morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Route #4 Rangeley

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

The rain was falling in sheets this morning and Bob and his Gull Pond Lodge vortex can be an easy excuse to sit out such a storm. However, I am determined to move on so at 10AM with the rain pouring down, I stepped back on the trail. Wet rocks and roots are very slippery. I know this and therefore took my time in many places where I would normally move quickly through. I consumed a turkey sub I had purchased on the way out of town when I was about 2 miles in. I was all ready soaked to the skin and got a little chilled standing there munching on the sub. So I got back going quickly and soon warmed up. It is just a crummy feeling to be wet and to realize getting dry is not going to happen until arriving at the shelter.I hiked along through an undulating trail with no major up hills, just a constant elevation increase. I began to think this day's hike to Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to would never end, even though I was making good time. Finally around 3:30PM the shelter appeared. There was one problem - ten hikers were all ready entrenched. They are from some college doing a freshman orientation. I quickly switched gears and set up my tent on a wooden platform. (The rain had stopped for the moment.) I then made coffee and dinner in case the rains returned. More thru-hikers arrived through the late afternoon and into the evening to find the shelter stuffed.Tonight I have almost everything in the tent with me hanging and stored away. This is good practice as time moves on and winter approaches. The New Hampshire border is only 52 miles away giving me incentive and a good feeling in my belly.Around 7PM a huge bull moose charged up the trail and stopped 5 feet from me. He had been chased down the trail for over a mile by another thru-hiker. The moose was snorting away but charged off when I bent over to retrieve my camera from inside the tent. Oh well.It was nice to be warm and dry in my tent because the skies opened up again. I'm almost to The Cabin.
Date: 2004-06-01
To: 8 1/2 months to take off
Miles today: 0.0

June 1!! In 8 1/2 months I will be leaving Texas to head for Pa. to a friends house to lay over for a week or so. Mike, my friend, has volunteered to take me to Springer Mt. on March 1 to begin my journey. He will then pick me up in Maine when I'm through. Time is flying by. It will be hear before I know it. I've got some knee prep to do in the coming months. I'll be conditioning my total knee area in prep for the hike. Also heard of a supplement "condrotin". I'll be looking into this.later-the great whazoo!11
Date: 2004-06-08
To: Katadin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, here it is, June 8. My hiking partner, Keith, and I are already getting anxious. Saturday we went to REI and had Keith look and touch all the gear. An important initial step. It's the "psych"!!. It's great to plan this thing with someone. We'll be doing quite a lot of hiking between now and the hike. Still lots of planning to do.
Date: 2004-06-09
To: Katadin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, we're still anticipating the big day. Keith and I are going to do a shakedown hike/camp this weekend. Should be interesting. We're still working on how to lighten our load. We plan on starting out slow and steady and then gradually increase mileage. 249 days til we start, but whose counting.The Great Whazoo
Date: 2004-07-27
To: Katadin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's been awhile since I have made an entry. Keith and I went to REI to begin equipping him with his gear for the hike. We spent a great 4 hours at REI with an outfitter by the name of Patrick. (Dallas, Tx. store) Great guy, very informative. Look him up if you're in the area. Patrick and I chuckled when Keith experienced "STICKER SHOCK" when the total was rang up. That's ok though. The gear will last him for years. We have decided to leave Dallas on Feb.1, 2005, and head out to Pennsylvania to my buddy's house. We will then assess the weather, and possibly head out to the trail ahead of our March 1 start date. For those of you who have emailed me. I'm not blowing you off.   I'm real busy for a couple of more weeks and then I will start to responding to your emails.Later,The Great Whazoo
Date: 2004-12-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, we're closer than when we began! Keith & I will leave on Feb.1, to drive to Pa. to a friend of mine's house. We'll leave my car there while hiking. I'm going to look up a few friends in Pa. and then we should be on the trail around Feb. 7 or 8. It's been a long wait, but I think we're ready. I guess we feel like everyone else, we want to leave now. Looking forward to meeting lots of you, spending time with God, and communing with good o'l mother nature. Going down to REI next week to get boot and seam sealants, patch kits, therometer, etc. See ya on the trail.
Date: 2005-01-26
To: Almost Here!!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the time is almost here. It's Jan. 26th. My last day of work is Friday the 28th. We leave for Pa. on Feb. 1. We'll take 2 1/2 - 3 days to drive out to a friends house. We're going to hang in Pa. for a few days and then should be on the trail by the 8th or 9th. My friend Mike is going to drive us to Springer and then will pick us up in Maine when we're through. Great friend!! Between now and Feb.1, Keith and I have to take care of all the last minute details. I'm so excited I can hardly maintain. Can't wait to just get started. Once we're on the trail our focus will be to just take a deep breath, pause, and then enjoy and embrace the next 6 months. All the sacrifice and saving will be worth it then.See you on the trail. When we meet, let's stop, sit, and talk a spell.
Date: 2005-02-05
To: Amost There!!
Miles today: 0.0

