morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-01
To: Irmo, SC
Miles today: 0.0

Advice: go light. My pack began at about 34 pounds - in winter. Go-Lite pack, Go-Lite Ultra-20 sleeping bag, Petzel headlight, Wish list: Montbell down undies, top & bottom.Mistakes: hammock. Once my knee started hurting, there was no comfortable sleeping position, but by then it was too warm & buggy to do without.More advice: Make sure any gear that you purchase fits exactly. I bought Superfeet insoles at Walasi-Ye that were a quarter inch too short and had blisters later the same day. There are much worse stories on the Trail of boots, socks, etc. causing MAJOR pain.Food drops: I didn't do any and observed that most who did ended up oversupplied with foodstuffs they no longer enjoyed. Food drops were also a problem if the drop location was closed for the weekend/evening when you arrive in town (especially true Post Offices).Food: easy to pick up en route, easy to hitch hike into town, sometimes the pizza places will deliver to hikers at highway crossings. BE SURE to enjoy noteworthy places like the Blueberry Patch, River End Restaurant, etc.
Date: 2008-03-02
From: Irmo, SC

To: Amicalola Falls State Park, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It took me way to long to get ready, so we didn't leave Irmo until 1:30 pm. The ride to Amicalola took much longer than we expected; those roads are long and twisty and slow. We arrived less than an hour before sunset, and I burst into activity upon arrival, cutting pages 3-38 of the Thru-Hiker's Companion from the volume, stuffing food into face and pack, clothing myself, etc. The visitor's center was closed, and the first confusion was discovering the beginning of the approach trail; it appeared to be along a roadway but I never saw the gruesome staircase mentioned in the books. I was able to get water from the rest room at the top of the falls, but didn't go to the viewpoint since it was already nearly dark. Soon after that I decided that hiking in the dark was folly and camped alongside the trail for the night. Today's hike, mostly in the dark, was only 2.4 miles - a fittingly easy first day.My big adventure was begun!
Date: 2008-03-03
From: Amicalola Falls State Park, GA

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

The approach trail was steep and deserves its reputation as a tough climb. On the other hand, it was a brisk, beautiful morning, and I was rested, fresh, and in good condition, thanks to carrying a backpack on all those daily walks with Dick & Jim. Partway up the approach trail, after passing the Amicalola Lodge with bemusement, I was greatly surprised to be overtaken by another fast hiker. His trail name was Pickax, and he was only out for a day hike carrying a full pack to improve his condition. Nice guy and good company; he ¢towed¢ me to the top of the mountain faster and more easily than before. What a surprise to find Springer Mountain crawling with people. There were day hikers, thru hikers, friends saying ¢bon voyage,¢ and a volunteer taking (trail)names and destinations for ATC statistics. There must have been 20 people up there taking pictures, snacking, yakking, etc. The skies were a beautiful clear blue. I snacked & took a picture. [Now I have to see if I can retrieve it from my cell phone.] Several people had driven up a dirt road to a parking area near the top, and I followed a couple of these guys down the trail in that direction, but the unencumbered pair had out-paced me and the hiker was already gone ... so I hiked alone 2.8 miles to Stover Shelter and met a fun couple of hikers, Cannibal and Bananas, both solo hikers. Cannibal is another hammock swinger who seems very knowledgeable about gear. He recommended TrailJournals.com and eating at Elmer's in Hot Springs. I hope to see them both later on. The next shelter (Hawk Mountain) was crowded but everyone was tired, so there was little conversation. It was nearly dark, and I was tired, so I pitched my hammock, ate a bite, and retired. The rain started just before dawn. Today¢s total mileage was about 14 miles, 6.4 miles up the Approach Trail to Springer mountain plus 7.8 miles on to the 2nd shelter.
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

