morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-17
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

On this St. Patricks day I awoke from a semi-restful sleep and packed up in record time, two hours. It rained a little during the night, just enough to make my tent and the ground wet.I donned my lime green backpack, green hiking shirt, and green cap, and started walking a little before 9:00 a.m.. The entire morning was spent hiking in a mystical mountain mist that seemed to have restorative properties. I walked through several long stretches of green tunnel created by groves of mountain laurel and rhododendron.  It rained briefly, just enough to prompt me to don my green rain suit and green pack cover. Saint Patrick gave me a run for my money on green today.In early afternoon as I approached the top of a wooded mountain, the sun started peeking through and I could actually see the mist rolling up the wooded hillside towards the light.  The last half of the day was spent scrambling through rocky, boulder strewn terrain. There was one difficult area where I had to cross a huge stretch of boulders reminiscent of the pile below Mount Rushmore. It was like the gods hired thousands and thousands of quarry dump trucks to go to the top of the mountain and dump their payloads over the side.  The difference though, was that the area was also wooded, and there was this remarkable, no stunning, emerald green mossy fungi covering the entire area. It was an extraordinary site to behold on this Lucky day.My goal was to reach Unicoi Gap and then decide on my next move. The name "Unicoi" comes from the Cherokee word (unega), which means "white." It refers to the low-lying clouds and fog that often drape the Southern Appalachian mountains in the early morning or on humid or moist days. The name "Unaka"¢ which historically refers to the mountains along the Tennessee/North Carolina border¢ has the same root as "Unicoi.I was quite pleased to make it into Unicoi Gap, where, low on food, I shuttled into Hiawassee, Georgia, a cute little town on Chatuge Lake, for what is bound to be another zero day, not only due to my feet, but to also watch WVU and in-state rival Marshall, play each other tomorrow in the second round of March Madness.  My only concern is that Marshall¢s color is green.
Date: 2018-03-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday I shared a ride into Hiawassee with a Pit Pull Terrier and a German Sheppard, both of which belonged to the shuttle driver. Also on board in the forty year old van, were two young ladies and a young man who slack-packed 17 miles (no packs) from Dick¢s Creek Gap, south to Unicoi Gap. They left their packs at their hotel and hired the shuttle to drop them off at one place and pick them up at another in order to accumulate some major trail mileage.I¢d love to to the same, but there is no way I could hike 17 miles over rough terrain in one day at this point. To be caught in the woods with no gear at night would be suicide.The hotel had one washer and dryer available to guests, so I stood in line, in the buff underneath my rain gear, for over an hour to wash my stinky cloths.  Later I took a stroll through town (as if I hadn¢t done enough walking already) and ate a chicken dinner at a local diner for all of five bucks plus a tip.When I checked into the Holiday Inn Express earlier, The had ¢Deuling Banjos¢ playing on the sound system in the lobby.  Hiawassee is where the film Deliverance was filmed.  It¢s nice to know that I¢m hiking alone through these woods...and I do wonder if the local Chamber of Commerce knows about the Holiday Inn playing the Deliverance theme song in their lobby.As I walked back to my hotel after dinner I noticed a funny looking bank of clouds rolling in as the sun set. When I got to my room, I received word that an extreme tornado warning had been issued. Life on the AT.After a good nights sleep, I ate a bountiful breakfast at the hotel for free, rested up and headed to town to resupply at Dollar General.I lost my room key cards but found them near the sidewalk in town on my second trip.Spent the rest of the day reorganizing my gear, rested, ate at Huddle House, and watched the game. WVU won. On to the sweet sixteen
Date: 2018-03-19
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Un-named campsite .8 mi. S of Addis Gap
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

I was supposed to meet my shuttle driver at 9:00. But both he and I got our times mixed up somehow, and we left at 8:00. Odd coincidence. I started hiking at a little past 8:30.At the top of the climb I was elated to see Turtle and Tugboat at their camp. We caught up, but nobody has seen Dean, the retired mail carrier from Clearwater since I left him waiting for Tugboat at Whitley Gap shelter trailhead three days ago.  Later, just as I snapped a photo of Rocky Mountain, I met trail legend, Squatch, who has been hiking southbound through the winter from Maine. Doc and Tinkles told me about him before I left for the trail.  They didn¢t know he was still hiking.  In fact, Doc gave him his trail name several months earlier as he and his wife were finishing up thier NOBO thru hike last year.  He hikes mostly primitive, picking things up in hiker boxes along the way, and he peculiarly wears a loin cloth (to prevent chaffing) most of the time. He¢s was a pleasure to talk to and a great motivator. Lots of advice.It rained on an off all day. Fog was thick so no views. Stopped at Tray Mountain Shelter during a downpour along with several other people. As I left, Turtle and Tugboat rolled in to spend the night, and so did my Jesus from Blood Mountain.  I continued to hike and set camp at an unnamed campsite about a mile before Addis Gap. I camped alone there. There were thunderstorms most of the night. Lots of lightning and high winds.I was awakened by howling and yelping Coyotes in the hunt about 5:00 A.M.. They weren¢t in camp but they were close enough to be concerned since I was camping alone.
