morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-02-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

AT Guide and ChangesI received the A.T. Guide in the mail, and it looks like the only thing I need to bring with me on the trail. The information is well laid out, as it corresponds to a trail profile and mileage. When I hiked in 2000, Wingfoot's guide and the Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker's Companion were the standards. Times have changed. Nevertheless, I still plan on bringing my old maps of Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and VIrginia, only because I like maps, I like the overhead view of things, and I don't think the geography has changed that much in 10-years.I was also drifting around online, and I came upon this article about the reintroduction of Elk in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. To underscore how long it has been since I have done the AT, there were no Elk in the Smokies in 2000. They reintroduced them in February 2001, and now they number over 100, according to a 2009 report. I don't think I'll see any elk when i get there, since they stay in the Cataloochee Valley, located at the park's southeast corner. Who knows? Perhaps I will get lucky and hear their bugle some evening.I have also made arrangements with Hiker Hostel to have them pick me up at the North Springs MARTA station on March 10th. They offer a "Thruhiker Special" for $75, which includes one night's stay, 8 oz. denatured alcohol, breakfast, and a ride to the trailhead. It seems like a good deal, and besides the owners Joshua and Leigh Saint are from the AT class of 2000 like myself, so I am biased. I am looking forward to the hike!
Date: 2011-02-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Only Three Weeks on the TrailI learned yesterday that I will only be spending about three weeks on the AT. Yep, I think I will get as far as Erwin, before I have to head to Knoxville to catch a flight. And the reason for getting off early is a pretty good one: I have an interview with a major long-distance trail association... HELL YEAH! I am perfectly willing to get off the trail to pursue a dream job with an awesome organization. I guess this means I will have to milk this AT experience for everything that it is. I look forward to getting out there, even if it only means it's for three weeks.
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Sassafras Mountain
Miles today: 19.8

Back on the AT!The approach trail to Springer Mountain was spectacular. In 2000, I skipped the trail, after I finished at Springer, and for a long time, I regretted it. Apparently the falls are the tallest east of the Mississippi, dropping a total of 729-feet! Today they were really flowing. All the previous days' rain has created some serious volume on the falls. As I climbed up toward the top of the falls, my shirt and pack got damp from the fall's mist. Reaching the top of the falls was daunting, as I climbed 850-feet in .9-miles.I enjoyed my return to Springer Mountain. The two plaques reamain unchanged from eleven years ago, and they of course brought back great memories of my November 8th finish in 2000. I cried when i reached Springer in 2000. Today, I felt a sense of rebirth, as I embark on a new AT journey, filled with new memories and friends.I am alone tonight. I toyed with the idea of camping back at Hawk Mountain Shelter, but it was a circus there, as it was full of hikers, and a "tentopolis" was spread around it like some kind of suburb. So, I don't mind the solitude tonight, as I am sure that I will run into many hikers over the next few weeks.What a pleasure it is to be back on the trail. Goodnight.
Date: 2011-03-12
From: Sassafras Mountain

To: Bull Gap
Miles today: 20.7

An Eventful Day on the TrailSo many events happened on the trail that I thoguht I'd make a list:Met a guy named Matthew, who was carrying a library (maybe 15) books about philosophy and religionReceived my first trail magic at Woody Gap. Donnie of the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club (GATC) cooked hot dogs, and offered bananas, apples, oranges, fudge bars, and granola bars for hikersHeard about the terrible earthquake in Japan, and I said a prayerMet another Triple Crowner, named Frogger. He's training for a southbound thru-hike of te AT starting on Katahdin on August 1st. He has also hiked with SnorkelA young man gave me carrots, celery, and an orange at Bird GapMet my first ridge runner on this hike. His name id Razor, and he hiked the AT in 2008. He was escoritng a guy out of Woods Hole shelter, who had been living there for a few days with his two pit bulls, and he scared hikersI climbed to the top of Blood Mountain, which was sunny and clear (unlike 2000). The views were great from the top, but it was very overcrowdedDescended Blood Mountain - a feat unto itself!Met Baltimore Jack at Mountain Corssings in Neels Gap. The last time I saw him on the trail was in 2000 on top of Bear Mountain in ConnecticutCamping out at Bull Gap with a family and their two chocolate labs. It's the kids first time backpackingGoodnight!
Date: 2011-03-13
From: Bull Gap

