morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-17
To: Murfreesboro, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Monday's really do have a different vibe than any other day in the working world. If you haven't seen Office Space then you may not appreciate the "looks like somebody's got a case of the Monday's" line and how absolutely dead on all of the actors expressions are when the waiter says this to them. Luckily this was my third to last day of work and it really could not be over any faster-phone calls, yelling, phone calls, pouting, phone calls, manager inquiries on whether or not I got that memo, phone calls, outbounds, inbounds, sales coach inquiries on again whether or not I received that memo, followed by of course a few more phone calls. It's fine though because whatever it takes for me to get to this trail and succeed is worth the sacrifice. After work and a bit later on in the evening when I was listening to and writing some music my friend Rick called me up to talk about Mystique stuff (an indoor drumline I have marched in and taught). I went outside to get a bit better signal and like a feeling I would only assume Forrest Gump felt when he decided to start running I began to drift out of my yard and onto the street. Before I knew it I was at the end of the road. Then the next I knew I was at the end of the neighborhood. After that I ended up about 2 miles down Rutherford and decided to just keep on walking. I found myself on the college campus I had just graduated from back in December and decided to check out a percussion rehearsal just for nostalgia's sake. The rest of night was sort of a wash of beer and lots of friends in several locations. Let's just say that by the time the night was over it was early enough in the morning to go ahead and call out of work sick...Happy St. Patrick's Day! Hunter
Date: 2008-03-19
To: Murfreesboro
Miles today: 0.0

Nothing too amazing to say about yesterday but I will say that today kind of rocked! First of all I quit my job this morning. It was better than the best scenario I could imagine when thinking about quitting today. I walked in at 7:15 and talked to my manager in private right away so that it wouldn't seem too shady if I stuck around half of the day and then told him. He was not mad at all...in fact he was really excited about me going. He thought that since I was a good sales rep and that this was something that was a once in a lifetime opportunity then I could have my job back when I get done. What a great guy! What a great job!! So I am pumped and now feel a bit more secure about how to get by when I do get back from this hike. Hooray! One more day and it's go time... Hunter
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Nimblewill Gap
Miles today: 6.0

This morning I woke up still tipsy from the night before-my friends had thrown me a surprise party that included a keg...so I partook. I was very sad to say goodbye to everyone and I honestly feel very sad and out of my element right now so I will try to just remember that I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life and I know that I will feel better. After a McDonalds breakfast with my brother and his wife I said my goodbyes yet again and headed out to pick up Garrett from Nashville. We bought some last minute gear from Bob-a nice guy who had hiked the AT once in 88' and then again in 96'-and then picked Allison up for the haul out to Georgia. The drive was a bit on the long side for what we were all expecting it to be so by the time we got to Amicacola it was 4pm! We weighted out packs (50lbs) and signed the registry and then got all of out gear settled and laces tied. After some emotional pictures next to the entrance gate and sign to the approach trail we were off. I will say this...600 stairs is just a little unecessary. We struggled up the waterfall stairs and upon finally reaching the top we were so beat that the next 6 miles were all we could do to not completely be out of commission before sunset. We didn't make it to Springer but we did keep pretty good time for the amount of daylight hours we had to work with. We are 2.8 miles from Springer and absolutely can't wait to be up and gone at a decent hiking hour! ...Sitting alone right now in my tent I really am missing Adrien, Emily, Allison, Tim and Evan. I know that they are here with me in my mind but I just miss them so much it kind of hurts... Tomorrow will be onward to Hawk Mtn. Shelter...Yay! Hunter
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Nimblewill Gap

