morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-11-21
From: Wesser Bald

To: Wayah Bald Gap (Franklin)
Miles today: 14.9

I bundled up early to go back up the firetower for sunrise. About 1/2 hour spectacle. Some hunters came along as I ate breakfast. We talked for quite a while and I didn't leave Wesser Bald until 9 AM. I went down into Tellico Gap and up to Rocky Bald and Copper Ridge Bald that both had nice views to the south. I stopped for a break at Cold Spring Shelter. I was able to call Rich, a shuttle driver to arrange a ride to Franklin and return to the trail on Friday morning. I was speachless when he said it would be $100. Then he laughed and said it actually is free because he liked to help his hiker friends. I was still speachless. This guy has agreed to come out and pick me up Thanksgiving morning only because he likes to help! I continued along with a short hike up to Wayah Bald. There is a stone tower with nice views down into Franklin. The sun was out and it was a nice place for lunch. There were a lot of people there because there is a dirt road that takes you to the top. I had a nice, easy descent to Wayah Gap. Just before I got there I came to a big cloth sign that said, "trail magic" and just beyond, in a field, was a tent with a sign that said, "open 24 hours. help yourself." I opened the tent door and it was stocked with soda, chips of all kinds, cookies, and candy bars! There was a camp stove to make coffee and chairs to sit and rest. I dove into the honey buns. What a lift at the end of a day. I moved on, regrettfully, to the gap. I didn't realize that it was a paved road. It was 4:30 and I thought if Rich wanted to pick me up then rather than at Rt 64 tomorrow then he wouldn't need to come out on Thanksgiving. I called him and he came and brought me to Franklin. I'll still plan on returning to the trail on Friday morning and take a zero tomorrow. That's a lot of trail magic for one day. 6.0 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-23
From: Wayah Bald Gap (Franklin)

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Rich, aka Skunk Cabbage, picked me up at 7:30 and had me to the trail by 8. As if the rides were not enough, he gave me some fresh fruit. The kindheartedness of people continues to astound me. I set off on a gradual climb to Siler Bald under dreary skies. I made good time and began a long, gradual descent to Winding Stair Gap. I crossed the highway and was getting ready to start up the hill when I spotted cans of beer and soda lined up next to the trail. More trail magic! The sun broke through around 10 and brought the tempered up to the low 50's. It became overcast again around 2:00. I reached the top of Albert Mountain around 3 and climbed the fire tower for better views. It was very darker and gloomy in some directions, but brighter in others. As I descended the mountain it began to mist, but it never rained significantly. I set up camp quickly. The wind was blowing hard and the temperature was 40. 7.0 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-24
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

When I got up this morning it was 24 degrees. It was hard to break camp because I was cold. I couldn't wait to get moving so I could warm up. It was gradual up and down most of the morning. It was quite a while before I pealed out of my coat. I stopped at the summit of Standing Indian Mountain for lunch. Nice views south into Georgia. The high for the day was 43 degrees and mid-afternoon it began to drop quickly . When I reached Bly Gap it was 32 degrees. I expect it to be colder tonight than last night. 7.0 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-25
From: Bly Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

It was 21 degrees this morning. I intentionally slept later this morning. I didn't have too far to go and I didn't want to struggle breaking camp like yesterday. I got going around 9 and started coming out of clothes by 10. By 11 I was in shorts and shirt. The high was 58. I started on a long downhill. After 0.1 miles I crossed into Georgia, the fourteenth state. I climbed to As Knob and Buzzard Knob and then descended to Dicks Creek Gap where I ate lunch. The sun was beaming down on me and it felt sooo good. I had a one hour climb to Powell Mountain and then Kelly Knob. I got to Sassafras Gap early enough that I had dinner in daylight. 6.0 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-26
From: Sassafras Gap

