morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-04
To: Motivation
Miles today: 0.0

I have always wanted to hike the AT (from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine) and a number of factors contribute to 2004 being the best opportunity for me. My fianc©, Allen Laughlin, has been deployed with his Marine reserve unit and will be overseas for the duration of my hike. This will be a good coping mechanism for me as hiking provides a connection to the natural world and an opportunity for reflection and spiritual renewal. It will also provide a needed physical challenge and a point of focus during Allen¢s absence. To provide additional purpose and motivation I am working with the American Lung Association. We have arranged the hike as a fundraiser for the American Lung Association as a variation of their Walk for Asthma. The hike also ties into to my interest in the outdoors and conservation. Visibility of my hike can help promote the protection, enjoyment and wise use of our natural resources and highlight the challenges of good stewardship. I¢m specifically interested in air quality issues which impact asthma management. I hope to raise $7500 for the American Lung Association. I hope people will pledge even just a penny for each mile I hike. Please check out my web site http://home.mindspring.com/~pjdthruhike.
Date: 2004-03-08
To: Prep
Miles today: 0.0

The To Do list is getting shorter. I crossed off travel dress and earrings this weekend. Now its just paperwork, someone to mow the lawn, a brief for the neighbors, more poptarts and my replacement tent footprint. Hiked 12 miles Saturday at the Eno River State Park and 18 Miles at Umstead on Sunday. Too bad its so flat here, I know my quads aren't getting the workout they need. Feet are holding up well, no new blisters - Yeah! I added my Post Office maildrops to the list here. Have had some friends express an interest in sending me notes and goodies.
Date: 2004-03-22
To: Town Dress
Miles today: 0.0

I have lots of friends who want to meet me on the trail and take me out to lunch. Thought it would be nice if I had something more appropriate to wear than a grubby, smelly t-shirt and shorts. Searched high and low for a simple, light, wrinkle free, inexpensive dress, to no avail. A trip to JoAnn fabrics, 2-1/2 yds of fabric, some donated time by my mom and $10 later, I have THE PERFECT town dress. Paired with my camp sandals my friends will be able to take me anywhere.
Date: 2004-03-22
To: Earrings
Miles today: 0.0

Not sure if my ears would survive 6 months on the trail without closing up. So I searched everywhere for a simple small pair of hoop earrings I could put in on March 31 and forget about until Mt. Katahdin. Years ago I had a perfect pair. Being the pack rat I am, even though I lost one, I still have its mate. I discovered an artisan in Hillsborough NC who duplicated it exactly! I now have a pair, and a spare!
Date: 2004-03-22
To: My Tent
Miles today: 0.0

Shelter is one of the big three for backpacking along with a pack and sleeping bag. I have a Walrus 2 man tent, way too heavy. For this trip I've considered hammocks, tarps, tarptents, tents, etc. I've camped enough to know what I like. I developed a list of criteria for my perfect shelter: *free standing*double walled (for warmth, staying dry and the ability to pitch it without the fly and look at the stars)*I can sit up inside without bumping my head, change my clothes, pack my gear etc.*room for my pack and boots in the vestibule*with footprint poles and stakes < 3 poundsIt didn't exist.I convinced Mom we could make one and had bought no-see-um netting, Silnylon and poles. Then the 2004 Backpacker Gear Guide came in the mail and there was my tent - The Big Agnes' Seedhouse SL.I logged onto their website but the tent wasn't there! I e-mailed customer service. The tents wouldn't be available until late March or early April. Too late to help me. I explained to Bill that I was going to hike the AT and that it was to be a fundraiser for the American Lung Association. They agreed to sell me a pre-production model. Yeah! I camped at a local state park with it a few times. It's as close as I'm going to get to my ideal and I like it!
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Springer Mountain

