morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-04
To: One week!
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday was a quite productive day as far as getting ready to leave on the trail. One of our group has decided that a thru-hike is not a wise idea at this point in his life due to unknown circumstances (to me). So, yesterday, the three of us remaining (myself, Sam, and Scott) which are awaiting trail names from the trail met and re-divided our food to accommodate three to a meal instead of four. We have decided to cook breakfasts and dinners together and leave snacks and lunches up to ourselves to reduce in confusion and debates over who gets to eat what. We have all of the mail-drops that we are planning on sending (four) packaged as far as breakfasts and dinners go and we are all going to add our snacks to each box tomorrow and then mail them. I'll hopefully get these four mail drops posted on the side icon for those of you that are looking to send us treats. They WILL be greatly appreciated. Don't you worry...After we finalized what we could for our mail-drops, we watched the disappointing UNC v. NC State basketball game. I'll leave that comment at disappointing.Also, yesterday night our families all met for a going away dinner. There were a good 20 of us or so at Sam's house for a BBQ dinner. It was a very nice occasion and I would like to thank those that helped it happen and those that came. It was good to see everyone before we head out. I also find myself cherishing good food to an obsessive extent and I haven't even started hiking. I can't imagine how it will be in a couple of months. With that said, the food was good.In exactly one week, we should all be close to our first shelter. Maybe even cooking dinner by now if we're making good time. I'll post tomorrow for our finalized packing plans and our trip down to Georgia.The picture is from our 100-mile section this past summer in Central-VA. Pictures tend to liven up the journal. I can't wait until I can post them as I take them.-Chris"Baby this town rips the bones from your backIts a death trap, its a suicide rapWe gotta get out while were young`cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run"-Bruce Springsteen
Date: 2007-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Only two days until departure for Ga. Three days until we leave Springer. February has really come fast. I have been waiting for this day for so long and it is finally here. So, here is the plan:Tonight: going away party with friends. See everyone for the last time.Tommorow: finishing touches and packing and family dinner etc.Saturday: leave 930ish and hopefully get into GA in time to check out the park, have dinner, go to bedSunday: get up, big breakfast, START THE HIKE!So that's it, this will probably be my last Prep post. Next time I post, I'll finally have something to talk about! Until then...-Chris"When it's springtime down in GeorgiaIt's winter time up in Maine."-Elton John
Date: 2007-02-10
To: It's GA-ME Time
Miles today: 0.0

Finally in Georgia. Drove down this morning, visited the Amicalola State Park which is quite impressive, hiked around some, and got a monstrous mexican dinner. We finalized our packs, splitting everything up and getting the perishable food that we needed. I am about to head to bed, but figured I should post once more before heading onto the trail. I am not sure how accessible computers will be as we go through towns. Anyways, we'll be getting up around 8 and heading to the park for a breakfast buffet at the resort. Then we'll drive to Springer so our folks can see us off and of course take lots of pictures. Hoping to be on the trail around 12 and at the shelter by 4. Shouldn't be a problem.The picture is Scott, Sam, and myself at the state park.-Chris (trailname hopefully soon to come)¢Focus on the journey, not the destination."
Date: 2007-02-11
From: Springer Mtn.