The rain started just before dawn ... and water began wetting me inside the hammock. After I adjusted the lines, I hung tight (literally, in my hammock) until after noon, figuring that hiking in the rain is no fun. The shelter was empty by the time I "arose." I was eating breakfast at noon when Cannibal & Bananas came in soaked and mildly miserable from the weather, while also pleased to have accomplished another day of hiking. I packed and covered the same 7.3 miles to the next shelter as had the myriad other hikers who had endured hiking in pouring rain and whipping wind. I felt well satisfied with my "slack" day. [2010 ed. Lucky me - my cell phone camera was set to highest resolution. Unlucky me, my next digital recording is from the 9th. I bet I erased those after transcribing into TrailJournals.]
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Squire records that everything was frozen overnight. Southside gave me an ER bar at Neels Gap; it is survival food bar used by the coast guard; it is a wonderfully complete foodstuff, but heavy and dry. It was pleasing to have adequate food for the next 6 days hiking perhaps 60 miles into North Carolina.I set out reasonably early after eating my final supply of brewers yeast supplements with breakfast and just kept on truckin' until I reached Neels Gap and the Walasi-Yi Center, great people and good advice and good gear smack on the trail. (http://www.mountaincrossings.com/) Oh, I cannot forget to mention the wonderful vistas off Blood Mountain. WOW !! This internet machine is situated at the window overlooking a great view down the valley. Wonderful. Now I need to go buy "lots" of new gear: Superfeet, Bridgedale endurance trekker socks, Etowah rain kilt, sleeping bag liner, ULA over-mitts, and two pints of Ben & Jerrys (Chunky Monkey & Chubby Hubby). Very nice people; Winton is wonderful and his staff is exceptional. I want to remember Adam. Pirate, the cook, is quite a character. Many hikers there were exhausted and discouraged; several quit the Trail then & there. I "tented" behind the hostel, but was still invited to participate in Pirate's "treasure hunt." Everyone was encouraged to select a box from the pile; some of the small ones were gift certificates or trail food, bigger boxes could be items from the "hiker box" or gags. [2010. That rain kilt was the worse piece of gear I've ever owned. No matter how it was arranged my legs & feet got wet, and if the wind blew I was wet to my navel. Strange that I have no mention of the difficulty hiking 15 miles and over Blood Mountain. I must have been in great shape.]
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

Squire records 30 degrees and frost again with snow in the treetops at highest elevations. This entry is a guess - no voice recorder for these next few days, and I never annotated my Thru-Hikers' Companion pages. I'm guessing that it rained daily, so my distances were low. Since I was not a hostel patron, I felt un-entitled to breakfast until Pirate encouraged me by saying that he'd feed leftovers to the dogs. The staff at the Walasi-Yi center help hikers eliminate extra weight by analyzing EVERYTHING in the pack. Most backpacks come away several pounds lighter - a very significant reduction. I enjoyed the staff and ambiance so much that I stayed until all the other hikers had left and new ones were arriving. At the shelter in the evening, I remember a woman who had an extremely lightweight down undershirt; she was planning to spend the next night drying out at Helen, GA; apparently a very nice little trail town. There was a Trail Days exposition at Amicalola Falls Park the weekend before March 2nd; I missed an opportunity to pick up good gear cheap.
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: moderate rain

No voice recorder notes except that the climb out of Hog Pen Gap absolutely whipped me. Squire records a tough day with cold pouring rain all day; forecast is overnight lows in the 20s w/ snow. I believe that I spent the night hanging in the hammock outside the Blue Mountain Shelter.
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee & the Blueberry Patch hostel
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The hike over Tray Mountain was brutal with storm & snow, fierce wind and no views. It was easier to keep hiking than to stop & try to stay warm; there was ice on the hills. One "advantage" to the rainy weather is that the streams were quite breathtaking. I caught a ride into Hiawassee to the Ingles grocery and purchased several goodies there; their California trail mix was rich with walnuts, Brazil nuts, and raisins; their bulk food offerings are very good. Then I called Gary at the Blueberry Patch to come pick me up without realizing that Blueberry Patch was quite a ways back towards the Trail. He showed me around the empty bunkhouse and explained about breakfast, the outhouse & donations - no fixed charges. It is not possible to convey the relief to get out of that cold, windy, nasty weather into a comfortable place like the Blueberry Patch. The hot shower was very special. Later that evening several other hikers returned from town, among them August, Heartz, Jesse & Kirby.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Hiawassee & the Blueberry Patch hostel

