morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-27
To: Preparation #2
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Two days until we leave for Georgia. Got the last mail order package in the mail today. Splurged on an icebreaker shirt for both Jim and I. I love their stuff! I check the weather several times a day to make sure it hasn't changed. As of right now we are looking at great weather although Im sure it will be soggy from all the melting snow. The weather has been crazy for those who started the trail early. From reading other trail journals (my obsession) I have heard that a lot of people are quitting and going home due to the weather.Its very sad because I think its about to change and get much better. I am very fortunate. I really wanted to start earlier because I want to be able to take a few days off when my daughter is home from Germany in May. However, Laura (my daughter) called me in February to see if I wanted to meet her in Ireland and since Ireland has been on my "places to see and things to do" list for almost as long as the Appalchian Trail I couldnt pass it up. We had a great time and I missed all the snow. A double blessing.Technically we didnt miss all the snow. We did a short hike on the AT in early March through some pretty deep snow.It was very hard to navigate through so much snow but it was beautiful.I am praying every day for the hikers that have been out there in the snow and ice. Speaking of blessings, how lucky am I that I get the opportunity to do this!
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Preparation #3

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We're here! We arrived at Amicalola Falls State Park around 2 o'clock. We had time to check out the falls and the visitor center. The falls are beautiful, the stairs...not so much, lol. 604 is a lot of stairs!! We are staying at the lodge tonight, enjoying our last night in a comfy bed for a couple of nights. We will check in at the visitor center tomorrow and hike the approach trail to Springer Mountain Shelter. Wish us luck or better yet, keep us in your prayers. Thankful today for the sacrifice Jesus made for me.
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a great stay at The Lodge at Amicalola Falls State Park. Got up bright and early and headed to the visitor center. Signed in as hiker 718 for 2013. We weighed our packs and I was pleasantly surprised my pack only weighed 25 lbs with food and water. We took our picture under the arch and headed for the approach trail. We parked at the lodge to avoid the 604 steps up the falls. When we arrived at the parking lot for Springer Mountain it was like a party atmosphere. We were met by Mountain Squid, a former thru hiker who was just out there to greet and offer assistance. We had a nice conversation with him and two other thru hikers, Bootless and Kat. We deemed them overachievers since they had done the 604 stairs on the approach trail. We wondered if that made us underachievers but they decided we could just be achievers since we did do the approach trail just not the stairs. Made it to Springer Mountain and signed the register. Allen, the gentleman who took our picture at the top, also signed the register right after us. As it turns out Allen lived in our town many years ago less than a mile from where we live. How random is that? Our goal for the day was the Springer Mountain Shelter but we felt so good we went on to Stover Creek Shelter were we pitched our tent. I don't think the shelter was very crowded but there were lots of tents. Had good time around the fire until it started to rain. Today I am thankful for a nice dry tent when it's raining outside. It was a good day!
Date: 2013-03-31
From: stover Creek Shelter

To: Justus Creek Campsite
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Happy Easter!! It was strange not being in church on Easter Sunday. We got rained on most of the night but our tent stayed dry. It was also very windy. It took us awhile to pack up since everything was wet. My small piece of sham wow really came in handy. The day was beautiful except for about 1.5 hours of rain during our walk. We crossed over Hawk Mountain, Sassafras Mountain and Justus Mountain. We crossed the wooden bridge over Justus Creek and headed up the stairs to our campsite. Started to rain as we were setting up camp but we were able to keep the tent dry. We were pretty wet but it was nice to have nice warm sleeping bags to get in. It was a long day with lots of up hill but it was still a good day. Today I am thankful for my risen savior on this different Easter Day.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Justus Creek Campsite

