morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-12-17
To: Appalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well this is the Start of my Journals for my March 15/2005 hike. Still can't get a hold of a friend (hardly ever could). The dentist was not in today to sign off on the pictures, he'll be back Tuesday, for my passport which is the second to last thing that needs to be done for this trip. The bus ticket to Atlanta Georgia being the last thing. Tried putting part of my gear list down on this site don't think pictures worked out right, I'll have to edit them another time and see how things go. I think the pictures actually have to be cleared by the site administrator before I can attach them to my gear listings.It maybe a little early to start the journals but I think the next few months are going to fly by.In Regards,Tomato Head
Date: 2004-12-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was an interesting day, got to see the reactions to my new hair cut. The dentist was also in today and got to run my passport application over to the government office (ugh had to part with 85 dollars). Thank god I'm done my christmas shopping the crowds are nuts, the temperature is 15 degrees below before wind chill factor and the buses and trains are all off schedule.Still can't wait to begin.
Date: 2004-12-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. E-mailed everyone I care about (I think) the link for this site, with an explanation of what (who) to search for. Finally managed to contact the friend I was having trouble getting a hold of, him and another friend think I'm crazy, they could be right. This should be the final pre-trail journal I do but feel free to sigh the quest book or send me an e-mail about anything.
Date: 2005-02-26
To: Apalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0

So many things so little time. Finished over 15 years with RBC Dominion Securities yesterday, now just have to wait for the benefits to be payed out. Also had my taxes done yesterday, two years worth just have to wait for the refunds. Cleared out most of the appartment and had a friend pickup the fish tank.Sunday have to get the official document for the Cmac Honbu about being a black belt. On Monday down to my Dad's place and then backup on Saturday with the moving truck to pickup everything in the appartment (10 years of stuff) while hoping the Garage becomes unstuck so I can get everything out of it. Still have to pickup the Bus ticket to Atlanta and payoff the Visa's with the benefits. Happy and Sad at the same time, Happy all the plannings done, Sad I'm going to miss so many people, happy everything will be paid off, Sad as I'm going to miss this City, Happy to be starting a new adventure.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Apalachian Trail

To: Apalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0

First of let me say I very luck to be here in Georgia, crossing at the border between Canada and the U.S.A almost did me in. First U.S border crossing guards did not like the fact that I did not have a job. They made me show them my itinerary for the trip as well as that I had the money I said I did in my account. What they failed to ask is if I had any debts outstanding, which I do, and that the U.S amount is not the same as the Canadian Amount. The trip lasted from 9:30 pm Sunday starting in Innisfil near Barrie Ontario to 5.30 pm Monday in Gainesville Georgia with about 4 hours of breaks in between. I did manage to get my food shopping done and to mail me bounce box when I got here. Funniest moment on the trip was seeing a McDonalds beside, KFC beside, a Weight Watchers beside, a Taco Bell. I have to go as everyone here at the Hiker Hostel, which is great, are getting ready for bed. 9 hikers are here at the moment and apparently they had a very success full Weekend as well.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Apalachian Trail

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

What an interesting night at the hiker hostel. The owners Josh (Profile) and Lee (Almanac) are really nice people and the Hostel was great. Met several other hikes, KDR and Cupcake and several others whom I can not remember the names of.KDR and Cupcake also started from Amicalola Park at the same time as me. KDR however was going to be more than an hour adjusting his pack and making phone calls and Cupcake was going to investage the Vistors center for another 1/2 hour so I started out by my self. Pack weight at the vistors center clocked me with food and water at 46 pounds (sht). The going was good for the first two hours but started slowing down quick and Cupcake passed me and said it was still 5 hours to go to Spring Mountain Shelter (sht). At about 6.20 was near the Shelter at the bottom of Spring mountain ( I think it was BLACK Gap Shelter). I was told Springer Mountain Shelter was another 40 minutes away thought I would try for it, didn't make it. Long and Short of it is I got stuck halfway between and decided to setup for the night (Bad Idea). Pitched the Rain Fly for the Hammock wrong, everything got wet and I froze me *** off and lost my Black Diamond Ion headlamp. Only animal spoted was a Deer on the way to Amicalola Park.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.4
Weather: light rain

I decided on a zero day was tired, had very little sleep, and was cold. Cupcake and KDR said they were heading for either Hawk mountain shelter or Gooch Gap Shelter. Had the Shelter to me self for about 3 hours then slowly people started showing up. 5 People in total staying at the shelter tonight, two went straight to bed, the other two were really nice and really talkative. The weather was foggy all Day and damp none of my stuff dried up. Night came in Blowing and Howling like no tomorrow and the temp took a dive what a cold night. One little bird was picking up scraps around the shelter all day and apparently Cupcake said one of the people in the loft part of the shelter had a mouse chew into his pack.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk mountin Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: light snow

