morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icewater Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: few clouds

Ah, nice easy, leisurely start after Gatlinburg. THis morning I had an awful eyeache (perhaps from watching TV w/out glasses). So I took ibuprofen (but on an empty stomach....bad idea!), then decided I should eat something--fruit fromt eh grocery store, though apparently not too fresh, b/c I soonafter barfed it all out!! But then I felt so much better, so I ate some donuts and vegetarian sausage! Lunch as Hard Rock Cafe!!! The best meal of the entire trip w/out doubt!!! we split an order of a veggieburger w/fries, and each got a milkshake. Got some KFC green beans and cole slaw for dinner at the shelter tonight.Taxi ride was $40 and it was running late! Only 4 other people here at the shelter: a college-age couple, a solo woman (Suzanne was her name) and a solo man (Paul was his name). It's 8 o'clock, time for bed! so weird, but so true!
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Icewater Shelter

To: Tricorner Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

Lovely day!!! We were the first ones at the shelter at about 4:30. Nice shelter--spacious, benches and table, water directly next to it, and a privy w/hand sanitizer! Yes! Breakfast was cookie-dough pop-tarts (a treasured find in Gatlinburg). Pretty flat terrain today, but loose rocks really slowing us down. lotsa ridge walking and great views. The nights are getting warmer. Paul and Suzanne are here again tonight, and also 3 younger guys who are hiking to some concert nearby. Sounds like they're from Wisconsin, as is Suzanne. It's so neat to hear them talk.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Tricorner Shelter

To: around State Line Branch
Miles today: 16.4

Out of the Smokies at last!! This morning I woke for potty duty, and I got to see the fireflies--they all light up at the same time!! It was really neat-yet another of God's little miracles. Got up at 7, left at 8:15. Not too bad up and downs, but again the loose rocks were terrible! Then the long, 6-mi uphill. Got to Davenport Shelter at 4, but decided to keep going. we're tenting at a flat spot right next to a babbling creek--no earplugs needed tonight. we're in valley, so it's getting dark already at 5:50. Washed our feet in the creek. Sheesh, at least 20 people have passed us since we've stopped, including Suzanne and Paul. They're all headed I suppose to the campground just ahead or to Standing Bear Farm.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: around State Line Branch

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The worst day of the trail! Insanely long uphill; not real steep but just annoyingly slanted enough to make suppressing a scream difficult. Also very humid and not enough water. I woke up constantly last night from the thunderstorms. We got a shower and cold sodas at Standing Bear Farm (but I'm glad we didn't sleep there, b/c Suzanne said she did and reported loud snoring and dogs barking all night). Then miles and miles of unrelenting uphill. But lunch was lovely-at a creek crossing. But at least we're not hungry--plenty of food! My shirt weighed about 15 pounds from all the sweat... looks like rain again tonight.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs!!!
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

We're here; we made it!! I can't believe it's over! I'm so used to trail life now. OK, day's recap: It's didn't rain last night after all, and the morning trail was great and easy, did 3.5 mi in 1.5 hours. Then came an icky uphill that made me a little cranky, but lunch made me feel better of course. Then tons of downhill toward HOt Springs. Leap-frogged a couple guys all day--they had an adorable dog named ......rats, I think Cody maybe. Anyway, also said final good-bye to Paul Rent, the guy we've been hiking w/since Gatlinburg. He's really nice, and our running joke is that every single time he passed us o the trail we were eating--no joke, every single time!! He was also planning on getting here Wed evening but was also on our schedule ahead of ETA. Apparently he's going to put up a picture of us he took onto his trailjournals page....hmmm, don't know how I feel about that, I'll decide after I see it. Also chatted w/Suzanne from Wisconsin (such a cool accent for a southerner like me!) She said she started out doing about 7 miles a day, and now she's pulling 18 milers! Wow, go Suzanne! Coming down to Hot Springs, we were going to camp at the bottom, but finally Mom gave in and got a motel room for tonight and tomorrow night since we're a day ahead of schedule. So we walked around for a bit and finally found Elmer's Sunnybank Inn--$20 per night per person. Hot shower, books, tv, private room, common rooms, and a piano, of which I took immediate advantage! It's just us and Suzanne here. It's ahuge old house w/3.5 bathrooms, and right across the street from Smoky Mtn Diner, where we were headed when we spotted Suzanne coming down the street (since the trail goes directly down the main street of town) and invited her to eat w/us. I got the veggies platter and ate a pile of tater tots the size of a football. No cell service, but did call Dad via pay phone.
Date: 2006-06-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So hoped you enjoyed my sporatic account of my 270.2 mile adventure!! Tune in next summer for the continuing saga of a girl w/her wonderful mother traversing through the wilderness of the East. Oh, and here's some random facts that might be useful for your own hike:-Never Used/Had too much of: moleskin, suntan lotion, bug spray, bleach, leisure reading book-So glad we had: hiking poles-Pack Weight: 25-30 lbs dep on food/water-What I will miss most: mental relaxation, beauty all around, satisfying climbs, views in teh Smokies, drinking from creeks, eating whatever I want!-You simply must keep a journal--there's just no way you wouldn't want to remember every detail you could!
Date: 2006-04-22
To: Amicalola Falls State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

