morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-20
To: T-6, hours that is!
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone! The time has arrived! I leave in 6 hours! I can't believe it's finally here! I am good! I am REALLY good! I am in a great state of mind and am ready to get hiking! Don't let me mislead you, it has been a roller coaster of emotions the last 48 hours! I have remained busy so that has helped in keeping me busy AND getting me out of here on time! The emotions come and go fairly quickly. I'm good, I tear up, I remember what this is all about and come out of it grinning from ear to ear!!I've mailed my bounce box to Neel's Gap. (That contains items such as my phone charger, snacks, future maps, shampoo, qtips and such that I will use while in town. I will then mail it to myself up the trail.) I have packed my pack! It was crazy, knowing it was the last pack! It weighed 34.2! I am so excited! I still have to decide on a book or perhaps part of a book. I am debating a book on the animals & plants on the trail called "The AT: A Visitor's Companion and "Walking with the Ghost Whiperers" which is haunted stories of the AT. That one will have to be split in 1/3's but Turner could put the rest in my maildrops! I think that's what I'll do! :DOk, I better check out! Turner made my favorite: Cheesy~cheesy pizza and chocolate brownies iced with milk choc icing! Then it's off to bed for a couple hours before take off!I really want to thank ALL of you who have been supporting me and advising me! Family, friends, hikers, all of you!! I really believe I have this in me and hope I make you all proud! I can't imagine what it would be like planning this alone! There is no way this would be possible without my dear freinds Laura and Amy and my sister Lea! You guys believed in me from day 1. There was never any talk of doubt and I believe that is going to make a big difference in the end. They say seeing yourself atop the Katahdin sign isn't a requirement to succeed, but you definitely have better odds! I've been imaging that scene since I learned of the trail! My friends, the time has arrived! Thanks again for coming along with me! I will see that I get this updated as much as possible! Once I hit the road I'm sure Turner and I will get our groove on! Between libraries, hostels and Turner we'll get you some info and perhaps even more photos!Peace out! Ripple
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light snow

Hey everyone! I am finally to a computer and am going to get this updated for you all! Please stay tuned... I am going to try and add some back entries, I for each day to show the milage so you may want to go back later and see if I added or edited some existing entries. Hey again! I'm back! It's Sunday afternoon, 3/28, and I'm gonna try and catch up here!We had a great drive down to GA, thanks so much Jane!! The lodge was really cool but it was foggy and misty so not much view. It cleared up later after dinner so I was able to get a sneak peak and WOW! I met HDMama in the lobby which was nice! I hope we cross paths out here on the trail! Then Cope arrived with his mom and sister who were both wonderful!! I had a great time with them over dinner, breakfast and a long crazy drive to the top of Springer!! Thank you so much ladies!! They wished us well and off we went South .9 miles to the actual start of the AT. I have many pictures, by the way, but won't have my camera USB until I get my maildrop at the NOC in NC, 85 miles and probably 7-10 days so please hang in there! Ok, so Monday it was misty but not bad. We made it to the plaque at the Southern Terminous and it was glorious! Standing at the plaque looking at the trail...the path that went all the way to Maine was truely amazing! It really was quite a moment! Before we knew it, along came another hiker! Easy Breezy! He's all the way from San Diego! He's a super guy but unfotunately we only get him for 2 weeks. This is his conditioning/prep hike. He happened to request some duct tape which I offered from around my pole and then gave me a fine suggestion to put it on the balls of my feet which I later proved quite helpful, thanks Easy!! So we lingered at Springer long enough to see the fog lift and holy smokes! It was incredible! Seriously people, unreal! What an emotional ride that was! I felt good that day hiking. I was finally there! The time had really come!So Cope and I were off. The woods were waking up! There was more green than I anticipated and the rhododendron's were a plenty! We stopped for lunch at the Stover Creek Shelter, my first AT shelter IN PERSON! After soooo many pictures I almost cried! Even the privy which was a very nice structure brought tears! HA! I quickly learned that tears brought on a runny nose which stinks while moving so I decided there was not to be too much of that! We arrived at Hawk Mtn Shelter around 5-5:30 maybe and welcomed by many! It's was great! It was quite chilly with the rain but as you may know from LT's entry the fire was rolling and the laughter was plentiful! What a night! I got set up, worked on dinner and took care of business. After cleaning up the food I spilled IN MY TENT, yikes!, I ate a little, visited a while by the fire and called it a night! Day 1 on the Appalachian Trail was behind me! I am a thru-hiker now. I made it and continue to believe I am going to make it to Maine. One day at a time!
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Morning came, it was chilly, but it was great! I just woke up on the Appalachian Trail! It was 7ish, some folks were gone but most were starting to move and shake! I met so many great people there and as LT said we would stay together/close for a couple days. I believe I had some pop tarts, packed up around 8 and was off by 9! Soon after hiking the sun came out and stayed all day!   Sassafrass whooped me in the AM and Justus would do the same! I made it though. Nice ~n~ easy, slow ~n~ steady! Luckily we stopped at Cooper Gap for lunch between the two. I rolled into camp around 5ish and decided to have a cold dinner, maybe when I get my hiker legs I will have more energy and desire to make the hot meals. I was successful at getting my hair dry before nightfall so I don't go to bed with a wet head. This is what I have to worry about out here...life is good! Someone needs to use the computer so I will give it up briefly and get back to you.Ok guys, I'm afraid I have some bad news. The internet went down here when I got back on so I continued typing my entries in a word document, saved them on the computer in Word and now they are gone! This has been the biggest casualty of the trip so far so I guess I better not complain! I know there are many anxious for updates. Hopefully this will tide you over for now. Maybe some grub and a little hot-tubbin will rejuvinate me! At the least I will get back before taking off tomorrow (monday) and get a few more notes in!!Stay tuned... Ok! I've had time to think...I'm already coming up with ideas to make this a little smoother! Save more often for one! HA!!! I've found I have info in too many places like the journals, the start and stop points and miles...anyway...I'll get it smoothed out! I'm going to jump to each day and make some notes. I appreciate you all hanging in there while we work out the kinks! peace out!
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Stealth Camp by Creek
Miles today: 7.5