Hardly had any sleep and would you believe the only spot in the shelter that got wet was where I was sleeping. I was planing to head for Hawk Mountain Shelter 7.5 miles away but after 1.5 miles coming down Springer Mountain saw Josh (Profile). I decide to get a ride into town to dry all my equipment and to lighten my load but was warned by Josh that he mite not be able to drop me off till tomorrow as he was very busy picking people up today and the Hostel is almost fully loaded. Got my equipment dryed and yep stuck at the hostel for the night. Good thing is managed to lighten my load by 9 pounds down to 35 pounds, boy what a difference. Met several other Hikers today Rambler, Pirate, Weatherman and several others.
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Hawk mountian Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After getting dry clothes, everything went fine. Day became very beautiful, hiking was better with 35 pound pack. Arrived at Hawk Mountain Shelter at 2:00 pm after a 10:00 pm start. Setup the hammock using the store bought tarp instead of the one that came with the hennessy hammock. Met several people here Redbeard & Princess Zenobya, August, Walt (6260), Cyclehiker, Socks, Andrew, Tomcat (one of many), and among others. Walt earned the name 6260 because he's 62 years old and carry a 60 pound pack. The young guy named Andrew is hiking fast and furious and only has a twenty pound pack. Cyclehiker is carry a 45 pound pack as well as his 20 pound bike. He biked to the A.T and is carrying for road crossings in order to get back into towns.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started this hike at aroung 9:00 pm and ended it around 2:30 pm and decided to stay in the shelter instead of the hammock. Same group is here but more weekend hikers showing up. Slept beatifully last night and it appears to be the same type of night. Using the shelter to hope and get a quicker start in the morning.
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Woods hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Several of this group are trying for Blood Mountain Shelter 14.5 miles doubt I have this in me. Shooting for Woods hole shelter and hope to make it. Starting this hike at 8:30 pm and after leaving Walt (6260) at a campsite at Jerrard Gap made it to Woods Hole Shelter at 6:00 pm and about a half hour later in come Redbeard & Princess Zenobya or Zen for short. RT the older gentleman is here along with Wylie now Crazy Horse. Sites off some of the mountains are good but other wise the scenery is all the same.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: Woods hole Shelter

To: Nels Gap & Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 4.0

This was fast and easy day, Blood Mountain though was a pain. Going up Blood Mountain was easy, coming down the hard rock surface without alot of footholds at sometimes steep angles made going slow. Made it to Nels Gap and there's the whole crew included some I have yet to get the name right such as Horha and others. Sorry guys and gals just don't have a head for names, staying at the Hostel tonight to restup and cleanup.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Nels Gap & Hiker Hostel

To: Low gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The day started great and the Shuttle guy, I forget his name, said if you can make it before 4:00 you should just be in front of the incoming storm. Met Lorrie and her dog Bonnie giving some trail magic in the form of pops and candie bars at about 12:30 with Low gap shelter only 4.8 miles away. At 2:00 the rain started coming down slowly at first for about 1/2 hour then it started pouring. Got into the shelter at 3:30 wet from head to feet but the all the stuff in my pack was dry. Shelter was full, met Umble dog & skweaky, Hawk, Turbo Joe, Ed th ark (Professor), Spoony, rega-tortoise and the rest of the gang already mention before. August was first here as usual and happy to see me as he thought when the shuttle picked me up the other day I was gone. I am ahead of Horha, Redbeard & Princess Zenobya, and Wyle (Crazy Horse). Wyle has a sore ankle so he was heading back to Nels Gap to restup and get boots instead of running shoes. Managed to save the fire that was going by putting my tarp over it and by 5:30 it was just spitting so the tarp was taken down and the fire was sent roaring forth. The Proffessor asked if he could borrow the tarp as He and a whole group were sleeping under the shelter and they needed a wind screen. Managed to sleep at the feet of everyone in the shelter so I stayed dry and out of the wind.
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Low gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Stayed at Low Gap shelter till after 9:00 and made it to Blue mountain shelter by 2:00. Beautiful view from Blue Mountain Shelter. Funny thing being it was warm with little wind all day and here at Blue Mountain the wind is a big pain and the temp is slowly droping. Alot of the gang headed onto Unicola Gap only 2.5 to 3 miles away and then into town. I was thinging of doing this but just did' have the energy. I'll make it into town tomorrow call and email everyone from the Holiday Inn in Hiawasse and just enjoy the hot tub and free internet owe and pickup and forward my bounce box.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicola Gap & Hiawasse
Miles today: 2.5

Got Here just fine, saw alot of the gang that got ahead of me. Everyone wished me will as some of them thought the cold weather the first three nights had done me in. I'm a Canadian I told them it takes more than cold weather.Got all my chores done and am heading for the hot tube and then a game of online poker or vise versa.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Unicola Gap & Hiawasse

