morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-27
To: Skylight
Miles today: 0.0

If you've started following my journal, but haven't read my "about" entry yet, now would be a good time to go back and do so. Just sayin.Here I am with my first daughter, Melody, as we took a snack break on top of Skylight, after having climbed Marcy, and just before ascending Gray, during a 20 - mile day hike. Notice we're both smiling...and it wasn't just for the camera. We were both just loving being there, in spite of having taken a wrong turn early in the day, in spite of the steep, rocky path to the peak, in spite of the very long return trip, through a foot - soaking swamp back to the car. In spite of it all, we agreed it was a great day.That's how it is with Melody. When she's in, she's in all the way, 100%. I love that about her. Gotta take that kind of heart with me with every step I take on the Trail. Thanks for telling me to "stop talking about it, Mom, and just go, and you'd better not bail out at Neel's Gap, that's not giving it a shot". And thanks for the stuff you'll be taking care of here at home while I'm gone. And I can't wait to have you visit me "somewhere" along the Trail. See ya!
Date: 2015-03-28
To: Rocky Peak
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Here I am standing atop Rocky Peak Ridge with my second daughter, Allison, after first enjoying the summit views from Giant, next door, descending into a steep col (that would probably be known as a "gap", were it part of the AT), and then hiking up once more. We're smiling at the camera and also the pair of friendly fellow hikers who took the photo for us. I'm looking forward to finding the same kind of camaraderie once I begin my hike next week. Giant is an imposing mountain when viewed from below. But Allison approached it with the same unflagging faith as she uses in other areas of her life: faith that she can do it, learn it, accomplish it. Faith in her Creator. And faith in me. Faith that I can and will hike the AT. Thanks, kiddo, I'm gonna do my best to live up to that! Thanks for being my sounding board these past months, and my home base "go to" girl in the coming months. Now finish school so you can bring me food!!!
Date: 2015-03-29
To: canal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I am fortunate to live in a place where there is an abundance of trails to walk, hike, and run on regularly. Some are city green space, others are Metroparks, and just up the road a ways, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Just recently I moved into a new-to-me neighborhood and was delighted to find I have access to the Towpath just a mile from my front door. I couldn't fathom a guess as to how many miles I have logged on the Towpath over the past 10 years. This section is a bit more urban/industrial than the rural/wooded one I am used to on the opposite end of town. In exchange, though, the canal is "wetter". Because of that, it teems with waterfowl...primarily Canadian geese, but also several varieties of ducks, and then the swans, although when I strapped my partially filled backpack on today to "practice" hiking with it (reality check) there were none to be found. The day I took this picture 2 weeks ago, I counted 5. My scenery will be changing again quite dramatically in a few more days. I wonder what I will discover on the Trail through northern Georgia ?
Date: 2015-03-30
To: lists
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I admit it, I'm a list person...so sue me. My brain is too addled to remember stuff if I don't write it down. And there's that satisfied feeling of crossing another item or two off the list each day. The past few months I've had some pretty big things to cross off my list, and I'm nearly there. Mind you, the vast majority has had nothing to do with my hike, but rather a life "re-set", before I can think about walking out the door. I haven't had the luxury of time it would take to plan and organize spreadsheets for my trip, or I probably would have done so. I've been told this way...virtually cold turkey...is better in the long run. Well see. Meantime, I'm asking you, dear reader, to add this to your "to-do" list: find the button on the left hand side of my page that says "guest book, sign" and do it. Because if I'm not allowed to make lists myself, I need you to do it. A list of those who have visited my site, whether it's once or many times, and whether you say anything or just sign your name. You can choose to leave an email address, and I will try to respond when possible, or you can just stay anonymous. Thanks, it's a big encouragement.
Date: 2015-03-31
To: coffee break
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was set aside to be a full day at home doing hike preparation. So far, I've held myself to the task, which of course takes far longer than it should. I made some notations in my AWOL book, indicating places recommended by hikers who have gone before me. Incidentally, when compared to the 2013 guide has anyone else noticed the added size and weight of the 2015 model? (8.2 oz. Vs. 11.4 oz. according to my scale) Not to mention that the Trail itself has gained a whopping 3.3 miles in length since then? But I digress...Next I (mostly) finished deciding which clothes and what gear I'm taking (I reserve the right to be fickle until the last moment), followed by a session with ziploc bags at my diningroom table as I sorted and repackaged food items to last approximately four days. Hence, the need for a coffee break now. I'm sitting in a chair (soon, this will be a limited option) drinking coffee brewed in my keurig machine, and out of a ceramic mug. Luxuries, all of them. I am making a point not to take these, and a great many other things, for granted today. Next job: visit the post office to buy prepaid mailing boxes. Well, after I finish my coffee...
Date: 2015-04-01
To: time's up
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The clock is ticking, and I need to get this entry written and posted while it's still today...Nope, not quite ready to go yet. It may be into the wee hours. Good thing I have a driver to take me to Georgia tomorrow!Thanks to all of you who responded so marvelously by signing my guest book the past few days, it has been an incredible encouragement. For those of you who left an email address and I haven't answered yet, I will do my best tomorrow if I have phone signal.Springer awaits!!!
Date: 2015-04-02
To: Springer
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Arrived at Springer, drove up and parked in the lot, then started hiking the .9 mile trail to the top, but then it started sprinkling...raining...thundering...then raining harder and lightening. Decided to sleep in the shelter tonight. Currently warming up in my down bag. Waiting til morning in hopes of a sunny southern terminus picture or two. Addendum: thanks to my daughter Melody for making this entry for me, due to me having technical issues with Trail Journals. I will add that sleeping was good for most of the night in the shelter, the air mild, and quiet but for the wind through the bare trees. Outlier
Date: 2015-04-03
From: Springer