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was an easy day. It didn't matter that we were packing up wet because we were going to a hotel and could dry everything out there. We had made arrangements with Wes Wisson to pick us up at Woody Gap at 6 because we thought we would hiking 13 miles today. Since we exceeded our daily goal everyday we only had 6.1. It was a beautiful warm spring day. We stopped along the way to watch some hawks (I think they were hawks) swooping over the mountains. We also found a nice campsite to kick back and enjoy our tuna fish wraps for lunch. We arrived at Woody Gap at 3 o'clock to find trail magic. An outdoor club was set up passing out drinks, chips and fruit. We enjoyed a sprite. Lucky for us, Wes Wisson arrived to pick up other hikers and they were nice enough to let us squeeze in with them so we didn't have to hang around until 6. Turns out those hikers were parked right next to us in the lodge parking lot so it worked out very well. Picked up our car and headed to Dahlonega to find a hotel. We stayed at the Days Inn. Drove in to Historic Downtown Dahlonega for dinner and ate at The Porterhouse. It was delicious and Dahlonega is a quaint little town. This is my kind of roughing it! Today I am thankful for great food and service in quaint little towns that I never would have visited if not for this trail.
Date: 2013-04-02
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was the day I set out on my own. Yep, I was a little nervous. I was sure Jim and I could fight a bear together but not so sure I could do it alone. I was up early to make sure everything had dried out. I packed up and we headed out. Stopped at Chick-fil-a for breakfast and then Jim dropped me at Woody Gap, our stopping point yesterday. Jim went off to do some laundry and take my pack to Neels Gap. I got to hike without a pack today. What a treat and a big difference. It was very cold at 8:20 in the morning but I was able to move fast without the extra weight and warmed up quickly. This was the most scenic day yet. Made me sad that Jim missed it. Went over Blood Mountain, the highest point on the AT in Georgia. The climb up didn't seem that bad but the climb down was pretty rocky and steep.the view from the top was spectacular. There is an old stone shelter at the top. It's pretty cool. I was very grateful to have my hiking poles on the decent. I ran into Allen, who took our picture on Springer, on the way down. Got to Woody Gap about 1:20 and checked out Mountain Crossing Outfitters. The Appalachian Trail actually goes through the outfitter. Did some shopping while we were there. They have some very cool souvenirs plus any gear you might need for your hike. Jim had already reserved me a cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins. I know, your thinking "oh yeah, she is really roughing it" lol but there is a term on the trail, HYOH ( hike your own hike.) that's what I'm doing and I will shower every chance I get. We drove into Blairesville and had a late lunch. Jim brought me back to the cabin and headed home to hold down the fort there. My pack seems much heavier since Jim left. Tomorrow I will get up and walk to the trail from the cabin. Today I am thankful for a husband who will do my laundry and drive my pack to Neels Gap and also for the lovely view from the adirondack chair from the deck of my nice warm cabin.
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was a tough day. My pack felt like it weighed a ton and I had no energy. When I got to Hogpen Gap a baptist church from Carrolton Ga was set up providing trail magic. They had hot dogs, donuts, cookies, chips along with hiker supplies like bandaged and hand sanitizer. They drive 3 hours to provide this ministry to hikers. I enjoyed a hot dog and water. When I left they said a prayer with me. I am sure it was the prayer that got me the last 4.4 miles to Low Gap where I pitched my tent since the shelter was full. This walk in the woods is actually one long prayer. Its amazing how often I stop to lift up a prayer of thanksgiving for everything from that stumble you were able to catch before the fall, water turning up just when you need it or a friendly face along the way.Today I am thankful for trail magic and prayers from strangers along the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