Date: 2018-03-20
From: .8 miles south of Addis Gap

To: DickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek Gap / Top of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

It was up and down hiking today alone. Nice view at Powell Mountain. I changed out of my cold weather duds there and ate a spam tortilla .On the way down the mountain I met a nice fellow, ¢Low Profile¢ raised in Huntington, now living in Charlotte.I made it to Top of Georgia Hostel where I got a bunk and my clothes washed for $35, plus a free ride into town (Hiawassee again) to eat at Huddle House (again), and resupply on food. It will be possibly four or five days before the next town. I¢ll be in North Carolina then.It¢s raining now with tornado warnings (again) and snow in the forecast.  The hostel gave me scrubs to wear while they were washing my clothes, so I ate out and went to the grocery store in the buff under my scrubs. The Hostel assured me this is a common site in this hiker friendly town, and that nobody would think I escaped from a mental institution.Back at the hostel I was pleased to see Dean, the hiker from Clearwater.  He had just returned from slackpacking 17 miles in one day with a knee that looked like a cantaloupe.  He¢ll be taking a couple more zeros to recover and then reevaluate whether or not to hike on.  He also informed me that someone named Hiker Bob found the glasses I lost earlier.  I don¢t know how I¢ll retrieve them though.  Luckily I have a spare
Date: 2015-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It has been a while since I last posted a journal entry (5 months).Still intend on attempting another AT Thru-hike in 2018 after retiring the end of 2017.Now thinking a likely start date of 2/28/18 plus or minus 4 days.That means 930-938 days to go.
Date: 2015-11-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am a happy person w/ no regrets up to this point in my life. I would not change one decision in my 61+ years that led me to today. I had a great childhood and family life w/ supportive, loving parents and 4 close siblings. I am happy w/the decisions that led to my education and what schools I went to. I am happy w/ my chosen profession (Family Physician), where I chose to set up practice, who I chose to practice and work with, the wonderful patients I have had the pleasure/honor to advise/teach and treat.I have been happily married to my loving wife for 36+ years and have 3 grown sons who I am extremely proud of, 2 great daughter-in-laws, and 4 terrific, happy and healthy grandchildren.Now why and when another attempt at a thru hike. I attempted an AT thru-hike last year and learned a lot - what I am capable of and what it takes. I did hike 554 miles and truly enjoyed the experience. 1-WHY?????Last years hike only made my "White Blaze Fever" stronger than ever. I think and dream about being back on the trail almost every day. But why, in this day and age w/ all the "luxuries" available to me at this point in my life, would I want to undertake such a seemingly strenuous and anything but luxurious journey?I think the answer has to do w/ my life up to now - I have been a physician/caregiver, husband, father, grandfather. I went thru an extensive education process, then practiced my profession for long hours for the last 33+ years. Medicine w/ the increasing regulations and electronic health records has become more and more demanding. I still very much enjoy the face to face time w/ my patients, but find these other demands more and more daunting. I am tiring of that. I want to have a period in my life where my concerns are more elemental. I want my worries to consist of food, water, and shelter, rather than documentation and certification guidelines, meeting government and insurance regulations, work deadlines, and other things that really are of little significance when you sit back and put your life in perspective. This journey is an escape as well as a physical and, more importantly, mental challenge.2-WHEN?????I have always read that it is generally possible for an otherwise healthy person to thru hike before age 70 - that after that age your body frequently does not recover quickly enough to allow you to hike the entire AT in 1 year. I know that is not ALWAYS true, but I know my body recovers more slowly now.I have some remaining responsibilities to transition my office/ practice to function w/out my presence and have advised my patients I will not retire until the end of 2017. If I start my hike in early 2018 then I will turn 65 while hiking. So that is my plan - to start my hike around the end of February, 2018.
