morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-06
To: 3 weeks away
Miles today: 0.0

This is my first entry from the road. Okay, so we're just in the park. We are testing out all our gear. We hooked up our bike trailers, loaded them with all our stuff, and rode about a mile to the park. First we seam-sealed the tent. It probably didn't need it, but it can't hurt. Then JoAnne fired up the stove. No problems there. So now we are enjoying a day in the park, waiting for the tent to dry. We have a beautiful view of snow-covered Longs Peak as I am testing my Pocketmail. A few curious passers-by have asked why we erected a tent in the park. It is very different planning a hike while I am working. Before my '03 thru-hike, I was unemployed so I could spend all my time thinking about it. It is hard to prepare when I spend my work-week in my office. These are 2 different worlds, and it is hard to switch back and forth. We got a great deal on a BOB bike trailer for JoAnne. And we both spend way too much time in REI. That store is dangerous. I spend many of my lunch hours there, either buying stuff, planning on buying stuff, or wishing I could buy stuff. But I think for now we are all set, at least for the hike. We still need a few things for the bike portion, but I think we'll wait until we're done hiking for that. Everyone keeps asking how we're getting in shape for our trip. I really don't have an answer. I was in slightly better shape in '03, but not much. I really don't think there is a way to get in shape for such a thing, other than to just start. Most people are concerned about our transition from hike to bike. They claim that getting in shape by hiking doesn't use the same muscles as biking. This is true, but it will give me stronger legs and a slimmer body. That is much better than any "training" I would do if I were not hiking first. We are less than 3 weeks away. In fact, 3 weeks from today we should be at Neels Gap, getting our first mail drop (which we are filling with Easter candy). I am so excited that my metabolism had already kicked into high gear. I seem to be losing weight, and I think I already have my hiker appetite. We can't wait to be hikers again (and cyclists too).
Date: 2005-03-15
To: 10 day forecast
Miles today: 0.0

I just checked the 10-day forecast for northern Georgia. The bad news is that they predict a 60% chance of rain on the 24th. The good news is that the 10-day forecast is never correct. In fact, that far in advance, the weather is usually the exact opposite of what is forecasted. I probably would have been more nervous about the weather if they predicted a sunny day. So, it doesn't really mean much, except that I am excited that our departure date is now showing up on weather forecasts. That means we are getting close. This past weekend, JoAnne and I loaded our backpacks and set out for Red Rocks Amphitheater. The School of Mines track team was there, as well as a few other folks getting in shape and the usual tourists. We did a few laps up and down the stairs to get in shape. It felt really good to have my backpack on again. The weather was perfect. The views were great. It was a fun way to get a little exercise before we left. However, it is now 3 days later, and my calves are still very sore. The buckle on JoAnne's pack broke while we were at Red Rocks. I don't think storing our packs in dry Colorado for 2 years has been all that great to them. She was able to buy a new buckle at REI. But with all the pack problems, we decided to invest in a small package of safety pins. Hopefully we won't need them, but it will be good to have them. I also realized that my pack will be completing its section hike this year. I bought my pack in Damascus, which is where we will be leaving off this time. So, "woo-hoo!" for my pack. I don't have a whole lot more to report for our preparations. I have only 4 more days of work. We have pretty much everything we need to get started. Now I just have to take my belongings to my sister's house for storage. We still haven't quite figured out how we're getting our bikes to Oregon. But it's really too much to think about at this point. We wanted to say thanks to everyone who has signed our guestbook. We have heard from a lot of the AT class of '03, which is always fun. And we've heard from other folks we've never met who just happened by our site. We sincerely enjoy hearing from everyone. Thanks.
Date: 2005-03-21
To: All systems go!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I am sitting in my boxed-up apartment on the eve of our departure. I was hoping that everything would fit in my car, but as I look around, I wonder if that'll happen. If it doesn't fit, I guess I'll have to decide what I can get rid of. As I was boxing everything up today, I got a call from the Colorado Daily. They want to run a story about us on Wednesday (or maybe Thursday). It was a very exciting surprise. I had to switch from packing mode to interview mode. But it will be a lot of fun to read an article about us in this paper. Unfortunately it'll be either on the day that we're flying out or the day we start hiking. But hopefully someone will save us a copy, or we can read it online. It has been a bittersweet week of goodbyes. The folks from my work took me out to lunch. And JoAnne had a nice after-work party. Everyone has been so nice and supportive. We are excited to be leaving for our adventure, but we will miss all our friends here in the Longmont area. Thanks to all for your kind words and encouragement. So we leave the apartment on Tuesday, fly to Atlanta on Wednesday, and start hiking on Thursday. The weather now calls for "partly sunny" with a 0% chance of rain. That'll be great! I can't wait to sleep in a tent and eat my meals outside again. I can't wait to be fit and have a healthy smile again. Our next upate should be on Easter from Neels Gap. Happy trails to all!
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Chester Creek

