morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-08-22
To: Road Trip
Miles today: 0.0

The SQ and i got on the road by about 5:15. Took a few back roads and got right on Rt. 22. Headed south we did. What a beautiful drive it was. The weather was finally nice. The sun was out in full force, nary a cloud in sight. Just gorgeous. With all the rain we have had this summer it was truly a delight. The mountains, the farms, everything was very bucolic. Makes you just want to move out and live on a farm.Got a little past Millerton and we came upon some flares in the road. A couple of guys were waving us off and pointing to a detour. They made us detour off onto a country road. Now, I don't mind a detour, but I think they make an assumption that everyone is a local. No clue where we were, where we were going. And, as luck would have it I was the lead car. So, I just drove and tried to find a road that was headed back into the sun on the west. Found a guy out walking and he gave me some directions. Not really too friendly, but that's ok. It was still nice to drive around. Finally, found our way back down onto Rt. 22. Lost about 20 minutes. The SQ got ahead of me in a turn around and as we got back to 22 - she takes a left instead of a right. She is slightly directionally challenged.   I'm sitting behind her beeping and flashing my lights and she is totally oblivious. And finally, she gets stopped by flares this time south of whatever was going on.   I got out of the car and explained that she was going the wrong way. We turned around and headed south again.Finally, found the Dutchess Motor Lodge. Whole bunch of guys sitting outside at some picnic tables. Kind of creepy. First impressions and all. But, they were really nice guys. Sounds like they live at the motel. Knew we were section hikers by all the gear. The SQ went over and talked to them for a good 15 minutes while I unloaded the cars.After we settled in, we decided to go park one of the cars for tomorrow. We headed back up Rt 22 and headed east on NY 55 toward the Connecticut border. We were actually looking for Hoyts Road. Found it, but somehow we drove past the pull off and ended up back on Rt. 55. Weren't exactly sure where the lot was and no sooner had we gotten back to Rt. 55 when we ran into flares in the road again and a couple in a fire truck told us we couldn't pass through that we had to turn around. I asked her if the AT trail head was up the road - she had no idea. All she kept saying was you had to turn around and go to such and such a road and take a left.   What are the chances that we get rerouted twice in less than 1.5 hours? Pretty wierd.At least this time there was someone at the turn directing traffic.   Went in another big circle and came back out onto Rt. 55. Another guy was at the intersection directing and he directed me to the parking lot. There were a few cars parked all with out of state plates. We decided to leave my car and headed out to try to find some dinner.Got back to the room about 9 and chilled while watching the Olympics. Should be a good couple of days.
Date: 2008-08-24
From: NY 52

