morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Friends Mary Ellen and Kim hosted a send-off party for me at their home last night. Mary Ellen and my wife, Joann, really got into the whole A.T. thing as evidenced by the cake, and Kim manned the bar as the perfect host.We invited just over 50 friends; thinking about 25% would be unable to attend. WRONG! Just about everyone made it, which was a great surprise. Most were from the D.C. area, but they also came from the Eastern Shore, Pittsburgh, and Wilmington, NC.Several arrived bearing gifts, which was totally unnecessary. Some of the gifts were VERY nice and others were very CLEVER. My cycling friends got together and presented me with a Nikon Coolpix camera and a very nice summer weight sleeping bag. I also received a t-shirt bearing my photograph under a MISSING banner with instructions to call 1-800-THE LOST or drop me in any mailbox. Very funny. I felt like I was wearing a milk carton when I put it on. Another friend gave me a t-shirt with a map of the A.T. to prevent me from getting lost. I also got a first class boarding pass on Delta Airlines to Buenos Aires on a Buddy Pass with Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina. Should be quite a trip!! And, there were many other thoughtful gifts. I'll think of everyone who was there whenever I hit those inevitable low points while on the trail.Thanks to all my friends who came to wish me well.
Date: 2010-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I walked out of my office ending a 36 year career with the government. Thirty two of those years were spent as a Special Agent with three different Federal law enforcement agencies. For the next six months, I'll be a thru hiker. This Saturday, my wife and I will drive down to Amicalola Falls State Park, and on Monday, March 15th I will take my first step on the AT. I'm ready. Tonight I get my hair cut, and tomorrow, I will pack my backpack and take care of some loose ends. I really have nothing more to do to prepare for my hike. Once down at Amicalola, we may drive over to Mountain Crossings and have them look over my gear and check the fit on my pack. I'll also drop off a box of food and supplies for when I come through a few days later. Also, I'll be keeping an eye on the weather.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Springer Mountain, GA

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Josh from the Hiker Hostel, picked me up at the Amicalola Falls State Park, along with Brian, Ham, and Rachel, and drove us to Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. The weather was cold, misty, and windy. As a matter of fact, the wind was blowing rime ice off the trees. We actually had to walk south .9 miles to get to the trailhead so we could turn around and walk north. The sun peeked in and out of the clouds all day and the temperature remained around 45 degrees. The walk was not too difficult, however, I was glad to finally see the shelter. Dinner was Indian vegetables and tori which was just okay, followed by a Snickers which was quite good, as a matter of fact. The shelter and campsites are crowded tonight. It's 8pm right now and quite cold - probably in the high 20s or low 30s. We'll see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Gooch Gap, USFS Road 42
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The wind blew hard all night, but died down just before sunrise. I know the temperature got into the mid 30s but my water outside my tent did not freeze. Neither did I. I was comfortable in my down bag, although I did put on a pair of lightweight gloves during the night. I was up at 8am today and on the trail just before 10am after fixing some oatmeal and coffee and packing up. It was cloudy when I started out but the sun came out about a half hour later and remained out for the rest of the day. It was really a beautiful, warm, sunny day. Yesterday we walked through tunnels of rhododendron, and today we walked through thickets of mountain laurel. I'd like to hike here in Georgia when they are blooming.Early in the day, we climbed two mountains; Sassafras and Justus Mountains. They both kicked my a$$, particularly Sassafras. I would spot a point 30 yards up the trail, hike to it and take a brief rest before heading for the next one. After that it was smoother sailing and quite enjoyable. I hiked off and on with Cody from Tennessee and Sean from Maine.I hiked in to Gooch Mtn Shelter but decided to push on another 1.4 miles to Gooch Gap. There are about 10 other hikers here and it makes my day tomorrow a little shorter. Dinner was a corn and black bean soup which wasn't very good, but I really wasn't very hungry anyway. Tomorrow I plan to hike halfway to Neels Gap, making two days of about 7.5 miles each. Reporting from the trail,
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Gooch Gap, USFS Road 42

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

It was cold again this morning and remained so the whole day. Stayed in my sleeping bag until just after 8am again. There was only one other hiker up when I crawled out of my tent. I moved slowly but felt pretty good, all things considered.After a breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, I packed up and set off. I climbed Ramrock Mountain at 3260 feet, descended to Woody Gap and eventually made it to the peak of Big Cedar Mountain at 3737 feet. It was cold and overcast the entire day. Cody caught me as I ascended Ramrock Mountain and we hiked more or less together until we reached Lance Creek, where I stopped for the evening and Cody hiked on another 2.4 miles. I was all alone until about 5pm when two other hikers joined me. There are now six of us at this campsite. Dinner consisted of Indian entails and red beans with spices in a tomato sauce. I didn't feel very hungry, but I gobbled it down. Very tasty and I'll have it again. Everyone has been very friendly and I've been particularly impressed with the young ones out here. Tomorrow I head for Neel's Gap where I intend to stay at Goose Creek Cabins where I'll be able to take a shower and do my laundry. Yeaaay!Reporting from the trail,
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

