morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-01
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up this morning in a shelter on the AT, but I'm writing this entry in an airport. One is a world at one with nature, and the other is an overpriced plastic world with really bad television. The hike into Erwin was nice. The weather was good and I enjoyed my final six miles on the AT for this hike. It's hard to leave and go start another trail, as I'm hitting my stride on the aT and coule easily thru-hike it again this year, but that's not in the cards. I thumbed my way to Erwin and Miss Janet's house. Miss Janet was walking out the door as I walked in, so I didn't get a chance to talk with her. Nokia was there, so we caught up on trail gossip. I booked a flight home, took a shower, and did my laundry. All I needed was a ride to the airport. The Only Wanderer swung by the house and was kind enough to wait for my laundry and shuttle me to TRI. For two years in a row, I've used her services, paid for them, but I still haven't stayed at Miss Janet's house! It is very hard to go from the trail to the airport. Blaring televisions, queueing up in line, etc. is so different from the trail. I miss it already even though I'll be out West in one week. It was a good run on the AT, but it's time to get ready for the PCT. In one week, I'll be out west and hiking a new trail, experiencing new places, and having a lot of fun. I can't wait to see Kelly tonight, but hiking is in my blood and I can't wait to hit the trail again. I need to escape from bad TV (isn't it all?), so I'll bring this entry to an end.
Date: 2005-10-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Less than 5 months now I believe. I have never looked forward to something more in my life. My best friend, and soon to be hiking partner, Matt and I spent the Sunday wandering around EMS picking up little things that we may or may not need. Just basically enjoying the preperation...we didn't want to leave the store. That would mean re-entering the real world and not the world of backpacking. Even though we were in a high priced mountain climbing store and not on any actual trail. We are going to try and get in one more weekend backpacking trip before our actual start, we were aiming for thanksgiving weekend...but apparently people really need their dogs trained on holiday weekends so I have to work. but we shall see...the dogs may fill up on turkey and be too stuffed to learn anything useful. -Kell
Date: 2005-10-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Adding in that third journal to get this thing up and running! Then you might not be hearing from me for awhile...or maybe not. I can't seem to stay off this website. Reading all the journals just gets me so siked and excited for what's to come. Everyone's individual journey is so amazing!Ordered smaller straps for my Granite Gear Ozone today, I love that pack. Hoping it lasts me the entire trip, but not completly counting on it. The first weekend trip I had it out on two buckles broke in the span of an hour...but I haven't lost hope. It is soooo lite!Made a list today of things I still need to buy, I am so anxious and over excited that I want to go and buy my food just to have something to do that has to do with prepping for the trail. Haha but I am restraining myself for now. It's only October. Today was the 5th straight day of rain in Jersey, and since I live by the beach the flooding is overwhelming. I almost bailed on my daily run, but I made myself run in the weather. Dealing with hail hitting my face and the winds almost knocking me over figuring it was good practice for when I'm out there for 6 some odd months...though when I was sprinting through knee deep puddles people weren't giving me the friendliest of looks! But hey it was a great field test for my rain jacket! and it was fun. ok- until next time! Kelly
Date: 2006-01-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So now we are down to less than two months. Two months until that long drive down to Georgia...three anxious hikers in the back seat, and my parents up front. It should be quite the experience. But worth it, because the next day we will be on our way. I knew time would begin to roll by as soon as Christmas ended...time is rollin down hill. I feel like January is already flyin.Tomorrow I have a meeting with my boss at noon, to give her the news, and hope she doesn't swing at me or laugh at me. Well I guess if she's laughing it's a good thing. Lately my friends and I have been going over ways to start out that dreaded conversation. My best friend, and soon to be hiking partner told his boss yesterday...and this is a direct quote...started it off by saying "I'm gonna be going on a trip..." hahah yeah except this is no 2 weeks in disney world. I thought about starting it off that way...but i probably couldn't do it as smoothly as him. I thought maybe "Hey you ever hear of the Appalachian trail?" would be a better start. We'll see how it goes...I can't wait to tell her though, then it will all be real and nothing will be between me and Springer Mountain March 2nd. Well nothing except the rest of January and ALL of Feb. Oh and all those endless trips back to Campmor, even though everytime we leave that place we say "ok now we are done...ready to go." And the next week we are back again with that sparkle in our eyes... hehehe
Date: 2006-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just a final note before we head off tomorrow...I can't believe it is finally here. We are leaving tomorrow afternoon and plan on finally beginning our hike on thursday! Time goes by so fast. I actually have a packed pack, and it isn't just for fun! I just wanted to throw up a last entry before walkin' and thank everyone for how kind and motivating they have all been. My friends and family have been AMAZING and have really shown me just how lucky I really am...thank you all for your support!It is time to go enjoy my bed and dream about the huge pork roll egg and cheese I'm going to have in the morning before leaving Jersey and pork roll for a good long adventure!
Date: 2006-03-02
To: "Kurly's" Mom
Miles today: 0.0

