morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-30
To: Blue Ridge, GA
Miles today: 712.0

My last prep entry. Leaving tonight for Blue Ridge GA and hopefully will be on the trail on Sunday. My hiking partner ended up in the hospital so I will be going solo. He might be joining me later in the hike. Tying up some loose ends and if I feel well enough will leave Naples at 9pm. I am so psyched. I am ready. Will start out a little heavy seeing I forgot to put a couple of items in my first postal drop. Just need fuel for my jetboil stoe and a new pair of sunglasses. I am setting this journal to currently hiking because it looks like I will not be able to make my entries until I reach Hiawassee. God I am asking for your guidance and your strength to take me through this trail. I look forward to many long conversations with you along the way. Amen
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Springer Mtn.

To: Hawk Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Dave dropped me off at 9:30 am .9 miles from Springer Mtn summit. Left the summit at 10:50. Met a few people today most notably a deaf trio that I am able to communicate with. Stopped at Stover Creek shelter for lunch and left there at 1pm.   Arrived at Hawk Mtn. shelter at 5pm. Hit the wrong trail for water and walked about 1 mile out of my way. Came back and found the water source nearby. Was carrying 1 gal but will drop down to 2 quarts. All in all a good day.                     1 step at a time.                    Mike
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Hawk Mtn. shelter

To: Liss Gap
Miles today: 9.8

Left at 8:45am. Didn't sleep to well. Around 16 people at the shelter. I tented and will when ever possible. Saw alot of nice views and took a picture or two. Decided to bypass Gooch Gap shelter and am camped at Liss Gap. Will go into Suches tomorrow for my first mail drop. Will shoot for Woods Hole shelter tomorrow.I am 1 day ahead of schedule seeing I did not have to do the approach trail. Until tomorrow.     Mike
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Liss Gap

To: Jarrod Gap
Miles today: 7.7

Left at 8:20 am. Camped with Steve from DC. He isn"t doing very well because he hasn't eaten.   Hiked alone most of the day. Leaped frogged with the deaf people all day. Had to walk the 1.9 miles into Suches to the post office with 10 min. to spare before they closed for 1 and a half hours for lunch. A trail angel asked if I needed a ride back to the trail and of course I said yes. Started hiking with Don and his dog T-Bone, his brother Jeff and his dog Chloe. The are from Kansas. Quietest dogs I have ever met.   We are camped out at Jarrods Gap 1.7 miles shy of my destination. Large group here from Gainsville. Will go up and over Blood Mtn. tomorrow. It is suppose to be brutal. We'll see.      Mike
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Jarrod Gap

To: Neels Gap/Walasi-Yi Hostel
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

Blood Mtn. was difficult but not as bad as I was led to believe. The summit was awesome. I could stay up there for days. The view was spectacular. Can't wait to get my film developed. Got a shower here at the hostel and am getting ready to do my laundry. Other people waiting to use the computer so gotta go.  I miss you all!   Mike
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Neels Gap/Walasi-Yi Hostel

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Got up at 6:30 and packed up my gear and waited for the store to open at 8:30. Got some M&M's for the next couple days. Man did I miss chocolate. Weighed my pack and I have scaled it down 10 lbs. to 28 lbs. with 4 days of food and 2 quarts of water. Left at 9:00 with Don and T-Bone,Jeff and Chloe. T-bone not doing so well so I think they will be getting off of the trail. I think Jeff is leaning that way with Chloe getting some sore spots. Met another guy named Jack and hiked with him, Jeff and Chloe and Popeye. The climb out of Neels Gapp was steep. There were a few more steep climbs today also. Got to Low Gap shelter at 4:30. Popeye beat me there seeing how they scaled 21 lbs. off of his pack at the Walasi-Yi center. Those people are great. Well gotta set up camp. Good night.                  One step at a time.                           Mike
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

