morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-02-27
To: A natural progression
Miles today: 0.0

I was asked over the weekend how I could leave society for 6 months, drop everything and live in the woods? Well, I thought about this for a while, overnight in fact. The following is the answer I came up with.I spent the first 20 years of my life in the same city in Southeastern VA. We went on some vactions but for the most part I was in one place. In the last 14 years, I have live in 9 cities in 5 states. I've liked most of the places I have lived, hated only a couple but always still felt restless. Since I started my nomadic lifestyle, I've known I was looking for something, I just don't know what that something is. I may never know. But the call of the trail is there and I know it won't go away until I've made the attempt. I do hope to find the answer as it will make life simpler but only time will tell. Stopped by the PO today to pick up my mail, then remembered that my forward has already started. Guess I need to call Mom and tell her to not be suprised when my mail starts showing up! We talked about it a while back but I wanna remind her. One less thing to worry about. Everything is pairing down to my hike, and I kinda enjoy that. For any of ya'll that aren't addicted to whiteblaze.net, you might not have heard about the pending sale of some National Forest land. As it stands right now, I am opposed to it but I still haven't gone through all the details. The Wilderness Society also has some info. about it. So, I'll try and keep any information I get about the situation posted here. Also, if you remember the entry from Feb. 8th, my blisters have all but healed, the big one is still a little sensitive when I bang it on something. I know, I know, don't go banging it around. Believe me I try! I'm pretty much on autopilot now, just waiting for my plane to take of in 4 days, 5 hours and 18 minutes...(but who's keeping track).
Date: 2006-03-02
To: If an AT Thru-Hiker Were President.... 
Miles today: 0.0

-The first day in office they would pass the LDHLA(Long Distance Hiker's Leave Act).-The White House would be sold and the new home for the First Family would be in Maine- Shaw's.-Hitchhiking would not only be made legal anytime, anywhere but it would also be compulsory.-All of the Pentagon's research and development budget would be used to create lighter, more durable gear.(and to make Goretex ACTUALLY water-proof and breathable!) -Homeland Security would take control of the parking areas at all trailheads to ensure no acts of terrorism are commited on cars parked for an extended period. -Backpacks, no matter what size, would be permitted as carry-on luggage.-Food prices would plummet when the manufacturers are given only two choices for packaging: foil pouches or ziplocs with sharpie-written descriptions of the contents.-No new development would be allowed if it could be seen heard or smelled from the trail.-Porkies, shelter mice and mis-behaving trail dogs would be deemed WMDs.(I really love dogs, but please keep `em under control)-Air Force One and Marine One would provide shuttle service.-Roads to nowhere would remain just that.-Trail Angels would recieve the Medal of Honor.-AT Concervancy would revert back to AT Conference.(and no more friggin' horses on the cover of a hiking magazine)-LNT(Leave NO Trace- outdoor ethics)would be adopted as the 28th amendment.-Wind farms would not be allowed on ridge lines. Or in wilderness. In Maine.-Yellow-blazing, then lying about it, would be grounds for capitol punishment.Or at least a real good wedgie!-Trail Days would be declared a mandatory National Holiday.-Post office hours would be extended so no one has to break their necks trying to get to a maildrop before they close. Yes, Sunday hours too.-Power bars would be required to actually taste good and Ramen would be available in 200 flavors.-In addition to vacation time, any employee desiring to do trail maintainance, would be granted an extra paid week off.-Springer Fever would be recognized as a serious illness.-Weights and Measures would be elevated to a cabinet level position and be renamed. The head of which would be the Secretary of Ounce Weenies and Gram Nannies.-Not only would the black fly become our national symbol, but we would employ them in suprise attacks on our enemies.(we'd have `em shaking in their trail runners)-We would only know the President by their trailname. ( President Fluff-n-Stuff. Hey, it could happen.)-They wouldn't be on the TV day in and day out, we'd only see them when they decide to take a zero. -New national motto: Hike your own hike! So, when the next election rolls around, just remember this. It does not matter if they were or were not a swift boat captain, or if they had relations with an intern or if they can even spell potatos. Just ask to see their 2,000 miler certificate and their trailjournal! Like I said, I am ready to go, just waiting on the plane on Sat. morning. Gotta do something to keep me occupied!
Date: 2006-03-05
From: Hiker Hostel, Dahlonega, GA

