morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-19
To: Joe the Barber
Miles today: 0.0

In preparation for the hike I get one last haircut from Joe the Barber. Joe's upbeat attitude is a bit like Will Rodgers "I never met a man I didn't like. Hes been cutting hair on downtown Trenton for 50 years. I don't believe I haven't had hair this short since my Dad last cut my hair.   For you gram weanies that weigh everything I'm sure I lost at least 8 ounces of hair today. Alright I don't think of much else but the hike. I do get my work done as it keeps coming as if I will be there to do it for years to come. New Salomon trail runners came to day. Note to Jack the dog you chew these shoes and well that hole you dug in the back yard might come in handy.
Date: 2013-03-25
To: Happy Trails 
Miles today: 0.0

Only 3 more days of work. Today at my last staff meeting I was given a cake and gifts. They gave me lots of hiking paraphernalia. I got wool socks, compass, fire starters, a clip light for the bill of my hat, trail mix, a mountain house granola breakfast, toe warmers (whatever that is), some energy bars, and my personal favorite- a snake bite kit. I am humbled by all the nice things that were said. I enjoyed my job it wasn't a chore to go work with such capable and dedicated people. However, I have to follow my dream. Someone won a rather large Powerball Lottery in New Jersey, it wasn't me but I felt like I had. Thank you my co-workers for the gifts and the hard work you all do.
Date: 2013-03-25
To: Ahh Spring has Sprung
Miles today: 0.0

This morning I had a rude awaking, snow was forecasted but the weatherman here wears a silly bow-tie and is often wrong. I am thinking of all my fellow hikers down south where winter just wont let go. I am glad I will be hiking with spring when I start. So many hikers had to get off mountain, sliding, falling, freezing, hypothermia. I will think warm thoughts for my fellow hikers tonight.
Date: 2013-03-29
To: Safety
Miles today: 0.0

I am 12 Days away from starting my Journey at Springer Mountain. I have many people ask about my safety on the Trail. There are Bears, Moose, Snakes, Ticks, People, Mice, Rocks, Rivers, Weather, and a hiker's poor judgement etc, which all can pose a safety risk for the hiker. You must be vigilant along the trail lest you walk right into or onto an animal or snake sunning itself on the rocks. Bears often climb trees to escape dangerous situations. Mostly they run the other way when we hikers crash through the brush. I really don't have any fear of the trail, as I mentioned before the Urban streets are far more dangerous. Okay its not a real bear but I will be seeing some along the way. And I have a snake bite kit given to me by my supervisor. Yesterday was my last day at work, it was very emotional for me leaving service after 26 years. Today I am quite exhausted from the whirlwind of activity.I went through my pack and found redundant items and clothes I don't need. So much to do so little time before I go.
Date: 2013-04-07
To: Family 
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday some of my family gathered to wish me well on my impending journey. Ann organized a wonderful lunch and dinner. The center piece was some kind of depiction of my coming journey. I will add a photo in my photos. I packed and repacked the pack for the relatives; because I believe that most questions about the Appalachian Trail and how to traverse it were best answered by showing my gear to family. Several family members expressed a desire to meet me on the trail at some point. I will be more than half way to Maine when I return to New Jersey. Anyone who wants to join me for a walk is welcome!It was a fantastic sendoff and a nice excuse for a family gathering. I board a train tomorrow in Philadelphia.
Date: 2013-04-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last August Ann and I hiked 50 miles of the Longtrail/Appalachian Trail in Vermont. The day after our hike we did some "trail magic" in the parking lot near Clarendon Gorge. We ran into these folks, one was "Tinkerbell" and I'm sorry to say I forgot their names. Can you identify them? The youngest fella is from Germany. The date was August 17th, 2012. The guy on the left end was carving the initials of each state he completed into his walking stick.
Date: 2013-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After 15 hours on the train I arrived at Gainesville GA. Eric from the Hikers Hostel picked me up and took me shopping for last minute supplies at Walmart. The Hikers Hostel is spacious and very clean. With me here are folks from Florida, Trenton, New Hampshire, Australia and more. Tomorrow we hit Springer and the Adventure begins.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 8.1

A beautiful first day on the trail.. I had a spring in my step, well half a day. I met a young man, Ian from all places Scotland. We hiked today to Hawk mountain. We both learned from each other. Its nice when people come together in a community and help one another. The day was hot well lots warmer than I had planned on. I am tenting here tonight hopefully the rain wont be too bad tomorrow. At Hawk mountain are Gulliver and Wild Rover ( he sang it for me quite well) , Earl, Dwayne, Amanda and Phil, Tom and Allison, AWOL 2.0, Ian and me.We are from all over, Monatana, Scotland, Indiana, Brooklyn, Texas, FloridaIan needs a trail name maybe you can all vote. I think Flying Scotsman, Tall Oak (hes 6'6"), Sequioa, or Redwood. Its past the hikers so called midnight 9:00 pm. Night
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Hawk Mountain