To: NY 55
Miles today: 7.2

Word of the day - mushrooms.The Dutchess was hopping last night. Some guys were partying outside pretty late. I woke up once and heard them about 2, but we were so tired that they didn't keep us up. I don't even think the SQ heard them.We had a much easier time finding our way to the trail head this AM. We were parked and hiking by 8:15. A little cooler and cloudier this morning, but still pretty nice.Today was a little more challenging than yesterday. Still pretty easy, but a little more difficult.Didn't really see anything today except for mushrooms. I wish I knew mushrooms because the variety and colors were incredible. Bright yellow, light yellow, lilac, pink, red, white, light brown, dark brown - all shades of brown. Tall, flat, round, squatty. It was really neat. They must have gotten as much rain as we did over the summer. On trees, in the dirt, basically every where you looked you saw them. Even though it must have been muddy at one point, there wasn't really any mud on the trail. You really could not beat the trail or the conditions.We ran into a sobo near Morgan Stewart, a guy out trail running, and the same trail maintainer as yesterday. She was out gathering flouresant tape that people had hung on branches to make the trail.   Something about a youth camp.We made it back to her car by about 12:30. Got back to my car about 12:50. Stopped at the Mountain deli down the road from the trail head. We wanted to order a sandwhich. Most of the signs said you could get a wedge. We had no clue what that was. So, we asked the kid behind the counter - and he said you know a wedge. We looked at him like he had three heads and said nope - don't know. So, he showed us. Nothing more than a grinder roll. So, we said oh, a grinder.   He looked at us like we had three heads.   Who knew. I heard it called lots of things, but never a wedge.The wedge was huge. We could have split it, but we didn't know. So, we ate half and took the rest home.   We were home by 4pm. Had enough time to mow the lawn.
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well I will be heading out again tomorrow.   I was supposed to have left on Sunday, but work posed a problem as well as Hanah.   I didn't really want to hike in the rain if I didn't have to.And, that is somewhat the luxury of section hiking - you kinda don't have to if your schedule allows.I'll be heading out for 3 days/2 nights. Had to redo the starting and stopping points a few times for various reasons.   But, I think I am good to go now.I will have about a 2 hr drive in the AM to get to where I will park my car - so I will be up and on the road between 5:30 and 6:00.Looks like it might rain some over the next 3 days. Oh well - won't be the end of the world.It was very difficult to get directions to where I will be stopping. I plan on hiking into Bear Mountain State Park - and the SQ will pick me up on Seven Lakes Drive. But, getting Mapquest to do directions for that was next to impossible. You can see the road on the map, but it says it can't find it as a destination.   Hopefully, she will be ok.Happy Trails.Oh, yeah. Just want to say Congrats to my sister and her husband on the birth of their first child. Can't wait to see him.
Date: 2008-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone! Welcome to the journal of my 2008 Appalachian Trail thru-hike attempt. After much planning and commitment,the time has arrived, literally. Tomorrow is my last day with an employer of over 13 years, and I will start my hike on Sunday.   I am about to transition from work and study devoted to the protection and enhancement of habitats and species, to the deep immersion of hiking within and through an entirely different set of habitats than I have known before. I am running the gamut in my thoughts and emotions here. But underlying all else is the feeling of excitement that comes with a great adventure. How wonderful!. I'll be using this page to post photos and journal updates (weekly?), so check back as often as you like.
Date: 2008-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As tends to happen, I worked a few more days than I planned (trying to wrap up as much as possible and not considering the time needed to clean out my office, etc.) Didn't get all the projects done that I wanted to, but at this point it is what it is. Had revised my start date to April 6th, but then it got pushed back further to April 10th. This was good as it allowed me a bit of time to mentally process the end of a long relationship with my employer, clean up the house a bit more, take another hike with Shelly, etc. I drove to Dad's today, and had a nice evening with Dad, Ann, and Ed and Pat. Tomorrow will be the starting day. Now it really is here.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Springer Mtn

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Spent the morning with family, just relaxing. We went for lunch, then went on to the trail. Got to Springer Mtn about 3:30 PM, took a couple pictures, and then started off. At last, the trip begins! Since it was so late I thought I might stop at Stover Creek shelter (mile 2.5), but got there quickly so I just signed the register and moved on. Took the side trail to see Long Creek Falls (see the photo page for a pic). What a contrast to hiking this section during the drought last August. There wasn't even a falls or creek then, and now I heard and saw running water the entire way. Moved on to Hawk Mtn shelter (mile 7.6). There were 6 other hikers there, and I felt like some solitude a gear playing time, so I set up my tent. Met "D", Needles, and one of the other hikers ( a guy from Dalton GA who was trying out hiking for the first time, on a 3 day trip, to see how well he liked it). Slight rain on the tent, but all my gear stayed dry, even the pack inthe vestibule. I'm very happy.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

