morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2002-04-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 4.0

After the 7pm buffet, we weren't hungry at breakfast time. We headed up 5/551 (Ellijay - remember spring?!! Buds on the trees, calves and colts, green grass and tulips xoxoxo) had a bumpy ride up USFS 42 when I started getting a little hungry and thinking about food and realized I was supposed to stop and get fixins for 5 sandwiches. I intended to get some bagels, cheese, and squeeze Parkay. Ooops. We pulled up to the parking lot (passed 2 vehicles on the way) with about 15 other vehicles. I was amazed there were so many. Cornelius hiked with me (sans pack) south 0.9 miles to the Springer Mountain Terminus. I signed the register and we took several pix. We met a volunteer named Glenn, but lucked out of a helpful little lecture because we didn't have thru-hiker packs on. There were two 'older' 40/50's ladies, several young 20's men, and a mother with her 13ish son and black lab (Abby). Flowers: bloodroot, violet, yellow chickweed. Met John C, a GATC ridgerunner, who had a helpful little lecture. Took some pringles, a 7-up, and some stale pop-tarts, hoisted my pack, slammed my toes against by boots on downhills, felt like an old woman with a cane (thank God for my Leki pole) and said goodbye to Cornelius after signing the Stover Creek register. There were about 5 guys there - one with dreadlocks drinking a bottle of wine, so I decided I had a few miles left in me. Just after the shelter (on my own) there was a stream crossing with a few slippery logs across it. I thought 'they have got to be kidding!!!' But I crossed it with nervous, shaky knees, and had to take another break already! Saw several tiny violet butterflies.Just after Three Forks two guys I saw at the terminus were setting up camp in a soft piney area right next to a stream, and I was jealous and wanted to camp there too! But I wanted to make it to Hawk Mountain shelter today. Then just after the Long Creek Falls trail, I wasn't sure if I was still on the AT, and I saw a fire ring at another soft, piney area right next to the stream! I couldn't resist. I set up my tent (I'm glad noone was around to witness that, and if there had been any breeze this night, it would've been flattened). Then I got a jug of water, fired up my stove, and cooked Lipton noodles. I could only eat half, sitting on a rock, so I hung the other half, since rations are low. I'll have them for breakfast, if the raccoons don't. I listened to the radio a little, and fought with my sleeping bag and pillow for hours. I was feeling a little sick, and realized I couldn't wait till morning to poop. I went out, right behind my tent, and dug a shallow grave. I realized I need to work on my aim. Later in the night I had to pee, but I didn't have to go outside, thanks to Glad Stand n' Zip bags. I'll take care of that in the morning, when I'm dressed. I kept watching for (and hoping for) someone to come along and camp with me, but I have the whole place to myself. I guess by 4pm they've all put in their miles and hunker down. Things I'm thankful for: warm sleeping bags, occasional humans and vacations. Biggest fear: hurt feet.
Date: 2002-04-03
From: Horse Gap

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 4.1

Woke up at 7am and peed just outside my tent, thinking I had the whole place to myself, after not seeing a sould since 4pm. Anyways, I peed and was getting back into my tent for my camera, when an older guy comes up! Two minutes sooner and he would've seen me squatting! I was rubbing my eyes and stammered that I was going to take a pix of my campsite, so he offered to take it with me in it. He took off his pack and I told him and his buddy to sit down a while - they had gotten up at 5am - don't even have a tent or raingear - talk about trusting the weatherman!!! Their packs were 30#. He asked what books I've read, etc. I packed up, ate a poptart and drank my 1/2 cup of water. It was a long, hot, dry trip to Justus Creek. I put on my sandals and plopped right on a log in the middle of the creek, pumping and drinking. I skin prepped my feet good and labored up to Gooch Mountain shelter, where I thought I would take a nap, eat, and continue on. I did two of three. I was too sore to hoist my pack on again, and I've got the best spot in the shelter. It is brand new, so hopefully there are no mice yet. There is a nice bear line to hang stuff with. Oh - my stove - it wouldn't quit, even with the lid on - I burnt my left thumb trying to stop it. Finally it emptied the fuel and burnt the gasket out of the lid. Oboy. Anyways, at Justus Creek there was a guy, a dog and two women setting up camp. One of the women says "Yew want Lipton or Ramen" the guy says "Ramen". What a vacation!!! I've stopped listing the people who pass me. I must be going 1mph. I'm afraid I am not going to meet Cornelius tomorrow. I'm only half way there. There's no way I can do 15 miles tomorrow. I'll be calling him - hopefully AT&T will cover at some point. Here at Gooch Mountain shelter is a guy from Boston, two Vermont women, a guy and his 11 year old son 'Toughenough', a talkative journaler, and many tent campers next door.
Date: 2002-04-04
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0