Today the weather was brutal. It rained most of the night and the wind howled. I was fortunate to wake up early while there was a break in the rain. It was so windy my tent was mostly dry. Packed up quickly and started out. The rain started as soon as I left. It was tough walking in the wind. As the elevation went up the temperature went down. It was really cold. All the trees were covered in ice and my hands were really cold. There are a lot of areas in this section that you have to stumble over lots of rocks. Those rocks are really slippery when wet. The trail was very muddy and so was I when I was done. I made my way to Unicoi Gap where I made arrangements to be picked up by the Best Western in Helen. Yup, I'm going to a hotel again. I am just now thawing out. Helen is a cut little Alpine Village. Every building has a German theme to it and there is a pretty cool tubing river that runs through it. Now I'm trying to decide if I should take tomorrow off and let this weather pass or move on tomorrow. The weather this weekend is looking great. Today I am thankful for a nice warm hotel room and a Subway Sandwhich shop right across the street.
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Wow! What a difference a day makes. Woke up to sunshine and blue skies. I debated whether I should take a day off but it was too nice to stay put. I ran to the Dollar General to grab a few supplies and caught the shuttle back to the mountain. Didn't get started until 10:30 so it was a short 5.7 mile day. The day was beautiful and the campsite at Tray Mountain Shelter is great. I had an awsome view from my tent and a ukelele player in the tent next door. Awsome view and a musical serenade, what more can you ask for. Also saw my first deer on the trail today. Three little deer just stood in the woods and watched me walk by. Today I am thankful for the beautiful view from my tent.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early so I could watch the sun rise. I sat in the door of my tent in my sleeping bag to watch it come up because it was pretty cold outside. It was pretty awesome. I took a picture but for some reason I can't upload them to my journal. It finally got warm enough to go get my food bag off of the bear cables and I enjoyed my breakfast as the sun warmed me up. I packed up and headed out. I try to leave camp with somebody else because I'm terrified I'm going to go the wrong way and go south instead of north. It would be so easy to do and I'm sure I will before this trip is over. It wasn't a bad hike and I met some new hikers along the way. I stopped for lunch at Deep Gap Shelter but It was so far from the trail that I just went to the water source and refilled my water bottles and ate my lunch of tuna salad on a sun dried tomato basil wrap by the trail. While I was unpacking my lunch I started second guessing whether I had enough food to get me through the next 4 days. It's a very fine line between having enough and having too much. Decided I should probably go into Hiawassi and restock a few things. I texted Jim to tell him my plans and he decided to drive to Hiawassi to meet me. He called the Budget Inn to get a room and was told if I could be at the gap by three thirty they were making a pick up into town. Packed up my lunch and ran down that mountain. Got to the gap at 3:10 to find more trail magic! Enjoyed a hot dog and a sprite with some if the young people from camp last night. The people providing the trail magic had a son that did the trail last year so now they go out and provide trail magic for other hikers. Thanks to all the trail magic people!! It really is an awesome community of people. Caught my ride into Hiawassi and now I'm just waiting for my granddogs and husband to arrive.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took the day off to spend with the hubby and granddogs today. Got up and got my laundry done, conveniently right next door to our hotel room. I think I literally share a wall with the laundry room, which I might regret if somebody decides to do laundry in the middle of the night. Went to the Ingles to restock my food and they had a Starbucks. Enjoyed my first Starbucks in over a week. Then we took the dogs for a walk along a lake at Chatuge Recreation Area. They deserved a nice walk after the long drive they made to come see me for 24 hours. Decided to take Jim back to Helen, about 19 miles away, I think, to show him the town. It was bustling with people today. The dogs loved it. They got all kinds of attention from all the people passing by as Jim and I sat downtown and enjoyed our Bratwurst and French fries. It was a great day. They have all kinds of touristy German stores, bakeries and restaurants in Helen. Again, took lots of pictures but still haven't figured out why they won't upload. Finally, before Jim left I made him take me out to practice my bear bag hanging technique one more time before I head into North Carolina where they don't have cables at the shelters. I will be the first to tell you I throw like a girl so bear bag hanging is not one of my strong points. I feel pretty confidant now though. Jim and the dogs are on their way home and I think I'm going to walk to Dairy Queen for dinner. I'm Carolina bound tomorrow!!
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Dick's Creek Gap

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

Today I had Eric Church's Carolina song in my head all day. If you don't know it you should look it up. It's a great song. I'm going home to Carolina today! I got dropped off by the shuttle back at Dick's Creek Gap at about 10:00. Thats a late start for me. It was a hard day with lots of uphill but I felt good after the day off yesterday. It was also a hot day. Stopped for lunch at a quiet little campsite along the way. While I was sitting in the qiet enjoying my lunch I heard a horrendous crack followed by a horrendous thud. It was a tree falling in the forrest for no apparent reason. No wind or rain, it just fell. Kind of scary! I might need a helmet for this hike. Stopped for the night and camped right beside Muskrat Creek. I could hear the babbling stream from my tent. It did occur to me that bears might want a drink in the night but there were lots of other tents around so I felt pretty safe. I successfully hung my bear bag but I'm fairly certain if a bear really wanted my food he could have gotten it. Today I am thankful to me home in North Carolina.
Date: 2013-04-09
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Some days I wake up and have lots of energy and some days it really feels like an effort to put one foot in front of the other. I'm sure it has a lot to do with my food. I'm still trying to figure out what works best for me as far as trying to get enough calories to get me up these hills. I really don't like to cook in the morning but I'm finding out that oatmeal gives me the enrgy I need to get going so I guess I can take the 2 minutes to boil some water. Sometimes I add Carnation Instatnt Breakfast to it for the extra calories and vitamins. Today was a high energy day which probably accounts for my first fall. I am really slow on the big hills so I like to make up for it on the downhills. I was moving along pretty quiickly downhill and I guess my pole hit a soft spot along the outside edge of the trail and down I went, face first over the side. There was no stopping me. Luckly, I didn't go far. Struggled out from under my pack and climbed back up the mountain. It's okay, you can laugh. I'm sure it was pretty funny. Got a little muddy but other than that not a scratch on me. I'm telling you, God is really with me on this trip. Right after I fell, Yoshi/Machete (not sure what name he is sticking with), who by the way, reminds me of my son-in-law Dana, came along. I told him how unfortunate he was to have missed my graceful dive off the mountain. He is a nice kid and was very concerned. I assured him I was fine and he went on. About 12 feet down the trail he stopped and picked up a boot. He turned around a asked if it was mine. I assured him my boots did not fly off in my fall and we both laughed. He carried the boot down the trail and eventually found its owner. Got to camp around 4 so had time to relax for the night. Today I am thankful for the watchful eye of the Lord who protects me when I'm not being as cautious as i should.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Today started out great. It was either fairly level or downhill for the first 4 miles. I was thinking woohoo, eay day today. NOT! I hit Albert Mountain with an elevation of 5250 and there are no switchbacks. Its pretty much straight up. It was a brutally hot day. It was a very slow process getting up that mountain. Sometimes I had to throw my poles ahead of me and use every ounce of strnghth I had to pull my self over those rocks on hands and knees.It was definitely rock climbing, not hiking. It was by far the most challenging part of the trail so far but also the most rewarding. I figured if I could climb Albert Mountain I can definitely make it to Katahdin. There is a firetower at the top of the mountain and the view is spectacular. Afer that climb I passed on climbing the stairs up the tower. The view was just fine from the top of the mountain for me. I took some pictures and had a snack and tried to recuperate. The trek down the mountain was very gradual, not bad at all. The best part of the day was walking through the tunnels of old rhododendron that provided nice shade from the heat of sun. There were also parts of the trail where I was actually walking down the middle of a shallow stream. Its a very interesting trail. Stopped at Rock Gap Shelter for the night and set up camp. Today I am thankful that I made it up Albert Mountain without killing myself!
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Wayah Bald