Well----we're getting closer. We're in Pa. visiting friends now. Looks like we will get on the trail on the 10th. Good to see everyone out here: Crazy Doug, Katrina, Lisa, Tammi, Carol, Bill (OLD Marine Corps Buddy), Audrey, Terry, and on and on.We've been doing some practice hikes just to stayed tuned up.See ya on the trail,
Date: 2005-02-10
From: Springer

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Sorry we're a little late with our first trail entry. Still trying to figure out the logistics. I will make these first entries a bit abbreviated so I can get caught up.Well, we've begun. Keith and I are finally in our new home (the AT) for the next 6 months. The accomodations are unbelievable and our transcient neighbors cover a wide spectrum of travelers and adventurers, wanderers and just plain be-ers. We're sitting around the Springer shelter writing notes, eating, drinking coffee, and oh yes, shivering. It's 22 degrees and will eventually go down to 18 by morning.
Date: 2005-02-11
From: Amicolola Falls

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Another great day in our new home. Met up with Tumbleweed and Hawk Mountain shelter. Got in some good visits and thankfully he's patient as I keep picking his brain about the how-to's of the trail. He just tumbles all over the nation enjoying life. He's retired Marines. I like this guy. A brother in more ways then one! We're taking our beginning month very slow. We're warm weather, flatland-training, Texans. Got to ease into the saddle slow-w-w-w.
Date: 2005-02-12
From: Katahdin

