morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Still in lovely Dahlonega, Georgia! I highly recommend hikers to come a few days early and enjoy this pleasant town. It is raining buckets right now -- around 7:00 in the morning -- and supposed to continue through the day. I am very happy with my decision to hit the trail tomorrow. The weather forecast through the coming weekend is sunny with a few clouds. I prefer to begin my thru-hike without the rain, though rain will most definitely be a frequent companion as I head northward.Yesterday Doug and I went to Amicalola Falls State Park where the AT begins. The approach trail to the AT is 8.8 miles from the park. We saw lots of folks hitting the trail. One group had thirteen men, probably college students on spring break. Another twosome were from southeastern Germany, and they intended to thru-hike to Maine. From what previous hikers have told me, the AT is quite international in its hiker profiles. Excellent!The falls is worth a visit. Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi River, cascades over rock ledges as the water tumbles to the forest floor.At the park (thanks to a friendly and helpful ranger named Doug in the visitor center) we got directions to a parking lot on Forest Service road 42 that puts a hiker within .9 miles of the start of the AT. Doug (my partner, not the ranger) and I decided to drive to the parking lot -- very easy to get to and the road is in great condition. We didn't know that the .9 miles is actually the beginning of the AT once you get to the top of Mt. Springer. Anyway, we hiked the .9 miles, took photos of the beginning marker for the AT, and chatted with some hikers. We then went to the shelter on top of Mt. Springer, and it was packed. Doug and I counted around 20 hikers at the shelter. Several were in the process of moving on to the next shelter because this one was so busy.Well, I have officially hiked .9 miles of the AT -- without a backpack! I made sure to pick up a stone from Mt. Springer to take with me to Mt. Katahdin. I also signed in and filled out all the information for my hike in the thru-hiker register in the visitor center in Amicalola Falls State Park. Boy, there are a lot of prepositions in that previous sentence!Today we will do laundry, and I will unpack and repack my backpack. I am carrying a lot of weight -- in the mid-to-upper thirties. I just don't know where to cut weight since I am carrying for two seasons -- late winter and spring. The folks at Neels Gap -- thirty miles down the trail -- will help me to cut some weight. Doug and I will get up early tomorrow morning, and he will drive me to the trail on Forest Service Road 42. I hope to be hiking by 7:30 in the morning. I just received word last night that my 98-year-old Mother is in the hospital in northern Indiana. She had a mini-stroke, and they are keeping her for a few days for observation. So, my load will be a little more heavy when I begin tomorrow.
Date: 2011-03-16
To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, the adventure has begun. I said a tearful good-bye to Doug at Forest Service Road 42 around 8:00 am. It was an easy five-plus mile hike to Hawk Mountain Shelter. The shelter and surrounding camping area were packed. I stopped at the shelter for a pack adjustment and some water. Under the picnic table I found a penny -- an omen for good luck? Upon entering the campsite a dog rushed up to me and started to back and growl. This somewhat pissed me off. I didn't come to hike the AT to be barked at. Letting a dog, especially with an attitude like this one, run loose is not a good idea on the AT -- or anywhere for that matter. So, I decided to push on to Gooch Mountain Shelter -- 7.3 miles down the road. I arrived at the Gooch Mountain Shelter at around 4:30 -- dead tired! Many thanks to Bumble Bee for letting me use her cellphone to find out that my Mother arrived home from the hospital. Then I downed a couple of Advil PM and had a rather uneven night of sleep.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Wood's Hole
Miles today: 12.0

I am really tired . . . northern Georgia mountains have a lot of ups and downs. Unlike many trails, particularly in the West, the AT in Georgia has few hairpin turns. The AT goes straight up a mountain and then straight down. It takes a while to develop hiking legs for this kind of terrain. I realized that my backpack was not fitting properly. My shoulders were carrying too much of the weight. This is not good. When I get to Neels Gap, I intend to make some adjustments to my backpack. I will also do a shakedown of the contents of my backpack. The staff will go through the contents and tell you what you need and don't need.The Georgia woods still look like winter. I am sure that many of the vistas will disappear when the trees bud out.
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Wood's Hole

