morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-04
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Jo-Mary Road
Miles today: 11.8

It rained last night, hard at times, and was still raining when I woke up. Hotdog, Notes and I all slept a bit later than usual, not stirring much until after 6:30. It was quite chilly, around 42*, and with the rain, who WOULD want to get out of their warm and cozy sleeping bag and out of the dry shelter?? None of us WANTED to, but we all did anyway.The rain had mostly stopped by the time we left, so I decided against wearing my rain pants, but did wear the jacket. Because of the night's rain, the plants along the trail were wet, making my shorts wet as I brushed past them. For a while, I wished I had worn my rain pants, but the trail widened eventually, and my shorts began to dry some. Steady rain never fell again, but a mist of a rain did, for most of the late morning, through our hike to Jo-Mary Road. The temperature didn't reach 50* either, making breaks brief.I was excited that were were going to be picked up at Jo-Mary Road today. I was looking forward to my cousin's wedding, where I'd get to see some immediate family and some extended family. Combine my excitement with the rainy day, and that usually means a quick pace. It was true today, until we reached Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to, less than 4mi from Jo-Mary Rd. We got there shortly after 11am, and both knew there was no need to leave the shelter before noon, as I wasn't expecting Pa until 2pm or after. Notes was already at the shelter having lunch when we arrived, and the three of us talked while trying to keep warm and eat. Notes was planning on hiking about 11 more miles today, and packed up before us. As he shouldered his pack, I said "Good luck on the rest of your hike." He politely replied "Yeah, you too." Then it dawned on him that we would not see each other again on this hike. He said "Wow! Yeah, good luck." We shook hands, and he headed north. I feel a bo!nd with all of the hikers I'm seeing here near the end. I guess it's because we are all SO close to finishing our hikes, and we have all shared aches and pains and rain and snow, and we KNOW what it has taken to get this far. I congratulate everyone for making it this far. It is quite amazing to me that we, that I, have made it here. Maine seemed a long way off for most of this trip, and now that Katahdin is very near, I have forgotten those days of wondering if I was going to see Maine. All I have done is hiked. I've walked north for over 6 months. It doesn't seem too difficult to do. Just put one foot in front of the other, day after day.After the days off for the wedding, I will know that this adventure is nearly over. I am still just thinking about the wedding days, but it is in my mind that there are 56 miles left, once Pa picked us up. Three days off, and8 hours in the car, and I'll be right back here, with the next stop being Katahdin, the end, the destination. Wow! I never thought about these days. And now they are here.
Date: 2003-09-17
To: Homeward bound
Miles today: 0.0

Uh-oh. The Hike is ending. Yesterday I ordered a diet soda, and today I was tempted to order wheat toast instead of white. I don't like these changes! :-)The trip home has been very good. I've gotten to drive by a lot of places where the trail crosses the roads. I stopped by Harpers Ferry to look at the 2003 photo album and buy some souvenirs. I've visited with more friends as well.Driving through Virginia, it once again struck me how beautiful the state is, and I am going to consider it as a possible landing place. The hills just roll on and on, and are so beautiful, with meadows and forests as neighbors. The big mountains of NH and Maine were awesome, majestic, and very beautiful. But there's just something about VA. I must say NC is very beautiful too.I have been doing pretty good on this trip home. I have felt good about going back to FL. I want to see my friends and family, especially Daniel Jr, my new nephew. But tonight, I will be staying in Gainesville, FL (home of my Alma Mater Univ of Florida), and while I love that place, I am beginning to realize the trip is nearly over. I have a fear that I will fall back into some of the same ruts I was in before leaving for the AT. While that is my fear, I also have a quiet confidence that I will be able to avoid most of those, and stick to doing what I truly want to do. Whatever that ends up being.The calmness or relaxation of the hike is still with me. I don't feel panicked or stressed about the many unknowns I currently have. I feel comfortable putting my faith in the future. In the belief that things will work out for the best. I won't be a bystander in the decisions of my life, but I will try to let the course of the decisions go where they may, and not worry about the 'what-ifs' and 'shoulda/couldas' like I used to.The Hike is over, but the Journey continues. I'm keeping my seatbelt on for the ride.
Date: 2002-12-29
To: First Entry--Random Thoughts
Miles today: 0.0

