morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Fontana Dam Inn

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

When I woke up this morning it sure felt good being in a real bed, even though it wasn¢t the best of beds. I had a great night sleep and even watched a little bit of NCAA basketball last night before going to sleep. While we were at breakfast this morning a driver from the Hike Inn arrived with our mail drops. They charged us $10.00 per package to bring them over to us. This seems a little expensive to me, but we had to have our mail drops. I can¢t fully explain how great it feels to receive a package from home, especially when it contains a card from my wife and a very nice letter from Julie, my daughter-in-law. Also, the package contained 12 Archway date filled oatmeal cookies which I shared with Steady Step and Oldyeller. They were great. One of the employees at the Inn picked us up some bologna, bread, mustard and an onion at the store in a local town. We stopped by the desk and picked up our special food delivery and took it to the pool area where we proceeded to have a wonderful lunch. After lunch we went swimming. The pool was close to bath water temperature which absolutely felt great. The climb out of here tomorrow will be rough and the zero day today should help my body prepare for it. Steady Step and I are planning on meeting our wives on Friday at Newfound Gap. We will then head into Gatlinburg for a nice weekend with our families. Oldyeller is planning on continuing hiking. We will miss him but plan on meeting back up with him in a few weeks. I am looking forward to seeing my wife. I miss her so much. It¢s about 5:45 pm and I have so much preparation for our departure tomorrow. Last night I put bleach water in all my water containers and cooking items. I need to go rinse them out to get rid of most of the bleach taste before I start using them again. The bleach will kill any nasties that might be growing in them. I also need to get my return box home ready for UPS. And I need to get my food bag ready, minus the Ramen noodles of course. I purchased some peanut butter, flour tortillas, cheese spread and instant mashed potatoes to take their place.Good night Char, see you in my dreams.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: zero day

To: GSMNP
Miles today: 1.5

I woke up this morning and my knee was feeling somewhat better but not much. I worried about it all morning while getting ready. We went to the restaurant and had a nice breakfast then caught the shuttle back to the trail where we left off. We had a 1.5 mile hike before crossing the dam and entering the Great Smokey Mountain National Park. On the hike to the dam my knee almost completely gave out. The pain shooting through my knee every step was too much for me to handle. I thought I could handle any pain but I guess I can¢t. I made a very difficult decision. I have decided to go home and have my knee checked out. I hope I will be able to return to the trail later this spring. I truly appreciate all the support I have had during this short trip. My wife has been absolutely wonderful in her help and support. I will miss all my friends I have made on this trip. I can not say enough about how much I will miss Steady Step and Oldyeller. Steady Step and I have known each other many years and are more like brothers than friends. I can also say that I have grown tremendously fond of Oldyeller. He is a great man whom I will always enjoy a close friendship with. I hope the two of them have a successful trip and I guarantee I will be there at the end when they finish. Again I want to thank everyone for their support and I hope to continue my journey later.
Date: 2004-10-25
To: Here I Go Again!
Miles today: 0.0

What is it about October that instills the hiking itches? Every October for the past few years I get the need to hike the AT. In 2003 and 2004 I did section hikes. Now I am retired and have the chance to do a real thruhike... If I can convince my husband... That said, I know that I will start out at Springer this March probably the 14th, just like I did last March. But this year I am not limited by time constraints. This year I plan to do it as "Red Hat" instead of "Oldkathy". I am the Queen Mum of the Bold and Beautiful Babes of Brenham (Texas), an official chapter of the Red Hat Society. I have my red hat and my purple shirt as well as all my equipment from last year. I will be going lighter and slower. So, see you on the trail.
Date: 2004-10-25
To: What I have learned on two sections
Miles today: 0.0

