morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-01-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It is time to make my third entry and take my 2010 trail journal live. Also it is time to set into motion my dream. I can not get started with out giving some credit where credit is due.First, let me thank Mark and Jerry (The Mountian Goats) for sharing hiking with me, and for giving me "2000 Miles To Maine" a documentary about those Thru-Hikers who hiked the trail in 2002. I was hooked after watching it once, so I watched it again immediately. Yep, I have got to do this. Thanks guys, and maybe some day I can keep up with ya'll.Secondly, I need to give a shout out to some of the members on Trailjournals.com who have posted their journals so we could follow along. These people have kept my dream alive for the past three years as I planned, and saved for my thru-hike. Uncle Ben class of 74' (section hiker), class of 07' Fishstick & Bullwinkle, Persistent, Pinky & The Brain, Trail Dancer & Willie Goat (Thanks for all the advice Willie) Stumpknocker, and Zero, class of 08' Bogey & Slim, Bilge Rat, Li'L Mak, Pips', and Stumpknocker, class of 09' Wags & Gangsta, Loon, Down Hill, Mosey & Delcimer Dave, O M Rivers, Pound Hound & Garage Man, Cascades, Plunger, and Ziggy Startdust & Thin Mint. And many more. I have so enjoyed reading your journals and looking at you photos. Thanks guys, and hope to meet you on the trail.Lastly I want to thank my friends and family for being as understanding and supportive as they can be, after all as Willie Goat stated, we are all kinda nuts for even thnking about this. I will need your encouragement and support all the way there and I don't expect anyone will let me down. Also, let me mention my employer. The decision to allow me to do this fell in one person's lap after being discussed at the higest levels of the organization. I have to thank Gilbert and Don (The Biscut) for their insite, and confidence in me as a long term employee that just needed to "Dream A Little Dream" before he got to old to do it. Thanks. I hope everyone enjoys the pictures I have posted of some of my exploits over the past three years. Much has been learn, and I know that much more will be learned along the way.I must also acknowledge an awesome God who, if you only knew more, has set everything into motion, and allowed everything to fall in place, so that I can take this walk with Him. God is good, all the time.I am so pumped. Six weeks. February 15th, 2010. I just hope I don't freeze to death!!!See you on the trail.Frankie The Sleeper.Father, walk with me.Show me what I can not see.
Date: 2010-01-09
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Good Morning Class of 2010. Just a quick update from the gear testing facility (my back yard) concerning my new WM Kodiac 0 Degree Bag. It was a balmy 18 degrees this morning, and the wind blew all night here, wind chill probably single digits I would guess. The MSR Hubba is rock solid as usual when staked out, and the Kodiac was soooooo toasty. I know it will get a little colder at elevation in the first few weeks so I will be carrying a silk sleeping bag liner just for back up, plus extra base layers. Still working on making a wind screen for the stove though. Haven't found that right material just yet. Any suggestions would be great. 36 days and a wake up, WOW! I still find it hard to beleive that this is really going to happen. As I get closer I get more and more excited, and more anxious as well. I suppose a little jitters is normal for a "Thru-Hike", so I'm not going to worry to much about that. Just ready to get started.More and more people are asking questions about the hike, and more people are starting to say how much they too wish they could do this. I encourage them to make it a goal, and no matter how far in advance they must plan, to start planning. Dream a little dream! Then make it happen. Also some people have been very negative too. You all know what I mean. "Are you stupid?", "Have you lost your mind?", "February, you'll freeze to death!", and so on. Real joy killers. One person said they just wanted to sit on thier sofa and watch TV for the rest of their life. Lets just say they were slightly over weight so we know how motivated they are. Others just look at me and shake their heads, like "you poor %$#@#$%!". I have said it before, I just don't want to turn 70 someday and have regrets about things I wanted to do and never did. So here I go, Dream a Little Dream!Not much else today, just going to be real busy right up till time to start in February. Nothing but day hikes planned for the remainder. It looks like some of the guys will be coming over to Amacolla Falls to do Spring with me and see me off. Very cool, and thank you all for everything you have done, and will do. Just remember ya'll, call me sissy names on the phone if I want to quit and come home, and refuse to come and get me. Smile!!!Miracles happen everyday, if you'll just look around!Frankie The Sleeper
Date: 2010-01-24
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow!!! Three weeks to go. I'm about to get excited and nervous all at once. All my gear is ready and I have one more shake down planned with Johnathan at Appalachian Outfitters. This will also be my first entry with my new Droid. Hope this device is as good as it appears to be. We'll soon see.I really am ready to get started. Three years in the planning and now just three weeks to go. Everyone around me and at work continue to ask questions and yes some still think I'm nuts to. Okay. Lets see if this works.