To: Hawk Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

It's hard to remember exactly what all happened today because there was quite a bit that happened. we got up about 8:45am when we heard a car door shut-local hiker. Packed up and shipped out as soon as we had some breakfast (ramen) and got the gear in order (tent-boo!). The approach to Springer Mtn. was by no means easy but it was very rewarding. Spring is still not entirely alive yet so up high it is fairly boring flaura wise but after a windy ascent in a leafless heaven we were there. And oh my was it amazing. Everything I couldn't imagine it to be it was! The first white blaze! The bronze plaques! The view! We immediately met Circuit Rider who quickly jotted down some info from us while offering us some sodas-No thanks...don't want to dehydrate just yet. Several of the group of hikers were section or day hikers so I was a bit anxious to meet some of the class of 08' thru-hikers! The rest of the day was fairly sunny and easy...and I mean easy-(compared to Springer). Kind of dehydrated today but much happier after talking shortly with Adrien. Garrett is still sick from the cold he caught earlier this week but he seems to be absolutely fine minus a bad cough. Ended up at Hawk Mtn. Shelter a little before sundown and met Y, Vigilante, Flamethrower, Diane, Captain Hook, Meredith, Brad and Dustin. Several others here in tents-some day hikers, some thru. Kind of lucked out and got a spot in the shelter...supposed to be infested with mice though. Oh well, got to love the AT! I felt pretty good after talking with Garrett, Captain Hook and Flamethrower till pretty late about the next few months..Captain Hook had a lot of good info from when he had thru-hiked in 04" so we soaked it all in. Gooch Mtn. Shelter tomorrow as our approach will include Sassafras Mtn-(famed for being the hardest in Georgia) and Justus Mtn. Looking forward to it but a bit nervous as well...Onward and upward! Hunter
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Hawk Mtn. Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Ok so Sassafras was very hard but not like it was hyped. I figured out the technique to use when doing continual long miles today...slow and steady. When going uphill instead of depleting your energy with short bursts of speed followed by frequent breaks just go slow enough to where you fell comfortable. Another lesson I learned was to always stop to drink large amounts of water or even a single gulp. Another thing that is humbling to know is that no one cares if you make it to the goal that you think you "should" make. If you want to stop then stop and if you want to go then go. Just make sure, like Captain Hook says, that you experience something during the day that has nothing to do with the miles-like meet some new friends, stare at a vista, sit next to a creek, admire your surroundings and seek to find that special something out there that makes the day actually worthy of walking. At Gooch Mtn. Shelter right now and am amidst at least 20 other hikers. Still got a space in the shelter though! By the way...met the owner of Go Lite today. He is hiking with a 120lb pack on because he wants to get to Virginia without resupplying...kind of risky but it's his hike not mine. Couldn't be happier right now about hiking the AT...just couldn't be happier. Tomorrow should be a brutal 12.4 ish miles mostly uphill it seems. We'll see how it goes. After that will be Blood Mtn. and then Neels Gap! It's only 6:30pm but I might just go ahead and start simmering down. Until tomorrow... Hunter
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh man was today a lousy day on the AT! First off the mileage was a bit higher than I was comfortable with doing just yet due to the lack of calories I was in-taking because my body was not adjusting to the trail appetite I need to sustain and prolong my journey here. On the AT you need anywhere between 4,000-6,000 calories a day. In day-to-day living with normal exercise you need roughly 2,200 calories. I have been consuming about half of that-1,100 calories. The snow started coming on in on the approach to Big Cedar Mtn. and did not let p for about 2 hours. Passed some people here and there giving commentary on the snow. Met Flat Feet- a 1990 AT thru-hiker/PCT thru-hiker-who was training to complete the triple crown-which is this those previous two trails plus the Continental Divide Trail. The wind chill worsened as the day went and my mind eventually drifted to food (mainly pizza, butter, cheese). Feeling the wind to be too brutal for tent we opted for the blue blazed trail leading to Woods Hole Shelter. I tried to make up on some much needed calories and put in about a 1,000 between potatoes and mac n¢ cheese! We put down our tents as ground coverings to shield ourselves from the cold but it was no use¢¦we were cold. I started to shiver around 11pm and by 12 coyotes were being very loud all around us. This night was very bad but hey¢¦there is always tomorrow. Hunter
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap 
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally a day like today. I am officially an uncle-Aidan was born at 2:31pm cst at Williamson Medical Center. My brothers words were what a good and loving father would say-¢He is the most beautiful thing I have seen.¢ I got to speak with Adrien once I hit Neels Gap and lord a mercy was I thrilled to hear that everyone was fine and healthy. Blood Mtn. today was gorgeous¢¦I would like to take it back to Nashville with me. Neels Gap rocks-showers, beds, movies, food, water, friends and AYCE spaghetti dinner! The last movie we were watching was ¢Into The Wild¢-good movie. Makes me wonder why I am out here. All I know so far is that I am loving all of this and have never felt this free. Connecting with nature and bonding with people seems to be the path that I have chosen for a while. I guess whatever the main reasons are for me doing all this one might be that I just need to take a long walk. Love you Aidan. Hunter
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Neels Gap 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