In my previous two section hikes I have learned a lot. First of all, I learned that the trail is more difficult than anyone can imagine. I learned that it stays in your mind and won't let you go. I have learned that when it comes to equipment, less is definitely more! I have learned that I do not have to hike 10+ miles a day. On my first hike I wore a pair of Vasque boots. They were considered the ultimate hiking boot. Warren Doyle told me on the first day "those boots are unforgiving" and he was right...by the time we stopped for a rest about two hours into my hike I had hot spots. By the end of the day, there were blisters. So on my second hike I wore a pair of New Balance 801s. They were used and comfortable. Everyday someone would ask about my sneakers. Everyday I told them that I had no blisters and was very comfortable. On my first hike I planned each day ending with a road crossing so my husband could pick me up. I was often late and frustrated, as was he. On my second hike, I planned on stopping when I was tired. That worked out, as I did not need to depend on shelters. But I did try to hike too far too early. This time I will go slower and enjoy.On my first hike I carried only lunch, since I was meeting my husband daily. On my second hike, I began carrying a stove and lots of food. A couple of days later, I went to cold food. This time I will probably still carry the stove, but I will lessen the amount of food I carry. Three days is enough.On my first hike I lost an expensive jacket when I stopped for lunch. On my second hike, I lost a less expensive jacket when I got a ride. This time, I am carrying a very inexpensive jacket...On my first hike, I was pretty much alone all the time. On my second hike, bonds were formed with other hikers. This hike I will make bonds. That is what this is about! Sure, it is nice to hike solo, but the end of the day is better with friends.
Date: 2004-10-25
To: So what are the Red Hats?
Miles today: 0.0

The Red Hat Society is a "disorganization" of women over 50. There is no purpose other than to have fun. We have raised our families and deserve time to enjoy ourselves. There is an organization web page at http://www.redhatsociety.com. My particular chapter is from Brenham, Texas. We are the "Bold and Beautiful Babes of Brenham". At present our chapter has 20 members. I'm not sure why I decided to hike as a Red Hat. The past two hikes I have been rather inconspicuously dressed in khaki. But this year is different. I found a wicking t-shirt in bright purple. I knitted a cold weather cap in red with purple trim. I found a red ball cap. And so, here I am "Red Hat". I'll still be carrying my Mountainsmith Chimera pack since I haven't found anything I like better (although I am looking to drop weight). See you on the trail!
Date: 2004-12-06
To: Long Lost Hiking Buddy
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! I just got an email from an old lost hiking buddy. We took Warren Doyle's AT Institute class together back in 2003. It seems he is starting off from Springer this March too. How cool is that! Maybe he wouldn't be too embarrassed to be seen hiking with this old Red Hat Lady. I'm working on tweeking my gear to lessen the weight. Still plan on carrying the Chimera backpack, the zoid tent, and my 20 bag. This difference will be the clothes and food that I carry (NOT MUCH!). I am also looking at a lightweight camera. Last year I used throw aways, but I really want better photos.... Anyway, there is still a lot of planning to do before March, but it won't come soon enough for me. My Red Hat Ladies rode in a parade yesterday and had a ball. We kazooed "We wish you a Merry Christmas" and "Jingle Bells" as we waved our queenly hands. Next week we attend the Nutcracker Ballet in Houston dressed in our finest purple and red. Everywhere we go, people want to know about the Red Hat Society. I just tell them that it is a group of ladies of a "certain age" who want to have fun. So we do!Anyway, I hope to hear from other Red Hat Ladies who read my journal and like to hike.
Date: 2005-01-06
To: I lost 10 lbs today!
Miles today: 0.0

