morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-03
To: 1st backpacking attempt after AT
Miles today: 0.0

I'm now 4 months post ankle surgery and post AT thru attempt. I figured it was reasonable to undertake a small, low-key backpacking trip for Labor Day weekend. So I headed off to the Waterloo-Pinckney Trail in Michigan for some solitude. The first thing that surprised me was how much I missed having other people on the trail. I think of myself as a self-contained unit, content with my own company and desiring to be left alone. But, I'm really not. I like to hike by myself but I also really enjoyed the days on the AT when I had company within chatting distance. I like to have my own space in camp at night but I also really like the camaraderie other hikers provide. So, laying there in my tent on Saturday night I decided to invite others to join me next time. I don't know how that will go, but I'm interested in exploring it. The second thing that surprised me was how stiff my ankle was after only 1 day of hiking. I've been doing pretty good about getting out on the trails near the house on the weekends for day hikes. I've been taking my pack with about 10 pounds of water just to get back into trail shape (and because it just feels GOOD to have my backpack on and be moving up the trail). Since those dayhikes had gone well with little after effects, I figured I could take on short backpacking trips on similar terrain. It's a bummer to realize that it's still too soon. I hope everyone is out there enjoying some hiking, Laura
Date: 2007-12-24
To: Hardware is Out but Not Gone
Miles today: 0.0

I had surgery on Wednesday to get the hardware out of my ankle and I feel great.   My ankle feels better than it has since I broke it. I'm truly surprised by the lack of pain following surgery. I had my first post-op visit with the PA this morning. I must have sounded too optimistic and happy because he was quick to interrupt with his predictions of doom and gloom. Pleasant tiddings such as: "The pain blocker we gave you turned off the sensation. You'll start feeling pain soon since you're not taking any pain meds." and "That's still an ankle that was damaged and will degenerate faster than your other parts. You will have pain in the evenings after a long hike. That's just reality. It won't be as good as it was. You're going to have to deal with the aches and the pain. It might feel better now, but once you're on it for awhile, you'll know that it was damaged...." Lovely fellow. Since they won't let me do much more than hobble around in an incredibly fashionable moon-boot-looking hunk of plastic, couldn't his predictions of fun times have waited until my next visit or the one after? Let me have a couple of weeks of daydreaming of myself back on the trail, trucking along without a concern. The coolest part of the entire operation is that the nurse asked if I wanted to keep the hardware. Of course I said yes. They even cleaned it all up for me. It looked much bigger on the x-rays than it does in the little baggie. But I counted and all 9 screws are there. Nice to know they didn't leave anything behind. And one day, it'll be neat to add the hardware to an AT scrap(metal) book. Hopefully, it's the only metal I collect from my trail experiences. ;-)
Date: 2007-03-18
To: First entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I opened my Appalachian Trail Journal under my trail name, Leatherneck07. I have been preparing for this hike for about 2 months now. I'm confident that I have prepared sufficiently in these areas:- Gear research- Gear purchase- Reading other hikers' journals and books about the Trail- Talking with other AT hikersI would like to have prepared more in these areas:- Additional hikes involving elevation changes of several hundred feet- Additional multi day hikes- Nutritional researchIt is amazing that when friends and acquaintances find out I'm taking this challenge, many of them admit they have always wanted to do the same thing. My best friend and support guru, Barbara, and I have reservations for Amicalola Falls Lodge April 2nd. She will drive me to Forest Service trail 42 on April 3 where I will hike .9 miles back to Springer Mountain. There I can sign the register and begin the hike.
Date: 2007-03-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is my second preparation entry.   All that remains is for me to buy the food I'll need on the first leg of the hike, i.e. Springer Mountain plus four days. I went to Ozark Natural Foods in Fayetteville, Arkansas the other day to pick up some supplements. Our dinner friends, Missy Gocio and John Ray (John had section hiked the AT) recommended I see an employee at the store named Patrick who turned out to be very helpful. I picked up Emergen-C's, some powdered greens and some bee pollen. I'll pick up the rest of the food this week.As luck would have it, I came down with a terrific cold yesterday and I feel horrible. Worse yet is that I am not putting any miles on and I'm afraid I'll lose my edge for the start of the hike. Remember Butch, when you are not feeling right, stop and relax. OK, even if I cannot put a lot of miles on this week, then I'll just start the hike out next week out even slower than I'd planned. Hike smart!
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawks Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Started at 9:30 am from FS 42; backtracked .9 miles to Springer Mountain, registered there and began the hike. I was confused by Diamond Blaze so I hiked an extra mile. Arrived at 2:30 pm having taken no food or rest breaks. Many people don't like to use the shelter because of mice. I found it easy, more social and one less to do (setting up my tent) at the beginning. Rain and hail came down in buckets at 6:30 pm. Everyone flocked to the shelter. I was really tired but did not sleep.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Hawks Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Lots of noises to process last night. Shortcut snored endlessly, and the only reason I didn't snore was because I didn't sleep all night! Owls and another bird of prey (unrecognizable), a very low helicopter on a training mission, and two major thunderstorms. Lightening was very close. Back on trail at 9:30 am although I've got to get better organized. Promise to not make the mistakes of yesterday - no breaks, no food -. Took the hills slowly and so Sassafrass was no problem. Saw trillium, columbine, sassafrass and a garter snake. Lunch at Justice Mountain. We arrived 4 pm at Gooch Mountain Shelter and I felt good. Weather is supposed to drop to low 30's again tonight. Getting a quick start in the cold weather is a challenge. MUST BE READY!!!!
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Gooch Mountain