Met an elderly gentleman from Isreal last night. He is trying to do the entire trail in less than 80 days by running it. I hope he makes it. He has more energy than me.   Got an early start today at 7:15. Got a little bit of rain this morning and the temp was 80 degrees. Within an hour it dropped down to 62 degrees and never got higher than 76 degrees. Have gone over 19 mts. so far and are working on our 20th.  Popeye and I have left the others and are moving pretty well. We hiked the easiest part of the trail so far. There were some steep ascents and descents toward the end. Feel pretty good after a 13 mile day.   It is 6:00 and I am ready for bed.              One step at a time.                           Mike
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Man was it cold this morning. Woke to 40 degree temp.Got up and put every piece of clothing I have on. Packed up right away so that I could warm up while hiking. Headed up Tray Mtn. and had breakfast at the summit. What an amazing view both North and South. To the South it looked kind of flat and to the North the Mountains we will be crossing over the next couple of weeks.Climbed to over 4000 feet twice today. Boy the ascents sure make my legs tired. Popeye blows me away there but I keep up with him pretty good on the descents and flat terrain.   We are at Mulls Motel in Hiawassee GA. Will pick up my mail drop tomorrow have Breakfast and catch up on my journal.  Sorry no phone service here but will make calls when possible.    Forgot to mention Lance and Derrik who caught up with us at the bottom of Dicks Creek Gap and gave us a ride to the motel. Thanks guys.   Had a huge burger for dinner and 3 milkshakes for dessert. Well got to hit the sack Good night every one.                                    One step at a time.                           Mike
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 6:30 and went to Huddle House for breakfast. It was great to have something other than oatmeal for a change.   Went back to the motel until 8:30 to wait for the post office to open and get my mail drop. Sorted through it and sent the rest to Franklin. Hit the trail for a short day, also known as a nero day, but it started to rain so we pushed on to this shelter. We walked in the rain for over 3 hours with the temps in the 40's.   When we got to the shelter it was full so when there was a break in the rain I set up my tent under the overhang the best I could. I had dinner and put on some dry clothes. I feel a little warmer now and very tired so I will say good night for now.One step at a time. Mike
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Muskrat Creek shelter

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

Left at 10:45. Cold and wet. Temps in the 40's again all day. Walking in the clouds all day and with the moisture building up in the trees it is like it is raining. Terrain is getting a little flatter. Not so many steep ups and downs which is good because both knees are really starting to bother me. I am with Popeye, Georgia Trail Dog, Red, Buffer, Hot Wing, Flip Flop and a few others. Flip Flop is from Key Largo and started hiking from Naples to the AT in flip flops hence his trail name.  I would say that at least 60% of the people I have met are from Fla.   Went over 5000 feet today and it looks like we will stay in the 4000's to 5000's for awhile now.   Entered the Nantahala National Forest today and will be in it for quite awhile. It is so Beautiful here. I wish everyone could experience this.   Well gotta go.One step at a time. Mike
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Rock Gap shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Left this morning at 7:45. It was a little warmer this morning but still wet. My knees are still bothering me badly. Hiked alone most of the day. Had to climb Albert Mountain Which was a challenge even if my knees weren't killing me. Thought about taking the blue blazed trail but that would be cheating as far as I am concerned. Made it to this shelter about 3:00 pm. I have had dinner, got my water and the sun is finally coming out.   Will head into Franklin tomorrow for a nero day followed by a zero day to rest my Knees and get my mail drop.   Time for bed. Good night.One step at a time. Mike
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Rock Gap shelter

To: Winding Gap/ Franklin NC
Miles today: 3.8

Left this morning and a pretty easy go of it. Coming down to the road at Winding Gap was torture on my knees because of the stairs.   Waited for Georgia Trail Dog who will be going home from here and Hot Wing and Buffer who will be going to the hotel with me. Suppose to hook up with Popeye there. Met a gentleman and his 8 year old son who have hiked over 600 miles of the trail already. They road into town with us. That little pickup was loaded down with the five of us and our gear.   The people here are great. Ron Haven owns 2 hotels here in Franklin and just bought the Hiawassee Inn in Hiawassee. He is a great supporter of the hiking community.   Looks like I will be here until Saturday resting my knees. Hope I can continue then.   Popeye and Spoon left today so I probably won't see them again but only God knows for sure. Nice hiking with you Popeye and Good luck.   My phone doesn't work hardly anywhere up here so I will keep everyone up on my progress here on the journal now that I have it fixed. Sorry for the inconvienence.One step at a time. Mike
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Winding Gap/Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0