I have been going over my gear with a fine tooth comb... and today I lost 10 lbs. I switched from the Mountainsmith Chimera to the Golite Gust and saved 2 lbs. Then I cut out virtally all my extra clothes from last year. I decided not to carry the old MSR dromedary (which I used along with the bottle). I lightened my personal items, emergency items, and first aid kit. Right now my bag weighs 25 lbs (theoretically, on my chart) including food and water. That gives me an extra 5 lbs to still be in my 25-30 lb range when I fill it up and head to Springer. I am so ready for March! Check out my gear list. I have not listed my winter hat and gloves, since I am the manufacturer (weight 12 oz). I haven't decided which jacket to take/wear yet. I will be carrying a Patagonia fleece. I'm still waiting to hear from other Red Hats who might like to hike with me for a while, whether it's a day, a week, or a month.
Date: 2005-01-14
To: About Parkin' & Partyin'
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's like this: I live between two great old country dirt roads. One of my great pleasures is to walk these roads up and down and around, and enjoy the beauty of the countryside. However, lately, I have been noticing too much trash along my walk. So for the past couple of days, I have taken several old Walmart bags and a plastic kitchen glove along with me so I could pick up the trash. In three days I have filled four yard sized black garbage bags with all the stuff people throw by the road.Now I know where most of that trash comes from. It wasn't that long ago (only forty so years) since I was a youngun. Back in the early sixties I, too, used to park along the side of the road and party. Nothin' like an old dirt road to bring back fond memories. Of course, I wasn't much into beer or such. But my boyfriend may have belted back one or two. Anyway, I never remember leavin' any trash for someone else to pick up. We'd always stop at the nearest convenience store and put any cans or bottles into their garbage can. So what is it with folks nowadays? I know they might be worried about those open container laws. But they could put the trash into the trunk until they find a trash can. Someone seems to be especially fond of "Nature's Best" or something like that. If they're so fond of nature, shouldn't they be pickin' up their own cans instead of leavin' them aside the road? The ones that really amaze me are the big 32 oz cans (some other brand). I found almost a whole case full of them in about a quarter of a mile. Anyway, when I'm out hikin' I like to enjoy the beauty of the country, not look at someone else's trash. So you youngun's think about pickin' up after yourselves next time you're out parkin' and partyin'. Thanks.
Date: 2005-02-14
To: 28 days till Springer!
Miles today: 0.0

It is all I think about, it is all I talk about. I am driving everyone else crazy! My spare bedroom is a mess with all my hiking stuff spread out. I have my bag packed except for my food and water, which I will buy in a couple of weeks. (My tortillas need to be fresh!) I'll be taking 10 tortillas, 2 tuna packs, 1 chicken pack, an 8oz peanut butter, two instant soups, some little debbie brownies, and a bit of Gorp. I snack and eat cold unless it is really cold and I need warming up. This will be enough until I get to Neels Gap where I'll purchase more to hold me another 3 days. That's the way it goes, every 3-4 days I'll buy a little more food in a trail town. Water is plentiful along the trail, and I'll be treating it with my Aqua Mira drops. I bought two new bandanas, official Red Hat Society bandanas, at the local Hobby Lobby.   I also decided that my purple Patagonia fleece was too heavy, so I am taking my black Lowe Alpine fleece instead. I wish it was purple, but weight is weight and I'll sacrifice color for ounces. Besides, almost everything else I have is purple or red so no one should have a hard time figuring out who I am. My flight is scheduled, and Hiker Hostel has my reservation. I would love to have any other Red Hatters out there see me off. I found a great quote a couple of days ago: "Pain is temporary, but quitting lasts forever." Lance Armstrong
Date: 2005-02-23
To: Hiking in the rain
Miles today: 0.0

Nothing like a rainy day to remind me of the trail. I got up this morning and headed out for my usual walk. It was warm so I just put on a pair of short and tshirt with my socks and NB 801s. I pray and sing as I walk and it was going well until about half way.At my usual turn around the already overcast sky got really dark. Then a big wind gust burst upon me. In just a few minutes it was pouring! Now I don't mind rain if I have on a hat, but I didn't. So the drops were blasting and covering my face. Then it hit me, this is just like the AT back in 2003!That June I was in Virginia and it rained almost every day after I passed Mount Rogers. Most of the thru-hikers were sick of it, since they had had nothing but rain in April and May, but it was new to me and I loved it. I stopped at one shelter to dry out a bit, and removed my jacket (but you've heard this one before...) I couldn't stand listening to the hikers there gripe, so I moved on, forgetting my jacket drying on a hook. Sometimes that summer the water was a never-ending stream that flowed over the path and I just walked on through it. I remember that the rhododendrons were sometimes like umbrellas protecting me from the storm. The rain that summer is one of my fondest memories. So, this morning, as I walked back home in the rain, I thought about the AT. I started to skip down the road (literally... good thing I was wearing a sports bra under my tshirt) Did you know that your hands start to swing side to side like a pendulum in front of your body when you skip? Try it!
Date: 2005-03-06
To: Prep Hike
Miles today: 0.0

