morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-12
To: Preparing 
Miles today: 0.0

What has gotten me to this point? I'm buying equipment, reading books on long distance hiking, meeting and talking to folks who have completed the 2000 mile plus hike and those who did not. I will attempt to explain this passion that is growing within in me daily to hike the AT. This is a hill I need to climb, it beckons me to come and witness the beauty that lays at its summit. It promises a delightful view when I reach its top.This started back in 1999 while I working as civilian crime prevention specialist for the Austin PD in Austin, Texas. I was working with the community, officers, EMS and fire fighters on safety issue dealing with community. I had developed similar feeling over the years so I was very comfortable with this type of work. It was during a coffee break with Officer Dale Cooper and we where talking about history and places I started telling the story about "Crampton's Gap In Maryland and the great Civil War Battle that took place there and the Appalachian trail that went through the gap. I found it while reading a history book about the "Battle at South Mountain" at Crampton's Gap. My question was is this Gap kin to my family. This knowledge brought about the interest to go and see the Gap. I had a daughter Terri who had moved to this area, to work, so this was a good excuse to go see this Gap. I made the trip during September of 1999. I did not know it then till I got there this was the time period the Battle of South Mountain was fought; September 11-14, 1862. I drove to Maryland spent some time with my daughter then drove up to Crampton's Gap.It is also known as Garland State Park. As I came into the park I saw some Yankee re-enactors had a tent set up. One of them came over to talk me about the battle that took place, there on September 11-14, 1862. I was walking around the site that had Old stone buildings under the lovely trees. I noted a sign near one of the building that read Appalachian Trail. I asked the Yankee reactor, what is this and he replied," It is a foot path from Georgia to Maine." "WOW that's some foot path", I replied. "How long is that? He replied," It is 2160 miles and it goes through 13 states."I returned to Texas and the thoughts about this foot path of Georgia to Maine, began too grow on me daily. I started doing some research on it and the more I read about the trail the more interesting it got. Then one day thinking out loud I just may do this hike. That is when Dale said "you should do it." The next day he and his new wife took off to Colorado on their honeymoon and they brought me back the biggest hiking stick I had ever seen and it had a wood Bear Whistle also. They presented to me, along with their good wishes for a safe and fun hike. That did it, now I had to make this hike. I am not sure I want to see if the Bear whistle works or not, but it¢s loud. I used it out front of my house one day and the all deer left the area. It time to set a plan into motion, so I set up a reading program on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Preparing 

To: AT
Miles today: 0.0

March the 13thThe planning of a thru-hike or a flip-flop is a big undertaking and requires the support of lots of good people to cheer you on. The support of your family is an important part of a hike. They can ship things to you that you may need, and cannot buy on the trail.There is a passion that has been building with-in me, since I first found the trail and the trail beckcom me to come a hike it. On August 2, 2002, my daughter, a mother of two, went with me to do trail maintenance in Pennsylvania and the Shenandoah National Park. Her husband Lewis was taking care to the two children. We did not know it at the time, but she was carrying her third child. I would not be surprised if this little girl will take up hiking when she gets older. Ruth Ann's mother, went sailing with me on Guam Island, when and she was carrying Ruth Ann, and guess what, Ruth Ann went into the Navy when she grew up. We joined Pete Brown and his gang, of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC), doing trail maintenance in Pennsylvania. We learned a new vocabulary about trails and trail maintenance while working with Pete and his crew. After completing a hard day of work, we went to the PATC Cabin, for a gathering of the workers and had a wonderful time eating and chatting with the group. Spending time volunteering for trail maintenance has helped me a great deal in getting ready to do the thru-hike of the AT. I have great admiration for the volunteers who give up their time to maintained the AT trail, and you know what, they have fun doing it.
Date: 2003-03-20
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 979.0