Slept in until 8:30 this morning. Man did that feel good. Went to the store and then to the post office to send my bounce box to Gatlinburg TN. I won't need it at Fontana Dam because I will not be staying there. Updated my journal and chatted with a couple of people on-line. Been eating on a can of DAK ham because it is too heavy to carry on the trail. Will be carrying 5 days worth of food for the long haul to Fontana Dam.   I will be taking it a little slower, Maybe only 7 to 10 miles a day to give my knees a break. If I have to I can take a zero day at a shelter and still have enough food.   As of right now Erwin TN doesn't seem possible but who knows. I will listen to my knees over the next few days and see what happens. I miss every one at home but I already expected that so it is no suprise. I have God by my side and I know he will lead me in the right direction. God bless!!!One step at a time. Mike
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Winding Gap/Franklin NC

To: Wayah Bald shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

It was hard to leave town, but I got to the trail at 11:00am. I slowed my pace way down and I still got to the shelter by 6:00pm.   It rained a little in the beginning but not much. Pretty easy going today.   Got my first cooler trail magic today, a Pepsi. I drank that and moved on. Not a whole lot of that this late in the season.   Lost the pages to my trail guide up to Fontana Dam so I can't really tell how far I need to go to get to the shelter. That is ok because I will be able to write down the mileage from some one else's book tonight.   Climbed up to the summit of Wayah Bald and went up the tower even though it is condemed.They are going to rebuild it this summer. Would have been a great view if not for the weather.   Continued on and spooked a bear. I could not see it but I could see the saplings it was knocking down to get away from me.    Got within a quarter of a mile from the shelter and it started to rain hard. Just had dinner. Here at the shelter areme, Buffer and Hot Wing. Looks like John-Boy, who is a girl, is here now also. Well need to get the bed ready so I will say good night.                One step at a time,                     Mike
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Wayah Bald shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

What a day. Started out to do just 11 miles and ended up doing 16.3. Started out at 7:30am and got about half a mile from the shelter and saw 2 pigs. the first one I saw I thought was a bear because it weighed over 200 lbs. Then it looked up at me and I could see that it was a pig. Then the little one, about 35 lbs. took off and the bigger one followed it.Hiked alone most of the day. Stopped at Wesser Bald shelter and ran into Ulysses who starts hiking at about 2:00pm. Waited for John-Boy to see if she was going the extra 5 1/2 miles to NOC because I know she doesn't like the thunder and lightening even if it is far away. When she got there it started to rain and the 3 of us started to head out as Hot Wing came so we all took off together. The terrain got really hard and I had to take it real slow so I let them get ahead of me. If I had known the terrain was going to be like that I would have stayed at the shelter. The terrain was real nice before that. Needless to say my knees hurt bad. The rain got really hard for about an hour and 1/2 so needed to take even more care. Got to NOC at 4:30pm. Ate at the restaurant and got a bunk. So far I am the only one in the bunk house.Popeye is here but I haven't seen him yet.I am icing down my knees and will be going to bed soon so I will say Good night.One step at a time,Mike
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafrass Gap shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

Had the bunk house to myself. Almost as good as having a cabin. Will have to come back here someday to raft and kayak. Got up early,around 6:30am and started to pack up.I waited until the last minute to put on my wet shoes and socks. Went down to the outfitter to get a knee brace and a new hand book. Said good-bye to John-Boy as she has to leave the trail due to a family illness. I hope all goes well and hope to here that you are back on the trail soon. Bless you and your family. Don't forget to lighten your pack and get some hiking poles.The climb today was real steep. We gained 3000 feet of elevation pretty fast. I am here at the first shelter at 2:00pm to give my knees a break. I have eaten and will probably eat again. Man has my appetite grown.Looks like a 9 mile hike tomorrow.I did eat again. I had instant mashed potatoes and I diced up some Slim-Jim's to put in it and boy was that good. Don't believe me, go ahead and try it.
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Sassafrass Gap shelter