Date: 2016-09-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow - I didn't realize it had been so long since I posted a note here. I appreciate reading the journal entries of others, so I should try better with my journal. 468 days to retirement, 526 +/- days until I start my AT thru-hike (plan on starting near end of February). I think about hiking every day, read the journals of those hiking and finishing their thru-hikes, read gear reviews, etc. Trying to work thru a bilateral Achilles tendinitis now - glad it started this far ahead of my hike. Started a new Facebook public group for anyone hiking (or interested in those hiking) AT in 2018 - "Appalachian Trail Class of 2018" - feel free to join.
Date: 2016-10-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I will be retiring the end of 2017 after more than a third of a century seeing patients as a Family Physician in my own practice. I did take a leave of absence in 2014 for my 1st attempt at a thru-hike - completed 554 miles from Springer Mountain to about 10 miles north of Atkins, VA. That hike was interrupted by an injury, then was unable to complete the thru-hike due to work obligations/ time constraints. This time no schedule or deadline. Currently I plan to start early - some time in the 2nd half of February/2018 (started 3/1/14 last time). I learned a lot on my 2014 hike - loved life on the trail and being a part of the amazing trail community. Hope to use that experience and knowledge gained to help me succeed in 2018.
Date: 2016-12-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

1-As of now I am considering a start date of 2/21/18 +/- 4 days (2/17 to 2/25/18). Last time, when I hiked in 2014, I started on Saturday, 3/1 and ran into a good number of other hikers starting that early. At the 1st few shelters I stayed at there were as many as 3 dozen hikers either in the shelter or in tents or hammocks around them. I have noticed that there are more hikers starting earlier each year and that weekend start dates are more crowded. So starting around Wednesday, 2/21/18 may help get me a little ahead of the March starters (they likely will bunch up starting Saturday, 3/3/18 - Sunday, 3/4/18). And a mid week start will separate me a little for the 1st week from the weekend bubbles. By the time I hit the GA/NC border our daily hiking distance differences will balance out the "crowds". Don't get me wrong - I am not antisocial or a loner, but I would prefer 4-12 hikers at a shelter/ campsite rather than 24-36 hikers.As far as the weather is concerned, I know that starting that early requires flexibility and do not expect to take any unnecessary risks - if temps are expected to drop too low (certainly into single digits and possibly <20), I will be prepared to stay in a Hospice or in town for a couple days or more at a time until weather improves. After all, I do want to have fun.2-I appreciate Gorp Gobblers invite to a Shake Down/Conditioning Group Hike from 4/1-4/9/17. At the current time I don't think I can make that due to work commitment.3-Finally, on a separate note, for my fellow class of 2018 and anyone else interested who is on Facebook, I did start a public Facebook group "Appalachian Trail Class of 2018". Everyone is welcome to join.