Well today is the big day to hit the road and start traveling east to meet the rest of the hiking team. I will be meeting them at Amicalola Falls State Park at Dawsonville, Georgia. The trip is 979 miles and I will drive it in a rented car we will then drop off at the Atlanta Airport. This way the worry on shipping my pack and it meeting it on time will not be a cost or a problem. I will be carrying the pack with me. I have mailed off the first two food boxes, one to Neels Gap and the other to Fontana Dam N.C. This last week has been a period of change. In doing a final check of the pack I took all my things and started asking the hard questions. Should this go and do I really need this or not? The weatherman has me thinking cold, wet, and rain. This time of the year weather can change very quickly. With this in mind my winter clothes are going to increase my pack weight up to 45-50 pounds. This will slow me down the first few days, but keeping warm and dry is something I do not take lightly. I will stay at the lodge at Amicalola Falls Friday the 21 and 22 and then hike up to the Hike Inn to stay there one night, 23rd, then leave out the next morning and start hike the 24th to the terminus of the AT. There we will sign in for our thru-hike and start hiking to our first stop for the night. We will be checking the weather since we have had some here in central Texas that we sent it East. I noted there is some coming from the West that I may bring some with me as I drive over to Georgia. In keeping with theme of my hike "Up the Hill" so far I have make the first hill of just getting ready to make this hike and now it is time to start the hike. I¢m sure there are things I willto have and wish I left behind and that can be sent home at Neels Gap when a house cleaning can take place. Wes Wesson will be meeting me at North Spring Atlanta and will shuttle me to the park. K. Slowwalker had referred him to me. He has been very helpful in answering questions, and when I called him he had such a friendly voice, I am looking forward to meeting him. My wife has been very supportive of my making this trip, and we will go out for an evening meal tonight the 19th, as good bye night. In the morning, I will be on my way to Georgia and Springer Mountain Terminus. I am looking forward to meeting other hikers and hearing their stories of getting ready for this trek North.
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Amical Flls State Park

To: Len Foote Hike Inn 
Miles today: 5.4

In hiking up to the Len Foote Hike Inn was interesting. We noted some Bear markings about 2 miles up the trail and one blow-down on the trail. The lodge is a beautiful spot. The rooms have two buck beds, just big enough for two people. The meals where good and the staff was very friendly. It had family type eating with a volunteer family that helped in the serving. They did an outstanding job. In the morning they came around with a little drum and beat it as fast call, if you wish to see the sun rise you need to get up and I did. We had a good breakfast. We left at 9 o'clock for Springer Mountain.
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Springer Mountain

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 6.9

The hiking was hard for me today with the heat and weight. I was able to wet a bandana from the creek and make my head cool. We got to Stover Creek about 2:30 and it was decided to set up camp. On the way down I turned my right ankle so it hurt a bit. I took an advil and it help some to relieve the pain of it.
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

It was hard to leave the Three Forks area it is so pretty. We treked on to Hawk Mountain Shelter arriving early, and it was a good thing for it would not be long before the area began to fill up. I also discovered I could get out on my cell phone now, so I called home to see how Louisa was doing. I told her I was thinking about taking a break from the trail. This would let my ankle get better and I could rethink my pack load. My partners (SuperMom and K.Slowalker) were not happy with my thoughts of taking a break, but I found a cool water source and I put my feet in to cool off and it made me feel much better. I called Wes for a pick up in the morning and SuperMom and K.Slowalker were going to go light and let Wes carry their packs North to Gooch Gap. Wes has some good stories to tell about hikers and is interesting to listen to.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Hightower Gap
Miles today: 0.5

I did not have to wait long and Wes came by and I said good by to SuperMom and k.Slowalker. It was not long and I was at the train station going into Aladta. So I left the trail but my feelings were not to stay off but, to rethink how this can work for me. SupperMom had talked about leap frogging and flip-flopping and I was not sure of which water pond we where talking about but the picture began to clear up. This trail has more then one way to hike it. I picked up a car the drove back to Texas stopping at some historical spots on the way.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Lago Vista Texas,