I have lots of gear to buy. I guess I was waiting until after Christmas. Well, it's after Christmas, so time to get busy buying! I've been researching backpacks for the last month or so, but realized I should put some effort into footwear. After all, there IS some breaking in to do for footwear!Living in SW Florida, there aren't too many outfitters nearby. I've visited the nearest ones---2 to 3 1/2 hours away-- and will be going again this coming weekend.I'm going to get boots, but not high, heavy boots. I'm looking for comfort, probably a low boot, not a shoe. But I'll see what I end up with.
Date: 2002-12-30
To: Gear Philosophy
Miles today: 0.0

I've been thinking a lot about my gear, since I still have a lot to buy, especially the PACK, and BOOTS. (Naaaaahhh, those aren't very important!) I tend to research and think and think more, then research more. What I need to do is just buy, and deal with it! I don't mean I'm taking gear purchases lightly; I mean I think I know enough to make a decent purchase. I'm overthinking.I believe that it's already pre-determined whether I'll make it to Katahdin or not. It just depends if I correctly use what is already inside of me. The tools are either there, or they aren't. My backpack or my boots won't change that. Just wish me luck, that I know how to use those tools!
Date: 2004-01-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's been over 3 mos since my AT hike ended, and I still miss the trail. I miss the simplicity of trail life. How wonderful it was to know exactly what I was going to do that day. How wonderful it was to not think about what I can or cannot eat. How wonderful it was to see something new each day. I miss those days.Looking back, I see that I had too many expectations about this adventure. But those expectations really had nothing to do with the hike, and everything to do with me, as a person. The hike exceeded, by far, all of my expectations. It was far better than I imagined. It was much more difficult than I imagined. It was so much different than I imagined. But one thing that I imagined, never materialized.I thought, after this hike, I'd have some direction. I don't. But that's not the AT's fault. It's no one person's or one thing's fault. It's about who I am. I thought I'd change. I did not.I know that some of my personal characteristics have been enhanced by this hike, but I am the same as the day I quit my job and packed my life into boxes. But that does not, in any way, take away the amazing goodness of the hike.I had said, before this hike, that I was afraid I had put too much pressure on this hike. I never felt that, while on the trail. I put too much pressure on myself... since I've been back. The pressure to know exactly where I want to be and what I want to be doing. Forever. Ridiculous? Yes.Two things that have not changed: my indecisiveness; and lack of direction. Hiking took away the first by leaving options few and blew away the second. The direction was North. And it felt great!It might sound as though I am disappointed in the hike. By far, I am not. But it was just as I stated. A hike. Six months of amazing people, amazing places, amazing sights. Nothing will take that away. Ever. But those months are only a small part of my life. Now it is time for me to continue my prgress in Life. This chapter is closed. But somewhere down the line, I will be back on a trail enjoying every painful, uncomfortable, tiring, wonderful moment of it. I did find out that I will always enjoy that.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Amicolola Visitor's Center