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zipper broke on my sleeping bag. No sleep last night or night before. Not sure why I don't feel it. Got out at 9 am this morning and finished at 5:30 pm. I was a little better organized. Tired at the end but mostly frozen! Hard to make camping decisions when so cold. Needed to get right to my stove to get hot liquids in me. It rained last night and the two storms were incredible. It gusted to at least 50 miles per hour. I had borrowed a nylon "sleeve" for my bag to hold it together. It worked and I was warm but still no sleep. Temp hit 30 degrees again.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Woods Hole

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a very cold start (in the 20's) but I was better organized and got out at 8:45 am. Hiking partner Brian and I are now smart to follow Gretchen's lead and we took it easy. Arrived Neels Gap at noon. Brian (Bum Bum)and Gretchen are taking a 0 day tomorrow. I am pushing on. There is no internet service at Neels Gap so I will have to wait to post my entries. (My beautiful, smart and VERY patient wife is typing these entries as I dictate them to her over the phone! Thank you beautiful, smart and VERY patient wife!!!) The guys here at Neels Gap are absolutely terrific and will help you in every way! They temporarily fixed my sleeping bag but Northface is sending me a new one at Cloud Nine in Hiawasse. They also replaced my MSR gas pump - both the above at no charge. Persephone at Customer Service at Northface was most helpful! I will miss Brian and especially Gretchen who taught me to take it slower. She will surely make it to Kathadin.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Summary of the first leg...between Brian and Gretchen I have decided to take a 0 day at Neels Gap. If you knew me you would know how out of character that is for me. My early adult training was courtesy of the USMC: drive hard, never quit, keep going when others around you are stopping. Then my next 20 years in business was also working hard, setting goals, underpromising and overdelivering. So, for 40 years my adult life has trained me perfectly to be a poor candidate for completing the AT. I will say I am smart enough to know my weaknesses and so, when I temporarily fell in with Gretchen who takes frequesnt stops on the uphill segments, 15 minute breaks every couple of hours, and always takes a lunch break, and arrives at the designated stop much more refreshed I would see the wisdom. So it was last night I decided to take a 0 day with Brian and Gretchen. And tomorrow we will resume our journey although now we are moving to 12-13 mile days. I can see that it takes a strong mind and a real committment to finish the trail. Knowing you have to take the journey as your body allows it is important, but it's more about a strong mind. And, you have to learn how to "be in the moment."Today it snowed and the weather forcast is to remain in the 20's through Monday and then slowly start getting warmer. This is the coldest April on record! Neels Gap for an shakedown. I dropped 2 lbs here but saw several people dropping 10 lbs of pack weight. My backpack with food and water started at 41 lbs. and today packed for tomorrow with food and water weighed 39 lbs.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Low Gap 