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I Found "Found"I ran into a hiker named Found. I had seen his name in the shelter registers, and other hikers told me that he had hiked the CDT in 2010. I had to meet him.When I got to Hogback Gap, there were two hikers named Skidmark and Weazel, who were cooking hamburgers and passing out cold drinks to hikers... TRAIL MAGIC! There sitting on a chair was a hiker who told me "I know your face." I asked him who he was, and he said "Found." We finally met!As we talked more we both discovered something pretty amazing that we shared in common: We are both interviewing for the same job with the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Wow! What are the odds that we'd run into each other on the trail? The two of us represent 40% of the candidates interviewing for the job.Anyway, since both of us have a similar hiking pace, we've decided to hike together in spite of the fact that we are both in serious competition for the same job. Both of us have talked about the position, but I think we are hesitant to divulge too much. i have my ideas, and he has his. Nonetheless, the trail has brought us together, and for the time being, we are companions (not adversaries) out here. This trail is a crazy place!
Date: 2011-03-14
From: Rocky Mountain

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Appreciating a ShowerIn this country, we take showers for granted. It¢s places like the trail where we really learn to value and appreciate them.In the world of commitments and work, a shower is a normal routine. Many of us wake up, stumble to the bathroom, do our business, and then search for the right water temperature. We hop in, shampoo, soap, rinse, and towel off (others might be more elaborate in their routine!). This seems to be the morning ritual for many of us.I was going on my fourth day without a shower until I came here to Blueberry Patch Hostel. While that may not sound like a long time to go without a shower, consider that I had sweat profusely each day climbing the mountains of north Georgia. All the oils, sweat, and salt accumulated on my body, hair, and clothes, and the resulted odor was foul.When I got in the shower today, It felt like I was washing a layer of grime off of me. I tasted the salt running down my face that had crystallized on my scalp... yummy! It took two doses of shampoo to wash the grease out of my hair. Using a wash cloth and soap, I washed off all the dead skin, oils, salt, and dirt off my body, and spent extra time cleaning my feet and the nether regions!Oh, how I appreciate a shower! I feel like a new man. I am clean, refreshed, restored, and feel reborn! Now, I am ready for another 5-days of hiking before I start the whole process over again.
Date: 2011-03-15
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: moderate rain

We Are Dependent!If anyone one says that they did the did the AT (or any long trail) on their own, they are lying. All long distance trails are impossible to do without the aid and support of friends, family, or the complete stranger.I stayed at Blueberry Patch Hostel last night, which is owned by Gary Poteat. He runs a seasonal hostel, which caters only to hikers, and the place is wonderful. He did our laundry, provided a shower, a bed, and a cooked breakfast, which was probably one of the best breakfasts I have had from any hostel owner on any of the three long distance trails. Gary is an amazing guy, and he seemed to really go out of his way to help me out.Found and I got a ride back to the trail from a local, who probably drove 3-4-miles beyond where he lived to take us back to Dick¢s Creek Gap. We offered him money for the ride, but he refused it. For my entire 24-hour stay in Hiawassee, I got four different hitches from four different drivers.These trails are not done solo. They are only possible through the generosity, care, and sacrifice of others.
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelters
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: overcast clouds

