morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-02-25
To: Winter, Winter Go Away!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Another cold, dark, wintry day here in the Deep South. It's raining now but is to turn to ice and snow later on during the day. Glad I was able to get out and walk for an hour or so yesterday. Doesn't look like today will be that inviting. Even though the wind yesterday was strong enough you could bite into it, I was nice and warm in my windy day layers. My Marmot Wind Shirt is wonderful! The best $50 dollars I ever spent!Have begun to think I should change my trail name to 'Walking Wounded' or some such moniker. My foot is still plaguing me. My knee hurts. And yesterday I choked on a piece of corn bread and somehow in the ensuing coughing fit I threw my back out. I'M A MESS!Actually, I've learned that adversities are a blessing and useful in preparing us for what lies ahead. I firmly believe that the physical woes I'm experiencing now will only deepen my resolve and will see me through some tough times out on the trail.One month from today my wife is to drop me off at the Hostel in Dahlonega. It seems a bit surreal that I'm now down to only a matter of weeks before the adventure begins. I told GORP how weary I have become with my pre-hike fidgeting of packing and repacking my bag, checking and rechecking my gear, filling and refilling my first drop box. Agh! Will this winter never end?How do you like my hat? Isn't it a thing of beauty? It should do a good job of shading my noggin' if and when the sun ever comes back out and warms up.Well, more and more of our Class are beginning to venture out there into the Georgia hills, heading north. Some might marvel how it has taken those few early hikers nearly two months just to get through the Smokies. Not me. I know what the NC mountains can be like and how icy those sections can become. Be safe out there, everyone.
Date: 2015-03-04
To: Closer Still
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everybody. Time is fleetingly passing by and that March 26 start date will soon be upon me. Went back to my doctor yesterday and got the injection in my right foot for the plantar fasciitis. Talking about almost immediate results -- I feel like I've a new foot. NO PAIN!!! Can't say that for the injection, however. That was painful. But then perhaps I'm just a big baby. Drop boxes nearly ready. One is sealed up and addressed but I've another purchase to include in the second one. I'll wait till I get up to NC to ship them. Just got off the phone with a friend who lives east of Asheville. Rudy has accompanied me on several section and day hikes in the past. I'm trying to encourage him to consider meeting me at the I-40 crossing just north of the Smokies and hike into Hot Springs with me. That would be fun but he's got to get some walking in to get ready for it. He's also looked into Amtrak service from Bangor down to the Carolinas should I decide to go that route to get back home post hike. I love trains!Well, excitement continues to build. I've only eight days before I depart from our home here in Mississippi and head up to the cabin. Sure hope winter begins to fade away soon. I'm ready for Spring.
Date: 2015-03-11
To: Will It All Fit?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, tomorrow we leave for North Carolina. I feel like I'm packing everything I own as I've no clear idea what weather extremes to expect up in the mountains over the next couple of weeks. The Mrs and I are looking forward to getting up to our cabin, do some clean-up around the place following a rough winter. I hope to get in some good hilly walking over the next fourteen days prior to my hike.The backpack is nearly ready. As you can see, I've a few more items to cram in somewhere. I find that I'm still delaying my decision on several pieces of gear until I get up to the cabin. I'm confident that the day the Mrs drives me down to Dahlonega to drop me off I'll still be wavering over my selections. Agh!Been reading journals. We've a great class of hikers out there already or preparing for this year's assault on Katahdin. Can't wait to meet as many as I can. Being a slow hiker and committed to a slow