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

It was another night of not sleeping too well. I am not used to going to bed at 8:30 in the evening, which is bedtime for AT hikers. I then wake up around 3:00 am and doze on and off until I get up. Anyway, I began the day with a difficult climb up Blood Mountain, but the vista was so worth it. But typical with the AT in Georgia, the going down was even more of a bitch. I am spending the night at the hiker hostel at Neels Gap -- will also do laundry, write postcards, take a shower after having a backpack shakedown.I am thoroughly enjoying meeting the different folks along the way. They come from everywhere, including overseas. I met several hikers from Cologne, Germany. They said that their public television ran a show on the AT. As a result, they are here attempting the hike to Maine. I can't imagine preparing for a hike half-way around the world, but they are doing it!
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

It was a very warm day hiking. The bugs were out, and keeping moving was the only way to avoid them.After a puff and a grunt over another northern Georgia mountain, I came across trail magic at Hogpen Gap. A church group from southwest of Atlanta had come up for the day to pass out hot dogs, ice-cold water or soft drinks, snack chips, Jolly Ranchers, Tootsie Rolls, and energy bars. It was delightful to sit and chat with them while enjoying their treats. They took down my e-mail address, and I hope to hear from them so that I can tell them how far I make it on the AT.This is something that I recommend to all future hikers on the AT: Take down the name(s) of the folks who provide trail magic and thank them. Trail magic is so much a part of trail life, and it should not be taken for granted.Two blisters have formed -- one of each foot. Going downhill scrunches my toes, and the days ahead have two 4,000-foot mountains on my agenda.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mountain
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a short day of hiking. I left Low Gap at 8:00 am and was at Blue Mountain at 12:15 pm. I took it easy today because my body is telling me to slow down. I think I am pushing myself much too hard in the beginning.The moon last night was gorgeous. While in the shelter, I watched the moon appear through the clouds and hang around for a while. I felt like humming Cat Stevens' "Moonshadow"!
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Blue Mountain

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a very exhausting day. The hike today had two mountains -- Rocky and Tray (both over 4,000 feet) -- on the schedule. I was really tired when I crawled into myl sleeping bag.I woke up to a fog that had settled in overnight. Moisture was dripping off the trees. As I began moving around in the shelter, I noticed some mouse turds in my coffe cup. Also, they had gotten into my backpack and nibbled on some of my ziploc bags, including the one with my beard brush! So, I am going to try to stay out of shelters unless it is raining. After all, I am packing a 4.5-pound tent with me. I may as well use it! And I don't want mouse turds in my coffee either!
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Tray Mountain

To: Dick Creeks Gap (Hiawassee, Georgia)
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I had one huge hill climb and bunches of small ups and downs. The final mile and a half was almost all downhill, and my crunched toes really felt every step!I plan to stay in Hiawasee, Georgia -- ten miles off the trail -- tonight and take a zero day tomorrow. My body needs to get some good nights' rest and to heal a little.So, I approached the highway after getting off the AT to hitchhike into town. I don't think I have ever hitchhiked before in my life! So, why not begin at 65? The first car that passes me was a county sheriff's car! Gulp! But he kept on going. The second car to come along was a lime green VW bug. It stopped, and, lo and behold, behind the wheel was a city councilman for Hiawasee! He was friendly, and we chatted about the city. He drove me around town and dropped me off at the Holiday Inn Express. I told him that I was going to spend a zero day on Wednesday. He said that on Thursday morning he was heading up the road again around 7:30 and would drop me off at the trail head. How neat! I told him that I would let him know tomorrow night about the ride because I am trying to coordinate my departure with some fellow AT hikers staying at the Hiawasee Inn.I have met some wonderful people on this hike -- both hikers and people in the area. It is so easy to forget that this world is full of good folks.Well, I am off to a cushy bed with four pillows on it. Two of the pillows have "soft" written on their covers, and two have "hard." Hmmm, will I wake up to mouse turds in my coffee cup tomorrow?
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Dick Creeks Gap

