morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-02-14
To: Putting it in Perspective
Miles today: 0.0

Coming into the last days of preparation and there exists this constant stirring deep in the subconscious that frequently erupts into moments of activity. The pack has gotten heavier and I¢ve just let it happen over the last couple of weeks. As March rolls around and the real packing begins I¢ll purge it all once again. Back to basics, back to fulfilled needs and restricted wants.I spend a lot of time on Trail Journals or activities related to the trail. I guess it¢s just the way things are before starting out. How can it be any other way, yet I know that the things I¢m pondering now concerning trail life will not necessarily be reflected in the experience. September will be here before I know it and the AT will be a memory. That much keeps me from wanting to speed up the days between now and mid March.It¢s interesting to note the different perspectives that exist among a thousand people with a common goal. A thousand individuals set out on the same adventure with a thousand reasons for being there. What a wondrous thing. No wonder the call of the trail holds our imagination. For those of us lucky enough to see its potential, the trail might as well be an alien spaceship promising all sorts of amazing revelations. We are called to go and unable to resist, entranced by the endless possibilities. One thing is certain. We will never be the same people after our release from this irresistible force.I have this wonderful life. Great kids, supportive family, a beautiful wife that lets me follow my dreams wherever they lead. Beth, my wife, has made this opportunity happen and I am deeply indebted to her for allowing my pursuit of this dream. For six months, I¢ll get to actually enjoy my Navy retirement before getting back to the business of securing a future in an uncertain world. What better way to start than with a leap of faith. The people around me accept that I hike because I simply love to marvel at God¢s creation. I can¢t get enough of it. I¢m looking for complete immersion and I think I¢m about to find it. From this perspective, the AT represents a pilgrimage of self discovery.
Date: 2006-03-06
To: Past, Present and Future
Miles today: 0.0

I traveled home over the weekend. I don¢t live there anymore. I visited with family and friends. Spent some time with my Mom, answered some questions about the trail that only she could ask. Not the common questions, she¢s read all that stuff, but the deep down questions that, once answered, reassured her that I know what I¢m doing. Sure do hope I answered those questions right. [smile] Supportive family, lifelong friends, the kind of visit that reinforces ones values and adds inner strength when it is so desperately conserved. We sat at a little Italian restaurant in my home town and reminisced. To look back thirty, even forty years and think of the people and events that shaped our lives back then was priceless. I needed that. John, Terri and Scott thanks for the memories, thanks for the friendship. Where ever I wander, as I am prone to do, I¢ll always know where home is.It¢s my last Monday at work, this time next week I¢ll be jobless. It¢s sort of an odd feeling that won¢t let go. On Friday the company I work for (Dana) filed for Chapter 11, but today¢¦ business as usual. Borrowing a quote from one of my soul mates ¢That¢s all I¢ve got to say about that.¢The trickle of hikers that have taken to the trail has become a steady flow. Soon enough I¢ll be part of it, but I¢m dragging my feet. I want to do this, but I don¢t want it to fly by, I want it to be everything that hiking has taught me and more; patience, appreciation and perseverance. A new chapter in my life is about to begin, and I¢ve lived, learned and loved every chapter up until now. My gear is on its way to Dahlonega; my family prepared for my absence, yet I¢m trying to conserve these last few moments with my girls, especially Beth, my wife. She used to tell me when I was preparing to head out to sea that I was already gone, even before I left. I¢m determined not to do that this time, but it¢s my nature to live in the future.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Home

