Recycle, Bob, and Bob's friend and girlfriend.The One set up his hammock, Matt his tent along with several others. Tate the beagle was there with his owner. He's a great little trail dog and I told him all about Sooner and Aggie, but he really didn't seem interested.My first 15.3 mile day!I was in my sleeping bag by 7pm and asleep a short time later. I didn't awaken until 4am, 8.5 straight hours of sleep. Can't remember the last time I did that. I went back to sleep and didn't awaken again until 6 when recycle was packing to leave. It must have been the benadryl I took before retiring.
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Winding Stairs Gap

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

I awakened at 4am. At 4:45 I gave up trying to go back to sleep, turned on the television, and started my day. Our shuttle was due at 8:00 to take us back to Winding Stair Gap and I had lots to do before he arrived.Before 8 I went downstairs to check out and take advantage of the continental breakfast in the lobby. Night Fever showed up soon after and we waited for our ride first inside then outside the front entrance.When George hadn't arrived by 8:30, I went inside to call him. His wife told me that he had left a message for us at the desk the night before that he would be an hour later than originally planned.By this time there were 3 other hikers looking for rides back to the trailhead 10 miles away. George had a large pick up truck and was happy to help so everyone piled in and we were off. One hiker asked him to stop at the post office and another needed a stop at Ingle's so it was 10am before we started back out of Winding Stair Gap. Another late start after a heavy breakfast and I seemed to be dragging. My pack was uncomfortable for my neck and I didn't have that spring in my feet that had blessed me the 2 previous hiking days.At 1:30 I stopped at the stone tower on Wayah Bald for a much needed break and lunch with Night Fever, Spiderman and Zachsdad. The views were spectacular from the top of the tower.My original plan was to go only 10.5 miles to a campsite after Wayah Bald but at that point Zacksdad and Spiderman were going on to Cold Spring Shelter and since it was only 2:30 and one to two inches of snow was expected, I decided to push on and hope for a space in the shelter.Arriving at the shelter after dark, I was cold and wet with perspiration after the long, long climb up. I was followed for the last mile by Zacksdad so that I wouldn't have to arrive after dark alone. What a guy!I took a space in the small, ancient shelter with Serendipity, Frito and Damp Dan who had arrived earlier in the day. Spiderman and Zacksdad went off to tent. Minutes later Zacksdad returned and moved into the last remaining space in the shelter.I was so cold and wet that all I wanted to do was change into my long johns and go to bed, I wasn't even hungry for dinner but I forced myself to make a small pot of tea and crawled into the sleeping bag to drink it.This had been one of the most challenging days of my life. Within minutes I was warm and happy.
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 11.5

When I awakened next there was 2 inches of snow on the ground and it was still coming down heavily. By 6:15 it was a winter wonderland! Six to eight inches of snow surrounded us, filled our boots and swirled around the tops of our sleeping bags, and it was still falling.I headed out at 7:30, the 3rd to leave so I had a trail of footprints to follow. It was slow going but so extremely beautiful that it hardly mattered.At 11:00 I stopped into the Wesser Bald Shelter to rest and eat lunch. I was joined by Zacksdad, Papa Tom, Al and his dog Sugar Dog who had growled at me earlier on the trail, and Frito. I took the time to make a hot lunch because of the low temperature and the amount of energy that is needed to walk in the snow. It doesn't take long to get cold when breaking so by 11:30 I was on my way again.The sun came out and the views from the ridges were spectacular. I was able to get a few great pictures, especially from Jumpup Lookout at 4,000 ft.As the afternoon wore on we climbed lower and lower in elevation and eventually out of the snow. I feel fortunate that I only fell twice during the day and both times it was a slow motion slide and plop into the snow. No blood, no broken bones.By 2:15 I could hear the Nantahala River and get occasional glimpses of the road. In another half hour I was entering the reservation office and much to my surprise met up with Slow Walker whom I hadn't seen since the 19th when he walked out of Walasi Hostel and into the mouth of a horrific thunder storm. I thought that he was days ahead of me.As it turns out, Slow Walker's knees had turned against him on his way to Cold Spring Shelter about 4 days before. Unable to walk the second day, he rested in the shelter and was helped by numerous other hikers who came along. He finally walked out with the aid of 2 staffs and took 2 more days to get off the mountain. In the last 2 miles of his journey down, he was met by a day hiker who had heard of the man who couldn't walk and had gone up to help him. This generous fellow carried Slow Walker's pack for the remaining way to NOC.Slow walker had just been given a bunk in the bunkhouse, a quarter of a mile away--- uphill and had gone out to retrieve his pack. I asked the girl at the desk if it was possible for her to find someone to drive this obviously hurt hiker to the bunkhouse and she did.I checked in, found my room and discovered that I had been coupled with a very ill hiker. Back down the hill I went to eat, do laundry and change my room!I am now sharing a room with Slow Walker who is taking 3 days off and will decide then whether to go back to the trail or head to the hospital in town.I am taking tomorrow off to nurse several new blisters, call home (if the pay phone in the community room is repaired), get my bounce box and catch up on my journals. Oh yes, and I'll eat. And maybe eat some more. I also will send my digital camera disk to Nathan. I was supposed to send it Friday from Franklin but forgot all about it. There should be new pictures on my photos page within a week. I hope you enjoy them.