morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As usual I've been really busy with work and what not lately.. though, I spent the weekend, the whole weekend, with my girlfriend (that's the most time we've spent together since we graduated from high school two years ago) .. but I guess that's how this whole "long distance relationship" thing works.. Anyway, it was an amazing weekend.. especially the cheesecake we had at the Cheesecake Bistro.. yumm.. except I could feel my arteries clogging as I ate it.. but it was worth it. Then monday I went to the dentist to get my teeth all straight before I head out for the trail.. I've never had any problems. No cavities, braces, nothing like that.. But this time I had to get two fillings.. Man, that needle hurts.. but it sure did numb me up. The side of my face was numb most of the day after that..I ate a peanut butter, banana, and honey sandwich (which I love) and ended up with honey all over my face but couldn't feel it.. I finally saw it in my mirror and was like uh. maybe I should clean that up. Today it was back to work (5am sucks).. can't wait to be on the trail so I can sleep in a little. Got off at a reasonable time today (4pm) and headed to the soccer field to play a little just cus I felt the need.. and it was a grand time.. actually thinking about bringing a mini soccer ball with me on the trail. It's small.. really small and red, so it matches my pack. haha... I think it would be awesome to play with when I'm doing laundry or stuff like that.. then again I might be tempted to play with it on the trail and end up tripping and breaking my ankle or something.. oh wait, that could happen anyway.. so yea I think I'm gonna bring it.. it'll be my luxury item.. though I suppose a true ultralighter would just use rolled up socks, or for that matter a rock.As far as physical training goes for the trail.. I'm not in the condition I'd like to be in, but who is.. However, I feel very confident with my abilities.. I've been jogging pretty much every night with my fully loaded pack on for about 5 miles and it feels great. I guess I should start increasing the distance rather than just finishing quicker.. eh, whatever. A great advantage that I've found by jogging with my pack on is that I've been able to tinker with everything to find out how to pack so that nothing jumps around inside my pack.. that way, when I'm hiking I'll be able to enjoy the wonderful sounds of nature and not the sound of my mtn. dew can stove hopping up and down inside my pack.. then again I'll probably just hear myself huffin' and puffin' up and down the mtns. Well, it's late once again and I've got to get up at 5.. so, I'm off to sleep. I'll post again when I have time.
Date: 2005-03-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

GA > METhe past few days have been cram packed with all kinds of things, as will my remaining 3 days. So, on that note.. I doubt I'll have time to update again before I head off for the trail. Therefore, it's a big.. hells yea man.. i'm ready to rock. Thanks to all for stayin' with me through the prep entries.. now its onto the good stuff. Sit back, buckle up, and hold on tight.. you're in for the ride of your life.. We're going from Georgia to Maine folks.. let's kick ass!Side note.. mad props to fellow march co. member Wyatt.. he used his programming skills and hooked us all up with an interactive map to follow our progress.
Date: 2005-03-13
Miles today: 0.0

This entry is from Kenny's Mom. Kenny began his hike at 9:45 a.m. this morning. His Dad and brother Thomas(who will be joining him for a few days in Pearisburg) drove him to Georgia and walked with him to the beginning of the trail. I talked to Kenny as he stood on Springer Mtn. He noted he picked up his pebble which he will carry to Maine and signed the registry. He will be mailing us his journal notes and I will be posting them for him. We will be assisting him with mail drops along the way. So check back in a few days and hopefully I will have his trail notes posted by then. Mom 3/13/2005*Note: "Traction" posted his own journal entries from Neels Gap on day 2 of his hike. We are keeping up with his progress the same way everyone else is. 3/14/2005
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Springer Mtn. Summit

