morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-07
To: The Countdown Begins
Miles today: 0.0

Just five days ¢till I catch my flight to Atlanta, so this is my last weekend sleeping in the comfort of my own bed. A few months ago, I was offered a ride to the trailhead by fellow WhiteBlaze.net hiker ¢Phreak¢. He will be picking me up at the Atlanta airport early in the morning of the 12th to take me to the trailhead and has decided to join me for the first 3-4 days of my hike. That is a very unexpected and pleasant bonus. Not only that, but his girlfriends, Suzi and/or Maggie might join us. If you want to see why his trailname is Phreak, just take a look at any of his journal entries. The mileage he covers is Phreakish. Just checked the long term weather forecast and it is looking like I will have good weather. Good company, good weather, looks like it will be a good start the hike¢¦.
Date: 2007-04-10
To: Crunch Time
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow night, I take a red-eye flight into Atlanta. It is now officially crunch-time as I have gone over the check-list a couple of times, everything is packed and it looks good to go. Somehow, I am simultaneously anxious to get started but also wondering what was I thinking. In various places, I have read that it is only around 10% of the thru-hike class each year actually makes it. Those are pretty long odds and could be overwhelming if you were to dwell on it too much. Within the context of being a working stiff, I don¢t know if any amount of preparation actually would be a significant factor in the success of the hike. I have the desire, and have done what I can to give it my best shot. P.S. for those of you wondering about my last post and what my wife would think about hiking with a couple of girls, Suzi and Maggie are the canine variety. Without meaning any offence to any hikers, dogs make absolutely the best trail companions, so I am pretty happy for such company. Oh, I guess their daddy 'Phreak' will be welcome company too!
Date: 2007-04-11
To: Atlanta, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

This afternoon, my buddy, Big Pete, gave me a buzz haircut. Right now, I¢m sitting in the airport with a naked head feeling like everyone is staring at me. My wife, Sharon, dropped me off at 6:00 pm and we said our goodbyes before I disappeared into the security check jungle. She sure is a trooper.What a nightmare the flights were. My 7:10 flight to Denver was over an hour late to take off. It was a bit dicey when I had to catch a connecting flight to Atlanta. The pilot tried to make up some time and the seat-back TB showed the flight progress and speed/altitude. He was going 610+ mph @ 39,000 ft. Here¢s why we departed Denver so late: the flight loaded on time, but when the loading concourse pulled away, it bent the aircraft door. After finding a new plane we finally took off about 1 12 hours late.If I thought the last pilot put the hammer down, this one has us upto 640+ mph. We landed in Atlanta only 12 hour late.Added another picture of the top view of the new hair do in the photos section.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Springer Mountain Terminus

To:  Justus Creek
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

April 12, 2007 Thursday (Day 1: Springer Mountain Terminus to Justus Creek         (13.6 miles)After getting my luggage from the carrousel, I stepped onto the curb just as Brian (¢Phreak¢) swung by. The timing was perfect. We stopped for breakfast at IHOP and headed to the Amo Falls Vistors Center where I signed in. Brian then drove us around to the USFS 42. We reached the top of Springer Mountain. Brian then drove to Neels Gap and hiked back towards Springer as I started to head towards Justus Creek. He covered the 17 miles from 2:00pm to 7:00pm. (17 miles in 5hours). I arrived at Justus Creek just before 6:00pm having left USFS 42 at 11:30am (13 miles in 6.5 hours). Found a nice camping spot and collapsed. Did not see another hiker the whole way until those already camped at Justus Creek, however I did see about 50 rangers fully armed in training.
Date: 2007-04-13
From:  Justus Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: scattered clouds

April 13, 2007 Friday (Day 2: Justus Creek to Neels Gap)                (16.9 Miles)I had a small breakfast of a cup of hot cocoa. My stomach has been out of sorts and I have not been able to keep any food down. The hot cocoa was just right.I headed out of camp at 9:30 am. Brian left at 10:30 giving me an hour head start. He caught up with me just before noon. We had a nice lunch at Woody Gap and I was finally able to keep solid food down (two granola bars and some beef jerky). There is a storm that is supposed to come through tomorrow. I wanted to make it to the hostel at Neels Gap.I rolled into Neels Gap at 6:30 pm. So, yesterday, it took me 9 hours to cover the same distance Brian did in 5 hours.This trail is kicking my butt!I can¢t even manage 2 mph when I can usually do 2.5+ mph back home.I was too late for a hot meal, but did get a nice hot shower and a bunk in a community bunk room. I think hiking with Brian and his two girls on my first day maybe the highlight of my hike.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Neels Gap