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

I got a fairy early start this morning and made good time to Tray Mountain, where I stopped for a snack and got rid of some clothes. The view was pretty nice and I kept wondering if I'm looking at Springer Mountain out there, but I don't know what it looks like. It was ups and downs through midday with a stop for lunch at Unicoi Gap. After climbing Blue Mt it was a gradual down hill the rest of the day, allowing me to do a little more mileage. I'm expecting rain tomorrow, so the closer I am to Neel Gap and resupply, the better I like it. 7.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-27
From: Low Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained off and on over night. It was 43 degrees when I got up and that was the high for the day. I started hiking in a cloud and remained in it during the entire hike. I occasionally had rain, but not heavy. The trail was in good shape and the ups and downs went quickly. When I arrived at Neel Gap I passed through part of the Mountain Crossing building, the only building the AT goes through. I resupplied there and went on to Blood Mountain Cabins for the night. I believe I'm going to get to Springer Mountain and complete the AT. This may seem like an odd statement at this point. The fact is I could have written this over five months ago. I have always believed I would make it. That does not mean I will. Something can still happen to keep me from completing this walk. Call it serendipity, karma, bad luck, or the will of God; there are always things that are out of our hands, beyond our control. Belief is what empowers what you accomplish. Without a strong belief in yourself you will be merely average. To move beyond average to something more requires one to have the belief that he/she is equipped with the physical /mental /spiritual strength to do it. Each day of this walk I have a believed in myself. 4.0 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-28
From: Neel Gap

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

I didn't get started until 9:30 and began the climb up Blood Mountain, the highest point in GA at 4461 feet. The views were nice and I was again struck by how few mountains seem to be left. I am looking down on much flatter country. I stopped at Jarrard Gap for a break and there was a hiker getting ready to leave there. He looked at me and said, "I think we have met before. My name is Shiloh." I immediately remembered meeting him in Vermont. He was section hiking, going north, when we met on the trail and talked for about 20 minutes. He had thru-hiked in 2008. Now he was doing a section hike while visiting family in Atlanta. We ate lunch and then continued south, hiking together the rest of the day. The trail was easy going and we were able to talk the whole way, so the time flew by. We pitched tents at Gooch Mountain Shelter. About 7:30, after I had gotten into my tent a hiker came in to camp. He was a sobo thru-hiker named Nail. We have never met. He plans on summiting tomorrow or Friday, depending on when he can meet up with his wife. 6.0 hrs
Date: 2012-11-29
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

I slept in very late this morning. It was 28 degrees and I was not in any hurry. I did have breakfast with Shiloh and Nail. Shiloh then headed out and I started to break camp. Before I left, another sobo thru-hiker, Sleepwalker, came in to camp. He and Nail knew each other. Sleepwalker planned on summitting today. I started hiking at 10:45 on an easy trail. I stopped at Sassafras Mountain for lunch. Nail came along and joined me. Shortly after leaving, Nail got cramps in his leg, slowing him down. I continued on at a leisurely pace. Late afternoon was very pretty, going through rhododendron forests. There was a fast flowing stream along side the trail. It seemed good to hear running water. It has been a long time. The trail was flat and fast. I arrived at the shelter just as Shiloh was finishing pitching his tent. Nail arrived about ten minutes behind me, much to my surprise and relief. Tomorrow I summit. 4.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-11-30
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept poorly last night. Wind blew hard. I spent a lot of time reading my log, since I couldn't sleep. Finally got up around 7. Shiloh, Nail, and I ate breakfast and started out at 9:45. The hike was gradual uphill. It went quickly and we arrived at USFS 42 well before 11 am, when Debbie would arrive. Nail's wife won't arrive until later today so he will wait to summit tomorrow with her. Shiloh, on his section hike, had to stop his hike early because of unexpected business concerns. He would summit with Deb and I before he had to leave. The three of us headed out just after 11. The hiking was much the same and went by quickly. We arrived at the summit at 11:30. We looked at the view, read the log, and rejoiced. This chapter is written! 1.5 hrs.
Date: 2012-12-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well its been about 24 hours since I summitted Springer Mountain. I'm still a little numb and expect I'll be that way for a while. My walk started on June 19 and finished on Nov 30, but the processing still goes on. Thanks to all who have followed my path, prayed for me, and provided endless encouragement. I never felt alone, in part because of all of you. You are a blessing.
Date: 2011-11-08
To: The Clock is Ticking
Miles today: 0.0