All of us drove to Amicalola Falls State Park in GA. We stayed at the Lodge. That afternoon we drove up to Springer Mountain and hiked one mile to the top to the starting point for the AT. We came back and had a big supper at the Lodge.The picture is of my granddaughter playing with my Gee Haw Whimsey Diddle Stick on top of Springer Mountain. Read about my trail name to learn more about the Gee Haw Whimsey Diddle Stick.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Amicalola Falls Visitor Center

To: Len Foote Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Had breakfast at the Lodge, then drove down to the Amicalola Falls Visitors Center. I registered for my Thru-Hike there, weighed my pack (45 lbs.) and we took a bunch of pictures. The Rangers let Shanna hold an opossum. Drove to the falls. Nadine, Kelley, Shanna and I hiked to the bottom of the falls. Then it was time for me to start my hike. We said our goodbyes, hugged and kissed and I headed up the trial to Len Foote Hike Inn. Len Foote Hike Inn is really neat. I got a hot shower, then had a great supper and even had a bunk to sleep in. If all the nights on the trail could be this great.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Len Foote Hike Inn

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: broken clouds

After a great breakfast, I left the Len Foote Hike Inn and headed up the approach trail to Springer Mountain. Stopped for lunch at Black Gap Shelter where they had bear warning signs. I reached the top of Springer Mountain at 2:15 p.m. and took my first step on my Appalachian Trail Adventure Thru-Hike. Here is what I recorded in the Log Book at Springer Mountain: "Here I am, still hard to believe that I am finally starting my Thru-Hike. I just turned 60 years old at the end of March. I waited to start my hike after 60 so I could get the Senior Citizens discounts along the trail. Ha! Ha! I am dedicating this hike in honor of my mother-in-law, Laura Browne, who passed away from cancer on March 30, 2006. When times get really hard out here, her memory will give me the strength not to give up. To my wife, Nadine, thanks for letting me come live a dream. Hope to see you on the trail." Trail Name "Whimsey." Pat and Rick Mangi from Orlando, FL were already at Stover Creek Shelter. They are a great couple. Today was better than I thought it would be on the approach plus 2.5 on the AT for a total of 7 miles.
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather - Clear all dayI met my first shelter mouse last night, at 10:30 p.m. he came running down a beam straight towards me, then turned and ran out the shelter. At 4:00 a.m. I heard him around my pack so I took my hiking pole and hit my pack, he squealed and ran off. At 6:00 a.m. I heard him again, when I put my headlamp on him he hid behind my boots. I named him "Mickey" the shelter mouse. Hiked with Pat and Rick to Hawk Mountain Shelter, we had lunch there and they moved on. Juice Man and J Lo (a guy) both from New Jersey came in later. Then a ridge-runner came in and told some great bear stories, even one about this shelter. Yes, the bears are active up here. Juice Man and J Lo built a great fire before we hit the sack. Another great day in the woods.
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather - Light Rain and FogAt 12:30 a.m. a thunderstorm came rolling through and the bottom dropped out of the sky, hail and heavy rain. J Lo said he thought he heard a bear hitting the bear bag cables at around 3:00 a.m. I am leaving Hawk Mountain Shelter, hiking in the rain. Had lunch at Cooper Gap with Archie, Seed and High-Five the Beer Dog. There was an Army First-Aid truck parked there. The Army Rangers are training in the area. We hear rapid gun fire every night. Spent the night at Gooch Mountain Shelter with Pat and Rick, Archie, Sunflower and Bottle Rocket. They were great company. There is a mouse with her young mice huddled up in the mulch box at the privy. Got cold last night, probably in the low 40's. Archie had a neat quote that is another way to describe Trail Magic. Archie's quote: "Everything happens for a reason. Coincidences are God's way of remaining anonymous."
