morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-10
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I finally got there! We arrived in Millinocket on the 9th, and summited the big K yesterday the 10th. There were about 20 or so thru-hikers up on the summit. We had remarkably and quite frankly uncommonly good weather for the summit date. I couldn't be happier or more excited. Thank you to everybody who offered their incredible support. I couldn't have done it without a various help and support from many of you. It means a lot to me. And now, finally, I can say I thru-hiked the AT and it feels damn good!
Date: 2013-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

2/12/2013My name is Homer Miller and in several weeks I will turn 65 years young. I hope to slow down with work somehow and a nice long walk in the woods sounds good to me. So the Appalachian Trail comes to mind since I have been dreaming about it for 12 years.My work as an installer and service tech has kept me very busy for 40+ years. I enjoyed every minute and hour, but as we get older the thrill isn't quite as big to work 18 hour days anymore. I have worked countless 20-30 hours straight. I even had a 43 hour span with no sleep.I have gotten out of bed to help people every hour of the night. Saturdays and Sundays were just normal work days a lot of times.So why walk approximately 2,200 miles in 5 months when I could stay at home more? Well, when I'm on the trail, my phone will not dictate my time - sounds good to me!I think the great outdoors is a good way to wind down and realize life is not all work. I hope to instill into young people that work is good, but it's not everything in life. So to everyone I say: Stop, Look, and Listen a lot more. There are flowers to see and smell.I hope to be an example to others on my adventure.The Leopard
Date: 2013-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

2/13/2013Hi, I am The Leopard and about 5 weeks from now I want to be hiking from Georgia to Maine. I have a lot of work to accomplish yet. I have supplies to purchase. Furnaces and service calls need to get done so my help isn't overburdened as soon as I leave.I'm getting people lined up to care for my yard and flower beds including my food gardens. I also have things to arrange with my son Jim who is going to have all the work to do in my business when I'm gone. Poor boy.My wife will have a big burden too. Yes, my yard and things will be taken care of but she has her job to go to every day too. I know she can do it and she has to keep an eye on my supplies so I will make it back home!The Leopard
Date: 2013-03-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 8, 2013Well trail journal, I have come to visit you again. I'm slowly getting my work load knocked off so I can get to hiking. I have business work/yard work/house work to do in a very short time. It seems like March 24 is marching right on in. I guess I'll need the AT for rest and thought gathering at this point in time. It seems my work is like a fly - you whack one and five more appear. When I get one job done something else pops up that wasn't expected. I have only my food to think out for the trail. My gear and clothes are taken care of, or so I think. All my friends are warning me about the bears I might encounter on the trail. So would someone please tell the bears to stay out of my sight because I just might make myself a happy meal out of a bear!
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 8.1

Hello A.T. - First day...rain nearly all day, muddy, rainy, wet...I didn't know I signed up for this! Some wind now in camp, overnight low predicted around 20 degrees.Hiked today with Graybeard13.If you would have been nearby this afternoon, you may have heard an 80 year old guy and a 65 year old singing (off-key, of course) "This is the day that the Lord hath made..." Don't you feel glad you missed that!Thought for the day: Hug your kids.
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Cooper Gap
Miles today: 4.2

I made supper and set up the tent Sunday night in the dark and rain. I had to wipe out my tent a number of times. Really, did I ask for this? HA. Graybeard13 and I pumped water out of the stream just at dark to use for our drinking and cooking. Went to the sleeping bag about 9:00 with water dripping on the tent and the wind howling and the big trees creaking and groaning. I woke up during the night with snow and sleet hitting the tent. Woke up Monday morning with our water frozen in our packs. The tent and poles were frozen - had to chip off our tents to put them away. My wife picked me up at Cooper Gap. My pack is too heavy and I have to go to the outfitter to redo my pack. Graybeard13 and I struggled some 3000' mountains and the poor guy fell 3 times and I had to help him back on his feet. He does real well for an 80 year old. It takes my stride away and we don't make good time up hills. But I guess I was put out there for a reason.Thought for the day:Help your neighbor.
Date: 2013-03-26
To: Backpack adjustments
Miles today: 0.0

I was off the trail today to get my pack adjusted and get more supplies. I will return on Wednesday morning starting at Cooper Gap and hoping to end at Gooch Gap. I had a nice privy break on Monday. The place had no doors or windows. Snow and ice on the floor and snow blowing in on me and a cold seat. Not your Grandma's outhouse at all!Thought for the day:It could be colder.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Cooper Gap