To: Cable Gap shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Left at 7:40am this morning and climbed to the top of Cheoah Bald (5062 feet) and guess what? To cloudy to see anything.Had lunch at Stecoah Gap and 3 guys from the road dept. were having thier lunch also. They took my trash and filled my water bottle. Great trail magic. They also told me that it will probably rain on Fri.When I got to Brown Fork Gap shelter I decided to go on so I left a note in the dirt forBuffer and Hot Wing so they would know. Well I went over 15 miles today. Got to this shelter and set up my tent and then kneeled in the stream while I cooked dinner to soak my feet and knees. Man that cold water felt good. Hung my food bag and should sleep good tonight.One step at a time,Mike
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Cable Gap shelter

To: Fontana Dam shelter (The Fontana Hilton)
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Left at 7:15am and got to Fontana Village at 10:15am. Walked the 2 miles into the Village which is not on the daily miles because only the trail miles count. I did laundry, got my mail drop and sorted through it, did some shopping and sent my left over food to Gatlinburg. A section hiker, Rocky Top, offered me a ride back to the trail so of course I took it. I probably looked a ridiculous carrying a dozen eggs strapped to the back of my pack.When I got to the shelter I cooked 4 eggs and added 1/2 a lb. of cheddar cheese to it. I will never cook scrambled eggs in my JET-BOIL stove again. Man what a pain to clean. After that I had a pack of crackers with the other 1/2 lb. of cheese, a bag of M&M's for dessert. This is a real nice shelter. It sleeps 24, Has hot showers and real toilets. It has a great view of Fontana Lake.If I leave tomorrow I will end up in Gatlinburg on Sunday and the post office will be closed. I could zero there but I think my knees will benefit more if I zero here.I will see how I feel tomorrow. Rain coming Friday and into the weekend so I will be wet but I am ready for that. Wow someone just gave me a fried chix breast for a final dessert. I think I am full now so I am turning in. Good night all.One step at a time.Mike
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Fontana Dam shelter (The Fontana Hilton)

To: Fontana Dam shelter (The Fontana Hilton)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up at 5:00am to water dripping and it turned out that someone on the top bunk rolled over onto thier water bladder and it was leaking on the guy below. After getting it cleaned up 15 minutes later we all went back to sleep. Got up and decided to take a zero day here. Woke up with everyone else at day break and said good bye. The no-see-ums are pretty bad so I set my tent up in the shelter. After everyone left I did a little reading and took a nap.When I woke up 2 guys from Pennsylvania came in and said they were going on so I went with them to the dam so they could take some pictures of me with my camera seeing how the weather was good. Before I left I bought a pint of ice cream to eat on the way back. When I got to the shelter Hot Wing, Buffer and his friend Jeff, who has been hiking for a couple of days, was at there which suprised me because I thought they hit the trail early. They left thier gear and went back to the village. When they returned they brought me a Dam Burger and onion rings. Thanks again guys. I was bummed because I didn't get one when I was there and here the come with it. What great trail magic.It is almost 9:00pm, Hikers midnight, so I am off to bed. Good night.One step at a timeMike
Date: 2010-05-21
From: Fontana Dam shelter (The Fontana Hilton)

To: Spence Field shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Left at 7:30am with cloudy skies. Dropped off my back country permit for the Great Smokey Mountains National Park and took a few more pictures of the dam. It started to rain just as I was entering the park. It continued for about 5 hours.Stopped at the first shelter and decided to go to the second. My knees felt real good. The terrain has been easy so I continued on to the third shelter where i am now. This shelter is full. I have had dinner and am ready for bed. Good night all. I miss you.One step at a time,Mike
Date: 2010-05-22
From: Spence Field shelter