start, I've little hope of catching up with those who are several weeks up the trail already. Oh well.The foot continues to improve. I've been walking steadily for a number of days now since my injection and all systems seem GO! We will see how it holds up but I am hoping for the best. Thanks to all who passed along personal advice and encouraging messages.Ran across an A.T. Weather site which may prove useful. It is: www.atweather.org which allows you to see the weather and forecast at any shelter along the trail. I've saved it to my iPhone and will try it out to see if it gives me an accurate heads up on what I'll be walking into.Okay, take care everyone. See you out there soon.!
Date: 2015-03-13
To: Greeting A Mountain Morning
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A Mountain Morning! How glorious!Sunrise is to come at 7:43 but I've been up by just before 7:00. Peering up through the canopy of limbs I can see the sky beginning to grow steadily lighter. But it will take a while for any real light to reach the cabin over the mountain behind. That's okay. I'm in no hurry. A light rain has begun to fall and the forecast is for more rain today. Sitting here on my deck, high up among the tree tops, I strategize how I'll go about packing up my gear on such a morning once out on the trail. My normal method is to reach out of my tent just far enough to set the stove up under the fly. Then set some water to boil for coffee. I like to keep with me ( in the tent) a packet or two of my breakfast mix so I'm not forced to go out in the rain to retrieve my food bag. Once the water is hot I have breakfast and read a bit in my small Bible. When done, I climb out of my warm bag and struggle into my cold, wet-from-yesterday clothes grumbling and yelling as little as possible. While the pad is deflating, I stuff my bag back into its sack and empty my pillow contents back into the clothing sack. Virtually all my gear can be stuffed back into my pack before I exit the tent. With my rain gear on, I finally climb out of my nylon cocoon to great the dripping new day. After retrieving my food bag from its perch (assuming I remember where the tree is) I load it into the top of my pack and begin to take down the tent, wiping off as much water as I can, folding it in on itself so as to prevent water from reaching the interior. The tent I fit into an exterior pocket on my pack. So all my chores are done. I then do some stretching and splash some more wake-up water on my face. If I've camped near a water source I like to tank up with water and then refill my bottle. Then I'm ready to go. Well, it's a plan anyway. It's now 7:50. The sky is light enough to perceive the socked in cloud cover we well have today. Early in the morning I'm always struck by the smells on a rainy morning in the woods. There is an earthiness to it as well as the cleanness of the rain. What a great day to be here in my beloved mountains -- a cup of hot coffee in my hand, sitting out on my deck watching the sunrise!
Date: 2015-03-16
To: A Bug Explosion
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A BUG EXPLOSION I guess the gnats and other insects were just hiding in the ground just waiting for Spring to arrive. In any event, with the warmth of these last days there has been a virtual explosion of these flying pests. They're everywhere -- in your eyes, ears, and your mouth -- if it's open. I'm sure gonna be packing some insect repellent next week when I step onto the trail. Still, I'm so glad for the sunshine and the moderating of temps. Looking at the forecast for here in the NC mountains, the daytime temps over the next week will average in the upper sixties. It was seventy-three yesterday. And the nights will average in the mid-forties. I believe Spring is trying to establish itself. Glad for the opportunity to get in some walking here on some real hills. Our cabin sits in the woods on the side of a mountain halfway up a winding dirt road. It's a great place for me to do plenty of ups and downs, testing the knees and giving the old ticker a work out. I'm hopeful it will help prepare me for those Georgia hills.
Date: 2015-03-24
To: Before Heading to Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