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Fine day today. We were at Gooch Mountain shelter by 2 pm and called it quits. Keith got the "hiker of the day award" today. It was 7 am and his job is to get the water while I cook. We decided to get up so he went to get the water, came back in just a few seconds and we observed him digging in his pack and finding and putting on his headlamp. I said I thought you were going to get the water and he replied that he needed the headlamp in case it was dark down by the water source, to which I replied, Keith!! the sun is up!!Tumbleweed, I believe, has aptly named Keith, "HEADLAMP" Met and spoke with a group of section hikers out of Atlanta. One of them said that they had never actually met someone who had hiked from Georgia to Maine before, to which I replied, you still haven't!! Great bunch of people. I am already beginning to realize how much "noise" is and has been in my life. Out here you have lots of time to think. The world and your life, as it has been to you, begins to fall away, the noises become distant, and you begin to see the real substance of your life popping up through the slowly receding tide of your life's busyiness. I am actually quite surprized and how quickly this process has begun. I'd imagined this might take some months. More on these thoughts later....
Date: 2005-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Still trying to catch up these entries. Thur. 2/17 went into Helen to see Dr. Have contacted bronchitis, so got some meds and will be back on trail Monday. Beautiful little German town. Thanks alot to Dr. Denise Workman of Country Way Family Practice for working us into her busy schedule and taking such good care of Headlamp and I. Also, thanks to Ground Zero Hair Salon in Helen, for the really good deal on by buzz cut. A picturesqe little town that you really should see sometime.
Date: 2005-02-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Left Helen and got on the trail today. We covered some 12 miles today, but alas, one new challenge has reared it's head. I pulled my right calf muscle pretty badly today. I can walk on the level and down hill, but if I try to push off with my right foot while climbing, I get a sharp pain all the way of my calf into my right hamstring. Made it to the shelter tonight. (Deep Gap) Met up with Evil Kinevel and Night Walker and ? can't remember the CPA to be's name. Got to the shelter in the rain and it rained all night. Coyotes woke me up around 1 pm. Boy! were they ever making a racket. The roving mouse brigrade devoured Headlamp's pack towel last night. They really did a number on it. Hit the rack early, was cold and wet.The Great Whazoo - out
Date: 2005-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Quite a day today. Once again my cooking expertise shone through. NOT!! Headlamp and I decided to have a hot drink for lunch so we stopped in at Tray Mountain shelter. By way of a little background. I am a single man who has somewhere between "0 and none" cooking abilities. I was boiling the water for the drinks and when it was time to remove the pot I grabbed the pot handles with my right hand (i forgot that i did not extend the pot handles outward during the heating procedure) I fried my right hand and let out a yelp. I then immediately grabbed the pot handles with my left hand (must have thought - "not"- that they would be cool by now- once again I fried my left hand, accompanied by yet another yelp. Not to be outdone by this pesky pot, I immediately put on my right glove and grabbed the pot handles. Upon doing this I proceeded to burn holes in my glove before I let out another yelp. But in the end, The Great Whazoo did have his coffee and all ended well. Ran into Hiawassee for the night to get help with injured calf. Will go back to Blueberry Hostel in the morning and then back on the trail the next day.
Date: 2005-02-26
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Got our 12 miles in by 1 pm. We're determined to not push big mileage in the beginning. Albert Mountain is a "mutha". Virtually straight up for 30 - 40 minutes. 5250 feet. Overall a good day. We are averaging 2 miles per hour. Cat (John) took my camera to the old poplar tree for some pics. My feet (dogs) were just too tired. They're getting much better. Ate supper around 2 pm. Starving!! Ate again (couple of times) before we turned in. We will go into Franklin tomorrow to resupply. More pics to come. Will try to post them next stop which should be Fontana Dam in 5 days. Expecting snow and cold tonight. Will make a judgment call in the morning.
Date: 2005-03-01
From: Haven Motel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Stayed at Hiker Haven Budget Hotel in Franklin. Great place and the best folks atound.. We consumed mass quantaties of food at all times. Met up with Thicket here. He's from NYC and is a hard charger. Also met a great older gentleman by the name of Larry Jelly, an ATC volunteer and supporter, while at the library. Great guy!!
Date: 2005-03-03
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to 18 degrees. Needless to say, we got out of camp fast and got moving. Got to NOC for a much coveted lunch by 1:30 pm. Ate with Heidi, Feather, Headlamp, Boomerang. We all proceeded to "pig-out" in grand fashion. Stayed over one night in the hostel. very nice accomodations. Mark moved on as well as Jeremy. Mark was a very interesting guy who was a high school principal for 29 years, retired, is now hiking the AT, and then has taken a job in Berlin as a high school principal. Picked up our bounce box with my much desired Down Jacket. (it's my true friend at this time). Hung out in a huge "common area" in the evening and got to meet alot of white water rafters who were at the NOC for some rafting training.
Date: 2005-03-04
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Hike up a huge, steep hill today for 4 hours. Ugh! Sources say, "you're not in trail shape yet!!!" Had lunch and dinner and dessert in a 2 hour span, but alas, we were still hungry. Feather, Heidi, Headlamp, Boomerang
Date: 2005-03-05
To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