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Hey everyone,This journal comes from yours truly.. I started yesterday and reached Gooch Mtn. shelter at 4:30pm.. It was an amazingly beautiful day, and I couldn't stop smiling. I stopped by hawk mtn shelter for lunch.. it was already packed.. something like 15 people planning to stay the night.. I said hello, then goodbye just like that and carried on up the trail.. Ran across about 40 US army rangers in the middle of the trail.. crouched, wearing 65lb packs, full fatigues, face paint, and m-16s pointed in every direction.. I felt kind of bad for them as I skipped by with my light pack and my trekking poles.. was pretty neat though.. i talked to some other thrus that day who said the rangers are known to try to get as close to hikers as they can without the hiker noticing them.. so whenever i heard something strange i would point in that direction and say.. ah hah, got ya!.. hah, i'm sure there was nothing there.. but if one was i hope he had to do many many pushups!.. the up and downs were sick yesterday.. but i easily mowed em down, one after another.. My body feels great.. but i've got a couple blisters forming on my feet.. oh well!.. anyway. i made it to gooch gap shelter by 4:30 and met VAPOR.. who has a trailjournal here.. he started saturday.. so it was cool to catch up.. The shelter was awesome.. had a second floor. but, i opted to tryout my tarp.. and.. it rained, hard!.. and thundered.. and high winde. oh well.. i was under my nice little dry tarp.. well.. i was pretty dry.. but the ends of my sleeping bag got a little muddy from where the mud was splashing up at the ends of my tarp. no biggie..just looked like i was dipped in chocolate on both ends while i slept!Thanks for all the awesome journal entries.. very encouraging-Kenny.. (Traction)
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

hello again..I woke up at 5:30 this morning and cleaned off my sleeping bag and tyvek ground sheet from all the mud.. then packed my things.. ate some oatmeal and headed up the trail.. was walking by 7am.. the first to leave the shelter mind you. I walked in the clouds all day. so no views.. but it was still amazing.. kinda dreamy. I hit blood mtn. summit at around 2pm and the clouds kindly cleared.. allowing me a breathtaking view. I took advantage of it by cookin up some mexican style rice and chicken and downin some gatorade.. man, that was awesome.. then i rolled out my thermarest and took a good long nap.. When i woke it was about 3pm so i decided to roll on down to neels gap. Here i sit.. at their computer.. just ate some ben and jerrys ice cream and had a mello yellow to drink.. pure pleasure. It was 3:30 when i arrived and the next shelter is about 7 miles farther, so i decided to stay the night as it only costs me 15 dollars for a shower, a nice bed, tv, and internet access.. that's what i'm talking about! So, i'm officially a day ahead of schedule.. well, others need the internet .. so i'm gonna get a shower.. later folks!
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

Started at Neels Gap a little later than I wanted...7:30am..But I was still the first to leave the Hostel. It iced on me for a couple of hours this morning, which made things interesting. I made great time today...I made it here around 3pm and was gonna go on to Tray Mountain Shelter...But some SB section hikers told me the shelter was small and there probably wouldn't be room for me. So I decided to stay here and it's been great relaxing a bit with Jersey(a thru hiker) from Alaska. He gave me some of his brotworst...it was awesome. Oh yea..received trail magic today...some folks gave me orange soda, a banana, and zebra cakes....amazing! Well the NC border is only 28 miles away, so I think I'm going for it....we'll see!
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: light rain

Well, had my highest mile day yet, 23 miles!! And I might add it was a well earned 23 miles. I had two major ascents right off the bat....Rocky MT. followed by Tray Mtn. No views today....It was in the 30s and I was walking through clouds all day. It was sort of like walking through a sauna which is refrigerated rather than heated. Also, the ridges were covered in ice and the downhills were all mud....so the going was mentally as well as physically draining. If you weren't focused for an nth of a second you'd find yourself sliding. Which , my leki poles saved me numerous times today. Two miles from N. Carolina!! I'll hit my first border tomorrow and I hear after Standing Indian is an easy 20, so maybe I can hit the big 30 tomorrow .....which would also put me 100 miles up the trail....suppose to snow tomorrow though, so we'll see.....Traction
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Before Albert Mtn Summit
Miles today: 26.0