To: Hiker Hostel, Dahlonega, GA
Miles today: 0.0

The view was magnificent and the company was better. We dined on FauGras, melt in your mouth tenderloin and lobster. Norris the waiter was really cool and we even saw an ocean freighter! Boulevards radiated like spokes of a wheel and formed a framework for the city lights that from the 72nd floor of the Renaisance Center in Detroit seemed sureal, yet all too human. It's my custom, before a hike, to dress up and spend an evening at someplace far removed from trail life. This time it was special, I'm finally going to hike the AT, so it was only fitting to spend it with someone special(my wife) in a place that's special to us both. We enjoyed the view after dinner and just spent some quiet time together. A truly wonderful evening. Well, I'm here at Hiker Hostel. Echoing the words of many before me, Josh and Leigh are just super! people and the hostel is really quite the lodge. A place by hikers for hikers, and I couldn't think of a better prelude to the AT. Tomorrow, it's off to Springer, and so it begins.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Hiker Hostel

To: Hawk Mt
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

It was a perfect day, a high C on the conductor's scale. Slightly overcast in the AM and clearing up as the day went on. Leigh from hiker hostel dropped a group ff at Amicalola State park and took on three more for the trip to Springer Mountain. The three turned out to be Baltimore Jack, lone Wolf, and "That Guy" from white Blaze.netThe short hike to Hawk Mt was pretty easy so I rolled into the shelter at around 3:30 with an 11:30 start from the parking lot. Lone Wolf had watched the packs so four of us could summit Springer without them. As B.Jack pointed out my first mile was south bound and slack packing so I guess I'm not a purist . We figure there are about 35 people here tonight, sorta different style of back packing for me but standing around the fire was fun . 9 PM...hiker midnight so I'll sign off. ~C
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Hawk Mt

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

For the second day in a row the weather was gorgeous. A little windy, but high 50s. Again we had a nice campfire and stayed up till 9 PM. The company is good. Still too many people to name them all but we have a wonderfully diverse bunch. Among them a fewllow named Posey Picker who has an indepth knowledge of plants.The trail is very well maintained, easy to walk if you don't count the ups and downs. Everything is bare, with just a hint of spring. I have a few scrubs around me now just budding, but the trees are still dormant. Sitting on a rock out corpping over looking a convoluted valley of farms I can see green pastures. Spring is coming but as I write a cold breeze reminds me that this perfect weather will change.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Gooch Gap

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

For the third day in a row the weather was clear and sunny after some morning clouds. There were views along the way so it was a bit more interesting. We've lost many of the folks from Hawk Mt. and tomorrow I may break from this group because they are staying at Neels Gap (Walasi-Yi). It's only 4 miles from here, right after Blood Mt so I guess I'll pick up another group or be by myself for a bit. Rain is in the forcast so we'll see.It was 34° this morning but it warmed up a bit today when the sun came out. The truth is that its very chilly and I'm glad I threw in the down vest at the last minute.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Woods Hole

To: Walasi-Yi, Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7

The group I have been traveling with was all staying here at Walasi-Yi center and although it was not my original plan things have changed. The miles hve revealed a toe squeeze in my boots that just wasn't there before so I was hopingthat the outfitter would have a boot stretcher, sure enough they have one but it takes time to allow the device to work so with the group staying and the books needing a fix here I am. Sharing a cabin with [Enough + Too much] from Trailjournals and Longshanks, a laid back easy going fellow. I seems that 60% of the people I've met have a journal on T.J. In our campfire group we have "Pasta legs" Steffie*, Sun*, Nira*, Enough* + Too much*, Longshanks, Andy, Big X, and "Single malt" a lady who is such an artist that she stops on the trail and whips out her water colors and paints. She is always last into camp so there is always a cheer when she finally shows up. There is rain + snow in the forcast so tomorrow will be very different from the last four beautiful days. It's time to pay the piper.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Walasi-Yi, Neel's Gap

