morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-01-14
To: Just an update
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well it is getting close now, 51 more days till jump off. Have planned the driving route from Boise to Dahlonega and it is a 754 day, 782 day and 668 mile day, so my first zero day will be the day before I start walking.My hiking club did a little 2 1/2 hour hike up to Tablerock here in Boise on Saturday, about 1000' in just short of a mile. The temp when we started was 7 degrees and I still sweated thru my Smartwool base layer, fleece and down jacket. My beard was a block of ice as was the hair on my forehead when I stopped for a breather. Learned an already known lesson here, if you are vigorously working/walking/climbing you do not feel the cold. When you stop for a while it's a different story. The sad part of this adventure is I was the only one in the group that even broke a sweat. Hopefully a few weeks on the trail in ga/nc will tune me up a little better. I also don't anticipate those temps in georgia in March.Food plan for the first 70-80 meals will be Mountain House. I will be buying the bulk cans and zip locking the meals. They have such variety this should work for a while with a few mail drops. Adjust and adapt will be the watchwords so we will see how it goes, I may be convenience store and town resupplying as many do.Still need just a few items of gear and want to get the Nikon AW 100 camera. It sounds bulletproof with good trail features like waterproof, shock/drop proof, gps, 1080 hd vid etc. I do want to record this adventure of lifetime as well as I can. Other little odds and ends, a stic pic, water bag, eye glasses strap in case, no make that for when I fall. BTW I was in Oregon on the coast where my son's joined my wife and I for Christmas. Did a hike of 6-8 miles with my youngest son (24) and it rained all day and had been raining for a few days before. This was a from river to mountain hike in the very wet and steep foliage. In that 8 miles I fell twice, so if that transfers to the AT I suppose I can count on falling over a thousand times, hopefully it won't be raining and wet every day. I have been reading all the new entries in TJ on a daily basis and am glad to see new 13er's signing on. Looking forward to meeting many of you out there, till then Rambling Rex signing out.
Date: 2013-03-01
To: 5 days to go
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It is Friday afternoon in Boise, Id. and I am packed and will hit the road in the early morning to head to Georgia. My lovely wife Nancy and I will leave Idaho, drive through Utah, Wyoming and down into Colorado tomorrow and spend the night in Fort Collins. On Sunday from Fort Collins, through Kansas and into Missouri to Columbia for the night. Monday from Missouri to Dahlonega. I will take a zero on Tuesday and rest up from the 2100+ mile drive in those three days, spend the night Tuesday at Hiker Hostel and start from USFS 42 at Springer on Wednesday morning.That 2100+ miles in three days will be followed by 2100+ miles in between 5 and 6 months. That's the plan anyway.As for being in shape for the hike, that will take place over the coming weeks going through the Ga./NC. mountains. I have been going to the gym at BSU 3 to 4 times a week and working mainly on upper body. My biggest concern in the cardio, but cardiologist gave the go ahead. For the last week or two I have been waking up consistently between 3 and 4 every morning and just dozing off and on till I get up between 5 and 6 (retired). I am hoping the fatique and exhaustion will help me sleep through the night on the trail. Night time vitamin I should help also. My most extreme luxury item is a Big Agnes Q-Core air mattress at 35 oz. Hey a guy has to have his sleep right?Just checked the weather for the 10 day out for that part of the world and it looks fantastic for a start. Wednesday the start day is high 49 with a low of 29 and partly cloudy with 20 percent chance of showers, Thursday 56/34 sunny and zero chance, Friday 61/39 sunny with zero, Saturday 64/45 PC 10 percent and the same for Sunday. If this holds true I couldn't have asked for better starting weather. Compare that to the starters for the last couple weeks....'thank you Lord'.Made a few other minor changes, one I had not had a haircut since last May after I retired and was it long. Well back to the 'business' length. I don't look quite as redneck....give me a few weeks though.Not happy with my pack, it is approx 30 lbs with four days of food and without water. Approx because I am using bathroom scales. It is not so much the weight (I am 6'3" 235lbs) as it is the bulges in the pack (similar to my own bulges which I hope to lose and get under 200), had to put it all in with a shoe horn. This is in a Deuter 65 + 10 pack. Looking forward to getting beyond the Smoky's so I can send hold some of the winter stuff. On trailjournals there are 41 starters this week, my guess is there will be at least 60 when they post for next week. On Wednesday Bazinga signed the register as a mid 80 starters from AFSP. I will probably be closer to 200 on the 6th.I am looking forward also to meeting the thru's that will be at Hiker Hostel that night and following their shelter entries as I am sure they will be well ahead of me after a day or two, ha ha or not.This may be the last post until I am on the trail, good luck everyone and see you out there.Ramblin Rex.....till named otherwise.
Date: 2013-03-02
To: Leaving in 10 minutes
Miles today: 0.0

