morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-14
To: T-6 and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I have repacked my pack for the 5th time.   Got a final weight - 43lbs.Not very happy about it - I think I got rid of everything that I can. But, at this point who knows.I wish I had been more knowledgeable when I bought my tent and pack.   I like the tent, but it weighs in at 4lbs (3.8 probably) and the pack itself weighs in at 6.   Probably could have gone with a different lighter pack. We'll know in a few days.Bagged a couple of my tuna packages - I was reading on line about the smell after you have eaten it. Never even thought about it - I guess I will have to try to rinse them really well. Wrapping up things here at home. Got a couple more people to visit and then will relax tomorrow before I head over to Albany.The one thing that I am most excited about is travelling north with the migrating birds. That will be really sweet.
Date: 2007-03-15
To: Heading out
Miles today: 0.0

Well, today is my last day in town.   I will be leaving this afternoon for Albany.   My flight to Atlanta is at 6am and I really didn't want to have to get up and drive over so very early.So, we are staying at a hotel and I will take a shuttle over to the airport at 4:30am.   Still early, but not quite as early if I had to drive.Still worrying about my gear weight.   Hopefully, my bad knee will take the weight.   The key is to go slow. Just got to tell myself that once I am out there.I will update again from the great state of Georgia.....Maybe, I can talk my brother in law Stephen into coming and being my sherpa - 40lbs for him would be nothing....
Date: 2007-03-17
To: Made it to GA
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I finally made it to Georgia.   It was a very long day.   Had a longer layover in Chicago than I thought, plus, I had to change airlines and ended up walking through multiple terminals trying to find my way to the Delta terminal.Had quite a scare when I landed. Only one of my bags came out. The giant hockey bag which contained my pack didn't show up. Waited and Waited and Waited. My sister showed up to get me and we decided to head to the luggage service area.   The line was a mile long - not a good sign.I happened to look up at another carousel and noticed a sign that said sports bags would come out at #10. So, we took a chance and went over to #10 and there it was.   I must say my heart skipped a beat.Well, it is a little chilly here today - only in the 40's. Hopefully, it will warm up next week when I start.Speaking with my brother in law last night - he just doesn't understand why anyone would want to walk 2K miles. Keeps saying - if you could hunt or fish or have some other purpose - he would get it. But, just to walk. Nope.
Date: 2007-03-18
To: T-2 and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Two more days until I hit the trail.   Starting to get a little nervous.   I think I am getting nervous mainly about my pack weight. I think I would feel much better if it were under 40. Needed to do something today to burn off some energy, so I helped my brother in law stack lumber. It was a work out. Spent the rest of the day relaxing.Tomorrow, I will spend the day relaxing and repacking my pack and doing the final weigh in.   I hope to get on the trail by 10 or 10:30 on Tuesday. Since our starting point will be the FS RD 42 - the folks are thinking about hiking the 1.8 miles up to Springer and back.   They want to get the pictures of the start and then they can get them to my partner to post.   Otherwise, it will be a while until I can get the pictures posted.One more day - hard to believe.   Been thinking about it for more than a year, been really planning it for more than 6 months and been preping for a few weeks.   And, only one more day until I am off.   Very exciting.My brother in law got me some bear spray. Not sure about it, but I will take it.
Date: 2007-03-19
To: Ready, Set, Go......
Miles today: 0.0

OK - let the fun begin. Can't believe that I am starting tomorrow. Ooh, we.Had a really relaxing day today. The weather here in Rome was very nice. Probably hit the 70's. But, rain is in the forcaste for tomorrow. Hopefully, if it does rain - it will hold off so I get a little bit up the trail.Got my pack packed up - the final weight did come in at 43lbs. Should make for an interesting first few days.The hospitality here in GA was wonderful. Spent two days with my sister, Kel and the last two days with my father and mother. Always, a nice visit when I am here. And, this time there were lots of questions to answer - so it was even more fun. And, even more animals to get to know - new pig, a few new dogs, and Lucy.   Who is too cute and too ugly all at the same time.   I am getting a little nervous. Hopefully, I will be able to sleep tonight. Gonna have a lite breakfast in the AM and then we will be heading out to Springer. It is about 90 miles total to the parking lot at FS Rd 42.   I hope that the pilot and co-pilot are ready for the fun drive over.   We will be coming from North West GA, to North East GA.   My last thoughts are that I hope that my hike lasts longer than one of the promos at work.    An inside joke for all my work friends.Thanks to all my family, friends, and co-workers who have been so supportive.   I hope that it brings me the strength to make it all the way to ME and if not ME than at least back home to Mass.
Date: 2007-03-20
From:  Springer