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

Awoke in my tent to the sound of birds and someone pulling their food bag down off the bear cable. Took me a while to get going, I was the last hiker out of Hawk Mtn. In fact, Sam got to Hawk Mtn from Stover Creek shelter before I even left Hawk Mtn. I took time organizing my pack a bit better and pre-treating my feet for hot-spots to avoid blisters. After I started hiking I caught up with Sam, and we hiked together for awhile. Had an interesting conversation with him, and learned that he's a talker. Moved on from Sam and when I got to Justus Creek, I paused to determine if I needed water. As I stood there, a hiker came up the trail and who was it? It was Sanford! I've heard about him from Shelly and Bill for the last year and a half, since he thru-hiked in '06. I didn't think I'd see him, beacuse I thought he'd started a while ago, and he had thought the same about me. Turns out we started on the same day. What are the odds?   WE hiked together to Gooch Mtn shelter. Got there by 1:30, but decided to stay there for the evening since there was a prediction of thunderstorms. I'm realizing that the wildfloweres will be just wonderful, I've seen bloodroot, trilliums (2 species), columbine, wild geranium, and more. This is great!
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Blood Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Spent a LONG night last night on the top shelf in Gooch Mtn shelter with about 10 other hikers. Mice scurrying around all night, multiple times had to whack them off my pack, and other hikers were in the same position. Didn't sleep well due to mice, snores, and sore back on hard floor. Woke up at 5 AM to Sam and Sanford packing up their gear. Sam left before light. I started off with the intention of going to Wood's Hole shelter, but got there by 2:30, so moved on to Blood Mtn shelter. Saw lots of wildflowers, and a few birds (Eastern towhee, ovenbird, dark-eyed junco). Hiked much of the day with "D", a very nice person. At Blood Mtn, Sanford, "D", Needles, and I met three hikers who had served in both Iraq wars. They were enjoying a 3 day trip, and had heavy packs. As they said "when we realized we didn't have to carry our weapons, flak jackets, and ammo, we went crazy, and packed 4 bottles of wine, an espresso maker and other gourmet items". When they got to the top of Blood mtn from Neels Gap, they were tired out, so they gave us a bottle of wine. Trail magic! Sanford, "D", Needles and I drank it while watching the sunset.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Blood Mtn shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 2.4
Weather: clear sky

Spent a cold, windy night in the Blood Mtn. shelter last night (at 7AM it was 28 degrees outside and 36 in the shelter). Needles, "D", and I were in the back room, where somone had kindly covered the two ope windows with tarps to help block the wind. Only problem was that the wind was so strong that in blew out the tarp on D's side, which also pulled down the large rocks used to hold the thing in place, nearly braining "D". Fortunately, mere moments before I had said "why don't you move away from the window D", and he had done so. So, a near miss that could have been very bad or fatal 'cause it was a big rock. Sanford stayed in the front room which wasn't much better. No mice though, apparently it was too cold for them. Got up pretty early, and then each made our way down the mtn. Dad's picking me up for a night of luxury and laundry at his house, but the others are pressing on to Low Gap.
Date: 2008-04-14
To: "Hotel Dad"
Miles today: 0.0

Checked the weather this morning and the prediction was snow/rain mix with well below freezing temps. Hmmm...I'm in a house, do I go back into known bad weather? Not too hard a call here, I took my first zero day and spent a nice time with Dad. His living in Blairsville has many benefits at this point, convenience for trail support is one, but us getting to spend some extra time together is another big one. Will get back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Neels Gap