To: Gooch mt shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

The first day of my hike dawned bright, as hoped for. U-turn and I packed up our things and left Springer Mt shelter where we'd spent the night. I particularly enjoyed sleeping with the mild outdoor air caressing my face as I lay cozy in my sleeping bag, the breeze singing through the still bare trees. We walked the short distance to the top, where I posed near the terminus plaque, retraced our steps back down to the parking lot, I organized and collected a few things at the car, and then started on my way.Early in the day the trail descended easily through rhododendron forest, and the weather was beautiful for hiking. Later in the day it became warmer, and this Ohio girl who just escaped the tail end of winter at home found herself overheated under the southern sun. My arms got a bit of sunburn by the end of the day. A friend had given me some "trail magic" (hiker gift of food, water, or assistance) just before my trip in the form of freeze-dried ice cream and I ate it on Sassafras Mt in the heat of the afternoon. Thanks Tyler, though it wasn't exactly Edy's, haha.Made it to Gooch camp around 4:30 and set up my tent, since it was such a nice day...may or may not have been a good call...Lots of other hikers here, maybe 25, most of them on short trips, but a few thrus, including one guy who completed last year in 4 1/2 months, who is now out just for the fun of it, moving southbound.The beauty of the day was the abundance of blood root blooming in the woods.
Date: 2015-04-04
From: Gooch mt shelter

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday's entry left our traveler in a tent, at the end of a warm day. Unbeknownst to her was the fact that a front was coming through in the night...until the flash of lightning awoke her, followed by the patter of rain on the tent fly. Then the wind and cold settled in, and by morning the tent was a muddy, sodden mess to be packed away. Out came the winter hat and gloves, and several extra layers of clothing. What a difference a day makes. Not too long into the hike, layers were again shed, as the sun beat down, though the wind stayed cool all day. That turned out to be a boon, as there was plenty of climbing to do, particularly Blood Mt. What a beast that was!!! But worth it, for the grand views at the summit. Arrived later at Neel Gap, where Mountain Crossings store/outfitter is. They have a bunkhouse, which was already full, as are the cabins. I quickly dried all my tent components in the brisk wind, before setting up behind the building on a hillside. Some of those here were at Gooch last night...looks as though I may have loosely joined up with some buddies for the time being.So far I am feeling great for the most part...my glutes are feeling a pull, and I have mild shin splints from the downhills, but my feet are happy and comfortable in my Salomon trail runners, which is the important thing. Thanks again for all your wonderful comments on my guest book, I will continue to write back as I have time, cell signal, and phone battery.
Date: 2015-04-05
From: Neel Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: clear sky