Another 122 days, March 10, 2012, until I go to the southern terminus of the AT, Springer Mountain in Georgia, and face north and commence to hike to the north terminus of the AT, Mt. Katahdin in Maine and reach it by September 12, 2012. I have picked those dates to honor my father who was born on March 10, 1924 and died on September 12, 1988.I am hiking to raise the awareness of God and to raise funds for Epworth Forest United Methodist Church Camp. You may read about the fund raising campaign for the Epworth Forest UMC Camp at the website rightfuture.org. It is my goal in 2012 to raise $300,000 to build a new access road in to Epworth Forest and another $1.2 million to build a large lodge for campers.I hope you choose to follow along and also desire to contribute to the Right Future Campaign.What is needed to be prepared for this hike is mind boggling. I have chosen Lowa Baltoro boots,as my hiking boots, and am breaking them in, as I type this. You may read about them at the following website: http://hikingboots.com/lowa-baltoroHope I can discipline myself to write so you can follow my progress.
Date: 2011-11-21
To: Hubba Hubba Hubba Tents
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking for HIM as we will be calling this journey is looming not too far in the future. We have acquired not one but two new tents for the hike. These tents have brand names of "Hubba " a single person tent and "Hubba Hubba" a two person tent. The second tent will be used when Judy joins me at various times on the Hike. We, already, have four pledges of $11,014.05. We will be making our first presentation of "Hiking for HIM" at Griffith UMC, where Pastor Randy and Jackie McQueen are serving. Wow! Judy has been learning how and dehydrating anything and everything -all kinds of food. She wants me to be properly nourished as I hike. We also acquired our first clothing for the trail, two Orange pullover sweatshirts that now, thanks to Kathy Young's skill and generosity, have our logo embroidered on them. (Hiking for HIM and rightfuture.org in a circle with the AT (Appalachian Trail) logo and the United Methodist Logo and the Good Shepherd Staff in the middle.) We will be working to get into shape and continuing to acquire items needed for the hike. Continue to keep us in your prayers and remember you can follow our fund raising progress at the following website: rightfuture.org.
Date: 2011-12-30
To: Plainfield UMC
Miles today: 0.0

Judy & I will be worshipping at Plainfield UMC on January 1, 2012 with only 10 weeks until I start my thru hike.. We willl be asking for donations to the right future campaign. I will be focusing on purchasing gear needed for the hike this week and on pledges. I will be making up a list of pledges. I will also be mapping out the miles I want to hike the first 10 days. I have sectioned hiked the trail three times. The first time in NH and the last two times in VA.
Date: 2011-12-31
To: Good Bye 2011
Miles today: 0.0

Today is the last day of 2011. It has been a good year. In September I did a section hike of the AT with my hiking buddies in the Shenandoah National Park. We hiked 102 mile from the south entrance of the park to the 2 miles short of hiking to the north boundary of the AT in the park. I saw three bears on the trail. It was 10 days of rain and very few vistas - fogged in most of the time. We ate and ate and ate many incredible meals in camp. Also ate at the Big Meadows Lodge more than once - www.visitshenandoah.com/accommodations/big-meadows-lodge.aspx. The meals were good. The amazing memory here was the deers were almost like domestic animals. You could almost walk up and touch them.Judy and I took a three week road trip with her sister Barbara and her husband Lynn from Indiana to Price Edwards Island Canada. We camped out 16 nights out of 20. It rained nearly everyday. In the three weeks we in Ohio, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, New Found Land, Prince Edwards Island, Nova Scotia and Massachusetts.I enjoyed seeing the Roosevelt home at Campobello www.nps.gov/rocaille/index.htm. We took several ferry rides. I loved and have always loved the Atlantic Coast especially the coast of Maine! The most memorable food spot was the Beach Plum in North Hampton, NH - a lobster roll to die for and ice cream made in Heaven! www.beachplum.net Did not see any moose but did see a red foxes on PEI, seals and eagles at the US and Canadian border - nothing more majestic than an eagle. My best friend Judy, also my partner through life ask me why I was writing about this - because it's who I am and why I love life and why I will be hiking the AT. Obviously if you take a three week road trip and camp out 16 days you like to camp out.
Date: 2012-01-10
To: Hiking Assisted
Miles today: 0.0

