morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Crosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Subj:        Journal 23 March 25, 2004Date:        3/28/2004 9:09:14 AM Eastern Standard TimeFrom:        lopaka@pocketmail.comTo:        mizcahill@aol.comSent from the Internet (Details)From: Pecks Corner ShelterTo: Cosby Knob ShelterDistance covered: 12.9AT Distance covered:214.2 miles Date: 3/25 (Thursday)Again we got an early start, packed and out by 7:30 AM. We had a long day scheduled and knew there would still be a lot of ice early on. Doug slipped and fell twice on ice, not seriously hurt but the potential was there.Many, many vistas come into view. In, fact I stopped at a nice place, checked my phone, had a signal, and called my sweetie. Strange sensation to be on a mountain top in the Smokies, thru hiking the AT and be talking to your wife who is at her daughter-in-laws home in Orlando!So, what is it we thru hikers do all day? Mostly look down three feet in front of us, looking for roots, rocks, ice, where to put our hiking poles, quick glances 30 or so feet ahead to determine if; we are going up, going down, change of terrain, trees in the trail, stumps.We also ponder the placement of our hiking poles, one up, one back, side by side, push off, and on and on. All this is done in a nano second, 8 to 10 hours a day. Vistas usually stop us in our tracks, cameras come out, pictures taken. Get to shelter, claim your space, change into dry clothes, cook food, clean up, talk to fellow hikers, get pack ready for tomorrow. Discuss route with partner. Call Jeannie, if signal available, go to sleep---time 7:30PM!Many hikers here tonight, Mickey One Sock, Kinloch, Yogi and BamBam, Bunnie and Halgore to name a few, First Light, 8th Wonder---more coming in."Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Crosby Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Road
Miles today: 10.4

Subj:        Journal 24 March 26, 2004Date:        3/28/2004 9:09:18 AM Eastern Standard TimeFrom:        lopaka@pocketmail.comTo:        mizcahill@aol.comSent from the Internet (Details)From: Cosby Knob ShelterTo: Green Corner Road (mile 237.5)Destination: Standing Bear Farmmiles Traveled today: 10.4Total AT miles: 237.5 milesDate 3/25 FridayWell, we are now out of the Smokies and and moving on. However, the Smokies gently ushered us out into Davenport Gap with a God awful downhill descent that jarred knees into mush and had me crying for my mother.So, into Cosby TN, the trail turned from maintained to trash and the temp jumped into the 70's.So, from radical down hills and cool temps, to trashy trails, 20 degrees hotter, the kid began to suffer, and suffer I did. We only had 1.6 miles to Standing Bear Farm (423 487-0014) that is really a cool place but more so for a zero. Good food re-supply for two to three days to Hot Springs. They do laundry, food run, beer runs, ATM, and will take you dinner. The dinner thing just keeps you out too late at night for an early start. The compound is really cool and its only one mile or less from the AT start.Most of us opted for eating pizzas in the micro rather than dinner.Kinloch, my partner, an EMT, had a standing line of hikers who had terminal blisters waiting for treatment. I have been typing for at least one hour as he has treated four different people. Big, red, bloated blisters, all needing attention.Enough for now. This is a great spot and many hikers are here. Good night for some sleep, our cabin straddles a stream, no lights, no phone signal. Tomorrow, a very tough climb out. Ohhh, I love the AT.Miss you Jeannie "Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Green Corner Road

