morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-02-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

What a wonderful two weeks. Last weekend my wife Rebecca and I got to go to our daughter Tess's last collegiate swim meet. She is a senior at Loyola College in Maryland and captain this year of the women's squad. Watching her last swim event was bitter sweet - we have been doing this since she was eight years old. Even a few of the other Moms in the stands were crying. Tess really loves this team, and like all the kids she has put countless hours into training. The women's squad finished second in the MACC Championships, and Tess was selected to the MAAC All-Academic Swim Team. This weekend we got to go to UNC to visit our youngest daughter, Elizabeth, and attend a banquet honoring their National Championship Field Hockey Team. They finished the season a perfect 24-0, and set a large number of records along the way. They were presented with dazzling championship rings, a great picture memory book, and Nike even made them all special Carolina blue sneakers with 2007 National Champions printed on the side. Elizabeth was also selected to the All-ACC Academic Team. The following night the whole team was brought onto the court during the halftime of the UNC men's vs. Wake Forest basketball game, were all their accomplishments were acknowledged and the crowd of 20,000 plus gave them a standing ovation. Our three daughters have provided us with so many special moments like these over the years that I could fill a book recounting them all. Rebecca and I look forward to many more such moments to come. We love you girls!
Date: 2008-02-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've uploaded some pictures from one of the most scenic hikes I've had in Juneau, Alaska. I lived and worked in Alaska for ten years, beginning with a teaching job as a mid-year relplacment in the Alaskan "bush" community of Hydaburg on the Prince of Wales Island, followed by nine years in Juneau. I left in 1989 to pursue my doctorate degree at Penn State, but try to get back to visit every couple of years. A few summers ago on one of my visits my friend Don suggested we try a hike he had heard about. You take the three mile Sheep Creek Trail to its end, then take a hard left and start to climb straight up some 4,000 ft. to get to the ridgeline above. This ridgeline, along unamed mountains, would eventually take you west back toward Mt. Roberts, which is above downtown Juneau. The city had constructed a sky tram to take tourists to the top of the mountain. The deal was if got up there somehow by walking, you are entitled to a free ride back down. Don figured it would take us four or five hours to complete the hike. We had an unusually perfect day for the rain forest that is Juneau (one August there we had 29 straight days of rain!) - clear blue skies, highs in the sixties,and very little wind blowing up from the ocean or down from the vast icefields that surround the city (why there are no roads leading into the city - must get there by plane or sea). Don's daughter, Shannon, whom I had as a student years before and had become an airforce pilot flying F-16's, was also home for a visit and came on the hike. She put us to shame as she rambled straight up steep inclines, taking breaks along the way to let us two old geezers catch up (our country is safe with fine people like her defending us). As you can see from the photos, the views were amazing and well worth the effort. You could look up and down the Gastinaeu Channel, back into the icefields to the mountains of British Columbia, or out to the Chilkat Range. Don was a little off in his time estimate. It took us closer to ten hours to make the traverse, looking down on mountain goats and parasailers along the way. There was no trail to speak of for the most part - you just found the path of least resistance, avoided areas of heavy snow, and kept moving forward (or up and down or sideways). They have built a gift shop and visitor center on top of Mt. Roberts to go with the sky tram, and the center has a tap room with local microbrews. That thought was incentive to keep us moving on a very warm day by Alaskan standards. Three tired but happy hikers finally made it down to the tram area. A pitcher or two of Alaskan pale ale on the back deck went down easily as we watched the sun begin to drop behind Mt. Juneau. Then we had a sunset ride back down to street level with the lights of the city sparkling below. A super hike with great friends in the kind of setting that reminds you how small we are in the greater realm of things and the wonderful gifts God has waiting for us to experience if you are willing to make the effort.
Date: 2008-03-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Only a dozen days left and I will be hiking the trail for real instead of just going on some conditioning hikes in the local woods. Today was crazy nice - sunny and high in the 50's. Just last Monday on the same walk it was 11 degrees and windy, and I had four layers of clothes on. Today just a long sleeve base layer and a hiking shirt. I always seem to learn something new each time I hike. I stopped for lunch to make some mac and cheese, and found what I thought was a solid spot to place my alcohol stove. A minute before the meal was ready, the heat from the stove melted the ground even further, tipping the stove and the pot to one side. I lost half the meal (I'm sure I would have salvaged more from the snow and leaves if I was really hungry!). Another lesson to remember. I'm sure the trail will teach me many new things in the weeks to come.I'm starting to get a little antsy. I still have some boxes to pack for mail drops, and I need to list those places in this journal. I'm trying not to second guess gear choices. I still find it hard to believe that I am actually going to get a chance to experience some long dsitance backpacking. Please, nobody pinch me and wake me from this wonderful dream!
Date: 2008-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! Nine days to go. I probably took my last conditioning hike today. Loaded up the pack with everything I could think of, plus two and a half liters of water and food for five days. Weighed 39 pounds on the bathroom scale. I'm sure I can knock off a few more by going through the pack one more time, and certainly starting with less water. Nice to know that I'll be losing about two pounds a day by eating the food. After the flooding rains of the last two days, wonderful sunshine and a high that hit the low 40's today. I have a nice five plus mile loop through the woods I can make right across the road (Rt.309) from my house. It follows a natural gas pipeline on one side of a mountain, then loops around to come back on a pole line from our local nuclear power plant. An old logging road connects the two in between, and it all passes mostly on state game land. A curious white-tailed deer gave me a long look as I meandered up one rise this morning. Also saw some fresh bear sign - spring certainly is in the air. The trail was full of ice water and mud - the few inches of snow and ice we had left on the ground was turned into a wintery cocktail. That natural gas pipeline has its origin in the Gulf of Mexico - now that would be a hike. Just go out my backdoor for a half-mile then turn left, and keep walking. Getting anxious for Georgia!
Date: 2008-03-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A.T. Hiker Hostel is awesome! Josh and Leigh truly are saints. Met Chris from Texas (works for REI); Chris (Middle School music teacher) Dallas; Kyle from Alberta, Canada; Kate from Florida; Sherry from New England. Had Chinese take-out for dinner. Met Mike from Malvern, PA--been out a few days but having a tough time. Need to get some sleep soon. We'll be up at 7:30 for breakfast and hopefully on Springer Mt. by 8:30. Forcast for thunderstorms throughout the day. Miss all my girls already!!
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.8

