morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is likely to be my last entry before leaving on my adventure. I will work through Thursday March 6th, go to Atlanta on the 7th, then hit the trail on the 8th. Last night my parents had my family and my sister's family over for dinner. I packed my backpack with everything in it to show everyone what I'll be carrying. With food and water my pack weighed 35 pounds. I can live with that though I just bought some candy bars to snack on so it might weigh a little more now.Speaking of snacking, I am really appreciating food right now and I think it's because I won't be eating as much or as well in the near future. We all had a great dinner at Mom's last night. Today I had fried chicken and waffles for lunch after church. I had never heard of that combination, but I guess it is a Southern tradition in some parts. After eating that great meal I needed some exercise so I went running. I then came home and had bread pudding with butterscotch sauce for supper. Well, some people recommend gaining a little weight prior to hiking the AT so I should be prepared in that sense.I am so ready to go. There is an indescribable sense of restlessness I feel now. I look out at the surrounding mountains and just want to be out there. The weather for the past two days has been sunny and 60+ degrees so that hasn't helped my wanderlust any. I know I have just four days of work to go and I hope they go by quickly though I am, in general, one not to wish my life away.My next entry will be either from Atlanta or from the trail!
Date: 2008-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After a week of insomnia and ridiculously slow clocks, my trip has finally begun. My friend David drove me to my brother's house in Atlanta today. My sister-in-law made a delicious dinner and now I am about to go to bed. I am hoping I sleep for a change.Tomorrow, my brother Dan and I will drive up 42 to the trailhead. He wants to hike to Springer Mountain with me. I am supposed to carry him back to his car (if he is too tired to walk) and then I will continue on North.This morning, kissing my family goodbye was a lot harder than expected. I will certainly miss them, but look forward to seeing them again soon.In the morning my epic adventure begins!
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Springer Mt

To: Justus creek
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow, this day did not go as planned.I woke up this AM to the sound of sleet striking the window. Dan made us a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs made with sweetened condensed milk. We drove to the Springer Mt parking lot where the temp was 22 and it was snowing and blowing like crazy. Dan dropped me off and off I went.There was a grizzled man with thick icicles in his beard there at the trailhead. He was a ridgerunner who monitors trail conditions and hikers. He said I was the 156th hiker this year.The day stayed pretty cold though the snow stopped around 2 PM. My gear works well and I felt good. This PM I ate a dehydrated icecream sandwitch to celebrate my first night and Robin's b"day. Tonight it's in the twenties. Hopefully I'll stay warm. Overall it's been a pretty good day.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Justus creek

To: Blood Mt shelter
Miles today: 14.5

Today was a great day! I slept about 11 hours last PM and woke up feeling good. It was still cold out, but once I got packed up and moving I warmed up.At about 11 o'clock I met up with a young couple and their friend section hiking. Since we were going at the same pace, I tagged along. We ended at Blood Mt shelter which a stone building on top of a high mt. They will be getting off the trail tomorrow, but it's been fun hiking with them.So far my legs and feet are holding up well- I guess the concrete training is paying off.
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Blood Mt shelter

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

I am having the time of my life out here. I realize I am only 3 days in and I know there harder sections ahead. Today was a day of incredible views. There were some arduous climbs, but from the top you could see hundreds of miles of mountains and wilderness.This morning the trail went right through an outfitter store at Neels Gap. I bought a snack and a cup of coffee and called Angie. The group I was hiking with yesterday got off the trail to go home so I hiked by myself all day. I don't know where everyone was because the shelter this PM is full.This afternoon, after a steep climb and long descent there was a couple who had set up a canopy at a road crossing. They were giving food and drinks to hikers. He was an ex-thru hiker and wanted to do something for current hikers. I was very glad they were there.The temperature today got up to 60 so it was nice to hike in shorts and tee-shirt.I'm happy, tired, stinky, in need of a massage, but glad to be here!
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Tray Mountain shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

Today was my longest day yet. It also had the most elevation gained and lost. Temperatures around 50 with light drizzle on and off. Tomorrow should be an easy day with 11 miles in to Hiawassee. I plan to spend the night there and wash clothes, shower, and stock up on food.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Tray Mountain shelter

