morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Pearl River

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have just finished grading 26 papers sent to me on the internet from my students in Singapore. I have dutifully submitted the grades to the school. The sending of my last official email for work.It is now 05:49 am Sunday morning and I have been working since 2 AM to finish the last of my grades. The sky is getting light, but the sun has not yet risen above the houses of my mother ¢ in - law s neighbors or even the more distant horizon. Dawn and the start of my trip are approaching, both it seems at the speed of light.My wife and I are staying with my mother-in-law 20 miles north of New York City in Pearl River, NY. In just a few hours I will join my daughter Diana and her family who are here too and have driven 200 miles to be with me today. Joan, my wife and her family, my in-laws will join us for Sunday breakfast here and a final visit before Joan and I head out the door Springer Bound. Tonight we are going to Troutville, VA, a total driving distance of 468 miles. Monday we will drive an additional 365 miles on to Blairsville, GA for our last night in a warm and comfortable bed before the start of the hiking trip. And then Tuesday morning it is less than an hour in time and a mere 23 miles further to where the AT crosses a little back, barely paved and almost two lanes wide winding road near Suches, Georgia. 856 miles and a bit over 52 hours from now at 10 am on Tuesday March 28, 2006 at Suches, we are scheduled to meet Wes Wisson (our shuttle driver) who will ferry us to the start of the trail. It is difficult to believe that after so many years of thinking and dreaming, after 6 months of committed planning, after hundreds of hours of preparing, the day to start the trip dreamed of for lifetime is finally here.Our plan is for Joan to hike with me for the first 30 miles or so and then when we get back to Suches, Georgia and the parked and waiting car she will head north by the route we came and I will head north by foot. But that story remains to be told as it more slowly unfolds.For now, the immediate and this moment, I must finish some final packing and attend to the minor last minute details found in every long trip, for although as our friend Robert has told us, The woods are lovely, dark, and deep, But I have promises to keep, And miles to go before I sleep, And miles to go before I sleep.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Springer Mountain

To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.0

Tuesday March 28, 2006:We completed the 2 day drive from New York to Woody Gap, Ga. We were right on time at 1000 Tuesday when were met by our shuttle driver, Wes Wisson, from Suches, Georgia. An hour drive over US Forest service roads and we were on the road leading to the summit of Springer Mountain, saying goodbye to Wes. A one mile hike to the summit and It was 1200, a light cold rain was falling, cold enough to form ice crystals on my hat but not cold enough to freeze on the ground, real liquid sunshine, perfect hiking weather. Gerry would be smiling! We met many intending thru hikers. Most of them young (less than 30 years old I would say) and most of them female. Very interesting, some hiking with significant others but several alone. We met two brothers from Albany, I missed their names, a young woman from Israel, a trio from Florida, ¢Wild Poodle¢, ¢Sherpa¢, and Margie We hiked until 1730 and stopped on Hawk Mountain just shy of the shelter. We stealth camped on the side of the trail and ate our fill of hot backpacker food. Bed time came at 1900 and we both slept till 0600. Boy does that horizontal position with feet raised feel good. If only we could cover miles while doing it. About 7 miles today.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Wednesday March 29, 2006:We were on the trail by 0820 hiking north past the crowded shelter at Hawk Mountain and up and down the famous Georgia Mountains that seem to have far more ups then downs. Another long day. This trail has gotten somewhat steeper and rockier than the last time I was here. with the Boy Scouts of Troop 1254. That was sixteen years ago and just a few pounds since. My pack is way too heavy. I am going to offload gear when I get to our waiting car at Woody Gap. We make camp at 1700 about a quarter of a mile short of Gooch Mountain Shelter. Lots of people on the trail and we would just as soon not be in the company of others. We had a humbling experience today when we hiked briefly with ¢Cimmeron¢, an 83 year old thru hiker on his second AT hike. He is hiking with a good friend and an accomplished through hiker ¢Bear Back¢. ¢Cimmeron¢ had lost his glasses on the trail and I found them and returned them when we met up. His pace was slow, but he seemed determined. We struggled to stay up but bed time was 1830, it was still light but we were tired enough to sleep. Another 7 miles today.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Thursday March 30, 2006This is our easiest day so far. There is less elevation rise and fall. A mere seven miles and we cover it in record time arriving in Woody Gap at 1400 (that works out to 1 mph). We quickly offload gear into the car leaving behind anything that we have not used in the last three days. I switch packs with Joan. Although hers is smaller, it is also 4lbs. lighter and on this trip every ounce is important. We are now getting ready for our evening meal and this may be the last Journal entry for a while. In the morning, Joan heads north retracing our automobile route and I head north for Neels Gap, and the rest of my trip. Joan has done a great job supporting the trip thus far. She has planned the menu and most of the re-supply drops. She has helped me maintain my pace, which I will need to pick up soon. I can feel every step and have not been in this much pain since Basic Combat Training, and I was a bit younger and lighter then. I suspect at this rate I will be a bit lighter soon. Tomorrow I will be on my own for the first time. I don¢t know when my next entry will be. Oh, yeah, another 7 miles today. By my calculation that is a total of 21 miles or exactly 1% of the trip. 99% to go!
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Muskrat Creek