To: near Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Hiking started around 8:45. Sassafras mountain was a nice climb. We got some trail magic from a local named Stan from Suches Ga. water, cookies , peanut butter crackers helped power me over Justus mountain Many fellow travellers stopped at Gooch mountain shelter as rain was imminent I pushed on for another couple hours. I believe I am on Ramrock mountain enjoying the thunder lightening and rain safe and dry in my tent.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: near Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 11.6

Day Three - It was a challenging night with high winds and about 3 1/2 inches of rain.   I camped alone and enjoyed the solitude.   I had some leaking tent issues but iI dried everything out in the morning. Pollen is heavy as witnessed by the yellow coating on the bottom of the tent. I got packed and moving around 9:10 PM. I found I was about a mile from Woody Gap. I hiked alone most of the day.   I saw Jo and Sam from Australia, Will and Brittany, James from Australia, CJ, Reggie, Kyle and Phillip, and Yellow Shirt. My original bubble of hikers from day one are probably right behind me posed to do Blood Mountain. I made it over Blood Mountain 4,461 feet, Georgia's tallest . Down was lots of steep stairs and people that know me know what body parts were "barking" . I caught up to James, yellow shirt , Brittany, and Will at Neel Gap just before the Mountains Crossing store closed. We got cabins at Blood Mt Cabins. Sweet deal lots of space and a bed!Frozen pizza for dinner ,hot showers and good company. Phillip a thru hiker from Vancouver Island is here convalescing with sore back. Excellent day, and yes I am still smiling.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.5

Stayed late at Blood Mountain cabins this morning . On the trail at 10:30 am a late start as we were laggy. We re- provisioned at Mountain Crossings Outfitters looking at 5 days of food to get us another 50- 60 miles down the road. 8 hours of hiking today with lots of ups and downs. Give me one good climb like Blood Mountain but not like 5 or 6 climbs all day. I am in Low Gap tenting near Brittany and Will they are very nice folks and we help each other . They got me some water. I hanged the bear bag rope which was a comedy considering I used to have a great arm.   Once I got more weight in my throw bag I was fine. Several hikers were entertained by my near misses. I used to pride myself in being able to get it done the first time. I stop and talk to anyone that might listen to me and I learn much along the way. Its absolutely breath taking out here. I will add more pictures when I get to a real computer. If you have questions don't hesitate to ask send me a email or sign my guest book. Hoping to hike less miles and make my way into Helen Georgia for a night. Yes Mom I am taking lots of pictures especially the flowers and birds.Aching a bit but still smillin'
Date: 2013-04-15
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

Awoke at 8:15, checked out of the Helendorf Motel and walked to the Hoff House Bakery . I had the Mountain Climbers Special hoping that would help me up and over Rocky Mountain . The food was excellent!! The bakery had all kinds of German baked goods mmmm ... Black Forest cake. I got a tip from a fellow diner that Betty's down the road has good deli sandwiches. It's an IGA grocery store which is like a general store--a very good resupply. They even had frog legs. After I left Betty's, I sat outside the Helen Country Diner at the edge of town attempting to hitch a ride. My Tyvex ground cloth has TOWN imprinted on one side and TRAIL on the other, so I can hold up a sign for a ride. Helen is a tough place to hitch out of and maybe tourists don't want to pick up a big old fella. After a bit I called Alpine Taxi and I was told 15 mins. Meanwhile, Hope and Mikki from Hiawawasee show up and offer me a ride after they eat their breakfast. Alpine taxi ($25) was cancelled and I had coffee with Hope and Mikki. I love to talk to the locals they are informative. Mikki told me about a man in her church that runs a Hiker Hostel called the Blueberry Patch, which comes highly recommended. So after coffee, I offered to buy breakfast but Hope wouldn't accept my offer. This was my first ride in the back of a pickup in decades. They took me nine miles back up the mountain. At Unicoi Gap, I thanked Hope profusely. I ran into Tom and Allison who I'd met at Hawk Mountain. They were awaiting a ride to Hiawasee to reprovision and rest up. At 12 noon I went up Rocky Mountain with hikers who were new to me- Uncle Melty, Nomad, Team DC & Moose (pit bull), Nelson and Nelson too, Mark, and Greg. This is the most people I have seen hiking in one day. I normally can hike without seeing many thru hikers. The climbs seemed harder today and I lacked energy. I know right, too much town food and a late start. So about 6 miles and bonk I am at Tray Mountain Shelter and out of gas.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0