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: clear sky

Day 1: Gorgeous Weather! I'm sitting in the loft of the Springer Mt. Shelter right now. We weren't planning on hiking the approach trail, but had no luck finding a ride. We reluctantly started the approach at about 2:30 PM! Started hiking with Erica and Brian.We actually managed to get a ride at the falls about a mile or so in, and it turned out to be quite an adventure! Dee, who works at the lodge took us on the "scenic route" in her jeep up to Nimblewill Gap. I swear it was a trail not a road, I can't believe we made it through parts of that! We still had about 3 and a half miles to hike where she dropped us off, so we ended up doing about 5 miles of the approach total.Dinner tasted great (after a few tries with the alcohol stove) and was hilarious with everyone trying out their new stoves. I'm almost too tired to type, so I'll stop here. My pack weighed in at 31 lbs at Amicalola, about what I expected, but I'm already planning out what to ditch at the next stop. My pack was the lightest of the group! Tonight "Ultreya" (from Quebec - he's hiking all the way home from here! His trail name is Latin for always hike farther), Ann and Dot "DATA", Erica and I are in the shelter Brian decided to stay in his tent.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 2: Last night was extremely windy, it sounded like the trees were going to fall down on the shelter. Hiked on and off with Ultreya, Brian, and Erica. Brian hiked on to Gooch Gap because we got to Hawk Mt. shelter pretty early. It was nice to have daylight to organize everything and cook.The weather was cooler today but perfect for hiking. Data (Dot and Ann have one trail name) made it to the shelter late tonight - they were planning on taking it very slow, but made it the whole way. Also met Wayne from Colorado, and another day hiker with a dog. I'm surprised that I haven't seen more thru-hikers besides the 6 of us.
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 3: Light sprinkles all day today but no serious rain. Sasafrass Mt. was tough but the rest of the day wasn't too bad. Hiked the whole day with Erica, we both hike at almost the exact same pace. We're doing a great job of pacing ourselves so far, we have been stopping just before we get too tired so we haven't pushed ourselves over the limit yet. We got to Gooch Gap shelter pretty early, but we will stay here and go for a longer day tomorrow. Got here with Erica and Ultreya, but still haven't seen any new hikers today. When we arrived there was a note saying that dinner tonight and breakfast tomorrow morning will be served at Gooch Gap (about 1.5 miles up the trail) courtesy of Boy Scout troop 797! Dinner would be nice tonight, but not nice enough to walk an extra mile and a half. It would be O.K., but there isn't really a good place to camp there so we would rather just stay at this shelter (which is brand new!) and then grab breakfast on the way out tomorrow.Its only about 50 degrees out now so its much colder today. Its still great hiking weather though. I'll try and catch a forecast on my radio tonight. We made our first fire tonight and it got much colder, I think maybe 35 degrees.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap - Walasi-Yi Hostel
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: broken clouds

Day 5: It got down to 10 degrees in the mountains last night! I slept in my "zero degree" bag and my emergency blanket and I was freezing! We rigged a fourth wall to the shelter using my tarp and ground cloth and that helped with the wind, but it was still so cold! Yesterday we hiked out fast to get to the breakfast promised by the boy scouts but they were packing up because it was so cold. We still got some bagels and fruit though so that was awesome! It was brutally windy in the morning and then it warmed up a bit. I think we walked through all four seasons because on one side of the mountain it was about 65 degrees and sunny and then we crossed to the other side into a hail storm! The night was so cold we just got in our bags and tried to stay as close together as possible.This morning it was still cold with snow on the ground. Clear skies though, and the climb up Blood Mountain was awesome! Beautiful views! Very happy to be at Neels Gap now, I took my first shower and we are staying at the hostel tonight.I'm going to switch from my Ridgerest pad to an ultralight Therm-a-rest because my hip bones are bruised from the hard surfaces. I have a blister on my right foot but I guess I couldn't expect to get by without one! We finally met some other thru-hikers here at the hostel.(Continued later in the day)I did a "shake down" to reduce my pack weight but I was already doing very well and I actually ended up adding a little! I had to get the heavier pad because I couldn't sleep at all on the Ridgerest. To make up for it I'm mailing home a few small items. I got these awesome sandals/water shoes called Waldies that are super light clog type shoes with holes and really good grippers. They are much lighter than my reefs and I can wear socks with them which is really important. About 12 of us got a ride into Dawsonville to the all you can eat place and resupply. That restaurant really lost some money on us! I finally met a bunch of other thru-hikers that we just never ran into on the trail. Having the time of my life!
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Neels Gap - Walasi-Yi Hostel