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa.
Miles today: 0.0

It is time to hit the trail. After leaving the trail at Hightower Gap, Ga. on the 26th of March 2003, I'm ready to get back on the trail. I will start driving to the traihead of Delaware Water Gap, Pa and the plan is to start hiking the 1st of May or not later then the 4th. The schedule is to hike North from there leap frog from Hightower Gap Road 42/69 Ga. I plan to be in Maine by mid August; then flip-flop back to Hightower Gap and hike back to Delaware Water Gap. I wish to be in the Smokeys for the fall colors, that will make for some great pictures.
Date: 2003-01-01
To: Final Prep Day
Miles today: 0.0

Well Happy New Year everyone! I did not even stay up long enough to ring in the new year. I really needed the sleep. Anyhow, my flight is delayed about 45 minutes. So now I am sitting in the airport. It's crazy that tomm at this time I will be on my way, hiking the approach trail up Springer Mountain, the beginning of the Appalachian National Scenic Trailway. About three years ago, I had this crazy idea of graduating early and going to thru hike the AT (Short for Appalachian Trail). I am as ready as I'll ever be. I am confident that I will do my best and will hike as far as possible.    For those of you who I have not told, there is another hiker attempting to go all the way and he left on Sunday. He will also be posting his journal on this website. His name is Bono and if you search for his name, you can read his journal. He is planning to take much slower than I, so I will run into him after a week or two.
Date: 2003-01-02
To: He is OFF!
Miles today: 0.0

Let me introduce myself. I am Ron's Dad and the official transcriber for the trip. We are very proud of him and I only wish I could be there with him. What an adventure! He will be sending us emails via a pocket email device that he is carrying. I have the job of posting them to this site. He has planned and planned and planned this trip for a couple of years and built most of his own gear. He has his gear down to less than 25 lbs with food. Not bad for a winter trip. Naturally, he was a little nervous about the final preps..what was he forgetting? So far, so good. Below is the email from him this a.m. just prior to the shuttle ride to the start of the trail. We expect to hear from him by Monday. Take care all and wish him good weather (at least for the start) If needed, my contact email is rrod@classfirst.org. Enough of me, now for the journal....From Ron 01/02/03:"Well, if I continue to have luck like this, I'll be stutting my stuff across Katahdin in May. Eric, the friend who not only picked me up at the airport, was kind enough to let me stay in his house for the evening and in the morning he will drive me to Amacola Falls State Park. In this park lies the approach trail to Springer Mountain, the official start of the AT. Eric, his wife, and I went out for dinner at Chilis and then we came back to the house and hung out. Among other things, we checked the weather forcast. Boy, does it look good! Tomm will be in the 50's with a 50% chance of rain tomm night and then continuing warm temps and very little if any precipitation for about a week. Yahooooo!    Tonight my mind is flooded with anxiousness and excitement and my stomach still has a couple little butterflies floating around. Tomm marks the beginning to an awesome trip that I am sure that I will never forget. Appalachian Trail, Here I Come! "
Date: 2003-01-02
From: Amicalola Falls Parking Lot

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

01.02.03   What a start! I got up about 630 and my stomach finally felt 100%. I think it was justnerves. After I got out of the shower, I went into the kitchen and Eric wasfrying up some panckes. I ate and we took off about 730. We headed north andwhen we got off the interstate and into the hills, the fog was so thick weslowed to 30 mph. It took us a little longer than expected to get to AmacolaFalls than we expected, but no big deal. Well, Today was great. After I started hiking at about 9, it really hit methat I am doing this. It seems a bit crazy, but also a lot of fun. I arrivedat the top of Spriner around 1. I had planned to just stay there for theevening but just as I came up to the ridge, The cleared and the sun pokedthough. So I was feeling really good and just kept walking. Until 7.7 milesdown the trail I arrived at this shelter, Hawk Mountain. Just as I pulled in,it began to sprinkle. And now at 830 it is raining pretty good, but I am highand dry. Today there wer 15 people on the trail! Thats a lot. Tonight I amsharing this shelter with 2 others; one from Atlanta and one from Indiana.      Well today was a great start to great trip and I cant wait to see more. Itlooks like Ill be into Neel's Gap a bit early! Hot shower and food...soundsgood. PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-03
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, last night was quite rainy and foggy. I thought I was going crazy andhearing things. Well, I was. First the mice in the shelter were going crazy.Chuck, the guy I hiked with today, even had one mouse run across his face intothe hood of his sleeping bag. So I spent a good portion of the night listeningto them. Also, I thought I heard someone walking around outside. I looked outthere and there was no lights. Well my guidebook (and the guys here at thehostel) says that the Army rangers regularly train at this shelter. So it couldhave been them with their night vision googles. To back up this theory, Chuckfound a string of about 15 blank rounds laying on the ground.... I would havebeen a bit nervous had I known they were out there. Well, today was short cold and cloudy. We (Chuck and I) walked only 8.5 milestoday to the Gooch Gap shelter. Since we were in early, I decided to try tobuild a fire in the cold wet and snowy area that we were in. We were successfuland it was nice. Tomm we have 14 miles planned to walk into Neel's Gap. Itwill be a long walk but it should be a nice clear day- the first so far. Wellearly to bed tonight I am getting up early tomm. PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-04
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Neel's Gap- Walasyi Hostel
Miles today: 14.7

