morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Springer

To: Len's Foot
Miles today: 0.0

This was to be my big day to begin The Appalachian Trail.  When I stepped outside my room, the whole landscape was shrouded in fog... giving all the trees a ghostly feel. The weather called for 100% rain and wind gusts.  Did I really want to start out on such a soggy footing? Call me a wimp, but I think staying put for one day was a great idea.  Now at 11:30 looking out at swaying trees and drumming rain on the roof, I'm really glad to have taken a zero day. It was truly a relaxing day. So much goes into preparing for a trip like this that its good to take a step back before beginning. I read, wrote in my journal and entered entries on my Blackberry 8830.  I'm still trying to figure out this device.  I'm able to send emails to Sandy for him to post on www.trailjournals.com. Evidently, you can't post from a handheld device. Thank you all for being patient with this learning Ravon. It rained hard most of the day and I felt really good about my decision to stay another day at Len¢s Foot.  I met  another thru hiker "Blues Traveler" who came walking out of the rain. He agreed that a solid roof was a good idea. Listened to a good talk by an older thru hiker "Peregrine".  His son and daughter followed in his steps, completing a south bound thru hike. Forecast is for sunny skies tomorrow so I should launch then. Fly right. Ravon
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

It took a while to pack up and I was behind most hikers with my 10:00 a.m. departure.  Since I had started a day later than my schedule, I decided to go further than the 5 miles I had original planned. I passed Hawk Mtn Shelter at 12:00, definitely too early to camp. Decided to try for Gooch Mtn.  It was a much more up and down day. It started with Hawk Mtn 900 feet in 2 3/4 miles. Then it was a series of ups and downs over Sassafrass Mtn, Justis, and Phyllis Spur.  I'd met a couple and almost stayed at Justis Creek, but thought it might be too cold next to the creek. On a hot day it would have been perfect. Saw two thru hikers I'd seen the night before "Pop Top" and Jeremy. Decided to go two more miles to Gooch Mtn.  It was an easy hike, along the river through Rhodedendron thickets.   The shelter turned out to be on the south side and had late sun exposure. Time for me to pitch my tent and get dinner.  Not a lot of time since it was 6:00 and not seeing the effects of longer days yet.  Another night of slipping and sliding, but much warmer. The moon is full. Time to hunker down. It had been a 12.4 mile day and my feet were telling me maybe a bit too much. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I was trying to get on the trail an hour earlier and almost made it by 9:15. I still don't have my routine down yet to be efficient in my departures. I have developed a small group of people who I'm leap frogging during the day. Each time we catch each other, I learn a little more about them, "Sea to Land" is a hydrologist. He maps all types of water floors from oceans to lakes and has been to many places in the U.S. He just quit his job and bought a farm in Maine, and he¢s hiking to his farm. "Pop Top" is a veterinarian who has just sold his business and is in between jobs. His wife works for Exxon and is home with their daughter. Jeremy is a college graduate who has not started a job. Lots of interesting people. Today was again ups and downs with one steep rocky climb over Big Cedar Mountain. For those who are following along, Sandy has a link where you can see all the shelters I stay at as well as the trail. For more info email sandy@rof.net. Right now, I don't have the best coverage on Verizon. Also at night, it's been too cold to write. I didn't want to walk another twelve mile day, but just as I was thinking of pitching my tent even though no one was there, we met a mountain man, who had Continental Divide Hiker patches. I got to talk to him and he said the Woods Hole Shelter was only 25 minutes further. Well off I go, after 25 minutes I remembered the shape of his legs. 1.3 miles took over 50 minutes, but we finally made it to the shelter by 6:00.  The sun was still up, but it was cold and windy. I decided not to pitch my tent and try out the shelter instead. It was an old log type. I slept off and on mainly because of the wind blowing through the trees. We did have a couple from Atlanta that made us a fire. I was concerned about the wind and all the dead brown leaves around the fire pit, but the fire gave me it a nice feeling. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Easter Everyone!Hope it was a good day for all. I passed out pastel colored M & M's to all for breakfast. You could tell everyone was excited, because it was only going to be about 4 miles. My easiest day yet. But first, we had to hike over Blood Mountain. This is the tallest, steepest and rockiest mountain on the trail in Georgia. According to tales from the Creek and Cherokee Indians, a battle was fought between the two nations on the slopes of the mountain. It left so many dead and wounded that the ground ran red with blood, which inspired the name. It¢s 4500 feet in elevation. Shortly after we left the shelter, we were hiking up stone steps. It was tough, but not outrageous. The view on top was a stunted Mountain Laurel forest. Blood Mtn Shelter is an ancient stone shelter, but very unappealing with holes in the shingle roof and the strong smell of mildew. It does have a wonderful 360 degree view. We all had our opinions about which peak was Springer Mountain.  Down to Neel¢s Gap on more stone steps. Finally got to check in with Sandy. He was able to google map in on my exact location. It was good to talk to him and find out what he's been doing while I'm out here hiking. Four of us decide to rent a cabin about 1 1/2 miles from the store instead of staying in the hostel. It was only $10.00 more per person and we had our own washing machine. As "Pop Top" said, "I would have been upset if I'd have to pay $25.00 for a place like this, but tonight it was the best." We all agreed! It was so funny to see our packs explode in the living room which had little furniture, probably for a reason. We all wanted to lighten our loads. I need to because I have developed a quarter size blister on the bottom of one foot. I reduced my pack a bit, but feel I need all that I am carrying. The weather forecast is for snow flurries tomorrow morning! Tonight I'll be warm in my own room. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The house we rented last night was just what 4 thru-hikers needed. A chance to do our laundry, get a hot shower, and spread out all our stuff. It even came with a pizza delivery from Dominos for $7.50. A Hawaiian pizza never tasted so good after all the pasta, oatmeal, and gorp.  I was able to catch up on my journals, but will need to wait until Hiawassee before posting as there was no cell phone coverage. After an inventory of my food, I needed only a few things. Neels Gap is a great hiker store with all the latest gear. I bought two more pairs of socks, moleskin, a chunk of cheese which I've been craving, one pouch dinner, coffee, a new canister which I checked before leaving the store, and a dry bag in which to put my sleeping bag. Pirate, our driver, picked us up right at 8:30. I bounced just a few things to Joe at his business, the Hayesville Water Gardens. This is where I'll be in four days. I was able to talk to Sandy a few minutes, then off I went through the famous arch of Walasi-Yi-Center. From there it is straight up Levelland Mountain, which is anything but level. I wonder who thinks up these names. About halfway up it began to snow. Just light flurries at first, but heavier at times. That plus the wind made it not such a great day to be out, but when you¢re on the trail you keep moving. It was an up and down day over Rock Spring Top, Wolf Laurel Top, Cow Rock Mountain. Then down a very steep path to Tesnatee Gap. Probably at that point if a taxi had been there, I would have been glad to go to a warm motel, but instead I got warm by climbing a very steep Wildcat Mountain. There were some very beautiful moments. Ice crystal that look like connecting straws called hoar frost were all along the path. The snow covered some of the evergreens making them look like Christmas trees. Christmas ferns were the only green plants sticking out from the snow covered brown leaves. Made it to Low Gap where there were many hikers. I set up my little tent between several others hoping it would cut down on the wind. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Well it was as cold as expected... 24 degrees. Learned a trick from Sea to Land. He heats up water and pours it in his nalgene water bottle. Takes it to bed like a real hot water bottle. It warms you up and lasts for a surprising period of time. I had every opening cinched down to one small breath hole and stayed pretty warm. Everyone went to bed when the sun went down. Early about 5:30 a.m., we were serenaded by an unbelievable chorus of Bared Owls. There must have been a dozen of them all down the holler. They would call to each other from tree to the next in a very loud hoot and barks. I think they must have been doing some kind of exercise to warm up. It was so cold that I could not get an early start. Since I was only planning to go a little over 7 miles, I was in no hurry. My tent was covered with ice crystals and my bag was damp. I think I was the last to leave and will probably not see my friends as they planned on hiking much further to the Cheese Factory. Not really a factory, but in early times a farmer had a cows here and produced a very good cheese. Too bad, I could use a milkshake about now. Ended up leap frogging with "Back Track." She is a school teacher in Charlotte. We decided to stay at Blue Mountain Shelter. This was good as it allowed me to dry out my damp sleeping bag. Met up with the lady "Rainbow" and her two dogs. The dogs are not the best trained since they ate Back Tracks cheese and crackers. My food bag is getting pretty light and I will probably have just enough before I see Joe and get my first mail drop.  Temperature is dropping and it will probably be another cold night. What happened to those warm Georgia nights. Right now because we have to get in our bag so early, it would be a good time to listen to music. Some people have I pods for just this reason. " Help Me Make It through the Night." Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Said good-bye to "Papa Poppins". He is traveling with his son and has an umbrella instead of a rain outfit.  Guess that is how he got his name. Still not sure how an umbrella would work in a real rain storm. Today was supposed to be the steepest grade down Blue Mountain to Unicoi Gap and then up a really steep Rocky Mountain. It reminded me of our mountains back in Colorado.  It made for a slow day. Out of Indian Gap and up Tray Mountain, it was a pretty trail with moss growing along the sides. It's the vivid green next to the brown leaves.  To me it looks like a perfect environment for snakes although a little early with the cool weather.  Along the trail we would see all these turned up leaves that look like some giant mole was rooting up the soil. "Pack Animal," a thru hiker from Branston Said that it was caused by wild boars.  Some of which could weigh up to 900 pounds.  Now that seems a bit much (like a huge bear), but one reason this Ravon will not be hiking at night.Not as many on the trail now.  I keep leap frogging with "Back Track." We ended up at Tray Mountain Shelter.  Amazingly, there are four solo woman hikers here and no men.  The odds of that are pretty rare.  Three of us slept in the shelter tonight.  I didn't want to set up my tent with the hopes I can get an earlier start.  I have to hike 11 miles over very rough rocky terrain to meet Joe at 5:00. I will take my first zero day at his home in Hayesville, NC. Just looking at the profile, it will be a real challenge.  There are lots of PUDS (pointless ups and downs) on this section of the trail. Very rough on the feet and knees.  My knees are OK so far, but the feet are another story. Saw more birds today, juncos, tufted titmice, and lots of chickadees.  Today was a milestone in that one year ago Sandy and I were here and walked up Unicoi Gap.  It was a lot harder this time with my backpack. Time to get some sleep for that hike tomorrow.  I am looking forward to taking a day to regroup. Thank you all for being patient with the journal entries. Sandy has to post them, because you can't from a hand held device. Thus making lots of work for him.    Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: US76 Dick Creek's Gap
Miles today: 11.0