To: Blue Mountain 
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Temperature much better than expected (32). My traveling companions won't tell me where we are going or how long it will take. They don't want me to push them. "Just put on your pack, fall in and shut up, Leatherneck." I've heard those words before but it was many years ago. Dusting of snow enroute. Saw some very large trees down with beautiful green moss covering them. Wonder how long they'd been down. Got out at 9:30 arrived at 3PM. Arrived rested with 5 hours of daylight left, which is too much. Could have done more miles but the group is good. I'll make it with them. Blue Mt. is noted for being cold because of its physical layout and orientation but I'm prepared. Laid out my tent ground cloth so the wind coming up through the slats won't affect me this time.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Blue Mountain 

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Got out at 9 and weather was much better, not so cold. Steve and Beth Blow from City Grove Tennessee were at Unicoi Gap in their pickup truck handing out water, girl scout cookies and other goodies.   Steve also gave a trekking pole to Brian. This is what they call "trail magic" when people just show up and do unexpected good things for hikers. I'd like to repay that some day. We got in at 4PM. Cimarron came in later.   He's 84 years old and is trying to make it in one year. He did the trail before but it took him 2 years. If he completes in this year he'll be 85 (August) and will be the oldest on record. He's an old Tailhook guy (SBC Hell Cat) from WWII and put 29 years in the Navy. Nutella (Ann, went south out of the shelter instead of north and added 2 miles to her daily walk before figuring it out. Rebel with a Cause gave me a preview of some gear he is testing for some companies. Using a Coleman F1 Ultralight stove he boiled 1/2 liter of water at 4,490 ft in 2 min 20 seconds...better than a Jet Boil.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Tray Mountain

To: Cloud 9 Hiawassee
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

It was rainy and cold when we awoke at Tray Mountain. Completely socked in. The trail wasn't bad. Elevations changes not terribly bad either. Problem is it was very cold and rainy...a good day for hypothermia. Visibility about 60 feet. Like walking in the clouds. I can see why people want to quit when they pull in to a town after a hike like that.   Don't make rash decisions. Get a shower, hot food and some sleep. The world looks much different then. We had visions of a steak all day. Word was that while the All You Can Eat (AYCE) Daniels staeak house is cheap and lots of of food, quality is not that good...which for most hikers is not a problem. We had Italian at Enrico's in Young Harris, just outside of Hiawassee. Lauren, owner of Cloud 9 (along with husband Frank) drove us to the restaurant and had dinner with us. We are taking a zero day at Cloud 9 and we'll get back on the trail tomorrow. For today, rest and dry out. Speaking of which, while I am not a big drinker, except on special occasions, I have not had any alcohol or coffee in 10 days. No problem. This is probably a good time to recap tips: AT is like a marathon. Go out slower than you think you can at the start. Even if you think you can do 12 miles off the bat, don't. Take everything slow and deliberate until you get your "trail legs". That might be 2 or 3 weeks. You can make up the time later when you have your stride. Make sure you take fuel stops. Food is your fuel and you must stop for lunch to get more energy. Know your pack and equipment. Practise getting things out of your pack in the dark. You'll be doing it.   Organization, routine and efficiency. When you are stopped at the end of the day and you are purifying water for the evening and next day, you'll be putting your Aqua Mira (A&B) together in a cap. It takes 5 minutes for the CLO2 to react. Don't wait for it. Roll out your Therma Rest and let it be self-inflating. Take out your sleeping bag or ground cloth for your tent. Whatever your routine is get it downearly and stick to it. There will be times when you run out of daylight after a hike. Harder to set up camp then.Finally, a few words about gear weight. Every endeavor probably has its favorite subject on which to ruminate. In long range hiking it is weight. I'm packing about 39 lbs which includes 4 lbs of water and about 8 lbs of food (2 lbs per day). Here is the key...you can cut your toothbrush in half, dehydrate your food, cut buckles off gear, cut tags off clothes, drill holes in every piece of hard gear you have, etc. If you don't take care of "the big three", then you have missed the point of the exercise. Pack, sleeping system and tent. Mine is 11 lbs. 5 lbs is ultralight but you can easily get to 7 or 8 lbs. That's 3 or 4 lbs better than I have done, and that is a lot of toothbrush halves and garment tags.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Cloud 9 Hiawassee