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Started out this morning at 9:30 am from Springer Mountain. Totally fogged in and sleeting. Temperature about 35 degrees. On my way!March 31, 2004 -- Springer Mountain to Gooch Gap Shelter ¢ 16.1 miles! Got to Hawk Mountain shelter at 12:45, way too early to stop. Passed a couple tent sites between there and here. Saw the shelter through the trees about 5:00 ¢ great stop, two story open front shelter. 10 of us here. Most of the rest came from Hawk Mountain today. Promptly forgot all their names. All but 2 are thru-hikers. Have a privy and spring. 40¢s today, I think, in the clouds and wind. Got nice when the sun came out. Sleeted from about 2:30 to 3:30 and we got a sprinkle here and there the rest of the day. It¢s quite windy now. I filled my water bladder and naglene bottle. Had a beef enchilada, peanut butter & crackers and chocolate chip cookies for dinner. Boiled some water for chamomile tea. Changed into my long johns and fleece and set up my sleeping pad and bag. Hung my food bag on the bear poles. Signed the trail register. The first few miles today I went through laurel and magnolia trees ¢ beautiful! Also saw trillium, blood root and violets. Saw a male Eastern Towhee and a squirrel ¢ that was it for wildlife. A few of the hikers started a fire and mine had two others join us. It will be a busy night/morning. The fire starter, Alex, is hiking a few days with his dad. They¢re from Alabama. ¢Troll¢ hiked the trail in 2002 and Alex hiked a good bit of it with him. Their dog Happy is with them for this hike too. Loren is an 8th grade teacher from Michigan. We have two retirees, 3 people between jobs mid-career, and 5 people recently out of college. The first 8 miles today were easy, like hiking at Umstead or the Eno. The second 8 were a little tougher, but not bad at all. Took pictures at the footbridge just before three forks and another photo looking back up the trail.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

April 1, 2004 -- Gooch Gap Shelter ¢ Woods Hole Shelter ¢ about 12 miles. Went to bed last night about 8. I was awake at 4 but refused to get up. The wind was absolutely howling! There were 6 of us sleeping in the loft and 8 on the bottom with 2 in a tent. Things started bustling about 6:20 am. I changed back into my hiking clothes, packed up my sleeping bag and pad, got my food bag, had a pop tart and my leftover tea from last night and decided to head out. It was about 7:30. I was the second one out of camp. I forgot to take a picture of the shelter. I¢ll try the next one. Wind howled all day today. I wore my rain jacket as a wind breaker and was chilly on the downs and flats. Sun peeked out a few times. I passed Jeff and Alex a few times and met a new guy named Thomas at Wood Gap. Took some pictures ¢ one with Alex in it, at a view just before Big Cedar Mountain. Tough climb up Big Cedar ¢ had switchbacks and everything. Had a 2 mile gradual downhill from there and then 4 miles of up ¢ well mostly. I got to the side trail for the Woods Hole Shelter about 2:00. I debated going further. It was still early, but the shelter on Blood Mountain doesn¢t have water so I needed to stop for a bit anyway and I wasn¢t sure I wanted to hike up Blood Mountain ¢ another 800 feet in about 1.5 miles in this wind, especially not knowing what the accommodations would be like. I got water and headed to the shelter. This one only sleeps 7. Others will have to tent. I was the first one here ¢ shelter log book makes it sound like mice are a problem. Alex came by about 2:30. He¢s going to wait here for his dad. Then they¢ll decide whether to push on or not.I¢m going to nurse two new blisters and a sore left knee ¢ it only hurts on the downs ¢ and have an afternoon nap before the crowds arrive. Even with a short day, I still did 10.6 miles according to my map and 12.2 according to someone else¢s map :-).
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Walasi-Yi Center
Miles today: 2.6

April 2, 2004 -- Woods Hole Shelter to Walasi-Yi CenterWas there by 10:30 am. Checked in to get a bunk at the hostel and my first mail package. Got a shower and am doing some laundry. Went up over Blood Mountain in the wind again. There was some snow on top. I hiked with my long johns on today and needed them. Had some juncos buzzing around at one point. That was neat. Maybe they were hoping for some handouts. Had the staff here do a ¢gear shakedown¢ for me. They look at everything in your pack and make suggestions on where you can save some weight and/or bulk. I think I did pretty well. Only big savings was a different pair of camp shoes. I¢ll send home my chocras and change to Crocs ¢ from 24 oz to 9 oz. They won¢t be good for hiking in but will be fine for camp shoes and stream crossings. I¢m going to swap out my wool mittens for Gortex overmitts - wind and waterproof and will work better with my glove liners. He also suggested different socks and lighter fleece pants and using Aqua Marina instead of iodine. I¢ll think about those or just wait til I wear out what I¢ve got and then change over.I¢m going to hold up here for the night. Have most of the crew from Gooch Gap and Woods Hold here at the hostel tonight. I¢m going to try to take it easier, maybe just hike shelter to shelter til I hit VA. That¢s what Tusan, the guy Gale met in the parking lot at Springer, suggested to me when he came over to say hello a minute ago. He did the trail in ¢99 and is spending a month out this year on his way to Damascus. Met up with Bill today too. I passed him Wednesday on my way to Gooch Gap.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Walasi-Yi Center

