morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-08-25
From: Bennington, VT

To: near Little Pond lookout
Miles today: 6.0

Day 154 8/25: I'M BACK!Yesterday, I got the stent out. It was uncomfortable, but not painful. While the doctor was trying to get the stent out, he said "well, that didn't work." Not something you want to hear the doctor say. But, the next try went smoothly. Today, I am back on trail! My mom and I met Trudge this morning at the trailhead in Bennington, Vt. Food was the first priority. After some Mexican White Pizza and conversation with Gimme Pizza's owner, we headed to the Vortex hostel to repack our gear. Unfortunately, I brought our winter gear (old backpacks, sleeping bags, etc) from home. This was easier and cheaper than mailing the stuff from home and then sending our lightweight gear back through the mail. We don't really need the warmer gear just yet. Both of our packs are now heavier than we would like, but we will get used to it again soon.We spent most of the afternoon in the garage at the Vortex deciding whether we were going to hike today or not. The rain was sporadic, but when it rained it poured. But, I really wanted to hike!! After all, I had been laid up for two weeks. Trudge was insisting that if he (especially his feet) were wet for days on end again, he would quit. While I was home in PA, he was soaked from rain almost the entire time. His feet hurt A LOT and the blisters and callouses had started to fall off in a weird peeling manner. Neither of us wanted to be the one to make the final decision on whether we were going back out today or not. In the end, I declared that we were going to walk and we started back on trail in a light drizzle. That light drizzle became a heavy rain and I admitted that I had made the wrong decision. We briefly thought about stopping at the first shelter (2 miles out of town) or turning around and going back to town (my mom was still with us), but that seemed pointless. So, we kept hiking and eventually we were so drenched that we didn't even care.
Date: 2011-08-26
From: near Little Pond lookout

To: Story Spring shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

Day 155 8/26Got an ok time start this morning, but since I made us hike in the rain yesterday we had to take a 2 hr lunch break to dry our stuff!! How quickly we can take over a shelter with clotheslines! This is the dilemma: walk in the rain to not "waste" time in town waiting for better weather or "waste" time on trail trying to dry everything out.I tried to conquer my fear of heights on the Glastenbury Fire tower. I walked up to the third landing and turned around and went back down. Five minutes later I made it to the 4th landing. Maybe if I waited longer, I would have made it to the top!!Vermont is gorgeous and we haven't even seen any views yet. A lot of greenery. The forest is full of spruce, fir, beech, and birch trees. There is a shrub with bright red berries that is prolific, but we aren't sure what it is. The trail has been VERY muddy. I now know why they call this state "Vermud!" Early on I said that I would rather have had mud than rocks, now I am not so sure. When I try to walk quickly through, I usually just slip and my feet go in opposite directions or I sink in until the mud covers my entire shoe. Such fun. We found some trail magic (which has been rare up north) at Kid Gore shelter. Thanks to the threat of Hurricane Irene some of a trail crew didn't show up, so one of the maintainers had extra food!!
Date: 2011-08-27
From: Story Spring shelter

To: Green Mountain House
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 156 8/27: Come on Irene!Hurricane Irene might throw a wrench in our plans. We need to get into town (Manchester) so we aren't in the woods tonight or tomorrow morning when the storm hits. We have a long way on the trail to walk to Manchester (17 miles). We never walk this far in a day, so it will be late when we get in.This morning, I saw a moose off the trail about 75 yards. At first, I only saw one adult, but eventually the stump on the ground stood up and it was a calf. Awesome! Thank goodness the mamma didn't mind me taking pictures.When I caught up with Trudge, he said "What happened? I thought we were trying to go fast today." Well, moose trumps fast!We hiked up Stratton Mountain (where Benton Mackaye supposedly thought of the AT). There were signs advising all hikers to evacuate. They recommended hiking across Statton ridge to the ski area and walking down the ski slopes. We decided to follow this advice and get out early, as the storm clouds were rolling in! Instead of of walking down the ski slopes, we rode the gondala!! At first I was nervous, but had a blast anyway. I have repeatedly been amazed at some of the looks and gestures we get while trying to hitchhike. Today we even got a "thumbs down." Don't people know we are vagrants with a purpose.Once we hitched into Manchester, we met new northbounders: Chuckwagon, Chowhound, Katie, and Hawk. I can't believe that we are in Vermont and are still meeting new northbounders who also started in Georgia. The hostel in Manchester (Green Mountain House) was full of people, some who we hadn't seen in a long long time. I think this hostel might become on of my favorites. A pint of Ben and Jerry's even comes with your stay!!
Date: 2011-10-20
From: Maine