What a start. Great breakfast at the hostel, long drive up to Springer Mountain. Headed south .9 miles to official start of the trail, bronze plaques and first blaze. Hiked with Chris, a music teacher from Texas; Cyclops, who works for REI in Texas; Kyle form Alberta, Canada, and Sheri from Denver. We all sort of spread out for the day after that. Lots of rain and lightening all day--very wet and muddy trail. Made only one stop all day to take a short side hike to Long Creek Waterfalls-- really roaring with all the rain. Just got to the shelter and the hail started. Got lucky and got a spot on the bottom platform for tonight. Must be 3 dozen people camped here tonight-too many to name. Got the food bag hung from the bear cables--we'll see how bad the mice are tonight. We even have a guy who put up his solo tent under the shelter. Should prove to be an interesting night. Hope I sleep better than last night. Chris just snored all night. I slipped out to the couch in the rec rooom for a few hours to get some sleep. Looking forward to a better weather day tomorrow.Pack weighed 42 lbs. at start.Text message to Rebecca: Made it to shelter on list about two dozen people people here tonight. Lucky I got a space on the bottom floor--sleeps 12. Just filtering my water. We had rain, thunder, lightening all day then a huge hailstorm when we returned to the shelter. Did 7.8 trail miles today plus two extra miles backtracking to Springer Summit and a sidetrail to Long Creek Waterfalls. Hope for some sun tomorrow. They had tornadoes in Atlanta last night.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.5