To: Chester Creek
Miles today: 4.2

Chester Creek4.2 miles (4.2 total miles)We got into Atlanta at almost 4:00 yesterday afternoon. Aunt Susie immediately drove us to Super Walmart for Coleman fuel and groceries. Then we went back to her house for dinner. We also watched Lion King's video together. That made me even more anxious to get going.Today we were up and out pretty early, at Amicalola Falls by 11:00. We did the traditional pack weighing (mine was 41 pounds with food and water, while JoAnne's was 36 pounds). We poked around the gift shop, and got directions to Forest Road 42. About an hour later, we were standing on the AT.We took a leisurely walk up Springer, with my mom, Aunt Susie, and Eddie. We met Tinman, the owner of Anti-Gravity gear. He gave me a "mapdanna" of the AT from Springer to Damascus (coincidentaly just where we were going). We also met Biscuit (and her dog Cola), who hiked in '03, but we had never met her.We came back down Springer to FSR42, and said goodbye to the family. Then we were on our way. We thought about what great adventures were ahead of us, but it didn't really sink in. We were more concerned about how many miles we would put in, and what we would be cooking for dinner.I was surprised that the trail kept going down, even past the Forest Roads. My feet were already hurting. (I guess I still can't find arches that fit my flat feet). We found a creek with some campsites at 4 miles past Springer. But it was right next to another forest road. We thought it wouldn't be smart to stay there, and headed on a little bit more.It was a hard evening, getting back into the routine of chores. JoAnne realized she didn't have here pot-grabber, so dinner couldn't be too hot. I had a very hard time hanging our food away from the bears. All the trees here have skinny twigs that can't hold much weight . (And it just didn't feel right hanging 2 foodbags without yours, Last Minute). So we ate our dinner (noodles with chicken and sun-dried tomatoes), swatting mosquitoes, waiting for other hikers to arrive. We were eagerly awaiting some hiker company, but no one else showed up.It feels great to be living in the woods again. The weather is perfect. I am trying hard not to compare this hike with '03, but that is almost impossible. I really look forward to a week or 2 from now, when I am in good trail shape.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Gooch Gap