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

April 3, 2004 -- Walasi-Yi Center To Low Gap Shelter ¢ 10.6 milesBeautiful day, breezy, 60, not a cloud in the sky. Saw three big does this morning ¢ I got within 25 years of them before they noticed me. Also saw Towhees, a yellow rumped warbler, wild columbine, bluets, and turkey vultures. And iridescent little butterflies the color of the inside of a bluet.At Low Gap Shelter tonight ¢ came 10.6 miles.   Left Walasi-Yi about 9. Saw Stephanie and Michael on the trail a few times and hiked the afternoon with Steve aka the mailman aka the meterman ¢ one hasn¢t stuck yet. He was a letter carrier and then postmaster for years and is recently retired. Caught up with Thomas on the trail just before the shelter. So far it¢s the five of us here at the shelter.Knee is holding up though it is slowing me down and I have my first case of blisters. Time to get out the Neosporin, bandaids and duct tape.Saw a turkey hunter and his two young kids this morning too. Ernie caught up with us, trail name ¢Hobbes¢. Makes you want to call Steve, ¢Calvin¢ and if I¢m not careful, hiking with them, someone will start calling me ¢Suzie¢.Took a picture of the shelter and crew 4/4 am.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory
Miles today: 13.0

April 4, 2004 ¢ Low Gap Shelter to Cheese Factory ¢13 milesLeft Low Gap Shelter about 8 am. We did remember to set our watches ahead before bed. Another beautiful sunny day, though the wind seems to be back. I had my lunch at Blue Mountain Shelter about 11:30 and signed the shelter register. Passed at least three boy scout troops today, all very polite, stepping off the trail for you. I had one scout take my picture at an overlook on Rocky Mountain. Saw my first snake today sunning himself on a rock. Garter snake I think. Mostly black with brown markings, like the green ones we had at home growing up. Hiked off and on with Steve again today and Ernie caught up at the end of the day. We¢re camping at Cheese Factory Gap campsites. It was a 13 mile hike today. Saw buttercups, yellow violets and more of the others I¢ve mentioned. Also keep seeing something under the laurels that look like lily pads, no flowers. Maybe someone can look it up for me.Knee did good today ¢ still taking some Vitamin I for it and right now I have my newly filled water bladder laying across it. Spring water is cold!!Tent is set up with my mattress pad and sleeping bag and clothes inside. Pack is hanging on a tree. Will be time for dinner in a few. Still need to find a bear bag tree. I think we all need to practice throwing our ropes.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Cheese Factory

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

April 5, 2004 ¢ Cheese Factory to Dick¢s Creek Gap ¢ 12.5 milesAnother beautiful day. Sunny & windy, a bit chilly on the ridge, 65 in the valley. First night in the tent went fine. I was up and ready to go a little after 8. Did have a hot drink this morning. It got down to freezing last night ¢ knew that because most of our water bottles had ice in them! Hobbes, Mailman, Stephanie, Michael, Bill and two other guys camped in the same spot. Went up over Tray Mountain. Saw the USGS marker there. Great views, if the vegetation were a tad shorter. There is a Georgia Trail group that has an annual hiker feed each year about this time in Addis Gap. Mailman and I passed it up (1/2 mile off the trail) in favor of an earlier arrival at the Blueberry Patch. We walked the road for about half a mile before someone stopped for us. Tim and Anna and their two dogs in a big old blazer driving from Hilton Head to Oregon. We were their first hitchhikers and they were our first hitch!Gary Paleat (¢Trail Chief¢ of ¢91) and wife Lennie run a hostel called the Blueberry Patch. It¢s actually an organic farm! They have a bunch of cats and two donkeys too. Had a great shower and they¢re doing my laundry! I think we (those of us at the hostel) will get a shuttle into town for dinner.Bill gave the names of two more flowers last night ¢ toothwort and ragwort. Toothwort has small white flowers ¢ hang down like bluebells.Looks like we will hit the NC border late tomorrow! Need to find a way to celebrate. That is me, Mailman and Hobbes. No trail name yet for me, but they¢re working on it.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