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just a quick note so everyone knows where we are.   We have finally made it to Maine!! We hitchhiked from Andover, Maine (the first town you come to on the AT in southern Maine) to Monson, ME. From Monson we were planning on walking north through the hundred-mile wilderness to Baxter State Park and then hitchhiking back to Monson to continue south. However, some friends of ours (Stearman, Turtle Feet, Saline, and Tentpole) came down in a van from Baxter and had room to take us back. This worked out perfectly.We summited Mount Katahdin on October 7th on the most perfect day. The weather couldn't have been more beautiful. We passed a bottle of celebratory champagne around at the top. We had friends who went up two days before and they couldn't see a thing and were constantly pelted with ice and sleet. We are now back in Monson waiting out rain by working at Lakeshore House Hostel. Thank you to Rebekah, the owner. We have about 140 more miles of Maine and then we should be home for awhile. Our plans had included trying to finish up the sections in Virginia and PA that we missed, but we aren't sure if we will get to that before winter sets in completely. Time will tell. Stay tuned for more installments.
Date: 2011-10-21
From: A note on Pictures

To: A note on Pictures
Miles today: 0.0

Just a brief infomercial...if you or your loved ones would like to continue to view our pictures please refer to facebook. Trudge is having difficulties adding pictures to this site, so if you are interested look up "Earl T Kegel Jr" on facebook and you should be able to see our pics. Thanks! He will try again on this site at a later date.
Date: 2009-10-07
To: Commitment & Preparation
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the commitment is made and preparation has begun. Original plans have changed but the start date of 2/1/10 is still the same. Made contact with Chief (friend of JJ) to join us at the start. We will meet at Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, GA. Quicktoez, who was going to start with me, got a job so will not hike right away with me. Klip will be over on 4/1/10 and Ma will pick him up and have him join us on the trail, where ever we are at that time. Celebrating my 70th on the 5th with Klip as planned. That was sort of what stirred this trip. Plus the fact that since doing the AT in 07 I couldn't get it off my mind. A friend from the 07 trip, Jess (Torpedo), convinced me with "if you have an itch, you need to scratch it!" And an itch I have.
Date: 2009-10-07
To: Dedication
Miles today: 0.0

I have dedicated this trip to my son, Jimmy. He hiked with us in 07 when he could; Mt Katahdin, Mt Madison & Mt Washington, Western Mass, Delaware Water Gap, Bear Mtn and a week in Pennsylvania (Lehigh Gap south to Port Clinton). He was diagnosed with stage 4 Brain Cancer in 10/07. He lost his battle on April 30, 2009
Date: 2009-12-04
To: The time is getting closer.
Miles today: 0.0

