morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Waynesboro

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I went to sleep sometime after 5:00 am. Yes, that¢s right, 5:00 AM. My husband called and woke me up at 9:00 am. I hustled down to the lobby for the free continental breakfast. They had a wide assortment but I just ate the little donuts with my coffee. It took a long time for my brain to start functioning. I needed to plan my errands in a logical order. I want to get everything done today so I can leave tomorrow morning. I went ahead and paid for another night. Originally I wanted to stay only one night in a motel and then tent at the YMCA to save money. It looked like rain today so I wimped out.I needed to go to the outfitters again today to get the tips of my poles replaced. One metal tip was so wore away that I was hiking with the plastic nub on one pole. I found out yesterday that the outfitters could replace the tips and in 10 minutes. I didn¢t want to do that hike again to the outfitters, so I called the Trail Angel on the business card, Bill Gallagher. He came over to the motel in a few minutes to drive me to and waited for me at the outfitters. Then we went over to the post office where he waited again for me. What service and all free! When Bill picked me up at the motel, he knew who I was because he had been reading my Trail Journal. He said that mine was interesting. (Interesting?)I had Bill take me back to the motel. After I unloaded my poles and bounce box, I gathered my dirty clothes and walked to the nearest Laundromat. The change machine wasn¢t working so I walked down the street to the bank to get quarters. Across the street was an A&W. It was time for lunch so I had a Coney dog and a frosted mug of root beer before going back to do my laundry. Then I went back to the motel. I enjoy walking down the residential streets of Waynesboro.I then walked to the town library to use the internet. Afterwards I walked to Kroger¢s to buy groceries to see me into SNP (Shenandoah National Park). Many hikers make the mistake of buying too much food to hike with through the park. My advice is to take half as much as you think you¢ll need and resupply at the waysides (stores) along the way.After I took care of everything I needed to do, I then settled down in bed to watch TV. I could barely keep my eyes opened and my finger was getting tired of pushing the channel changer...
Date: 2008-07-25
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0

I took Cherry¢s pie¢s advice and took the road less traveled. A ridgerunner told her about the alternate route, so it is practically sanctioned by the ATC. She gave me very good directions. It was a pleasant hike on a road along South Fork and North Fork Moormans River. When I later talked with the ridgerunner, he said that it was once the AT. So I was retro-blazing! The last part was a long up, up, which I didn¢t much care for. However the alternative would have been a dry ridge walk that criss-crossed Skyline Drive eight times. On my hike today, I didn¢t hear the cars and motorcycles that I heard the day before.One guy, Doc Harley, at the hut tonight, saw 7 bears today. I didn¢t see any. I only saw one pile of bear scat and one doe. The amazing thing I saw today was dozens of butterflies all over horse poop. Mostly the white butterflies, but other kinds too. I couldn¢t get a photo of when they would all take off in flight.I didn¢t see many people today. One day hiker with his dog passed me. I only saw a few mommies and daddies with small children on the river or at the reservoir.When I got to Blackrock Hut around 4 pm, there was one girl here. Then Midnight, the ridgerunner, showed up. Soon came 4 men with a dog who are section hiking south and Doc Harley. The girl, Hope, had never backpacked before. She has no way to treat her water and honestly never heard of giardia before. She only has a one liter Nalgene and came 13 miles today with only that. She is also not carrying a stove. She has a big bag of cashews and a big bag of cranberries. She started at Rockfish Gap and plans to go to Pennsylvania. A couple of the guys are helping her and giving her advice.I ¢let¢ Doc Harley hang my two food bags on the bear pole. I saw Midnight quietly laughing at my game.More people, Eric and Mary, just came in¢¦
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: few clouds