To: Dick Creeks Gap (Hiawassee, Georgia)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Ah, zero days are devoutly to be wished! I slept all right, but got up early. After a continental breakfast -- much different than a trail breakfast -- I hustled off to the single laundromat in Hiawassee . . . only to discover that it wasn't open on Wednesdays. And the washing machine at the Holiday Inn Express was broken. So, like I did in my early days in Czechoslovakia back in 1988, I did my laundry in the bathtub. Trust me, there was a ring around the bathtub when I was done! I did have a dryer to dry my clothes, so I have somewhat fresh clothes to hit the trail tomorrow.Then I went to the local grocery store -- quite impressive for a town this size -- and purchased enough food to last five days on the trail. My next town stop will be Franklin, North Carolina. Some readers have asked about personal hygiene while hiking the trail . . . like "Are you going to trim your beard?" or "Are you just going to let your hair grow?" Well, hiking the AT is not a beauty contest. I am not carrying a hair trimmer or barber scissors with me. I am carrying my beard brush, though! The answers to the previous questions are in the negative. My beard will become full instead of a goatee. And my hair -- what little I have left -- will just grow.Oh, I noticed last night after my shower that hair is growing on my ears! In Sandpoint, I usually trimmed it off. Now, I won't be able to. So, I will become the troll or hobbitt of the AT! Whoopee!While typing this entry, Bumble Bee just came into the Holiday Inn Express. I had not seen her for the past three days. She will take a zero day tomorrow. It is really good to see folks along the way . . . as we yo-yo northward!Hopefully, I will get a good night's sleep, and then I will hit the trail tomorrow with Blackbeard, Shortcut, Iron Will, and B.C. We hike well together.
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Dick Creeks Gap (Hiawassee, Georgia)

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

Blackbeard and I took a shuttle from the Holiday Inn to Dick's Creek Gap. We were on the trail by 9:30. The day was partly cloudy. Observant me walked by a snake on the trail. Blackbeard was behind me and shouted that I had passed a snake. He took a photo and said that if the snake were any closer, I would have stepped on it!Rain is in the forecast for Saturday, so we hiked a little farther today. In fact, we reached a milestone right before Bly Gap. We crossed the border between Georgia and North Carolina. We felt a little impressed that we had left our first state!We hiked a tenth of a mile to our campsite and nestled in for the night. The forecast was for temperatures to get below freezing. I lent Blackbeard my down jacket because he was not prepared for the cold temps.Ah, the joys of life on the AT!
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

I woke up to frost on my tent . . . brrrrr! It was very cold last night, and I couldn't move fast enough to break camp and get moving on the trail. Hiking the trail brings warmth to the body!Hiking out of Bly Gap was a puff and a grunt. It seems like we hikers are destined to see every rhododendrum grove at high elevation in North Carolina. Tunnels are carved in the groves, and it is incredible to walk through them. Unfortunately, we are a couple weeks too early to see the blooms, but the buds are all set.I stopped at Standing Indian Shelter at around 2:00 in the afternoon. I moved ahead of Blackbeard because he goes slow uphill. We said that we would meet at the shelter and spend the night. Well, he missed the sign (as I later found out) and moved on to Beech Gap and camped. He met up with Iron Will, Shortcut, and B.C.
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up around 6:30 to take a pee. Just then the clouds opened up. It rained nonstop from 6:30 am to 5:00 pm. It came down in sheets. It didn't take me long to make up my mind that I wasn't going to move out of the dry shelter today. So, five of us -- Earth, Megaphone, and two day hikers from Atlanta -- nestled in for the day. We watched hikers come in totally drenched, fix some hot food, and then move on. Eventually, as the day wore on, the shelter filled up. Nine of us squeezed in, and several hikers pitched their tents. The rain was unrelenting.One woman checked her Blackberry and found out that the next day was supposed to be even worse. Besides the rain, it was cold, perfect conditions for hypothermia. So, she called a shuttle service and was going to hike back two miles to meet the shuttle on a forest road.I debated whether to continue on or not, but what the hell! This is an adventure, yes?So, I fell asleep at night listening to the rain pitter-patter on the metal roof of the shelter.
Date: 2011-03-27
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