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

Got back on the trail at about 11:30 after pancakes with Dad and visit at the outfitters to get some instruction on why my trekking poles started refusing to tighten in place at the height I wanted. Saw Pricess Brat, so that was good after all our conversations leading up to this adventure. Started wearing my knee brace today. The hike down Blood Mtn made it flare up (the downhill knee problem that so many folks end up with, and me too I guess). It was a truly beautiful day hiking today. Saw some new wildfolwers (bluets, anemone, rue, dwarf cinquefoil, and others). After climbing out of Hogpen Gap I paused and within 30 seconds saw 5 species of birds (Carolina chickadee, white-breasted nuthatch, tufted titmouse, downy woodpecker, black and white warbler), they just flew up to trees next to the trail so I could ID them all quickly. Nice. Got to Low Gap around 5pm, and met Will (A tru-hiking Vermonter and former rowing coach from Brown, Wesleyan, and another school), Angie and Peter (John Edwards campaign workers now "between jobs"), and Jason and Stacy (2 guys from Alabama who've been section hiking). A friendly group, they made a fire and we talked and laughed until bedtime.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Today was my longest day yet. Awoke at 6:30, but stilll slow getting going in the morning. Didn't leave the shelter until 8:30. Have to improve my efficiancy in re-packing the pack, mronign cleanup, etc. I'll get there I'm sure. Caught everyone by mid-day. Saw trailing arbutus, and some other new wildflowers. Also saw a totally new bird for me...Hooded Warbler! Also saw my first chipmunks, and unfortunately some feral hog damage too. Stopped at Blue Mtn shelter for lunch, and hiked the last 7.7 miles to Tary Mtn after lunch. It was a long day by the end. The last hour my biggest motivation was that Jason had said the sunrise/sunset views from the shelter were spectacular. When I got to Tray Mtn shelter, I met Bruce from TX, Shamrock (thru hiker from Mass.), and Skipper (finishing a southbound hike from last year). Richard showed up a bit later too. Skipper has a 14 pound base weight (pack weight w/o food and water). It was interesteing to see how he did that. My knee was NOT HAPPY on the downhills today, so I need to look at getting my pack weight lower too. How funny that the uphills are comparatively nice. Also got some small starter blisters. I guess it was the price to pay for the long day to Tray Mtn?
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap/Hiawassee
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Awoke at 6:30 again, and saw the sunrise on the other side of the Mtn. It was better than the sunset last night. Glad I got to Tray Mtn. to see both. My knee is a bit tweaky, but the toe tip blisters at least shrank back down. After breakfast I took some time to clean and protect my toes to try to prevent further blister growth. Slow morning again, left the shelter at 9:30. Caght up with Shamrock, and then Bruce. Bruce stayed with me the rest of the day. Going up and over Kelly Knob was a NASTY climb, approx. 1000 feet elevation in one mile which was made worse because it was practically straight up. Hmmm, switchbacks would be nice...why aren't there any? I took lunch at the top of Kelly knob, and two overnight hikers showed up. One had done lots of hiking in the Sierras, climbing several thousands of feet in short discances, but with switchbacks. He said this was the worst thing he'd ever climbed. How nice for us. Got to Dick's Creek Gap a little after 3pm. Dad was there and waiting with some cold tea. We gave Bruce a ride to Hiawassee, and headed home.
Date: 2008-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Thought I'd take one zero day to assess my knee and take the steps to ensure that it didn't stop me entirely. Turns out that Dad traded in his van on a "new" car, and drove to Lexington to pick it up. Soooo, zero day today and tomorrow as I don't have a ride back to the trail until Dad gets back. Did some painting on Dad'd new addition, and relaxed with Mel.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: "Hotel Dad"

To: "Hotel Dad"
Miles today: 0.0

My second zero day of the "new" car, and got to trim my gear a bit more. Dropped the down jacket, some hygeine stuff (who needs deodorant?), the interior part of my tent (leaving me with the fast-fly + footprint setup), the 2 compression sacks, and half the book I was reading, and few other small things. Probably dropped the pack weight by 3 pounds. Yay! Back to the trail tomorrow, and the knee is happy for the pause. The "new" car is pretty sweet, but Dad and Ann are exhausted I think.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Dick's Creek Gap/Hiawassee