The morning discussion was boots. I was telling Eric how old school I feel wearing leather boots while it seems everybody else wears footwear that looks like running shoes. He reassured me by telling me that the soldiers in Afghanistan are wearing the exact same brand (Asolo) of boots I¢m wearing. He would know because he¢s a former Army officer and has served there. His wife Mary is a former M.P.I left the shelter after 9:00 and after everybody else. The new flower of the day is a tall light colored fragrant one with several small clusters going up each stalk at the top of the plant. I also found a new blue little flower on a big plant and star-like purple flowers going up a stalk.Later I came to a rock lookout facing east. I sat down for a break and ate cheese and peanuts while gazing at the hazy distance. I like finding 1 ounce packs of cheddar cheese for a trail snack.I arrived at Hightop Hut at 3:00. Hope was here for awhile but decided to go on. While at the campstore yesterday, she did not buy any camping supplies, just a big bag of Chex Mix to add to her diet. I wonder if she is walking to Pennsylvania because she has no money. A while later, two brothers, Dan (Road Trip) and Najan arrived at the shelter for the night. They are going southbound through Shenandoah. I was entertained by their dessert of s¢more crepes. It had peanut butter, Hershey bar pieces, and big marshmallows in a flour tortilla. We decided to rename it to include the peanut butter. After several various names to include all the ingredients. It was finally called The Hightop Dessert Burrito. Then we came up with different variety ideas, like the Elvis Burrito with peanut butter, banana slices, and mayonnaise. When the guys ran out of chocolate, I donated some of my M&M¢s. A new Dessert Burrito was made. They kept offering me one, but I declined. Really, no thank you.Sightings:Bear scat ¢ 3Deer ¢ 2White butterflies ¢ 100+/-
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Bearfence Mountain Hut

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

It had rained during the night. Another northbound hiker joined us during the night ¢ Lonestar. During breakfast everyone stopped talking because a lone fawn came up and stopped 15 feet from us. My camera was out of reach.During my hike I saw lots of Turk¢s Cap Lilies sprinkled throughout the forest. I also saw Black Snakeroot and ferns. I like the smell of Black Snakeroot, but I detect a tinge of moth ball smell with them.The trail came to a gravel road with a cemetery on the other side. Shenandoah has several cemeteries established before the park became. I lost the AT here, so I followed the gravel road until it dumped out on Skyline Drive. And then walked to the Big Meadows Wayside where I had an expensive cheeseburger.Then I walked to the campground where I got to pay a $20.00 fee to sleep in my tent. I then had another 10 minute shower and washed my clothes. Coming back to my campsite, I passed close to two fuzzy-antlered bucks. One had 8 points and the other had 9 points.I walked to the Lodge and had a dinner of nachos in the Tap Room.   I then went to the amphitheater for the Evening Campfire Program. I do enjoy these. I remember going to them when my family camped at National Parks when I was younger. The ranger had the kids help him build the campfire and then gave a presentation on the history of Shenandoah. I was getting tired, so I left early. I had the foresight to bring my headlamp with me and took a shortcut through the dark picnic area. I could hear families with their children around me. In the gloom I saw a large dog cross the path in front of me. It wasn¢t a dog. It was a doe with two fawns.I settled in my tent for the night and then out of nowhere I was hit by a huge tidal wave of homesickness.Sightings:Bear scat ¢ 5Deer - 7
Date: 2008-07-30
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a heart pounding moment this morning. I unzipped my tent and discovered a skunk in my campsite. He was only a few feet away from me. I got my camera and was taking his picture while saying, ¢No-no-no-no,¢ the whole time. Go figure, bears don¢t make my heart race, but skunks do.As I was leaving the campground restroom, I saw 2 deer on the path. One was a doe, and the other was a young buck with just two fuzzy antlers.I went up to the wayside to buy some groceries and visit the Visitor Center (excellent). Using multimedia, the exhibits displayed the history of SNP, including how some people were forced out of their homes so the National Park could be established. One new thing I learned was that SNP was segregated at first in keeping with "Virginia traditions". Lewis Mountain campground was where the ¢colored¢ (their word) went to enjoy the park. All National Parks were desegregated in 1946 or 1947.I went back to my campsite to pack up and then to the Lodge Dining Room for lunch.It was a short hike on an overcast day. I don¢t remember much of it except as I was hiking, I stepped over a snake. It took a moment to realize that it was a snake and then I screamed like a girl. I then turned around to take his picture and examine him. He stayed put long enough for me to do so. He was gray with brown splotch markings and about 2 feet long. He had a round head, not a triangular one (non-poisonous).At Rock Spring Shelter there were so many flies that I decided to tent like Be Well up the hill at the campsites. I came back down to cook in the shelter because I didn¢t want cooking smells at my tent to attract animals and the flies were worst at the table. While cooking, it began to rain. After eating I lugged everything back up the hill to my tent. I left one of my poles down at the shelter because I didn¢t have enough hands and I didn¢t want to make another trip. I¢ll just get my pole when I leave in the morning.I was able to hang my 2 food bags by myself and I turned in early at 6:30. I have 15 miles to do tomorrow to the next shelter.Deer ¢ 3Skunk ¢ 1Snake - 1
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Skyland
Miles today: 4.6