To: Cloud 9 Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Taking a zero day at the hostels is good on many different levels. Not only is the rest good, but it is a chance to compare gear, experiences and to listen to the tips from previous thru hikers who are doing it agai...yep, some really do it more than once.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Cloud 9 Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

None of the things I have done in my life before seem to matter on this trip. It is all here "in the moment". And yet, all my experiences from parental guidance, to USMC, to small business, to big business have given me the strength of character I will need to complete this journey. Again, you can learn the techniques, but it is the mental strength that is important here.We got in to Muskrat shelter at 3:40 today just in time to beat the rain. Temperature is dropping and snow is expected tomorrow. You can almost tell what the weather is going to be by the number of hikers who opt for the shelter over campsites.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Muskrat Shelter

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

We left Muskrat at 8 AM and got into Carter at 4 PM. We were tired. Standing Indian mountain is 5500 ft but yesterday's hike up from Bly Gap was steeper and much harder and hurt more. I'm amazed at how little wildlife we have seen. Except for the occasional little bird and one fox squirrel, oh yes and the little vole that was staring at me from his hole as I sat on the privy this morning..we have seen nothing like I expected to see.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

We only hiked 6.8 miles today but when you hear why you'll understand. The temperature dropped precipitously and we saw there was a shelter up ahead. We had just ade it when the snow started coming down "sideways"! When we got in the shelter it was 1:40 and we started cooking everything we owned. You just can't understand how poor your judgment can be and how impaired your mental skills can be when you are shivering. I crawled in my sleeping bag at 3, got out to cook more food at 6 and returned to the bag at 7. I stayed there until 7 the next morning. That is 15 hours in the bag, most of it not sleeping. Must be some kind of record! The wind was really howling and we heard the next day that gusts of 60 mph were reported in Franklin.   It has to be worse up on the mountain.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