To: Hawk Mtn Selter
Miles today: 7.6

well, finally got on the trail. We did end up leaving at 8 am, but it took us longer to get there than expected. Got a little lost. Finally made it there and took the 1.8 mile hike up to springer with the folks & Kel. Got on the trail about 12:30. Made it to Hawk shelter by 4:00. The highlight of the inital trip was seeing a grouse sitting on the road up to Springer.Set up camp away from the shelter and starting cooking diner around 5:30. Stove was acting up. But, I have since learned that that is the normal behavior. Ended up eating couscous. It was way too much - had it for diner, for breakfast and for lunch. Already sick of it.Met up with Danielle, Alan, Phil, and Dave.Nice group. Lots of people at the first shelter.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept pretty good last night. Got a treat in the middle of the night. Woke up to both owls and coyotes. Gotta let Stephen know his owl call is right on.Broke camp and was hiking by 8:30. It was really tough hiking today compared to yesterday. My hips are killing me and a few toes. But, no blisters.Saw some turkey vultures soaring today. Also, saw some daphodiles in the middle of no where.Pulled into Gooch shelter around 2:49. Stopped quite a few times. The pack is very heavy. Finally got the stove working good. Too much food again. Just not hungry. Had soup, tea and a meal in a bag. The owls are at it again. My knees and hips are still very sore.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had more owls again last night. It was a little cooler, and I slept better.Decided that I need my supply queen to ship me my watch. I thought I could get by by using the phone clock, but you have to turn it on to see the time and it makes too much noise.Today was a tough day. Went over 12 miles. Had some really good views today. At least that was worth it. Saw more turkey vultures.At the shelter tonight - Dave (sad sack), Andrew (drift wood), Danielle (her partner already quite), and Phil. It was a really nice shelter and it was only a few of us.Passed a woman with a portuguese water dog. Dog was not very friendly. Stopped for lunch at Woody Gap and then had another 7 miles to go. It was very tough - I think I will be dropping some weight when I get to Neels Gap.Had to hike .5 miles from the trail to the shelter. Set up my tent and then go back .25 miles to get water. Only ate oatmeal, tea & tuna for diner. Didn't feel like going back to get more water to wash the pot.Saw some juncos, and a hairy & red bellied wood pecker
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap (Walasi)
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, made it to my first real stop. NO internet, so I have to wait until the next town to upload some info. Think I will see if the supply queen can get me pocket email. Everyone seems to use it to update daily.Had to go about 5 miles today. It was up Blood Mtn. Wonderful views from the top. Left about 8:30 and made it to the Walasi Center by noon. Did what they call a bag shake down and went through my whole pack. It wasn't pretty. The guy was nice, but told me to get rid of a lot of stuff. Got a new stove, new pot and drops for filtering. Sent home one pair of pants, one top, my binos, radio and cards. I debated about the binos, but I have yet to use them. Hopefully, they make it home in one piece. I will decide if I want to have them sent back.Picked up my drop box - too much food. Sent some ahead into NC.It was a beautiful day today. Did laundry, took a shower. Some people who left Lousiana during the hurricane, have set up a business and cater to the people staying at the hostel. All you can eat spagetti. It was good.All the people I have been hiking with have made it this far and none of us is ready to quit. Have meet lots of nice people.Will be staying in the hostel here tonight. My left knee is sore and my left shoulder. But other than that pretty good.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Some where after Low Gap