Today was yet another great day!. It was a nice hike this morning. We had quite a group for lunch at Woody Gap which was fun. Ray and I hiked out together in the a.m. and were joined by his son, McLovin, Peggy & Jim (P&J,) Superman, Andrew, Augry & Grany, Symbol, Lifeguard, Tom "Trippin" & his son, temp aka "Trippin 2." After lunch I decided to hike in my crocs (after hearing Superman's morning hike in flip flops was successful) because of the blisters forming on my heals. I got the boots off in the nick of time! I believe it paid off and let the blisters get better! Whew!! We decided to stop short of Low Gap as that would have made for a 12ish mile day. We found P&J, Trippin, Trippin 2, Rookie and a lone hiker, John, found a great spot by a creek! We all had a great dinner together and had fun getting to know each other! I had a Mountain House Spag w/meat sauce and boy did it hit the spot! Ray and I camped right next to the creek and it was awesome! I also learned how to hang my own bear bag (food bag!) The shelters have cool cables all set for us, but stealth camping, you are on your own! Today was 7.5 miles, just a wonderful day on the Appalachian Trail!
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Stealth Camp by Creek

To: Neel's Gap to Goose Creek Cabin
Miles today: 8.3

Today was fantastic!! I hiked with P&J, Trippin, Trippin 2, Ray. We headed out @ 8:45 for Neel's Gap! We also met Cecil, a barefoot hiker! He said he was 60~something. Nuts! He uses sandals with socks in the winter, just so you know. He was really cool. The secret...he goes very slow! I conquered Blood Mtn in the crocs, woo hoo!! It was a nice hike, not nearly as bad as others made it to be, go figure! Peggy, Jim and I rolled down the hillside to Neel's Gap about 2:30! We made it!! We did miss some trail magic but we were on our way to a town so it was quite alright! Once again, I almost cried. When I saw that big AT sign on the building it took my breath away (and still does as I think about it typing!) I can't wait to get that pic posted!Anyway, a bunch of us headed to Goose Creek Cabins and had a wonderful time! We cleaned up, headed into town via Keith, the owner, who later picked us up after eating and resupplying! I am definitely a thru~hiker! Holy Smokes! I like this, I think I do it well I want to go all the way to Maine!! ok, that's it for now...it's still Sunday night and I am catching up but I am late for a euchre date! We aren't leaving until 11:00 tomorrow so I will be to finish before I leave Stay tuned!
Date: 2010-03-26
From: Neels Gap