So today we went from Neels Gap-¢I¢ll miss you!¢-to Low Gap Shelter. Put my headphones on after 5.5 mile marker at Tesnatee Gap and cruised for about 3 miles to some weird mixtures of rock to heavy metal to orchestral and then to Frank Sinatra. Kind of nervous about bears throughout the day and upon arriving at the shelter came to find out that this was the scene of a bear coming into the shelter and literally straddling a hiker in 2000. Sitting in my sleeping bag next to Garrett, Meredith and Captain Hook. Looks like this might be the last night we will all be together as Garrett and I might be pushing on to the cheese factory (13m.)¢¦we¢ll see. Hope the weather stays nice. Hunter
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

Whoa, 13 miles in this terrain is tough. At first I just couldn¢t seem to keep my eyes from feeling tired and strained and as I ascended some very beautiful hollows in the Blue ridge Mtns. I started to get a blurry spot in my vision. Well going around Rocky Knob with all its rock slides my eyes strained to the point that my depth perception was nearly gone. After a while of sitting I could see without much blurriness but my eyes continued to hurt for most of the rest of the day. The geography in the Blue Ridge Mtns. Is beautiful. Red maples were starting to bud against groves of laurel and rhododendron giving a very Christmas like feel and look to the area. Passed by many campsites along the way to the first shelter and upon arriving at Blue mtn. Shelter we decided to press on the Cheese Factory. This section was brutal. We had to climb Blue Mtn. then descend over a 1,000 feet and then ascend up another 1,000 feet up Rocky Mtn. On top of it some fellow thru-hiker friends: Jamie Ray, Shawn and Greg needed to bail because Jamie Ray hurt her knees. Thankfully they will be back soon. Rocky Mtn. was great. Tough climb but great views once you got there. The climb down was not as hard as Blue Mtn. but the fear that a bear might be around every corner shot my nerves. Once we were down from Rocky Mtn. we only had .9 of a mile to go¢¦Yay! It was a tough day but man am I glad that we did it. Tomorrow will be a 9 mile day into Deep Gap Shelter¢¦shouldn¢t be too bad. Well it¢s 10pm-way too late to be awake so I¢m going to bed. Hunter
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Tired this morning waking up at the Cheese Factory. Took some Tylenol, ate some blueberry poptarts and put the rain gear on. Today was just another day in Georgia-up and down with not a lot of flaura (due to winter still present). Stopped for lunch at a section of the trail called the ¢Swag of the Blue Ridge¢-a section that only has moderate elevation change. Got into camp and as warned there was a larger fellow and his red haired kid here waiting. It¢s funny how thru-hikers communicate and what we communicate about. Sometimes it¢s where food is or what kind of food a town has or sometimes it¢s about what hostel is coming up and what it has. However we do talk about other hikers and if the rumors are right then those lucky few sleeping in the shelter with that larger fellow will get a pretty good concert of snores throughout the night. I would like to say something about camp etiquette¢¦if it is dark then shut up¢¦especially IF OTHER HIKERS ARE TRYING TO SLEEP!!! Do not under any circumstance think that you are the wiser by staying up late yelling and hollering over clever and witty ways to pack your pack or eat your eats especially if it is a pissing contest in front of hikers that can hear everything you are saying. Bottom line¢¦be respectful. Oh yeah, and if you dog sucks then don¢t bring him on the trail! Sorry for the rant but it just had to be done. Tomorrow, Hiawassee. Hunter
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: The Blueberry Patch 
Miles today: 3.5