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 10.1

Subj:        Journal 26 March 27, 2004Date:        3/29/2004 5:11:10 PM Eastern Standard TimeFrom:        lopaka@pocketmail.comTo:        mizcahill@aol.comSent from the Internet (Details)From: Green Corner RoadTo: Brown Gap (tent)Distance: 10.1 milesAT distance: 247.6 milesDate: 3/27Fair day of hiking. Having to go slow with ankle brace, however, it seems to be working for now.It seemed everyone wanted to tent at this location. Hikers straggled in from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Tents were everywhere. My 20 year old Bibler I tent pole snapped as I was putting it up. Ducktape at least held for now, however, I also found a few more "see thru spots" that had to be taped up as well. I'm afraid it's near the end of the old Bibler.About 6:00 PM the Forest Rangers stopped and warned us of a large fire nearby. The next day, the results were very impressive, it came very close to both Roaring Fork and Walnut Mtn. Shelters.Kinloch, had blister duty, again, and was treating several hikers. Mickey One Sock was in tough shape but gritting it out.So, the night ended with visions of mountains and gaps, and wondering "Why?" am I doing this?This is a tough undertaking for those of you contemplating 2005 hikes. It's much harder than I contemplated. Even though I have almost 250 miles I wonder EVERY day about this undertaking. Unlike many this isn't a "do or die" undertaking. It is, however, a lifetime goal."Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Brown Gap

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 16.7

Subj:        Journal 27 March 28, 2004Date:        3/29/2004 5:11:14 PM Eastern Standard TimeFrom:        lopaka@pocketmail.comTo:        mizcahill@aol.comSent from the Internet (Details)From: Brown GapTo: Garenflo GapDistance:16.7 milesAT Distance: 264.3 milesDate: 3/28Today we went stupid. By that I mean covering too much distance over some very tough terrain.It started out well by getting up to Max Patch at 4,629 feet. A huge treeless, bald mountaintop with views for miles and miles. We got there on clear, blue-sky morning at 9:00 AM. Tried calling Jeannie but she had left for Church. Uploaded a few journals to her for posting.It was windy and somewhat cold so we moved onto our final destination, Walnut Mtn Shelter. Arriving somewhat early, 1:30 PM, and the fact it was built in 1938, and the call of Hot Springs, we decided to move on.One small problem stood in the way, Bluff Mountain. This is where the stupids took over. Although 4,626 feet in height, it's appropriately named. Long, steep switchbacks seemingly leading to the top were so frequent; it was as if we were being "bluffed" into one false summit after another. I was dead tired when I finally reached the top, totally drained and way too far to the next shelter, tenting was the only alternative.We eventually found an old logging road, somewhat flat and pitched our tents. I immediately called Jeannie because all I wanted to do was go to sleep. I was totally spent but only 6.6 miles to Hot Springs vice 13+. You pay a price for this sort of decision. In my next journal, I will reference three thru hikers who pulled 20 plus mile days to get to Hot Springs. One quit today, one has been here three days trying to recover, and the third who did 30--that's right, a 30 mile day, has knee that looks like a basketball. His fate is to be determined! So, Max Patch was great, the weather was great, just two hikers who got stupid and broke their no more than 10 to 12 miles per-day in rough terrain rule.Next stop, Hot Springs and only 6.6 miles to get there! Actually, we are here now but you probably know that.Toughest thing so far--missing my wife. I think of her constantly throughout the day, I know what she is usually doing and visualize her going about her day-to-day business. When I can't get phone signal, which is frequently, I get somewhat depressed. Oh well, one day at a time, one short goal that will lead to the conquest."Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Garenflo Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: few clouds