To: Dick's Creek/Hiawassee
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Last PM at over 4000 feet a cold wind blew in and I woke up with temps around 30. Once I got hiking I warmed up though. Today was a short day even though there were some tall mts to go over. I knew I needed to resupply in Hiawassee, but the town is several miles from the trail. Just as I exited the woods a car was leaving a little parking area there. I asked if he could take me to Hiawassee and since he was going right through there he did. I started at the grocery store and bought 5 days of food. I then called pastor Ledford whom I had treated this past summer when he got sick while visiting his daughter. He invited me to his church's Wed. night supper. His secretary Lenny and her husband Gary own The Blueberry Patch hiker hostel so I called there and Gary picked me up from the grocery store. So this PM I feasted on chili, baked potato, hot dogs, and peach cobbler until I was stuffed. Tomorrow, after legendary blueberry pancakes I will be back on the trail. I should finish Georgia and be in North Carolina by tomorrow PM. Now I will go to sleep in a real bed. I've showered and my clothes are clean.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Dick's Creek/Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

This AM began with a GREAT breakfast of eggs, sausage, pancakes with homemade blueberry syrup. If anyone reading this is planning a thru hike, I highly recommend staying at the Blueberry Patch. The kindness and hospitality of the Poteats is beyond description; nourishing the body, mind and spirit of this weary hiker. So, with that rocket-fuel breakfast I hit the trail with amazing energy and didn't realize how many miles just disappeared under my feet.I crossed Bly gap which is the border of GA and NC today. It felt good to get one state out of the way until I began climbing and climbing. Apparently NC is known for its climbs. The shelter I am in now is not on top of a mountain yet it's higher in elevation than anywhere in GA. I got a late start this AM, so when I got to the shelter I saw it was 4 PM and the shelter looked nice I called it a day. There are 3 other hikers that are hiking the same distances as I am, so even though we don't see each other much during the day we meet up in the evenings at the shelters.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

No pain, no rain, no Maine. That saying is a popular one because on the way to Maine, pain and rain are inevitable. Today I dealt with rain. The day started out clear, but by mid morning the rain began. Since it was a little cool (mid-40's) I stopped and put on my rain gear. I'm glad I did because the rain just kept coming down. At 2 PM I stopped in a shelter for a break. The rain was pouring and there was a thick fog swirling around. Since the next shelter was 7 miles away, I decided to stay put. I don't like stopping so early in the day because it makes for a long afternoon, but I think I made the right decision.I went over Standing Indian Mt today which was the only long climb. Most of the hiking was very pleasant.
Date: 2008-03-15
From:  Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap/Franklin
Miles today: 12.2

This AM I awoke to the sounds of a thunder storm. The rain was pounding on the roof of the shelter, the wind was howling, and the thunder was pretty close. My back hurt from lying so long on the hard ground and I really needed to go to the privy, but I did NOT want to go out in that weather. I did get up and made breakfast and by the time I was ready to go, the sun was peeking through the clouds and the rain had stopped. Well, the rain came back a few hours later accompanied by hail, thunder and lightning.I stopped at a shelter for lunch and stayed for about 2 hours hoping the weather would clear. Since it didn't, I decided to go on to the next shelter despite the rain and hail, etc. The next shelter was full of people trying to stay dry and I didn't think my tent would work too well since every inch of ground was thoroughly saturated if not a pool of standing water. Much of the trail today was under water. So, at the shelter I announced I was going to hike 4 miles further to a major road and try to get a ride in to Franklin NC and would anyone want to go with me and split the cost of a hotel room. A guy who goes by the name of Strides said he would go. We only went a short distance when we saw a shuttle that goes to Franklin right there on some obscure little side road. Well, we were pretty happy and got a ride in, got a room, took a hot shower and ate dinner. Now, I know you all are thinking "he's supposed to be roughing it, what's he doing staying in hotels". And you would be right, but when I saw the weather was calling for flooding and tornados tonight, I am happy to be here.Tomorrow looks like it will be a good day and I'll be able to get some good miles in.Today I passed a place called Mooney Gap which has the reputation for being the wettest spot on the Eastern US with estimated annual precipitation of over 93 inches. Not surprising it was raining there.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Rock Gap/Franklin

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

Today has probably been the best day hiking yet. It started out in Franklin NC. I woke up and ate a protein/cholesterol biscuit from Hardees. The guy who picked me up from the trail took me back up this AM. Ron Haven owns a couple of hotels in town and constantly shuttles hikers back and forth. Anyway, I felt pretty good today. The temperature was perfect, the skies were blue, and the miles just melted away under my feet. I stopped for lunch on Wayah Bald at 3 PM and realized that 14 miles had gone by. I decided to hike another 6 miles to a shelter. A little ways down the trail there was a huge tent set up and a guy was making and giving out hotdogs and drinks. What more could a hiker ask for- free food right on the trail. Tomorrow I go through the NOC which is an outfitter right on the trail. I will stock up on a little more food. I think I have another couple of days til I get to Fontana Dam and the beginning of the Smokey Mts.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today turned out to be harder than expected. It started out nice with a brief stop on Wesser Bald. A bald is a mountain top mostly devoid of trees. On the top of Wesser there is a 40 foot observation tower. The views were magnificent from up there. Then it was a long climb down to the NOC which is mostly a white water rafting place. I had a pizza at the restaurant there then headed out. Leaving the NOC was a difficult 6 mile. Uphill climb to the shelter. I got in feeling pretty tired. Tomorrow shouldn't be too bad and the next day I should be at Fontana Dam.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