MilestonesMilestones are huge on the Appalachian Trail. For some, just getting to Neel¢s Gap (30-miles) is a big accomplishment. Just a couple nights ago, one hike said that he eclipsed the 50-mile mark which is the furthest he had ever hiked.Today, I made it to the North Carolina - Georgia border, which is cause for celebration - it¢s great to get to a new state! I also hiked over the 5,000-foot elevation mark, when I summited Standing Indian Mountain, and I have logged over 100-miles on this adventure. There were a lot of milestones today!Nonetheless, on the inside, I was not really feeling the euphoria for what I have done. I¢ve met these milestones before, and almost feel like these accomplishments are meaningless.When I hiked the AT back in 2000, I was always amazed by the numbers, and what I did (i.e. crossing state lines, climbing to new heights, or doing big miles). Now, I am just happy and thrilled to be out here. I am grateful that I can still enjoy the wilderness experience, be amazed by twisted gnarled trees, and stare at distant ridges from a rare vista. I guess that I am more happy to be at this milestone in my life, where I can enjoy the simpler things.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Carter Gap Shelters

To: Camp Near Wine Spring Road
Miles today: 24.3

TechnologyTechnology amazes me. This evening, I made a call to the Montrail Shoe Warranty Hotline, and I arranged to send my shoes back to them when I get to a post office. Eleven years ago, I could not do this from the wilderness!A large chunk of my right shoe¢s sole started to peel off back in Hiawassee. Today, at Winding Stair Gap, that chunk was flapping wildly underneath my foot, so I tore it off. When I showed Found my shoe, he suggested that I call Montrail today.Found has a smart phone, and he has used it on the trail to check his e-mails, update his blog (Outside365.com), and read the latest news updates from the Japanese earthquake. Well, tonight he looked up the warranty hotline number for Montrail, and I happened to get cell service from this high ridge, and wallah! I am getting my shoes exchanged.Unfortunately, I still have to hike another 19-miles with a bad right shoe to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. There, I will purchase another pair of shoes, and perhaps send the old ones back to Montrail. Unfortunately, Montrail will not get the replacement pair back to me for a couple of weeks, I have to purchase another pair of shoes.I wonder how different technology will be eleven years from now? Will I get my shoe sent to me by air drop?
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Camp Near Wine Spring Road

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 19.1

ShoesI am staring at a shoe box, in which my new shoes came. I arrived at the Nantahala Outdoor Center this evening, just after 5:00. The outfitter had just closed, but the salesman, Alpine (AT 2000), sold me a pair of new shoes anyway. I picked up a pair of La Sportivas, which is a new shoe for me. I¢ve always been loyal to New Balance and Montrail. My hiking partner Found influenced me to buy the shoes. He¢s been wearing them since the beginning of the trail, and he told me that they are the ¢in¢ shoe for a lot of long-distance hikers, which I was not aware of. Anyway, they are comfortable, breathable, and I think they will get me where I need to go.Hikers often talk about the ¢Big 3¢ - backpack, shelter, and sleeping bag. I honestly think hikers should refer to the ¢Big 4,¢ since I think shoes should be added to that list. Footwear is critical to one¢s enjoyment of a hike. I was not enjoying watching my Montrail shoes falling apart, or the blisters they caused on my right foot. I only hope that this new experiment in footwear is pleasant. Goodnight!
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Nantahala RIver

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

A Strenuous Hiking DaySome days on the trail are more strenuous than others. Today was one of those very strenuous days.I left the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) with Found and another hiker named Homer at 10am. The AT Guide showed a very challenging elevation profile leaving the NOC, but I had a nice stack of pancakes for breakfast, and I was up for the task.The climb was long. For 9-miles, I walked uphill to the top of Cheoah Bald. I did take a break at Sassafras Gap Shelter before getting to the bald, but I have to admit that my calves were screaming in pain from the long climb.After Cheoah Bald, the trail continued to ascend and descend along ridges. My pace slowed as the day continued, and I started to dread the uphill climbs.After Stecoah Gap, there was a final climb for the day, which is appropriately titled ¢Jacob¢s Ladder.¢ The climb goes straight up a steep knob, before petering out into three switchbacks at the top. It was a challenging climb at the end of an already long day, but I don¢t think it was as bad as billed by northbounders over the years.Tomorrow should be a fairly ¢relaxed¢ 11.2-mile hike into Fontana Dam. I look forward to the rest there. Goodnight.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