To: Hawk Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

The big day has finally arrived. Got up this morning and drove to the Amicalola State Park for their breakfast buffet and weighed our packs. Me - 37, Sam - 44, Scott - 37. Semi-misleading since packs were not completely packed and we're carrying some luxery foods for the first day or two. We'll also even things out before we leave to remove the burden from Sam and even out the packs.It was a beautiful day with lots of ice patches on the trail. We saw some nice waterfalls throughout the hike. The shelter is a double-decker. There are three other thru-hikers here. Toe-socks which is a joint trailname shared by a retired married couple. A past nurse and psychologist from Alabama. The other guy is Parker from southern GA who just graduated from UGA in December. Met one other guy today on Springer who had his dog with him, but didnt get his name.Accidentally left my light fleece jacket with my mom after saying our goodbyes with our parents. Luckily, Mrs. Franklin ran in about a mile to get it to me. Felt bad, but it was kind of funny as well. Thanks Mrs. Franklin! We've been trying to come up with trail-names, but no for-sure takers.-Chris"The best advice I can give you is just to remember to have fun." - '99 Thru-hiker at base of Springer
Date: 2007-02-12
From: Hawk Mtn. Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up around 8 today. Didn't leave camp until about 10. At the beggining of the hike, there was about a half-mile of ice along the trail that was very slick. Other than that, not moch of a frozen precipitation presense. The hike wasn't too bad, pushed ourselves a little over what we were planning in order to get to Neel's Gap a day early. It is supposed to rain/ice tomorrow so we want to be at the Hostel after hiking in it. Tonight we are camping under the tarp at a roadside camping spot. Met another thru-hiker today, Early Bird, he is a southbounder who will be finishing tomorrow. He said that he has been passing lots of NOBO's (North-Bounders) lately. More and more as he gets further south. Hopefully we'll start catching up to some. If we keep cutting days off, it'll be sooner than later.Oatmeal for breakfast, granola bars throughout the day, mexican and rice dish leftover from our last night in civilization for a late lunch, and Angel Hair with real sauce for dinner. Probably one of the best days of trailfood we'll have. Glad to have the weight off our packs...Still working on trailnames.-Chris"Even when you shake and dance,the last two drops still end in your pants."
Date: 2007-02-13
From: Woody Gap

To: Walasi-yi Center (Neel's Gap)
Miles today: 10.6

Woke up to some drizzles, quickly packed up and started hiking. Around 2 or so, the rain really picked up as we were summiting Blood Mtn. Stopped and had lunch in the shelter on top then finished up the hike down to the Walasi-yi Center. Took a LONG warm shower and did a load of laundry. Lucky timing in getting to the shelter in such wet conditions. For dinner we got a pizza from town and enjoyed the warmth of being inside. Lots of thru-hikers at the hostel. Hawk and Layla (dog), Melisa and Sardine with Gunner (dog), Ramblin Rose, Castanet, and so the list goes on...about 10 in all. Got to call home and talk to the folks for a short while, they were surprised to hear from me since we're a little early. We may have figured out some trailnames. Ant for me, given this past summer from Sam in a Central Virginia section. I was holding out with hopes that we would get a good trio name. Scott has settled on "Whateva." It seems fitting. Still waiting for one for Sam. At least one he is willing to be called for at least the next 5 months. We'll see what happens.-Ant
Date: 2007-02-14
From: Walasi-yi Center (Neel's Gap)

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Turns out writing in gloves doesn't really cut it. You're lucky you can't see my handwriting. Hardly legible without gloves, but with them, mere chicken scratch. Brrr. Woke up this morning with talk of the weather. Didn't exactly believe the guy, thought he was pulling my leg. ALthough it was an exageration, I feel it appropriate to say that it was 'damn cold.' About 25 degrees with 30 mph winds in the Gap. We deliberated a while and decided we would push on. It is supposed to snow in 2-3 days, so it'd be nice to make it to the hostel/resupply before that happens. Although it was harsh and cut right to the bone, it was incredibly beautiful. (hopefully ill get the pictures up when i can get to a computer not destroyed by viruses). Even though pictures never tend to do things justice. Made it to Low Gap Shelter where Ramblin' Rose and Castanet were settled in, and Parker, who came into Neels Gap this morning from Blood Mtn and hiked with us most of today also joined us soon after our arrival. Whoa run-on sentence. Break from school allows for this kind of thing...My pack feels as if it is becoming a part of me. It is much lighter and I am packing it more efficiently. Well, it is 7:30 now, it has been dark for about 30 minutes, everyone has been in their sleeping bags for a while, so I guess it is time for bed. After 10 hours of sleep, it'll be 5:30! I'll let you know how that one works out.-Ant"It's blowing 50 mph and hailing pieces this big (golfball hand gesture)." -First thing I hear this morning. Courtesy of Otto.
Date: 2007-02-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