Brrrr, it was cold in the am, and I probably slept 4 hours total with THE SNORER next to me, aimed my way. Early in the night THE SNORER had started in and Albert (the journaler) said 'anybody got any earplugs?' Someone else snickered and I fake snored a real loud one. THE SNORER woke up and said "I dig that robe you're wearin" (I think he's Canadian). Albert said 'what'? and THE SNORER said it again. Albert said 'uh-huh' then THE SNORER went back to work. He must've taken a Vicodin or something, because he slept through the 6am banging, zipping, rattling, etc. and was still mummified when I took off. His friend (Jo-Bar?) told me it would be a better day - I had told her I was disappointed with myself only going 5 miles/day and that Cornelius would be waiting for me at Walasi-Yi today.She was right - it was a quick 5 miles (mostly downhill) to Woody Gap, where I was able to call Nelius on my cell phone and have him meet me in Suches 2 miles along the road (downhill). Thank you God!!! My feet were much lighter, once I talked to Cornelius!!! He came up behind me (???) in the RV, kissed and hugged me--I was sooo glad to see him!!! Before he got too close I told him 'plug your nose'. First thing I did when I got in was to take my sox off and he had a fit and rolled down the windows! He turned the RV around back up to Woody Gap and was going to make me shower there. but I said "There's no restraunt here" so he took me to Duhlongena to Wal-Mart, where I showered and gave my backpack an enema; we did laundry and Cornelius tried to nap while I talked a mile a minute. He took me to Pizza Hut, then we did a little shopping at Wal-Mart and slept at the Days Inn parking lot. Oh - I called mom and dad and Glenn, too. They want me back before school's out...
Date: 2002-04-05
From: Woody Gap

To: Burnett Field Mtn
Miles today: 4.8

We slept til 8am then had muffins for breakfast. I traded my tape recorder for a 79 cent tablet and put the, oh, 100# of food (10 days worth) into my poor overstuffed pack. I called Wendy and left a message about sending more skin prep; sent a big purple ball and some twist-up crayons for Glenn; left a list of things to do for Nelius and he dumped me back out at Woody Gap. I was very concerned that my pack would weigh 85# now, but when I hoisted it on I said "Oh, it's not as bad as I thought." It was much heavier, especially after I stopped at a stream for water. I could really feel it on my feet - even my heels, which I've not heard from til now. I left Woody Gap around noon and found a nice campsite around 4pm. My feet were sore. I walked funny once I unhoisted. I took a break with some dried mango on a boulder overlooking the mountains, watching the hawks circling on the drafts. I thought to myself 'this is going to be an awesome summer'. It finally struck me - now that Cornelius is headed home, I have 6 months of freedom ahead of me!!! If I'm on Granny Top Mountain, I went 2 miles. If I'm on Burnett Field Mountain, I went 4.8 miles. Not bad, if the latter. I've heard some 'people noises' and Jarrard Gap is 1/2 mile from Burnett Field Mtn, plus there is a field at the top here, so I think it's the latter. I got here and ate the heaviest stuff I had - Lipton Alfredo and tuna. Things I'm most thankful for: Cornelius, and my guardian angels.
Date: 2002-04-06
From: Burnett Field Mtn