Woke up late.....COLD!! Light snow on around 3rd to hit trail at 9:15 a.m. Started snowing almost immediately...visibility (40 ft)....temp (20s)..wind(20-30). Couln't see a damn thing.....but it was really cool walking in these conditions. No views so I busted chops all day....one foot....two foot...one foot....two foot..the song that goes,"I went Skydiving, Rocky Mtn climbing, I went 2.7 seconds on a bull names Fu-Man Chu!!" was stuck in my head all day...and that's pretty much the only verse I know, so I repeated that probably a thousand times. The going was pretty smooth all day so I made good time. Stopped at "Trail Magic oasis" Right at dark and spent the night. This was a little place the owners of Rainbow Springs Campground, (which is closed this year), set-up. they had a huge tarp...like 100'x50' set up with an awesome fire. I got 3 coca-colas and like 5 burritos...awesome!!!! Spent the night under the tarp in my bag..cool deal!!!!!!
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Before Albert Mtn Summit

To: After Wayah Bald
Miles today: 21.0

Slept under stars...COLD night,but warm in bag. Barry's wife (owner of cg) made me some oatmeal, good way to start the day. Left camp right after Diesel (9a.m.) Passed him on the climb up Albert. Beautiful views atop firetower....Diesel and I too pics of each other on Tower. Great views all day...made decent time...stopped at winding stair gap and called folks...great to talk to 'em. Diesel caught up to me and we ate lunch. I headed on before Diesel, as he was only planning to stay at Siler Bald Shelter. I hit Siler bald at 3 and kept rolling. Made it over Wayah Bald just before sunset. Ran into a large group of folks about a mile north from the Summit of Wayah. It was getting dark so I decided to stay there. Met Backcountry Dave who I had a message for from Jersey. BC Dave is a chill guy...mid 30s, unshaven. Also met the Brits and Figuro and his girl. Hit the sack early as it was cold!!
Date: 2005-03-19
From:  Just North of Wayah

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

 Up early and on the trail at 7am. Rollin' all morning w/ the NOC on my mind. Climbed Wesser....Great views from the tower ("White"). Rolled on...Kicked butt all day & hit the NOC a 1pm. It's a happening place. A real Whitewater Community. Payed for a bunk & headed for my room. Bunked w/ Chino so I delivered the many messages I had for him. BC Dave rolled in later on as did most others, including Diesel who broke his first 20 mile day. Went to the restaurant which was packed w/ thrus....very cool experience. I was able to fill people in on rumors they've heard about people behind them & what not. In the same room as Uncle Bob(TJ), Chino(TJ), Backcountry Dave, No Legs(TJ), and Terrapin.
Date: 2005-03-20
To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hi Everyone,This is Tractions Dad. He had hoped to update his journal at N.O.C last night or this morning but was unable to locate an Internet connection. He called from a pay phone there last night, but his calling card gave out mid-sentence. He stayed overnight in a four bunk "treehouse" type shelter. $15.00 for the night inluding hot shower. He roomed with Chino, Uncle Bob, and No Legs. He called again this afternoon from Cheoah Bald and was heading to Brown Fork Shelter for the night. He was hiking with Justin and is expected to be in Fontana tomorrow. He thinks there is a library there where he can update this journal and plans to get ready for the trip into the Smokies from there. He says the break at N.O.C. did his body right and was feeling ready to go. His gear seems to be doing the job. He claims to be staying dry and warm while hiking and sleeping. There is plenty of water and his food alotments are keeping him fueled properly. He did say the uphills were more to his liking than the downhills. Nothing but sweat uphill, the chance for injury much greater going downhill. Hopefully this information will update everyone until Traction can get to the Internet or mail us his journals. * Brown Fork Shelter is at 149.9.   Thanks to all for your support. "Tractions" Dad
Date: 2005-03-20
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hung around the NOC this morning...headed out around noon...hit Sassafras at 2 so carried on to Brown Fork Shelter. Made Brown Fork right at sunset. Just before the shelter, after crossing Hwy 28 was a brutal climb , so I stopped....pondered why the trail must go straight up this giant and not around. Then it clicked: Accept the trail for what it is...I mean I have to do it anyway so who cares if I'm going up, down, left, right...As long as I'm headed north on the AT, I'm getting closer & closer to Maine & ultimately Katahdin. What I came to realize is that the trail is 2174.9 miles long, no matter what. I've also realized hiking the trail, is basically my job...A damn good one might I add!
Date: 2005-03-21
To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"Dad" here again. "Traction" called from the pay phone at Fontana Dam and is staying the night at the Fontana Hilton. Thanks go out to Justins family for a great meal today. A nice day for a stroll in the woods. Heading up into the Smokies in the morning. Later........
Date: 2005-03-21
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Last one out of the shelter this morning. Called Sara before I headed out. It was great to talk to her...firt time since before I left for GA She was thrilled to hear from me as well. Anyway, I headed out at 9am. Made it to Fontana around 1pm. Met up w/ Taylor and the Justins and Justin's father Dennis shuttled us all around. he treated us to dinner at a Bar-B-Que place....A-Mazing. At dinner I gave Taylor a trail name..."Superfeet". Don't ask what it means, you'll find out. Made it back to the Hilton at dark so I headed down to the visitor center to use the payphone. Called home and updated , tried to call Sara, but it wouldn't work. Hit the sack at 9pm. *** A note here from DAD : Traction thought he was getting the payphone collect calling @ .10 a minute. He used a long distance collect calling number on the phone. I got the bill yesterday. It was $17.40 for 13 minutes. The company that ownes the payphone tags their own fee onto the call, several dollar connection fee plus $1.00 per minute for usage. I contacted the company and was able to get a 40% one time discount. JUST BEWARE! Traction is back to calling cards and cell phones....LOL.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Hit the trailhead at 8:30am just after Uncle Bob. Not 20 minutes into the ascent I spotteed 4 whitetails, the first of my trip. Not 10 minutes later I saw 2 more. It was great, what I've been waiting for. They weren't skiddish either, so I got a good long look. I eventually passed on by Uncle Bob. As I hit the top of a hill I looked over my shoulder and waved farewell to Uncle Bob. Sad to move ahead, but I knew I'd be catching another group of awesome people. Around 3pm it started raining, the the thunder struck. I ducked for cover in the nearest shelter and climbed in my bag to warm up. Not too much later 5more (new to me) thrus showed up....Old Yeller and his Buddy, Dana, Pixie and Pink Dragon. Later on 4 spring breakers from Wisconsin showed up and hung a tarp at the front of the shelter, then started a fire. Good for them. More work than it's worth to me. I ended up stringing my rope up along the tarp to keep it true. So now I'll have an extra chore in the am. Oh well.
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mount Collins Shelter Side Trail, TN 
Miles today: 19.8