Finally got to use the rain gear full out this morning. Got up to the same noisy campers that I went to bed to last night and immediately started packing. The ritual of pulling down the bear bag and packing up is still very new to me but it seems to not be so completely unfamiliar. Watching the fog roll in and hearing the thunder roll on was pretty cool. It was like the vapor Drcual comes into rooms as-yet only sweeping down the ravine and then smothering us. After the descent down into Dicks Creek Gap we were greeted with out first hitch¢¦trail magic. He took us into The Blueberry Patch-a hiker hosterl with BA written all over it-and then on into the Shoneys in Hiawassee. What a great guy! I ate my buns off¢¦4 biscuits, 10 strips of bacon, 8 sausage links, a side of eggs, 8 mini donuts, 2 mini muffins, jello, 3 cokes and a large salad. Later after walking past Lake Chatuga and into the main epicenter of town I at e 6 packets of crackers. We bought food for 7 days at a couple of places and then got a hitch back to the hostel. A lot of lounging, eating and phone calls once I got in. I am laying in my bunk right now-wood ahead of me and wood on my back-enjoying my time away from clocks hoping that all of this will keep on going without a hitch. Should be in Gatlinburg around the 11th of April¢¦Yeah! Last thing and then it¢s my turn to turn off the lights¢¦got a trail name-Vultran (from ¢Hot Rod¢). Vultran
Date: 2008-03-30
From: The Blueberry Patch 

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

Today was a pile of yuck. All day the mountains were in a heavy fog. Cold and wet and kind of miserable could sum this day up. My pack was a bit too heavy (overpacked on food) so my knees started to bother me. The fog brought so much moisture in that even though it wasn¢t technically raining the trees were still dripping, making it seem like it was. Got to the shelter and man did it feel good to get some dry clothes on. Sat in my sleeping bag just to try to warm up. Don¢t feel like cooking¢¦feel like sleep. Good night. Vultran
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Much better day today¢¦well sort of. The mountains were still in a continuous fog but hey, it didn¢t rain-well not until we got into camp. There are many people here who are southbounding section hiking or who just didn¢t put in a lot miles and ended up here. 2 shelters and no space¢¦not even for cooking. Looks like crackers and candy is what¢s for dinner. Norh Carolina is turning out to be very beautiful just bad timing with the weather. Lots of rhododendron groves-which make you feel sort of like you are in the jungle. I forgot to mention that yesterday we passed our first state line! At the time though I had though that Garrett might be hurt somewhere behind me because I hadn¢t seen him in hours so I didn¢t care too much about the border. This coming Monday we should be at Fontana Dam¢¦the start of the Smokys! Yeah!! I am excited about seeing this portion and then on Friday of that week Allison Segel is driving out to pick up up from Newfound Gap so we can zero in Gatlinburg for the weekend-much needed. Tomorrow should be rainy again but it looks as though it will be clearing up by Wednesday¢¦SWEET! Another 12 mile day awaits¢¦Night! Vultran
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

No rain today! Well at least no rain after 10:30-which is wehen we left. No fog-so there were vistas. Good water-so there was much to drink. The sun shined gloriously almost all day¢¦thank the Lord! After we got in to Rock Gap Shelter we found that the water source was right next to the shelter-sweet! Guess what was in the creek¢¦2 cold and fresh Budweizers!!! After much hiking-including the first spotting of bear cat on the trail (a little nerve racking)-it does a body good to eat and drink a cold one before lights out. As soon as it got dark the rain started-like the weather knew we needed a break¢¦THANKS!!! Tomorrow should be a bit easier as I have planned this leg of the journey to have 2-3 longer days separated by 1 shorter day. Tomorrow should be around 7.5. For now¢¦under the elf dented tin roof I sleep. Vultran
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Gap Picnic Area
Miles today: 9.7