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 8.7

This is the first sunny hiking day. My wife dropped me off at Cooper Gap. I was feeling good with the pack adjustments. I hiked all day alone and the silence was golden, just me and the birds and babbling Justice Creek. About 6 hikers passed me but they were all younger. I stopped for a break at the brook, had some snacks, and it was singing to me about it being a good day and some other things. The temp was in the upper 30's. It took me 7 1/2 hours to walk 8 miles up and down the big mountains. Took about 10 photos at Woody Gap and happened to catch up to Graybeard13 there. His friend Andy was to pick him up to go into town to reload on food, warm up and stay at a motel. They invited me so I went along. We are splitting a hotel room in Dahlonega and had a good hot meal. We will shuttle back to the trail in the morning and plan to go to Lance Creek. It will be short on miles but looks to be difficult hiking. It will set us up to hike through a several mile long restricted zone - no camping without a bear-proof food container - the following day.Thought for the day:Silence is golden.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Woody Gap

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 3.3

We got shuttled from the Quality Inn to Woody Gap. We started hiking at 12:50 and got to Lance Creek 3.3 miles later. We set up camp and filtered water, cooked supper, hung bear bags, and went to potty like a cat. The day was all sunshine and uphill and downhill. Took photos. We're getting ready to cross Blood Mt tomorrow and it will be a tough 7.4 mile day.Thought for the day:No one stands alone.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Lance Creek

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 7.4

We went from Lance Creek to Neel Gap over Blood Mt. Google Blood Mt to see the history. It was a 5 mile uphill hike to Blood Mt and a 2.4 mile downhill hike. The downhill was very tiring - over rocks and everything else! But no dead bodies. Got to Neel Gap about 5:30. Trail magic: First Baptist Church of Blairsville had food waiting for all hikers - Chicken, green bean casserole, garden salad, mac/cheese, garden tea, cookies. Good stuff for tired bodies. Staying at a Blood Mt cabin. Showered and got laundry ready for the laundry people. I walked with Graybeard13 and White Sidewall who is 72 years old. Hopefully we will reach our destination tomorrow-Low Gap-11.5 miles. Rain expected Saturday and Sunday. We had to hike today to get out of the hard-shell bear-resistant canister area. It's a puzzle - they don't want the bears to eat our food but they could eat us. Thank you to all of you - family and friends - for the various ways you are suporting me in this adventure. Hey Lamar - this morning at Lance Creek I found your almost dead duck! Comments will be coming later.Thought for the day: You can do more than you think!
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Neel Gap

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We left Neel Gap at 10:00 because the laundry wasn't done plus we needed to get supplies. I walked with White Sidewalls all day. Met Jedadiah, a young man with a guitar and he's trying to memorize the book of James. Also met Vagabond whose birthday was today and she said she's 70. She does a good walk. I took her picture with her permission. Sunshine all day and I am getting a sunburn. No rain and so many hills. I see the cell phone tower on the next mountain. Thought for the day: I think I can, I think I can, I think I can, I thought I could, I thought I could, I thought I could and I ended up at the shelter.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: light rain

Last night it rained about 3 hours. This morning is was chilly and foggy. White Sidewalls and I left camp at 9:00 and then stopped and ate at noon on the trail. I see the trillium coming up but no flowers yet. Saw one squirrel today. Heard lots of birds singing for a change. Made good time and got to the shelter at about 2:30. Started setting up the tent because the rainstorm was coming. We were almost done setting up when the rain came but didn't get wet. Sat inside the tent to rest. Made super - had beef stroganoff. Sponge bathed and got ready for the sleeping bag. Going to Unicoi Gap tomorrow.Thought for the day: Saw a broken empty bird egg beside the trail -- represents the empty tomb. Happy Easter to everyone from the great big woods.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.7

We had a good long walking day. 70 degrees and sunshine. I saw my first wild violet blooming plus another one I didn't recognize. The trees and bushes are getting leaves. During the night we had about 3 hours of rain. Tried to dry our tents as dry as we could to pack them. If you want to know how it is to dress in a cold tent, put your clothes in the refrigerator overnight, then go into the garage and kneel down and pull them on. Take your warm overnight clothes off and put on the cool ones! That is tent life. Slept beside the creek last night that was singing softly and tenderly "welcome to nature". Boys and girls: I saw Charlotte and her cousins' webs hanging in the little bushes filled with dew. White Sidewall and the Leopard got a free shuttle to the Best Western in Helen, GA. Went to a steak house and had chopped sirloin steak. Thank you Eleanor Rensberger!Thought for the day:Sometimes we have to change like the chameleon does.And now to Lamar: Lamar, I think I found your duck at Lance Creek on the AT. I went to filter water out of the stream for our cooking and drinking water, and there he was in all his glory. He was there because he couldn't be at Slaughter Creek on Blood Mountain because he didn't have a steel bear container for his food just like us hikers. He also didn't like the sound of Slaughter Creek. Well, the duck had some problems. One wing had 3 pink feathers and was a male. He had a limp, one eye knocked out in a hail storm and the other eye had a cateract. His beak was crooked and most of his tail feathers were gone and worst of all, there was a small rocking chair on his back with a ruby-throated hummingbird sitting in it. The hummer had two small cups of sterile sugar water strapped on the side and he had a cast on his right leg. He was also wearing rose colored flight goggles that needed cleaning. The hummer had a pair of small reins tied to the duck's bill for steering the poor duck. I told them you would take care of them real good. On April 5th or 6th they will land under the bridge at Miller Door and Trim about 5:06 PM. The hummer wants 12 cc of sterile sugar water and windex to clean his goggles. Please check the cast on his leg too. The duck wants 4 oz of cracked corn, 4 oz of wild white rice, 1 oz of oats, 1 oz of winter wheat. Mix all together and put into a ziplock bag. When you deliver the things, you have to wear a Yankey's ballcap, White Sox jacket, orange tights and tan walking shorts. Please serve the stuff with white gloves on and use a small silver platter. For more flight info check Flight 2013. Thank you for caring, The Leopard
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Unicoi Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mt Shelter
Miles today: 5.7

