morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-01-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My Self Intro Trail Journey entry.I'm Joe from Grand Rapids, Michigan. The AT has been on my Life List for 25 years. It took two retirements (One from the US Navy and one from private engineering consulting) and two total knee replacements to get to this point. Trail name, Bionic Man, was prompted by the two knee replacements.Very excited about getting started on a northbound thru hike. Hopefully I can complete it. Love the out of doors, love the physical challenge, looking forward to the adventure! Training and gear prep underway. 52 days to start!
Date: 2017-01-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

This is a test of entry from a cell phone. Somewhere thought I read it couldn't be done except from a desktop. Doesn't seem practical on the trail. Guess we'll find out with this entry. Training going well in the Michigan ice and snow. Lots of outdoors treks. Indoor treadmill sessions on the treadmill on an incline at the local Y. Gear list coming together. Next is food plannning. Love this stuff! Can't wait to be out there!
Date: 2017-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

39 days to go to Start! Over the weekend completed another piece of my trail prep. Attended an REI sponsored National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) class in Ann Arbor, MI. on Wilderness First Aid. Very professionally delivered, lots of outdoor scenarios in the Michigan cold and snow. Great hands on and classroom. Hope I don't have to use the skills but feel more at ease if I do. Well done Jen and Erin from the NOLS Team!
Date: 2017-03-03
To: One Week
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

One week until thru hike start! Down to final prep touches. Used new Stick Pic for this entry's photo posting with my lovely wife, Susie. Figured out Spotify for my trail music and AudibleBooks for my audio books. Last training hike today in sunny 17 degree weather with snow on the ground in Michigan. Springer Mountain promises to be much warmer. Ready for the Adventure!
Date: 2017-03-05
To: Sweet!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My very dear sister-in-law and her husband (in collaboration with my wife) arranged a surprise send off dinner party last night. What fun! What an honor! 13 people, many of whom had never met, gathered together over an AT Big Adventure! Two are co-hikers planned for part of the thru hike. Amazing camaraderie and congeniality! Great food, amazing deserts and a lot of laughs. Great send off. I'm blessed with amazing family and friends. That will sustain me in the journey! Check the sweet cake!
Date: 2017-03-09
To: Getting There!
Miles today: 0.0

Flew out of Grand Rapids yesterday to Atlanta. A very kind Navy Buddy and his wife are putting me up and getting me to the Trail tomorrow. Already had "Trail Magic" on the way down. After hearing my upcoming Big Adventure story, I had three people offer to pray for me for the next six months. I was touched.! My stay here in Atlanta has been filled with hospitality, camaraderie and lots of Navy stories. Great transition into the hike. I'm getting there! Tomorrow is the day. Excited, a little apprehensive but feeling very positive! It's OK to have butterflies in the stomach, just got to get them all flying in the same direction! ?? ??
Date: 2017-03-10
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

My dear Navy friend and his wife picked me up the Atlanta airport , hosted me for a couple of days and then delivered me to AT Mile 1 parking lot. After hiking up to the start point, Mile 0.0 it was finally, after 25 years of dreaming and planning, finally Go Time! So with a shiver of excitement, I stepped off into my Big Adventure at 11:30am. Very picture perfect day in the high 50s and sunny. Saw wild rhododendrons along the way but trees still bare even down here in the South. The hills were challenging but my training allowed quick recovery at the top of each.Stopped at a very nice campground complete with bear box, privy and an Appalachian Trail Conservancy "Ridge Runner" who is paid to take care of the place and enforce Leave no Trace. Dinner of spaghetti and hot chocolate went down well. Breeze and chill into upper30s drove me to hunker down in tent by6:30pm. Enjoyed a audiobook. Lights out at 8:30pm (hikers midnight). Day One a success!
Date: 2017-03-11
From: Hawk Mountain Campsite