Boots ordered & received...Garmont and Montrail (same as I used in 07). T3 undergarments ordered & received, to brave the February cold in the GA mountains. Contact has been made with Chief. He will meet me at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, GA. I will call this week to make reservations.
Date: 2010-01-29
To: Leaving at 4 a.m.
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the time is almost here. Final preparations are made, backpack is packed, food is ready - homemade granola for breakfasts, fruit & nut snacks packaged, Albe's venison pepperoni (THANK YOU, ALBE), two boxes ready to be dropped off at 1st 2 stops. New tires on the car & a rear-brake job in preparation for the trip to Georgia. We are heading into one of the worst storms of winter in N Carolina & Georgia. Expecting 12 inches of snow in mountains over Saturday & Sunday. Talked with Gary Poteat of the Blueberry Patch last night. Warned of very cold temperatures at night..actually suggested delaying leave date for a week. Have a Zero bag for sleeping, but that's just enough to keep me from freezing to death! Tried to get hold of Chief to discuss but since I haven't been able to reach him, we will leave as scheduled. We will be delayed, as I am sure we won't be able to get up Springer by road on Monday as planned. But we will adjust and all will be okay. We won't make any foolish decisions. SHOULD I TAKE MY SNOWSHOES? The Blueberry Patch is making some renovations and will not open until the middle of February so am unsure where our 1st stop will be yet. It will depend on how much delay we have in getting started. Chief, X-mas & Stumpknocker will meet us at Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega...they will get there the 30th, we should arrive on the 31st-in the midst of their storm! Ironic, in 07 we left Massachusetts headed right in to the St Patrick's Day blizzard and drove in it all the way-fifteen hours from MA to Carlisle PA (usually a 6-hr trip). Talk about white knuckles..here we go again!!! I think all my gear is in good shape. Anything that needs replacing, I can do it on the Trail. I will get a 3/4 pad for under the sleeping bag (maybe it won't creep so much-or maybe more!) after the bad weather. Thank you all for your messages. I hope to see you along the Trail. We will keep the fires burning to warm you when you get in! That is Just Jack Carter in the photo next to me..you must know him, he stopped to talked to just about everyone he met on the Trail. Thank you, also, to Trail Journals. It has helped me keep in touch with the AT over the past couple years by following the Hiker journals. The Trail is burned in my memory and reading the journals brings it all back to life for me. Klip, I am looking forward to your arrival in April. We'll keep the journal up to date so you can follow along. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-01-30
To: WE'RE OFF!
Miles today: 0.0

Last night the weather forcasts were so bad for Dahlonega, Chief & I decided to wait a bit to leave. This morning, however, he called and we have decided to move on as planned. We are getting off 6 hours later, but still time to go as planned. Dahlonega got about 2 inches of snow and the storm will be out to sea by tonight. Tomorrow is forcast for sunny but still cold..about 40-47 degrees. We can plan on 10 degrees less than that in the mountains. We will see what Josh has to say about the shuttle up Springer..we still may have to wait a day but we will be there to take off. My feet are getting itchy!!!Will update as soon as I can with our progress. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

Fahmah's journal submitted by Ma. I am very tired tonight but wanted to get you all up to date with our travels. We ended up leaving Templeton around 10:30 on Saturday the 30th. Fahmah & I picked up my sister Janice and headed off, knowing we would hit the storm some where in Virginia. The driving got a little hairy in Virginia where the snow was falling. It had been snowing most of the day and accumulated enough for the plows to be on the road. We stopped for the night around 8:30 p.m. Were advised there had been a 30-car pile up around 5 p.m. just up the road from where we stopped. Had dinner at Cracker Barrell and got a great night's sleep. Got up next morning to clear skies and headed the rest of the way to Georgia, arriving at Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega around 9 p.m. Josh, Chief & Christmas and Stumpknocker & Mrs Gorp were waiting. We made our acquaintances, made plans for taking off on the next day and settled in the lower floor bunk room and had a wonderful rest after a long, long drive. Fahmah tells me the Hiker Hostel isn't just an ordinary hostel you see on the trail. It is a gorgeous log cabin in an incredibly beautiful location. The accomodations are convenient & comfortable. We couldn't have asked for better. The breakfast was delicious; pancakes, grits, scrambled eggs, oj & coffee. The hikers were packed and ready to hike by about 9:30. They loaded in Josh's Suburban and headed off to Springer. Sister Jan & I headed back over to Adairsville to visit my brother-in-law & his family before heading back to Massachusetts. Had a great visit, it was wonderful to see you all. I missed Fahmah's call on Monday evening but he got through to me on Tuesday around noon. Springer was icy but Fahmah used his yak-trax on his boots and he said they worked great. The sun came out and a lot of the ice was melting from the trees (an inch/inch&1/2 thick chunks)and hitting the hikers on their heads. Stumpknocker put something from his pack under his hat to cushion the blows to the head! 7.9 miles on the first day was good. He said he was cozy to sleep...not too cold. Had developed a couple of hot spots on his feet from the boot liners. Must take care of those feet! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Heard from Fahmah around noon today. They were heading to the next shelter. Was sprinkling rain and not so icy. I told him we had delivered his drops as instructed. The first at Neel's Gap, the second in Hiawassee at Mull's Motel. It was his intent to stay with Gary & Lennie Poteat at the Blueberry Patch but they won't be open till a week after Fahmah goes thru. He has fond memories of his stay there and of the wonderful friendships he forged in 07 with others that stayed there too! The 3rd drop was mailed to Nantahala Outdoor Center. We really wanted to see it there, but the weather was questionable and it was just too long out of the way. Maybe one day!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-03
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap, Suches
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Just 5 miles today. Fahmah's feet are bothering. They called Josh for a shuttle back to the Hostel, a good supper and care for Fahmah's feet. Went to Walmart for flat inserts for the boots. It seems had Fahmah read the directions, he would have known he was supposed to use the Super-Feet inserts for just a couple hours at a time until they were broken in....not for a full 3 days of hiking. Well, that's a good lesson learned. Let's pray that the blisters heal and he gets a good rest. Tomorrow Josh will give them another shuttle and they will slack-pack the next 10 miles to Neel's Gap and go back to the Hostel for the night. Stumpknocker and Mrs Gorp will leave then, leaving Chief, Christmas & Fahmah. I will sign off for tonight. It has been a long day. Thanks to all for the messages and words of encouragement. Keep your dreams alive."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-04
From: Woody Gap, Suches