After listening to the rain all night, my spirits were not too zippy as I prepared to head out to climb Standing Indian Mountain (over 5,000 feet). I started my day with a light rain and moisture dripping off the trees.Much to my surprise, North Carolina believes in switchback on the trails. Georgia believes in going over a mountain straight up and straight down. Standing Indian Mountain was nothing going up. I motored right up to the top. Of course, I had no view because fog/mist had settled into the area. I was surprised at how many trees had come down from the previous night. One really shouldn't listen to weather forecasters. The days turned out to be wonderful for hiking. I passed by Mooney Gap, the wettest spot on the East Coast.I hiked up to the Albert Mountain Firetower, and the up hike nearly did me in. I had to scramble up rocks and not use my trekking poles. I took off my pack and scramble up the firetower for the view. It was superb. Unfortunately, my camera did not work for some reason. When I came down from the firetower, I came across five students from the University of Missouri on spring break. One offered to take several pics of me at the firetower and would e-mail them to me later. I thought that was neat, neat, neat.I stumbled into Big Spring Shelter, very tired after a wonderful day of hiking.
Date: 2011-03-28
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, North Carolina)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all last night, but it stopped around the time I hit the trail. I wanted to hike to Winding Stair Gap and hitch a ride into town. I had reservations at the Budget Inn for the night. My entire nine miles was spent hiking in the fog. I could have been hiking the same fifty yards over and over again for all the vistas I could see! At Rock Gap four retired women had set up some trail magic. They had a little grill going with hot dogs. On the picnic table were buns, condiments, potato chips, and Coke. They were the most friendly and cheerful folks one could ever meet. They were full of energy and gave me some needed nourishment. The leader of the group was a Indiana woman (Evansville) named Becky. Another was Lavonne, and I think the third one's name was Donna. I don't remember the fourth woman's name.BECKY, IF YOU READ THIS, PLEASE SEND MY YOUR E-MAIL ADDRESS. I SEEM TO HAVE LOST THE SLIP OF PAPER THAT YOU GAVE TO ME. AND I SO WANT TO THANK ALL FOUR OF YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY AND THOUGHTFULNESS. JUST DROP ME AN E-MAIL AT jhealey1945@gmail.com.Ron Haven, the owner of the Budget Inn and a trail legend, picked up four of us at Winding Stair Gap and took us into town. I checked into the motel and am going to take two zero days. My body needs time to recover from two long days of hiking. Also, thunderstorms are in the forecast for Wednesday, so I am going to take it slow out of here!
Date: 2011-03-29
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, North Carolina)

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, North Carolina)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have decided to take a couple of zero days to let my body recover from the trail. Today is a lovely day, but rains move in tomorrow. I don't feel like starting off while there is a 90% chance of rain and thundershowers. So, I will regroup over the next two days.Kind folks from the First Baptist Church here in Franklin stop by the Budget Inn at 7:15. They pick up the hikers and take them to the church for a free breakfast of pancakes, bacon, juice and coffee. This is so wonderful on the trail -- the number of local people who support the hiker community. If any future hiker is reading this journal, I suggest that you keep a list of "thank you" notes that you want to mail people when you get back home. The trail magic is unbelievable. I am keeping a list of addresses of people whom I will want to thank when I get back to Sandpoint. I will let them know how far I have hiked and how much I appreciated their generosity.Last night I went to the Roadhouse Restaurant behind the Budget Inn and downed a delicious 16-ounce t-bone steak. This is one of the advantages of hiking every day: You can eat all you want because you know you will be burning off the calories!SHORTCUT (RON): IT IS SO GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU. I AM SORRY THAT I DIDN'T GET A CHANCE TO SAY GOOD-BYE TO YOU ON THE TRAIL. I HOPE THAT YOU HAD SAFE TRAVELS BACK TO ILLINOIS. I AM KEEPING TRUCKIN' ON!
Date: 2011-03-30
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, North Carolina)