To: Walasi-Yi
Miles today: 5.9

What a cold day - I wore my jacket and it made me colder. The temp was 60, same as yesterday, but I was COLD. Once I took the jacket off in the afternoon, I was fine. I thank God for keeping me safe on the trail. Last night I kept picturing angel wings surrounding my tent - the mountain wind would roar through the trees and go right over my tent. I had a PB/raisin bagel and a sip of water for breakfast; got a late start - 9:30am. That's what happens when nobody wakes you up at 5am. It was a VERY long hike UP UP UP Blood Mountain - the highest on the Georgia AT. There were MANY weekend dayhikers/college students. I kept leapfrogging a group of four of them. On 'one' of my rest stops on a comfortable rock, I came to the decision that having BSN or MSN behind my name would be nice, but not exactly a blessing. Nice vacations and lengthy travels are nice, but not really a blessing. Having a loving husband, a sturdy house, and children--THAT would be a blessing. Why haven't I accepted the blessings that God has offered me??? Why am I unwilling to allow Him to bless me? I don't know yet. Now my job is to get whipped into shape to physically bear children "YIKES". Come what may. Anyways, after that revolution, I dried my eyes and struggled up to Blood Mtn shelter with an ungodly heavy pack. Numerous tourists and question askers. Great views. The local yocals had paths worn all over the place - it was overrun with them. On the way down, all the switchbacks are cut across and the whole hillside is a messy dirt pile - no vegetation or flowers could grow there. It was 2.1 miles down to Neels Gap, but I kept telling the tourists "Just five more miles to the top" heeheehee.I hot-tailed it down to Walasi-Yi Center. Wynton is a doll. He spends hours cutting down pack weight and getting it to fit you correctly-all for free. I paid $18 to stay at the hostel-it isn't much to brag about, and there is a footy/musty odor. But it's warm, soft, and I don't have to empty my pack to get to the tent. First thing I did was shower and rinse my clothes in the sink. I couldn't believe the dirty water from my sox. I hope they're dry by morning - I hung them on the back edge of my bunk. I laid down to rest; sat up to put powder on my poor sore feet, and Joe (Robin Hood) said in 15 minutes there would be a shuttle to a BBQ/pizza restraunt. I squeezed myself into my too-tight rainpants and hobbled out to the sitting room. There were 13 of us in a van and a car. We ended up at a buffet (The Cookie Jar) for 6.99, drink included. I was quite uncomfortable on the ride back, with my pants so tight. Oh- and guess who else was at the hostel, on the bunk right next to me - hotspot! I've got to get his real name. His pack had weighed 55#, and Wynton got it down to 35#. Now he'll probably be quicker than me! He asked me about Cornelius. Things I'm most thankful for: hot water and indoor heaters.
Date: 2002-04-07
From: Walasi-Yi

To: Whitley Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.4

What a difference a good dinner, 8 hours sleep, and a little oatmeal can make! I was bustin' a move today. Went 6.2 miles woohoo! Robin Hood and his wife stopped 3x the first two hours to dress/undress. It was only about 40-45 degrees when we started around 9am. I was in shorts, T, baseball hat and gloves. They looked like they were dressed for a ski trip - even had the poles! Made good time. Had lunch (bagel and candy bar) on Testnatee Mtn - gorgeous, although all the views are starting to look the same. I had to make a decision where to stay - a shelter 1.2 miles off the AT, or Hogpen Gap, where there was water, but no indication of campsites. Plus, all day long it sounded like 'biker week' and Hogpen was at a highway. I didn't have another climb left in me, so I headed for Whitley Gap shelter. The blue-blaze went on and on and on - I was almost pissed by the time I finally saw the shelter. There was noone there, and by the looks of the register, that wasn't uncommon. I set out my sleep mat and bag and started getting out half a picnic table full of food and went for water at the piped spring. When I came up the hill who was there, but hotspot!!! I told him I was glad he was there. Somehow, the more I get to know him, the less I like him. I just thought at first, he reminded me of an old friend, and he talked to me. He's a talker.Things I'm most thankful for: my health/strength and nature.
Date: 2002-04-08
From: Whitley Gap shelter