Car is almost loaded and will be leaving before 6:30 (thirty minutes late). Three days on the road and then in Georgia. That late comment above, I don't think that sort of attitude will apply very often when I actually start walking the trail.It has been a long time coming and it is finally here. Future post should be much more interesting. Till then then.Rex
Date: 2013-03-06
From: Springer Mtn

To: Hawk Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light snow

Day one arrived. My wife Nancy and I spent last night at the Hiker Hostel outside Dahlonega in a cozy bedroom on the bottom floor. There were lots of people staying at Hiker Hostel who were all starting today. Some chose to start with the Amicolola Approach Trail..I and 6 others opted to go up Forest road 42 to access the beginning of the trail on Springer Mtn via shuttle.I have been walking with Two-socks from Chesapeake, Virginia and Yogi from Carbondale, Illinois. The shuttle let us off just before 10 am..with winds up to 35 mph..and a "balmy" 23 degrees..just TOO cold! We started hiking in the ice and snow..and the almost 9 miles by the end seemed so much longer than that!We got to Hawk Mtn shelter and it was full..about 30 people staying at the shelter tonight so I am in my tent. So many interesting people out here..from so many places..Luke from England..someone else from Atlanta, Idaho...just all over. Hard to keep your enthusiasm up in cold like this...but I am on my way!!!
Date: 2013-03-07
From: Hawk Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Temperature warmed up today...snow is melting and not too bad. Still trying to get used to my boots and the constant up...you know what they say..'what doesn't kill you makes you stronger'...or at least I hope! Met up with a guy today from Colorado who is a thru hiker. He is carrying 76.2 lbs in his pack! Unbelievable!! And I thought my start weight of 37 lbs was way too much! Think he will have to get rid of some of that if he wants to really make it.I can tell you dehydrated food and protein bars are already getting old!
Date: 2013-03-08
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: few clouds

Another warm day for hiking..with beautiful blue skies and just wispy clouds. A bit of "trail magic" in the gap today when Two-socks and I came down one long stretch before starting back up again. For those of you who do not hike regularly, 'trail magic' refers to times when very kind people (often called 'trail angels') set up grills near the trail to offer support to hikers passing by..offering wonderful food (or so it seems at the time). I had 3 hotdogs and potato chips with a coke! Sounds mundane to you probably but after eating trail mix, protein bars and dehydrated food, hotdogs and chips are absolutely wonderful! Sometimes the 'trail angels' don't even stay around but put out coolers with soft drinks, cold beer and sandwiches. Many times these 'trail angels' have been thru-hikers themselves..but sometimes they are just kind and caring people. Another great thing happened today as well. I met and got my photo taken with a former thru hiker with the nickname AWOL..who actually wrote the trail guide most of us are using to ease our way with tips and details that are invaluable. AWOL also has written other books describing his experiences that I read to help me get prepared. Glad I was able to meet him! It really is a 'small world' out on the trail..And the final great thing today? I was able to talk to my wife and sons...what can I say..miss them! But I am grateful for this experience and appreciate all their support of my effort.
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: clear sky

Blood Mtn nearly did me in! Blood Mtn is the highest peak on the Georgia section of the AT with an elevation of 4458 feet..I think I felt every one of them! Have to admit that it is times like this that you really think about why you are out here.We finally made it to Neels Gap only to find all the beds in the hostel were already taken and that the grill was going to close in 20 minutes. So I settled for hot dogs and then walked down the hill .2 miles to cabins for rent where Two-socks and I elected to stay. Twice the amount of money than what I budgeted but hey..I needed a real bed and a shower! We had two double beds in the cabin and a bathroom we only shared between the two of us rather than a bunk bed and a bathroom shared with all..so I think we came out ahead. There was a satellite tv in the room as well but we could not get it to work ..oh well, sleep was more important at that point.I could have picked up my first mail drop at Neels Gap when I first got in but decided I didn't want to have to carry the extra weight down the hill to the cabins and back up again..so I will grab it in the morning. The owner of the cabins allowed me to call my wife long distance on his land line telephone since no cell coverage..just to let her know I got in. As exhausted as I was, we didn't talk long!
Date: 2013-03-10
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter but stopped 4 miles short
Miles today: 7.1

Guess you could say we 'slept in' this morning..probably needed it to gather the energy to start back up the mountain! Yogi..the 33 yr old former Air Force person from Carbondale, Illinois, decided to forge on without Two-socks and I..cannot say I blame him.We didn't leave until about noon by the time we hiked the .2 miles back up to Neels Gap and I picked up my food drop box. My pack weighed around 42 lbs by the time I added the new food supply items..I will need to eat in a hurry to reduce the weight!More tall mountains to scale and with extra weight... with the later start, we did not reach our goal of Low Gap Shelter. Decided to tent camp along with others about 4 miles short of the goal but we should be able to make it up tomorrow...although I hear we can expect some rain on Monday (tomorrow).I was in my tent preparing to go to sleep and decided to try reaching my wife on the cell phone..couldn't believe it actually went through! Was glad to talk to her..and glad to hear that my oldest son's Air Force recruiter was moving his OTS test date up from June to later this month...hope that means Nathan will get an answer about getting accepted sooner than September.
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Low Gap Shelter but stopped 4 miles short