One week from today, I'll be in Georgia getting ready to leave Springer! I am totally antsy about it... so today I did a short prep hike to check out my new pack. I drove up to the Corps of Engineers park at Lake Somerville near my house. I parked at the gate, put on my pack and hiking sticks, and off to the woods I went! My new pack, the Golite Gust, is very light. But lately I have been reading reviews that are less than pleasant..according to them, it seems that the small waist belt puts a lot more weight on your shoulders. I was concerned, so I wanted to try it out. I found it to be much more comfortable than my Chimera was last year, so I am happy. (Of course my pack weight is 10 lbs lighter this year, too) I also tried out a new water bottle system. Last year I carried a 4 liter Dromedary with a drinking tube. Even though I only filled it half way, it was extremely heavy to me. And I ran out of water a couple of times because I couldn't see what was left. So I have a flat 2 liter bottle with a ring that I am attaching to my straps with a carabiner. That way I can see exactly how much water I have. The bottle is somewhat flat instead of round, so I fits between my arm and breast. I am pleased to say it works great! I think it is similar to what Liteshoe used. My hike was pleasant, and I saw both deer and feral hogs fleeing as I passed by. The birds were out and it was a nice day. Can't wait till next week! See you then
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Here I Go Again!

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Word for Today: ANTICIPATION Is the anticipation of an event truly greater than the reality itself? Time shall tell. I have been here before. I know the reality of the trail, yet here I am waiting in excitement for what will come.It is a full house at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, Ga. By my count there were 20 of us. Profile and Almanac, who run the place, are extremely busy. Nine of us will hike out to begin our journey tomorrow. Four others, including Nimblefoot, will pick up where they left off yesterday. Nimblefoot, by the way, is doing better and ready to ween himself back to the trail. Yesterday he did 16 miles! Five others are sectioners who just finished Georgia and will be heading home today. So it is that each of us waits in anticipation. Some for tomorrow, some for the next section, whenever that may be. But all of us yearn for the trail.
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Springer Mountain

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

Word of the Day: Reality. Remember my anticipation yesterday? Well, the reality was too much greater than I could even imagine. I anticipated cold, cloudy hiking, but it was clear, sunny, and warm! Character of the day: (it would have been Longhaul, with his bunny ears, but he will have to wait) Two last Southbounders Brett and Ari, I think...They started in Maine last September and have been hiking ever since except for a couple of weeks off at Christmas time. Ari (forgive me if the name is wrong) is from Israel. His dark, curly hair is tied in an bandana. Brett is from Ohio. He is almost too clean cut, even with his beard, to have been on the trail this long. When these guys showed up in camp, everyone was amazed to hear their stories. Everyone gathered around to hear about hiking for months in the snow, dressed in snowsuits. They met 5 days out in Maine and stayed together since. There were a few hikers as they traveled south out of Maine, but none after that. They cooked dinner over the fire, with fresh vegetables purchased at Hiawassee. I was pleased to spend my first night, as they spent their last night, together on the trail.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Hawk Mtn