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Weather - Cool and ClearI was the last one leaving the shelter. I caught up to Pat and Rick near Woody Gap where we sat a picnic table, a real treat, to eat lunch. That was about 5 miles. After a hard climb up Big Cedar Mountain, we ran into Wildfire and Wounded Knee, both have thru-hiked the AT. Thanks to Trail Magic from Archie, they told us about a good campsite a couple of miles ahead with good water. After we had set up camp at Lance Creek, Seed and High-Five The Beer Dog came walking in. That night Seed built his own alcohol stove from cans he brought with him. He was also sewing his pack together while on the trail. His needle was broke so I gave him one of my heavy needles to take with him. Less weight to carry. Ha! Ha!
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap and Walasi-Yi Center
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather - Clear and not too cold.It was easy hiking starting off, but got real steep with high steps going up Blood Mountain. I hiked ahead of Pat and Rick to try to get all of us bunks at the Walasi-Yi Center. Got a couple of good pictures on top of Blood Mountain. The hike down was just as hard as the hike up. Got to Neels Gap about 4:30 p.m. and there were plenty of bunks. Seed and High-Five the Beer Dog were there along with Archie. J Lo the Original was there too. His friend Juice-Man had left him, heading up the trail. J Lo's legs were hurting too bad to go on. He called some friends in Miami, FL and headed to the beach for the rest of his vacation. Ed took J-Lo into town and they came backwith two small coolers of beer. I called home to let Nadine, my wife, know that I was okay. A lot more hikers came in, had a great time at the Walasi Center sharing stories. Seed and High-Five the Beer Dog headed up the trail later that afternoon.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Neels Gap and Walasi-Yi Center

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Weather - Clear and CoolMy pack has been way too heavy. So I asked Winton, who owns the outfitters, to help me get my pack weight down. He worked with me for almost half a day. He had thru-hiked the AT. He showed me how to get better organized, using only a few stuff sacks. Alpine who works there has a great sense of humor, he and I got along great. I reduced my pack weight by almost 14 lbs. I will be leaving tomorrow with a pack weight of 33 lbs. holding 4 days of food and fuel and 2 1/2 quarts of water. Only one other thru-hiker stayed at the center that night. Pat and Rick left about noon. Saw a thru-hiker, Mr. Bill, who had some really bad blisters. When he took his socks off, everyone went Whoo!
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Neels Gap and Walasi-Yi Center

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Weather - Cold, light rain, windyHad a busy morning packing to leave. I left about noon, it was cold and windy. With a lighter pack I could hike a lot faster. Had lunch on top of the first mountain in the rain. Got to Low Gap Shelter in 7 hours. Pat and Rick were there. It was Rick's birthday. Three women camping above brought him some freeze-dried ice cream. Trail Magic on his birthday. I gave Rick a present, the lens cover to his camera. I had put it in my pocket when I took their picture at Neels Gap. Two young section hikers, Frick and Frack were there. I have seen more poison ivy on the mountains than I have ever seen in my entire life.
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