Made the trip from Hawk Mountain to Gooch Gap shelter today. Some steep climbs up Sassafras Mt. and Justus Mt. 7.5 miles today a total of 15.1 A.T. Weather was beautiful compared to yesterday--probably in the high 50's and sunny. Good forcast for Monday, with thunderstorms coming in Tuesday night, maybe some snow. Goint to sleep in tent tonight, no rain expected. Carried "Columbo's" pack cover for him that he left at the Hawk Mountain Shelter. The last 1.2 miles from Just Creek were beautiful--lots of rhododendron and beautiful woods. Took a lot more pictures today. Got to talk to Becky and Laura. Laura won her first 2 softball games as coach, and UNC men basketball won the ACC Championship. Life is Good. Probably have a change of plan tomorrow, going to break the 15 mile to Mt Crossings, better than I planned into 7.5 and 7.5 with the big climb up Blood Mountain coming up Tuesday. Probably take a zero day at the hostel at Mr. Crossings on Wednesday.Text Message to Rebecca: Just pulled into Gooch Gap shelter. Setting up tent for tonight. Great weather today with lots of ups and downs. Did 7.5 miles. Some good climbs out of Hightower Gap and up Justus Mountain. Knees holding up well so far. Can hear the army rangers playing war games in the distance. Going to filter some water for dinner.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Gooch Mt. Shelter

To: Jarred Gap
Miles today: 10.0

Walk from Gooch Mountain Shelter to Woody Gap (5 miles) not too bad. Had lunch at Woody Gap. Kyle got his box of food drop off by A.T Hostel people. Leigh and Josh are great. Climb up Big Cedar Mountain steep--good 500 ft. in less than a mile. Some nice views from up top. Right knee started to ache for the first time today. Almost stopped to camp at stream by Dockery Lake Trail, but pushed on to Jarret Gap. Kyle, Michell, Columbo, Joe and Lindsay (Crash), three guys from Georgia Tech that were hilarious, and two others spent the night. The wind really howled all night. Also, first trail magic today. Former thru hiker "Geek" giving out beers for St. Patrick's Day.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Jarred Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The climb up Blood Mt., the highest Mt. on the A.T. in Georgia at 4,450 ft., wasn't as bad as we expected, but it was all fogged in and we had no views. It rained and sleeted on us a bit as we climbed, and I flushed out 3 does, the first real wildlife of the trip. The 2.5 mile decent down to Neels Gap was hairy at times--hard to see blazes and lots of slick rocks. Kyle was kind enough to hang back and made sure I got down to the gap ok. The hostel was full (holds 15), so five of us got a cabin together for the night; Kyle, Michelle, Willow, Wisp, and Columbus. The guys at the Mr. Crossings just gave me the keys to their van so I could shuttle us down the mile and half for the cabin--I must have an honest face. I shuttled us back up for the 6:30 p.m. "all you can eat" spaghetti dinner--not bad. Oh, also had more trail magic today. When we got to the Mt. Crossings, some students from Georga Tech were grilling hamburgers for free for hikers before we all left. I had 3! The cabin is an old cottage down by a creek--little furniture, both a shower, washer/dryer, and bunks. Storms supposed to come in the morning--will have to decide if we should take a day off (zero day, or move on)
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: moderate rain

Decided against a ¢zero¢ day (no hiking), though weather forecast was 100% rain. Walked with Kyle and Mango for first hour or so, then on own for rest of the day. Torrential rain and high winds all day. Walked in the clouds¢no views. Trail was a river¢very slippery with mud. Met ¢Shark,¢ at Tesnattee Gap, a thru hiker from 1996, Met ¢Red¢ and ¢Aires¢ at Low Gap, also from PA, Boiling Springs. Long wet day, soaked to the bone. Dry long johns and shorts feel great. Left stuff on line to dry, but now raining again. Going to be starting out in wet clothes tomorrow. Willow Wisp (also 53 years old) and I are going to start out together tomorrow, let all the youngsters put in their big miles. I will miss Kyle from Alberta¢works the oil fields, very congenial, positive outlook. To be 26 again and have strong legs!!
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Much nicer weather day for hiking. The Chattahoochee National Forest is amazing. There was ice on my bear bag when I got it down off the bear cables today. ¢Willow Wisp¢ (Sherry) and I hiked together today. We are both 53 and have a similar pace. Played leap frog with two ladies from Boiling Springs, PA¢¢Red¢ and ¢Aries.¢ We are all camped on a steep hillside about a mile north of Unicio Gap; good stream nearby. We caught up to the ¢kids¢ at Blue Mountain shelter¢Kyle, Mango, and Columbus. Columbus gets picked up at the gap tomorrow by friends to get off the trail for a few days, then will rejoin. The younger group pushed on over Rocky Mt. (4100) to a place called the Cheese Factory, an old dairy farm, that has campsites. Tomorrow will be tough with Rocky Mt. followed by a steep 3 mile ascent out of Indian Grave Gap to the top of Tray Mt., 4430 feet high! Those two mountains back to back will make for a rugged 5 mile start to the day. I hope my knees are up for it. Dropping into the low 30¢s the next few nights¢staying warm so far. Great to talk to Becky and Tess today. They were visiting the Smithsonian. Missing my family is the hardest part by far for me!
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Addas Gap
Miles today: 11.2