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, North Carolina)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I am into my second day of zero-ness. My body seems to be responding to hot showers, a soft bed, and a television with ESPN! After breakfast this morning at the First Baptist Church, I went to a coffee shop and nestled in with a cup of coffee. I wrote a few postcards and did some trip planning for the next two "chunks" of trail.Then I went to the post office to drop off mail and afterwards ate at Elmore's Fish Fry (located behind the Budget Inn). I highly recommend this place to eat. The prices are reasonable, the food is delicious, and the staff is very friendly. I don't think I will be eating dinner tonight. I am stuffed!I am heading back to the room and will begin packing my backpack. It is fascinating to see your entire world spread out on the spare bed. I will be carrying everything I need for the next stretch of the trip. Fortunately, no one goes without in the hiker community. If someone on the trail ends up short with food or whatever, there are always other hikers who are there to help. I don't know when I will be on a computer next. NOC is my next destination (two to three days down the trail). Then it is Fontana Dam . . . just before entering Smoky Mountain National Park. Yahoo! Another milestone!Entering the Smokies has special meaning for me. I think it was in 1955 when Scout Troop 111 from St. Matthew's School in South Bend, Indiana, went to the Smokies during the summer. There was a school bus full of squirming and loud scouts with a handful of adults. I don't remember much from the trip, but in the vague recesses of my memory I know that I had a good time. I brought back my Mother a small souvenir plate of the Smokies, which she gave back to me around ten years ago. It is a reminder that I was young once and had adventures back then!
Date: 2011-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin, North Carolina)

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

After another wonderful breakfast at the First Baptist Church (thank you, folks!), Ron Haven shuttled us back to the AT. The day was blustery -- windy and cold. By the time I got to the shelter, I was somewhat numb. I made a quick supper, ate a Snickers bar (which was partially frozen), and then hit the sack. A fog/mist was rolling up the hill to the shelter, and it was spooky. It disappeared as it got to the top because of the wind. I was very happy to snuggle into my sleeping bag. And I was doubly happy that I had purchased an extra-long sleeping bag. I am able to disappear into the depths of my bag and keep the cold air out.
Date: 2011-04-01
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow! It was one chilly night last night. Those of us in the shelter woke up to frozen water bottles and water bladders! We moved slowly out of our sleeping bags, displaying the art of dressing inside the sleeping bag before venturing out. I hit the trail immediately. I wanted to warm up by hiking. I didn't move fast because my toes were numb inside my cold boots, which I did not wear into my sleeping bag!The day never really warmed up. In the distance I could see sides of the mountains with frost on the trees. It looked like snow from a distance, but it was frost that would chunk off in the wind as I walked underneath the trees.I had some more trail magic today. I came down from a mountain, and there was a Big Agnes tent all set up . . . the hugest one I have ever seen. A guy came out and introduced himself as Grits. He hiked the AT several years ago and was paying back. He fixed me a hambuger, and I had a bag of chips and coke with it. So much for my granola bar for lunch! Trail magic is truly amazing!It was another up-and-down day of hiking in North Carolina. I was glad to hit the shelter, and soon came Bumble Bee, Moss, Millhaus, Spud, and Snake Hips. We have seemed to form a fluid hiking group. We all hike at our own pace, but seem to meet up at the day's end. I think we are wanting to stay together through the Smokies. After that, the days become longer, we become stronger, and the terrain will become less up-and-down . . . hopefully!Part of the fun of the trail is the chatter at day's end when everyone is in the shelter cooking his/her supper. We giggle, laugh, and celebrate having finished another day on the AT. It is amazing how a group of people thrown together in the most unusual of circumstances bond in a positive way. We are all encouraging one another, sharing the pains and the joys. It is like one long summer camp!