On the Eve of heading to Georgia, there's so much to do I feel the necessity to sit out in my rocker and reflect and plan -- okay, rock and snooze -- before getting down to the last minute chores. Today is the time for a final shake down of my pack. There remain a few items I'm debating leaving out. Perhaps the rule ought to be -- When in doubt, don't pack it!Also discovered a problem with my email account and iPhone. So I've got to track down some help today. No hiking today or tomorrow (travel day). So the legs should be good and rested for Thursday. Talked with Leigh and reservation at the Hostel is confirmed. Food bag is nearly ready. I've a couple of items in the refrigerator to throw in before we leave the cabin here in NC. So today I'm taking it easy. Just rocking away. Listening to the birds and checking the forecast for the next few days. Looks as if Gorp and I may be able to get started without getting drenched. More later from the Trail.
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Before Heading to Georgia

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 17.2

This is the first chance I've had to update my journal. So let me get you caught up. DAY ONE:We woke in the dark at the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega on Thursday. I hardly slept at all as there was a guy in my room who snored loud enough to wake the dead. He was the only one who slept and woke up rested. The breakfast was great -- pancakes sand oatmeal and eggs and juice and coffee. Got shuttled up to the parking lot one mile north of Springer. It was raining when started up the mountain and continued for most of the morning. I think the sun finally broke through around Noon. Rough first day -- no hills in Mississippi are adequate to prepare you for these Georgia hills. Decided to call it a day when we reached Hawk Mtn Shelter. Got there around three and was able to get settled in for the night and rest up before cooking dinner -- Chilli Mac.The night was interesting as the Army Rangers were doing night exercises nearby. I fell asleep to the sound of their gun fire and Helios. Around 11:00 it began to rain and rained all night. DAY TWO:Woke to a temp of 30 degees, fog, and very windy. In fact, the wind was brutal all day. I had multiple layers on and was still cold. Several tough climbs today -- Sassafras Mtn, Justus Mtn, Gooch Mtn and a number of other hills. On the downhill portions I was able to engage in what ought to be an Olympic event -- Downhill Mud Skiing. It is a difficult sport -- not for the faint of heart. We made it to Gooch Gap and there were five of us standing there freezing and trying to figure what we should do. Forecast for tonight is around 25 and tomorrow night around 23. In fact there are snow flurries outside even as I sit here typing. So we decided to give a call to the folk at the Hostel in Suches to see if they had room for us. They did and drove out to Gooch Gap to fetch us. So here I am -- snug, warm, and clean at the hostel. It should be another cold day tomorrow but we hope only to do nine miles to Jarrard Gap and get these same good folk to pick us up again to avoid the freezing temps tomorrow night.
Date: 2015-03-28
From: Gooch Gap

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light snow

What a difference a day makes. It was cold today but we had blue skies and plenty of sunshine all day. When walking on the sheltered side of a ridge it was almost warm and we would be stripping off the layers only to put them back on again when we reached the top or crossed over to the windy side. Can't remember how many times this happened. But a great day for hiking. We got dropped off at Gooch Gap around 11:10. Several good pulls before Woody Gap. There we met Chicago, a young lady from -- you guessed it! We also were reunited with D.No and his wife C.Shell. They are a neat couple. Anyway, we sat at Woody Gap with our backs to the bathroom and soaked up some sun. Some kind soul had left a box of lemon squares for us hikers. Yum! I also downed a Mellow Yellow I packed out this morning from the hostel. I'm convinced the caffeine helped get me up the afternoon climbs. From the gap we climbed Cedar Mtn. When we reached Preacher Rock I tried preaching a little sermon for the group from Psalm 18 where David speaks of The Lord having set his feet upon a rock and establishing him in a wide place. With the view behind me it seemed appropriate. Walked and chatted with Chicago to Lance Creek where she was spending the night. Then Fire-ice and Gorp and I continued on. Near Burnett Mtn we found Yukeale and Paige sitting on a log resting. These two gals were with us last evening at the hostel. Finally got down to Jarrard Gap -- the beginning of the bear canister rule. Called for our shuttle and got back to the hostel. Nice day. Tomorrow-- Blood Mtn.
Date: 2015-03-29
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

A short day today -- only five miles. But oh what a workout those five gave me. Up and over Blood Mountain is not easy and the downhill into the gap here is nothing short of bone-jarring! But what a beautiful day God gave us today! Very cold early on (19 degrees last night) but the sun warmed things up. Still, I kept on my Multiple layers all day. It's so nice to be here at the hostel and to have made it down off of Blood this time without hurting myself. Thank the Lord!Ran into Baltimore Jack -- an A.T. Legend -- here at Neels. Got a photo and will try to post it. I will also try to get a shot of Emma tossing her worn out shoes up into the tree here. It's traditional. Okay, take care all.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Neels Gap