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Had a great breakfast at the Hiker Hostel. After a coin-flip, I decided not to hike the approach trail. I know, I know. I said I would. But, being that the mileage doesn't count, the heck with it.I started at Springer Mountain with Schleper. Many Sleeps is the ridge runner on Springer and gave us a good send off. I stopped at Stover Creek to get water and Schleper kept going. We were going to meet up at Hawk Mountain Shelter, but he must have kept going to Woody Gap to hitch back to Hiker Hostel.At the shelter tonight, we have Jules and her father Capt. Hook, Grey Fox, Adicus, Steve and his son Scuzzlebutt, along with many others whose names I can't remember. Oh, Curtis and Ed with trail-dog Cassie. The tempurature is going to be in the 20's tonight. We'll see how the hammock does in the cold.Wrote in the register:   Sit right down and I'll tell you a tale,   About the people and the places of the Appalachian Trail,   Shelter by shelter is how its gonna be,   If you want to read along, you'll have to follow me.
Date: 2006-03-06
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Rained last night, low 30¢s. Hammock did great keeping the rain out.Tough climb up Sassafras Mountain, 700 feet in one mile. Ran out of water going up Justus Mountain. Made it to the shelter around 4:00.Thankye to the mountaineers for building this trail,Though Sassafras Mountain did kick my tail,Oh the weather is fine for hiking you see,On to Blood Mountain for the next entry.
Date: 2006-03-07
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Campsite near stream
Miles today: 8.2

Planned on hiking to Blood Mountain, but it wasn¢t in the cards. Started off after a very windy night. Warmed up quickly after the sun broke over the surrounding ridge line. Captain Hook, Grey Fox, Ed and Cassie took off for Neel¢s Gap.The rest of us, Craig, Old Salt, Jules, the Belmont crew and I headed toward Woody Gap at our own pace. I caught up with the group from Belmont at a rock outcropping and we all stopped for pictures and to take in the view. Walked with them to Woody Gap where they were catching a ride to their vehicle. I spent way too much time at lunch at Woody. As it started to get dark, Imade it to a campsite where Craig, Jules and Old Salt were already set up. As I was setting up, Christy from Oregon joined us.Good day, just too much dawdling.The trail builders are masochists as they must be,Up and down mountains with no views to see,All worth if for views so clear,On to Neel¢s Gap¢it must be near.
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Campsite near stream

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Started off at my earliest time yet at 8:30 A.M. After a couple of ups and downs, I made it to the side trail to Slaughter Gap. Somehow I never saw the trail to the Wood¢s Hole Shelter. Filled my water bladder at the stream at the base of Blood Mountain. As I was getting ready to leave, a Scout troop passed by. I thought they hiked in uniforms. Anyway, I let them get aheadbut caught up with them anyway. Not wanting to leap frog them all the way up, I huffed it all the way to the top.Jules and Old Salt were having lunch when I got there, and we talked about this and that. Christy showed up a short time later. Summit was getting way too crowded, what with a scout troop, some other group and a few others. Weall started down toward Neel¢s.Right before I left Craig showed up and I told him I had come up with his trail name: Mr. Consistent. He¢s always on trail by 8:30 and always stops at 4:30, and just seems to be regular in his routine, thus the name. He likes it, so I think it will stick. I ended up beating everyone down (2.4 miles in 45 minutes!), and ran into everyone else at the hostel at Mountain Crossings. Mr. Consistent, Jules, Old Salt and I decided to get a cabin at Blood Mountain Cabins. It¢s quieter and a little more private than the hostel and they have a hiker rate! Nice little place. After a shower which never felt so good!, we caught the shuttle into Blairsville for the AYCE at The Cookie Jar Restaurant. Food is ok but, hey, first non-trail food in four days.Back to the outfitter at Mountain Crossings. They do what they call a ¢shakedown¢. That¢s where they sit down with you and go through the contents of your pack, making suggestions on things to ditch or change out. I opted not to do it because I knew what things I was getting rid of, but the other three did. They lightened up a lot! Mr. Consistent even bought a new pack in the process.Back at the cabin after dinner, they talked me into doing a zero with them. I think I will hitch into town in the morning to pick up a couple of things at the grocery store. Such is the life of a thru-hiker. You make all these plans ahead of time, and then, just like that, they are out the window.Shooting for Low Gap shelter the next day, though.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Neel's Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent a lazy day, doing laundry and pretty much just resting. I hitchedinto Blairsville, George to pick up some items at the grocery store. I¢m really itching to get back on the trail, and actually walked two of the fourteen miles back from town. Oh well, tomorrow!
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I came up with a mantra today: ¢Stop less when I need to and I can stop more when I want to.¢ It seems to work, as I made more miles today than I havebeen making in the same amount of time. Rather than going as hard as I canon the ups, then stopping to rest, I now ¢shift¢ into granny gear and just go up slow without stopping. The knee brace is going on from now on for the descents, it is really starting to give me problems.Well, the day off put me into a new mix of people. Mr. Consistent, Jules and Old Salt are still here, but now we also have Eeyore and his wife, Miss Parquet, Capt. Cruc(ial), and a cast of hundreds! Actually it is only about16, but seems like more.I¢ve taken lots of pictures and will upload them as soon as I can. No sign of wildlife other than smelling a skunk the first night. Old Salt saw a bear print in the mud on top of Wildcat Mountain, but I missed it.Thanks to Anthony and his kids for the trail magic at Hogpen Gap today! I was really craving a soda all afternoon, then, there they were with drinks and treats.Speaking of amazing things: tonight was awesome. Let me explain. Last week while walking home from work, I saw shooting stars on two separate occasions while thinking about my upcoming hike. Tonight I happened to think about that and I made a remark that I hadn¢t seen any since being on the trail. No sooner were the words out of my mouth and one streaked across the sky right where I was looking!While Wildcat Mountain had its viewsAll of the others, they did too,And by the end of the day, what did I see?A full Low Gap shelter, as full as can be!
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice little site for a shelter but Kelly Knob kicked everyone's tails! Started off the day with sunrise from my hammock. Then, while getting water, saw a bobcat print in the mud. From there, the day just dragged on forever. Both knees hurt to some degree and kept me from speeding up. I made shelter by 3:00 p.m.I saw a butterfly today: blueish-purple with yellow edging on the bottom of the wings. I¢m heading to Blueberry Patch in the morning, an easy 3.5 miles.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 3.5