There was about 1 inch of snow on the ground this morning and the wind has abated. We saw evidence of the storm all along the trail with huge trees (more than 100 years old) fallen across our path. It turned out our judgment was sound to pull up early the day before and hike farther today because today's 10 mile hike was very pleasant. When we reached Winding Stair Gap (Federal Road 64)we were met by those "Trail Angels" you hear so much about. RM, a Marine himself, and 4 others had set up a tarp over their cars and were handing out hot coffee, hot chocolate and treats to AT hikers. I am continuously amazed at the selfless nature of these "angels" whose sole reward is to see the look of gratitude on the faces of beleagured hikers. I will repay that in kind some day. Got into the Budget Inn in Franklin at about 1:30. Three of us in a very small room, but heck, it is better than that sleeping bag! Jim and Judy Ives offered me their beautiful home in Franklin but for one reason or another, we could not make it work out. Jerry Droze also offered me his condo. My thanks to those folks who were so generous. There are about 25 or so hikers that began around my starting date (April 3) and these are the people I keep bumping into. With names like Baltimore Jack, August, The Dude, Rebel with a Cause (whom we've renamed Rebel with a Jaw because he is so loquacious)there are some real characters out here. ALL good guys and a wealth of knowledge. I have been hiking with Bum Bum (Brian) Toodles (Debra) Gretchin, Scrypto (Jon - whose graphic illustrations of the body in motion are nothing less than professional) and Just Bill (Bill - a 25 year veteran of USAID who we want to name Fire Marshall Bill because he is absolutely the best fire starter and maintainer we've seen.Getting in to town is great because I can post my journals and see notes from all my friends and people I didn't even know were following this journey. Jeez, I'm just on a hike! I received notes today from my Godson Jimmy, my daughters, my father, my niece Annette Acuna (who I hope will do this trail someday because I know she can) and others.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took a zero day in Franklin. I hadn't planned on taking this many zero days (3) so early, but it turns out to be the smart thing to do. Helps avoid injuries in the training period. Ron Haven owns the Budget Inn and the Saphire Inn here. Great guy and very interesting. He was a body shop (auto) owner at 14, then a truck driver (18 wheeler) real estate businessman, professional wrestler and finally, owner of the two inns here in Franklin. And, he picks a mean banjo. More than that he is a great friend of the AT hiker.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Franklin, NC

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Ron Haven took us back to Winding Stair Gap for a 9 AM departure. My hiking group stopped off at a campsite after 11 miles but I felt like spreading my wings a bit so made 16 miles by myself. Pulled in to Cold Spring at 6PM and felt tired but good. There were 6 of us in the shelter.   Baltimore Jack, a real character and a great guy, woke up in the middle of the night, stormed out of the shelter and set up his tent...in the middle of the AT. The next day we realized he was irate because everyone was snoring.   We cracked up because all of us except Mary, a beautiful African American woman, were snoring including Jack. He just couldn't hear himself when he was sleeping. These are the things that make life on the trail memorable.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I hiked to NOC. At the end of the day I caught up with Caboosey (Tamara) whom I hadn't seen for days. She is a realy neat lady who is a Kayak specialist at an outdoor center in Orlando. She often hikes with Gazelle and Nutella also of that same outdoor center. Sweetwater and I showed up at the check in to find that all rooms in the main hostel were booked but there was one room left for two in the old motel on the grounds. We looked at each other and said in unison "we'll take it". Sweetwater is a neurologist who will be practising and teaching residents at the University of Wisconsin after the hike. I think we were both greatful for the adult conversation after all the characters we'd been listening to for the past few days.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am dedicating this next leg through the Great Smoky National Park to all the great folks at Tyson International Group especially the CSR's who make everything work. Whenever you "jump off" a mountain as we did getting in to NOC, you must "jump on" when you leave. The elevation at NOC is 1740 ft. and the jump back onto the next mountain is nearly to 5,000 ft. Decided to get the elevation out of the way today, so only hiked for 7 miles but cleared most of that elevation. Beautiful weather today but cool (34 degrees). This was a tough hike and I'm not ashamed at all at the low mileage. By now I hate anything with a Sassafras in its name.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

This was the hardest hike yet. EVERYONE (8-10 hikers) was exhausted when each straggled in to the camp site. I set my tent up for the first time since I began hiking the AT. No mice, no snoring (exept me) and the best night's sleep I've had yet. Also took a complete bath using a small pot of heated water with a few drops of Dr. Bronner's organic soap and my trusty bandana. Sally, aka Bonnie of Bonnie and Clyde spied me at whistled. Hey maybe I am losing wight?! I also used my tent stake to dig my first cat hole as there was no privy.   Sorry, but this was milestone for me.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam 
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Started reatively early today (before 8AM) headed for Fontana Dam. Got the shuttle to the Hike Inn owned by Jeff and Nancy Hoch who've owned it for 15 years. They took us to Robbinsville for shopping and dinner and brought us back to the trail next day. Great folks.