Trail Angels! Trail Magic! On our descension into Winding Stair Gap we came across a Baptist church group waiting with poptarts, slim jims, pudding snacks, apple sauce, chips, among many other treats. They gave us a chair and the invitation and we were on it. Free lunch! I even had a mountain dew!!! Man do we need some time off from hiking...our friends Joe (MR. Bones) and melissa (Stubbs) both decided to zero in Franklin, NC-like everyone else did. Oh well, we will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center this Friday (2 days away) where we will take the evening of to eat some food and be in a more crowded area. Today I ht a few road blocks so hopefully tomorrow will be better. We're trying to push it hard tomorrow...we'll see. Staying in a tent at a picnic area right next to the road at Wayah Gap. Supposed to really rain hard tomorrow. had a good chat with Garrett tonight, just sitting at a picnic table. I think Christopher McCandless had it right-happiness is not happiness at all unless shared. Why anyone would just come out here to do this without anyone and with only goals in mind is beyond me. Both Garrett and I agreed that we don't care about getting to Maine. We care about what we're learning along the way and who we grow to love as we're hiking. If we find what we are going to find before maine then bye bye AT. Until then we hike, sleep, and eat. Until tomorrow... Vultran
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Wayah Gap Picnic Area

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

You would think that at 9pm you would have more time to do things out here but the truth is that once the sun goes down thru-hikers eyes pretty much shut. I decided to stay up and listen to music and write in this however. Today was hard but worth it. We awoke to rain and knew that we were going to be hiking in it. We probably got moving around 830 and decided to wait on breakfast until we were at Wayah Bald (4.3 miles later). Like I sad before food is very necessary to a hiker...I mean detrimenal. I hit so many walls in those 4.3 miles just because I literally didn't have available calories for energy. Pain. It was cold, wet and foggy before we got to the observation tower but as soon as we left after breakfast the rain started to really come down. I thought my hands were going to freeze but of course they didn't. After about 5.8 miles in the rainy bog we finally came to Cold Springs Shelter. Boy other hikers can be rude. here were only 3 hikers taking up the entire shelter space. We decided not to stay much past having eaten our lunch and purified some water as the 3 hikers gently persuaded us further with random acts of flatulance. Great. Just 3.5 more miles to Tellico Gap It was mostly down hill so I really wasn't too bothered. Plus, I'm in shape enough now to where it's just the act of fueling up with food to make me buzz right over the mountains. tellico Gap was foggy-I mean really foggy-and there was no where to camp. Up we went towards Wesser Bald looking for a campsite before darkness fell. After about a mile or so uphill we found a pretty nice campsite suited only for 2 hikers! Wet and rainy we put camp up and started drying off. Bear bag up and sleeping bag zipped I am happy that tomorrow will only be about 6.5 miles til the Nantahala Outdoor Center...YES!!! WARMTH!!! SHELTER!!! FOOD!!! PEOPLE!!! CONVERSATION!!! -Listening to Beethoven's 3rd symphony right now...shouldn't be though as it will keep me awake. Can't wait for restaurants tomorrow!!! Only 3 days til the Smokys!!! Vultran
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Wesser Bald

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

I could really feel the strain of doing the hiking non stop and not taking a break. Both Garrett and myself were cursing the trail coming down into the Nantahala Gorge. It's time for a break. We sat, ate, talked on phones, drank beer, checked into a bunk for the night, ate, took showers, slept. It was wonderful. The only part of it I wish was a little better was how expensive everything was-whatever though. we needed it bad. In fact we even tried to make it on up part of Cheoh Bald to a campsite but as soon as we started the severe thunderstorm rolled in. Ladies and gentlemen...it just wasn't in the cards. We need a few days break pretty bad,which is exactly what Gatlinburg is for. Tomorrow should be a short day mostly uphill-probably around 7 miles. Try to take it easy and enjoy the hike as much as possible. For now just trying to get dry. On another note...it's been 2 weeks to the day that we have been hiking. We have gone roughly 140 miles and are making pretty good time. Yay! That's all for now... Vultran