SquatchSquatch made it to Fontana Dam shortly after I got here. How great it is to see him again! Squatch is a documentarian, and has produced four fils on the Pacific Crest Trail, as well as a documentary on Sasquatch. Yep, he's one of those yeti experts that they get on CNN once in a blue moon.Anyway, he is out here to do a documentary on the Appalachian Trail, and he's starting from Fontana, and heading south to Springer. From there, it sounds like he will flip-flop back up to Fontana, and hike north up to Damascus or something like that.
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 7.0

SpringSpring is here! I believe today is the first day of spring, eh? From the way the plants and trees are looking at the lower elevations, the season is definitely breaking in upon us.Trillium are starting to bloom with their deep maroon-colored flowers. I have also noticed that the violets are beginning to show their colors. Other flowers, which I do not recognize, are scattered on the forest floor in whites and yellows. It¢s beautiful.This is what I signed up for when I came out here to hike: to walk with spring. I had expected to be worse, but I¢ve only had to walk in cloudy, misty conditions once. Now that I am in the Great Smoky National Park, I have a feeling that might change - I¢ve heard that we might get rain on Wednesday. Besides, every time I have hiked in this park, it has rained.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: broken clouds

Lost and FondI keep finding baskets to trekking poles on the trail Over the last four days, I have found five baskets! One fits a Black Diamond pole, another fits an MSR pole, and the other three fit Leki poles. I have been asking other hikers if they lost their baskets, but no one has yet to make a claim.When I hiked this trail back in 2000, I also found a lot of stuff. I found a pair of binoculars, two Pak-Towels, three bandanas, and an REI balaclava, which I still carry to this day. In fact, the balaclava is the only piece of gear I have that has been on all three trails (AT, PCT, and CDT).As the saying goes, ¢The trail giveth, and the trail taketh away.¢ I have also lost a few items on the trail. I left a baseball cap in a shelter in Vermont, and just recently, I left my trekking poles at the Tilly Jane Cabin up on Mount Hood.Tomorrow, I climb Clingman¢s Dome (what is a Clingman?), which is a 6,643-foot high peak. I hope I don¢t lose anything up there. Otherwise, it will be an awfully long walk back to the top. Goodnight!
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Speculating on the WeatherWhen there is a threat of rain, speculation abound on the trail. Since yesterday, i've been hearing that it was going to rain today. The question was when, and thus the speculation.This morning I ran into a ridgerunner about 2-miles south of Newfound Gap. He told me that it was going to start raining between 2 and 4pm. He suggested that I take cover in a shelter before the hail and lightning starts. Then, I ran into an older couple who told me that it was going to start at 3pm, but that the system was moving slow. Finally, I met some hikers at Ice Water Shelter at 1:30, who told me that they were done for the day, because of the threat of rain.I sat at Ice Water Shelter, debating whether to stay or go. The idea of hiking on a narrow ridge with rain, hail, and lightning pounding me from the sky did not appeal to me. Looking at the skies, the weather system did not look at all organized, so I decided to roll the dice, and leave the shelter.It turns out that the rain never really started up until 7pm this evening. Yes, the skies huffed and puffed, but nothing ever came of it. Apparently, it is supposed to hail tonight, and then the weather will be nice tomorrow. However, that weather is also open to speculation!
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 25.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Calorie DeficientI checked myself on a scale, and I weighed in at 165-pounds. I started the trail at 183!I feel like I have been taking in plenty of calories while hiking on the trail, but apparently it's not enough. Adequate calorie intake and nutrition is a losing battle that many of us thru-hikers deal with on our hikes.When I am in town, I try to eat as much as I can, and that includes salads and fruit. In fact, I often leave town having consumed more food than what my digestive system can handle (and I late pay the price!). However, all the food is not enough to meet the demands of climbing 4,000-feet over a 7-mile stretch, or walking 26-miles day after day.I head into Hot Springs the day after tomorrow. There, I will be taking a zero day, so I can rest my tired legs, catch up on personal matters, and eat lots and lots of food. No doubt, I will try and exhaust my food bags, so I do not arrive in town with an empty stomach. Goodnight.
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: few clouds