Kelly, Matt and Ray left on their incredible journey at 8:45 AM March 2, 2006. After a 15 hour ride in the car to Georgia, we think the walk was a welcome change. After checking their pack weights, which were, Matt-46, Kelly-41 and Ray 36 lbs., they were on their way through the arch. As they traveled up the mountain the mist settled in and they were in for a day of moisture. But the day ended at Springer Mountain with a beautiful sunset and their first 8 miles of the approach trail behind them. Kelly called at 4:30PM March 5 to tell us that they were in Neels Gap and were going to a Hostel to sleep after having an all you can eat buffet. They sounded very happy and satisfied with the 30 miles they had done. They have already met new friends and well on their way to their dream. Their new trail names are- Kelly is Kurly(for the beautiful curls that she has always hated), and Matt is Swanson, because he enjoys his and everyone else's food. Ray already had Sunshine from his last trip. As Kelly sends me her journals, I will be entering them for her to keep everyone up to date. Thank you all for your love, support and prayers. They are amazing kids!
Date: 2006-03-02
From: Amicalola Falls Approach Trail

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

So we are here-all feeling greatand overly excited. Pretty uneventful morning until we got to the Springer Mountain plaque and Matt took his first fall on a rock and gashed his knee open, wide open, requiring stitches perhaps? Nah, just some duct tape and mabe a few stitches in his pants.   First white blaze and we are already sewing and taking pictures of bloody disasters. I'd say we are going strong. It has reained all day, and has begun to get cold, so we are making ourselves at home in Springer Shelter. First ones here so far. I am just hoping my parents are enjoying more wine down in Amicalola Falls and aren't sitting there still worrying themselves sick. Don't worry Mom, Matt put triple antibiotic ointment on his war wound! Great day, all in all. I must admit I was getting cold fee but now I'm ready and happy to be out here!P.S. The Approach trail was not as grueling as Sunshine made us all think it was going to be--not that it didn't suck!!HaHa!!   Kelly
Date: 2006-03-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was an awesome day. Easy hiking, cool weather (at times cold) and lots of laughs.   We have planned a few short miles so we don't overdo it in the beginning. We get to the shelter very early and fool around and talk. Last night another thru-hiker joined us and she hiked with us today. Her trail name after many choices has settled on Tofurkey. She is lots of fun and even got Matt (now Swansons) to jump under a freezing cold waterfall on a 40 degree day. Although, it does not take much coaxing for Matt (Swansons) to do anything.   By the way, I now, unfortunately, have a trail name. I could not avoid it with my hair. I have now been dubbed Kurly. Good times.   The hiking today was super easy. People are starting to get blisters or hot spots, but knock on wood, my feet are feeling great. It is cold tonight, but enjoyable. We have a fire going and half of us here have turned in for the night. It is only 8:00PM. Welcome to the trail!   Planning for Gooch Shelter tomorrow; hoping for another great day. Feeling awesome. Pack doesn't feel too heavy-but my hiker appetite kicked in crazy quick! I eat and 10 minutes later I am starving. Thankfully, we are getting more food Monday!
Date: 2006-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

So far, every day has been better than the last. Last night the temperature dropped and we all got a little cold and crazy. Tofurkey started out in her hammock and when I woke up in the shelter she had curled in between Swanson and me-said I kicked her all night but she kept my feet warm. Sunshine got up at 6:00AM and kicked the fire into high gear for us and lured us all out of our sleeping bags, like the people on the Folgers Coffee commercial.   A good start, Swansons and I got a head start and took short breaks, wolfing down cliff bars and peanut butter since our stomachs were raging. Five of us, Gumby, Achilles, Pinky, Swansons, and I got to our destination and piled massive amounts of firewood as it was only like 12:30PM and had some time to kill until the rest showed up. And show up they did. We have alot of people tonight, and even got a bit of trail magic to share. We are stuffing ourselves on the rest of our food. We have decided to hike 16 miles tomorrow to Neels Gap for some food and whatever else comes with it. I still cannot believe I am out here. I haven't felt this relaxed and happy in a long time. It's a great life, and we are surrounded by awesome people. Still going strong on "no blisters" (knock on wood) and the energy is still running wild. I'm a bit antsy when the rest want to take a break, but I am sure I'll relax with that after two weeks out here.
Date: 2006-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