To: Stealth Camp in Wide Gap
Miles today: 8.8

Howdy folks! There is news from Ripple! I will now be posting journal entries for Ripple as I get info. She intended on updating while having internet access in towns but that might not be enough for us anxiously waiting at home for news. However, Ripple will be adding her own entries...so stay tuned. She took off from Springer Mountain,GA on Monday am and reached Hawk Mountain shelter to camp that night. As expected, the shelter was at it's capacity and 10-15 tents scattered about, so she met many other hikers right away. Monday was the roughest weather yet, with some snow, sleet and rain. Tuesday she left Hawk Mountain shelter and hiked to Gooch shelter and camped with basically the same large group. Wednesday she became part of a smaller group that hiked together on and off all day and camped together at approx mile 23 by a creek "stealth" camping or away from a shelter. Both Tue & Wed were great weather days and she hiked in a short sleeve. Thursday was her first milestone, hiking into Neels Gap and the 1st sign of civilization and re-supply point. As another journal entry shows, approx 20-30% give it up there at Neels Gap and head home. Ripple is not one of them!!! Neels Gap is approximately mile 30. Ripple and 3 other hikers got a shuttle to a small cabin for the night, got showers, laundry and a ride into town for dinner. Her group includes a couple from Ohio that can be found here on trailjournals under "Jim & Peg". She's hiking with them right now, and they are carrying a device to update their journal daily, so far. Her buddy Cope, that she set out with from Springer Mtn, turned out to be on the fast pace, and pulled ahead with other faster hikers. He is also updating trailjournals daily. Some of the other names so far of fellow hiker buddies...Superman, Trippin, Trippin 2, Ray, Lifeguard, HDmama...are a few I picked up on. HDmama is carrying a "Spot" or GPS locator, the link to her locate is in her journal. She says she feels really good and getting stronger every day. She's hiking her own hike and at her own pace. There have been two mountains that kicked her ass, but slow and steady is her style right now. She's hiked approx 7.5 miles/day so far and is right on her plan. The "stinky" factor is already there, only four days in, hikers haven't gotten used to their own odor. She said she could barely stand herself in the tent Wed night...and a shower last night only knocked back the stink...lol. She's on pace for her 1st mail drop, for anyone wanting to send letters. I'll be mailing her box today/tomorrow, but mailing early next week should be fine. Feel free to email appalachianripple2010@yahoo.com for questions etc. This is the email I set up to correspond with folks through her journey. I have been following her daily with a cool Google Earth application that maps out the trail and every shelter. Google Earth is free to download. This application puts an orange push-pin on every shelter, and a white line showing the Trail. Really cool. I am so proud of my friend!
Date: 2010-03-27
From: Wide Gap