Happy Easter, friends. It was a marvelous day to hike. The photo here was actually taken yesterday atop Blood Mt., I thought it was appropriate to save it for this entry. I also posted a bunch of extra pictures from the past few days in my Photo section, browse through if you want to see more bits of the Trail.Also, I neglected to mention that one of the big reasons for me to hike the AT is to discover its beauty, in all its forms. Yesterday's beauty was when I saw a pair of hawks through the trees, flying over a mountain valley. It was as though they had asked each other what they should do today, and decided just to go for a sail on the wind, just because...I was up and packing away my tent for an earlier start, 7:30, since I knew I wanted to cover big miles. But before I left camp and still had signal, I contacted my trail angel (a person who offers trail magic) to check on her availability for help in the next 24 hours. More about that later.The Trail was rugged at first, with some steep ups and downs. As I headed into Tesnatee Gap, 3 women were hopping up the Trail, one of them wearing bunny ears, and passing out candy. After heading into the Gap and up the other side, I came across another couple representing the Easter Bunny with caramel Hershey kisses. Great treats, thanks! After descending into Hogpen Gap I found one of the most pleasant sections of trail so far, between there and Low Gap Shelter, as it was mostly either rim or ridge walking, with the trail dropping away sharply either to one side or the other, or both, through the open woods. Just lovely. I arrived at Low Gap around 1pm, stopped to use the amenities, which I had to myself, and since the day was still young and perfect for hiking, sunny and cool, I carried on. The next 7 miles or so were a long, gradual uphill climb, lonely and desolate, during which I saw no one for hours, and seeming much further than advertised. Eventually, I stopped at an overlook, took out my phone, and checked for messages. My trail angel had responded that she wouldn't be available Monday morning to help me, but could pick me up at Unicoi Gap that evening at 6. Nothing like trail magic as incentive to go 4 more miles up and over Blue Mt (a killer!) at the end of a long day. Thank you Debbie, Alice, and the Easter trail angels, you are the most beautiful part of the trail, and truly earned your wings! I enjoyed Subway in Hiawassee with my trail angels, (plenty of veggies, yay!) and spent the night in town. I am currently enjoying the Starbucks cafe in Ingles, dry and content, watching the rain fall outside on the parking lot. It is a true zero (day with no miles logged) and I will get another good night's sleep tonight before heading back to the Trail in the morning.
Date: 2015-04-06
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Hiawassee 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a little bit ahead of myself on the last entry, since as is often the case, I was writing yesterday's journal on the day after. So today I am taking a zero. That means no AT miles logged. But it doesn't necessarily mean no walking. For example, I walked to Ingles to enjoy Starbucks and shop for a few resupply items. Sometimes I may walk to a water source or shelter on a blue blazed trail. These miles also don't "count". So even though I will walk 2189 white blazed miles to Katahdin, that will not be my total mileage overall ( would be much more). Other things you do on a zero day include sleeping in, if possible (I slept 11 hours, much needed), showering, washing dirty, stinky laundry, airing out gear as needed, planning the next few days' starting and stopping points and food for them, and catching up with journal, email, family and friends, once phone and other devices are recharged. If there's time left after all that, a hiker might read or watch tv, or hang out with other hikers who are also taking the day off. So far I've completed most of what I need to do here, and I'm not bored, but will be ready to get shuttled back to the Trail in the morning. Oh, and the beautiful for today was having 3 real pillows for comfy sleeping. And to think I would be happy with just one...
Date: 2015-04-07
From: Hiawassee 

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm writing this entry from inside my tent, because the Top of Georgia hostel bunkhouse was already full for the night. Internet connection is weak, and I have tried to post this entry several times. If it does now, I will edit in more details when the connection is better.Now, days later, I am finally able to do some updating!!!I was shuttled with other motel guests back to the Trail for a rather late start...nearly 10am, when I hiked up into the very humid woods, and Rocky Mt. It wasn't very high, nor in Colorado, but I admit the John Denver tune was humming through my head. Next was Tray Mt. By then the sun started to come out, and also the bugs. At Tray Gap was some trail magic, in the form of a guy stopped with his trailer/camper making hot breakfasts, coffee (I had a cup, black, and it tasted great, you're right again Nick, black is best on the AT). The day passed after that without much to note, except that I have decided mountains are better than knobs...Kelly's knob in particular...as mountains sometimes offer a summit view, whereas knobs are mostly an exercise in climbing without a lot of reward. I may change my mind on that as time goes on, we'll see. The beauty of the day was that in spite of not being able to contact the hiker hostel by phone before arriving at the gap, just as I was about to start the 1/2 mile road walk to get there, their van arrived and picked me up. Thanks, Top of Georgia, for perfect timing.
Date: 2015-04-08
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The air was damp overnight, so in the morning I awoke to a wet tent and damp sleeping bag, even though it hadn't actually rained, and my tent hadn't leaked. While I ate breakfast in the hostel, I dried my bag in front of a fan. The tent got dried out later at a campsite where I took a lunch break. That way, once I reached my destination for the day, it was ready for action. Anyhow, the birdsong was beautiful in the morning, as though they were trying to cover over the noise of the big trucks coming up the highway past the hostel. Once on the trail, the sun quickly steamed everything up again and it was quite a hot day. More sunburn, coming right up! This hiker needed to invest in 50spf right from the get-go, but didnt, and has sorely learned her lesson. Other beauties today included the periwinkle blue wildflowers along the trail, and the similarly - colored tiny butterflies. Any breeze that blew was welcome, as well as any stretch of trail free from annoying gnats.The photo shows me crossing over from Georgia into North Carolina, an exciting first to walk across a state line.Immediately the trail seemed to change to a more rugged footing, steeper climbs, more bugs, and a lack of cables for hanging food bags. Different sections of the Trail are maintained by different groups, which accounts for some of that. It really made me appreciate the way Georgia does its part, thumbs up to them!At the shelter, many familiar faces were already there, and more arrived later, plus new ones I hadn't yet met. Many don't yet have trail names, but among those that did were Mt. Goat, Cruiser, Peas, Prefontaine, Inchworm, Climbing Bear, and more. Tenting was a good option here, as the shelter was small and the bugs were thick. Good night, all.
Date: 2015-04-09
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It was breezy, and cloudy in the morning as we breakfast ed in the shelter. I thought the forecast rains might come, but instead it again warmed up with a mix of sun and clouds. Early in the day we climbed up and over Standing Indian Mt., which was pleasant, followed by several other small "bumps" and then Albert Mt., which was something else entirely, especially the steep, rocky ascent at the top. The abandoned fire tower offered nice views, cool breeze, and respite from the frenzied gnats in that area. I had these treats to myself for a few minutes, until the next couple of hikers arrived gasping at the summit, and I went on my way. The rest of the afternoon was much gentler walking, and though I could have stopped earlier, decided to push on to Rock Gap to better position myself for town the next day. The beauty I discovered as I passed on the Long Branch Shelter was a section of the AT which was a spring-fed stream, where I stopped to get some cool water and splash my face, neck and arms. Refreshment at its best! I will add some pics of that spot, as well as other misc. shots from the past few days. I slept in the shelter with several other girls, as the site was on a slope not well suited for tenting, and because of rain forecast. Sometime during the night, my sleeping pad deflated, which made for plenty of discomfort, tossing and turning. Hmm. Maybe that Klymit pad I thought about switching to would have been a better choice after all...
Date: 2015-04-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8