The shelter was facing in the perfect direction to view the last phase of the moon. It shone through the bare branch trees as a hazy, orange half circle. I was up at first light and discovered that yes there are mice in the shelters. Because of this when you hang your pack on pegs, you leave the pockets or compartments open. That way they don't chew holes into the pack. Down deep in an outside web pocket, I'd missed a small pocket of tea "Pop Top" had given to me, but Mr. Mouse found a treat. No real damage, but "MD to Be" had several holes and they ate her hand warmers. Not good. I bet Mr. Mouse had an upset stomach. Easy departure by 8:24, my earliest yet, and I even had time for a cup of coffee. So far I'm the only one who seems to drink coffee. My small 1 ounce filter works fine. Perhaps not Starbucks!, but caffeine none the less. Several steep ups and downs over Blue Ridge Swag, Sassafras Gap and Killer Kelly's Knob. Today was the first warm day that would have felt better in short pants. While absorbed in thought, I was startled when a large wild turkey came flying through the trees. I'm not sure how they maneuver with a five foot wing span among thick overlapping branches. It was a great relief to see US 76 and lots of thru hikers stretched out on the grass waiting for shuttles. Good to see brother Joe and know that I have a great dinner and zero day ahead of meFly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-28
From: US76 Dick Creek's Gap

To: Hayesville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

The was my first zero day, defined as a day not spent on the trail. For most thru- hikers, it usually means that you are taking care of all the home chores: laundry, rearranging packs, cleaning gear, sorting through my first mail drop, planning meals for the next section. These were my morning chores. I spent the afternoon at the library typing up my journal entries. Sandy is my go-between and has been great getting my entries posted. We¢re still working on the photos. Seems everyone on the trail finds it difficult to transmit photos. Every library has different software. Mary, the librarian at the Hayesville Public Library, was so sweet trying to help me transfer photos from the camera to a disc. We never could email all the photos to Sandy, but were able to get some a few sized pictures sent. It¢s a real task to mate text and photos. Be patient. Probably by the time I get to Maine, I might have this figured out. While at Joe's, I had two fabulous dinners and visited with his band members. I really enjoyed visiting and talking about the trip so far. The Mexican dinner was a great change of pace from pasta, oatmeal and gorp (good ol¢ raisins and peanuts).Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-29
To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: light rain

Had a final hot tub at Joe's. I sure miss those morning dips in hot water! Just as we were going for breakfast, a thunder shower moved overhead. This probably should have been my first hint to take another zero day. Instead I chose to head up the trail. At first, it was interesting hiking through a cloud, but then the cloud decided to rain. I'm sure the views were great from the mountain tops, but no views today. You've hear the expression of being in a fog. Well, this is the ultimate being in the fog and soon everything is wet. All the trees are covered with moss. I stopped at Plum Orchard Shelter, which is a newer one. It was helicoptered in place and is of beautiful post and beam construction. I really wanted to stay here, but I was the only one and just didn't feel comfortable. A girl had just left and was going on to Bly Gap. This was originally where I wanted to be so off I went. It took a while to catch "Bigglesworth" (some may remember that this is the name of Austin Power's hairless cat). We took each others photos at the Georgia/North Carolina border. It¢s just an old wooden sign, but for me announced one state down, thirteen to go.  It was hard to really enjoy the accomplishment as it was raining harder and harder. Bigglesworth was having feet problems. I might have made the next shelter, but by now I was cold and really didn't think either of us needed to be alone. Had to throw up my tent in the rain. Threw everything inside and just got in the bag. I did manage to cook some Mac and Cheese in my small vestibule. It pretty much rained all night.  They say you can't get to Maine unless you walk through the rain... and I¢m walking through it. Fly right,RAVON
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