April 6, 2004 ¢ Dick¢s Creek Gap to Muskrat Creek Shelter ¢ 11.6 milesHad a phone interview with Sunny 93.9 this morning a little after 8. Great breakfast at the Blueberry Patch ¢ pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup, sausage, cheese biscuits, OJ & tea. Yum! Got a ride back to the trail in the back of Gerry¢s pickup truck with all the packs in a trailer. Hit the trail about 9:30.Hiked from Dick¢s Creek Gap to Muskrat Creek Shelter ¢ 11.6 miles. Total elevation gain of 2000 ft. Tonight we¢re sleeping higher than we¢ve hiked before now. Crossed the NC/GA border about 2:30 this afternoon. Stopped and waited for the Mailman so we could do pictures. Shelter is busy tonight and rowdy so we¢ve pitched our tents. Hobbes caught up with us about a half hour after we got here. Another clear warm day with a steady breeze. We¢ve come up with a trail name for Bill. A combo of ¢steady¢ and the ¢Energizer Bunny¢. We¢re going to see if he¢ll answer to ¢Everready¢. We¢re hiking now on the Tennessee Valley Divide ¢ on one side the water flows into the Atlantic and on the other side into the Gulf of Mexico.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

April 7, 2004 ¢ Muskrat Creek Shelter to Betty Creek Gap campsites ¢ 16.2 milesBiggest day yet! It was a fairly easy climb up Standing Indian Mountain with ridge running after that. Went by two shelters on the way here. This will give us a head start tomorrow getting up over Mt. Albert. Mild weather today. A few high clouds, sunny and warm ¢ in long sleeves and long pants. Hiked off and on with the mailman again. Hoping Hobbes joins us in a bit. Standing Indian was the highest mountain so far ¢ 5499 ft.So I think my appetite might be catching up with me. Today I had my breakfast shake, pop tarts, snickers, cliff bar, jerky and gorp, snack bread & cheese, and then chicken and salsa and rice for dinner. I¢m waiting for my hot chocolate to cool and later I¢ll have a fudge brownie for dessert.Took pictures of the mailman and Hobbes setting up camp.There was some snow on the north side of Standing Indian ¢ I bet it didn¢t last the day.Met a neat older couple on the way up Standing Indian ¢ 78 years old and section hikers. I immediately forgot their names. They were from Ashville, NC. They said about the only section of the AT they won¢t do is Franconia.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 9.1

April 8, 2004 ¢ Betty Creek Gap to Wallace Gap ¢ 9.1 milesA well needed short day. Sprinkled a little last night. Grey morning. Climbed over Big Butt Mountain and to Albert Mountain. Great view from the fire tower. Would have been a lot better if it was clear.Hobbes is headed into Franklin, NC for a few days. Bill is taking a few days off for his sweetie¢s birthday. The mailman and I got a cabin at Rainbow Springs Campground. Have had a hot shower and am doing laundry.It¢s supposed to rain the next several days so we¢ll probably hike shelter to shelter. I hope it won¢t be too crowded. We¢re going to find out how well the rain gear and pack cover work.Took pictures of National Forest sign and view at fire tower ¢ me in picture. Also picture of ¢cabin¢ at Rainbow Springs.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Wallace Gap

To: campsites just past Wayah Bald 
Miles today: 13.6

Went over the shoulder of Siler Bald, looked like someone gave the mountain a big reverse mohawk. Went up over Wayah Bald, spectacular view with a stone tower on top and maps showing the mountains you were looking at. We could see Standing Indian and Albert where we¢ve been and Clingman¢s Dome where we¢re going.Saw skunk cabbage, myrtle in bloom, another snake and a mountain shrub that looks like it must be related to the pussy willow. Yesterday afternoon I got new liner gloves at the outfitter. I¢d already worn holes in the fingers of mine. I also got sunscreen. My nose and the backs of my hands are already getting brown and leathery.Have heard the Bard Owl at night and a grouse doing his mating dance. That¢s a weird noise!Weather is holding. We¢re camping tonight.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: campsites just past Wayah Bald 