Hey all. Well been out on the trail for a week, I'm in Hiawassee, GA. Just thought I'd do a quick update to let ya'll know. Sent my entries to Mom today so she'll get them posted once she gets them. The weather has been great!Actually a little too warm for my taste but that is changing soon. Onlyproblems I've had so far are my knees. Wearing one brace on the left knee but going to pick up another today for the right one as well. The library here won't let me upload pictures so I'll have to wait a little while. Not much wildlife around though we have seen signs. Bear scat Friday and a bobcat print in the mud yesterday near the Cheese Factory site. Tommorrow I'll cross into NC and should be either at Bly Gap or Muskcrat Creek Shelter. Setting up for Standing Indian mtn. on Wednesday, first time over 5000 feet! Well, `till next time...
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Day started off with a great breakfast, then a ride to the trailhead. Decenthike to the NC state line and Bly Gap. Emily and Casey had stopped there for the night and I chatted with them a bit. Mr. Consistant showed up and called it a day as well.Finally, about 4pm, I pushed on to the shelter. What a climbto end the day with! It was practically straight up forever. Made the shelter by 6:30 and with the wind blowing straight in, decided to hammock. It got coldbut was manageable. Will look for another pad/ modifications ASAP. Short day to Standing Indian or maybe push onto Carter Gap, I'll see how I feel.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: clear sky

Short day today. Think my body and sub-consious finally realize what I'm doing. The body is whipping into shape but the sub-consious is not going away easy. As I hike, it puts thoughts in my head of what I could be doing if I were at "home, wherever that is. But I'm perceviering.Found out that Mr. Consistant got off the trail today. Says his business needs him. I wish him well. Big Tex got off today as well to re-evaluate. He may be back. Attempting to sleep in the shelter tonight. Grey Fox, Baloo w/ Cassie, Chainsaw, Freight Train and Night Rider are here. Casey and Emily are tenting. Should be an interesting night. I might need to get a new pack. NO matter what I do, I can't seem to get it adjusted on my shoulders right. Think I'm going to at least look at them in Franklin. Another cold night tonight, but at least no wind. Bigest day yet tommorrow at 14.4 miles, hopefully.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Standing Indian Shelter

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

Great day today! Even with the snow, sleet and rain it was a nice hike. Nogreat views on Standing Indian but that's ok. Made it to Carter Gap Shelter for lunch. Right after I started hiking again, the sun came out and it was a beautiful day. Just short of Albert Mtn. ran into trail magic with Gatorade, Fishin' Fred and Keith. That was the best grilled cheese I have ever had! Thanks guys!Crawled up Albert Mtn. and the view was awesome. Spent a few minutes admiring the view and then headed down to the shelter. Same group aslast night but I set the hammock up behind the shelter. Still need to perfect the hammock setup. Finally asleep by midnight and slept warm. Heading to Franklin in the am.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Budget Inn, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Quick hike to Wallace Gap and ran into Crutch. After a quick drink and sandwich, Crutch called and had us a ride to town. Already ate lunch and need to go to the outfitter. Heading out in the morning. Everything is going great, my spirits are so high right now I could float all the way to Maine! Calling for weather starting Sunday but all will be well!Got some pictures uploaded. Taking too much time to do them all so I'll do a few at a time.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Budget Inn, Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