"The trail up to and down from Clingmans Dome is like a bobsled track. Met Crystal's friend from Virginia Tech along the trail. Stopping at Mount Collins due to icing conditions. Plan to be at Davenport Gap tomorrow evening. Don't send anymore pita bread, it spoils too fast. More Snickers bars please..." Quotes from Moms notebook from her phone call from Traction this evening. Yep, Dad again.... Traction - First one out of the shelter....7am. On my way to the highest point on the trail, Clingman's Dome. Made Derricks Knob Shelter by 9:30am...Just mentioning that because this is where the "Spring Breakers" were rescued from. A couple of hours later I was at Silers Bald Shelter for a bite to eat. The ascent up Clingman's was ridiculous....like trying to walk up a bobsled track.
Date: 2005-03-24
To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wow Kenny really put in the miles today. He did 35 in the Smokies and 3 to Standing Bear Hostel,half of the smokies in one day! He said he was ready to put the Smokies behind him. It has around a foot of snow with a slick ice topping. He never slipped but thought he might a few times. He took advantage of the full moon last night to get to the hostel. He met Team Vanity on the trail. Said they were an entertaining bunch. They all carry one useless item such as a bust or wooden totem. Their packs were heavy but having a great time. He said passing the FDR memorial was a inspirational moment since he remembered going there as a child with us. He finally saw 6 deer on the trail. He also mentioned Tyler Wyatt and his Dad took Kenny out to eat before entering the Smokies. Tyler's Dad meets Tyler every week with a fresh change of clothes and supplies. Kenny said Tyler was particularly proud of his insoles called superfeet, Kenny began calling him "Superfeet" thus a trail name is born. He said the hostel he is at is great, nice guy running the place with two dogs. The rooms are nice. He has a kitchen with food for the hikers for a donation, and a phone which Kenny used to call us. He was sitting at a fireplace warming his feet. Said his shoes and socks are soaked. He plans to catch a ride into town in the morning and let his shoes dry before hitting the trail again. He also plans on being in Hot Springs in two days. So far he is really upbeat on schedule and seems to be enjoying himself. He said it has been a little harder mentally but not physically. He missed Manleys Service, Mt. Dews and all of us. "MOM"
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Mount Collins Shelter Side Trail, TN 