Woke up in high teen temperatures with the sun around 7:15. Put in lots of miles today, our biggest. Packs seem incredibly light compared to what we started with since we've eaten off the large majority of the food. The weather varies depending on which side of the mountain we are on. It goes from calm and sunny to bitter cold and windy just like that...Arrived at Tray Mtn Shelter around 5 after a full day of hiking. Someone had left some food, 8 packs of crackers, 3 bags of dried bananas, and about a pound of peanuts and raisins. They were gone almost immediately. Not sure if it was someones excess food or trailmajic, regardless, it was greatly appreciated! Well, its 645 now and the sun is going down. We're all in our sleeping bags just hanging out. Guess this is it for the night.-Ant"The only way to get warm is to hike."
Date: 2007-02-16
From: Tray Mtn. Shelter

To: Hiawasee Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 10.6

Woke up this morning to high single digit temperatures. By far the coldest night on the trail. Got up, and got on the trail as soon as possible. Too cold to sit around and cook. All of our water bottles were frozen solid so we had no water. I was pretty dehydrated starting off, but got some water a couple miles down the trail.Got to Dicks Creek Gap around 1 and hitched a ride to The Blueberry Patch to pick up our mail-drop, but it wasn't open yet, so we couldn't stay. Luckily we got the package. Hitched another ride the 11 miles into Hiawassee in the back of a pickup. Staying at the Holiday Inn Express where we were treated to a luxery suite. Two double beds, pull out couch, and all other possible hotel comforts for a whopping 60 bucks. 20 bucks a night per person for this is not too shabby. Gotta love the hiker special. I was expecting to have to share a bed. Got some food and drinks from the grocery store and went to a buffet for dinner. Going to take a 0 tomorrow. Trying to get Nancy to come down tomorrow from Furman for the night. It'd be good to see her.-Ant"It's time to fatten up on microwavable foods." - Whateva
Date: 2007-02-17
From: Hiawasee Holiday Inn Express

To: Hiawasee Holidy Inn Express
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and finalized our decision to take a zero. A zero is a beautiful thing. Lounging around all day, eating food and watching TV. Got to go for a swim/hot tub at the hotel. Walked around town for a little bit. The weather forcast showed rain in the afternoon that eventually turns to snow. Just watched the Carolina game, GO HEELS!!!! and there is about two inches of acculmulation at the moment and its still snowing pretty strong. Feel like we made a good choice to take a zero.Saw Melisa and Sardine today in town. Melisa is having knee troubles, so who knows how long they'll be off the trail. Hopefully after a couple days off she'll be back to normal. As for tomorrow, we're hoping to pack up and hitch a ride back to the trail in order to be hiking around 11. I am hoping in the snow it won't take very long to get a ride. The 11 miles back to the trail is a day in itself. We've had good luck so far, so hopefully it'll continue.Well, its 11:40 now, which is about 5 hours after my trail bedtime. So I am going to retire. Hope to get pictures up as soon as possible. The hotel computer is barely still alive...scared to hook anything up to it. Thanks for all of the guest book hits. It is great to hear from yall.-Ant
Date: 2007-02-18
From: Hiawasee Holidy Inn Express

To: Muscrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Took our time in the hotel this morning. Left around 11 and almost immediately hitched a ride to the trailhead. A guy in his 50's with his 81 year old mother picked us up. Got on the trail and started hiking in the fresh snow. Wasn't long before we started to shed some layers. Crossed into North Carolina today. Our first state!   Did some of the necessary routines when you finish a state, such as passing water back into Georgia and drinking the three Budweisers that we found at the previous shelter. Such appropriate trail magic! North Carolina seems to be in a completely different league than Georgia. It seems as if instantly we were in larger mountains with bigger elevation changes. There was also much more snow, about three inches consistently, with some larger drifts. Very windy along the ridges, which we hiked along for most of the second half of the day. Could definitely tell that we had taken a day off as for getting into the rhythm. Today has definitely been the prettiest that we've seen. As for now, its 8 o'clock and 17 degrees. This is our welcome back.-"We just climbed Mt. Everest" - Sam
Date: 2007-02-19
From: Muscrat Creek Shelter