mile marker 149.3. Unofficially named the unnamed cliff, "The Great Whazoo" cliff. This cliff comes completed with a naturally built 5-holer privy with a spectacular view. Pics will be up soon. Met 2 guys from Wake Forest Univ. by the names of Ken Bennett (campus photographer) & Tim Auman (campus chaplain). Two of the greatest fellows you would ever want to meet. They both new a local guy from little Lucas, Tx. that used to be in my youth group at FUMC of Lucas. What a coincidence! Ken gave me another photo card for my camera. Both guys shared a lot of hiking know-how with us and even prepared for us a delicious refried bean, veggie taco mix, and tortilla dish. Unbelieveable!! Feather, Heidi and Boomerang went ahead of us.   They'll meet up with us again, probably at Hiker Inn.
Date: 2005-03-06
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Hikers Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Got to Fontana Dam at 2 pm and called for the Hiker Inn to pick us up. Great couple, Jeff and Nancy. We "unofficially" named a couple of locations along the trail today. More on this later. Had a "reunion dinner" with Feather, Heidi, Bill and Bandit, & Boomerrang & his lovely wife. All you can eat Chinese buffet. Sweet! Oh yes, and by the way, if you're interested in a sure-fire diet program, come hike the AT everyday and eat all you can get your hands on. In the first 3 weeks I've lost 25 pounds. At this rate I should be at 25 pounds in no time. Later. God is Good.,
Date: 2005-03-07
From: Hiker Inn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a 0 day & watching the weather. Bill, Heidi, Feather, Headlamp, and I hung out in town for the day. Did the library, shopping, and, oh yes, lots of eating. Jeff from the Hiker Inn dropped us off at 11 am for an all you can eat pizza buffet. Around 3 pm we all found ourselves sitting out in front of Ingles (a grocery store) with 2 hours before a ride back to the Inn was to arrive. So there we sat on the sidewalk, eating cereal, Cadbury eggs, and various other things for the next 2 hours, while 2 "locals" semi-entertained us with comments on passersby. We may play cards tonight back at the Inn. By the way, can't say enough good things about Jeff and Nancy at the Hiker Inn. Great hosts and peeps.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Can't remember

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, as you all know, I'm a little behind on the journaling and pics. Just got into Gatlinburg, TN and will hopefully get caught up today or tomorrow. We went 10 hard miles today to be able to get into town. By our unsolicted and unprofessional conjectural emendation it snowed somewhere around 1 foot last night with very high, and I might add, howling winds. There were 5 of us who stayed in the shelter last night. We decided to stick together and take turns breaking a new trail. (glad we did) We crossed over what I believe is the highest point on the AT, Clingmans Dome, around 6600', today. We had to blaze a trail through 4 1/2' to 5'snow drifts. It was quite a workout. When we got to Clingmans Dome, we (Headlamp, Jill, Gel, Bill, and myself)all decided to go up to the observation deck to take in the view. The wind was mighty and the cold was, well, "cold", so we didn't stay too long. Jill, a guy, so named because he is hiking with his dog Jack & Headlamp were standing on some ice atop the observation deck, and the wind literally slid them across the concrete. Now Headlamp is probably only around 120 lbs., but Jill goes about 260. Enough said about the velocity of the wind. So we fought the snow most of the day, but alas, now we're in Gatlinburg, and have just consumed mass quantaties of food at the Texas Road House. (ah!! a little of home, even if in name only). Just want to send a HOWDY!! to everyone back home and everywhere across the land. i.e. Branch Store (Mo, Larry, Vicki, Greg, John, Jimmy, Thomas, Merrill, Bob, Al, and everyone else that I can't think of now, First United Methodist of Lucas-you all know who you are, my family and friends, all you who have sent me little notes-they mean a lot. Darrell-my dear brother. Well, a couple of days r&r and then we're back on the trail. Can't believe all of the wonderful and amazing peeps that I've met so far, on and off the trail. Just today a wonderful family picked us up and took us 17 miles into Gatlinburg, right to the door of our motel. You guys are amazing and we really appreciate all you did for us. I'll try to post the pics of you guys tomorrow. Well, The Great Whazoo grows weary, so I guess I'll sign off for now. Thanks and God bless all of you.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Pecks Corner S.

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Still rough hiking on the old feet. Frozen and refrozen ice and slush. Scenery is beautiful. We'll be out of the Smokies by tomorrow night. We'll bedtaying at Standing Bear Hostel tom. night. Headlamp is beginning to show signs of abuse. Abuse, that is, of me. He's trying to get me to do some of his water chores, like handing him water bottles. I'm appalled!!
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light snow

Great place to stay. Highly recommended. Curtis-proprietor & Snapper provide a great place to crash, recoop, etc. Hiker friendly to the max. Good to be out of the Smokies. (I echo Boomerang's sentiments) Pulling out around 6:30 am tom. Curtis is looking for some "work for stay" peeps at the hostile. Always has some work to do around the place. Lots of peeps here tonight: Gel, Headlamp, Lizard, Feeble Kenevel, Whiskers, Eric, Ross, Scarecrow, etc.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Ground Hog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light snow