To: Sassafrass Gap 
Miles today: 10.7

Very glad to get back on the trail. Got to drive Dad's new car, and it's a beauty. Got to Dick's Creek Gap at 12:30 or so. Saw about 7 day hikers, but after that no-one. I strated taking pictures of wildflowers again, and headed down the obsessive-compulsive path with that as I tend to. BIG EXCITEMENT, I saw a patch of Dutchman's Breeches. This is a plant that I remember Mom teaching me as a young child, so it was especially significant. Brought a tear to my eye, but in a good way. Not so much grief, but more of a happy memory. I still think of her a hundred times a day, every day. She really was a major inspiration in my life of loving the natural world. I also saw Mountain bellwort. Another BIG DEAL...I entered North Carolina late in the day. I hit the sign marking the state line at about 5:30, and right after that made it to Bly Gap and took a photo on myself with the Bly Oak, the sort of tradtional marker into NC. One state down! I should have camped at Bly Gap where there was a campsite and water, but thought I'de get to Muskrat Creek shelter. NOT! The temperature dropped like a rock shortly after, and it was bitterly cold by the time I got to Sassafrass Gap. Couldn't go the next 0.9 miles to the shelter, so I had to stealth camp. Tried to go down the leeward side of the slope to tent out of the wind, but it was too steep and I've have been sliding downhill all night, so came back up tot the top of the slope and pitched my tent. The fly and groundcloth worked beautifully, and with my pack blocking the wind on the windward side I was quite comfy. Thick leaf litter was much softer than a hard shelter floor. The susnet was striking, and the owls were calling loudly. Also, I determined that my McDavid open patella knee brace (that I bought back in 1996) was the perfect solution to the knee issue. No more problem there.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Sassafrass Gap 

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

Had a good night in the tent, but some weird dream where I was trying to help some woman and children escape from some psychos in a decrepit old 100 story apartment building. Where did that come from? I am now in the "Land of the noonday sun", or the Nantahala National Forest. It's a beutiful place, and bonus, they have switchbacks, so the climbs uphils are these lovely, gradual back and forths instead of a straight-up charge. Got to Carter Gap shelter by 5pm despite the photo obsession that will probably follow me until the wildflowers all stop blooming. It was so beautiful today, great trail and great weather. Passed a trail marker for "Chunky Gal Trail"...What the heck? Turns out it was named for some Indian maiden who was a tad plump and ridiculed by the other, slimmer maidens. Some themes just repeat themselves over and over in societies. Also, I find "Chunky Gal" to be such a funny North Carolina interpretation of whatever the original Indian name was; it made me laugh. After the Chunky Gal trail, there were entire hillsides covered with Trout Lilies. Very pretty, small flowers. They were just starting to bloom, and if it was peak bloom, I'm sure it would have been nothing short of spectacular. I also saw 2 new species of Trillium, bringing the total to 4 in that genus. All beautitful and new to me. At Carter Gap shelter I met a truly great group of guys in their 50s to 60s: Papa Bear (thru-hiked in 2004, and back doing sections), Java (section hiker from Vermont), Raccoon (a thru hiker from Australia that I had met before), and Groucho (a thru-hiker from Oregon). Later, 2 younger guys showed up: Spot (thru hiker from Pennsylvania), and Bear (thru hiker from Mississippi). We talked about exotic species and ecosystem changes and other things in life while enjoying a campfire. An Eastern cottontail was hanging out on the trail to the privy, and didn't move while we looked at it and talked about it and tried for photos.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Got a good start this morning (for me, the morning slowpoke), and was hiking by 8:30. Had a quick trip to Albert Mtn (5250 ft.), the first sort of "scramble your way up" climb. Glad I have pretty long legs, as those that don't might have had a bit of a struggle picking the best path. Papa Bear and I met Frenchy at the top (a section hiker from Pennsylvania wrking on his 12th year of section hiking). The Fire tower at the top of Albert Mtn was closed but we were able to go up 4 flights of steps for quite a panoramic view. We had lunch in the sun and let our socks and shirts dry out. The rest of the day's hike was another lovely "easy" stretch. Papa Bear and I got to Rock Gap shelter at 3:30, and the others arrived shortly after. I could have gone on to Hwy 64 and called Dad to get me a day early, but instead I wandered around the spring sand stream and was rewarded by fiinding Jack-in-the-pulpit plants. Another childhood memory and I was very happy to see them. Feet are happy, knee is happy, I am happy. By the way, thanks to everyone who has signed in on the guest book. It really makes me feel great to hear from you all and know you are enjoying the journal entries and rooting me on.