Today was incredible beauty. I got up about 700 and was hiking into the sunriseby 730. I hiked with Chuck all day. It is pleasent to hike with someone on acold day. Today was clear and cool and the views were great. In some placesthere was an inch of real snow on the ground. In the morning, (and in thenorthern facing areas) frost covered everrything. It was awesome out there. My feet were aching a little at the end of this day. But at the end there was aprize- the Walasiyi Hostel. That meant a warm bed, warm shower and warmconditions to recoup in. Its nice but I'll be ready to hit the trail tomm. TommI have about 11.3 miles to hike to the next shelter. It should be easy afterthis nice night of rest. I am about a hal a day ahead of schedule so this isgood.      Well after talking to Mom and Dad, it looks like the weather willhold up for the next couple days. Cloudy tomm and sunny until Thursday. Awesome. Well I think Im going to go unpack my food boxand get ready for tomm. PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-05
From: Neel's Gap- Walasyi Hostel

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Well last night I hada good stay at the Walasiyi Hostel. Warm bed andshower.   But today was perfect weather. I only planned 11 mies to stay onschedule today so I did not start hiking until 1115. Got in here with plenty onsunlight to spare.   Part of the reason I got a late start is I had to buy morefood. I goofed when I sent my first 3 boxes of food and sent the wrong box tothat hostel. Well I just rolled with the punches and bought more. Out here youcant let little mistakesget you down. Well tomm I have 15 miles planned soagain I will try to get an early start. I may even catch Bono!PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-06
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well,   this morning I awoke to a blazing red sun rising over the mountains. It was nice but you know the old sailors rhyme, "Red sky at night, sailors delight, red sky in the morning sailors take warning".   So I expected to get a little wet. Well, it never rained it just blew a horizontal icy snow mixture at me for a couple of hours. It was not too bad as long as I kept walking. I walked passed the first shelter (Blue Mountain) and on to the second. It is quite windy up here.    To my delight, when I got to Tray Mountain Shelter, some one else was there. And that someone happens to be Bono, the other hiker who I had expected to be out here.   He is carrying a weather band radio and the forcast is for a cold windy night. It's both right now.   Well about 30 minutes after I arrived, another hiker came walking in. His name is Stanford... he is the LAST southbound hiker this year. He said he has walked over 1200 miles alone. That is a lot of solitude. He is enjoying his last couple days and will be finishing on Friday. Congrats Stanford!      Well early to bed tonight, its too cold to do much more!   Take care everyone and stay warm!PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-08
From: Hiawassee, GA- Mull's Hotel 