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

My goodness ! Breakfast was wonderful. My heartfelt gratitude to August who recommended the Blueberry Patch to me yesterday. Gary & Lennie put on a sumptuous breakfast for hungry hikers with wonderful blueberry pancakes and muffins as part of their Christian mission; they are wonderful and considerate hosts. August, Kirby & Jesse decided to slack pack over Tray Mountain; August particularly wanted to take pictures from Tray Mtn, peculiar to me since I had no views whatsoever there. My notes don't mention temperatures, but there were magnificently interesting "ice flowers" sprouting up trailside early this morning. Fortunately I took a couple of pictures. It was big surprise to be passed by a young girl, part of a family of four out hiking. My knee was aggravated by the downhills and two nascent blisters required doctoring; it helped both to walk tippietoe down hills. Strange to think that for a whole week I had forgotten the need to eat more often - a lesson from last year's hike. Eating more often is important to keep energy flowing instead of trying to recover after depletion. Southside gave me an ER bar at Neels Gap; it is survival food bar used by the coast guard; it is a wonderfully complete foodstuff, but heavy and dry. It was pleasing to have adequate food for the next 6 days hiking, perhaps 60 miles into North Carolina. The voice recorder notes when I crossed that first state line, but from there the Trail is all uphill 3 miles to the next shelter. To the naive, it seems strange that a hiker can be VERY pleased to purchase a quart container - even if it does contain Gatorade (weight is an issue). Water filters "cost" too much weight, but water purification drops treat a quart and require a convenient mixing container. At the shelter this afternoon, as a special treat, I ate a banana; weight reduction doubles the pleasure. Mid-afternoon I came across a nice bright orange rain jacket lying in the trail. Since no one had come by south-bound it made sense to pick it up & see if the owner was missing it. Footprints indicated that only four or five people had been on the trail ahead of me. At the shelter, Squire thanked me profusely. It was a cold night at Standing Indian with only five there: Riley, Hearts, Squire & the General. Squire reminded me that we had met on top of Springer Mountain that first day. What a contrast to those crowded shelter earlier in nicer weather.
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Lucky today. I found a lightweight collapsible water bag at a shelter. I started cold and awfully tired; several days have been long and cold and hard. The snow was pretty deep in places, but other people had broken the trail - Thanks. Albert Mountain was quite the climb; it reminded Squire of New England and wound through several tight steep spots requiring use of hands; maybe my heart is fine. The view from the fire tower on top was magnificent, looking over rolling mountains into a pastoral valley with more mountain ranges beyond. Cell phone reception was great on top the tower. These last two days have been exhausting; my legs are just worn out. The knee is a bit of a problem, but I've scaled back my efforts and taken more short rest stops; strange that even short rests help immeasurably. Peculiar that I've had such difficulty remembering to fuel myself by eating every couple of hours. Riley Hearts, Squire & the General stayed at the shelter, Matthew hiked past to resupply conveniently tomorrow. Tonight I'm sleeping on the ground; somehow condensation forms under me inside the hammock and causes a chill.[2010 ed. The rain fly for the hammock needs to be strung separately, several inches above the mesh; if the fly covers the mesh, condensation forms.] I found a nice level spot in the woods and laid my tarp down on top the snow. After setting up camp, eating and hanging the food bag, I was looking forward to a long deep night's sleep. Squire built a nice campfire that really burned brightly after everyone went to sleep. My legs ached, so I massaged them several times throughout the night.
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