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

Pretty chilly night last night! Stayed warm though. Lots of frost inside of my bivy sac. Probably not a good thing. Going to try and sleep without it tonight. Sacrifice the extra warmth for hopefully a dryer sleep. Also going to just sleep in shorts, t-shirt, and hat. Hopefully that will minimize sweat.Lots of snow the first half of the day. More or less three inches consistently with some bigger drifts. Same as yesterday... I am finding these conditions to be very hard on the body. My leg joints, knees specifically are pretty sore from stepping blindly onto the trail. Rocks etc. are covered by the snow so there is lots of twisting and slipping. The sun eventually melted the majority of the snow as the day went on, or just less snowfall further north. When I started the trail, I was overly anxious to get north to see new sights, but the past couple days have reaffirmed the beauty of North Carolina. We'll break the 100 mile mark tomorrow. Stopped at the old Carter Gap Shelter (about to fall over) but luckily realized that there was a new and improved shelter right down the trail. Sam has decided on a trail name today: Slick Shoes. More on that later.
Date: 2007-02-20
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

My Trail name (Slick Shoes) originates from ¢The Goonies¢ (a 1985 masterpiece). In the movie Data uses what he calls his ¢slick shoes¢ to shoot grease out the back of his shoes on a log-bridge over a river to deter some villains from catching them. I slipped on one such log crossing a small stream amonst other falls I have sustained on ice and other obstacles. The name is also a reference to the lack of slippage I have in my heels which has been the source of many painful blisters.   Finally if you don¢t like any of those reasons surely you can appreciate how ¢fly¢ my shoes are. Informally I am called just ¢Slick¢ (with a Jerry Darnell accent).Today was foggy with some light rain/mist. Fortunately the terrain wasn¢t that strenuous - a long slow up hill and then back down again. There was a step climb up Albert Mtn. this is probably the steepest climb we¢ve seen (or felt) ¢ at least it seems that way.   It was almost like climbing up natural stairs except the next step is at your waist and the steps are rocks, roots, and slick dirt. This makes it especially hard on those of us that God blessed with short legs. We got to Rock Gap Shelter earlier than usual (~3 pm) but decided against pushing on. We predicted a rain storm that night so we rigged the tarp up over the open side of the shelter because of the lack of an overhang and he awkward placement of the shelter. We were unusually hungry so we ended up cooking about 2 and a half dinners-worth of food. We also hit the 100 mile mark today.-SamCraving of the day ¢ Vitos salad with creamy Italian and rolls.
Date: 2007-02-21
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.6

Our first ¢easy¢ day. We had some heavy rains and hail last night as we predicted. The tarp did more harm than good. The wind would blow the unfastened bottom in the shelter then the rain would drip down the tarp getting the inside of the shelter wet. We woke up planning on a short 8 mile day. We hiked the first 4 miles and reached highway 64 around lunch time. We checked Wingfoot and saw that it was only 10 miles into Franklin, NC. We stuck out our thumb and after 30 minutes of waiting we finally got a ride from some construction workers in two pick up trucks. We ate lunch at Fat Buddies a local chain that is apparently praised for their macaroni and cheese. We all had some completely satisfying BBQ and managed to hitch a ride back from a retired couple sitting behind us in the restaurant. We got back on at Winding Stair Gap and hiked the 3-4 miles to Siler¢s Bald Shelter. At the shelter we found an old external frame pack filled with internet printouts of ways to commit a crime, concealing fingerprints, putting together a crime syndicate, evading police, etc.. there was also a meat clever (without a handle), a couple ponchos, a pistol casing, a few widdled ¢spears¢ and an overall eeriness. We all decided it would be a good time to do our first night hike. We went up to Siler¢s Bald and had an almost 360 degree view of the sunset. We pushed on another 12 miles and reached Cold Spring Shelter at around 12 am (four hours after our usual bedtime). During the hike we climbed the stone fire tower on Wayah Bald and had a good view of the city lights of what we presume was Franklin. The last mile was up hill and we were all struggling to keep moving so of course the entire mile was plagued with thick mud making the climb even harder. When we arrived at the shelter two (probably) SOBOs were asleep. We felt bad because not only did we wake them up but we also had to ask them to move over to make room. We immediately passed out after our first night hike and 20-miler all-in-one. Craving of the day ¢ Crescent Rolls¢I Sucked bones at Fat Buddies¢
Date: 2007-02-22
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.4