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Was too tire to write yesterday. We decided to push passed Low Gap shelter and ended up in a site in the middle of no where. Had to go down an embankment to get water. And, without the filter the water had tons of floaters in it. Yuk. Decided I want my filter back.The day was tough - up and down some serious mountains. It was hot (over 80) and very difficult. Lots of nice views.Stopped at Blue Mtn Shelter today. Went about 6 miles. Met a guy (vermont Pete) who showed me how to use my bandana to filter the floaters out of the water. Much better, but I still want to get my filter. I will have the SQ ship it to Fontana.The group is still together - Danielle, Alan, Jake (he was with us yesterday).Decided to sleep in the shelter tonight.Met Cimarron (83) and his partner Bear Bag (60+). Cimarron was calling it a day today. The heat was getting to him. He will go home and come out again later.The weather is really hot. They are saying it is not the norm. The heat is giving me heat rash on my leg and making my knee brace really sweat. Met two other guys Easy (41) and Ticker (68). Nice guys. Easy is funny - reminds me of my brother Paul. Very funny.Met a couple of day hikers - father & daughter from Atlanta. The father is a prosecutor. A woman came in with two dogs (first met them at Walasi). One dog was not good. She is getting off the trail and the father offered to driv e her to his vet in Atlanta. The dogs made me miss mine, but it was very sad. The poor thing could barely walk.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Sassasfras Gap
Miles today: 12.2

The night in the shelter went ok. But, was woken up at 5 by a mouse trying to get out of a milk jug. Dumped him out. He was the biggest mouse I have ever seen. Yuk.Slept next to Cimarron. He went to bed at 7 and didn't move until 7am. Left around 8:00 - made it to Unicoi by 9:30. Got my first trail magic today. Ox (trail in 97) - was there with a cooler filled with soda and another with cookies. I had a Mountain Dew and a few Oreos. It was nice.Pushed on before everyone else. I was pretty much alone all day. Stopped at the Cheese Factory for lunch. I have decided that my whole left side is bogus. Bad knee, bad shoulder, heat rash from my ankle up to my knee. We had planned to push to Addis Gap so that we would have a short hike into town. At about 5 - I was dead. I decided to make camp. There was nobody around, but the woman with the portuguese water dog came up. We went and got water and she kept going. I think she did because the dog keeps growling at people. I wasn't sure about being alone, but figured it was going to happen at some point. About 1 hour later - as I was setting up camp Vermont Pete showed up, then Easy and Ticker and about 10 minutes later Danielle and finally around 7 - Alan. We ate and had a nice fire.Learned too more tricks. Too cook noodles or macoroni - you just boil the water and add it to a ziplock with noodle and zip it up and shake it up. 15 minutes later. Done. Great and saves on fuel.Trick #3 - when going down hill let the pack go back (loosen the load lifters).   Saw a woodcock today.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Sassasfras Gap

To: Dicks Creek
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We packed up around 8 to make the short (ha, ha) trip into Dicks Creek.Made it here by 11. Lone Wolf showed up and drove us to the hostel. The place is really nice. People everywhere. Trout farm. Caught trout for diner tonight.I got my own room with a double bed. It will be heaven. I got my drop box. Way too much food. I will go through it later and will see what I need to bring. I am hoping to go 11+ tomorrow. We'll see.Alan (duct tape - has too many blisters so his feet are taped up) and Danielle (bottlecap - she collects them) have decided to say a day. They both need new boots. Will get a ride either to Franklin or to Walasi.So, I will move on with a new group of people. Hopefully, I will meet up with some more people.Will write again later.   Happy TrailsLots of drinking and partying at the cloud 9. Everyone was having a great time. They bought more beer than they did food at the grocery store.   The rest of this stay at the hostel was very stressful. I turned in my laundry at 11 am and it didn't show back up until 11pm. Not good for the type A planner that I am. Ended up staying up past midnight to get it dried because I wanted to leave early in the AM. Finally, got to sleep and all was well.Up early in the AM and out on the trail by 8:30 or 9:00.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Dicks Creek