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Made it to Low Gap Shelter by 1:00 pm Eastern time today. Was stopping for lunch but decided to go ahead and stay for the night. Two-socks and I have been walking in misty and foggy weather this morning and a chill has settled into me. We got the last two spots in Low Gap Shelter and decided it was as easy to be a day behind in our schedule as it was to be a half a day behind! Need to get by the fire and warm up..I have to remember that 'this is a passage..not a race'..especially while I am till trying to get my 'trail legs'. No doubt about it..walking the AT is hard..it feels like we go up and down 10-15 mountains every day..that is probably not the case but that is what my body seems to be telling me! Lots of climbing that makes the climb to Tablerock outside of Boise, Idaho look like 'dancing in a play pen'! At this shelter we are staying in tonight, you even have to climb a mountain to reach the privy! Tomorrow's hike should be a little more rolling and I may decide to come off the trail for a night spent in Helen, GA in a hotel...depends on how bad the rain is and how I feel when I get to the point on the the trail to access Helen..Off to eat as much as I can to get/stay warm..and lighten my pack!
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Just a note to explain why you see a new trail name above my entries. The link has not changed but my trail name is now FIFTEEN. The guys I am hiking with thought 'Ramblin Rex' sounded like I was a Georgia Tech fan. Since I am a dedicated and die hard 'ALABAMA--Roll Tide' fan...they gave me the new name of 'Fifteen'..making fun of the size of my boots! They said my boots were almost half the length of my pack! Oh well..I suppose my new trail name could have been worse!Today was a 7.3 mile day but seemed the easiest walk so far. There were still 'ups and downs'..always seem to be on the Appalachian Trail! But there was no single 1000+ foot climb. We ended up at Blue Mountain Shelter by mid-afternoon and claimed our spot in the shelter.
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Camping off trail at Mile point 62
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

The day started and we planned to go to the Tray Mountain Shelter but after going down--and I mean what felt like straight down--for 2.2 miles to Unicoi Gap in the bitter cold, I was ready for a night in a hotel in Helen, Georgia. Two-socks was waiting for me at Unicoi Gap. All the others had forged ahead and since Two-socks was pushing on, I went on as well. Let me explain how difficult the rest of that day was...While we all meet up each night at certain locations, we walk the AT trail on any given day at our own pace...which usually puts me last! Starting from Unicoi Gap, the trail wastes no time in carrying hikers up Rocky Mountain. The peak of Rocky Mountain is at an elevation of 4,028 feet. The trail gains over 1,000 feet in elevation from Unicoi Gap to the top of Rocky Mountain and it grinds steadily up for the entire distance. It is definitely a shock to the respiratory system if you have not hiked in a while or are carrying a heavy load. The trail then descends down Rocky Mountain as quickly as it ascended. From the top of Rocky Mountain to Indian Grave Gap the trail loses over 800 feet in elevation. The trail then begins the long continuous ascent to the top of Tray Mountain. Cold..cold..oh so cold! And at least twice I received messages along the way from my hiking 'partners' ahead of me that they had decided to go on past Tray Mountain Shelter to the first place they could find for tent camping. Since Tray Mtn Shelter is actually .2 miles off the AT, I just kept walking on without ever seeing the shelter itself...trying to catch up. The trail descends quickly on the backside of Tray Mountain. I kept going but by now the daylight was going to fade soon. I decided to stop at about mile point 62..miles short of where the others were staying at what I found out to be Sassafras Gap. Instead, I went off the AT trail for a short distance and pitched my tent. (Not supposed to but I couldn't go any further) Imagine this...it is getting colder by the minute..I am out of fuel so I cannot heat water to make the dehydrated food edible..I ate what few snacks I had left..drank a little water because there was little left..and prepared to go to bed. I started shaking..teeth chattering away..and felt like hypothermia was possibly setting in. Climbed into my sleeping bag and tried to focus on getting my teeth to stop chattering...and hoped for the best!
Date: 2013-03-14
To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