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

ACenterWednesday night, April 5I start off this entry realizing how important it is that we take care of each other on the trail. My last entry ended with my describing the serenity of the mountains. That serenity was soon to be interrupted . I had started to make my dinner in my campsite on the ridge when a fellow hiker came running up to me telling me one of our hiking mates was in trouble. Earlier that afternoon told me he didn¢t feel well and was going to rest a bit and have something to eat and then continue on. Since he never caught up with us, one of us went back to look for him and found him in distress. I left everything behind and ran back with him about 12 mile to Sassafras Gap where the hiker was showing all the signs of having a heart attack. Two other of us had already given him an aspirin but did not know what else to do. We called 911 and got the sheriff¢s office who told us they would send the paramedics. His pulse was weak and he was frightened, fearing that he would not make it. I took out his sleeping pad and laid down his sleeping bad and put him inside. I knew we needed to keep him warm and as comfortable as possible. I had the others boil water and created hot water bottles which we packed around him It was 21/2 hours before the paramedics could reach us . They immediately put him on a heart monitor where his irregular heart beat was displayed. It was now 8:30 and five of us plus the medics got him on the stretcher and carried him out to the road where an ambulance was waiting. It was 10:30 by the time we got him to the ambulance. We got a call telling us he was in the hospital and being examined. Several days later I called his home and he was there. His wife told us that he did not have a heart attack but an irregular heart beat causing the discomfort and distress. After the results of his cardiac catherization it was determined that he could go home. We wish him well and hope he returns to the trail again. The next day was indeed somber. One of the rescue group decided not to hike that day. We continued to climb even higher up to Standing Indian Mountain. We were now at 5,500 feet and continued finally stopping at Carter Gap. After covering 12 miles that day we decided to stop.Needing to talk more about what happened I conducted a personal stress debriefing. The four of us really needed to talk about the events of the previous evening Kutsa, No-lines, Old Sherpa and me talked into the evening and felt better.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Carter Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Friday, April 7We decided to hike together again that day. It was a killer day. We hiked 16 miles all the way to Winding Stair Gap. When we stopped we were greeted by a young man jogging on the trail. His name was Leaben. One look at the four of us signaled to him that we needed a beer. He volunteered to go into town and bring us back some. So we sat together eating hour delicious macaroni and drinking beer. That night the weather turned fierce. Tornado warnings, thunderstorms and torrential rains filled the night air. I stayed warm and dry in my tent. But everything was pretty wet the next morning.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Lick Log Gap

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

Sunday, April 9 I awoke on this Palm Sunday morning, greeted by the most beautiful sunrise . It took my breath away. How can nature be so schizophrenic--- completing ruthless one day and stunningly beautiful the next. The four of us are still hiking together. We were determined to reach Nantahala Outdoor Center where we could get rooms and have a hot shower. We hiked 161/2 miles to our destination. Boy was it worth it. I drank four 16 oz glasses of lemonade, had a giant cheeseburger , French fries with chili on top followed by a brownie with ice cream and whipped cream on the top. Food glorious food!!!! The Center was like a dorm and I slept well in my bunk. I got to laundry and recharge my phones and my body too. I plan to have a Nero day tomorrow as I need to pick up my mail drop and prepare for the next leg.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

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

Monday, April 10 (We leave after our Nero day. We It was a bit difficult to get back on track after hanging our a bit. But the day was calling out, clear and sunny, beckoning us to return to the mission of the day. WE climb 7 miles straight up today¢We reached about 4,000 feet. We stop at Sassafras Gap. The shelter was full, very busy, much too busy for me. As usual I choose to set up camp a short distance from the shelter. Peace, quiet, and clean. HMMM.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday , April 11 We wake early another clear day. We head out to reach Cody Gap, twelve miles away. We campl in the gaps to make sure we can get the water we need daily. The trail is like a roller coaster however in slow motion. Up and down the hills and valleys. This gap is one of the higher ones we¢ve encountered. It is picturesque with spring blossoming all around. Even though the flowers are peppered here and there the budding trees don¢t hide the sky above. All too soon, however, the canopy of the woods will filter the openness of the sky.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, April 12 We arrive at Fontana Dam, a little town with a hikers' hotel. As we enter the town, we sopt the registration booth where we will sign in to get permits to enter the Smokies. We spot a coke machine and we all rush over, but the machine was broken. Our first disappointment-- The next, which I felt was a disappointment,I learn that my package did not arrive with meds, new back pack etc. I decide to take a zero day tomorrow to wait until my stuff arrives. (This was probably a good thing as it renewed our batteries so to speak.) I encourage my hiking team to go on without me. They all agree a day off the trail hanging out would be perfect. We check into the local hotel.   I get to sleep in a real bed. Nolines and I share our $40.00 room. We take turns enjoying the hot shower. We even watch a movie on tv. Because it was the first night of Passover, I suggest to my hiking group that we have a Seder. They all being Jewish were surprised that I am the one who remembered. So off we went to a restaurant where one of the guys told the staff what we needed and lo and behold we feasted, had the obligatory four glasses of wine, and drank with Elijah. The Seder ended with the ritual goal, next year in Jerusalem!!!We will take tomorrow off as we wait for my package and then on Friday, we enter the Smokies.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Fontana Dam