Woke up slowly this morning feeling pretty sore. My knees are killing me. Lots of downhill today into a valley which does not help. Got into the NOC and called my cousin to see if we could come visit in Knoxville. She mistakenly thought we were closer than we actually are and said she'd come get us. In high spirits, we all had our Chili Cheese Burgers at the restaurant and got six packages in the mail. It was like Christmas! Got our tent, a jacket, hat, underwear, and long underwear bottoms. I'm feeling almost completely newly outfitted.So, at this point we are expecting Kayla to be pulling up. Waited a while and eventually called her. Turns out, she was mistaken and it is too far of a ride to come. Bummer. We eventually make our way to the bunkhouse to find that the lady accidentally put us in a room with other hikers. Seven guys in an eight bed room. Gear strewn everywhere...Wasn't worth the walk back to get it changed. Hiker fellowship is not anything to complain about, its just she explicitily noted that she would give us our own room. Oh well, took showers and aired out gear. Nighthawk, Bonnadventure, LaMas, and Musicman are the other guys in the room.
Date: 2007-02-23
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Lackadaisical day. Woke up around eight. Went and ate a delicious breakfast at the restaurant. Eggs, biscuit & gravy, potatoes, and blueberry pancakes. Well worth the $. Had to wait on a package to arrive so we took our time and showered, did laundry, picked up stuff at the outfitter etcetera. Finally got back on the trail around 2. I was more than ready to get out of the NOC. Had a short day, but it was pretty much all uphill since it was out of the valley. Calves definitely felt the burn. Nothing else too exciting happened. Ate and are now getting in bed. Running out of paper, so journals may be short the next couple of days. Gotta conserve.Craving of the day: Chicken Enchilada Casserole.
Date: 2007-02-24
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Relatively easy day terrain-wise. We stopped and ate lunch at some picknic tables at Stecoah Gap. A thruhiker from '00 driving by stopped, as did a trail maintainer. There was also a thruhiker from '05 who had come back to re-visit some of his favorite spots. We chatted with them for while we ate an entire summer sausage for lunch. They had reported there would be a rain storm that night. When we got to Cable Gap we were weary about the roof leaking but it managed to keep us dry enough. We look forward to being in the Smokies tomorrow. "People always say that the weather looks so good from my pictures. Ya know, you can't really take pictures when its raining." - '05 Thru-hiker
Date: 2007-02-25
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Birch Spring Tentsite
Miles today: 12.5

Hiked into Fontana Dam today. Pretty disappointing all-around. All of the bathrooms/water-supplies/showers were closed either because its just too early in the season, or they¢re having water supply contamination problems. It was ambiguous as to what the problem was. At least the fog cleared from this morning for us to enjoy the views of the water.   Truly beautiful place. All visitor stops were obviously closed and we could¢ve hiked into town, but didn¢t find it necessary. The Smokies permit box was empty, so we don¢t have an official permit to be in the park. Hopefully its so early in the season that we won¢t have a problem, or even encounter a Ranger for that matter. Staying at a tentsite tonight, so we¢ll be using the tent for the first time. It is awfully tight for three and I am nervous about condensation since it is a single-wall. Hoping to see Kayla and family in Knoxville in a couple days. Planning on hitching into Gatlinburg to get picked up there.-There are an estimated 1600 black bears inside the park, one of the highest bear population densities in the country.--Wingnut on the Smokies
Date: 2007-02-26
From: Birch Spring Tentsite

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to a tent with beaded water covering every inch of canvas. Lesson learned: AT is too humid for single-walled tent. Three-man tent is simply a glorified two-man tent. Cozy is an understatement. Luckily, our maybe unfortunately, because it was warm, the wet was not that big of a deal. Unfortunate because it may have caused the condensation in the first place.So on with the day...Hiking was a breeze. Nice day, sunny and probably in the low 50's. Nice shelter with a fireplace in it (all Smokies shelters have fireplaces in them). Another NOBO here, G-man. Geologist that has been working in the Antarctic the past two years or so. Has thru-hiked before and also done the PCT (Pacific Crest Trail). He is very knowledgeable about the trail and a great story teller. Chatted with him for a good bit while we ate ad so forth. Got a nice fire going with a flare that we found at the previous shelter. A 10 minute long fire started. Incredibly bright. Cozy now, so heading to bed.-"There are more varieties of trees and shrubs within the park (Smokies) than can be found in all of Europe." -Wingfoot.