It was still dark at 7 when we got up and packed out this morning. At last, the promised rains came, along with chilling winds. Many of us were caught in this soaking shower as we made our way to the gap, where we stood sodden and then shivering, waiting for the shuttle to arrive. There were so many of us that they had to tandem a pick-up truck to handle both passengers and all of our gear. Once we arrived in town, the fortunate ones with reservations made their way to their rooms,at various motels. The rest of us landed at the bunkhouse, grateful to find a place to get dry, take showers, do laundry, sort gear and resupply, and then visit the outfitters for gear changes (I decided I really, really cannot sleep without a pillow, so invested in a snazzy red 1.9 0z inflatable) and local restaurants for "Real" food. My sandwich and kale slaw were delicious...I'm thinking about ice cream in a little bit. I also printed out my permit and paid my $20 to hike through the Smokeys...guess I'm committed to another week or more, at least Oh, and I neglected to mention in yesterday's post that I crossed the 100 mile mark on top of Albert Mt. Big milestones.
Date: 2015-04-11
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

The day started with a free shuttle from a church in town that serves breakfast to thru hikers each spring. We happened to sneak in on their last day of pancakes, bacon, juice and coffee. At each table, in the center, were note cards and envelopes, provided for hikers to write a brief message to anyone of their choice, that the church would then stamp and mail. They've been doing this free service since 2008. Love it!!!After that, I caught a budget inn shuttle, along with Boda, a girl I had shared a room with at the bunkhouse. Once we were dropped off at the Trail, we hiked together for a while, uphill of course, and chatted. This was the first time I had actually spent time hiking with anyone. It sure made the time, and climb, pass quickly. Boda had a few problems with her feet, which she had help with at the outfitter in Franklin, so she stopped off early at a shelter, giving time and rest to her sore heels. I pushed on, through sunny bare woods, listening to the many woodpeckers busy in the trees. Went up and over the first hill, and just before a road gap, found trail magic of cans of coke. I happily downed one, even though it meant carrying the empty can until the next trash can. That happened to be on top of Wayah Bald, a long uphill climb, with good views at the top, a stone fire tower, and parking lot, rest rooms and tourists, who had driven to the top. It always brings mixed feelings at peaks like this. ..It seemed too soon to quit for the day at the next shelter, so I kept going, to Cold Mt. shelter. It was small, and already occupied, so I joined other hikers up the hill and tented in a spot overlooking trees and mountains in the distance. The spot lived up to its name, as temperatures dropped overnight, making for good sleeping for me, snug inside my bag with long Johns and winter hat. Tested my new pillow, and am giving it a tentative thumbs up. It's certainly better than a stuff sack with lumpy clothes...I'll call that beautiful.