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: clear sky

Started the chilly day with some hot coffee (Starbucks Via) and hot oatmeal. Good for a morning in low 30s. First day of pack up, so took longer than I wanted but I'm sure it'll get quicker. Lots of ups and downs on the trail today. Huff and puff up, quad burn going down. But bionic knees performing flawlessly. Tired at end of day but able to revive overnight. Stopped for a break at Mile 13. I experienced absolute, profound, beautiful silence-no airplanes, cars, wind, water, humans, birds or animals. It was divine! Have not run into many hikers yet. Like I had the AT to myself. Sweet! Rolled into the Shelter site at 3:40pm. Decided to tent. Set up, changed into camp shoes. Had my customary cocktail hour-Powdered Gatorade G2 for rehydration . A Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken pouch dinner was excellent! The hot chocolate topped it off. Another chilly evening so into tent at 6 to listen to audiobook (The Magnolia Story- Chip/Joanna Gaines). Changed clock to DST. Day Two- another good day.
Date: 2017-03-12
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek Campground
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: snow

Heard rain on tent overnight then something that sounded like snow. Whoa! Sure enough we had an inch overnight. Really pretty. Actually warmer than previous mornings, mid 30s. After pulling food out of bear box decided to have a non cook breakfast of caffeinated Crystal Light, nuts, raisins and a granola bar. Worked well. Easier pack out. Beat everyone out of shelter site and on my way by 8:30 am. Hiked the day through a splendidly beautiful landscape. The snow on the trees and ground was magical. Had fog too which made me glad I had all my layers. Snack and lunch breaks have been infrequent,, I just want to hike. I let my stomach dictate, not the clock. Joyously liberating! Called my wife, Susie, from the top of a mountain to check in before decending into next campsite. Great connection. Also made a cabin reservation for following night at Neels Gap (fortuitous because later found out they were all booked when I arrived). Got into Lance Creek Campground at 3. Met some thru hikers, David (I gave him trail name -Goliath), Ben, Google-able and an inspiring young man who is hiking 22 miles per day (number of daily vet suicides currently) to raise money for Vet suicide awareness. AT in 100 days! In tent at 6 after awesome backpacker meal and hot chocolate. Tonight's entertainment-podcasts. I learned something! :-)
Date: 2017-03-13
From: Lance Creek Campground

To: Neel Gap (Blairsville, GA)
Miles today: 7.2

Up at 6 and took bear bag down off bear cable, No bears so far! Had another non cook breakfast and was on my way by 7:30am. Pack out getting better. Beat everyone out of campsite. They, however, pass me during the day me being the slow and steady hiker that I am. I did get a look back at Springer Mountain as shown in the picture background (tall peak) 24 miles away. Had a breezy, chilly day with lots of ups and downs. Took it as it came and made it into Neels Gap by 2pm. Heard the hostel was booked as well as the Blood Mtn Cabins where I'm staying. Nice to have a bed tonight. Got laundry done while I had a bowl of chili and a pizza and LOTS of Gatorade, Met a couple of thru hikers spending a couple of days here. Washing out all gear and drying things out. Oh and the shower and shave felt fantastic!! Since main store is closed now journaling on outside deck near wifi. Day 4 went well but nice to be inside tonight.
Date: 2017-03-14
From: Neel Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: snow

As I relaxed in my warm cabin and heard the rain pelting against the window all night I had my moment of gut check. Looked outside in morning to see snow. Better than a freezing rain! Since lodge didn't open until 8 and didn't serve breakfast I had cold pizza, granola bar and a Via coffee in room. When lodge opened, I made hotel reservation for 3 days down line in Hiawassee, GA. Met Second Chance and Back Again, a couple from Luxembourg who had to stop AT last year and are back trying again. Sent first box order to wife for food to be sent to hotel in three days and off I went. Had my first brush with a Trail Angel. Cathy offered to drive me back to trailhead. Nice lady. Off I went through the only covered portion of the AT at the hostel in Neel Gap, the portal into Day 5. Hiked in 20s, wind chill in teens. However with lighter pack, and getting in shape, it felt good. Passed through one place with no wind and ice and snow on trees. I felt God's beauty and serenity. It felt like He had me in the palm of His hand.Very emotional! Had to shut that down, tears were freezing to my face! Into Shelter area at 4pm and set up tent. In cooking a great lasagna dinner , ran out of gas. Oops! Guess it's non-cook until next resupply. Temp headed down but hunkered down in tent for audiobook and bedtime. Longest hike day so far. Despite extreme conditions, it went well.
Date: 2017-03-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Tentsite
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: few clouds