Date: 2017-04-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is starting to feel more and more real.I have set my retirement clock for 12/29/17 at 4 PM, plan on starting my AT hike 50 +/- days later - hopefully around 2/18/18. Earlier in March I was having a conversation with our middle son (age 33) and he mentioned that he wants to take a sabbatical from his work (very stressful/ high pressure position) and join me for up to 3 months on the trail. He had mentioned this idea back in January, 2016, after an especially stressful week at work, but he then did not mention it again until a few weeks ago. He has been w/ his company long enough that he qualifies to take up to 3 months off (w/out pay). I feel honored that he wants to join me and spend this time on the trail w/ me.We have 3 sons - oldest is almost 36, married, lives in Atlanta, has 2 sons - ages 2-1/2 yo and 5 months old. 2nd is 33, married, lives in southern LA area (Redondo Beach) has 3 children - 8-1/2 yo girl, almost 6 yo girl, and 3-3/4 yo son. Youngest son is 29, lives in Pittsburgh, engaged to be married 7/2/17. On my 2014 attempted thru-hike it was this youngest son who joined me on the trail for 10 days/ about 114 miles.   We are proud of all 3 of our sons and their spouses (or soon to be spouse) they are all very bright and successful and a joy to be around. They have all asked us to eventually move closer to them. Time will tell, but my mom (soon to be 92) is still alive and lives independently near us, so we won't be moving too soon. But we do travel a lot to see the kids and grandchildren.As for me, I am working on losing weight and getting in shape. I finished my 2014 hike at 190# - had gained to 249# as of January/2017. As of this AM, weight is down to 233# - goal to drop to 220# by 7/1/17 (for my son's wedding) and then continue to lose weight AND get in shape. Working out w/ inclining Nordic Track treadmill, jump rope, and will head out to start hiking some trails in couple months. That is it for my update for now.Remember --- Not all who wander are lost.
Date: 2017-06-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Time moves on and plans continue to be worked on. My middle son is still planning on joining me for a portion of my hike (maybe up to 3 months). We recently even had a brief discussion about having my oldest granddaughter (his oldest daughter who will be 9 then) join us for a short time on our hike - time will tell. I continue to try to get in better shape and lose more of my excess weight - seem stuck right now between 230 and 235#. My youngest son's wedding is a week from tomorrow in Pittsburgh. I plan to redouble my efforts at training and weight loss once all the festivities are over. Hope everyone else is making progress at achieving their goals.
Date: 2017-09-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Here it is Labor Day weekend and I have less than 4 months to retirement and 168 days to the start of my hike. I have reserved a timeshare unit in Helen, Georgia for the week starting 2/17/18. The plan is to check in there on Saturday, 2/17/18 with my wife, then have her drive me to Springer Mountain the morning of 2/18/18. If my plans work out as I hope, I will slack-pack for most of that week - my wife will drop me off in the morning and pick me up in the evening each day, 8-12 miles up the trail where possible. I have been looking at road crossings/ parking areas in the first 60-70 miles of the trail, and there may be one section that will require me to overnight 1 night on the trail. The other nights that week I plan on returning to the timeshare for time each evening with my wife and a warm dinner and warm bed. Those days I should be able to carry a 12-15# pack instead of a 35 +/- # pack. From my 2014 hike (started 3/1/14) I know that 1st week was tough. After the 1st 32 miles over the 1st 4 days I took a zero at Neels Gap/ Blood Mountain Cabins and felt whipped and ready to quit. After taking that zero and doing much self reflection, I decided to push on and found myself starting to get my trail legs about the time I crossed the GA/ NC border. I was then increasing my miles to 12-16 miles/day (until I injured my L calf/ Achilles on 3/15/14). The ups and downs of the northern GA mountains will still be there and will challenge me, but I will hopefully be carrying 20# less weight and I hope that carrying less weight that 1st week will better allow me to get my trail legs. Yes, I do plan to continue to work on getting in shape, especially utilizing my incline treadmill (Nordic Track Teton w/ max incline of 50 degrees). But for me and my schedule, I know nothing can fully prepare me for hiking over mountains 8-12 hrs/day, every day, until I actually start.Starting that early in the year has its own challenges. The days are shorter and when the sun goes down in the northern GA mountains it can get quite cold. On my 2014 hike I frequently would be in my sleeping bag in my tent (to keep warm) by 7-8 PM. As is often said, when it gets dark it's "hiker midnight". Going back to the timeshare will help me with this the 1st week. On 2/18 sunrise will be about 7:15 AM, sunset about 6:22 PM. Sunset will progress about 1 minute later each day thru 3/10 when it will be about 6:39 PM, then Daylight Savings Time kicks in on 3/11 and full darkness won't occur until 8 PM. I remember in 2014 enjoying that extra hour of daylight in the evening once Daylight Savings Time started.