I slept beautifully and comfortably. The stars were beautiful with the Moon, Orion, Gemini, and Leo taking turns overnight. Today is a new day, altogether different; wonderful that a good night's sleep can be so rejuvenating. My feet don't hurt, blisters don't hurt, legs feel fine. Cadbury, toilet paper and powdered milk - amazing which items become treasured. It was amusing to hear my enthusiasm transparent through the voice recorder.[Interesting that dates on the voice recorder seem to be off by a day or two.] My cell phone has a nice picture from today. Today's hike was a piece of cake; neither blisters nor feet nor legs nor knee complained much and the pack was not too heavy. I was able to maintain a pleasant, comfortable pace throughout the day. It was five miles before Riley & Hearts passed me. At the Winding Stair Gap road crossing a couple of trail angels were offering goodies; I had a couple of bags of peanuts, soda, couple of cups of coffee, sweet roll, Hostess Twinkies, a cookie, a bag of chips: I absolutely filled up on junk food - a good thing as I was getting hungry. They even had duct tape for my blisters. Matthew showed up just as we were leaving; we enjoyed conversation - he is certainly a nice young man. I got into the shelter about an hour after the General - fitting since I started about an hour later in the morning. Riley, Hearts, and Matthew also stayed the night at the shelter, but Squire stayed in town.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

This time the voice recorder conveys my huffing and puffing as I walked while talking. The stars were again terrific, and sunrise was just spectacular, starting with a reddish glow on the horizon and expanding gloriously. I again slept comfortably on the ground and massaged my legs several times. Legs feel great, blisters don't hurt. The night time massages and sleeping on the ground seem to be keys; I just don't feel rested after sleeping the night in the hammock. My socks are frozen solid, covered by 1/4 inch of ice; I failed to hang them after washing them last night. Duct tape and mold foam still provide relief from the blisters. Soon after starting I was surprised to see an orange shirt behind me and more surprised that Squire caught up so early; he started at 7am. His pack is heavy from oversupply at his mail drop, mine is delightfully lighter. Squire says there is a storm forecast to arrive Friday. The group plan is to push for 18 miles today in order to get to the NOC early tomorrow, and longer range I'm planning to carry less into the Smokies because resupply is convenient at Gatlinburg. For 6 miles I felt sluggish and slow until summiting Wayah Bald and resting at the impressive John B. Byrne stone observation tower, great views and a chill wind. The others were lunching when I arrived, and I dug out a snack too. Squire recommends the American Antiquarian Society in Worchester Mass for pre-Library of Congress information - I can look for my Sprague and Holcraft ancestors there. A nice couple at the tower gave me the remainder of their luncheon stew, still hot in the thermos. Thank you, thank you, that was wonderfully tasty and really boosted my energies. Five miles later at Burningtown Gap, trail angel Apple of the Nantahala Hiking Club was hosting all hikers into his HUGE Mountain Hardware orange & white geodesic dome tent and serving a variety of foods. His tent was empty when I arrived, so we chatted while I ate 3 hot dogs, 1/2 package of cookies, lots of coffee with cocoa, and orange soda. Apple is a retired 58-year-old IBM electrical engineer familiar with computer programming. I left supercharged and just blew up the next 2 miles of the trail. Apparently flagging energy is a symptomatic of calorie deprivation. After passing a cute young couple at Cold Spring Shelter, I topped Wesser Bald minutes before sunset. The reward for climbing this firetower, as sunset approached, was wonderful landscapes with muted colors. Dark was falling fast and every part of me was tired, but there was still 8 tenths of a mile to water and friends at Wesser Bald Shelter. Quoting myself: "I have to get smarter than trying to keep up with these younger folks, because this last mile and a half has been pretty wearing." This morning the General had followed the "blue blazes" out of Siler Shelter, missed a turn, and struggled along until finding the trail again. Peculiar that two conversations today (this far removed from "civilization") involved computers.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