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was spent reoganizing gear, updating this journal at the library, doing laundry, eating mexican, and tending to the large open blister on the bottom of my right foot. Ouch. Its ok to walk on though.   We only did about 3.5 miles today.   Most of this was in the dark. It was my first time night hiking and it was not that bad. We had the perfect night to do it.   Clear calm warm and there was a quarter moon out. The stars are amazing out here. On our way to the shelter, Bono and I passed Chuck. He was in good spirits and was stelth camping in a gap. It sounds like we may run into him tomm.   We are not planning on going far- only 7 or 8 miles. The shelter we are staying in tonight is SWEET! 3 sleeping platforms and plexiglass windows in the upper loft. Nice Touch.   Well time to hit the sack it is nearly 900.PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-09
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Up at a decent time this morning and on the AT by 8. That shelter was very nice and heard not a single mouse.    Today was a "milestone" for Bono and I.   We passed the Georgia/North Carolina border. Goodbye Georgia!   Here we come North Carolina!   1 state down and 13 left to go!   I was in high spirits today. We rolled into the Muskrat Creek Shelter around 100 and hung out until 330. We pushed on to the next shelter, Standing Indian. After about 5 miles, we arrived around 600. Good day-12.2 miles.   My blister/ wound still has not dried out. Looks like I'll take a day off at NOC to take care of it. No pain, I just want it to be healed before the Smokeys.   Today Bono showed intrest in picking up his pace.   He wants to be the first Northbounder this year to make it through the Smokeys. We called Neel's Gap and asked if there were any other hikers on our tail. The owner said there were 2 fast moving guys that had left that morning. We think they are about a day behind.   I like the longer mile days, it makes for a bigger sense of accomplishment.    Weather was outstanding again today.   In the 50's and clear skys. Felt good.   Hope it keeps up. Possible rain tonight and cooler temps to come according to Bono's weather radio. Today I have walked 85 miles of the AT and 92 miles including the approach trail to Springer Mt. Not to shabby for my first week.   Oh yeah, I almost forgot. This morning, I realized that I must have dropped my fuel bottle somewhere. Bummer. But Bono has offered to hook me up with his white gas stove and fuel. It looks like we may have to go into Franklin, NC to get some fuel in order to cook. Well its raining now and I am going to turn in for the night. PeaceRon
Date: 2003-01-10
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

   Today was a day of milestones.   First, Bono and I passed the 100 mile mark. We only have to do that 20 more times! :)   We also did our first 20 mile day! 23.5 to be exact.   From Standing Indian Shelter to the road that leads to Franklin,NC. We started around 8 and we just kept walking until 9. We made a couple of stops, including one that was 45 minutes long. We got to the road after about 3 hours of walking in the dark. Well it was not really dark. The moon is about half full and I was able to walk almost all of it without my headlamp on. Way cool.    The adrenaline was pumping.   We got to the road, US 64, and decided that we would hitch the 10 miles into town, get some warm food, and then stealth camp in town.   Well the hitching was horrible. Nobody would pick us up. One jeep going the wrong way, stopped, asked us where we were going and then said he didnt have enough gas to make the round trip. At that point, I was cold and tired so I offered to put 5 bucks in gas in his car. He said nope and pulled off. Then a SUV going in the right direction pulled up but their car was full of kids and boxes. No room, but the nice gentleman said he would go drop off the kids and try to come back for us. We said, "Well we are not going anywhere" with a smile. He pulled off.    Just then a sherriff going in the wrong direction pulls a u-y into the parking area that we are standing in. He asks us what we are doing and we explained that we were trying to hitch into town. He said, "well it's slow tonight and we do not usually do this, but I'll take you into town." So I got to ride in a cop car. In the back seat. Im sure Mom will be proud that I was not wearing cuffs.   :)      So we got into town and he took us to the only gas station that is open 24 hours. We got out thanked him and went in. Now we did not want to pay for a hotel at this point. It was 1030 and it was not worth it.   So Bono talked on the phone for a while and then we decided to go find somewhere to sleep. Well, we ended up under a billboard for Grease Monkey's car repair shop. We finally crashed down around 1230 and out of site from the road. Hopefully no one will bother us. Certainly not my favorite place to stay but I am tired and my dogs are barking. Tomm we plan on messing around town until 2 or 3 and then hitting the trail again. Its about 4 miles to the next shelter. Hope our bodies feel like walking tomm.PeaceRon