I will not be hiking without help. My beautiful and best friend Judy will be hiking some with me and following along every step of the way. We have been inseparable for 35+ years except for my eight month tour in Hungary to support Bosnia in 1996-1997 and a few other two week exceptions like annual training with the United States Army and section hiking the last three years with my pastor hiking buddies and friends.Judy's trail name is "WTG" wither thou goest. I have been called by God to hike the trail and she has not but just like Sarah when she went with Abraham she is going to go with me or just like Ruth with Naomi - thus the trail name. She just made the comment to me while in Ybor City/Tampa Bay FL that this is going to be the best 6 months of her life or the worst. I am betting it will be the best!Judy and I met on a Mission trip to Haiti to see Child Care International a TB Hospital in Haiti in February 1976. We had our first date in the later part of May of 1976 and were married on July 11, 1976. Judy and I say as to such a short dating period that it was the "Just Know Theory" if you just know you are in love than why wait to get married. Judy retired from teaching in June 1995 and until just this last year assisted me with my investment management business. Judy loves to camp. That's a good thing because she's going to get plenty of chances to camp over the next eight months. We have yours mine ours and theirs children and God has made us one family and OUR children have blessed us with soon to be 14 grandchildren with the oldest being 10 years old and the youngest to be born on the 20th of March of this year.Judy taught for 31 years - the second grade for the first 3 years and special Ed for the last 28 years. She was a master teacher and still is to our 14 grandchildren. She has always liked the outdoors and hiking so she will fit in well with this adventure. She use to take her students for an overnight adventure to Pokagon State Park in Northeast Indiana so they could experience the outdoors. www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2973.htmI will keep you updated how WTG does on the AT.
Date: 2012-02-11
To: Warm is what I prefer
Miles today: 0.0

In preparing for my thru hike I have been gathering equipment that will keep me, I hope, warm. I am cold natured and find myself struggling to stay warm at night.I learned on my second section hike of the AT in VA that I struggled to keep warm at night even with mildly cold conditions - 32 degrees fahrenheit. Pitchit had lent me his wife Ann's backpacking sleeping bag. I am sure it is a warm sleeping bag - definitely warmer than my discount store thirty dollar special. The loaner bag, however, did not keep me WARM. This had nothing to do with the quality of the sleeping bag. The bag was too short and would not accommodate the girth of my body - BURRR! I remedy this sleeping bag problem on our zero day but not completely. I immediately had concerns about the new sleeping bag I purchased. It's unique feature was also a downfall to staying warm. It had a built in air matress which stuffed into the bottom of the bag. Great for comfort but not for warmth because it created pockets of air inside my bag I was still cold BURRR!Knowing I had this problem with my backpacking sleeping bag and that I was going to start my thru hike this year on March 10th, I decided it was time to shop for a new backpacking sleeping bag. I chose a Marmot Helium 15. http://www.backcountry.com/marmot-helium-sleeping-bag-15-degree-down. I tried it out for comfort on the floor of the outfitter store, Earth Adventures on Main Street in Fort Wayne , IN. Loved it and it did not make me to claustrophobic. Hope this will keep me WARM! The other item I coveted on my second section AT hike was Pitchit's black jacket. I wanted one!In searching the Internet I chose a Patagonia ultralight jacket. This jacket has got nothing but raves and awe from all who have seen and held it. http://www.backcountry.com/patagonia-ms-ultralight-down-jkt. It is a stunning neon dark blue and its weight is mind boggling 8.5 ounces. My wife Judy, trail name wither thou goest WTG for short, also chose a Patagonia ultralight sweater. It is vibrant bright orange. When she joins me on the trail they will definitely see us coming. I believe this will help us stay WARM!We are looking forward to being on the trail.
Date: 2012-02-12
To: George Rogers Clark a Revolutionary Hiker
Miles today: 0.0