To: Early Reflections
Miles today: 0.0

It's five o'clock this Monday morning. The storm we've been expecting has just arrived. Lightning is flashing all around and the thunder is reverberating among the surrounding peaks. The hostel here sits in a high gap so we're privileged to hearing the wind start way down in the valley and come rushing up toward us. Glad I'm inside!These first few days on the trail have been good but tough. Georgia is hard hiking. You don't have your legs or lungs yet so even moderate climbs or descents can prove difficult. Best advice? Just take it easy. I've already met several hikers who have pushed too hard, too early. Of course the cold doesn't help as your muscles are slow to warm up. Glad we've had beautiful sunshine these past two days. Pluses? The forest floor has been littered with blooming Bloodroot. These tiny white blossoms have been everywhere. Also the Trillium is sprouting up and almost ready to bloom. These early signs of Spring are welcomed sights indeed. Can't say enough for the folk who own and operate these early hostels. They will do anything they can to help hikers. In Suches -- which is a small rural community tucked away in a beautiful valley -- many of the neighbors who were just popping into the general store took time to speak to us and showed such interest in our hike. That's special. Meeting so many fine people is one of the great joys out here. The hostel here is full and I've met Quahog, and Special Ed, and Pikey, Strider, Grinder, Disel and so many others. I look forward to meeting up with them often as we leapfrog up the trail. Well, it's time to crawl back into the sack and grab a few more Zzzzzzz before we have to get up to face more miles.
Date: 2015-03-30
From: Early Reflections

To: Who Knows Where?
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Didn't have a signal last evening to update journal so doing it this morning from the top of Blue Mountain. Yesterday morning was another test of resolve. It was cold, wet, and very windy throughout the morning. The sun finally broke through around noon. The afternoon walking was good/ almost warm. We reached Low Gap shelter around 3:00 and decided to press on. Ended up at some unnamed spot after a 15 mile day. Tiring. But a great campsite. Got away this morning at 8:15. The 3-4 miles we've covered to Blue Mtn have been exhausting but we're having fun. My foot is hurting but the pain is manageable. We're pressing on after we eat a bit. Hope to reach Tray Mtn Shelter tonight.
Date: 2015-03-31
From: Who Knows Where?

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: broken clouds

Rough day today. We only did 11.7 today but that doesn't tell the story. We had three steep mountains to climb over. And that includes three painful descents as well. Tonight my feet and knees are hurting. I'm hopeful that a good nights sleep will restore me a good bit. The bugs were bad today. Tiny black hitting bugs. They were constantly in our eyes and ears. I think I ate a half dozen or so. When I'm climbing up a long stretch, breathing hard with your mouth open, they would just dive right into your open mouth. But hey, free protein I didn't have to carry in my pack. Another 11 miles or so tomorrow which shouldn't be quite so hard. Then we hit the Top of Georgia Hostel outside of Hiawassee for two nights -- a zero day (no miles) on Thursday. Time to hit the sack.
Date: 2015-04-01
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