To: Molly's Ridge
Miles today: 12.0

>Friday, April 14 We leave Fontana Dam and arrive at the entrance to National Park where we enter the Smokies. News of the ¢big bad bear¢ who mauled a mother, her 2 year old son and then killed the 5 year old daughter is the talk of the day. Somber described the heaviness that hung over all the hikers as they traveled along that day. Bears doing what they do is the reality we face. This being said, we all review safety precautions to avoid another tragic situation.The Smokies are spectacular on this sunny day. My buddies and I now referred to as the fellowship hike 14 miles into the park all the way to Molly¢s Ridge before we settle in. We all stay in the sheltered area as that is the rule as a protection from the bears. But I find a more secluded spot from the shelter itself to pitch my tent and spend the night.Cell phone service is sporadic.
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Derrick's Knob

To: Mt. Collins
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Easter SundayI awake to a spiritual moment as the sunrise greets me with splendor and grace. Alone with nature allows me to get lost in the present as I appreaciate the splendor of the moment. I am in flow. It was a beautiful way to welcome Easter Sunday. Compared to yesterday this day was anything but ho hum. I had my first fall. Me, who can walk the edge of a wall, dance from stone to stone, and feel pretty sure footed took quite the tumble down a slippery steep incline. At the end of the fall I just lay there for a moment to check to see if anything was broken before I got to my feet. The lesson here is that one should never hike with one¢s hands in the hiking pole straps. Hope that knowledge puts me in good stead for my next ¢trip¢.Today the fellowship climbed up to the highest point on the AT, Clingmans Dome. Panorama below was worth stopping for as we had a crystal clear view of the surroundings. Wow!! On we went over Rocky Mount TN, made famous by Dolly Parten song Rocky this song at every game--pretty moving. Old Sherpa saw this as a great opportunity to offer his rendition. Let me tell you, his performance was far from moving. As a matter of fact we tried moving away from him as fast as we could as he bellowed out the words his ugly version of the tune.Great day, tired after 13 miles of hiking up and down the mountains we settle into Mt Collins where just a week earlier a hiker was carried out having died from a heart attack. As I said before this day was much more eventful than yesterday.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Mt. Collins

To: Peck's Corner
Miles today: 15.0

Easter Monday,We start out early, climbing down into a new found gap and fell upon some trail magic. Three trail angels greeted us as we stopped by their Welcome Hikers sign at their table set by the side of the rode. Carol, Glenda , and Tom provided us with roast pork, corn bread and baked beans, soda, and fresh fruit. We had our Easter dinner just a teeny bit late. It felt good to stop awhile and celebrate with the Angels as we were now half way through the Smokies.We hiked 15 miles through sun, clouds and rain before stopping at Peck¢s Corner for the night.
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Peck's Corner

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

Another rainy day with the sun peeking through the grey clouds only now and then. We pass a site where a plane went down during the 1980s. The debris field was spread around us about 14 and 12 mile . We could see the remains of the wreckage which killed the two pilots. We trudged along for 13 miles and stopped at Cosby Knob somewhat excited as we realize that this would be our last night in the Smokies.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Cosby Knob

To: Painter Branch Stream
Miles today: 13.0

April 19, Wednesday.We start the morning at the top of MT Cammerer. As we crossed over we had our first lesson in humility. Waiting for us at the other side of the mountain was a sky as dark as night. Hail, sleet, thunder, lightening, high winds, and a cold drenching rain attack us viscously. . We descend from the mountain in pouring rain and hike to Davenport Gap. We are now officially out of the Smokies. What a send off to say the least. We hitch hike into town about a mile away to stop at the famous Mountain Momma¢s to pick up some groceries and eat. We did deserve it. I had one of Momma¢s a giant cheeseburger that I had been hearing about from the other hikers and finished it off with a couple of chile dogs. No French fries though as I am trying to watch my diet!!!! After completely pigging out we hitch hiked back to the trail. Hiked a bit longer actually crossing over Route 40. We continued north a short distance and reached Painter Branch Stream. What a gorgeous stream waiting there for us. It was truly seductive as we decided to create a little Jacuzzi and each of us in the fellowship, one by one bathed ¢ a wonderful way to end our 13 mile day out of the Smokies.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Painter Branch Stream