Today Judy and I started our day in Jasper, IN. We drove here last night from our home in Fort Wayne, IN. Yesterday in the morning I shared with my hiking buddies what Judy and I were doing to prepare for my AT thru hike. We were all together to plan for their AT section hike this summer. They will be hiking in late September through 4 states VA, WV, MD and PA. Trail Boss and Wrong Way Wise each having hiked more than 1000 section miles of the AT and are looking forward to seeing Harpers Ferry and going to the ATC Headquarters. If it were not for this group, I would not be Hiking the AT for God.We are in southern IN to do AT hiking training at Brown County State Park and Spring Mill State Park this next week. We have brought our backpacks and will start training tomorrow.Today before we drove to Brown County State Park, we drove to Vincennes, IN. We drove there to see the George Rogers Clark Memorial Park, We learned that George Rogers Clark and the soldiers under his command (they were called "long knives" by the Indians) hiked in the winter of 1779 from Kaskaskia on the Mississippi River to Vincennes on the Wabash River to attack Fort Sackville. The British had built the fort to control the area west of the Alleghenies. This hike/march was 200+ miles of hiking in waist deep flooded lands with the last three days without food supplies. It is believed by many historians because of this daring hike/campaign by GRC and his soldiers that this area referred to as the Northwest Territories was given to the new independent colonies. This hike was a hike that made a difference!I believe a hike with a purpose can make a difference not only for the hiker but can affect future lifes.
Date: 2012-02-14
To: Birthdays
Miles today: 0.0

It is easier to build strong children than to repair broken men. Frederick DouglasToday I celebrate my 64th birthday. I was born at 3:00am to Jim Summers and Carol (Jolly) Summers. I wonder if all they wished for me on the day of my birth has, is and will happen. I wonder if I pleased Dad (My dad has been gone nearly 24 years. He was 64 when he went to be with the Lord) and whether I am pleasing Mom with who I am.I celebrate my birthdays because God has given me the gift of another year and Oh what blessings he gave me in my 63rd year of living. To journey through life with your best friend by your side is one of the best blessings and I have been given that blessing in my wife Judy. I say given because blessings are not bought or earned.All five of my children (yours, mine, ours and theirs) remembered my birthday and called to wish me a Happy Birthday.I hope as I reflect on the gift of life of the year that stretches before me that not only will I be blessed but I will be a blessing. I am asking you the reader to join me in being a blessing. We, together, can build strong children, me by hiking and you by pledging per mile hiked to provide them church camps to learn about God and his Son Jesus. Will you join me in this journey and step in faith? See what we can do by going to the rightfuture.org on the internet.
Date: 2012-02-15
To: Back to Bloomington
Miles today: 0.0

¢People are often unreasonable and self-centered. Forgive them anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway. If you are honest, people may cheat you. Be honest anyway. If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough. Give your best anyway. For you see, in the end, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.¢ Mother TheresaJudy and I, this morning with the sun shining and with backpacks on, hiked trail two in Brown County State Park. The trail is two miles long. If we do that 1,091 more times, we will hike the equivalent of a thru hike on the AT.After the hike we went to Bloomington, IN to J. L. Waters Adventures Outfitters Store to continue to add to our equipment needs. The equipment we added today was two camelbak antidote reservoir hydration systems, a stuff bag for Judy's sleeping bag and a clothes line.I earned my undergraduate degree in history at Indiana University in Bloomington, IN and have many memories of that experience. One of my fondest memories was of the Pizzaria on Kirkwood Avenue - I remember going to eat there with my roommate Richard Green on a cold winter night in February 44 years ago and how great it was to just to be alive. Guess what it is still there and it is even greater to still be alive and experiencing those memories with Judy. We ate there for old times sake.We ended the day by going to Sheep Street Fibers in Morgantown, IN. Judy purchased wool ready to spin. She had already purchased a spinning wheel in Big Rock IL last month. She intends to do much spinning on her spinning wheel as she waits on me hiking the AT.Time to write postcards to my six granddaughters.