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm pretty sure today was my favorite hike yet. It was definitely my longest hike yet. The terrain was never monotonous and the views were spectacular the whole way. And I had a light pack since Jim was slack packing for me. Without a pack its just a stroll in the woods. The day started out with a delicious breakfast at Shoney's breakfast bar. I knew the Microtel breakfast wasnt going to cut it with a seventeen mile day ahead of me. Jim dropped me off at Wayah Bald at about 9:15 and I challenged him that I would beat him to our first rendevous point 4 miles away. He was driving and I was walking. He won But I stopped today to take lots of pictures. The trail was very muddy today from the storm last night. At some points I was afraid the mud was going to cover my boots. At one point on the trail I came to a large tree across the trail and not just the trunk but the massive limb section was blocking the whole trail.I elected to go up the hill a little and under the trunk. It was a tight squeeze and I got muddy in the process but it worked. Jim met me at a road crossing for lunch and brought me a quarter pounder with cheese and fries. Best lunch I've had on the trail yet!After lunch I headed up to Wesser Bald. Its about 1.4 miles uphill but it was pretty easy without a pack. Again spectacular views.I could see a beautiful lake in the distance. There is another fire tower at the top Wesser Bald. The trail the rest of the way to the NOC was full of turns, moss covered rocks, tiny waterfalls and secret caves. The word that comes to mind to describe it is enchanting. Yeterday I was in the creepy forest and today I was in the enchanted forest. It was beautiful. Speaking of enchanted, I keep hearing a vibration or percussion type sound that comes off the mountain that almost sounds like a ball bouncing down the mountain. I have no idea what it is but Yoshi/Machete informed me that somebody told him that forest gnomes beat their drums to let the forest animals know a human is passing through. I'm going with that explanation About a mile and a quarter before I got to the NOC I looked up and saw the man of my dreams coming down the trail. Unfortunately Jim was right behind him. hahaha You know that was funny! Jim walked the rest of the way with me. We ate dinner at the Creekside Cafe at the NOC. We sat and watched the kayakers as we ate. We are staying the night here and our room is quite cozy and has a tiny balcony that overlooks the mountain. We can hear the crickets chirping from the balcony. Tomorrow is a zero day. I know this is a repeat but I am thankful for a husband who will follow me down the trail and bring me quarter pounders for lunch along the way.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a great zero day. Had a delicious breakfast at the Creekside Cafe of eggs, bacon and French toast. We decided to do a little sight seeing so we drove for a while on the Tail of the Dragon. It's a windy scenic drive with great views that is favored by motorcycle riders. It was a beautiful Saturday and the motorcycles and sports cars were out in numbers. We also checked out Stecoah Gap where Jim was planning to meet me tomorrow with my pack before heading home. I do not want to carry my fully re supplied pack the 8 miles uphill out of the NOC if I don't have to. While we were there Jim had a brilliant idea. Why not hike downhill instead of up?? I love the downhill and so far it hasn't bothered my knees too much so that's the plan for tomorrow. Jim will drive me to Stecoah. Gap and I'll hike back to the NOC. He'll pick me up at the NOC and take me back up to the gap and I'll tackle the dreaded Jacobs Ladder before stopping for the night. I decided as I pass the northbounders while I'm going south I'll just tell them I finished the climb early and thought I'd do it again Got to talk to both of my kids today which always makes it a great day. Had dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Robbinsville, resupplied at the Ingles and then off to bed. Thankful today for Jim's genius idea that will save me much huffing and puffing up that mountain. Prayers being offered up for all the hikers up ahead experiencing the dreaded stomach virus.