I woke up and didn¢t want to hike another mile. Certainly not 15 miles to the next shelter. Skyland was only 4 miles away. I could do that and hopefully get a room.It was gray and dizzly which matched my mood. I had my long leisurely breakfast of cookies, poptarts, and 4 cups of coffee. I packed up my stuff inside my tent and then took down my tent. Be Well had already left. I went down to the shelter and discovered my hiking pole was missing. Somebody had walked off with it. I left a message in the register with the pole¢s description¢¦Leki Makalu Ultralite Titanium with a white dot on top of the handle.Gee, thanks somebody, as if I wasn¢t bummed already¢¦The hike to the Skyland Lodge was short and felt one-handed. Yes, they had a room. I called my friend to come up tomorrow to get me. (My husband had a previous obligation.) After a snack and an alcoholic drink made with blackberries, I went back to my room and ate all my chocolate.
Date: 2008-02-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, this will be interesting. I'm pretty late in starting these "Prep" entries compared to some of the other folks on here, but I'll do my best. What on earth do you put in a first post? Whelp, I will be attemping a NOBO (northbound) thru-hike of the AT starting on April 9th from Springer (havent quite been convinced of taking the Approach trail yet, but could change). You might be asking, "What is the Appalachian Trail?!?!?" Well, simply put it is a footpath that stretches 2,176 miles along the ridges and valleys of the Appalachian Mountain Range. Starting on Springer Mountain in Northern Georgia it traverses 14 states including Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and finishing on Mount Katahdin in Maine.Here is some information on the trail to readers who have NO CLUE what the Appalachian is or what a thru-hike is.This is the website for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy with general info.www.appalachiantrail.org National Park Service website for the trail.http://www.nps.gov/appa/This website has some easy to browse info and good maps of the trail.www.appalachiantrail.comThis is a great message board that has helped me tremendously for my hike.www.whiteblaze.netI still have yet to book my flight from DFW to Atlanta...or make arrangements for transport to Springer...or fully commit on the backpack im taking...or finished my maildrop locations...Im 2 months away from a 2180 mile walk and I am a bit behind on planning to say the least. Well, it should make things even more interesting huh?Ive yet to choose a trail name, but have considered Biscuit, Craggie, and Slurpee. Im leaning toward Slurpee at the moment. Ok fine, I'm gonna go with Slurpee. Hooray, I'm Slurpee!Ive been doing some marginal training leading up to the trip. Hiking out at the FW Nature Center every weekend (typically 7-9 miles on "strenuous" trails...with a daypack), and messing around on the treadmill everyday after work. Well thats it for now... See yall later.To go to following pages click "next" below.
Date: 2008-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, only 17 more days till I leave for Georgia! The trip is truly starting to set in as REAL. I can hardly get through some days just thinking about the trail. I've been taking care of a few odds and ends concerning the hike the last few days and feel ready. The hard part has been trying to figure out my menu for the trail, atleast the first 3 or 4 days since I won't be depending on maildrops for all of my food. Still, trying to figure the amounts and types of food to take has been a little aggravating. I've only got 2 more weeks of work...so that is nice. Oh, last week I got new hiking shoes (Merrell something). I was reluctant in buying them since I had planned on using already broken in trail runners...we'll see.....Anyway, I can't wait to get on trail....these days leading up to the trip are waaaaay too long.
Date: 2008-04-09
To: Made it to Georgia!
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this morning I barely made my flight from DFW to Atlanta...it was close. Caught the MARTA train to the north side of Atlanta and was picked up by Josh from the Hiker Hostile. Just been lounging around today up here, making a trip to wal-mart in town, meeting new people with the same goals as my own...which is really nice. Tomorrow morning we will be shuttled to either Springer or the Approach trail...havent made up my mind quite yet, but am starting to lean toward taking the 8 mile approach trail. Anyway, the important thing is that I am finally here! Will prolly be awhile before I update. Happy trails to me!
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: broken clouds