To: Cold Springs Gap
Miles today: 8.2

I think the first climb is always the hardest, because your muscles are still stiff. And it was tough climbing out of Whitley Gap shelter. I wouldn't make that mistake again. In the register I wrote "One mile out of the way is two too many at the end of the day". A mouse hung out by my head all night and I kept scootching off my ThermaRest. Once I rolled over and thought 'what is that bump - oh, it's my pad!' I was on the floor. Hotspot was up and dressed before I even woke up. It was so foggy - I felt like "Walks with Clouds" Indian girl. Hotspot said it would rain Monday night, but I thought 'it's here now'. I wore my purple raincoat all day long. Down in the valleys the wind blew sooo cold. It finally warmed up to 60 by early afternoon, and the sun came out. Quite a few people passed me today - I asked one for some Geritol. My foodbag is still WAY TOO heavy, and I'm hardly eating anything. I finished off my bagels at lunchtime. Now I have a jar of PB and nothing to put it on. Hotspot and I are tenting somewhere before Chattahoochee Gap. I found out we have the same tent as well as water filters. He talked and talked. He's retired from the Army and masturbates daily. How's that for perfect strangers. My feet were frickin killing me - the entire bottoms - come to find out we went about 8 miles today! Maybe there's hope for me yet.Most thankful for: a warm sleeping bag.
Date: 2002-04-10
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 2.0

Told Cornelius I'm ready to get married. Hotspot and I stayed up til about 8pm talking. We never turned the TV on. He was up first, of course, and said he didn't sleep very well because his hip was bothering him. Yet he called the shuttle to take him into the mtns. I'm taking the day off. I've hiked 9 days in a row, and Helen is a cute little town. I went from the Day's Inn to Betty's Country $tore for bagels, cheese, and sudafed. I got my sister a birthday card there. One little shopping bag cost $20. Then I checked into the Helendorf for $34 + tax and slept til 3:30pm! Must've been the beer. I walked to the post office and found a Dollar General where I re-stocked my jettisoned rations. I ate at Taco Bell on the way back. I went to 7pm bingo $13 - came close, but didn't win anything. At least I wasn't sitting in my room, dozing off at 7pm and waking up at 1am (as usual). I was hoping other hikers would be out when I got back from bingo so I could ask them how they're getting back to the AT, but they were all in. I packed up and cleaned up the mess I made in the shower from my groundcloth and made a bagel sandwich for the am in case I have to run to catch a shuttle. Most thankful for: privacy and a huge bed (4 pillows).
Date: 2002-04-11
From: Helen, GA

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 6.0

I slept like a rock and was up at 7:30am. I started walking, hoping one of the shuttles full of hikers would pick me up. If not, I was prepared to yellow-blaze all day (9 miles). Just after I left Helen, a black and brown brindle dog started following me and almost got hit by cars several times. I thought 'great, now nobody will pick me up if they think I have a dog'. She was all over the road, so when I had a choice between the highway and a 45mph road with a sign that said 'Unicoi State Park' I took the latter, hoping 'Angel' wouldn't get run over, and maybe there was a shortcut to get to the AT. I walked a couple miles, found an old guy in a parking payment booth, and he told me there was no shortcut. He did call the number on Angel's tag, though, and her owner came and picked her up in a white car. She said "This is gettin' real old. Are you the one she followed from Helen?" I said yes and smiled. She threw Angel in by the collar and sped off. I was kinda hoping I could get a ride from her, but I guess she was only thinking about Angel. I was pretty sad then, to be backtracking a couple miles and no Angel with me. I got back on the highway for an hour or so and an old guy with a little pickup going the opposite direction from me asked "Do you need a ride up the mtn?" I said "Sure, great" and he went down the road, turned around, and drove me up to Unicoi Gap. I told him "This will save me almost a day" but he wouldn't take any gas money. I started going up the trail and was sooo tempted to turn around, go back down, and get a ride back to town. I had to stop and put on my raincoat and contacts - it was so misty and damp my glasses kept fogging up. I didn't see a soul for hours. I felt so lonely, and missed Cornelius and Lil' Glenn, and clean clothes, and palm trees, and sunshine. It was a very low moment, but I thought - if I go back now, I'll still be fat, I'll have to get a job, and Mom will be driving me nuts. Ex would probably make me pay Glenn's tuition then, and I'd be broke. I just kept picturing my big-gut reflection in the hotel mirror earlier, and decided to continue on to take care of the 'frontpack' of blubber, before I go crying home.I think I might have PMS - all these negative thoughts. I bought a box of Tampax before I left town. I struggled on, going damn-near backwards, to the old cheese factory site. First thing I did was to take a nap in the tent. Then I cooked mac-n-cheese. I walked over to the trail to see how many other campers - 8 in all - just as one of the guys was saying 'a bunch of fat people who go 200 yards into the woods and come out saying they've camped'. So I hot-tailed it out of there. I made an observation about foodbags - all these people have dinky little ones compared to mine. If supply towns are 100 miles apart, it would take me 20 days to go between. It would take them 5 days, so they don't have to have as many rations. This campsite is by a road, and earlier there was a tractor doing some kind of noisy work here. At least I'm not totally alone tonight. That would suck. Most thankful for: my health and no major pain.
Date: 2002-04-12
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 7.7