To: Lemon Gap
Miles today: 16.0

April 20, Thursday Heavy rain all day. It cleared up late afternoon as we crossed over Max Patch which is the biggest bald in the South. Here we were at the top of the mountain, no trees to obstruct the view for a couple of square miles. We could see all of the Smokies. I got the feeling I get when in the Grand Canyon, How insignificant one can seem in the greater scheme of things. When we reached the top of the mountain we must have climbed all the way to heaven as there in front of us were three people in a tent, truly trail angels.Charity whose bright pink hair framed her faced peppered with a variety of piercings. Spiff her mate matched her look with his own piercings. Their 13 month daughter completed the triad. The trail magic they provided were the biggest peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I devoured two sandwiches, two beers, and two apples in less than two minutes. I know you all know how fast I can eat, but this must have been a record even for me. We left the trail angels at Max Patch as the next set of thunder storms rolled in. We walked to Lemon Gap , NC pretty well drenched. There we found an abandoned shelter which although it leaked kept us out of the torrential rains that night. We slept well after a 16 mile day.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Friday. April 21   We made record time today, 14 miles in 7 hours as we reached Hot Springs, NC. Still in heavy rain we find shelter. I found a room in Ducket House which is a bed and breakfast/hikers hostel. I dried off and wandered around the town which took me all of three minutes. This weekend is the big festival. Hikers from both north and south got off the trail and hitch hiked into town for the gala events of the weekend. Cookouts, craft tables, and some entertainment were the fare for the weekend. Still no real cell phone service. There are just 2 payphones in town. You can imagine the long lines of hikers all trying to contact their loved ones!!!! Dinner was great again. I indulge. I have two beers, two lemonades, two giant orders of wings and fell off the ¢wagon¢ by succumbing to my only vice¢french fries!!!!
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Saturday, April 22Good-bye to the fellowship. It is the end of the road for our little fellowship. It is time to part ways. Old Sherpa will be leaving the trail as he completed the segment he had planned. No-Lines wants a zero day here in Hot Springs and Kutsa decides to take the day off as well.It is a strange thing about fellowships. Why do people bond and decide to travel together for awhile? As you remember we came together as we rescued our fallen hiker. But as we come to find out, there may be other reasonsCould it bea. Need for company?b. Cell phone sharing?c. Storytelling opportunities?d. Fear of bears?Hmmm!! One of the four of us knows for sure!!!The legends of the lost and found often find their basis in hiking anals. This one will go down in history, at least in the history of my journey. What happens when a hker loses his way when following nature's call? What happens when after finishing what was started, the hiker gets turned around? What happens when he cannot find his way back to the trail and finds himself wandering futher and further away? In other words, how in the hell can you get lost by going to the bathroom?? Well, when we heard the shouts of help from a fellow hiker we figured out that someone needed our help. We guided him safely back to the trail. Our laughter confirmed his greatest fear that this adventure would not soon be forgotten.Because the post office was closed by the time we reached Hot Sprngs yesterday,I had to wait unitl this morning to resupply. I got a late start. But as soon as our farewell was completed, I left the others and snuck out of town quietly and left them to enjoy the festivities. I was able to hike 10 miles, hiking alone for the first time in two weeks.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Spring Mountain

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter and a bit more
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked up Big Butt Mountain today and admired the view. Could see Erwin off in the distance only a short distance as the crow flies but 40 miles we the trail winds. Hiked 17 miles up to and a little bit past Jerry Cabin Shelter. I kept walking until I found a perfect spot to set up camp. It was next to a grave site of a man from CT whose ashes are buried there.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter and a bit more

To: Sam's Gap and more
Miles today: 17.0

Monday April 24 Sam¢s GapI get an early start and keep ahead of the folks who slept at the shelter. I find by starting early and ending a little late I can accumulate a chunk of miles a day. I hike past High Rock Shelter, cross I 26 and decide to camp at a small stream just past Sam¢s Gap/
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Sam's Gap and more

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This was a very long day. Hiked 18 miles over Big Bald Mountain. At the top of the climb I discovered the naked truth or should I say people posing as the naked truth all there at the top of the mountain. The nudsters may have included Bagel Man, Rapunzel, Bison, ghost, and Misfortune . Keep your eyes open. One never knows what treasures can be found at the top of mountains Well the only recourse to this Kodak moment was to continue along until I reached No Business Knob Shelter. Here at the shelter we were joined by Pigeon and Tatu. We were just about to start dinner when the sky quickly darkened and we were attached by a violent thunder storm. I retreated to my tent and spent the evening being heaviy rained upon. The storm did some damage before it receded into the woods.