Today Leigh dropped me and 4 others at the state park for the approach trail. Went up the stairs tot he falls , then marched 8.8 miles to Springer Mountain. Reached the top at around 3 PM and caught my first real view of the trip. After taking the ceremonial pictures we hiked the 0.2 miles to the Springer mountain shelter and set up camp. Staying with Lindsey from Wisconsin, Will from Vermont, and Brian from Michigan. We hiked back up to the top to check out the sunset from Springer. It was worth iot! (Even though the black flies were more company than I wanted). I hiked 9 miles today, and have obnly hiked 0.2 REAL miles of the Appalachian Trail.....
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Springer at 9:45 and walked with Lindsey and Brian most of the day. Very beautiful rhododendron thickets below springer in the valley. Almost like a rainforest....awesome! Threat of rough weather tonight, so we called it a day at Hawk mountain shelter. Prolly 12-13 folks here. Luckily we snagged some spots in the loft of the shelter before it completely filled up...so no tenting in the rain! Ate ramen for dinner...surely the first of many ramen dinners ahead of me. Greast hiking today overall!
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Another good day. Rained as I left the shelter at 8:45, but dried up quickly. Hiked with Lindsey and Brian again all day. Legs felt great, but developed a few small blisters on both my big toes (duct tape to the rescue!) Plled into Gooch Mtn Shelter at 1:30 and stayed. Shared the shelter with Lindsey, Brian, John from Australia, Crest from Oregon, Will, and a father and son from Georgia. Pushing for Blood Mountain tomorrow!
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Blood Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

ALot of miles considering the low miles we've logged to start the trail. Lindsey and I walked an extra mile to and from Woods Hole Shelter...long story, I was pissed. Anyway, made it up to Blood Mountain Shelter (old CCC building) on the summitt of Blood....amazing views! It starting snowing around sunset and became bitter cold. Heading to Neels Gap tomorrow!
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Blood Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

Descended Blood Mtn to Neels Gap in the morning. Called home for the first time and found out my town (Hurst, TX) was hit with very bad weather. A tornado/wind damaged the area behind my neighborhood including an area where I worked for the past year. Eerie feeling knowing what happened back home, but everyone was safe, so that is great. Resupplied for 3 days to get to Hiawasse, then set back out on trail at 1:30. Snowed most of the day, but it was good snow, non-annoying snow. Long hard fought day, finally pulled intoi Low Gap arounf 7:30. Chaco, Toe Socks, Crest, Lindsey, and Brian at the shelter tonight. Cold....
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