Got in early today. Just cuz. Made a huge fire with Gel, Headlamp. Bailey, Cat and Bill & Bandit came in later. Great time getting to know Bailey. Seems like I already knew her from her journals. Now the plot thickens and becomes somewhat weird!! Bailey began by drying & warming her feet by the fire. After a while she began drying her socks by holding them near the fire. (note of caution: hikers are professionals, kids, don't try this at home) Eventually the unmentionable happened, Baily dropped her one sock into the fire. We all went into a (controlled) panic mode and I grabbed a hiking stick and removed the sock from the fire with seemingly little damage. Then the story become somewhat bizarre. Bailey began to rub the violated sock around her face, over her lips, and constantly sniffed the aforementioned footwear. This led Cat to find a forked stick and he began drying 2 socks at one time. Long story short, Bailey ended up dropping another sock into the fire, The Great Whazoo burnt the toes out of 2 of his socks and ultimatly Bailey's 2 socks were laid to rest, via cremation. A moment of silence was observed by all.
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: Old Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice hike today. Went over Max Patch today. What an awesome view!! Met Smilin Joe who thru hiked, I believe in 95 or 96. He was just wandering around Max Patch, oblivious to the cold, just enjoying life. Got into camp early and then it happened. HIKER OF THE DAY ALERT!! Headlamp had just finished eating his mac & cheese & tuna. He was sitting out front on a bench washing out his pot. Earlier we had hung a clothes line and hung our wet clothes out. Without looking, Headlamp, after scrubbing his pot, threw out the dirty, macroniey, dish water and lo and behold it flew right into his green sweater hanging on the line. It was a Kodak moment indeed!! I thought I'd never stop laughing. Sunday morning we'll be in Hot Springs eating breakfast.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Old Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got into town around 1:30 pm. Met Doc Holiday last night and again in town. Had a nice dinner ant the Mountain Cafe. Had an enjoyable night in the town bar. They had an enclosed outside area with a band that described themselves as a mountain swing band. Very good. Good eats and lots of thru hikers congregated. Nice family atmosphere. Will check with outfitter tom. Having probs with pack hurting my back. Moving to Elmers tom. He was full today..Stayed had a little cabin on the river.
Date: 2005-03-21
To: Elmers
Miles today: 0.0

Taking another day to get mail drop, spend much needed time at the library, post cards, journals, etc. Gel pulled out today. Got to meet Stumpknocker today in the library. Told him I felt like I already knew him from reading his journal for such a long time. That's about all my catching up for now. Pics are still on the way. The library here does not have the capacity for me to load my pics onto trailjournals. I'll do it soon.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Elmers

To: Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Near freezing today, turned colder and rainy. Shelter is facing South into the storm. "It's all good!!" We turned the picnic table on edge and tied it to the shelter to prevent the wind and rain from coming in. Newlyweds, Senor Nobs, stayed with us in this humble abode. The abode was to humble for Bill and Bandit, so they moved on. God is good!!
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Day began rainy and cold-turned sunny & warm- then turned cold and rainy again. In camp by 3:30 pm. 8:30 in the morning brought excitement and salivatory emissons from our oral cavities. Just before a road we saw a sign that offered trail magic at some former thru-hikers house (Fal & Hercules) just 300 yards down the road. Turns out they were our brother and sister in the Lord. We timidly knocked on their door at 8:30 am, hoping that it was not to early on the one hand, but yet, on the other hand, we were too starving to let this bother us. We were greeted warmly and generously. We partook in coffee, hot chocolate, chicken soup, freshly made cinamon rolls, pie, ice cream, etc. A meal fit for a hiker king! Thanks so much guys for your generosity and kindness. It won't be forgotten. Hey!! Guess what!! Wore my kilt for the first time today while hiking. Awesome!! Pics to come soon.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: HEADLAMP SPRING (unofficial) mile # 314.9
Miles today: 17.7

Biggest mileage day for Headlamp and I to date. We are just this week starting to feel really good and in shape. One more night on the trail, and then Erwin (translation: lots of food to eat and maybe a shower and laundry) in that order. Got pics of the kilt today. Will get them on this site asap.