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

It was another long, tough day on the trail. Thought about stopping at the first shelter, but kept on going. Met a few new people today (babysteps, wizard, Pippi & Buttercup). The portuguese water dog & her owner started out with me, but I never saw her again that day. She was doing about 10 miles per day.The dog was very friendly at the hostel, but still not so on the trail. Must be me. On the way to the trail the hostel owner said that we should stop at Bly Gap because the last 3 miles to the shelter was all up hill. I debated stopping and planned on doing so.I reached the NC/GA bounder at about 3:15. And Bly Gap by 3:35, so I decided to push on to the shelter. When I got to the shelter, there already was a guy there and Ox (who was the trail angel from Unicoi) was hiking with me. He actually took my picture at the border.   We ran into some hiking club members doing some trail work. Not easy - they have to hike in with all the equipment and then out. My pack feels heavier than before. I think I have too much food. At some point, the SQ and I will get it down pat. At least I and my back hope so.I set up my tent away from the shelter - and had to do my first solo bear bag. What a treat. Took me a while to get the rope up in the tree, but I finally did it. Yippee
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Today, was a day of firsts. Went to bed around 9pm and woke up. I thought it was time to get up - turned on the phone and and it was only 11:57. This happens a lot to me. I think I go into a deep sleep and then - wake up and think it is time to get up.Day of firsts:1. First scary bridge crossing.2. First snake on the trail.3. First yellow violets - never seen them before4. First day hiking in the rain. Not fun.Starting hiking at 9 and got to the shelter at 3:15. Didn't really stop because of the rain. Got cold real quick. Got the stove going and made some tea to try to warm up. Didn't really see anyone today, except for OX. But, he ended up getting off the trail (section hiking) before the shelter. Finally, 3 people showed up. They were at the same shelter last night, but put their tents up away from it, so I never really got to talk to them.   Three guys - Mangrove, Jay Beard, and Dash. Nice kids. A couple of others finally showed up - who were at the Cloud 9 the same night I was. Plus, some new kid from Westchester who's family has a home on Stockbrige Bowl. Small world.   His trail name is Young & Dumb. Just out of high school. Critters today : snake, grouse (3), flicker, red squirrel and brown creeper.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Campsite North of Wayah Bald
Miles today: 10.5

John showed up right on time.   It turned out that we had already met. He was one of the guys doing trail work when I crossed into NC. Very nice.He has been involved in hiking since 1983. Does the maintenance on the section near where I first saw him. He had the cutest little doxens in the car with him (Ruby & Jack). They were very friendly and gave out lots of kisses.Turns out that he knew Mark Noepel. Mark was a high school classmate of mine who died while hiking in the trail back in the 80's. They never really knew what happened. They thought maybe he was bitten by a snake. There is a shelter named after him below Mt. Greylock. Small world again.I was worried that I was not going to be able to get in the 10 miles that I wanted because I got a late start. But, I ended up making it to the site by 6pm. No real bird activity today, but I did run into 3 stray huskies inside the top of the Wayah Bald Fire Tower. Wierd.At the site there were already 4 people there and soon there after another 4 showed up. Spending the night in Franklin didn't really cost me any time. So, I am glad that I did it.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Campsite North of Wayah Bald