I'm a MessGoing into the day, I smelled like a dead animal. Days of sweat, mucus, and body oils, and salts have left me smelling quite ripe. I am embarrassed by my odor.Now I smell worse. This morning, I shit my pants. I tried to get off the trail to dig a cat hole, but by bowels have a mind of their own. What a mess.I tried to clean up with the little toilet paper I had remaining, but I ended up having to use a dirty pair of socks and the unsoiled portion of my underwear to clean everything up. So now, I smell like a fecal-laced dead animal. Boy, I look forward to going to town tomorrow for a shower and laundry.This is not the first time that this has happened to me on the trail... smelling rank and pooping my pants, so I expect these things to happen every so often. The challenge is living with the odor and the dirty feeling. That's life on the trail - learning to endure the the unpleasantness that life throws one's way. Perhaps this applies to some grand-type lesson in life. Who knows? All I know is that I stink!
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

In Hot Springs I arrived at Elmer's place (the Sunnybank Inn) around 9am to find him and a bunch of other hikers gathered around the dining table eating a large breakfast. "Can I get a room?" I asked. "Not until 11am" he replied. That's when hikers check out, and Elmer's was full last night.No problem! I left my pack on his back porch, and I headed to the post office to pick up my bounce box, and check out Bluff Mountain Outfitters. Afterwards, I went to the diner, and ate breakfast with two hikers named Fungi and Rocket Girl. A few items on my town to-do list were accomplished!I finally checked in at Elmer's after breakfast, and then took a shower. AHHHHHH! Cleanliness! How I needed a shower! Then I went to a laundromat, where I washed my shit-stained clothes. Afterwards, I went to a cafe, where I ate a sandwich, and surfed the internet for free. However, it was a slow connection, so it took a million years to upload a simple picture to Facebook.Afterwards, I met Found at the sports bar for supper, and to compare notes on this whole AT northbound experience. The conversation was lively. Finally, I went back to Elmer's for a movie and sleep. What a busy day!
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero DayYep, I just wrote 0-miles in my journal. This is the first time on this entire adventure that I've been able to take a zero day, and what a deserved rest it has been!I started the day with breakfast at Elmer's, which was great! Elmer served eggs, biscuits and gravy, grits, cantaloupe, and granola cereal. Truly it was a well-balanced meal!Afterwards, I went to Moreland Presbyterian Church here in town, and it was great to sing hymns and hear the gospel preached for the first time since I started at Springer. After worship, I sat on my butt all day, and I worked on my computer. I feel that I got a lot done today, but it always seems like there's more to do.I came back from Elmer's for supper, and he hit another homerun of a meal. Again, he served healthy portions, and it was perhaps the most well-balanced meal that I've had on the trail. I cannot say enough about how great Elmer's Sunnybank Inn is here in Hot Springs!I am back on the trail tomorrow. The weather looks crappy for the next few days. I am glad that I have my umbrella! Goodnight
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Hot Springs

To: Camp North of Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 17.6

My Last Full Week on the Appalachian Trail, and Making a DecisionFound reminded me that this is our last week on the trail. Yikes! My time on the AT is indeed drawing to a close, but I feel like I just got out here yesterday.I am quite sure that I will be taking a zero day in Erwin on Friday, as I feel that there's a lot I have to do to prepare for my interview with the Pacific Crest Trail Association. I need to prepare some slides for a Keynote presentation, and I need to give more thought to an integrated approach for the Trail Information Specialist position.I think Found will be pushing ahead on Friday. He has to be off the trail on the 3rd, while I have another day to kill since I plan to be off on the 4th. Hmmmm... wait... I could also get off the trail on the 3rd, but that depends on how convenient it is for my friend, Patch. Hmmmm... I have to make a phone call.It would be great to finish this hike with Found. Besides, I have a ride to Johnson City from Patch's parents, and Found could use the ride into town. Hmmmm... new plans for me? Well, it's good to think out loud on paper here! Goodnight!