To: Sasafrass Gap
Miles today: 10.0

Heard the weather while in the Holiday Inn Express. On Saturday Late through to Monday morning rain and cold were what was expected. Decided to head as fast as I could for Dick's Gap as that would bring me back to the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee. Was hoping to make Deep Gap Shelter about 12.5 to 13 miles but just didn't have it in me. No major wildlife yet just the Hikers.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Sasafrass Gap

To: Dicks Gap & Hiawassee 
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Addis Gap which was just after Sasafrass gap had a pain in the b*tt mountain path almost straight up for 2.5 miles. The weather today was beautiful making me think maybe the weather will turn but not until really late today or made just tomorrow. Trying something a little different as I am taking a zero day Sunday which is a good thing. Hope to see my heals heal as they are all chewed up but not really painful. Who knows made I'll get me a Easter Bunny.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Dicks Gap & Hiawassee 

To: Muskrat creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: snow

Feeling great after taking a zero day, and the weather is suppose to clearup by the afternoon. Originally was going to do just 4 miles and head for Plumorchard Gap Shelter but after reaching there in just 2 hours decided to head on. The wind started picking up just near the GA/NC border so I put on my rain gear just in case. After passing Bly Gap it started to rain and the wind picked up but was feeling good and started singing. Passed Umble Dog and Squeaker on the way up the mounatin but what a pain. I mean this literally the way up the mountain which is 2.5 miles roughly was on a 50 degree angle. The wind picked up while going up and the temperature drop and it was now hailing and raining together. Finally made it to Muskrat creek shelter looking like a beaten dog just to find out it was stuffed to the rafters with hikers. The shelter which normally only sleeps 7 people was loaded up with 12 and tents were going up everywhere, and there were no food hangers like in Georgia Shelters. I managed just fine, hung the tarp instead of the tent off the side of the shelter and used the shelter for a wind break. In the morning made a run for the privy, should have just dug a hole, its was disjusting. I speed off in the morning making a dash for the next shelter as half the hikers said they where headed there while others said they where going past.
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Muskrat creek Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

In the rush to leave Muskrat creek shelter, forgot my poles. The day is beatiful and everything that was wet is now dry. I made it to the shelter in good time and no one is here. I was hoping someone would come by with my poles but as time goes by this seems remoter and remoter. I finally hear from a older hike I met before who's picked up the trail name Blister that Horha went by Muskrat but didn't carry anything out with him. A older couple who are thru hiking stop by saying Redbeard and Zen are behing them as will and should be making this shelter. My spirits raise as Zen and Redbeard know my poles. 5:30 roles by and in come Horha, Spooney, Zen and Redbeard and Two hikers Lisa and Dave. Dave asked if I was Tomatohead as he was hiking with my poles. Phew, another problem gone. The fire I started early in the day is going great, we're roasting marshmellows and no privy or food cables at this shelter.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Bettys Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked out of Standing Indian with Spooney and Horha. We kept switching the lead all day long. Passed Carter Gap Shelter (Old one and new old) and saw a A.T trail mainteners clearing brush away from the trail. They told Horha that all the Privys and Food Cables are read for installation but apparently they are having problems with the Forestry Service in North Carolina. Spooney decided to try and put in a 19 mile day so left me and Horha at Betty's Creek Gap.   We heard about some trail magic happening up the way, so we slackpacked it another mile just to find nothing happening and went back to the Creek.There was no good spots to hang the hannock so I just setup the tarp and hoped it would do for the night as the day was absolutely perfect. One of the others that can in to camp at this spot said it was going to rain the next day starting late and he was making a run for Rock Gap and town of Franklin in the morning about 12 miles away.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Bettys Creek Gap

To: Bottom Albert Mountain
Miles today: 2.0

Day started out bad, started raining at 1:00 am and just wouldn't stop. Lucky for me the tarp was setup almost perfectly and I stayed dry. Packed up in the rain, managed to keep everything dry, and left at about 9:00. Finally found the Trail magic we had looked for the other day. Barry and his wife Terry along with Gatoraid and Fishing Fred had pops and roll you own bean borrito's for any hikers stopping by, They also had a Tent for 9 hikers to sleepin. Almost everyone who stopped in stayed the night, the fire they had going was just to good to leave for the rain and the shelter that was another mile or more away.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Bottom Albert Mountain

To: Rock Gap & Franklin
Miles today: 6.0

Okay got the miliage wrong in a previous journal, turns out rock gap is just 6 miles from current location. I am heading out for Rock Gap quickly as the day is grey and cloudy but has yet to start raining. I am planning to take a zero day in Franklin and hope the weather changes. No major animal sitings yet and the trees all look so dead right now, but there is now more green appearing than early in Georgia.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Rock Gap & Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took A zero day and Franklin and sure an glad I did. It is raining like crazy but this is the last or the four day storm. Me and Horha shared the room and the only thing to do is watch TV. Tried to find a Magazine to read in Franklin but the only place carrying magazines was the grocery store Inglis and mostly women's magazines. Stay at the Franklin Inn were as most of the other hikers stayed at the Haven. The manager from the Haven gives rides all over town and back to the trail as well for any hiker even ones not staying with him. Found the library, town hall, most of the restaurants, the post office, police station just by walking around. The bible belt sure is boring, this is like the third time looking for a magazine and not finding anything.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Franklin & Winding Stair Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: clear sky