As I was composing my journal entry at Lance Creek, I was joined by three young hikers from New Hampshire, and subsequently by Walkabout and Rabid from nearby Ellijay, GA. All of them were very friendly and far more experienced than me. I think they all covered the miles in one day that took me two. We got a rain shower during the night, and although I got some condensation on the ceiling of my tent, the rain did not penetrate. I also woke up to a night time visitor. A mouse had crawled onto my bug netting inside the vestibule of my tent. I gave him a good whack and never saw him again.Walkabout & Rabid at Neels Gap I discovered some cafe con leche in my food bag, which I drank while eating my oatmeal. I got packed up and on the trail just before 10am. The trail was not particularly difficult, but I still struggled when climbing. They say that it'll take a month or more to get your "trail legs", but I'm wondering about my "trail lungs". I saw very few of the hikers that I started with four days ago. I guess they're all ahead of me. That's okay as long as I stay true to the notion of HYOH - hike your own hike. My highest peak today was Blood Mountain at 4461 feet. Just before starting the climb, I met Grasshopper and Brakeman, thru hikers in 2008. We had a pleasant chat while I treated two liters of water from Slaughter Creek. Now that I think about it, water from Slaughter Creek doesn't sound too appetizing. I needed that water though to get up Blood Mountain. They said they are now planning to do the Pacific Crest Trail, which runs from the border with Mexico to the border with Canada. I enjoyed our conversation and they boosted my confidence. The hike down Blood Mountain was every bit as challenging as the ascent. There were rocks embedded in the middle of the trail, and I was careful to avoid twisting an ankle. Once I got down to Neel's Gap, I retrieved my first re-supply box and my Patagonia Micro Puff winter jacket, which I inadvertently left hanging in my closet at home (thanks a BUNCH!! Mary Ellen). I deposited my Sears Special in the Hiker box at Mountain Crossings and called Goose Creek Cabins, where I am spending the night. Tomorrow, Allen is transporting me up to Hog Pen Gap so I can "slackpack" back to Neel's Gap. More on that tomorrow.
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

I didn't sleep that well last night. I was all tucked in my little cabin with a gurgling brook just outside my back door, and I thought a cup (or two) of my cafe con leche would top the evening off right. At about 1am I realized my mistake. I finally dozed off until my alarm went off at 7am. Well, today was my first day to slackpack. Allen, at Goose Creek Cabins, picked me up at my cabin promptly at 9am, and drove me north to Hog Pen Gap, where I set out on my hike south, back to Neel's Gap. So, I hiked southbound today. This enabled me to spend another night at Goose Creek Cabins. When I reached Neel's Gap, I hitched a ride from Logan, who works at Mountain Crossings, back down to Goose Creek Cabins. Tomorrow, Allen will shuttle me back to Hog Pen Gap, where I will resume my hike north. It was a gorgeous day with temperatures in the mid-60s, sunny skies and some spectacular views of the southern Appalachians. I saw several thru hikers I started out with at Springer Mountain last Monday, including Buzzsaw, Cody, Gouda, Noodles, Stick Walker and canine Belle, Jennifer, and James. They had perplexed looks on their faces as I approached them from the north, heading south. After asking each of them, "Which way to Maine?" I think they figured out that I was slackpacking. I also ran into Ham, Cabana Boy, and City Slicker, formerly known as Brian and Rachel, respectively. They had gotten off the trail a couple days ago to sort out some packweight issues and seemed to be enjoying their return. Lots of laughs with that trio! Stick Walker and Canine Belle I'm uncertain just how far I'll go tomorrow. I've got either a short day to a campsite 5.8 miles up the trail or Blue Mountain Shelter 10.4 miles up. I'd like to make the shelter, but I'll make that decision tomorrow depending on how I feel.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Blue Mountain shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Oh, one incident I forgot to mention in yesterday's entry I thought I would relate. When Allen was shuttling me up to Hogpen Gap, we came upon a hiker walking up a closed road. As we approached, he turned toward us and stuck out his thumb. He approached the car with a look of absolute desperation on his face. As Allen lowered the window, the hiker said, "Any town, anywhere." Not understanding the hiker, Allen asked him to repeat himself. "Any town, anywhere," he replied again. Allen pointed out to him that he was walking the wrong direction if he wanted get to a town before agreeing to carry him into town. When I saw Allen later that day after finishing my hike, Allen informed me that his wife had dropped him off the previous day, and he had spent one night in the woods on a planned multi-day hike. I don't know what happened to him overnight, but it sure changed his plans. The look on his face was frightening. Anyway, Allen dropped me off again at Hogpen Gap this morning and I headed north. I had a choice of a short day to Low Gap Shelter or a long day to Blue Mountain Shelter. The walk to Low Gap Shelter was so nice, and the weather was perfect, that I decided to move on. The next 5 miles were not at all difficult at all. Then, the last mile or so became more rocky and steeper as I approached the shelter. We are on a ridge with a beautiful view; however, they are calling for thunderstorms tonight.Peanuts anyone? I am here with Cody, Jennifer, Peace Tree, Little Aspen, and Caveman. If the storms are severe tonight, I intend to relocate into the shelter. Tomorrow I plan to get back to a more reasonable distance. Tray Mountain Shelter is 7.8 miles away so that sounds like home.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Blue Mountain shelter