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

First I want to say "Thank You" to Mrs Gorp & Stumpknocker for the idea to get the flat insoles from Walmart. They worked wonders and made all the difference in the world walking the miles today. You two truly are "trail angels". I really appreciated having you along for the first few days.   Today we walked up and over Blood Mountain, the 10.6 miles in around 6 hours. It was a good walk but it was snowing like crazy. We're back at the hostel again tonight. Plans for tomorrow are uncertain with the storm. My feet feel fine without the Super-Feet inserts for now. Will update tomorrow. Good night for now."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-05
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

I took a zero today. Stayed at Hiker Hostel last night and got shuttled to Neel's Gap to sleep tonight. Sadly, Chief & Xmas decided to go home. The snow and ice was more than they bargained for or wanted to deal with. Hopefully we will see them again when Jack comes on the trail later when Klip is here. Yesterday we had wet snow to trek in all day, but today there was pouring rain all day long. Yesterday it was apparent that my waterproofing job I did on my rain gear was not very successful. I purchased a new rain jacket at Wintons, a necessity on the trail, to keep me dry. Also packaged up a few things to send home. It lightened my pack by about 4 lbs. Tomorrow I plan to hike 10.8 miles to Low Gap shelter. With the rest today and an early start this shouldn't be a problem. My feet are so much better with the regular insoles. Will wait till they are fully healed before trying the Super-Feet again. Klip, I don't think the snow will last till you get here!! I wish I could keep it for you....you can have it! I'll sign off for now. Thanks to all for your words of kindness & support. Hope to catch you on the trail as I move along."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-06
From: Neels Gap

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

This update is late in coming. No phone service. Fahmah did call me around 11 a.m. on Saturday. Said he was walking in the snow again..blowing sideways. Not a whole lot of accumulation..but with the ice chunks underfoot it wasn't great. But he arrived at the shelter and set up the tent inside. Yesterday at Neel's Gap bunk house he met up with Second Stage. They were on the trail together today and both stopped at Low Gap. It was a sleepless night for Fahmah. Thought he heard a bear in the woods around the shelter. However, there were no footprints around in the morning when he checked. My granola is working great for his breakfast. He is heating his water for his coffee and putting some in the cereal so he has a hot meal that sticks to his ribs better. It still takes him a long time in the morning to pack up, Klip. He still has those same gaitors!! He has some low ones with velcro for summer though, so it will get better. He said to tell you his Thermorest is too old to creep anymore! And, Jack, he's still too fat, his drawers won't be falling for quite some time yet. He misses you guys and will be happy when you can join him. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-07
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Thank God for Trail Angels. We walked our miles today getting out to Rt 75, at Unicoi Gap around 4 p.m. We caught a ride from a couple that brought us right to our respective hotels, me to Mull's in Hiawassee and Second Stage to hers. After I got cleaned up, he even came back to pick me up and we went over to his place where I was served a delicious dinner and invited to watch the Super Bowl. When the game was over, I was brought back to my hotel for a good night's sleep. It was amazing. I tried to pay, but was told, "that's just what we do!" Thank you so much for your tremendous hospitality. I'm sorry, but I didn't even get your names.The walk was tough today, still walking through snow and over ice chunks that had fallen from the trees. At the bottom of one of the mountains the ice had rolled down the hill and accumulated at the base to nearly 6 inches. The further we get north, it seems the lower the temperatures. We went over the 50 mile mark today....total of 50.9 miles so far. That is about 20 miles short of my 70-mile per week goal, but was expected for the first week on the trail. My feet are doing okay. I'm unsure whether I will just take a zero tomorrow to wash clothes or move on to the next shelter. It depends on the weather and how I feel tomorrow. Will keep you posted. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-08
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mtn Rd
Miles today: 3.3