Weather - Slightly CoolI was the last one leaving the shelter as usual. I caught up to the ice cream ladies. Their trail names are Fern, Nan and Dena, that is where they live in Florida. Rick and Pat had just got to the shelter when I arrived. Frick and Frack had got there at noon. Several other thru-hikers came in including Crew. To cut weight he is not using a pack, he has strapped all his gear to a pack frame. Mr. Bill came hobbling in. He just got out of the Army and has some mean looking sand flee bites he got in Iraq. Rick is sick, he has all the symptoms of giardia. Beautiful sunset at Blue Mountain Shelter. I pulled a tick off of me today, I am going to start using insect repellent every day now.
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather - Looked like rain, but turned clear.Rick is still sick, he and Pat are going to hike down the mountain in Unicoi Gap and catch a ride into town to see a doctor. It was sad leaving them, they have been good company. I am amazed at how quick you bond and become friends on the trail. I hope I run into them again. When I was hiking up the 1,000 foot mountain out of Unicoi Gap, I ran into a young college kid heading down to the Gap. I told him about Pat and Rick and he said if they were still there he would give them a ride. Mr. Bill has changed his name at Neels Gap to Blister Bill. We ran into each other a couple of times today. He is at the shelter too. The shelter is full. Frick and Frack are heading home tomorrow. More and more hikers are coming in, they are having to set up tents. I thought my first full shelter experience, 8 altogether, would be bad. Boy was I wrong. We laughed our heads off for a couple of hours. First a mouse was running up a pole trying to get into Bubba's pack. Then everyone started telling jokes. We were laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes. It was a great night, even with the thunderstorms.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Weather - Cool, foggy and very windy. Then sunny and warm.The morning was cool, foggy and very windy. Great for hiking. It got sunny and warm in the afternoon, not good for hiking. The trail was a lot easier today. When I got to Dicks Creek Gap, Blister Bill, Scott and Brian were already there. So was Sammy (Flip Flop) and Bubba. Flip Flop had offered me a ride into town, since his wife was coming to pick him and Bubba up. When I got to the Inn in Hiawassee, I was able to get Blister Bill, Scott and Brian a shuttle back to the Inn where we all shared a room. After a hot shower, we headed to the local steakhouse for a salad, steak and baked potato. Yes, real food. This is how Flip Flop got his name. As he was hiking, Bubba noticed that Sammy had lost one of his flip-flops. So they asked several people coming down the mountain if they had seen it, they all said "no." So to keep from carrying the weight, he threw the other one away. Several miles later, a hiker caught up to them and asked if anyone had anyone lost a flip-flop. Now he had one flip-flop (the first one he lost). Later he saw some trail workers and asked them if they found the one he threw away, if they would bring it around to the other side of the mountain. The next day he found it nailed to a tree with a note, "Found your other flip-flop." Now he had both flip-flops and that is now he got his name.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Dicks Creek Gap and Hiawassee, GA

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: broken clouds

Weather - Morning was clear and beautiful / afternoon - rain, then clear.Brian's knees are still hurting him so he and Scott are going to stay another night at the Hiawassee Inn. He and Scott are two great guys who work together. I hope I see them later on the trail. I thumbed a ride out of Hiawassee. A wonderful lady named Rosie Oswald stopped to pick me up. She said her husband, Osie, was out hiking the AT up near Erwin, TN. She warned me about severe thunderstorms tonight. She dropped me off at Dicks Gap and I headed up the mountain. About one mile up the mountain, it started to rain really hard. Water was coming down the AT like a stream. By the time I reached the shelter, it had cleared up but I could still feel the water sloshing in my boots. Blister Bill was there with a hot fire going. Patrick was there also, gathering fire wood.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Weather - Morning was overcast, damp / afternoon - rainThe morning was great hiking, a little cool, overcast skies. I hiked through a lot of mountain laurel and rhododendron tunnels all day. Today I left Georgia and crossed over into North Carolina, one state down, 13 to go. After lunch at the old gnarly oak tree near the Georgia-North Carolina border, Scott showed up. He said Brian was going home to let his knees heal. That was a smart move. When I left the old oak tree, it started raining for an hour and a half, but not as bad as yesterday. It was all up hill. It was like hiking into a cloud. Blister Bill and Scott were already at the shelter. It started raining again and three more hikers came in. Another full shelter tonight. My reflections about Georgia are: it was a beautiful state, it started whipping me into shape, I lost about 10 lbs., I made some good friends, one day I thought it was raining so I stopped and looked at the leaves and it was thousands of grasshoppers, hopping, and finally I realize I have only started this journey and have a long way to go.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