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 38.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up at 6:30am w/ a purpose. Today I was determined to "Be Rid of The Smokies", and I this meant at least a 35 mile day. So I was first out of the shelter at 7am. I walked fast, and steady...making decent time all day. The going was rough because the trail conditions were very poor. At altitudes greater than 5500 ft you could expect to be walking through snow and ice, unless you were on the southeaast side of the mountain, in which case it would be patches of ice, snow, and mud. Basically, because of this I had to exert twice as much effort to maintain a steady pace, and it seemed I was only moving half as fast as usual. Regardless, I kept pushing and made my destination by 9:30pm. The last two hours and 8 miles was covered thanks to the full moon and my headlamp. When I made it to Standing Bear Hostel I was greeted by barking dogs and a fellow nameed "Snapper" who was on the side of the mountain watching the stars when I showed up. He showed me to the bunkroom where I hit the sack, after calling home.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.5

 Left the Hostelafter "PAZ6" at 1:00pm. Right off I had a big climb up Snowbird, which I have to admit winded me and I broke out in a sweat. From there out the walking wasn't bad though. It was a beautiful day too. The best I've had yet. I stopped at Groundhog Creek Shelter for some crackers, where I talked to a couple of Boy Scouts. Cool experience. After a good 30 minute break I headed on to Max Patch. I made it to the summit about 10 minutes before sunset. Awesome! Had an incredible view in 360 degrees so I decided to sleep out under the stars. Definitely my coolest night on the trail so far....
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Max Patch

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: broken clouds

Journal entry mailed to Mom and Dad---------------------Awoke in time to watch the sunrise...awesome! Hit the trail at 7am. Smooth sailing all the way to Hot Springs. Another beautiful day. Saw lots of little squirrels and chipmunks running all around. Hit Hot Springs around 3pm. The AT goes right up the center of town on Bridge Street. It's a Happenin' little place. Met Baltimore Jack at the outfitter. He has thru hiked 8 times in the last 9 years and will hit Springer Mountain again in a few weeks. I stayed at the Duckett House Inn, which is a really nice place. Got a shower and did laundry then walked back to Bridge Street and got something to eat. Hung around for a while then finally hit the sack......................*The following entry from "Traction" with internet access at the Duckett Inn*:hey everyone.. it's 3/26 at night and I'm at the duckett house inn.. located in Hot Springs, NC. That's 270.9 miles up the trail.. My feet are pretty sore from that 38 miler.. so i only did 20 into town yesterday and am hanging around today for a while.. may do the 11 out of town to the first shelter.. but haven't decided yet as they are calling for thunderstorms.. i'm waiting for my laundry to dry now.. then i'll walk back into town and hang around the outfitters for a while before deciding what to do.. I think i may check out the natual hot springs here.. may do my body some good. Other than my feet being sore (my left foot is bruised and swollen from impact and i have blisters on my toes and one on my right heel) my body is doing good. Thanks to youth, it seems that if i take a half day off.. in other words no more than 20 miles.. my body seems to heal pretty well.. which is great.. It's great to read all the entries in my guestbook.. thanks everyone..   I would put in all my journal entries but I don't have time for that.. so i'm going to mail them home for my folks to do for me.. (cus they have so much more free time than I do.. lol) Anyway, my laundry is done.. so i'm going to get out of my rain gear and back into real clothes then make the half mile walk to the outfitter.. get one more pint of ben and jerrys.. then, if the weather looks good i'll head back up the trail.. (less than 200 miles from Damascus, VA.. can't wait!.. planning 8 days to be there!)..