Don't let the daily miles fool you, it was really double that or more. Read on.The morning was spent walking in the pouring rain to the nearest laundramat to wash the clothes dirtied this past week. After settling up with Mull's Motel Fahmah called Dave for a ride to the trail. The weather was breaking and Fahmah hoped to walk the 5.6 miles to Tray Mtn Shelter for the night. He was back on the trail a little after noon and headed toward Rocky Mtn. About 1/2 way down the other side, he met Second Stage on her way up. She had turned around and told Fahmah that she had found the top of Tray Mtn to be treacherous and feared getting bopped off the head with the icy branches and that she had lost the trail in the tangle of the icy branches. He had no idea of the reality of it, so he forged forward as Second Stage headed back to the road for safety. As he got to the top of Tray Mtn where he assumed Second Stage had turned back, he found the rhododendron & mountain laurel he had found so beautiful in 2007, to be a tangled mass of impenetrable, thick icy branches, embedded in the ice on the ground so firmly that he could hardly budge it. He pushed & prodded & crawled through the first mass of tangled mess and found the trail on a switchback to the right. He walked a little further and found more of the same. He, too, decided that he would be unable to go any further and turned back. Part way down the mountain he made a call to Robin & Dave for a ride back to Hiawassee. Dave was out at the time but she would relay the message to him about where Fahmah was. Fahmah hurried down the mountainside as quickly as he could with the conditions. It was getting dark but the snow made it light enough without needing his headlamp. As he was still in the woods he saw lights of a vehicle at the base. He started to run and yell at the top of his lungs, but to no avail. Just before he exited the woods, he watched as the vehicle pulled away and rounded the corner quite a ways down the road. His heart sank. He ran to the other side of the road down the trail again, hoping to catch the vehicle on the next crossing a little ways away. Again, with the same results. He called Robin again but by the time she reached Dave he was 40 minutes away from where Fahmah was and had to turn around and head back for him again!! Finally, they connected and headed back to Hiawassee. When Fahmah got to Mull's Motel, they had a sign up saying they had no rooms..FULL! No choice but the Holiday Inn Express. $74. per night (plus the taxes!!) But, ooohhhhhh, they had a jacuzzi tub. It was too late to get dinner by this time, so a food bar, gorp, cheese & venison pepperoni made a filling supper in the room. A soak in the jacuzzi tub was so rejuvenating and relaxing. He settled in for a good night's sleep...expensive as it was. Dave & Robin went above & beyond, once again, being the Angels they are. Tomorrow's another day. What's the weather forecast???"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-02-09
From: Tray Mtn Rd

To: Tray Mtn Rd
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero....the weather forecast....pouring rain again to a half inch today(above 3000 feet..ice!). Another night at Holiday Inn Express, however, this time share the expenses with Second Stage. What the hell, they stay together at the shelters! Thank God for a friend to share the time & expenses with.   Phone calls to family, updates for journaling, the day passes. All you can eat at the Steak House across the street. Weather forecasts a "very windy" day for tomorrow. Stay tuned."FOR YOU JIM"