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

Today dawned cold foggy and gloomy and it matched my mood perfectly. I think I am tired and a bit homesick. My mood did brighten a little even though the day did not.The trail seemed to find every high peak and every low valley, but I've been told that that is characteristic of NC. I have not taken a day off from hiking since I started. There are only 6 miles into Fontana tomorrow and I am thinking about getting a room somewhere and giving my legs some rest.
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: moderate rain

I decided my legs needed a rest today so I hiked in rain and strong winds to Fontana then took a shuttle to the village of Fontana. For some reason the package of food I had sent to myself wasn't there. To make matters worse, I didn't have cell phone service there either. I used the phone at a convenience mart to call a hostel here. They had room so a guy who goes by the name Dynamite (he looks just the guy in the movie Napoleon Dynamite) split the cost of a room with me. Fortunately the hostel took us by a grocery store so I am ready for the Smokey Mts.The owner of the hostel suggested I slow down a little through this section because the mountaiins are so steep. I think that's good advice for now. In a few weeks I may try for the big miles, but I'll keep my daily miles under 15.I still haven't seen any bears or exciting wildlife. One guy last night said that when one has hiked the whole AT, in terms of elevation gained and lost it is equivalent to climbing Mt Everest 19 times.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: few clouds

Today was beautiful. While the hostel last PM was OK, the Blueberry Patch is a hard act to follow. I walked across Fontana Dam this AM which was pretty impressive. Then I entered the Smoky Mts. There was kind of a long climb to get up to the ridge line, but the rest yesterday and meals helped and I felt strong. Apparently the rain last PM was freezing rain and snow up in the mountains. I stopped by a fire tower for lunch but didn't stay long as it was very cold. I am staying in a shelter tonight though there are some funny rules about shelters in the Smokies. Everyone must have a permit to hike here. Everyone except thru-hikers makes a reservation for shelter space. So, if the shelter is full and I'm snug in my sleeping bag and someone shows up with a reservation, the poor thru-hiker has to go out and set up a tent. This particular shelter is mostly full of Boy Scouts so I'll take my chances and I might be able to stay. I have found that I feel the most energy after a stay in town. I think that may because I eat so much better. It's not that I'm hungry, I'm just not eating that much. Last PM I bought more food so even though I will be eating better, my bag is a lot heavier. Well, live and learn. I'm going to go eat down some of that weight now.
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Russell Field Shelter 

To: Silers Bald Shelter 
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

Today was a good reminder of why I'm doing this hike. The day was perfect, and the views were magnificent. I hiked through mountain meadows, along open ridges, and over bare peaks. I'm pretty sure I could see Knoxville. I'm staying tonight with the same Boy Scout troop as last PM. They are from Christiansburg VA so I feel we are neighbors, plus they make good camp fires. It is very frustrating not having cell service to send these journals every night. I do have to remember that I am out in the wilderness. Hopefully the farther north I get the better reception, but there is no guarantee. Thank you all for the messages you are sending. I love reading them and it is always a high point in my day..
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Silers Bald Shelter 

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was windy and kind of cold. I climbed up over Clingman's Dome which the highest point on the AT. There is an observation tower at the top, but it was so cold and windy I climbed up then down right away. I missed a turn on the trail and ended up hiking an extra mile. There was a lot of ice at the top of the mountain. After Clingman's Dome I came to Newfound Gap where a major road cuts through the Smokies. It was strange hiking out of the woods to a large parking lot with lots of people milling around. I guess it is kind of a rest stop on the road. It also seemed strange with so many people walking along the trail. Several stopped and inquired about the AT. I'm going to try to do a big mile day tomorrow as I am anxious to get to Hot Springs NC where I hope to get together with Angie and the girls.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today was cccold! It never got out of the 30's all day. The views were incredible though. I can see why the Smokies were made a national park. This AM there was a dense fog in the valleys and from the ridges it looked like and ocean with the craggy mountain tops sticking like islands. I got some pictures, but the low battery sign is showing on the camera. I missed being in church on this Easter Sunday, but I sang hymns all day to make up for it. Tomorrow I will be out of the Smokies. There is a light snow falling now and I hope it doesn't amount to anything.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light snow