Weather - Sunny, slight wind, not to cool, rain and cold in the afternoon.It was cold when everyone got up this morning, 48o F. Only heard the mice squeaking one time last night. Scott thinks one took his small stuff sack to his sleeping bag liner last night. He put it by his head but it was gone this morning. The mouse has his own little sleeping bag now. Another good day for hiking, I love seeing signs, it lets me know where I am and how far I have to go. The good day turned to rain in the afternoon. When I got to Carter Gap Shelters, there is a new one and an old one, the new one was full. Spent the night in the old one with Blister Bill, Carlos and Steve. A young couple from the new shelter came over to sit by our fire. They were amazed at how small and light our gear was. Blister Bill encouraged me to pull out my Gee Haw Whimsey Diddle Stick and show it to them. Oh! I climbed to the overlook on the top of Standing Indian Mountain and looked back at Georgia for the last time. Been hiking by myself during the day since Rick and Pat left the trail.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: moderate rain

Weather - Rainy most of the day, very cool.During the night a mouse had climbed the bear cables and gotten into Carlos and Steve's food bag. I started off hiking in the rain, hiked up into a cloud or fog, they are the same this high up. It rained solid for two hours. Walked in puddles, mud, on slick rock and roots. At one point it was like climbing a cliff for several 100 feet up near the top of Albert Mountain. At the top of Albert Mountain was a tall fire tower but it was all fogged in. It would have been a great view. Walked in the cold rain for an hour and a half in the afternoon. When I reached Rock Gap Shelter, Blister Bill was the only one there. Blister Bill is a real cool dude and wise for someone only 38 years old. After hiking in the rain for several days, I decided to go into town with Bill to get a hot shower, a good meal and a real bed to sleep in. Just Bill and I in the shelter tonight. I think he and I might be the last thru-hikers heading north.
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap to Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

Weather - Overcast and coolBlister Bill and I hiked down to Winding Stair Gap together. When we reached the gap, two guys had stopped to get a drink of water from the spring. We talked to them and found out that they were going into Franklin, NC, so I asked them if they would give up a ride into town. We threw our pack and ourselves into the back of their pick-up truck and headed down the mountain. They had just picked ramps, they smell like onions, and they were in the back of the truck. Bill saw a cop coming up the road so we ducked down. Didn't know if we were breaking the law and did not want to get these guys in trouble. They dropped us off in town and we walked to the Franklin Motel. We took showers, did laundry, hit the grocery store to re-supply. Then we walked to the all-you-can-eat steak restaurant. Bill ate 5 steaks and I only ate 2. I'm sure I will start eating more soon. Hiker hunger is not too far off. Called my wife Nadine, daughter Kelley and sister-in-law Peggy. Got some sad news, my doctor had passed away.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Franklin, NC

To: Campsite at Bartram Trail
Miles today: 10.5

Weather - Sunny, then cold and windy.After a good night sleep, I was surprised to get a phone call from my son Jeff, who is in Japan. My daughter, Kelley, had emailed him the phone number. Bill and I caught a cab to the Post Office for him to pick up a mail drop and for me to mail an anniversary card to my wife. I had been carrying it all the way from Springer Mountain, GA. Went to an outfitter for a few items then we caught a cab back up the mountain. At about 11:30 a.m., Bill and I climbed out of Winding Stair Gap. It was a hard afternoon of ups and downs. Bill wanted to stop at the campsite at about 8 miles out, but I said I thought we could make the one 2.5 miles further up the trail. So we pushed on. We got to the Wayah Bald Stone observation tower and climbed it for a great view. Got to camp about 7:15 p.m., put up tents, built a fire, hung bear bags and cooked supper. It must have been after 10:00 p.m. before we got in our tents. The only flat ground was not flat and I kept sliding down to the back of my tent. I would have to pull myself up and go back to sleep again. This went on all night.