To: Tray Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

I tented last night near the shelter which is located right on a ridge. The ridge site offers great views, but can also be quite windy. Last night was no exception. The forecast was for rain but it never materialized. The wind blew, but I was fine in the tent. Night time temperatures are generally in the high 30's, but my down sleeping bag is rated to 15 degrees so I haven't been cold at night yet. Also, Little Aspen and Peace Tree built a nice campfire.This morning, Cody and I started our hike under overcast skies, which soon changed to a nasty, wind driven rain. The cold rain was blowing sideways and footing was difficult. We finally made it to Tray Mountain Shelter where the cold blowing rain intensified. There are about 20 other hikers here and about eight planning to stay in the shelter. My preference is to tent, and just before dusk I looked around for a suitable tentsite. It was freezing, and the rain was starting up again, so I decided to spend my first night in a shelter.Shelters are inhabited by mice who run around all night long looking for food left by hikers. It's not uncommon for one to run across your sleeping bag, or even your head, in their quest for food. Sweet dreams, huh? Well, I think conditions were too severe for even the mice. The wind picked up into a gale force, blowing rain into the shelter. I really felt sorry for the dozen or so tenters who endured the storm. One hiker who was sleeping in a hammock strung between two trees had his rain fly ripped from the ground during the storm. He was unable to fix it and all his gear, including his sleeping bag, got soaked. He ran into the shelter, and spent the rest of the night shivering in his wet sleeping bag.Allen form Hiawassee Inn providing trail magic at Unicoi Gap
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Tray Mountain shelter

To: Deep Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light snow

The wind died down by daylight and the temperature was 29 degrees when I got up. I hurriedly made two packets of instant oatmeal and a cup of coffee. I was so cold that I didn't even taste it but I knew I had to get something in my stomach for today's walk.Just before I left the shelter, it started snowing and continued most of the day. I walked by myself today since most of the others were racing to the warmth and comfort of Hiawassee. I am sticking to my notion of moderate distances for the first several weeks, and set my sights on Deep Gap Shelter, 7.5 miles away. It was actually a pleasant walk in the snow all day since the wind had diminished. Robert was already at the shelter when I arrived and Llano arrived about an hour after me. The temperature is dropping and the snow has changed from light to moderate in the last two hours. We are the only ones here tonight in the shelter with a loft. All three of us are sleeping in the loft because it is about 7 degrees warmer up here. I have a hike of about 3 miles tomorrow to US Route 76 at Dicks Creek Gap and a ride into Hiawassee, GA, about 11 miles away. I'll get my first chance at hitch hiking tomorrow in a long time. I'll get a room at a motel for the night, do laundry, resupply on food, and, hopefully get a good meal. On Wednesday, I'll hitch back to Dick's Creek Gap and head north again. This is known as a "nero" day in town, as opposed to a "zero" day when you take two nights and a full day in town.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Deep Gap shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

It got down to freezing last night but I stayed warm in my bag in the loft. The water in my water bottle partially froze and it snowed all night. I again hurriedly made some oatmeal and coffee, packed my pack and headed out into the snow. There was less than 2 inches of accumulation on the ground and the forest was absolutely beautiful. In spite of the cold, and it got colder as I ascended out of the gap, I stopped several times to take pictures. I made it to Dicks Creek Gap in pretty good time. As o got there, Caveman was saying goodbye to his wife, Zanna, who had driven up to Hiawassee to surprise him. He mentioned that I just missed some trail magic. I told him I had missed all the trail magic since my hike began. Trail magic is when someone, expecting nothing more than a thank you, offers a service to thru hikers. Usually it is in the form of free food or beverages. Zanna spoke up and offered to drive me into town, making that my first trail magic! Thanks, Zanna!Dan checked me into my room at the Hiawassee Inn, and I took a long, hot shower. Then, I exploded my pack preparing for all my town errands. First was to subway to get a foot long and then I was off to buy alcohol for my stove, pick up a package at the post office and send one home, and do laundry. I ate my foot long and planned my next several days while my clothes were in the laundry. As I returned to my room, I stopped by the library and checked out my journal website. I'd like to welcome Ms. Chappell's fourth grade class in Virginia Beach, who are following along on my journey with me. Hi, kids! Also, thanks to everyone who has signed my guestbook. It gives me something else to think about during my days on the trail. The day ended with me going to dinner with Little Ashen, Peace Tree, and Llano.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Hiawassee