First big day. First double digit trek. Up and down and all around all the way to soda, resupply and an all you can freakin eat buffet! Awesome time! we have a big group hanging together and it makes for a good time. The hike was beautiful, nice warm sunny day. However, we kept running in to folks who took it upon themselves to tell us only one more mountain or "hill" before the oh so scary Blood Mountain. So we heard that five or six times and proceeded each time over more ups. Finally made it to Blood almost without realizing it. Awesome view and bourbon from some locals. No better way to start a two mile stretch down the mountain into the wonderful Neels Gap. A cherry coke tasted better than anything I had ever had. I know its only our fourth day out-but hey, a soda tastes awesome when you've been drinking water that you filtered for four days. All you have to do is open the fridge and boom there's a cold can just for you. No filter or bleach required. Wonderful carbonation!   Now we are all hanging in the hostel watching Caddyshack (which makes Swansons incredibly happy) showered and waiting for laundry to be finished, sharing some 12 year old scotch with Boomer, Sunshine, Achilles, Swansons, Pinky, Gumby, Kaptain Kangaroo and Tofurkey. Journal writing and blister nurturing all around. Still going strong with no blisters but I may be bordering on one. No big deal. Still walkin' and just going to keep on walking. This is the way things should be.
Date: 2006-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

For some reason, today's hike felt like forever. Left Neels Gap late-had to wait for the store to open. A few of us had to resupply to get us through the next three days and some of us were just sweet excited about frozen bean and cheese burritos as well as sausage, egg and cheese with orange juice to boot. After stuffing our faces with microwavable goodness, we each took off pretty much two at a time at our own paces. Swansons and I like to get early starts, so we try not to hang around too much. Big climb for morning out of Neels, not bad but on full stomachs it got messy. I've decided to be a little nicer to my ankles seeing as today alone I rolled my left one four times. Two times I thought it was a goner,but they, as well as my blisterless feet have been troopers. The ten of us, including two section hikers have managed to stick together every night, all tackeling the days mileage at our own pace. Tonight, we are at a tent site near Low Gap Shelter. The shelter is full and the trail is getting crowded. We hear there is an even larger crowd two days behind so we are trying to stay ahead the best we can, but, the more the merrier, right?   Wind is blowing strong here tonight and we have the occasional drizzle overhead so we are all crammed up in our tents; Tofurkey and Brett in their hammocks. Some of us have decide to get up before sunrise and hike out to do a little night hiking and be out when the sun arives. If the clouds blow over it may mae for a great hike, and a nice nape when we get to the shelt. We are so lucky to be experiencing this little piece of adventure this world has to offer.
Date: 2006-03-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountian Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 6 out on the trail and there could be nothing better. In order to properly introduce this day I have to rewind back to about 11:30 PM last night at Low Gap Shelter. The wind was insane and seemingly constant and a bit of a sleet or rain had fallen down on our little village of tents. Craig, who had begun hiking with us a few days ago..yawned as normal people do and somehow dislocated his jaw, which means he couldn't close it, couldn't eat, couldn't swallow. So the next morning we all tried to figure out a plan of action for him. He decided to hike out and head for Unico Gap to try and flag a ride into town for a hospital. However, he found himself something better. We came upon him later that morning at a campsite with four section hikers we have been playing leap frog with. Two of them happened to be physical therapists and the adjusted his jaw for him. What were the odds? Craig's trail name is now lockjaw and he got a ride into town to give his mouth a rest for a few days. We can't wait for him to catch up with us so that we can put his new trail name to good use!   As for the hike itself, it was a tough but awesome day. Georgia seems to have a lot of loose rocks that tumble down at you mini Indiana Jones style. The down into Unico Gap was brutal on the feet and even worse when we had our first glimpse of the road below where a few of our group was hanging enjoying some major trail magic. The descent took forever after that.   But, Oh, the trail magic! This wonderful man had the back of his van packed with everything from Mountain Dew and Cokes to Little Debbies. After thanking him profusely, I grabbed a coke and oatmeal cream pie. Within seconds we were gone and newly refueled, we raced, caffeine aided, up Rocky Mountain and almost the whole rest of the way to Tray. However, our stomachs would not let us tackle Tray without more fuel so we scarfed food once again. Amazing view on Tray. The gang cooked dinner on a cliff near our campsite. I never thought I'd be making Ramen noodles on top of a mountain looking down on Georgia. Then we all pushed our way back up for a cool sunset on the summit where we were all more concerned with Pinky's spider bite swelling her ear lobe-you could see that baby from quite a distance. Awesome day all and all. Met Stinky and Orangutan. They hung out around our cozy little fire where we could also look down and out over all the lights below us for miles and miles. Gorgeous! Not too cold yet, pretty dirty, and happy though. Tomorrow, 10 or so miles then hitch into Hiawassee for laundry, showers, and BEER as our group seems to put the most emphasis on that. No zero days yet, we will hike out again the next morning. We are going to try to hold off on zeros for a time. We shall see. Feet still no blisters. Rolled my ankle a million times today-but feeling great and in good shape despite it.
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Tray Mountion Shelter