And on this crisp, late winter evening, three passed the ides of March. Warming ourselves by the red, glowing embers of a waning fire, beneath the skeletons of slumbering birch and oak and poplar, I gazed upwards into the universe. Transfixed I was upon the panorama displayed before me. A mural of past, present and future, majestically painted in stunning clarity with hues of white and red and yellow put forth on a canvas of midnight blue. I was moved.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Not a bad ay, shoulders just too sore to push further. Cold Spring lived up to its name though; must've been 5* colder here than the surrounding area. Crutch warned us of that. In attendance tonight we have, Able Jack, Bugs, Nor-Woody, and, as yet to be named, Randy. Randy had chosen Lone Wolf but Crutch stripped him of that name because there can only be one Lone Wolf. So, he now has a contest going to come up with a new trail name. He's going to buy a six-pack of the winner's choice and carry it to the top of a mountain for them. A few have been sugeested but none have stuck yet. Calling for rain tonight and tommorrow. Guess the weather couldn't hold out forever. On to the NOC tommorrow for a bunk, shower and short resupply.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Codl Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Wow! What a day. Woke up to rain and cold. Hard to get moving in those conditions. Finally broke camp, had breakfast and on the trail by 10am. It kept raining but I noticed all the leaves and trees dripping with ice. Great, freezing rain, I thought. Then I noticed ice hanging from my jacket and pack. Made it to the Wesser Bald Shelter just before 1pm. Spoons showed up and decided to call it a day. I could feel myself getting chilled so I cooked a hot lunch before pressing on.Back on the trail by 130pm thinking I'd just knock out the last 5 1/2 miles to the NOC. WRONG! It was by far the longest 5 1/2 miles I have eveer hiked. Not sure if it was just the anticipation or an unpublished reloation but it took forever. Trail was slick and I had to watch my footing. Despite being careful(this is the area Stumpknocker fell and broke his arm, I heard), I did fall once. Just hit a root covered with wet leaves and went down. Nothing hurt luckily.Made the NOC by 4pm and got a bunk. Went to take a shower only to find we had to supply our own towel or rent one from the front desk for a buck. The office closes at 5 and it was now 10 till 5. It is not a short walk to the office. I got there at 5:02 and thankfully the desk clerk fired up her computer to get me a towel. Thank you!Met up with Chainsaw and Sundancer for dinner then up to inspect the contents of my pack for dampness. Yep, everything was wet to some degree. Hung out talking while waiting on laundry then a shower just before bed at 10:30pm. Latest I've stayed up in a long time. Let me explain a typical hiker day while I'm thinking of it. We wake up somewhere around sunrise, whether we actually get up at that time or not depends on the weather and any aches or pains we might have. Once we get up, we go through our morning routine of, in no particular order, eating breakfast, privy visit, packing up and hiking. Everyone has their own way of going about things but basically it involves those four. Then we hike all day, stopping at something we find interesting or for a quick lunch break, then back to hiking. Hopefully before dark, we make it to camp, unpack, socialize a bit, cook dinner, get in our sleeping bags, read/write, go to sleep. I know it doesn't sound like much but, hey, it sure beats working!Well, rain should let up tommorrow so I'm shooting for Brown Fork Gap Shelter. But it's all uphill so maybe not. Trying to do from here to Fontana in 3 days/2nights.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Took a while to get moving this morning. Ice on trees was an amazing sight! Stopped on Cheoah Bald for a bit and watched the ice melt from east to west across the mountains. Pressed on and the last climb before the shelter was DEATH! I was looking for attachment points for climbing ropes, it was so steep.Had three people at the shelter, Rhett Dog, C-Ram and his uncle. After dinner I sat and watched one of the most amazing sunsets. Sometimes moments can't be captured with pictures or words, you just have to appreciate them as they happen. This was one of those times.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam/ The Hike Inn
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

Easy day today. Made it to the post ofice by 3pm and ran into Chainsaw and Sundancer. They are staying at the resort. I got a ride to the Hike Inn. Forecast is calling for a snow storm in the Smokies tonight and tommorrow so I think I'm gonna take a zero day tommorrow to see what it does. Great mexican restaurant in Robbinsville. Had dinner with Randy and Ghost. Ghost is a previous thru-hiker who is back to do a section. He'll be working at the outfitter in Gorham, NH this summer as we go through.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Fontana Dam/ The Hike Inn

To: Fontana Dam/ The Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

At the library in Robbinsville, NC updating my journal and running errands. Looks kinda messy up in the mountains so I'm glad I took the day off. My stay at the Hike Inn has been great! Just kinda vegging out watching TV and going through my drop box wondering why in the world I have so much food for a 7 day stretch. I about have enough to make it all the way to Erwin! Thinking of setting up a bounce box- we'll see.Onward and upward tommorrow. Definitely to Mollies Ridge Shelter, might try to push on to Russell Field Shelter though. My legs have become sore since yesterday, guess I should wait a little longer before I try running down the trail with a 40 lb pack!