To: Uniqoi Gap to Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

Ripple left Neels Gap Fri 3/26 am, had a 9 mile day and camped in Wide Gap, still with Jim & Peg. Sat 3/27 she'll be hiking to Blue Mountain shelter. Her pack weighed in at 36# in Neels Gap with food and water. She's right on target, still feeling good! I'll eventually figure out how to get this journal to calculate and display her mileage, but as of Wide camp camping Fri night, she was approx 39 miles. Check back, I will be adding that application link for google earth. -Cue the deer (Laura)Hey! It's Ripple!! We had a change of plans! Rain was coming in for all day Sunday so Jim & Peg, Superman, Cope, the Professor, Easy Breezy, Toasty, Songbird, John and I all decided to hike two more miles from the Blue Mtn Shelter DOWN, DOWN, DOWN to Uniqoi Gap and get a ride 11 miles to Hiawassee, GA for a hotel! Please stay tuned, I think I have all my miles updated but I have been at this electronic box for a while now and would like to take a break! Hehe I think I'll go soak my feet in the hot tub! I am staying here at the Holiday Inn Express again tonight for my first "0" day...NO miles today! I will come back after some soaking and eating and get you some real info about the trek!...
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was fun & just what the Dr. ordered! I am glad to have this journal caught up a little so next time it should go much smoother! Especially since I will text Laura with the specifics and then I can just add my journaling later! Thanks Turner! I think that will make a big difference this week!!! I have relaxed, hot tubbed, resupplied for 7 days max to Franklin, NC! That's right folks...I'm approaching my first state line! I reviewed the companion and have a good idea for the week but each day I will decide as it unfolds. I feel strong! I'm excited about the food I have and anxious to try it on trail! I bought mashed potatos and a Knorr che/broc/pasta, star cruches, cheese and more tortillas and 2 Snickers for a buck! Deana/Songbird gave me some cookie crosp cereal so I traded some hot choc. WE are excited to mix them together! I have my own dried beans, pasta & sauce, broc & cheese and more applesauce! Turner is getting the first mail drop ready and should go out tomorrow, thank you, thank you!!! The blisters are on the mend and with a 6 miles day tomorrow I look forward to moving slow in my crocs. It's about 10:30 and time to hit it!I look forward to hiking with Songbird this week, sounds like we are on the same page! I also hope I see P&J again! That's it for now...thanks again for hanging in there while I figure this stuff out. I don't plan to change any past entries now and will note them as updated if I do. Turner will create the new entries with milage and some notes and next week I'll hope to expand on them for you!peace and love all!
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Base of Albert Mtn
Miles today: 9.2

Hiked out of Beech Gap about 9:30 (we get earlier every day!) We decided to save Big Albert for the AM. Alllllbert Mtn...hehehe Rambunny-I've shared your story with MANY!We found a nice spot right before the .3 mile straight up climb to rest up! It was a nice, stealth spot and we (Songbird, Toasty & I) had a WONDERFUL evening! We chilled, set up, ate, sat around the fire and was in bed by 8:30! We are getting wild and crazy out here, let me tell ya!
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Base of Albert Mtn

To: Rock Gap to Franklin, NC
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: clear sky