Shuttle driver John took us to Unicoi Gap from the motel. I wore a coat most of the day. We were on top of Tray Mt elevation 4430 and now at Tray shelter elevation 4199. Should be nice and chilly tonight. Not many flowers today. I saw a small angel face flower waving at us today. It was ivory in the middle and had purple fringes. Made me smile. Yesterday we met GoingNowhere and his wife who are section hikers. When they found out we were thru hikers they gave us trail magic - candy bars! Today we found coca cola at a creek - some more trail magic. Close to Tray Mt there was a sign "cheeseburgers on Tray Mt". I got the last cheeseburger! My other supper was mashed potatoes with broccoli and cheese. We met Dalbonga and Honeydragon and their dog Knucklehead. Going to Deep Gap Shelter tomorrow. The phone reception here is best at/on the privy -- it only has sideboards/no door/no top. And there are many hikers here! Good night. Time to sleep again.Thought for the day:There is a time for everything, but no one gets everything every time.
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Tray Mt Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We got going by 8:45 this morning and had a good morning walk and made good time. Today we didn't see anything growing except trillium. Started at Tray Mt elevation 4199 and ended at Deep Gap Shelter at elevation 3583. It was cold last night and had to wear a hat, gloves, long underwear, pants, and coat to keep out the cold. Mostly cloudy today and had the tent up by 4:00 PM. Made supper and doing journal by 5:30. Going to Dicks Creek Gap tomorrow-3.5 miles. We're getting the shuttle to Hiawasee for supplies and restaurant food. Our last climb of the day was Kelly Knob-a mile stretch almost 900' up. Took a few stops to get over the hump and then a 600' drop to Deep Gap. The old bones were creaking, I think. My pack averages 35-40 lbs with 4 days of food and 3 liters of water. Put a 40 lb salt bag on your back and see how it goes! Think 6-8 hours of going up and down hills then smile. Varns & Hoover -- I have a calendar in the woods and I am watching you.Thought for the day:We can't all live in a yellow submarine.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.6

We left Deep Gap Shelter at 8:05 and got to Dicks Creek Gap at 10:15. That is 3.6 miles in 2 hours. Good for us! It rained during the night but let up as we got out of our tents. Took our tents to the shelter to pack. It was raining as we left the shelter and rained all day. The wind was blowing so hard the rain felt like sleet. It was a test of wills at times because the wind was trying to blow us over the edge which was downhill 500-1000'. The trail was muddy and sticks had blown all over but we won. The shuttle was way late so we started walking down the road to keep warm. The shuttle caught us 1 mile down the road. The Budget Inn was full so we are staying at Holiday Express. We went to Huddle House for breakfast at 12:00. Got some supplies, showered and cleaned up. I had to unplug our toilet because it didn't flush right. Went for a plunger then fixed the flush chain and now it works. Tomorrow we are headed for Bly Gap - 9 miles. We're trying to get to Franklin, NC in four days. Will have a four day woods stay. There was snow in the air today. Elevation went from 3583' to 2675' and not so many up and downs today. Washed our clothes at the motel. Hey Hilltop people, where are you? Andy, what happened to Graybeard13? Vera Y - say HI to Katie for me. Elvie C - no bears yet! Mike and Kathy - thanks for the hotel stay.Thought for the day: And the rains came down and we got cold but not wet.
Date: 2013-04-04
To: Jim Miller
Miles today: 0.0