Horha and the Nashville kids didn't want to start back as Rock Gap so we started from the Winding Stair Gap instead. We headed for the nearest shelter quickly and hoped there was some space. We could have hiked further but the storm had dumped 4 inches in some places on the trail and more in others and we didn't feel like camping in the snow. We heard from the guy who gave us a ride as well as from others that there was about a hundred thru-hikers in town all heading out today or tomorrow. We made it to the shelter before everyone else and it is sure hell hiking in snow just glad we weren't on the trail when it came down.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Hiked fast and hard today hoping to make it to the next shelter did't happen. The mileage sure increased today though but it was still rough hiking as the snow melted turned the trail to mud. Some great views as the weather started warming up quit a bit. Horha complained about all the bungee cords I carry and use to setup with. I like bungee cords makes setting up the hannock quicker and easier for me anyway. Heard owls and coyotes both tonight was great but still haven't seen any major wild life yet (one gardener snake and salamander so far).
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Burningtown Gap

To: Rugus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Started slow and steady as the mileage yesterday must have gotten to me. I keep yogiing stuff off both the Nashville kids and Horha. The going got real bad later in the day and both me and Horha forgot to fillup with water at one spot and it turned out to be the last spot for 5 miles. Sure makes hiking hard when all your thinking about is water, water, where is the bloody water. There were enough Muds and Puds to drive a person insane but the views were sure nice, unfortunately getting down by scrambling over the side of a cliff had me really worried. We're heading in for Nattahala Outdoor Centre tomorrow to take and easy day and to zero the next day as a rain storm is coming in. The camping is great though and I slept like a log.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Rugus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: clear sky

Planning to take a zero day at the NOC. Horha made us rush there today so we could get breakfast at the restaurant. He was pissed at another tru-hiker called Bramble who wandered into camp at 5:30 or 6:00 am aroused everyone from sleep just to sigh the shelter register. The restaurant overlooks the Nantahala river makes for a nice view as your eating breakfast. The girl behind the counter who registered us for the room did us a favor. Bramble, who is a nice guy just really loud and into himself, had not yet booked a room. The girl made sure he was booked into another room not near us. The nashville kids are here as well as the older couple ying and yang. Apparently Redbeard, Zen, and Panorama are due in the following day. This is the group I am consistently hiking with and really enjoy the company of.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero'd today but the storm that was due looks like it may not happen. The other group did arrived as expected and with the beers the Nashville kids got for us in town everything is perfect. Tried fishing on the river but its just to fast running for there to be any fish in it.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hard day of hiking it seems North Carolina is trying to weed out the weakest hikers as they keep putting up these really hard climbs just before you reach a shelter. Swampthing, a guy from South Africa who's been living in the U.S for over 7 years, was in the shelter today having just left the NOC. He's got some really great stories. The rest of the gang is here as well, just a little crowded.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton)
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Again the mountain into the shelter nearly did me in. Hiked all day with Horha, Zen, and Redbeard, Usual as I am normally only hiking with Horha (George). Mountains are slowly turning green and most of the flowers are starting to bloom. Temperature on the trail had me getting water at most of the water locations along the trail. Some of the locations for water are way off the Appalachian Trail, another pain in the ***. The shelter is beatiful and the location overlooks the lake created by the Fontana Dam.   There is a shower here that is terrible though. The shower first off is a mile from the shelter, second four shower heads off one main pipe, concrete room, the shower heads are falic in nature, and just shoot a one line of water a fast as you want by turning a handle, but no temp control at all, made me feel like a prisoner. Zeroing again tomorrow in order to resupply before heading into the Smoky Mountain Range.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Fontana Dam Shelter (Fontana Hilton)

To: Hike Inn near Fonatana Dam
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day is working out great but the weather is turning bad. Eat at the Wendy's Restaurant, boy do I miss fast food. Resupplied for the Smokies and waiting to see what the weather does. We could be taking a zero day again tomorrow depending on the weather (hate walking or camping wet).
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Hike Inn near Fonatana Dam

To: Hike Inn near FonTana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zeroing again today, but the good news is so are Zen, Redbeard, Panorama and the Nashville kids, The group will survive another day. The Nashville kids are making me and Horha dinner tonight, should be great. In town again for the Wendy's. Turkey hunting has just started up and its interesting to hear the hunting going on during the day.