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 6: Low Gap ShelterDehydrated, sunburned, but alive at low gap shelter. Today it was hot and the miles were long. It started off great, it was nice to see the sun again.When we got to Tenastee Gap, Spice Bag (formerly Ultreya) said he left his journal back at the last place we stopped. That was over 3 miles back and we had just come off a steep decent of about 700+ feet in about a mile. He left a little before us and none of us remembered seeing it after he left. eventually he decided to go back and get it! An extra 6 miles! Here is where it gets bad. About 20 minutes after he left to go back we were about to take off from Tesnastee Gap and I was packing up and noticed I had his journal in my pack! I must have accidentally picked it up. I started running back up the mountain to catch him, screaming "Spice Bag" at the top of my lungs. This sounds funny but at the time, it definitely wasn't. If I didn't catch him, not only would he have hiked an extra 6 miles, but he wouldn't have his journal! And would never make it to Low Gap, so I might not be able to give it to him for a long time. After running up the whole side of the mountain, he finally heard me yelling and started to come back. All told, I ran an extra mile and walked back another extra mile. To make the story better, we thought there was water at the shelter in between there and Low Gap (where we were headed), but it turns out the shelter and water source were 1.5 miles off the AT! I was so tired and thirsty and there wasn't any water for over 5 miles. We were so dehydrated we could hardly walk by the time we got in tonight.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Campsites
Miles today: 13.0

Day 7: Using my tarp for the first time tonight. I think I set up O.K., but I have a serious ant and black fly problem and I can't see the stars without getting out. We couldn't take a break while hiking today because the bugs were eating us alive. I hiked about half of the day alone and then on and off with Spice Bag. When I was alone I listened to some Bob Dylan, Tori Amos, Bob Marley, and the Vines and was inspired. Tonight at the campsite I met a Southbounder who has been hiking since June and is almost finished. Nine and a half months on the trail, totally alone and he's been on the trail all winter. He is off to go night hiking to avoid the bugs, crazy stuff. Erica, Boilerplate, and Two Dog Night just arrived.I have four blisters, two big ones on each heel but the duct tape is at least making them tolerable. I finally have a trail name! Actually, Spice Bag gave it to me back at Blood Mountain but now it is final, Windtalker. I'll have to let him explain the reason for the name... he will explain in French because he can explain better in his native language. J'ai trouve le nom de Wind Talker pour Mary car elle ressemblait beaucoup comme le vent de Georgie en haute montagne. Le vent ici est fort,intense et ayant beaucoup d'energie. Le vent montait en intensite et devenait plus doux, ensuite se calmer pour revenir plus fort en intensite. Ce que j'aimais de Mary c'est l'intensite dans sa voix un debit rapide et cela refletait parfaitement sa personnalite, la gaiete la joie de vivre et sa jeunesse tres attachante, comme le vent. Bravo Wind Talker. Signed Serge Ultreya Spice Bag Hamelin In English, the story goes... The first few days we were out on the trail, we had a lot of wind, brutal wind really. The wind seems to have a life of its own in the mountains, it is very alive. When we were on the top of Blood Mountain, Spice Bag said he knew what I should be called, he said I am like the wind. He said my personality and voice are very animated, a lot of ups and downs and vocal inflection. I originally thought the name was too serious for me, but it just stuck and now I can't get rid of it! It has definitely grown on me, thanks Spice Bag!
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Cheese Factory Campsites