Subj:        Journal 28 March 29, 2004Date:        3/30/2004 7:56:26 PM Eastern Standard TimeFrom:        lopaka@pocketmail.comTo:        mizcahill@aol.comSent from the Internet (Details)From: Garenflo GapTo: Hot Springs NCDistance: 6.6 milesDate: 3/29/30Total AT distance: 270.9 milesKinloch blasted out of tent camp like there was no tomorrow. Hot Springs was only 6.6 miles away and that meant food, a shower and bed! The plan was for him to get to Elmer¢s (a local AT favorite place to stay) and get us a room.I did my normal lalala pace and was about 45 minutes behind him trying to make sense of the map I had. Kinloch met me at the trailhead with an ice cold coke--man did that taste great!Elmer¢s was full but he was able to get us into the Duckett B and B. A nice old home at a reasonable rate. Most of the places filled up fast as hikers descended into Hot Springs. After check in we went to the one local diner where I ordered two double cheese burgers and four large cokes. I ran out of my purification solution and was using Kinloch¢s iodine pills that were making me sick to my stomach and, therefore, I was not drinking enough water.This seems to be a place where 90% of the thru hikers take a day, or more, off. The trail runs right down Main Street. There's a great hiking store, Bluff Mountain Outfitters, that is exceptionally well stocked. Baltimore Jack, a multi-thru hiker, works there during the season. He has written some well-read re-supply articles posted on Whiteblaze.net.He also oversees a small hiker hostel where Kinloch and I joined him for a beer outside his large cruiser tent that serves as his temp home.Many hikers appear, to me, to be pushing for big miles in bad places. I know there's a time for the 20 mile days but I haven't seen one yet!Tonight a massage and soak in the natural hot springs in Hot Springs! For some reason, as soon as I get into a town, I seem to hurt more than on the trail! Any former thru hikers experienced the same?Big food bag for the next section to Erwin, TN, some 70+ miles. This means 5.5 days of grub compared to the normal 3 or 4 max. We haven't been eating quite right and are determined to do it right. Nutrition is becoming more and more important. Kinloch is down to 142 pounds, that's about 8 less than start. He's a pretty lean guy to start with. I'll weigh in later today and see what's going on with me.Well, gotta go. Zero days are supposed to be for resting but dozens of little chores seem to pop up. And, the only way to travel is--walk!I truly appreciate al the support e-mails we get. Kinloch decided not to maintain his trail journal so I do all of the writing. He does, however, provide many of the facts I forget.Tomorrow, the climb out!"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed with the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor, catch the wind in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

After a zero day and great times in Hot Springs it was time to go. We had hung around Bluff Mountain Outfitters, the Paddlers Club and Smokey Mountain Diner long enough. I soaked in the hot springs mineral water tub, Kinloch opted out. There were dozens of hikers in town. Baltimore Jack, an 8 time thru hiker, is working at the outfitters and we told trail tails, swapped lies and bought supplies. Both Jack and Mala were offering assistance and advice on a variety of topics.The weather was supposed to be somewhat rainy with average chances for the next few days, rumors of possible snow drifted around. So, about 10:30 AM; we walked out of town and started the hike. Our packs were heavy with 5.5 days of supplies vice the normal 3 to 4 days. Weather was mid-50's, very pleasant! Up the mountain we went, and I mean up! I got off trail and climbed all the way to the top rather than around the side. In frustration, I climbed back down and got on the trail. Today, I wore shorts and short sleeve hiking shirt and was now soaked in sweat. That northbound trail out of town is pretty steep.As the day progressed the hiking became easier but the temperature was dropping rather fast. I ran into Bam Bam and Pebbles and Mickey One Sock, they were dawning rain pants and jacket. I was advised the temperature had dropped 10 degrees in about 20 minutes and was still dropping. Not good news when I was still soaked to the bone from sweat. I put on the old reliable Frogg Togg jacket and pressed on. Light rain started, wind started, heavy rain started, light snow started, heavy wind started, heavy, side-blowing snow started. This day was turning sour very fast. A quick check of my trail guide showed I had about 2 miles to go, so I picked up the pace since my exposed legs were now a bright red (but still warm from hiking). Much of the remaining trail was on a ridgeline and the full force of the wind and snow was very demanding to walk thru. However, as long as your moving, have dry clothes available and a plan, your OK. Got into Spring Mountain Shelter and found it fuller than full. Not good since the body heat starts going down once you stop hiking. My short pants were frozen, snow on the rain jacket, I was a mess. Kinloch was just standing there looking cold. No one was offering to scrunch up to make more space. However, one of the shelter hikers had to leave to find a hitch to a hospital since he was unable to pee. Sounds a little funny but think about it! He was on medication but it wasn't working, he hadn't "gone" in about a day, which could be pretty painful. So, Kinloch and I both took his one spot. I told the two ladies present that I had to "drop trousers" fast and change cause I was starting to shake. A few minutes later we were both in our bags, getting warm, looking at the falling snow. This was at about 3:00 PM; all the hikers were now in their sleeping bags due to the exceptionally cold weather. So, there we were, eight thru hikers in a six-hiker shelter, watching the weather and trying to get warm.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: snow