Date: 2010-02-01
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Good morning. This will be the two weeks to go posting, and some more practice with the new Droid. I spent a small fortune at Sam's on Saturday while spending one last weekend with number two son in Charleston. Christian (AKA Hank Jr.) is a new Knob at the Citadel and is a EE major. He has done so well and as they say here in the south, it ain't braggen if you can do it! So let me proudly state 4.0, Dean's List, and President's List. Way to go buddy!!!I will spend the next few days packing the first few mail drops and I think mail the first two. It was awesome buying all that stuff you normally don't allow yourself. Like cases of candy bars, cases of pop-tarts, cases of anything that you want with no guilt feelings. I think I'm going to like this hiking thing. Just a quick note today, and to let everyone know 12 days and a wake up!!!
Date: 2010-02-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Good Morning Trail World.Today is the last day the Ol'Sleeper will work for quite some time. Wow!!! Vacation!!! I know what everyone is thinking, that this will not be a vacation. But, the hard work of climbing PUDs, and wading through day after day of rain, and "SNOW", will be different. I know that not every day will be a positive day filled with sunshine either, but I am so looking forward to this experience. I have everything completed now, and even though I have planned well I still feel like I'm a little scattered right now and running around trying to figure out if I have forgotten anything. Normal I suppose. A few last food boxes to pack and mail, one more gear shake down I think, not sure really. I may wait till I get to Mountian Crossing. Then, I'm off and walking. I leave on Sunday to go over to Amicalola Falls State Park. One night at the Lodge with Norman & Connie and start on Monday. Awesome.I have been reading the journals of those who are already on the Trail and they are great. I had hoped to hike in "some" snow but it looks like that could turn into "a lot" of snow. Don't worry everyone, when it gets up to my knees I'll head to the road. Smile!!!!I cant believe it. 4 days and a wake-up.
Date: 2010-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Two days!!!Well folks, everything is done, all arrangements have been made, all Ts crossed, and Is dotted. Except for those things I have completely forgotten. Thats right, completely forgot to show up to a home cooked meal yesterday as I was busy with the last few details of my finances with my POA. So, again, Norman, Connie, Margaret, and Millard, I am soooooooooooooooo sorry. I can only say that my mind is racing around at this moment, and some how I will make it up to ya'll. Even though you all ate "my" part of the food, which could have been saved for me to take home later, but thats okay!!! Smile!Tomorrow will be my last day at church, and by the way if you are looking for the best church around then visit New Spring Church, Greenville, SC, or on the web if you are far away. Perry Noble is awesome, and will light up your spirit. I will miss being there.Norman & Connie will be taking me over to Amacalola Falls tomorrow afternoon, and we will be staying at the Lodge Sunday night. Then on Monday, if there isn't to much snow on the ground, they are calling for light flurries, I will begin my journey. I am very excited, as I have stated, and also a little nervous too. Worst winter on record, right!!! We got 4 inches of snow here at home last night, and it almost never snows here.My gear is packed, and after starting out at 46 lbs, I have trimmed it down to a feather lite 41 lbs. So we will see how that works. I went for a little walk this evening around the neighborhood and it felt more like 81 lbs, so I'll have to eat a lot of food on the first day. I think I can manage that.I just can't believe it is finally here. Three years.Have a blessed day.