It was misting rain last night on Tray Mountain. I practiced my break down the camp and pack up in the tent leaving the tent to pack up last. I have a speedo towel which is a lot like a sham wow, as seen on TV.   It absorbs alot of water off the tent before I stuff it in and outside pocket in my pack. I was slow going again leaving Tray Mountain Shelter at about 9:15.   I was the last one out. On my way out I met Phillip who I'd met at Blood Mountain Cabins as he was off trail with an injury. He was hiking fast and seems he's much better. The hiking today wasn't as challenging as other days however there were still several climbs like Kelly Knob.   1300 feet elevation in a mile. There were lots of PUDS, Pointless ups and Downs along the way I enjoyed hiking in the morning cool mist. In the afternoon the sun came out strongly and I made sure I hydrated as I walked. I leap frogged a bunch with Greg, Nomad, and Team DC and Moose. Moose is a great hiking dog with a winning personality which mirrors his owners as well. I have pictures which I hope to upload tomorrow if possible.   Moose has big ole brown puppy dog eyes that ya just can't help but loving. Team DC and Moose waited for Greg up by Deep Gap shelter and I moved on hoping to make it to Hiawasee and a rest and resupply.   I made it to Dicks Creek Gap by 5:10PM and hitched a ride to Hiawasee almost immediately. Gary, who works in IT at a local hospital drove me to the Holiday Inn Express. I ate next door at Daniels Steak House and had my favorite what else rib eye.   I don't usually eat steak at home unless its my birthday or a holiday. Out here everyday is my birthday. I did a load a wash caught up on the news which I will not comment on it speaks for itself. I cleaned some of my gear and dried the tent and sleeping bag. Did some maintenance on my hands and feet.Yes momma I brushed my teeth, and I'm still smiling.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was the first zero miles day I have taken. I am staying on at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawasee. I have re-provisioned at the Ingles grocery store for the estimated 4 days into Franklin North Carolina. I have tended to my hands and feet soaking in a hot tub. Breakfast at the Holiday Inn Express featured pancakes made by a computerized pancake machine. Push a button and out plopped two tasty pancakes moments later. I tried to upload some of my pictures but was unable to get this old computer (Windows XP) to read my SD card. I promise to eat fruits and a salad for lunch when I am in town, as broccoli just doesn't travel well. I love steak, if I git some more tonight I probably won't tell if you won't.The Hotel has a hiker box and I snagged me some TP and some AAA batteries. Yes momma I got clean underwear on. I'm smilin and stylin.
Date: 2013-04-18
From: Dicks Creek Gap

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

Day started early with the Holiday Inn free breakfast. I packed up and was walking into town by 8 am. I put out my hitching sign which is imprinted with Trail. I waited about 30 mins and a woman named Rachel said she could give me a ride if I give her some gas money. I agreed and she drove me to Dicks Creek Gap. She told me she moved here from Savannah and loves it. She makes living finding Ginseng in the woods and selling it. I thanked her for the ride and she showed me a Ginseng plant tattoo on her calf.I was on the trail by 9:10 am. The trail initially sloped up and down gently but by the end of the day it was up and down and up and down countless times. Around 2:30 pm I made it to the GA/NC border but there was no brass band. I celebrated by drinking a coke that I brought with me. Noooo, I am not really in Argentina so don't cry for me. I took a picture and moved on up the trail. I ran into the team of Cattskill and Treasure Hunter, brother and sister hikers. We walked together and chatted the last few miles of the day. At the shelter I ran into Wren again and 9 Lives (don't ask don't tell) maybe 15 souls here tonight at the Muskrat Creek Shelter in North Carolina. One state down 13 to go! My legs and feet are tired. It's supposed to rain all night and all day tomorrow, so I have battened down the hatches in my tent. Soon to bed.
Date: 2013-04-19
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Near Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