Well, we had not planned to go just 7.6 miles today. As we left with 3-5 inches of snow on the ground and climbed, the snow got deeper, the overhanging trees were weighted down and sagging with the excess weight of snow. It was actually quite beautiful but travel was difficult, sloppy and wet. Long tunnels of low hanging mountain laurel dropped wet globs of snow on our packs, backs and heads. It was becoming very slippery, my speed was reduced to about one mile per-hour. Although a picture perfect day to look at, the additional 8 miles or so to the next shelter was becoming a low priority. I imagined pulling ito Little Laurel Shelter with Kinloch ready to move on after lunch. When I did arrive, he had already laid out his sleeping gear and was talking to the two other hikers. Those hikers had spent the previous 24 hours in this shelter due to the extreme weather. Kinloch told me enough was enough, this was just too cold, too hard, and too much work to continue on to higher elevations where the snow was even deeper and conditions worse. Good news to me! So, our day ended at about 1:00 PM; again in the the sleeping bag to get warm after hiking. Hikers drifed in all day and into the night. One slept under the sleeping platform since all spaces were again taken. The night bore on and got colder, the fog settled in as night time approached. Most talking stopped about 7:00 PM and the shelter became alive with the usual snoring, farting and people getting up to pee at all hours of the night (in other words, normal routine for shelter life).On a more serious note, the night before, or actually early that morning, a hiker had to be rescued from this shelter. He passed blood in his urine and became unconscious. Luckily, cell phone reception was good and an emergency team assembled. The rescue took over 8 hours to perform and involved 11 Rescue Team members. They had to carry the hiker on a stretcher several miles before the trail allowed at ATV to motor him down the mountain to a hospital. Rumor later was that he was dehydrated and had hypothermia, not certain that was the actual cause of his problems.So, another day ended. I was also able to get cell phone reception and listened to messages from home. Bad news had arrived. Will advise you after I sort it out.
Date: 2004-04-10
To: This Is Hard
Miles today: 0.0

Well, as many hikers have said: "Here is an entry I didn't expect to make." I am off the AT, home in Kissimmee, Florida. Early in my journal I let people know that my wife, Jeannie, was not accompanying me as long planned. Reason is her Mom has advanced Alzheimer¢s disease. Months ago, we relocated her close to our home and placed her under constant watch by professional Caregiver¢s. During my hike, her condition worsened. Also, our Caregiver¢s started quitting with little or no notice. This forced Jeannie to live with her Mom, somehow run her business, manage the affairs of our main house and support me on the trail. I could tell in the phone calls that the situation was progressively getting grave; she had her hands totally full. The critical point came when Mom suffered a Grand Mal seizure, thought to have been a massive stroke, and was admitted to the hospital. I, of course, was hiking away at the time oblivious to the situation. After she contacted me, it was a simple but exceptionally difficult decision to make. Family comes first, I had to get off the trail and attend to family business. I talked it over with my partener, Kinloch, and with Mickey One Sock who I came to know and respect during the last few weeks of hiking. I called Mala who agreed to pick me up at a designated road and take me to the airport. He greatly assisted me in this time of need ¢ thanks!We are now looking into nursing home options as her condition has exceeded the resident requirements and professional abilities of both an ¢assisted living¢ facility and her in-home Caregiver¢s. This will take time as will settling the affairs of her household for the move.I don¢t think I can get back on as long as this situation exists. My partner, Kinloch, is trucking on and making great progress. If possible, I will be updating his travels via his trail journal that he has not really maintained after the start. He understood and agreed with my decision. Considering the two years of constant planning we did, this was a arduous call, leaving your hiking partner and walking away in the opposite direction. Not a visual memory that will go away for some time to come. Kinloch will be at the finish, I have no doubts as to his physical and mental toughness to complete this task. We hiked well together and always seemed to come to an easy, quick, consensus on any choice we were forced to make. I couldn't have asked for a better partner. He believed in me, and I in him. I will miss him.So, it ends for now.Thanks for all the support and e-mails; they encouraged me during many times of the blues and lousy weather. And to my fellow hiking partners, hike on and fulfill your dream!
Date: 2005-01-13
To: The Last Entry for a While
Miles today: 0.0