Date: 2010-02-17
From: Hiker Hostal, Suches

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

Well!!! This has been much harder than I had thought it would be. Springer had 8 inches of snow on it, and we had trouble finding the plaque. Started on Springer from USFS #42, at 1330 hrs, and we walked the last mile in the dark to reach Hawk Mtn Shelter. I'm hiking with Rocker from Virgina. Both our parents basically wanted us together, so here we are. Met Thrasher & Turkey (couple) at Hawk Mtn, and have hiked to Suches together. We went from Hawk to Gouch Gap Shelter yesterday, and then to Suches today. 20.1 Miles so far.The temperature the first night was 14 degrees, with 25 to 30 mph winds, last night only 18 degrees, but with much stronger winds. Today was a beautiful day but the wind has been fierce. Sub-zero wind chills are constant. The snow has been as deep as 18 inches, and if there is no snow on the trail it is covered with ice. Very tricky going.I am so tired, and sore I can hardly walk. I am hoping that the shower, pizza, Chinese food tonight, and hot breakfast in the am will revive me. The warm house here at the Hiker Hostal run by Josh & Lee will also help.Rocker and I did a pack shake down and cut 12lbs so hopefully tomorrow will be better. I started out at 44lbs, and all those here are between 28 & 32lbs with their pack. I am beat-up pretty bad, both physically and Mentally. The cold is doing the worse damage, but the slow climbs up the mountains is also kicking my butt. This is much tougher then I thought. Turkey made feel better today by admitting she has already cried 3 times, and it is the cold that is doing it to her as well. Rocker and Thrasher seem to be unaffected by any of this. I guess it pays to be 21 years old, not 49.I am still excited about the trip and everyone says it will get better. So send us some prayers. Also the Droid died the very first day, so I have it charged up again, and will keep it in the sleeping bag with me from here on out.Nothing worth while come easy!
Date: 2010-02-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

I finished Neels Gap. Hiked a 10 mile day. Blood Mountain was remarkable!! I am very tired and very sore. Tonight, I am staying at a Hiker Hostel with about 20 other people. It is very nice here! Plan to make Hiawassee in four days. When I get to a library, I will update my journal and add some more pictures. Technology is working against me out here so far. Sincerely, Admin Jennifer
Date: 2010-02-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Wow, finally got this Droid to work. First, yes I am alive. Secondly, I am completely sucking wind. Hike like 11 miles today. Snow still very deep. 2.5 feet deep at times, mostly a foot. Lots of ice. It took 7 hours to hike 11 miles. Everyone here at the shelter is beat. Tim, Will, Thrasher, Turkey, Rocker, and myself. Bulldog, Denver, and Copperhead are tenting. We are all beat.Five people already off the trail with injuries. I'm supprised I have made it this far. All in all Im still stoked. Loading pics has failed but plan to take a zero day in Hiawassee, so will try and get journal and pica updated.Later.Later Dudes and Dudettes.,
Date: 2010-02-20
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Started my walk this morning at 9:05 a.m. The first six miles of the day was easy. Walked on logging road for five of the six miles. Blue Mountain Shelter was Awesome! Very nice and privy. Coming down Blue Mountain, it was very slick and icy. Crossed over Unicoi Gap and started up Rocky Mountain. It is 1.2 miles to the top of Rocky Mountain. Tonight, sleeping on Rocky Mountain. Thrasher, Turkey, Rocker and myself are sitting around a beautiful fire talking about our hike. I am VERY TIRED and beat. Plan to go to Deep Gap Shelter tomorrow. Finally got some pictures loaded! See the link at the bottom of my journal entry. Sincerely, Admin Jennifer
Date: 2010-02-22
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostwl
Miles today: 0.3

First, the Blueberry Patch Hostel is awesome. The Droids is still not working as it should, hence the alternate administrator. Thanks Jennings. She also checks my spelling errors. Also, trying to get my miles straightened out. Today is 67.5 miles total since leaving Springer. The last four days were 10.8, 10.7, 11.8, and 3.5 into Hiawassee. I am completely exhausted. Every bone, muscle, and tendon in my body hurts. I have got to stop hiking with these 20 year holds and find some older and slower people. Will be taking the rest of the day off. Plus a full zero day tomorrow. Then head back to the trail on Wednesdays morning. Some big miles planed to reach Franklin by Saturday. Will meet family and friends there. Cool.The trail has been very hard with snow sometimes 4 feet deep. Snow, slush, ice, andvery little dry ground. Every step has to be taken with caution or you'll find yourself on the ground. Lots of ice damage, with the trail more like an obstacle course climbing through the limbs, and sometimes whole trees. Often we walk off the trail to get around some of the worse damage. It will take a long time to clear all this up. Tuff hiking even for the young.I have struggled, mostly with the head about being here. It all seems better when you come into town and get clean, warm, and your belly full. So Corn now I'll keep hiking.I will try and get caught up on e-mails over the next day or so, but let me thank everyone who is following along, and for all the encouraging words. They really mean a lot, and help more than you know.