To: Low gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

A cold windy day. A storm front is movie in, but we didn't get much rain until around 4 PM. The Low Gap shelter was full so most of us are in tents. I sat mine up in the cold rain and ate a dinner of breakfast cereal with powdered milk. I'm snug in my tent but I'm glad I have all this woll stuff cause it's wet in here and the storm is expected to strengthen, but enough of that. I can't say enough goodthings about the Walasi-yi Center. Winton and his crew are just top notch. I needed to have the toe box of my boots stretched and there was no charge but Winton did sugest I discard the generic footbeds in my books and try superfeet footbeds. The hike today told the story. I couldn't believe what difference they made. After 10 miles my feet felt great, but I have to break in my feet to the new forms. Things are looking up in the food department. Lots more to tell but I'm running out of page.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Low gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was cold + went. More wet than cold. I got my tent set up in the pouring rain and fought with keeping things dry. The rain stopped at 0900 this morning and I was on the trail by 0930.It was an eerie foggy walk all day. I like fog so it was kind of neat. My thoughts, however, were on my wet tent so I cut the day short here at Blue Mountain and thankfully the sun came out. I was able to string a line and get things dried out. My sleeping bag got damp so it was good to get it dry. Its suppoed to be below freezing tonight. I'll just bundle up and deal with it like I did last nightHere at the Blue Mt only one person from the original traveling group remains, "Single Malt" the artist. Long shanks went a few miles further, and so the trail has its changes. It's good to be dry.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 13.0

Longest day yet. Hiawasee tomorrow! Only 5.5 miles to Dick's Creek gap. I'll be doing my first resupply, sort of a hurdle. It was cold last night. This morning my thermometer read 21°. It was neat hiking because of all the hoar frost, nature's poetry, long slivers of feathershaped crystals in patches along the trail.I want to give a big salute to troop 61 who passed out "Hiker to town" signs last sunday on the way to Neels Gap. It was a unique form of trail magic that I'm sure will come in handy tomorrow.The long hike has worn me out, so I'll turn in early tonight.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Adois Gap

To: Cloud 9 Hostel, Hiawassee
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: broken clouds

As we arived at Dick's Creek Gap (Hiawassee) a lady pulled up in an SUV and offered a ride to town. This was 10 minutes after I walked off the trail her name was Laura and the is Proprieter of the new Cloud 9 hostel. Suddenly plans for a cheap moetl turned into a $20 night in a hostel and its a very nice place. They aren't in the guide books this year but they are only 1.5 miles from the trail on the left. Part of the business caters to trout fisherment who come to fish in their ponds. I'll try to include some pictures eventually. Laura dropped Single Malt* and myself off at the grocery store and came back for us 30 minutes later.Its going to snow tonight and one of the other hikers here has some seam seeler to offer. I'm giong to take a zero day and seal the seams of my tent and fly. No more wet nights After 66 miles my not so "in shape" body is hammered and the rest will do me good.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Cloud 9 Hostel, Hiawassee

To: Cloud 9 Hostel, Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took a zero day in a very relaxing atmosphere with no pressing resupply issues or things to do. I just rested the bones and let my body heal from the initial shock of the first week on the trail.Last night we had a rainbow trout dinner served by the proprietors Frank and Laura. Huge fillets of trout caught in the ponds located on the premesis.It was cold out this morning. The thermometer on the porch read 22°. Tomorrow we go back in it. On into North Carolina! By tomorrow evening Georgia will be behind us.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Dick's Creek Gap, Hiawassee, Cloud 9

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

North Carolina greeted us with snow today, but only a dusting. By no means difficult. The hike felt good after a rest. I actually feel like I could do more miles today which is good.About 3 traveling groups are here today making for a large gatherin of hikers at a small shelter. But it was good to see several members of our original group show up. It was a welcome sight with so many new faces in the croud. Don't know what I will do tomorrow, but I'm going to try and break out of this croud.I'm going to take a short day tomorrow in homes that the main body moves on and we can have a little quiet at camp but it's entirely possible that I will just find another bubble of hikers. Plum orchard shelter slept 20 and is probably empty tonight. But it was only 4 miles outside of Hiawassee. A short day might do the trick.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