Well, what can I say about today: same as yesterday. Damp, muddy trails, no views, nose running constantly, stinky clothes. The trees, rocks and logs all look the same - I could've sworn I'd been going around in circles on the same mtn for days. It's a good thing I didn't cross any major road today, or I would've taken it into town and quit. Tomorrow I will be crossing one - God help me, if it's STILL rainy. US76 is just 7.6 miles south of the GA/NC line. My motivation for going 7.7 miles today was to get Georgia behind me (plus the fact that I left a 6# bag of gorp at the cheese factory site). I could tell a difference in my pack - and my feet didn't get so painfully sore. If I can just get to NC, I won't have to come back to GA to hike the AT anymore. Maybe in a month or so I'll come back to hike NC, then Smoky/TN, etc. If I do go on to NC, the first place to call Cornelius is at 103 Standing Indian Campground. By then maybe the weather will have improved (along with my state of mind). I found a pretty place to camp today - I took the blue-blaze (old road) from Addis Gap to get water, and there were campsites down in the middle of a little valley, surrounded by a stream. I'm in my tent now, and it's raining (again) grrrr...
Date: 2002-04-13
From: Addis Gap

To: US76 campsite
Miles today: 0.0

This morning when I woke up it was sprinkling and the tent (outside) was wet. I prayed for two things today: 1) good weather and 2) a tent stake. Since I saw hotspot put his tent up, I know what mine's supposed to look like. The sprinkling stopped while I was in the tent packing up. I had some Krispie Treats and a big orange I had hauled up how many mountains. As an act of faith, I didn't put on my raincoat - I think normally I would've, with the haze and mist I could see through the trees. It didn't rain!!! I actually saw the sun for a few minutes when I stopped at the sign for Deep Gap shelter. Climbing up Kelly Knob was a neverending killer! (4276') I said several 'Our Fathers' on the way (I read some of my New Testament last night). There were many boy scout troops heading south - I wondered where they would all stay. If they stay at Addis Gap, they'll find my blue/camo fleece sleeping bag liner, a small bottle of baby powder, and some orange peels. I was a little embarrassed with all the locals out. I could already hardly stand my own stench, and today with barely a breeze, I was sweating profusely from my head and dripping down my neck. I tried to stay down-wind, but sometimes they would step to the side of the trail I wanted before I got close enough to pass. They were so clean, wearing white and yellow, and you can smell the soap and shampoo on them. I was a bit annoyed with a skinny guy who caught up with me - he asked how far to the next water, then took off his pack and had lunch. Later I passed him at a stream, filtering water. I came out to the highway (US 76) and someone had left three bottles of gingerale and a gallon-sized bag with 6-8 different cookies in it. I didn't take any - it looked like they might've been there a while. I was taking a break at the picnic area when Mr. Skinny comes across the highway carrying the cookie bag - he ate every one of them, then asked 'Steel Pin' where the next water is. What a PIA. He said this is his fourth day, and he's at 70 miles already. F****R. At least I kept going, and didn't hitch into town to call Nelius. Thank you God, for the nice weather! Now I'm just 7 1/2 miles from NC! Woohoo! As long as the weather holds out, I'll try to make it to 103 - the campground, and have Nelius pick me up at 106, Franklin, NC. Anyways, I had to go a steep ways down to the stream from my tentsite, and I took my stinkin' clothes with me and washed them. I have spare sox, but the rest will probably be wet when I put them on in the am. I noticed at the hotel that doing your clothes by hand just does not get them as clean as a machine. Now even my 'clean' clothes are stinky (my jammies). I had mashed potatoes and Ramen noodles and thanked God for an appetite. Oh - and guess what I found on the way back from the stream - a tent stake!!! He doesn't forget! Today I am most thankful for: the good weather, the sun at Deep Gap, and the tent stake! I'm very much looking forward to being in NC tomorrow, Lord Willing.