To: Hiawassee, Georgia
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a day we thought would be easy, piece of cake. 10.6 miles into Dicks Creek Gap and hitch a ride , first time into town. Well, today sucked. At least the first half. The hiking half. First time I actually dreaded each step. Started out awesome with all of us catching the sunrise at our campsite on top of Trey Mountain. But stomach issues soon cut the nice start short as soon as Swansons and I started hiking. We had to break and alarms were going off in my head--bad water giardia. Going to have to get off the trail!!! When in reality it was probably the awesome mix of summer sausage, hot sauce, ramen noodles and M and M's I've been eating lately. So the morning started off with a kick. Stomach sucking-hiking up and down PUD's (pointless ups and downs) sucking even worse. But the day was beautiful, but things were sluggish. Everyone was sluggish--uphills seemed to take a year and down hills seemed to break the feet to pieces. I haven't yet had such a lack of energy. No better day to be going to town. Passed Kelly's Knob--but didn't even give it a second glance--the hike became a zombie like process. I still loved every minute of it.   Just in a different way today. A T-Rex could have walked up next to me on a hill and I just would have been frustrated with him for breaking my stride!   After a long down hill then up then down again until finally we made it to the gap, we were all ready to just sit and sit some more. We broke into small groups and hitched rides into Hiawassee to the Holiday Inn Express. Showers and laundry all around and some nice cold beer, big burgers at Daniels Steakhouse--then right back to the stomach problems. We all more than enjoyed the extremely hot hot tub and then more food and pizza! Tums came to my rescue along with some soda. The hiking appetite would be in full swing if it weren't for this strange goings on in my stomach.    Back to the trail tomorrow! Taking it light and easy, 4.3 miles to Plum Orchard Gap Shelter and calling it a day. Our feet could use a little break before pushing out some more miles. Oh, and as for the zero blisters, so far on the feet, I think I may be starting one on my right heel, but I guess I'll find out tomorrow! I knew it had to happen eventually.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Hiawassee, Georgia

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

First nero day! Nero meaning a short mile day, so short it was almost a zero day. Trudged up and down over Buzzard Knob down to the lovely helicopter placed shelter with three levels--lots of mouse droppings. Just six of us here so far. Tofurkey got here earlier than us and headed on for Bly Gap.   Looking like it might rain so we are happy to be hangin out in a nice shelter. Hitting North Carolina tomorrow, about 5 miles from here and we have crossed one state off the list. In the words of Boomer about a minute ago "Man, I gotta long way to go!"Feet are feelin great today. No bisters baby!   They needed that soak in the hot tub last night and the short day today. Got a ride back to the trail today in a pickup. The three Jersey kids, all wide eyed and excited about getting to sit in the pickup back which is illegal in the Garden State! Woohoo for rebellion!! This journal isn't actually sinc but sorry folks. I am just writing as I remember. My favorite part of the hike so far are the awesome rhododendrun tunnels we travel through. Sorry if I spelled that wrong. They remind me of home for some reason. Tofurkey says it reminds her of being in Costa Rica. We all look at it differently. Oh, the cliche, "We hike our own hike".At this moment, at 3:15 PM, we all sit here relaxing--and I feel so content. An e-mail from an amazing old friend last night made me remember why I am out here and that I need to enjoy every last moment of this, especially the pain and the struggle. It is so easy to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the fun trips to town, but I was reminded that it is important to feel every ache and pain and remember....I've been inspired even more now to make it to Maine, even though inspiration wasn't needed. It always helps to have it as an added bonus.   I love this adventure, these people, dirty hands that seem to never get clean, no matter how often you wash them, and the feeling of accomplishment at th end of each day's hike. Hey, even if you hike 3 miles--that's 3 miles down. Stomach's growling-can't let that continue!Oh, and just as a side note, Captain Kangaroo, everyone's favorite Aussie thru hiker had a very interesting theory about the disappearance of socks in the laundry-I thought you would all like to hear-socks actually hide down deep where you can't see them and after a couple of days they morph into wire hangers. That seems to be the only explanation-because-you always seem to lose socks unexplainably, but hangers seem to turn up in abundance for no apparent reason. Yeah, that right-what else are we going to talk about here? Hopes, and dreams. I think not! Parallel universes is the way to pass the time.