That was one really pretty sleeping spot on the knob of dirt with a huge old oak, nice views and lovely stars. My new clothing is working pretty great on this "cold and dreary and rainy and windy" day. We all enjoyed breakfast again at the Rivers Inn Restaurant, a great place. Blueberries added 59 cents to the cost of the pancakes and that 59 cents bought an incredible quantity of blueberries. For desert I had a Brownie al la mode and again should have ordered two scoops of ice cream. Big breakfast surprise was that one of last night's dinner guests picked up the tab for breakfast. This reminded me of the breakfast that motorcycling newbies Rudolph & Elaine paid for on our last Deal's Gap run. Squire hitchhiked into Bryson City easily yesterday and spent an hour on the computer at the library (I was jealous). Southside, Bull, and Spruce showed up for breakfast just as we were finishing, so I stayed to chat & drink coffee. Southside gave me another big chunk of ER Bar; they have more in every mail drop. The new Superfeet solved the blisters problem entirely; I hardly know that I have blisters. Cell phone bill was $54 last month, 47 minutes over my 300 monthly allotment. Yesterday I talked with Clarence, Greg, Cynthia, Ed, and Pam. Weather is suppose to be worse tomorrow. The General is a 51-year-old British soldier working security now. Squire is 60-year-old Massachusetts historian who did a 22 mile day with a heavy pack yesterday. Hearts is 24-year-old recent graduate betwixt & between. Everyone was still in good spirits at the Sassafras Gap Shelter when I arrived; it was nasty with a terribly cold wind. Just another "great day in the fog (where you can't see nothin') in the rain (coming down again) in the woods with no views," although signs of spring are starting to appear. One advantage of hiking in the fog & rain is getting close to wildlife; today three wild turkey took off when I was within 13 paces. I've decided to eliminate oatmeal because it "doesn't have the bang for the weight" that I need now. Last sentence tells of raindrops on the recorder. "Oh my God, the hill coming up out of Stecoah Gap was hand over hand up my hiking poles for 1300 feet up. This is easily one of the worst three climbs in the South. The rain is harder again, "I'm all bundled up, sweating profusely inside and getting rained on outside. Lucky me." It was pouring rain at the shelter, so everyone was crowded inside for changing clothes, eating, etc. Squire arrived first then the General, Matthew, Spruce, Hearts, and I came in last as usual. Matthew is nursing a strained Achilles tendon but, being young, is still putting in lots of miles. It was a sloppy mess hanging the bear bag and hammock in fading daylight and pouring rain. Lots of mice in the shelter; in the morning the General had bread in his shoes; Squire had a nest of toilet paper in his pack; Hearts now had acorns in his pack.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Second day in a row of pouring rain = no fun. Lightning was loud occasionally, but my focus when hiking is on the feet, so I didn't see the show. Squire and the General were on the ridge when the lightning fired up close to them; Squire said he's never seen the General move so fast. It was a blessing to get into the village & do laundry. Spruce & Hearts & I ate a mediocre lunch at the restaurant and were hugely disappointed to learn that they would not be open for dinner or breakfast. No cell phone signal at Fontana Dam Village, nothing open except the gift shop; even the bar was closed at 5pm so that we couldn't buy drinks. I remember vividly being greatly disappointed and outraged with the absence of services AT A RESORT. Still, the gift shop had a small selection of the local Mayfield brand of ice cream, so I enjoyed a couple of pints with delight, and was able to extend my gorp with some California banana crunch. Squire & the General stayed at the Village motel; the General arrived too late to pick up his mail-drop and will not be able to move on until Monday. Public safety gives hikers a ride to & from the village, so Hearts and I spent the night at the "Fontana Hilton." Rain & space & convenience prompted me to stay in the shelter this once. I choose the upper deck and was well pleased although less comfortable than on the ground in dry weather. There were several other hikers there that night including Toad, but none of them kept TrailJournals. Squire and the General and Spruce split the cost of a room at the motel, and you can read their journals by clicking on the link below that is labeled "Other Entries From 03/16/08"