Woke up to pouring rain this morning. Several hikers had already left the shelter. I sat around with 9Lives and Wren trying to figure out if I should attempt heading out today in the pouring rain. Wren decided on a zero day at the shelter. I procrastinated some and debated on whether or not to head out in the rain. Spent the morning chatting and watching the rain.At 11:15, I decided to head out to the next shelter, Standing Indian, which was about 5 miles away. The journey was very wet and the trail was like a river. There was mud, exposed roots, rocks and waterfalls. But, my boots kept me on the trail. They gripped the rocks very well.When I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter, I was told there was no room at the inn. Tarps had been put up all around the shelter to block the rain from coming in. I made my way in to the shelter to eat my lunch out of rain and I seen 9 Lives, Treasure Hunter and Catskills who decided to stay there and out of the rain. 9 Lives was wet and looked chilly. Catskills was going to sleep on the ground in front of the shelter because the shelter was so packed. Everyone was jammed in there like sardines, about 15 hikers in a shelter that was meant to accomodate about 8. So, I ate a quick lunch and decided to push on to Beech Gap.After leaving the shelter a half hour later, the rain finally stopped and my pack and gear started to dry out. Moving at the faster pace I was able to stay warm. But my feet and gloves were pretty soaked. After doing the 3 miles to Beech Gap, I found most of the tenting areas were taken by weekend hikers. I decided to move on to the next shelter at Carter Gap. Along the way, I met Bert from Bremen, Germany. Bert told me that he has 137 days to hike the rest of AT and that he calculated that he needed to do 18.1 miles per day for 120 days to achieve his goal. He said he had to be in Franklin by tomorrow. I hiked with him for about 2 or 3 miles then I decided that I had enough and I was going to camp at the next flat spot I could find.So, tonite I am stealth camping just off the AT most likely about a mile to a mile and half shy of the Carter Gap Shelter. Unfortunately some of my gear got wet today. My sleeping bag is wet in some spots. I was able to dry it out a little before the sun went down and I am now toasty warm and ready for bed in my tent.Today was a tough day due to the weather conditions. I will have to make some decisions regarding my gear and how to keep it dry. Tomorrow morning before I head out I will have to dry everything out because some of my clothing also got wet.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Near Carter Gap Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

It was cold last night and the wind howled gusting to 40 - 50 miles and hour. My socks, shorts and boots all froze Yesterday was a make or break for some hikers on the trail. Some folks deciced to end their hikes. I got up early and retrieved my food bag from where I had secured the night before. I then went back into my sleeping bag to await the warmth of the sun. I had hoped to dry some things out. At about 10 I packed up and got moving to get warm. I had 3 layers on as this was the coldest morning yet .   I usually had been hiking in shorts and a tee shirt. I ran into Swamp Fox near the Carter Gap shelter and we chatted some. He has a journal as well which is worth checking out. I lingered at Carter Gap drying out and divesting my self of heavier clothing. I had a long conversatijon with 7up about life and hiking. He is section hiking and has done the AT in 2004. The trails were fairly easy to walk although lots of mud and water to navigate The big climbs of the day came after Mooney Gap where it was like a cliff walk. If you stepped to the east of the trail you could fall hundreds of feet . No guardrails or ropes on the trail. The Climb of Albert Mountain came next. its 5068 feet with a fire tower on top. This was the most challenging rock climb yet. I had to hold my hiking poles and use my hands and toes to climb steep rocks. A short climb but steep. The views at the top were the best yet, a sweeping view of the valley below and Franklin NCm which is my next town stop. From Albert on down the trail was fast and easy. I made it to Long Branch Shelter. In the shelter are Tom, Eddie, Stopsalot, 7-up, swamp fox, and Ken. We are all retired folks and I am the youngest of the bunch. Still smiling ....
Date: 2013-04-22
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Lazy day today spent going to Three Eagles Outfitters, Ingles grocery, and eating out. I spent most of my day with Stopsalot and Fast Eddie wandering aisles of gear and food. Tomorrow we head out and start the section between Winding Stair Gap towards the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Which will take 2-3 days of hiking,I learned today that Stopsalot's wife had hiked the AT in 2011. I followed her trail journal, which is a good read. She is Scribbles. We At ribs at Fat Buddy's tonight sooo good.Yes ma I said my prayers.Still Smilin'
Date: 2013-04-23
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: 'Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

We were shuttled to Winding Stair Gap and started the trail around 9:10 am. On the way up to Panther Gap, I ran into a group of 6 hikers from the U of Alabama roll crimson tide roll! Andrew a thru hiker from Colorado caught me up and I chatted with him for several miles while trying to keep pace with him. He is a former football player in his early 30's who took a voluntary lay off from Verizon ( with a package deal). He sold his house and belongings to hike the trail. We had some good chats I hope to him down the road. I met German hikers Frank and Norbert (make sure you roll the R) from Berlin. Today's trail seemed easier than Georgia with less steeper climbs and more switch backs. Along the way we met Merry the Hobbit who was giving trail magic out of the back of his car. I had a coke, clemintine, cookies and oranges. This helped me power up Wayah Bald, well part way any way. The weather was excellent and the views from Wayah Bald stone fire tower was amazing. You could see Franklin looking back where I came from and see the Smokies off to the distance which I am headed towards next week. All in all a good day. I arrived at Wayah Bald Shelter around 4:15. Had to get water, eat, set up my bed in the shelter, hang the bear bag and get ready for bed. Still smilin'