Toughest day so far. ¢Willow Wisp,¢ Sherry, and I left together from creek campsite above Unicoi Gap and up and over Rocky Mountain at 4017 ft; great pictures looking back to Blood Mt. seems so far away. Deep drop (1000 ft.) into Indian Grave Gap, then 3 mile climb to the top of Tray Mt. at 4420 ft. Stopped for lunch at Tray Mt. Shelter with ¢Pippi¢ and ¢Hamburglar, and ¢Frankly,¢ ¢Wandering Mike¢ and his beagle dog ¢Sheba.¢ ¢Frankly¢ boiled water to take a sponge bath¢couldn¢t stand how he smelled or felt. We thought after these first 5 miles that the roughest part was over¢boy were we wrong. We went on a roller coaster of steep ups and downs through Wolfpen Gap, Steel Trap Gap, over Young Lick Knob, down into Swag of the Blue Ridge, up again another 500 ft, down into Sassafras Gap, where we almost stopped but were told there was no water then up one more incline and finally down into Addas Gap; which had campsites. Water, however was 12 mile away down a logging road¢1 mile round trip didn¢t seem far after a long day. Also in camp were Aries and Red, the ladies from Boiling Springs, PA; Hotwheels and Shutterbug and their dog Harley; and Wandering Mike, Frankly, and their dog Sheba. Two new hikers were ¢Corkscrew¢ from Washington State, and ¢Top Hat¢¢yes, he wears one, like Abe Lincoln. Had a nice freeze dried dinner of beef stroganoff, the last of my Tylenol, hung my bear bag from a tree, watched the moon come up, and thankfully crawled into bed. P.S. Got sunburned on my neck!
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Addas Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

Started the day looking forward to getting to Dick¢s Creek Gap and getting a ride into Hiawassee, Georgia. I had a supply box waiting at the Blueberry Patch Hostel and had planned on taking my first ¢zero day¢ (no hiking) on Easter Sunday. Willow Wisp and I hiked together again. As we walked and got phone coverage, we called the Cloud 9 Hostel, but no room, so called the Hiawassee Inn and they had room. The 1000 ft climb over Kelly Knob got the heart pounding, as did the climb out of Deep Gap. Along the way I could see where wild boars had been digging around for food¢they really tear up an area. Along the way we met ¢Maniac¢ from Maine, and were passed by ¢Wing It¢ and ¢Peanut¢ who we hadn¢t seen since Neels Gap and the Mt. Crossings Store. They were smart and took a zero day there to avoid hiking the heavy rain and wind. We made it to Dick¢s Creek Gap by 12:30, and were picked up by Sam Duke from the Hiawassee Inn. Very friendly guy. Stopped at both the Cloud 9 Hostel and Blueberry Patch so we could pick up out supply boxes. I met Gary, who runs the Blueberry with his wife, and left a donation for holding my box. Very clean and orderly hostel. Met Ron Holbert, the owner, and his 87 year-old mom, and he fixed us up with a room with two beds for only $25.00 a night. ¢Top Hat¢ is next door, and we met John and Jessica from Kentucky, who are also staying here. Ron gave us a clothes basket to put our dirty clothes in, then you put it outside the door and he brings it to the laundry! It was back by 4:30. Went to the Ride Aid next door for some supplies. Talked to Becky at UNC for scrimmages, then went a block away to the China Grill Buffet for dinner¢$7.95 for all you can eat. Ron is planning a special egg breakfast for tomorrow for Easter Sunday. Also told us we could take his van into town tonight to another restaurant¢maybe tomorrow night. Shower and shave was great. Looking forward to a day of rest tomorrow, need to plan the next week and reorganize all my gear for the climb out of here on Monday morning--getting out of these gaps is always a heart-pounder. Going to call Becky and Elizabeth and Laura and Tess.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Can't say enough nice things about Sam and Ron at the Hiawassee Inn. They brought us hikers into their kitchen today for a special Easter Breakfast of egg casserole, toast and jelly, coffee and juice. Sat around and chatted and sipped coffee for a good hour. They are lending the five hikers here (me, Willow Wisp, John & Jessica, and Colby from Wisconsin) their van tonight to go further into town to a local steak house for Easter dinner. I highly recommend that hikers consider staying here. Heard the weather forecast for the next week at breakfast--very cold tonight and tomorrow night--low 20's, and snow showers for out hike out tomorrow. Taking the 8:30 a.m. shuttle back to the trail--going to the post office first to foward a "bounce box" ahead to Franklin, NC, which we hope to reach in 4 days. Pack is still heavy with my new load of food. Hope we all stay warm enought the next few days.
Date: 2008-03-23
To: Rebecca, the wife
Miles today: 0.0