Well, its been some time now since my last entry. All those who hiked in 2004 have long gotten off the trail and are adjusting to their surroundings. The problems that took me off the trail are somewhat resolved. My mother in law is in a nursing home now. All three of the hurricanes coming thru Florida happened to visit me, nailing the lid on getting back on the AT before my job started back up on October 1st. The hurricanes did a combined damage of about $35,000 here in our Florida home, and about the same on a mountain house we are building in Cashiers, NC. There, Hurricane Ivan dumped 28 inches of rain in one day and I lost a very long driveway. No one could get to the house, heavy equipment is VERY expensive to get into the mountains to clear a road.Now, the good news. My partner, Kinloch, completed his hike, is back in California learning new skills and thinking about redoing some of his favorite AT sections this year or next. After his hike,he visited Colorado to see if that would be home but decided against it. He very recently returned to California. You can read some of his final entries and see "the picture" on Trailjournals. My wife and I have made a tentative agreement (in the Marine Corps I call this the "big blue arrows concept") to resign / sell our job / business in October, move to Cashiers NC, sell the house in Florida, and hike the AT in March 2006. This is now "the plan" but has many, many things to be worked out and firmed up. We will need to do some hard planning to see if this is affordable and doeable. However, it is a plan and we are moving ahead. Should you see a "Lopaka" entry pop up in 2006, it will have firmed up as solid. See you later!
To: Preparing for my thru-hike
Miles today: 0.0

I guess you could say that I've been preparing for this hike for the last six years. My first ever backpack trip about six years ago was in the Ocala National Forest and I still remember how anxious I was on the first day. Since then I have probably backpacked about 1500 miles including one long hike of over 800 miles. This November I did a short trip over Roan Mountain and through the Roan Highlands and I also did the annual Big "O" hike (110 miles around Lake Okeechobee). I have another trip planned for the end of January - prime hiking season here in south Florida. Being involved with the Florida Trail Association has helped me immensely. I have been on organized hikes with very experienced backpackers and have benefited by attending seminars at our local chapter meetings. I will be starting this hike with Bearbag Hanger -an experienced backpacker who very patiently answered my questions and helped me when I was a newbe. Quote: An agreeable companion on a journey is as good as a carriage. Publius Syrus (42 B.C.)
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0

Stopped at the Amicalola visitor center for the traditional weigh in. After alot of work the pack weighed in at 38 lbs. A little heavy but certainly manageable. Bonnie, Bea, Bearbag Hanger and I headed out on a muddy and snowy FS42 and started hiking about 11am. The trail was slushy and muddy with temps in the low 30's but rising steadily. sighned the log at Springer and took alot of photos. We then headed to the shelter and had a nice lunch and chatted with the caretaker "Gizmo" about LNT. Seems we knew many of the same hikers from prior years. After lunch I walked the ladies back to the truck and had a beer with Bea to toast my hike. Bonnie is the designated driver and had to behave. After the understandably emotional goodbyes, I watched as she drove down the dirt road. As Bearbag Hanger and I waited for Jack, PO, and Dennis, the temp was dropping as fast as the sun. We took a walk back to the summit and back. The crew showed up carrying all kinds of goodies. Steak, potatoes, salad, cheesecake, etc. A wonderful feast. Hikers were arriving even after sunset. I think they smelled the food. It is now considerably below freezing, but now that I'm in my sleeping bag it's not to bad. there are about 9 of us here tonight. Lots of stars and no clouds. Looks like nice weather to start our hike. I need to hibernate now to warm up. Goodnight. LWOP 9:00pm temp~30.Plus-Good companions and lots of laughsMinus-Can't think of any except mud.