Despite cold overnight got some sleep. Up at 6. Since no gas had my backup caffeine-caffeinated Crystal Light plus usual assortment of nuts, dried fruit and bars. Have perfected art of getting all tent tidied up, backpack packed and then emerging into cold to take down tent and be on my way by 8:20am. Things move slower in the cold. Cold but clear and sunny during day.My clothing system-shoes, wool socks, low gaiters, merino base long johns, convertible pants, merino base top, fleece, wind/rain jacket with hood, knit hat, gloves. I sweat on ups and cool a bit on downs. Seems to be working except fingertips-cold! Encountered my first Trail Magic. Was 10 miles into my day at Unicoi Gap. Will Webb had set up in the parking lot with chairs, burgers and soft drinks. Bless his heart! Came at a perfect time. Finished the remaining 3miles in the day(longest hiking day so far). In pumping water found out my filter froze. Plan B-Aquamira drops. Met two Brits at tent site (named for a now long gone cheese factory-no remnants). Tea Bag and Big Style. Dropping into low teens overnight so hunkering down. Great sleeping bag helped me through the night.
Date: 2017-03-16
From: Cheese Factory Tentsite

To: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee, GA)
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Overnight down to 15 degrees per my pack thermometer. Spent whole night with my head under my sleeping bag. Not a lot of sleep in the cold and howling winds . But up at 6 and on way by 8. The Brit boys were still in their tents when I left. Hiked for 5 hours and didn't see another hiker. The AT to myself! Lots of ups and downs today. Like a full day at the gym. Body doing well. Had a second toe left foot ache that I later found to be a blood blister ( treated it later in the evening), Knees doing very well. Some quads and calves aches but surprising myself so far with capacity for hiking long back to back days. Got to Dick's Creek Gap and paid a shuttle to get me 11 miles into Hiawassee and the Holiday Inn Express. Had earlier decided to hike harder, get here earlier and stay two nights. Nice place. Shaved, showered and headed to a nearby buffet. $17, Incl tip. I ate a LOT! Now to a nice night in a bed. Ahhhh!
Date: 2017-03-17
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee, GA)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Taking a zero day ( no hiking) today in Hiawassee, GA. Nice night in a bed, and great to enjoy a free breakfast here at the Holiday Inn Express and lots of hot coffee. Today was laundry, gear airing and cleaning., some food resupply shopping to augment the box my wife sent. Who knew that ironing boards make great airing racks for tents? Also found an outfitter with a new glove system. Light wicking inner liner and a Polartec outer layer. She said she just got them in today! Thanks everyone for your prayers. They're working. My old gloves: bye-bye! Average little town but surrounded by lots of scenic hills. Watched Michigan win first March Madness game, Go Blue! The room had a jacuzzi tub. That was a nice afternoon treat! FaceTimed with Navy son and family (wife and 2 grandsons) all decked out in St Patty Day gear! Love technology!! All set for tomorrow takeoff back to trail with a shuttle to pick me up at 7:30am and get me the 11 miles to the trailhead. It's been a wonderful recharge day.
Date: 2017-03-18
From: Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee, GA)

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

Cinnamon Buns! Yum, great way to start day at free breakfast! John was shuttle guy who took me back to trailhead. Explained that Hiawassee is in a dry county but they were "three funerals away from changing that". Old politicos, I guess. On trail at 8 and had it to myself for 3 hrs. Started to rain but with new gloves and my boonie hat, no prob. Mid-morning reflections(when alone and have most energy): 1. Interesting how life's experiences change your perspective-was worried about rain on the trail but after the recent cold I thought the rain was just fine. 2. 90% of life is just getting going and showing up. I had doubts about feet, pack too heavy, can I still go it? It went fine, just need to get out there! 3. Don't worry about things that haven't happened. Most times they don't. Learned that a thousand times out here so far. Crossed NC/GA border mid-afternoon. No walls at border, got over easy! :-) Got into Shelter area at 4:20pm. Nice young man, Candles(birthday on AT start date) sat down and chatted during my crime br»l©e dessert. His case, AT is what you do for now after a degree in Philosophy. To bed a little worried about stiff and blistered feet. Guess we'll see what the morning brings.
Date: 2017-03-19
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