This AM I woke with the temperature in the shelter 25 degrees and snow falling outside. Needless to say, climbing out of a warm sleeping bag was not easy. I left the Smokies behind and stopped in at Standing Bear Hostel to pick up a few food items. It looked like a neat place to stay, but it was early in the day and the sun had come out. Soon after I left the snow began coming down hard. A few hours later, the sun came out again even though I was now walking in a couple inches of wet snow. Oh well, I guess that's just March. When I got to the shelter the place was full so I'm sleeping in my tent tonight.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Big Rock Spring
Miles today: 17.1

Today was an amazing day! I woke up with my tent covered with snow on the outside and covered with frost in the inside. I was seriously wishing for Spring to actually show its face, but once I got moving I warmed up. A couple of hours into my hike I climbed up and crossed over Max Patch Bald which is a mountain with 3-4 hundred acres of grassy meadow at the top. It was the kind of place that made me want to raise my hands in the air and go running and shrieking and laughing like a little kid. I didn¢t, of course, because there was still snow plus I was wearing my boots and backpack. When I got to the shelter I was considering staying at it was only three o¢clock and I was not ready to stop hiking. I decided to keep hiking until I found a good spot. Two hours later I came across a stream cascading down a steep hillside with a flat piece of land jutting out next to it asking for a tent to be set up on it. It was the best place I have slept yet. I think I need to reconsider this whole shelter thing and start sleeping in the best spots I can find.
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Big Rock Spring

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Today was an easy hike. I¢m not really sure I slept at Big Rock Spring because it sure didn¢t take me very long to get to town, but then, I was pretty anxious to see Angie and the fam. It was neat looking down into Hot Springs from the mountain coming into town. There is something about hearing dogs bark and cars on the road that reminds the isolated hiker that life does go on as usual. I got to town around noon and found out that Angie would not be there until 2 or 3. She had not found any hotels to stay in as there are very few in Hot Springs. I went to a restaurant and had a bowl of chili. While there I plugged in my phone since the battery was dead and answered some emails. I talked to the manager about where to stay and he recommended a rental agency. I called and arranged to get a cabin for tonight and tomorrow night. The town of Hot Springs is very small, so I walked to the Post Office and picked up my package that was supposed to have come to Fontana and to my surprise there was a second package there. Thank you Laurie and Leonard! So with two packages under my arm and my backpack on my back I walked to the address of the cabin and let myself in. It was perfect. I was even able to shower and clean up before Angie got there. Tomorrow I am ¢taking a zero¢, meaning I will hike zero miles-just sit around with the family and rest.
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was with heavy pack (from a full food bag) and heavier heart I said goodbye to my family and continued my trek northward today. To enjoy the exhileration of the mountains there are deep valleys to go through as well and that is the way of the trail. I knew it would be great to see my family, but I also knew it would be hard to say good bye. Hot Springs was never my goal-just a stopping point along the way.Once I got onto the trail, things got better. The clouds looked like rain and I was tired so I stopped at 3:30 at the shelter. I was the third person to get here so I am sleeping in the shelter, but there are a lot of other hikers around here tonight. Apparently everyone who left Hot Springs today decided to call it a day here too.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To:  Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: light rain

Last night I was glad to be in the shelter since it rained hard all night. There was a large crowd of people camping around the shelter all of who left Hot Springs and got as far as that shelter.All day I hiked with a guy named Kirby. This AM we decided to some big miles to get ahead of the crowd. We set off this AM in the rain and fog. Approximately an hour into our day there was a sign about free Belgian waffles and lunch for hikers. I debated because I had just eaten breakfast, I still had a fairly heavy food bag, and I really wanted to get some miles in. Well, the allure of waffles and a warm dry house won. Jodie and John Nelson aka FAL and Hercules are former thru hikers who do this for hikers. I thought I would eat a waffle and be on my way. When we got to their beautiful log home they immediately gave us dry T-shirts to put on since our clothes were wet from the pouring rain. They then made us each a waffle with pecans and REAL maple syrup. When we finished that a plate of homemade bread with apple butter appeared. Then a bowl of hearty stew came next. Then cherry pie ala mode. Everything was absolutely delicious! They remembered the umbrella lady and habitual hiker from last year. After the meal they talked to us about Christianity and gave us books. I got. Epic by John Eldredge since I had not read it.After that big meal we set off again, but in a thick fog and no rain. We ended up doing over 20 miles today. We were so ready to get to the shelter, but when we got here it was overrun with Boy Scouts and section hikers and it began raining again. So I am tenting in the rain having hiked far to get away from one crowd only to get caught in another.I have been hiking for three weeks today and late this afternoon I crossed the 300 mile mark. Sometimes I like the solitude of the trail, but hiking with Kirby all day in the fog and rain brightened an otherwise gloomy day and made the miles pass quickly by.