To: Wesser, NC ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Nantahala Outdoor Center 
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Wow, what a day. Packed up camp, hiked 3.9 miles and had some trail angels set up at Burningtown Gap, offer breakfast and a slack pack! (That¢s when someone takes your pack to your next stop.) Had a second breakfast of eggs, potatoes with onions and peppers, and some bacon. Many thanks to Red Neck Michael and Deuce. Put my water bladder, first aid kit, snacks & wallet in my fanny pack (zip off lid of back pack), took my rain coat and poles and hiked another 12.8 miles. Had some amazing views and some killer downs.16.7 miles ¢ couldn¢t have made that many miles over that terrain today with a full pack and still have been able to walk. Saw fiddleheads, several shades of violets, nodding trillium, Solomon¢s Seal, and again, several other flowers I couldn¢t identify. Almost makes me want to take along a flower book ¢ almost.Checked into the hostel here, got a shower and went to the River¢s Edge Restaurant for dinner with the mailman. Had bread and cheese for an appetizer, mushroom Swiss burger with fries for dinner, and ate about every crumb. And that was after a normal day of snacking and my second breakfast!Looking forward to a zero day tomorrow and a visit with my brother Mike.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Wesser, NC ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Nantahala Outdoor Center 

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: moderate rain

April 12, 2004 ¢ Nantahala Outdoor Center to Brown Fork Gap Shelter ¢ 16.1 milesRainy, chilly, hiking in the clouds. Got to the first shelter about 11:30 am and decided to press on. Did have some breaks in the rain but no views. Pulled in here about 5 pm. Set up camp, shelter was full, got water, made dinner, hung my bear bag, socialized a bit, then crawled in my tent. Just in time --- it¢s raining again.Rain gear got a workout today. Now we¢ll see how the tent holds up. Took a picture of the shelter.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

April 13, 2004 ¢ Brown Fork Shelter to Fontana Dam, NC, NC28 ¢ 11.6 milesThunderstorms most of the night. Nature¢s light and sound show. Didn¢t get much sleep. A little wetter than I had hoped this morning. Driving rain and wind knocked dirt and water up onto the tent and fly and the footprint was soggy. Back of my sleeping pad was wet and parts of my sleeping bag damp. Rain gear this morning was like putting on a wet bathing suit. Yuck! Rained part of the morning and the sun tried to come out a few times. Saw May apples, iris, jack-in-the-pulpits, and a few more kinds of trillium. It was neat to come down out of the mountains and see things green up. Took a picture of the Dam from the hill, a picture of one of the flowers I can¢t identify, and one of some iris and trillium.We got into Fontana Dam in time to clean up, do laundry and visit the outfitter before they all closed. Had dinner at the restaurant here and will spend the evening sorting and drying gear and food.Into the Smokies for a long stretch starting tomorrow. I hope the weather clears up and holds.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light snow

April 14, 2004 ¢ NC28/Fontana Dam to Mollies Ridge Shelter ¢ 12.4 milesWriting from my sleeping bag with most of my clothes on. Had a good breakfast at the Fontana Inn and a shuttle to the trail at about 9:30. We crossed Fontana Dam about 10:00 and headed off into the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. We had snow and wind all morning. By noon we were hiking through snow and drifts, some as much as 12-15 inches deep. Tough walking at times. I should have had my snowshoes! Arrived at the shelter about 3:30 pm. There is a troop of Venture Scouts here. They were working on the fire. There is plenty of room. The sun has made an appearance and it¢s quite pretty. Wind is blowing, melting snow and ice from the trees so it¢s good to be under a solid roof. Dreading getting up to hang my bear bag and to pee before bed.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

April 15, 2004 ¢ Mollies Ridge Shelter to Derrick Knob Shelter ¢ 11.7 milesAnother day slogging through the snow, slush and mud. But today we got sun. There are about 9 of us sprawled out on tarps and rain gear eating, reading, writing. One girl, Scraggly, said she had been planning to go on, but we all looked so comfy she was going to stay. Someone else said in such good weather you felt like you should be hiking. Spiderweb said ¢You can hike in any weather, you wouldn¢t want to just lay around in any weather.¢ That¢s our deep thought for today. We have our bear ropes strung between trees behind the shelter with clothes, bags, tents, boots, etc. hung to dry. Saw a ranger today, running the ridge, looking for wild pigs that had been reported in the area. Should be a comfy night. Big day tomorrow. Oh, the shelter here has fencing across the front and a door that can be closed to keep out the bears. First time with something like that. Saw a fox down near the ¢toilet¢ area. She/he didn¢t move from the tree she/he was by, so I expect it¢s either sick or maybe guarding a den. I was within 25 yards before I even saw it!