Date: 2017-11-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Here it is, less than 2 weeks until Thanksgiving. After a record warm month of October here in the Northeast, the weather has turned suddenly cold w/ record or near record lows for last night and tonight. I started my 2014 hike on March 1st and had some cold nights then in northern Georgia and into North Carolina and Tennessee. During the nights we did have some freezing rain and a little snow the 1st half of March. I spent a zero in Franklin, NC on 3/13/14 when the temps were supposed to drop down to single digits in the mountains. Due to an Achilles injury, I took 5 weeks off (starting 3/23/14) at home to recover and returned to Fontana Dam, NC on 4/22/14, then hiked north thru the Smokies starting 4/23/14. The weather by then had become much more spring-like. My friends who continued their hike into the Smokies in mid March/2014 hit a lot of snow and winter weather.So why am I starting my thru-hike even earlier in 2018? I prefer to spend some time early on winter hiking and camping so I can be farther north when the heat arrives. I will be retired and if weather dictates, for safety reasons, to stay at a hostel or hotel, then I will have no problems doing that. I am even planning on slack-packing (8-12+ miles/ day) most or all of my 1st week on the trail - 1-to try to improve my endurance and get my trail legs while carrying only 10-15# in my pack, 2-to avoid most or all of those cold nights on the trail the 1st week. I discussed these plans in my last entry. The unknown in the plan will be the weather and how it affects road access to the parking areas along the trail. Regardless, after that 1st week I will be working my way north along w/ the rest of our NOBO Class of 2018. Started pulling together my gear - here is my big 4+ - total weight of 10# (and all were what I used in 2014).1-ULA Circuit backpack - 2# 11oz2-LightHeart SoLong 6 (Cuben) tent - 2# 5oz3-Marmot Plasma +15 Sleeping Bag - 2# 2oz along w/ Sea to Summit Reactor Thermolite Mummy Bag Liner - 9oz4-Nemo Cosmo Insulated 25L Sleeping Pad - 2# 5oz (Inflatable insulated sleeping pad - this is my luxury item - worth the extra 1+# to get a better night sleep and rest my back each evening and night)
Date: 2017-12-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Last time I tried a thru hike was in 2014, starting 3/1/14 on Springer Mountain. When I crossed from Georgia into North Carolina, I spent the next 3 nights at Muskrat Creek Shelter (on 3/10/14), Carter Gap Shelter (on 3/11/14), and Rock Gap Shelter (on 3/12/14). Met several other hikers at those shelters including Bismarck (and his companion Hopper), in picture above from my complete photo journal. For those of you who aren't familiar w/ Bismarck, you can Google "Appalachian Trail hiker Bismarck" and read his story -https://www.sbnation.com/longform/2015/7/1/8861183/james-hammes-appalachian-trail-bismarck. On the trail we go by our trail names and know little else about each other at times. After my 2014 experience, I sometimes think that after a fellow hiker introduces him or herself only by their trail name, in the back of my mind I may at times be thinking "so what's your real story?" BTW - Bismarck was 1 of the friendliest, most experienced, and most helpful hikers I met early in my hike. HYOH
Date: 2017-12-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Had my retirement party last weekend. My 3 sons came in from out of town, 2 of them w/their families. Must have been about 100 people there including my mom and my siblings w/ their spouses, my partners and several other colleagues, staff/ employees, former staff, and many friends/ acquaintances from over the years. Guess I really have to retire now. Continuing my gear list from post 2018-14, here is my kitchen/ cook system/ water filtration/ water bottles (keeping it simple and light) - total weight about 1# 2-1/2oz1-Soto WindMaster stove - 3-5/8 oz (w/ both the triflex and 4flex pot supports and stow bag) - cost $58.74 including shipping thru Massdrop2-Keith Ti3209 900 ml single-wall mug - 4-3/4 oz (w/ mesh bag) - cost $31.74 including shipping thru Massdrop3-Light My Fire titanium spork - 5/8 oz - cost 9.87 (19.74/2 pack) including shipping thru Massdrop4-Lightweight towel - 1/2 oz5-Sawyer Mini w/ 2-32 oz collapsable squeeze bottles and plunger/syringe - 5 oz (w/retained water) - cost about $256-Couple zip lock bags and 2 small (20 oz) gatorade bottles - about 4 oz total dry weight