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Gooch Gap12.2 miles (16.3 total miles)It was an incredibly hot day today. The Georgia sun baked us through the bare trees. The AT in Georgia is like a shark getting ready to attack. It circles around the mountains gently, then with no warning, turns and goes straight up and straight down.I had a very hard time in the heat today. We hit the 6-mile waterless stretch with 2 steep mountains. I was dreading the climb up Sassafras Mountain, and it didn't dissappoint. It was a very hard climb, and my face was burning. I was saving my water, but I could tell that wasn't smart. We had lunch on top of Sassafras, then headed down the other side. I could feel my body tingling. Going up Justus, JoAnne offered to take the 5 pound tent. The macho part of me said no, but the dehydrated part of me overruled. I gave her the tent, and she still flew up the mountain ahead of me. I stopped by every large tree for the shade. I took the tent back to go down, and within a half hour we were relaxing at Justus Creek, addressing the hot spots on our feet. I never felt right for the rest of the day. My legs would cramp up, which has never happened to me in hot weather. The army rangers were out training on the trail today. It was a little unnerving to see men in camoflage running down the trail with combat boots, and carrying big guns.We ended the day at Gooch Gap. We had stopped by a shelter earlier in the day, and there were some noisy college kids literally hanging from the trees. We found them again at Gooch Gap. Since we were near a road crossing, we weighed the options of camping alone in solitude, or near the noisy kids for safety reasons. Luckily 2 other hikers showed up (Ari and Sweet 16), so we formed our own little camping group.I can't believe that until we camped, we didn't see another thru-hiker all day. We must be in betweem waves of hikers. But the lack of hikers is still quite surprising. I am still recovering from the effects of today's dehydration. Luckily there are more water frequent water sources tomorrow.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Neels Gap, GA

To: Neels Gap, GA
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Neels Gap, GA14.2 miles (30.5 total miles)Today felt great! At about noon, I took off my pack, wobbled around a little, and felt all the familiar aches and pains. Ah, to be long-distance hiking again! I have paid good attention to my blisters, so they are fine. I am sightly sunburned, but I call it a healthy glow. Yes, life is good on the Appalachian Trail.We had a good start to the day. We saw a couple deer right away. The trail hit a few tough climbs, but mostly it just wound around the mountains. Our plan was Blood Mountain Shelter, at about 12 miles. But we chugged away our miles so fast, we were there by 2:00. Some clouds blew by, making the hiking somewhat cooler.The re-route up Blood Mountain is great. The trail bypasses Slaughter Gap (where our friend Slaughter got her trail name). Then it heads up 700 vertical feet at a perfect grade. I had been dreading the climb at the end of the day, but was amazed at how fast we got to the top. Since we were there so early and we heard about the bad weather coming, we decided to do the extra 2 miles down to Neels Gap.I feel very good now. I am sitting on the porch at the hostel at Walasi-Yi (some of the locals pronounce it "wallace see ya", which I think is funny). I just had a great shower, and I am wearing clean clothes. My body feels worn, but good.I am a little disappointed at how few thru-hikers I have seen. Other than camping, we haven't seen any yet! I thought the trail was supposed to be over-crowded in late March in Georgia. It is very odd. I feel a little sad when I get to a campsite or stream where I met so may hikers in '03. And now they are desolate. I don't think this is a particularly low year for hikers. I think we're just in between waves.The weather calls for nasty rain tomorrow. We want to hike out, but we're not sure of the weather. Tomorrow is Easter, and we mailed ourselves some chocolate for the occasion. We miss all our friends back home, and talk about you often. Happy Easter!