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

Word of the Day: Reality (x2) Okay, so the reality that I had expected finally showed up today. Cold, cloudy, tough trail. I have not forgotten that Sassafrass kicked my ass last year. Well, it did it again. The Data book says nothing about Sassafrass...but when you come down from Horse Gap (mile 10) you start climbing. That is Sassafrass. It's only 1.6 to Cooper Gap, but you'll drag yourself up that mile and down 6. Then you get to climb Justus Mtn. Then down to the creek, and finally a nice stretch into the Gooch Mtn. Shelter. Characters of the Day: Wyatt and LonghaulWyatt is one of the many 20 somethings on the trail. He is from Pennsylvania. He is brilliant and zany. His hair is sprayed blue, and he has a nose ring. Wait till he tries to hitch a ride down here! Oh yes, and he wears a kilt. I tried to give him a trail name, but he would have none of it. "How about 'skirt'", I asked. "No way!" he answered. "Mahnly leggs?" "no.." So I stopped trying. Anyway, he was much more interested in the three cute coeds who came into camp.   (Update: Wyatt aka Mouth summited Katahdin on September 28th)Longhaul is another one of my trailjournals buddies. He is a little younger than I am, and has a very patient wife at home. He wears bunny ears around camp. He also carries a pocket mail and journals regularly. Read his journal for fun. (Longhaul suffered injuries which kept him off the trail for six weeks, he returned hiked northward, then skipped a small piece to hike to Katahdin and summited September 28th, along with Mouth)
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Word of the day:YOUTH I left the Gooch area about 7:30. Made great time to Woody Gap, then hiked on to Jarrad's Gap, playing leap frog with Longhaul. At Jarrad's the younguns decided to head into Neels for pizza, a bunk and a shower. Foolishly, I thought I could make it too. About 3:00 reality set in and I headed for the shelter. Tomorrow it's a short day to Neels where we older folks will get our reward a day later. Ah, youth.Characters of the day: Just Jim, some German kid, and the three unstoogesJust Jim is a short older guy who knows everything. Just ask him. He carries a pocket rocket stove and canister, but cooks on a fire most of the time. He might be considered a little cranky. He loves to debate just about anything. He is interesting, to say the least. I like him.The German Kid (not a trail name) was a guy I passed several times. He wore brown knickers and a plaid wool shirt, with a black beret. He was not really very sociable. He said the beret was for an organization sort of like the boy scouts. That was all he said to me. He had a huge military type style backpack and a duffle bag with a guitar or something. I only know he was German because he said to someone else "what, you never saw anyone German before?"The three unstooges are three guys I met back at the Hiker Hostel in Dalonega. They seem to know nothing about camping. Their trail names are Turtle, Seneca, and ICan, but I call them Larry, Curly, and Moe. (Update: Turtle went home after Franklin, but Seneca and ICan proved they're not stooges by summiting July 28th!)
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: light rain

Word of the day: contentmentI am now in a cabin at Goose Creek Cabins, just down the road from Neel's Gap. I am dry, warm, and well fed. There are seven of us here: Ah Youth, Runaway, Mother Goose, Hopeful Hiker, Longhaul, VisionQuest, and myself. We were shuttled into town for dinner at the AYCE. Longhaul, Mother Goose, and myself were the last ones down from Blood Mtn. It was rainy and cold. We were really thankful that it was not icy as the rocks were brutal. We stopped at the Walasi-Yi to check in, then came down to the cabin. Feeling really great. Content.Characters of the day: Mother Goose and Hopeful HikerMother Goose is a wonderful forty-something from Virginia. She has a great spirit and beautiful smile. She helps everyone (doing dishes and washing clothes!) Everyone who meets her loves her.(update: Mother Goose got off the trail at Fontana after the blizzard. She hopes to return next year)Hopeful Hiker is another forty-something from North Carolina. He is funny, while not meaning to be. Everything is an adventure. He tries to analyze everything, has huge mail drops, and rattles his ziplocks in the wee hours of the night (Update: Hopeful got behind the group due to injury and eventually did a flip flop climbing Katahdin on September 19th and heading south. He took great joy in seeing NOBO hikers along the way) :>
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Tesnatee Gap
Miles today: 5.5

Word of the day: nutcrackerMeaning #1: Anyone familiar with Tchaicovsky's ballet knows the Snow scene at the end of Act I. Today I was th snow queen. It began so delicately, creating a true winter wonderland. It was warm hiking and everything was beautiful.Meaning #2: German nutcrackers sold at the stores in Helen, GA. After hiking in the snow, we debated going on when we reached Tesnatee Gap. When a car offered us a ride to Helen, we took it. Hey, it's St. Patrick's Day!Trail characters of the day: Cuppa Joe and Scholar. Cuppa Joe is an experienced hiker who hiked last year. Unfortunately, an injury ended his hike. He is back again this year hiking with Scholar,who he met last year. (Update: Cuppa Joe summited Katahdin on September 28th)Scholar is one of the twenty somethings, but she is much more mature and seems to prefer the company of the older group. What can I say about these two? You should just read their journals here on TJ!(Update: Scholar is in Maine and plans to summit on October 8th)