Tom has been planning this for 30 years. Really! In fact, he proposed to me on the Appalachian Trail at the Delaware Water Gap 29 years ago. I said ¢Yes,¢ to the question, ¢Will you marry me and hike with me the rest of your life?¢ I do hike, but sleep in my own bed at night. And after he has been hiking all day, I make him shower before he sleeps with me. Those on the trail with him totally understand.I keep his journal online for him when he can text message me and I upload any pictures from my phone he may take with his. I am glad I am busy (painting the inside of the house, and traveling to see the girls) without him here. What is most important in any relationship is encouraging you spouse to be the person they want to be. I am just lonely here without him, but happy he is fulfilling a life's dream. He will be a more fulfilled man when he return.For all you young wives out there, I know you think I must be in seventh heaven with him out of the house. I have to admit, the first night without him was very different from any other time he has been away. I really missed him, and being alone is not as enjoyable as being with him. There is no one to hear me screaming at the TV when UNC throws the ball away, or to have someone get me a roll of toilet paper. The simple things ¢¦.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Had continental breakfast with Ron and Sam, then off to the post office to send a box ahead to Franklin and to the trail by 9:00 a.m. As always, a hard climb at the town with new food supply and big climbs out of the gap. Little Bald Knob and Buzzard Knob got the calves burning early. Plum Orchard Gap shelter for lunch, 3 tier shelter built by army, dropped parts in by helicopter. It is a cold day, only 34 degrees at start. Crossed the border to North Carolina at about mile 75.5, a red little sign that you could pass right by. Met new hiker, Steelman, took his picture for him; retired army, looking for his partner, ¢Dog.¢ Weather forecast was for teens in the mts., almost camped in Bly Gap, but decided to push on 3 more miles to Muskeat Creek Shelter and hope someone had started a fire. Made for a 12 mile day, but there was a fire going! Nice crowd at shelter: Dog and Steelman, both retired army; Hotwheels and Shutterfly and their dog, Harky; John and Jessica from Kentucky; Stripe; and Porcupine. Willow and I shared my 2 man tent to try to keep warmer. She has been freezing at night even with a 15 degree bag. It snowed on us this evening. We all crowded around a great fire for as long as we could stand it, then dove for the sleeping bags.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night was cold, at least the teens. I did pretty well in my double sleeping bags, but had trouble sleeping. Willow was restless too, brought her one man tent into my tent as a blanket. We all survived the night, but all our water bottles were frozen solid, and most had trouble sleeping. Put in another 12 mile day today. Climb to top of 5500 ft. Standing Indian Mt. Not as bad as expected. North Carolina believes in using some switch backs. They blaze the trail well and even had trash cans at one gap. As usual, the last 3 miles seem to be the toughest. This shelter is also above 4500 ft., making it extra cold. Going to join the others at the fire for a while hope to stay warm!