A little warmer overnight, woke up to 30 degrees. Treated myself to a hot coffee and warm granola backpacker meal. Perfect! On way by 8. Had trail to myself again. The young folks like to sleep in. They give me the trail to myself in the morning and then come racing by late morning. That'll work for me! :-) . Oh and my feet. They are weakest link so far but with moleskin attention, are toughening up and also less stiff after overnight rest. Slowly whipping them into shape. Tolerable. Best hiking yet, up to 60, no clouds, no wind. Tough 3mile climb to 5,435', highest yet. Called for a lunch break. During day met Sherpa (his favorite clothing gear), Crocs(hiking to ME in crocs!!), and Bear Bait( her honey pack exploded in her food sack). Got into Shelter area for tenting at 4:20pm. After a great backpacker chilimac dinner settled in for audiobook and settling down. Young folks had a fire going. So fun to hear the laughter and their talk about all you can eat Chinese buffet in next town. Foot check-very encouraging. Great day!
Date: 2017-03-20
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

A bit of a chilly, restless night. Can't wait for a little warmer overnights. After another warm breakfast of coffee and oatmeal. (BTW, didn't really run out of gas awhile ago. Discovered my igniter crapped out so use my bic lighter and it works.). Got away at 7:45am. No one stirring in the other 20 tents nor 7 folks in the shelter. Very warm early so stripped down to long sleeve wool top and no hat. Just right. Today's emotional mid-morning reflection: Thank you, Bob, my former boss and now one of my best friends, for the opportunity and mentoring for a successful second career after military service. Because of you I have the wherewithal to do the kinds of things I'm doing now. I luv ya, Bro! (Common expression among the twenty-somethings out here). Had one intense up before the fire tower. 45 degree vertical-lots of sweat in the 68 degree day. Got to fire tower , pics and then moved on. The young folks were stopped for lunch but I got my second wind and blazed a 3mph pace for and hour or so. Mid afternoon I passed the 100 mile mark, another great milestone! Yup and there they came passing. After a long afternon made it to my destination and was immediately met by Trail Angel, David Watters, who took me into Franklin, NC where I had hotel reservations. Longest day hiking yet, 10 hrs and almost 16 miles. Pizza was great! Now bedtime in a real bed. Satisfied but tired.
Date: 2017-03-21
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Great night's sleep! Wow! Enjoyed the free breakfast at my lodging, the Comfort Inn. Fell into my zero day ritual of laundry, gear clean/air, food resupply trip to nearby grocery, journaling and email catch-up. Very relaxing. Nice day in the 70s but thunderstorm rolling in tonight. Good to be in a room. I first thought I'd picked wrong lodging location on outskirts of town but it worked out. Resupply and restaurants nearby. Went to nearby Willy's BBQ tonight. Great brisket. Info : I was asked about my water system. The pic shows my Platypus(2liter) that fits inside pack with drink tube. The other bottles are useful in camp for cooking water and the smaller for flavored drinks in order not to taint the other containers. I was carrying all filled all day but decided it was not necessary. Regular water sources available along the trail where I filter. The 2 liters weighs 4.4 lbs so I try to limit it to that underway. I've also decided not to look like the other Taliban-looking hikers with beards :-) so I've been shaving every town visit. Ready for a 11 mile day tomorrow. Free volunterr shuttle pickup (great hiker support system!) tomorrow at 7:30am. Onward!!
Date: 2017-03-22
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Time to be back on the trail. And to get me there was Franklin's Trail Angel Extraordinaire, David Watters. (the same guy who picked me up two days earlier). He picked me, and another couple of thru-hikers, at the Comfort Inn. This guy does this for free! He's a WWII Army-Air Corps P-38 pilot who flew in and around D-Day! In his 90s and does this shuttling to/from trail and in/around town for food/supplies as a way to give back. Reminds me of my 93yo mother-in-law, Nancy. Inspiring! Every day has a purpose! On trail at 7:55am, great weather. Ended up stripping off layers as day went on. Had trail to self most of day.Got into shelter area for tenting at 3:20pm. Found a sweet tent spot and did the water filtering and dinner thing. Found out that the throw sack I used for getting bear bag line over a tree still had a weighting rock from several days ago that I had been carrying around. Been using provided bear cables since and didn't notice. D'Oh! Pls don't tell anyone out here. They'll give me an Indian name for "He who carries rocks in his pack"! :-)
Date: 2017-03-23
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Restless night. Not sure of it was chilly or if the hot chocolate before bed isn't working. Hmm! Anyway a beautiful sunrise. It WILL be a good day. Again had the morning trail to myself. Had a chance to reflect on another pivotal person in my life to get me to this Great Adventure. Thank you to my great friend, Rodney. He started a Boy Scout troop in the mid 90s for his boy, my boys and many others, many of whom made it to Eagle rank. He based the new troop on the Spirit of Good Scouting, He always, based on extensive research and safety/risk analysis, pushed us to new limits. Snow caving, ice climbing, backpacking, canoeing the Betsie River from source to Lake Michigan, winter canoeing the Au Sable until we hit solid ice and had to, Lewis and Clark-like, drag our canoes back upstream to a pull out point. Have used a lot of that training here. I luv ya, Bro! (there's that term again! :-) ) Tough stretch of hiking. Lots of burned out areas from last Fall's fires. Even damage to trail treadway. After 10 hrs on trail made it into shelter area at 6pm. Long, good day! Yummy spaghetti for dinner and into tent by 8pm-dark. Warmest night yet so could skip layers when sleeping. Went to sleep to the wonderful smell of a campfire by others. Ahhh!
Date: 2017-03-24
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 14.4