Date: 2010-02-22
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostwl
Miles today: 15.3

First, the Blueberry Patch Hostel OS awesome. The Droids is still not working as it should, hence the alternate administrator. Thanks Jennings. She also checks my spelling errors. Also, trying to get my miles straightened out. Today is 67.5 miles total since leaving Springer. The last four days were 10.8, 10.7, 11.8, and 3.5 into Hiawassee. I am completely exhausted. Every bone, muscle, and tendon in my body hurts. I have got to stop hiking with these 20 year holds and find some older and slower people. Will be taking the rest of the day off. Plus a full zero day tomorrow. Then head back to the trail on Wednesdays morning. Some big miles planed to reach Franklin by Saturday. Will meet family and friends there. Cool.The trail has been very hard with snow sometimes 4 feet deep. Snow, slush, ice, andvery little dry ground. Every step has to be taken with caution or you'll find yourself on the ground. Lots of ice damage, with the trail more like an obstacle course climbing through the limbs, and sometimes whole trees. Often we walk off the trail to get around some of the worse damage. It will take a long time to clear all this up. Tuff hiking even for the young.I have struggled, mostly with the head about being here. It all seems better when you come into town and get clean, warm, and your belly full. So Corn now I'll keep hiking.I will try and get caught up on e-mails over the next day or so, but let me thank everyone who is following along, and for all the encouraging words. They really mean a lot, and help more than you know.
Date: 2010-02-23
From: Blueberry Patch Hostwl

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day here at the Blueberry Patch Hostel. I so needed it. Also, went to the library here in Hiawassee and updated my photos. Sorry about the delay but sending photos from the trail via the Droid is hard without really good reception. Everyone is having some reception problems. So enjoy the pics and overlook the spelling bobos. We will be heading back out in the am to try and make Franklin, NC in 4 days. There are cold temps and more snow in the forecast so buckle up Sleeper.Please continue to pray for us as we push on through the bad weather. We bag our first state tomorrow, Yeehi! Entering NC in the afternoon. One step at a time.
Date: 2010-02-24
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Musktat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We crossed into NC today. 1 down 13 to go. It is getting tuffer, and more slippery as we head north. Climbing over Bly gap after the state line was almost impossible. Very steep and very icy. But we made it to the shelter. Temps were drooping fast so we built a fire after trying for 30 minutes to get it started it was going. To cold to stand by the fire so we all turned in. Maybe a better day tomorrow.