And to think I could be home watching the NCAA basketball tournaments. Woke up to a continuing light rain, so it was pack up everything wet and off to climb the mountains. I was really glad I hadn't tried to make the next shelter the night before. It was a straight up climb from Bly gap. All day long I kept singing, "We all live in a yellow submarine." It¢s like walking through water. Saw a seed pod that looked like an octopus, white lichen growing on trees that were just like white coral, and of course green moss and green lichen covering everything. Finally met another thru hiker I'd seen last week named Corinna. Three of us stopped at Muskrat Shelter for hot drinks and breakfast. My coffee and biscotti never tasted so good. Its amazing how food can changed your whole perspective. I didn't try to hike too far... only to the next shelter. With all the extra water weight my pack felt heavy. I knew I needed to be in a shelter, and not camping. Believe it or not there are five girls and one man sleeping all in a row. Being safe and warm is very important out here. As I look out the open wall into our now fading fog enshrouded woods and listen to the rain drops hit our tin roof, I am really glad to have a more permanent roof over my head this rainy night mice or no mice. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was a concert featuring the world¢s worst drummer. He couldn't hit any of his rim shots in time and his overall rhythm was terrible. Actually, it was the rain drops from the trees hitting the tin roof. Almost explosive in sound, but with the important advantage of drowning out the snorers! It was the plan to just get to Betty's Creek Gap. We heard that it was a nice campsite at about 10 miles. The next shelter was 7 more miles and the one after that was another 12. Carinna and Bigglesworth and I were hiking at similar speeds. I really wanted to stay at Betty's Campsite in honor of my mother, Betty, and Sandy's mom, Betsy, but just as we came upon it, our plans changed. Bigglesworth busted a blister and she was really worried that her feet would get infected as she was limping along. We had heard our first trail magic was just up the trail at Mooney Gap. Trail magic is when something unexpected good happens. For Bigglesworth, it was the best. I ran ahead and asked if they could give her a ride to Franklin just as they were getting ready to leave. She is going off-trail to get her feet looked at. For the rest of us, they had hot dogs, buns, all the trimings, cookies, snickers, drinks and a fire under two tarps. This was the best as it was lightly raining and cool. I have been walking in a fog for three days. No idea what North Carolina looks like, but Chris and Carla made our day with their trail magic. They were from Winter Haven, Florida and just there to do nice things for hikers. Since we were this far, Carinna and I decided to hike up Mt. Albert rather than camp in the rain again. It¢s a very difficult hand over hand section, probably not the best in the rain. There is a famous firetower at the top, but no views today. We made it just before it really began to rain. Another tin roof, but the drummer was more steady this night. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stairs Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

As it turned out, I was really glad to be in a shelter. Since all of my stuff was wet, it would have been even more difficult pitching a tent. I've about decided I can brave the mice (who ate some of my vitamins and half of my thyroid pill. Talk about one speedy Gonzales!) and snorers, if it means being dry. Today we saw the sun for the first time in three days. I even started singing me and my shadow. Since we walked fourteen miles the day before, it meant we only had 9.1 miles to meet Joe at Winding Stairs Gap. He was going to pick me up and take me into Franklin. Time to re-supply from my bounce box and get dry. Carinna came with us to a hiker friendly motel. The sun was out and the parking lot was filled with drying tents, hanging sleeping bags, and most of everyone's gear. I'll be able to get a shuttle back to the trail tomorrow morning. Joe was such a trail angel. He drove us to an outfitters. Louisa... your birthday gift is on the way. Some were buying new shoes and backpacks. For the most part, I'm happy with my gear. Just maybe a little too much. Joe also took some to get ice and beer. I think he might like this trail hiking. He likes the female to male ratio. Lots of chores to do tonight as I want to get back on the trail. The weather forecast is for more rain! Only created two whoopsies so far. I think Joe has my cell phone charger. So I won't be calling anyone until Fontana Dam. Will definitely check in then as soon as I get my bounce box back. I'm also wearing the skirt I had in there for town chores. Trying to decide if I should start a new hiking trend.. trekking in a skirt. This coming into town is necessary, but it's hard to keep the two world's separate. Need to wrap it up as the motel owner pulls the plug at 10:00. Hope everyone had a Happy April Fool's Day! Fly right,Ravon