Got up and did my usual prep to get out of tent. Started with putting in contacts. Yeah, I know why not glasses? Well, I've been wearing contacts since 1973 and they are what I'm comfortable with. When getting out of tent I noticed a contact lying on tent floor. Oops, guess I didn't get 'er done correctly! The power of prayer- thanks, helps cover for my lack of rigor! I put it in and vowed to be more careful. After a couple of hot coffees (love Starbucks Via) and oatmeals, I was off at 8, first out of campsite. I called, from one of the mountaintops with good cell signal, into the manufacturer, an igniter problem with Jetboil stove and had them ship a new unit to MI when I get back for a bit in Apr. Met new hikers- AT-a-Boy (AT=Appl Trail), Lowtech(Refugee from hi tech industry-in 40s, hmmm), Bozman(A bow hunter), Smokie (loves the Smokie Mtns). Longest day yet, 10hr 40 min. Got to Stecoah Gap and found a side trail with water, flat spot and a place to hang a bear bag, only requirements for a great night and it was. Some soreness (ibuprofen for that) but also do stretching in tent- mostly feet, arches and calves. Challenging but satisfying day.
Date: 2017-03-25
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam (Fontana Dam, NC)
Miles today: 14.0

Slept well. Nice warm night so could sleep with minimal layers. Out of tent, took down bear bag and treated myself to a head wash and shampoo. Really refreshing. Had a hot coffee and hot oatmeal breakfast and on way by 7:45am. Had a day of solitude, passed only 6 hikers all day. Two familiar faces were Low Tech and AT-a-Boy. Hiked stripped down most of day in short sleeve wool top and no hat (too hot) since it was in the upper 60s. What a contrast to a couple of days ago! Put sunscreen on arms, neck, face and scalp. Found out later it worked, no sunburn! Filled up on water in mid afternoon for last ascent and then long descent into Fontana Dam. Saw dam but then it took another 3 hrs to get down there, an exercise in patience. Finally down to destination at 5:40pm. Got a ride from another trail angel, Mustard Seed, a 2016 thru hiker who is a local fishing guide. Checked into the beautiful Fontana Lodge in the Fontana Village resort. After a quick shave and shower was off to the Lodge's restaurant for a steak and salad. What goes with that? A beer - Dam Beer brewed in Asheville, NC. It was a damn good beer after no alcohol for 16 days! Flopped into a nice soft bed. Great to be here! 164 miles in 16 days. Been a fun/challenging adventure so far.