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 8: It was very hot again today, I had to cover my neck because it was already extremely sunburned. We were planning on going all the way to Hiawasee to stay at the Blueberry Patch, but we didn't want to get in late and chance not getting a spot. Erica is now "Stargazer". She brought her glasses just to look at the stars and she knows a ton about them. The bugs are still terrible, if you stop for more than a few seconds, you start swallowing them and they get in your eyes. I had a black fly stuck in my eye for the whole descent off Kelly Knob, and I finally rubbed it out when I got to the shelter. I'm sitting on the upper level now because they aren't as bad up here. Its nice to read the shelter registers now that I know so many hikers. Its great to see how everyone ahead of me is doing.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 9: This place is awesome! It is an organic farm owned by Gary (Trail Chef, '91) and Lennie. They even do your laundry for you! I'm looking forward to home cooked blueberry pancake breakfast tomorrow morning that I have heard so much about. I just took a shower and I'm about 3 shades lighter now. I can't wait to get into town and eat. So far, Boilerplate, Sniper, Spice Bag, Stargazer, Silverback, and Paka Bear are also staying here tonight. I didn't even have to hitch a ride in because when we got to the road Gary was dropping of the hikers from last night. Gary and Lennie are true trail angels. My laundry just arrived and I'm drinking an ice cold coke, this place is unbelievable!!!!
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 10: Today we are taking our first zero day. Our feet definitely need a rest and I need to take care of my blisters. We had breakfast this morning at the Blueberry Patch Hostel and it was awesome! Homemade pancakes with blueberry syrup, biscuits, and sausage. Its a little rainy and it is supposed to stay that way for a few days. Last night we went to the Mexican Restaurant because it was the only restaurant that served beer. Boilerplate and Sniper had foot-long subs at Subway as an appetizer then we all ate our entire meals at the Mexican place. I'm having a wonderful time! I find myself thinking everyday that there is no other place on earth I'd rather be at that particular moment. We are all at the Towns County Library now updating journals and checking email. If you are following on the map, Dicks Creek Gap is my location. I don't think Hiawassee, GA shows up on the map.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Hiawassee Inn

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

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive, and the true success is to labor." Robert Louis Stevenson, 1881 Day 11: Yesterday was a great zero day, but it is nice to be back out in the woods. My blisters are feeling much better and my feet really needed the day off. Last night was awesome. Groovy had a guitar so he and Sniper were playing and we were all singing along and drinking a few beers. I even jumped in with a little harmonica. Sniper has an amazing voice and there seems to be a lot of musical talent in our little group. Later we went over to visit The Bartender at the Holiday Inn and sat in the hot tub for a while. Today started off slow, it is hard to get started again after you are in town and haven't carried you pack for a day. After we passed Plum Orchard Shelter I started to feel a lot better and we just hauled the rest of the way. I averaged about 3 mph even over some tough climbs.The shelter is packed. There are at least 30 hikers in the general area and I'm outside under my tarp right now. I can't believe we didn't run into all these people earlier, it seems like everyone gets kind of bunched up in the towns and then its crowded the first few days back out. Tonight will be the true test of the tarp because its already started to rain and it is supposed to thunderstorm tonight. I met Ez-does-it today, this is his third thru-hike in a row and he is staying at the shelter.I crossed my first state line today and I'm in North Carolina! I've heard that the views are much better in NC but that the Nantahala Wilderness Area (where I am now) is one of the tougher parts of the trail. Ez-does-it broke the news that Wander Yonder has gotten off the trail. I'm sorry to hear that her journey ended soon, but wish her the very best of luck! Tomorrow it is supposed to rain so I'll get to test out my hiking-in-the-rain set up.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Day 12: I got totally drenched last night. Tape Cat came under my tarp because it was getting way too wet in his tiny tent but then the water started to come in under the tarp too. We didn't really sleep at all because our bags and clothes were totally soaked!It was tough to get started in the rain this morning but George was nice enough to make me some hot oatmeal when he saw how wet we got. Today was extremely foggy and drizzling most of the time. I couldn't see a thing when I got to the top of Standing Indian Mtn. I started to feel a little better towards the end of the day and I'm hoping to get a good nights sleep tonight. It is supposed to thunderstorm again tonight, tomorrow, and the next day. Everything I'm carrying is at least damp if not totally wet.