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

It was a perfect day for hiking: mid 60's, sunny, with a slight breeze. I caught the Hiawassee Inn shuttle back to the trail along with five others. The first mile or so out of a Gap tend to be uphill, and today was no exception. I hiked by myself all day, as usual. I prefer my own pace instead of trying to keep up with someone else. Also, I'm doing fewer miles right now than most other hikers. I stop from time to time just to look around. Another difference in my hiking is that I don't stop to eat lunch, just like when I'm on one of our multiply cycling trips. I just snack throughout the day. I reached my destination for the day just after I walked into North Carolina, at Bly Gap. This is the site of one of the most photographed tree's on the AT. I found a perfect campsite and got ready to fix dinner. I was alone until about 6pm, when Tom Thumb, Lucky, and Mufasa showed up.   We had a nice fire and some good conversation. Lucky actually hung his hammock in the Bly Oak tree and spent the night there. Hammock in the Snarly Oak at the GA/NC border
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Slept well last night and got going early after my usual breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. Had a steep climb right off the bat under threatening skies. Forecast was for rain in the morning with thunderstorms in the evening. I made pretty good time and I can already tell that my conditioning is improving. I find that I can climb for longer stretches and that my rest breaks are shorter. It was overcast all day and considerably cooler than yesterday. I got to the shelter just before and figured I would be the only one here tonight. I was alone for the first half hour and now there are about dozen of us here. This shelter is rated for 7 occupants, but we have 9, with 2 sleeping on the ground in the shelter and one sleeping on the table. The remaining are tenting outside. The temperature is dropping into the mid 30s right now, and I expect they will dip lower this evening. The forecast for tomorrow is the same. We'll see. L>R Tom Thumb (NJ), Lucky (TN), and Mufasa (FL)
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Standing Indian shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another cold, windy, rainy night. Thank goodness I was in the shelter. The tenters got blasted. They were up and gone before those of us in the shelter even awoke. I was the first one of the shelter dwellers to get up and out, after my usual breakfast. It was still misty and windy when I left and, at an elevation of 4760 feet, the shelter was in the clouds. It actually seemed colder in the shelter than it did outside. I got off to a fast start in order to try to warm up, and although I was climbing, the grade was moderate. Something I've noticed about the trail in North Carolina is that they use more switchbacks to moderate the grades, and the trail does not necessarily go to the peak of each mountain we climb. I like it here. I made good time after stopping for water at a rushing mountain stream. I have been chemically treating my water, while others filter or sterilize theirs. By 2:45pm, I was at my destination for the day: Carter Gap Shelter, 7.6 miles from my start. Since it was so early and I was feeling good, I decided to do another 3.7 miles to Betty Creek Gap. No one passed me today, although I encountered three hikers walking south. The conditions actually improved as the day went on, and the sun even peeked out from behind the clouds. The temperature got up into the high 50's. While I was cooking dinner, Noodles, xxxx, and xxxx arrived and set up camp with me. I suspect we will be the only ones here tonight.Bear Sanctuary
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: moderate rain

Well, the forecast was for rain last night, and unfortunately, the weatherman was right this time. It is the first real rain I've had while in my tent, and it worked perfectly. No leaks or drips. J.B. and I had arranged to leave the campsite at 9:30am, in order to be at Winding Stair Gap by noon to meet his wife, Charlotte. I got up and packed up and walked back up to the shelter to fix breakfast there since it was still raining - you guessed it, oatmeal and coffee. We left on time, and it was actually not an unpleasant walk in the rain. The forest colors seemed so much more vibrant when they were wet. We had a long climb over some mountain not even named in my guidebook, and finally descended to Winding Stair Gap. J.B. called his wife, who was on her way. We jumped in the car, swung by Haven's Budget Inn, where I had sent ahead a resupply package, made a brief tour of town and headed for the Microtel, where we are staying. First thing I did was jump in the shower. Then I filled the tub and took a bath. Ahhhh..... p>.I gathered all my clothes and washable gear and we headed for lunch and the Laundromat. While the laundry was going, I picked up some additional food supplies. Now, everything is clean. Tomorrow will be my first "zero" day. I will clean my pack, tent, and gear and be ready to get back out there.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin, NC

To: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was my first zero day. A zero day is when you don't hike and take a day off to rest the feet and body. Staying at the Microtel Hotel in Franklin.Picture is a wildflower. Have not seen any of these yet, but likely will see many in Virginia.