To: Double Spring Gap shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Here in the park we have to stay in shelters unless they are full then we can set up our tents only in sight of the shelter. I got stuck between the 2 loudest snorers there. I left the shelter at 7:15am in the rain again. I climbed Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mts.My feet are soaked from the tall wet grass not the direct rain.About noon I heard a turkey so I stopped for a few minutes to see if he was coming toward me but he wasn't so i left.After lunch the sun came out and there were some real nice views before I got to the shelter. Just had dinner so time for bed. Good night.One step at a timeMike
Date: 2010-05-23
From: Double Spring Gap shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night I got up to use the privy around midnight and I spooked a deer. That didn"t suprise me any but what did suprise me was that when I came back she was there and she walked right up to me. That was really cool.I left at 6:15 and headed out into the fog. I arrived at Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT at 6,643 ft. I went to the top and it was a total white out. It was also cold and windy. There were 4 kids camped out on top. Here I thought I was the one that was insane.I decided to go on and arrived at Newfound Gap to find Buffer there. We were like celebrities. People were asking us questions about our hike and were taking pictures of us. We hitched a ride into Gatlinburg real fast. Buffer sent a message to Hot Wing with 2 south bounders that we were in town. We got our rooms and went to have lunch. Prime rib sandwich and baked potato. Just as we finished we saw Hot Wing across the street. Went back to the motel and did laundry then went to dinner which was prime rib and baked potato and for dessert a 4 scoop Moose Tracks ice cream cone. Went back to the motel and caught up on my journal and made a lot of calls. It is 11:00pm so well past my bed time. Good night all.One step at a time Mike
Date: 2010-05-24
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up at the motel at 6:30 and started to pack up. Went to the PO at 9:00 am and got my mail drop. I sent everything home and packed all of my food in a box to take to the motel. What was once 10 days of food is now about 7 days worth.Started to hitch hike at noon and finally got a ride at 1:00pm. Got back on the trail at 1:30pm and it started to pour. I arrived at the first shelter and it stopped. When I left it started to pour again. I got to Charlies Bunion and it started to clear up. I took a couple of pix and moved on to the shelter here. I arrived at 7:20 and had dinner so I am off to bed. Good night.One step at a timeMike
Date: 2010-05-25
From: Pecks Corner shelter

To: Cosby Knob shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Left at 8:30am. It sprinkled a little before I left. It was foggy but it cleared up by 10:00am. Stopped for lunch at Tri-Corner Knob shelter. Left at 12:30 and did 8 miles in 3 1/2 hours which is good time. Not bad for an old guy. Seen some really nice views along the way.I forgot to mention that someone left a real nice knee brace at the Pecks Corner shelter which I grabbed. It is working really well.Read the shelter log and people are talking about a bear hanging around. Just as KT was getting readt to get changed on the side of the shelter I looked up and there it was. A medium size bear of about 200 lbs. We yelled at it with no effect. We banged some pots and it left slowly only to return soon. We are double checking to make sure there is no food in the shelter and every thing that has a food odor is hung up on the cables. He paid no attention to us so we just let him graze and he hung around most of the night never making any moves toward the shelter except to use the trail. Good night every one.One step at a time.Mike
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Cosby Knob shelter

To: Groundhog Creek shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

Left at 7:30 this morning. Some really nice views today. Dry shoes and socks really make a difference.As I was on top of Sunup Mtn. which is the last summit before leaving the GSMNP I thought of all that I was able to accomplish so far and of my friends and family that I miss so much and wish I could share this with them. It was here that I knew that this was the right thing for me to do.After that I left the park and then climbed for 4 hours straight comming to the summit of Snowbird Mtn. just as it started to rain. I hid under the FAA tower and it stopped. When I left it started to rain again but at least my feet stayed dry.Got to the shelter at 5:30pm,earlier than I thought I would make it. I have eaten and am off to bed. Good night every one.One step at a timeMike