Tech notes:as you are viewing these journal entries, remember that the most recent entry displays when you first load the page, but you can see all the past entries by clicking on "List" below The Leopard's photo. Also,if you want more info on The Leopard's day, or more photos, consider looking up the journal of the other people he is hiking with, such as "White Sidewall" currently.More on the tech side-The Leopard is carrying a delorme ¢inreach¢ GPS device. http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/inreach-smartphone.php This device provides several features as the Leopard winds along the trail. The main feature that The Leopard uses every day is ¢tracking points¢ that get plotted on a map at regular intervals, sort of like bread crumbs that he can see on his smartphone so he can see where he has been, and that we as administrators here at home can see on a map in order to know where he is at during the day. We can set the tracking to mark his spot as frequently as every 10 minutes, or every 2 hours or 4 hours while he is moving. When the Leopard stops for the day, he pushes a message button on the front of the inReach device, which sends an email to those we have pre-selected to be notified of his status. The email message gives us his Lat/Lon location, elevation, time of day, and a short message as to how he is doing. He chooses one of three predefined messages to be sent with the notification. Before he left home, we programmed the messages that he can choose from. He tells us if he is going to town for supplies, just stopping for the night, or if he is taking extra time off to rest.Since the device is paired via Bluetooth to his Android smartphone, it allows him to also send and receive additional text messages via satellite signal while he is in areas of no cellular coverage. So in addition to the preset messages that he can send with just the push of a single button, he can also send general text messages even with no cell towers nearby, to tell us anything he may need to...well, that is, if he can remember how all this technology works...as you know, Leopards are not the most tech savvy creatures in the forest! But you might be amazed at the tricks you can teach a Leopard!The last feature that the inReach device provides for The Leopard is an emergency SOS signal, in the event that he needs help from search and rescue or medical crews. Hopefully he will not need this, but just in case, he can simply push a button and summon help to his exact location.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We got a late start from Hiawasee. Shuttle was supposed to be at the hotel at 8:30. But I needed a battery from Radio Shack so he made it 9:30. Well he came at 10:30 and we needed to stop at other places for hikers. So we made trailhead at 11:15. OUCH. We got to Plumorchard at 3:00. The next campsite was too far before dark. Made supper early. Will get going early Saturday going to Muskrat Shelter for Saturday night. It's a long uphill climb today 4.5 miles. Tomorrow will be 7.3 miles. We have 4.4 miles to the GA/NC border. It was sunny all day and 55 degrees.Thought for the day:And the rains came down.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

We left the shelter at 8:15 and had a hard uphill climb most of the day. Walked 7 1/4 hours - 7.3 miles. It was a very tiring day. Crossed the GA/NC border. Now one state is kaput. It was warm about 70 degrees down the mountain and 60 degrees up the mountain. Camped at Muskrat Creek Shelter at 4580'. Going to Standing Indian Shelter for Sunday night 4.9 miles. More hills tomorrow. Met a young nut called Green Light. He fell into the fire up on Tray Mt. He wants to meet someone famous. Oh we told him to hike with us for a while. Then he disappeared and we haven't seen him since. Lamar - did you find the duck and hummingbird? Thought for the day: I have my hand on the throttle and my eyes on the trail.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

We left Muskrat Creek Shelter at 8:10. It was sunny all day. We had good trails doing 2 mph. The fastest time yet. Went through a lot of rhododendron tunnels. Stopped on top of Standing Indian Mt to take pictures and eat lunch. The afternoon was good and we pushed ourselves to the limit. Arrived at Carter Gap Shelter by 6:00. It was a long 12.5 miles-good feeling day-and our best yet.Thought for the day:Someone sing the song, "I Can Only Imagine"
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

We started at Carter Gap Shelter and had a good walk until Albert Mt. It was rough and mostly a rocky climb up. It took a bunch of stops and we gasped for air at places there were only rocks to climb. We got to Rock Gap Shelter at 5:30. I had one blister on my left foot. There was a girl called Moose and she passed us today. Also met Easy Rider from Estonia. Walked 12.1 miles today. Reached 5250' on Albert Mt today. Could see towns and water way down below. Going up Albert Mt is like crawling on hands and knees and is not for pansies. I need rest and sleep. We are going to hike in unknown terrain for 3.8 miles to Winding Stair Gap before 11:00.Thought for the day: Sometimes getting to the mountain top isn't easy.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8

We left Rock Gap Shelter at 7:09. We ate breakfast on the go and arrived at Winding Stair Gap at 9:30. Waited for the shuttle which came at 10:00 and took us to Franklin, NC to the Budget Inn. We showered and washed our clothes then went to Motor Company Grill for REAL restaurant food. I had a sliced turkey/swiss sandwich with all the stuff on it and a big bratwurst and coffee. Went to Ruby City Museum and looked around. Met Ron Haven, the owner of the Budget Inn and he is a very nice chap. Ron took us to the post office, Walmart and the Outfitter for supplies. For supper we went to the Motor Company Grill. I had sirloin tips with green pepper and onion and mashed potatoes and a big garden salad and coffee for $10.00.Guest Thought for the day from son Nate:"He who, from zone to zone,Guides through the boundless sky thy certain flight,In the long way that I must tread alone,Will lead my steps aright."William Cullen Bryant, from "To A Waterfowl"Happy Birthday, Nate!