I woke to a cold morning with no food and little water. My fingers were not working so well and I had trouble 'pinching' the devices necessary for taking down my tent. Finally had to use two sticks to apply enough pressure to loosen the poles, etc.I started walking and did catch up with the rest of my hiking group...they were still at Sassafras Gap. When I got there, Two-socks offered me a can of chicken that you open with a pop-top. I opened it and ate the chicken with my fingers..and drank all the juices! He did offer to boil water so that I could mix up something else but I said no...I just wanted a little water and I was ready to get to Dick's Creek Gap where we could meet the shuttle to the Blueberry Patch Hiker Hostel in Hiawassee, Georgia. Have to tell you Two-socks has been fantastic...as well as the others--BearCat, Tuesday, and DBCooper. I do not want to imagine how I would have done so far without their enthusiasm and encouragement. I feel certain I would still be on the trail..but somehow it just makes things easier when you share the misery..uh..er...experience!We called from Powell Mtn, 2 miles up from Dick's Creek Gap, to alert the Blueberry Patch that another group of hikers were on their way. The shuttle arrived 15 minutes after we reached Dick's Creek Gap. A big shout out to Gary and Lennie Poteat, hosts of the Blueberry Patch Hostel, for all their kindness and assistance. Everything is done by donation at whatever level you can afford...no specific amount is charged. Super people, very clean and the nicest place yet. Absolutely fantastic breakfast the next morning with homemade blueberry syrup for your pancakes! You can only stay one night so that there is room for the next group who arrives. Gary even loaned us his car the night we arrived so that we could drive into Hiawassee to eat. We went to Daniel's Steakhouse to partake of the 'all u can eat' buffet...much to my surprise I could only eat one plate of food..plus salads..plus 3 desserts..but everyone else had two full plates! Best fried chicken I have had in a while. And we woke the next morning to clean clothes washed by the owners...It is experiences like these that make the difficult times a distant memory.
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Budget Inn, Hiawassee, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Every now and then you have to take a 'zero' day where you can warm up, take a shower, wash clothes and catch up on your eating! All of us decided to take a zero day in Hiawassee, Georgia. We couldn't stay at the Blueberry Patch another night...needed to leave room for new thru-hikers coming through. So, the next morning after that wonderful breakfast including homemade Blueberry syrup for our pancakes, we were shuttled over to the Budget Inn where I had sent my first mail drop. I picked up my mail drop and immediately realized that I had shipped way too much food to try to carry with me...I can't eat double just to try to cut down on the weight! We settled in to the Budget Inn after lunch and it was then that I first noticed my fantastic pocket knife was gone! I called back to the Blueberry Patch to see if the owners had seen it..after all, it was a $100 well made and sharp pocket knife...did not want to see it gone! Not there though...and I remembered then that a few shelters back someone had held up a knife asking if anyone had lost one. Sad to say I felt my pocket and THOUGHT it was there but what was in my pocket was something else. I'll have to see if I can get in touch with the guy back at the shelter who found the knife and asked about it..maybe he held on to it. In the meantime, I went to the local camping supply store to buy a cheap replacement so I could cut up food, etc. while on the trail.
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Dick's Creek Gap

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

Got up around 6:30 am to eat breakfast and prepare to get back on the road..us.er.trail! The shuttle back left Hiawwasse around 9 am. There were 11 people in the shuttle..three left first at Unicoi Gap..the rest of us went on to Dicks Creek Gap. My pack in the shuttle somehow was put in upside down. When we got to Dicks Creek Gap, my wonderful new camera fell out of the pocket onto the shutlle seat and I didn't see it. Thank goodness TwoSocks noticed the camera had fallen out of my pack and brought it over to me..would hate to lose it too!From Dicks Creek, the trail begins climbing immediately and steadily, rising about 500 feet in the first mile or so. In fact, we walked mostly uphill that day. Other than being tired from what felt like constant up, there was ONE HIGHLIGHT from the day..WE HIKED OUT OF GEORGIA INTO NORTH CAROLINA, FINISHING OUR FIRST STATE!!!!It took me about 6.5 hours of hiking, arriving at Bly Gap around 4:30 pm Eastern time. Many were already in camp as I began setting up my tent. Bly Gap is actually 0.1 miles north of the NC/ GA state line. The only way you know that you have crossed into North Carolina is from a small wooden sign attached to a tree right on the trail. While sitting in camp you can hear the hikers who reach that point yell out 'yahoo!' or 'hooray' noting they had finished the first state in this long 12 state hike. Camp is up a short hill on a knoll after passing a distinctive and well recognized red oak tree. It felt good to have reached this point!
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1

We went further today than any day so far..a total of 12.1 miles. We had not planned to go that far but the last 3 miles downhill off of Standing Indian Mountain were 'gently' downhill. Wanted to try to make up time from the shorter days.Located in the Nantahala Wilderness Area, Standing Indian Mountain is the highest point along the Appalachian Trail (elevation 5498 ft) south of the Smokey Mountains. Views from the top can be spectacular regardless of the time of year.When we reached Beech Gap, a steady cold rain started. We got in our tents and it stopped after awhile. But it had rained enough to get everything wet so it made night time preparations difficult.