Left Low Gap around 8:15 and had easy hiking to Unicoi Gap. At Unicoi Gap, Lindsey and Crest hitched into Helen and brought back 10 mexican dinners and we feasted in the gap parking lot! Didnt leave the gap until 4:45 and took awhile to get the shelter on full bellies. Reached the summitt of Tray at sunset. Tenting tonight as the shelter is full.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Left Tray Mountain at 8 this moring and started the "death march" to Dicks Creek Gap. The terrain was annoying with neverending downhills that destroyed my toes. A large blister that was getting ugly one of my right foot toes exploded as I had lunch at Deep Gap shelter. After 30 minutes of doctoring my foot I set out again for one last ascent and descent before the gap. The ascent wasnt too bad, but the descent took my nearly 2 hours. At times I was shuffling my feet as I was in such pain coming down the mountain. At the gap, caught a shuttle to the Cloud 9 Hostel in Hiawasse. Setr up my tent on the lawn, got a shuttle to town to resupply, and have been taking it easy in the heated hostel this afternoon and night. Very relaxing here, having a chance to let my blisters heal. Good group of people here. Chaco and Toe Socks, the Wills, Lindsey (now Spiller), Crest, Geoff, Brian, Bearmeister from Vegas, Animal, and some others have taken over the place. Will be shuttled back to Dicks Creek Gap tomorrow. Oh, only a few more miles till my first state line. I will be entering North Carolina tomorrow!
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Was dropped off by Frank of Cloud 9 at around 10:45 today and quickly started north. Hiked with Brian and Lindsey for the first mile, then separated from them as they took an early break. Marginal terrain for the first 8 miles to the North Carolina border, went by very quickly. Originally planned on camping at Bly Gap just past the border, but reconsidered after arriving sooner than expected. At 3 PM I trudged into NC and immediately found the first few miles to be HELL. Straight up from the gap...I was not enjoying this new state. After getting past the last incline it was smooth sailing to Muskrat Creek shelter. There I found Chaco and Toe Socks, Highway from Florida, and Jennifer from Ohio. First night to actually throw a rope to hang my bear bag. With help from Chaco, it went pretty smoothly. Productive day despite the late start!
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Got out on trail at around 9 this morning. The terrain I walked through was very lush with rhododendron thickets everywhere. It will be amazing when those things start blooming in the coming weeks. Originally planned on stopping for the day at Carter Gap shelter 12 miles north, but got to my destination at 1:30. Ate lunch and chatted with a family on a weekend trip there at Carter Gap, then decided to keep moving considering the beautiful day and easy terrain so far. Reached Albert Mtn at around 5:30 and made the near vertical climb up to its summit. Climbed the fire tower on top and had near 360 degree views of Western NC and Northern GA. Made it to Big Spring shelter shortly thereafter and had the company of past thru-hiker Crutch, his friend, and an older man from Florida. Forecast calls for rain tonight so sleeping in the shelter was an easy choice.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

Rained pretty heavy last night at Big Spring Shelter, and was still raining as I made my way north to Rock Gap. Only a little over 5 miles to the gap where I met back up with Crutch waiting on a shuttle into Franklin. I decided today was going to be a short one. I caught a ride with Ron Haven into Franklin and checked into his Sapphire Inn. Ron owns two hotels as well as numerous other establishments in Franklin. Wow, Ron is a character...very talkative and informative. I'm glad to have given him some business. Once checked into my room, I had a looooong shower, then walked down the road to a nearby Hardees and ate. Have spent the entire afternoon doing laundry, watching basketball, and talking to everyone back home on the phone. Game 1 of the Western Conference Playoffs tonight with my Dallas Mavericks taking on the New Orleans Hornets....great way to spend my evening. Whelp, back to the trail in the morning! This was a much needed break...Go Mavs!Go Stars!Poor Rangers....
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Ate breakfast at McDonalds, then took the 11 AM shuttle from Ron back to Rock Gap. The hike up to Siler Bald shelter was all uphill, but was very well graded. Short day today, but thats alright with me. Oh Spiller walked into camp later that afternoon, so we finally reunited...good times. Tented tonight because the shelter's mouse nests were clearly visible..no thanks.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Got out of camp pretty late (10:30) and made it up to Siler Bald....GREAT VIEW! Was able to see all the way to the Smokies. Hiked with Spiller and Geoff all day. Had a big crowd at the shelter this evening. Even had a brownie party, thanks to Angie and Peter.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: clear sky

A rather difficult day of hiking. The climb up Wesser Bald was tiresome, but it came with a firetower view. The last 3 or so miles were nearly straight down into the NOC. The NOC is a huge whitewater/kayak resort on the Nantahala River. The bunkrooms were more than what I wanted pay for, so we snuck down the railroad tracks and stealth camped right on the river...beautiful.