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Low Gap Shelter10.6 miles (41.1 miles)We woke up at Neels Gap contemplating hiking out in the rain. We checked the radar, and the big storm had passed south of us. It was cold and misty, but we were too antsy to stick around all day. We headed out with our raincoats on and covers on our packs.After an initial climb, the hike wasn't too bad. The weather was fairly cool, and the ground was soft. We hiked 6 dreary miles into Tesnatee Gap, and sat for lunch. It was a dry bagel. We were cold, wet, and second-guessing our decision to hike out today. Then we were blessed with a bit of trail magic. A couple of former thru-hikers pulled up to the trailhead. "Would you like a soda?" They asked. I politely accepted. "We also have some Little Debbie Easter cakes". I was excited. "And you know, we still have a couple McDonalds cheseburgers here." I couldn't just take their lunch, could I? "We've already eaten. And they're still warm in the bag." They tasted so good. They were the perfect indulgence on this cold, rainy Easter. We thanked our awesome lunch donors (General and Cola from '00), and hiked on.We crossed a few PUDs (pointless ups and downs) on our way out. Our trail angels told us that the first wave of the storm had passed overnight, and that the second would be here in a few hours. So we hiked in a hurry. We ended up in Low Gap Shelter at about 3:00. This was the shelter where JoAnne and I first met briefly in '03. The shelter was already packed, with people setting up tents all around. We hadn't seen many thru-hikers this trip, but suddely here they were, sitting in their warm sleeping bags, taking up all the room in the dry shelter.We quickly set up our tent before the rains got too bad. As we cooked dinner, we listened to the weather on an AM radio that someone had hiked out. Thunderstorms and tornado warnings until midnight. I filtered water in the rain, and we ate dinner under the small canopy of the shelter. Then we retired to the tent, where the wind was howling and the rain was pouring. Tonight will be a good test of how the tent holds up in the rain. We may also see how it holds up in a tornado. Happy Easter.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sassafras Gap10.0 miles (60.5 total miles)We had one last greasy breakfast at the Huddle House, then caught our shuttle back to the trailhead. It was a good zero day, and good for us to slow it down a bit. We are planning a few short days for several reasons. First, a friend of our is having a birthday party at a gap in North Carolina on April 9th. We would like to hike into that. Second, the forecast is calling for thunderstorms on Friday night, and still a little gun-shy from the last storm, we are planning to get to a certain shelter that has plenty of space. And lastly, we have been pushing too hard. There is really no hurry, and hard hiking increases our risk of injury.We set out his morning with a good climb out of Unicoi Gap. It was still early in the day, so it wasn't quite hot yet. We forced ourselves to stop a few times to enjoy the views instead of marching on past them. We stopped for a quick pb&j lunch at the old cheese factory site (we couldn't find any cheese or a factory).I guess I didn't notice until after lunch just how hot it was. It was another good climb up Tray Mountain, and the Georgia sun baked us. But with no hurry and only a 10 mile goal, we took it slow. We kept running into Forrest and Ari, and we would often find a spot in the shade to hang out.We came to Sassafras Gap after a long 10 miles. It is a pleasant space between mountains with a few flat camping spots and a spring not too far below. Forrest stopped with us for the night, and we enjoyed a long, peaceful evening. We cooked lentils for dinner. A breeze picked up, making for a slightly cool sunset. It is strange to force ourselves to do low miles each day. It is hard, but feels good, to be done hiking by 3:30 in the afternoon. I am hoping for some good sleep, and a nice easy day tomorrow before the rains come.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Hiawassee, GA