What a day! First, let me apologize for causing such alarm last evening while camped up on Tray Mountain. We had just crawled into our tents around 8:00 when a thunderstorm hit. Normally they don't frighten me but being up that high you get the impression that you're right in the storm. Lightening was popping all around and the thunder was deafening. And then it began to hail. Ice-Fire took a nice picture of the ice collected off my tent. But we were fine and God wonderfully preserved and protected. We got out of camp this morning about 7:50. It was quite hot today -- at least hot for hiking. The downhills were tough on my knees and the uphills were hard on my lungs. Especially Kelly Knob -- about 900 feet seemingly straight up. But again God gave me strength. Tonight we are at the Top of Georgia Hostel just down the road from Dicks Creek Gap. It's a wonderful place staffed by knowledgeable and caring people. We've decided to take a Zero tomorrow -- no hiking. We've some things to do in Hiawassee. So rest will be the order of the day. On the nature front -- the Trillium is beginning to bloom. Also heard several woodpeckers and one owl. Also saw the evidence where wild hogs had been rooting around for acorns. That's about it. More to share tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a much needed rest day. Other than the mile or so we may have walked when we went into Hiawassee for lunch and to pick up a few essentials -- other than that we've done no hiking today. Tomorrow is to be sunny and cloud free as we move into North Carolina, leaving Georgia behind. Not much news to report today. Oh, I did step onto the scales here and it shows I've lost ten lbs so far. That's something. This Thru-hiking thing is hard. Each day is a trial and then the following day you just have to do it again. Can't say I've gotten used to being dirty and smelly constantly. Also my legs are eaten up with bug bites. Scratching these itchy places has become a pastime of sorts. Also on rainy days it's gets a little tedious walking mile after only seeing about four feet of the trail at a time, looking down from under the bill of your rain suit. But these difficulties make me even more thankful for the good guys I've got with me, the messages of encouragement received from friends and family, and the prayers from those folk back home. With all this support and The Lord's help we will keep moving up this long trail right after breakfast tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-02
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a much needed rest day. Other than the mile or so we may have walked when we went into Hiawassee for lunch and to pick up a few essentials -- other than that we've done no hiking today. Tomorrow is to be sunny and cloud free as we move into North Carolina, leaving Georgia behind. Not much news to report today. Oh, I did step onto the scales here and it shows I've lost ten lbs so far. That's something. This Thru-hiking thing is hard. Each day is a trial and then the following day you just have to do it again. Can't say I've gotten used to being dirty and smelly constantly. Also my legs are eaten up with bug bites. Scratching these itchy places has become a pastime of sorts. Also on rainy days it's gets a little tedious walking mile after only seeing about four feet of the trail at a time, looking down from under the bill of your rain suit. But these difficulties make me even more thankful for the good guys I've got with me, the messages of encouragement received from friends and family, and the prayers from those folk back home. With all this support and The Lord's help we will keep moving up this long trail right after breakfast tomorrow.
Date: 2015-04-04
From: White Oak Stamp

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: broken clouds

So, if you read the previous entry then you know what a horrendous night we had. I had crawled into my bag shaking with cold and slowly warmed up and fell asleep. Before I knew it I heard the voices of Ice-fire and Special Ed who were already up and packing. So I began that task too. I couldn't believe how scrambled my gear had gotten over night. But by 8:20 we were on the trail. There are several moderate climbs in the next mile or so before we headed down into Deep Gap. When we got there a number of groups had set up tables to serve 'Trail Magic' to the hikers. One group was serving pulled Bar-b-que sandwiches with coleslaw and baked beans. Yum! Another lady was handing out sacks of candy and Easter hard-boiled eggs. Then there was the group from the Watauga Baptist Church in Franklin which has snacks of all sorts and propel and medical supplies and toiletries. All this was great. Then, the pastor of the church and some of the church folk offered to take us into Franklin for the evening (which permits us to avoid tonight's weather of 31 degrees) and then return us to the gap tomorrow. So the three of us were brought to their church -- to a house right beside the church where we each have a bed, we were able to take showers and wash clothes and just now the pastor and his wife came and took us out to eat at Shoneys. Then tomorrow there's a short sunrise service at 7:00 followed by a breakfast at the church. After that some one will run Ice-fire and me (sadly we say good-bye to Special Ed who must fly out to Seattle for a wedding) back to Deep Gap. We should arrive just about the time the trail magic people are serving lunch -- eat again before heading up the trail. Now is this the way to do this trail or what?Finally an update on Gorp. He was taken to the Mercy Hospital in Murphy and has been receiving treatments all day. He is much better but they will be keeping him a few days to make sure his system is stablized. So, it has been a very hard but interesting couple of days and I'm about ready to hit the sack early.