Still cold. Nightly lows in the 20s and friggid mornings. Nature called at midnight last night so I walked off on a side trail and as I topped the ridge I could see the lights of Hiawassee in the distance and it made for a surreal display. A lake of light surrounded by darkness of the forest. It was beautiful.We came over Standing Indian Mountain today (5498)feet, but the climbs just don't bother me that much. The shorter day was to help disperse the crowding at the shelters. Even here at Beech Gap, an unmarked camp we have 9 people camping.It was good to see a few old trail friends show up here. Enuf* and TooMuch* who I spent a cabin night with in Neels Gap-Sun is here, Baltimore Jack*, and Sleepy*. Single Malt* and I are still traveling at the same pace so she's here too. Today I stopped and layed in the sun for an hour on a rock shelf. Life is good.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Beech Gap

To: Glassmine Gap +1
Miles today: 13.7

100 miles, yee hah! Today's big deal was Albert Mountain. Much talked about rock scramble at the top for about 300 feet. It was steep but pretty fun. There is a fire tower at the top.There was a trail magic tent just before climbing Albert Mt. I had a cold soda and boy did that go down good . Thanks to Gatoraid, Fish bait, and Flat Bread for the treats.The crowd has dispersed some but shelters can be crowded still. Including the surrounding areas. Enuf* and Too Much* are stealth camped a mile back and Single Malt*, Fung Sway*(Sun) and myself are camped on a ridge. From here tonight the lights of Franklin, NC are in the distant valley.We had a little camp fire which I lit with a single match and all natural materials. Easy entertainment out here . Tomorrow Fung Sway* will head into Franklin while Single Malt* and I are going for our first 15 mile day! Feeling good getting legs .
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Glassmine Gap +1

To: Wayah Gap +1
Miles today: 12.1

Long tiring day. Got up at 0600 and on the trail by 0700 with the intent of going approx. 10 miles to Siler Bald Shelter. Forcast was rain. Reached Siler Bald Shelter at 1300 and decided it was too early so continued on. Although the long foggy climb was tiresome there was a hint of clearing in the sky.The first Bald we had crossed, Siler, was very interesting. It appears to be a farm pasture, which I understand was its original purpose, but it's an odd feeling to come across such a thing at 4900 ft altitude .Most of the people have gone into Franklin. Enuff* and Too Much* among them taking another zero day. I shook hands with them as if for the last time citing my observation that on the trail if you say goodbye to someone in this manner they always turn up again. They are just great people to be around and I hope not to have seen the last of them. The trail is rocky, muddy, and steep but it's also beautiful.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Wayah Gap +1

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

What a day! Started the nearly 15 mile day at 0800. Then just as I topped Wayah Bald someone calls out "food". Turned out to be a trail angel named River Wizard* doing some trail magic. I had a hamburger, a hotdog, and a budweiser and we all sat around for an hour and chatted. When River Wizard came to this spot on this day in 2001 it was raining, windy, and cold, so he does trail magic here on this day.It was an absolutely beautiful day. Clear skies and temps in the 20°s. Tomorrow we all drop a few thousand feet to the Nantaha'la River and the Natahala outdoor center (N.O.C.). We'll get a few packages and so some short term resupply to tide us over until Fontana Dam and re-supply in Robinsville.On my way up to Wesser Balk today I met a man and a woman coming down. Turned out to be Stumpknocker and Short Step. Stumpknocker is sort of a legendary hiker dude and I felt like it was a great ending to a great day!
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 5.7