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

It poured all night long, but my tent held up pretty good. But, it was soaked.The rain finaly let up at about 7am, so I jumped up and got ready to go. Figured it was going to be easier to back while it wasn't pouring. My plan today is to go 11.1 miles to Wesser Bald Shelter. It poured hard until around noon. Even though I had my raingear and gaiters on - I was soaked. From the inside out and from the outside in.   Yuk.I made it to the shelter around 12:35, so I decided to keep going to the next shelter around 5.1 miles away. Seemed fitting to get to the next shelter - named A. Rufus Morgan (after a Episcopal Reverend). I made it to the next shelter around 3:55 and decided to keep going on down to NOC.I had this feeling that there was not going to be any room. And, I was right.No room at the inn. The people at NOC called another place for me. It was called the Camp Town Cabins. Pretty sparse and not cheap. Not very good, but it was better than sleeping in the rain in a wet tent. I am a little ahead of schedule - so tomorrow I can go to my scheduled stop for the day.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The cabin caretaker was a trip. He runs the joint for some people that own it in Kansas. It has about 10 cabins and I was the only person there. No hot water to begin with, but he got it going. His truck was a dump. Garbage in and out. As well as mud all over the inside. Must do a lot of 4 wheeling.He finally showed up at 9 and brought me back down to NOC. I had mailed myself a box from Nells Gap. Went through it and got rid of stuff like oatmeal and poptarts. Still carrying way too much food.Coming out of NOC it was 6 miles straight up. Very difficult. It took me 4 hours to make it to the Sassafras Gap shelter which was my intented stop. It was a nice day, so I decided to push on. Ran into some people - Diesel, Scholar, and 2 other guys. All but Diesel I had met early on in the trip.The best meeting was Tiger. He is a little 5lb Pomeranian who is hiking with his owner from Dicks Creek to Fontana Dam. He is all shaved and is so cute - the hike doesn't seem to bother him at all. Once I decided to keep going I got worried that I wouldn't make it before dark. And, I don't like surprises - very plan oriented. It was about 7 miles to Stecoah, a few steep ups, but mostly downs.   The downs can actually be harder to do than the ups.I heard from some boy scouts that there was trail magic at Stecoah, so I kept on pushing. Ran into a guy named Mark who was hiking from Helen to Damascus. Not your typical hiker. Was wearing sweats and sneakers. Didn't really have any equipment or food. Actually fasted for the first 7 days. I have not really eaten, but not because I didn't want to. He talked for about 5 miles non stop.Finally reached the Gap and there was trail magic. Bare Bear and Jelly Bean from 06 have camped out there for 2 weeks and are serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They had food, soda, snacks, the works. I ended up having a hamburg, baked beans, cucumbers and 2 diet sodas. And a banana.Going further today puts me that much closer to Fontana Dam. We set up our tents around the corner on a closed fire road. Really bright night because of the full moon.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Marina
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up around 6:45 and tore down camp. I headed back down to hiker magic and had some fruit loops. Haven't had cereal in weeks. Got on the trail by 8:05. It was a hellish 2.4 mile hike out of the Gap. Very difficult.Kept hiking to Cable Gap Shelter. Reached there about 12:45 - stayed and ate some lunch and decided to push ahead to Fontana. Mainly because everyone at the shelter said it was going to rain tonight and I did'nt want to get caught in it if I didn't have to.   Out from the shelter was another tough 2 miles up hill climb and then 4 something down in to Fontana. Quite a few logs that I had to try to get up and over. The logs never seem to be low enough for my short, fat legs. Very difficult to get over. All, I can think about is that I will fall off onto my back and be stuck there like a turtle on it's shell. "Help I've fallen and I can't get up". Not a pretty sight.Coming down into Fontana was nice. Some great views through the trees of Fontana Dam and the Lake.With the rain, the leaves have started to pop. A whole lot of wild flowers were blooming and the fragrance was wonderful. I don't really know flowers, so I don't know what they are.I made it down to the marina by 4:30. I thought about hiking to the next shelter and coming into town in the AM, but decided that if I came in tonight - I could just take tomorrow as the zero day. Zero day means no hiking. Then I can get back on the trail the day after. I am about 1 day ahead of schedule.2 weeks into it and 161.5 miles with many more left.Will be spending the 4th at the Fontana Lodge and will be moving out on the 5th
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Fontana Dam Marina

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Today, was a long day, but not very difficult. A couple of climbs and some descents.   It was really cold today. Sunny, but cold and windy.Got to the shelter around 4:45 and two guys were already there.   Met them at the village.Had some really nice views today.   Young & dumb almost lost his camera over the cliff. He pulled it out and it went over. We heard it falling and finally it stopped. He had to climb down about 25ft to get it. Pretty scary.Saw a deer, a red tailed hawk, chicadees, and juncos. It is very cold. Supposed to be in the 20's tonight. Hopefully, I will be warm enough.