Hey all! Ripple here!! I am in Franklin, NC! We arrived today around 4 (Toasty, Songbird and I)and are happy to be taking a "0" tomorrow! I am doing great!!!!!!!!!! Soooo much to share! I am trying to work on some pictures for you now and will catch up the daily entries tomorrow. I have also been writing nightly which I am going to mail to Turner who has volunteered to transcribe them for me! I have a TON of pics so I hope I can get a bunch on here for you! Stay tuned!!! MUCH love to all of you who have signed my book! All of your words of encouragement are so appreciated!
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hey again!! Could I be getting the hang of this??? I got some pics on there and the daily milage entries, now to add more of the pictures! They offer a town shuttle here (super hiker~friendly!! Thank you David, David & Ron!) around 4:30-5 so we will resupply our food and get some dinner. We did some laundry last night and called our loved ones. We hope to get all of our chores done early so we can kick back tonight (and watch the Butler~Duke game~~~~GO BULLDOGS!!!)Ok, I am going to try and get some more pics on here! Thanks for waiting patiently everyone!!A few more done...I hope to get back on here for one more download a little later today...
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Walker Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Ripple is heading into the smokies!! Fontana Dam is on the SW edge. I talked to her briefly yesterday, she intended on making the walk to see the dam dam, but we'll have to wait for more pictures. The trail folk refer to Fontana Dam shelter as the Fontana Hilton, it even has electricity, so she was in relative luxury for the night. The trail through the smokies is about 75-80 miles, straddling the NC/TN border. Won't be but a day or so and she'll hit another state line! -cue the deer
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Hot Springs,NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hey everyone!! It's Ripple! I am sitting at the library in Hot Springs! I rolled in yesterday after a short 3.2 miles! What a day! The town was hopping with hikers! The town consists of a 1/2 mile strip and everything we need is in it! I am trying to get some pictures on here for you! I think the TJ server is down so we'll have to see if you can see all the pictures dated 4/28. Hopefully they will come up and I can rename them and also add more! They cover the first half of the Smokies! I think I will go back to tomorrow's entry and add the days activities! As for today, back to business, I have figured my next stops, mail drops and decided to bounce my box to DAMASCUS!! I will be there in less than 2 weeks! I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!!! Trail Days, Turner, Lea and Joe will all be there waiting for me!! Yahooooooo!!!!! If all goes well I will be in Erwin TN on 5/3 and will stay at the Nolichucky Hostel, then on to Dennis Cove where I will stay at the famous Kincora Hostel (both times I will hike out the next morning-no 0's) and should arrive at Damascus on 5/12!! Damascus is where the Mt. Rodger's Outfitters is so I will be getting that maildrop next!I will also add that I camped on Max Patch Bald after leaving Standing Bear Hostel. It's a 392 acre bald and the view was unbelievable! The sunset brought tears of joy! I've been wanting to camp there since I decided to do this! I was the only one there camping! Thanks to Sally the Trail Angel for the yummy chocolate! Trail Magic...leaves me speechless every time!I also want to thank my cousin Shannon for the nice card and the package of letters from the Little Flower 3rd graders, both received here at Hot Springs! I was SO SO excited to see mail that wasn't from myself!! :D It really meant a lot you guys!! I will try and get some answers back to you kids as soon as possible!!I'll get back to the pictures for now. The library is open for 2 more hours (thanks to an election!!) so I'll see what I can do!peace and love to you all!!
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hey, hey, hey! I'm back! Well, still here It was midnight before I actually went to sleep so since it will be 2 solid weeks before a 0, I called in! There is a Riverfest with live music starting tomorrow though so I'll be sure to get out of here in the morning or I'll really get stuck in town! HA! There's some folks over at Elmer's hostel who've been here over a week so I figure I'm good! I had this in the back of my mind all along and I really have enjoyed doing nothing for 1 day! I will get faster at the chores but for now, they still take a while. I actually slept until 9:30! Don't think I've done that ever on trail! Those of you that know me will find much humor in that I am waking up at 7, 6:30 and now 6! I can't sleep in even if I wanted to! What is happening to me??? I am going to get a little dinner, ice cream and one more Dew then head back to the room for another good nights rest. The PO opens at 8:30 so I should be out of town by 10! Hehe!! I'll stop at the Diner for one last feast and maybe even take a egg and cheese biscuit or 2 for dinner tomorrow! This morning I ate 2 sweet potato pancakes, hash browns, bacon and a biscuit sandwich! My appetite is definitely increasing!My body is great! A little achy, but noting Vitamin I won't fix! (that's ibuprofen...) I've hiked a couple days alone and can say my head is in great shape whether alone or with others! I think I needed that, just didn't know it. I am excited to meet the next group behind me, maybe see Toasty, Songbird, Ray and McLovin and also continue hiking MY hike I missed Too Late and Too Soon, they pulled out of town as I came in Maybe Damascus...I am definitely stronger physically but wouldn't say I have true hiker legs yet, maybe hiker calves, but it's still early! I am really excited to see how many miles I do each day this week. Should have a minimum of 10 but average of 15-17...we'll see! I will try and do some longer days (8a-6 or 7p) since I will be especially rested...stay tuned Thanks again for the journal well wishes! and Betsy, for the invitation! I will definitely try to take you up on it! PS-I have messed with the pictures and redated them...you may want to go back to 4/11 or 4/15 and review now that they have labels and should be in order
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Hey all! I am about to head out. I forgot to add this picture which was a must! Always Bonnie, I have your home # but no answer this am, if there's another # please email me with it and either way I will try you again when I get to Erwin. I sure do hope we can see each other when you get out here!All right, that's about it I suppose. I'm heading for the hills!!
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Stealth camp @ Rector Laurel Rd

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

I read somewhere that anything called "Low Gap" meant "Really big climb is next" Couple of us Indy folk are heading out for trail days in Damascus,VA. Ripple has a real good shot at walking into Damascus just at the right time, which means she stepped up the pace over the past week or so and it's showing in her mileage...she sounds Wonderful! Grounded! and at One with her experience. Heads up for the Damascus mail drop...anyone giving her a package, letter or shout out, she'll be there for mail pickup on May 13th & 14th.-cue the deer