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

Hiawassee, GA0 miles (66.6 total miles)We spent today bundled up in the Holiday Inn Express. The weather channel called for up to 4 inches of rain. It didn't rain much here in Hiawassee (or as the locals call it, "Huh-wassee"), but the mountains were socked in. I imagine it was cold, rainy, and windy up there. I was happy to be down here.There aren't a whole lot of hikers here in town. All the local businesses say the number of hikers is way down this year. We spent the day lounging in our motel room, broken up by occasional walks to nearby restaurants with Forrest, Joe, Kimberly, and Hyway. We have enjoyed hanging out with Joe and Kimberly, but we're afraid we won't see much of them after we leave. Their packs weight 20-25 pounds, so they can hike many more miles a day than we can.We have an early shuttle back to the trailhead tomorrow morning (8:00am). We are hoping to get to a shelter fairly early so there will still be room for us, and we won't have to tent in the rain. After tomorrow, the weather is supposed to be great for a while. Our next stop is NOC, which is 67 miles away. (That is a little funny, as we have only hiked 67 miles so far.) Thanks to everyone who sends us email or signs our guestbook. We sincerely enjoy reading updates from back home and elsewhere. We think about our friends and family often, and we hope all is well with you.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Plumorchard Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Plumorchard Gap4.5 miles (70.9 total miles)We sat around our motel this morning, enjoying our free continental breakfast and wishing we could stay another night. The Weather Channel was calling for light rain all day, with a high temperature of only 47 degrees. But we were a little anxious with all our days off, and decided to hike out. Most of our hiker friends agreed, and we all caught the 8:00 shuttle back to the trailhead.The thermometer read 36 degrees when we set out. We hiked fast, trying to keep warm. The sun poked out a few times, but never for long. We climbed up to the ridge, where the wind whipped by us. It was numbing. We warmed up slightly by hiking down into a gap, then froze again up on the ridge. After about an hour, it started to snow pretty hard. It was frigid.At just 4.5 miles on the day, we had a decision to make. Was it worth hiking on to the next shelter (7.3 miles away)? That shelter could be full, which would mean tenting in the snow. I wondered if the rest would be a cold ridgewalk, or partially protected by the mountains. As we were deciding what to do, a cold blast of wind came up from behind. It seemed to push us toward the shelter. There was our answer.It was just after 10:00 am, and we cozied up in the shelter. The Plumorchard Gap shelter was a large 3-tier structure, and we immediatey headed to the top level. Heat rises. We changed out of our wet clothes, and sat in our sleeping bags for the rest of the day. Hikers came and went, some gambling on a good place to stay after a few more miles. Others decided the top of our shelter was a warm, inviting place to spend the afternoon.We all spent the afternoon chatting, writing in our journals, and generally trying to stay warm. It was a chore to do anything that involved more than laying in one spot. Fetching our items from our packs was hard, and filtering water was harder. The privy had about an inch of snow on it, making for a very cold experience.We are staying only 4 miles from the North Carolina border. We were supposed to cross that point long ago, but the cold temps have us delayed. This looks like it will be my coldest night ever on the AT (including all of '03), so it will be a test of my sleeping bag. The next 5 days are supposed to be nice, so we are looking forward to passing the miles again.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Licklog Gap

To: Licklog Gap
Miles today: 16.1

Licklog Gap16.1 miles (118.9 total miles)Whenever we put in a good, solid day on the AT, I go to bed feeling great. Sure it was a hard day, but there is a great sense of accomplishment. But the next day, boy do I feel it. Today was the next day.My feet were tender this morning from putting in 20 miles yesterday. Everything else pretty much felt okay. We stopped after about a mile of hiking, identified the potential blisters on our feet, and addressed them with moleskin. The trail then did a quick jump over a ridge, then down to the road that leads to Franklin. As we stopped for our second breakfast, a shuttle of hikers pulled up. We were filled in on all the latest hiker gossip. After the snowstorm our wave of hikers had scattered, so we tried to learn who was ahead, who was behind, and who was in town.The rest of the day was hot. The trail seemed to keep going up for miles without coming back down. After four exhausting miles up Silar Bald, we stoped for lunch. I had over-exerted myself, causing my stomach to contract. I just couldn't eat, so my energy was low for the rest of the day. After a short hike down to a gap, we set out for another long ascent up Wayah Bald. I couldn't understand how the trail could just keep going up.We got to Wayah Bald, and I was beat. There was a whole new wave of hikers there who we hadn't met. I felt a little bad as I didn't have the energy to socialize. We sat at the stone observation tower enjoying the view and resting. A family walked up from the parking lot. "Y'all hiked up this mountain?" the teenager asked. "Y'all are crazy. It took us like an hour just to drive up here." The family took a quick look at the view and drove away.We walked down to a campsite and had dinner. My appetite had come back and we had one extra dinner, so we had two meals. We combined our 4-cheese noodles with our butter herb noodles and sundried tomatoes.   It tasted great, especially on my mostly empty stomach. After dinner we decided to put in another 2 miles, which probably wasn't smart, but got us 2 miles closer to our next stop.Tomorrow night we should either be at NOC or the shelter just a mile before, depending on the weather and our patience. We are taking a day off there when the weather is supposed to be bad. That will also get us to our friend Hopeful's birthday party on the AT right on time. We are very excited to hike into that. I am also happy to let some blisters and a few other wounds heal up.