Short day. Rolled into N.O.C. at about 11:00 and got a shower and laundry, retrieved bounce box took out some maps and sent it home. Just too much hassle to deal with a maildrop.N.O.C. outfitter has plenty of hiker needs. I was able to resupply for the next three days until we reach Fontana dam.Well I don't know if the famous hiker hunger is kicking in but I did make three trips to the soup and salad bar .Stump knocker* and Short Cut showed up at the restaurant, in from a sack pack from Stecoah Gap. I asked him if he really ate those two fruit pies for breakfast and he answered affirmative with a grin. He showed us a list of the people he met today on the trail. Some we were curious about. Just a super nice fellow and his side kick Short Cut* is also very nice.You hear about how congenial people are on the trail, but the reality is even more incredible.The weather has been gorgeous these last two days and so has the trail. The 360° view from Wesser Bald Tower was fantastic but the 5 mile down hill hike into N.O.C. although hard on the knees was breathtaking. Walking along a narrow ridge with hundred foot drop offs just a few feet on either side of the trail.Tomorrow we start the 30 mile trip to Fontana where I'll resupply for the hike across the Smokies. I'm only 4 days behind my original schedule so I think that's great. We have gradually increased our mileage and by the time we leave the Smokies I think the trail legs will be in full gear.Days go by fast out here, really fast. We hike from sun up till we get tired, sometimes until sundown. It depends on which mountains stand in the way. But it's really fun! No wonder people choose to do this every year.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: N.O.C.

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The climb out of the Nantahala Gorge was 7 miles long and climbed 3400 feet. Some of the trail was very steep. This made for a long and tiring day but even though the weather was threatening rain we have only had sprinkles.At one point "the jump up" we have a magnificent view of the N.O.C. complex and the Nantahala Gorge from about 2000 feet above. Later on I will add a picture of it on this page. It was really a breathtaking view.Last night while I was talking to D.W. on the pay phone I saw a fox cross the parking lot and duck under a building. I first thought it was a coyote but then reconglized the more bushy tail. It was neat to see anyway.Tonight we have a new company Ranger Corter* and Turtle*, Route Step* and Fish* who have been in prior camps, Single Malt* and myself. We had a nice little warm fire and I crawled in the tent at 7PM. Such is life on the trail .
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Rained hard last night at Locust Cover, but today was partly cloudy with temps in the 70s. There was more wonderful trail majic at Stecoah Gap thanks to Hopeful* and many of his 03 hiking companions.The climb out of Stecoah was brutal, plain and simple. Few switch backs and trail that just went up, up, up. I haven't been one to write the details of which mountains we climbed each day but today just got to me. The North Carolina section has some long steep climbs, but I guess it's just to be expected.The trail legs haven't really kicked in yet. Although I can see some progress. I think I've come to some conclusions about getting my pack weight down. It just makes sense to do it, but I like my comfort at night too.Tomorrow a stay at the Hike Inn and re-supply in Robinsville. I really don't need much but Stump knocker has me thinking that fruit pies might make a good breakfast.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hike Inn
Miles today: 6.5

Into Fontana, Robbinsville tonight for resupply and a meal. After a shower I feel human enough to do some shopping . I recall doing resupply in Hiawassee before the shower and felt a little offensive. Maybe that will go away as I head north.We saw Mr Breeze* today who we last saw on day 2. Knee knocker* and Fish* went on, but we learned that Fung Sway*, Enuff* and Too Much* were coming in tomorrow. It's funny how we have friends scattered across the hills but keep running into one another and it's always a welcome reunion.I was a little surprised that Fontana Dam offered no truely excellent views. I took a picture none the less. But that good news is all the wild flowers are starting. As I dropped off the ridge line into Fontana I noticed that the lower I got in elevation the more blossoms I saw. These are the tangible beauty of the trail. The gifts that come only to the walker. Tomorrow...the Smokies!
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Fontana Hike Inn

To: Brich Springs Gap
Miles today: 6.2

A late start out of Fontana translated to a short day for hiking. It was a wierd weather day though. Windy, sunny, cloudy, rainy, sunny, windy. And there at 7 PM the wind is howling up the gap and a storm wouldn't be a suprise.Fontana villiage has decent resupply and a nice little post office. The shuttle van costs $2 to anywhere and there is even a nice restaurant.Most of the people I have met on the trail suddently appeared in Fontana. Saw Long Shanks just before he headed home to Alabama to heal an injured knee.So now it's the GSMNP. For the next week we will be moving across the backbone of the most visited national park in the US. There is a good bear cable system in this camp so I expect it will be much the same throughout. If the warm weather holds we'll have a good hike through the park, but it has a week to change.