Date: 2010-02-25
From: Musktat Creek Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a terrible night. Probably single digits. Although I was warm in my Zero Degree bag, I had other problems. About three in the morning stomach cramps and the big "D". Getting up was hard but it had to happen. My fears were confirmed later when it happened a second time. I am not a happy camper right now.When we awakened we were all cover in snow from a stiff north wind, probably 10 to 20 below with wind chill, blowing snow right into the shelter and covered us. We had tried to cover up with our rain flys, but it didn't help. Everyone's gear was wet, and it was maybe 10 degrees. The decision was made to head for the road via The Chunky Gal Trail 1 mile further north. I was nauseated and now was having almost constant cramps.We had a hard time following TCG Trail because the snow was deep and the blazes were on the wind blown side of the trees and covered with snow. We were using maps by this point, and finally bushed wacked to Hay 64 via an old logging road. The wind was strong and I am not feeling well at all. I reached my discomfort level and just had to stop. Everyone was supportive and allowed me to rest even though we all wanted to get to the road.We made it to Hwy 64 and hitched a ride in the back of a pickup the 15 miles to Franklin. Heading for the Budget Inn, and the doctor in the morning.
Date: 2010-02-27
From: Franklin, NC

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well after much deliberation and consult with a doctor I am sure that I either have food posioning or giardia. I am now on two different antibiotics, and still having cramps and the big "D". I will reevaluate in a week as the meds are for 10 days. I will try and figure out a way to get back to where we got off the AT, but for now USFS 71 is closed.Everyone came by my room last night to check on me and share their plans for continuing. Rocker, Thrasher, Turkey, and Will have ordered snowshoes with cleats on the bottom, and had them shipped here to Franklin. The weather continues to be cold with more snow coming tonight and again next Tuesday. I am praying for healing and for spring to come soon. Will keep in touch, see you soon guys, and be safe.
Date: 2010-02-28
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Day 4 of the "Stomach Nasty". Day 3 of two different antibiotics. 7 Days to go. Still not over the hump yet. No "D" today, but the rumbling, and nausea are still around after some soild food. Back to bananas and toast I suppose. Drinking a lot water hoping this will help. Slept good last night. A lot of people have been very kind, and encouraging, concerning my present situation and I just wanted to thank you all. I am trying to look at this as a positive and not a negative. So today I did another gear shake down and made a list of some things I would like to change or upgrade, as this is hard to do from the trail. I should be even more prepared than when I started on the 15th. I have thought that there must be some people who also wish they could have a few days to come home and make a few changes. I am not completely convinced myself either, but it sounds good. I just need to look at it as a good thing, and trust that God is in control. I can tell you that I am not for sure, especially if you look at the current trail conditions. Yes, I did pray for "some" snow to hike in at first, and no I didn't give God an amount. Maybe I will next time. Smile!I plan to head back on either the 5th or 6th, depending on what sort of ride I can arrange. Hope all is well with my crew, Rocker, Thrasher, Turkey, and Will. Thanks again guys. See ya up the trail.If you want God to laugh, tell Him your plans!
Date: 2010-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the old Sleeper is well on his way to being mended from the dreaded "Stomach Nasty". Had some solid food yesterday, and all solid food today with some overdue steak tonight. Thanks again Britt & Emily. Those tenderloins are always sooooooooo gooooooood. I do feel good, and certianly well rested. My feet are in great shape with the exception of the pads/bottoms of my big toes on both feet. I plan to have them looked at tomorrow, as there are some concerns that this could be cold damage from the first 10 days. Not sure. Will keep everyone posted though.My plan is to return to the trail on Friday at Winding Stair Gap and head north. There is no way for me to get back to where we got off on the Chunky Gal Trail without adding a day to get there and backtrack back to where I should be so I will come back later and pick up that 27 miles into Franklin. I am not happy about this to be quite honest.The weather forecast shows a slight warming trend over the next week, with some flurries, and some rain which will surely be snow at elevation. No single digit temps at night so it should feel like a heat wave. I am really struggling with this decision as I am getting worrisome reports all the way up to Davenport, Tn. The snow continues to be measured in "feet" not inches, and almost everyone is saying they are getting off the trail for now. I know there are some hardy souls out there and I am praying for them. I am just not sure what to do, but one thing is for sure, and that is I will not head back out alone. This is very unusal weather and noone should be out by themselves if they plan to continue. Please pray for my discernment and wisdom.God's will, not mine.