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

April 14, 2007 Saturday (Day 3: Zero day at Neels Gap)        ( 0.0 Miles)I woke up at 8:00 am after the so-so night. The hostel has about 14 bunks in a single room so it was a bit noisy. At 8:30 am the outfitter was open for business so I could get quarters to do a for a load of laundry. By 10:00 am the forecast was that the rain would roll through in the afternoon, so I decided to take the whole day off. This would let my feet get a breather since they feel like they have gone 10 rounds with a blender. No blisters but extremely ¢road weary¢ from all the steep downhills.The Georgia AT is no cake walk. For the zero mileage day, I went to Goose Creek Cabins and split a cabin with Greg from Ft. Wayne Indiana.The nice folks at Goose Creek shuttled 6 hikers to the Riverwalk Restaurant. I had a BBQ pork dinner. I am planning to get back out there tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

April 15, 2007 Sunday (Day 4: Neels Gap to Low Gap Shelter)        (10.6 Miles)After spending a night at Goose Creek, I got a late drop off back at Neels Gap around 11:00am. By the time I bought some liner socks (to try to save my thrashed feet) and to make a quick call home. I hit the trail at 12:00pm. I don¢t know what the heck was going on but the wind was blowing 30-50 mph with sideways snow!! My thermometer registered 27F but the time I got to Low Gap Shelter. The ground was covered in snow. Thankfully the shelter only had one resident, GA-ME 2000 light foot. Greg abandonded his hammock and joined us later as the wind was high. My feet are in a real bad way. Miles are painful and becoming pretty tough. Hiked all day with a nice lady from Huntsville, Alabama, ¢Gypsy¢. We talked our way through the nasty weather all day.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

April 16, 2007 Monday (Day 5: Low Gap Shelter to Blue Mountain Shelter)        ( 7.2 Miles)It¢s still windy and cold. My feet really, really hurt. I hiked most of the day with Gypsy. I stopped early at Blue Mountain Shelter after only 7.2 miles. Gypsy went on further. The shelter was very nice and two hikers,Brian & Nate, had a banjo and a mandolin and they played us some tunes. It was Brian¢s birthday. Brian is thru hiking. Also there was ¢Piper¢ who played some sort of reed whistle. He did 18 miles today.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

April 17, 2007 Tuesday (Day 6: Blue Mountain Shelter to Tray Mountain Shelter)        ( 7.2 Miles)The weather was finally nice and I hiked the day with ¢Piper¢. He is a section hiker from Ohio and a musician. At 58 years old, he sets a real fast pace. Today he ran out of gas early and my feet still have something wrong, so we only did 7.7 miles today. Hopefully I can soon get to an outfitter to get some different shoes. The ones I have are very comfortable for the first 5 or so miles then the balls of my feet really get a burning-numb pain.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: DickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

April 18, 2007 (Wednesday) (Day 7: Tray Mountain Shelter to Dick¢s Creek Gap)        (11.1 Miles)Tray Mtn Shelter to Hiawassee & the Blueberry Patch Hostel -10.6 miles. I guess it is clear that I can¢t get the miles per day I need to do to finish in the time I estimated. After the good first two days I took a zero day due to thunderstorm forecast and since then, I have only been able to do 10 mpd.Hiked all day with ¢Piper¢ who played a couple of tunes when we reached the top of Kelly Knob. We got a ride to the Hostel within a couple minutes at Dick¢s Creek Gap. Gary from the B.B. Patch took me to town and I had a great burger at the Georgia Mountain Restaurant. I then went to the grocery store for re-supply (bagels/ramen/snickers). Gary and Lennie at the Patch are super nice folks.
Date: 2007-04-19
From: DickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Creek Gap

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

April 19, 2007 Wednesday (Day 8 Dick¢s Creek Gap to Muskrat Creek Shelter)                (11.6 Miles)I dropped off at the Dick¢s Creek Gap trailhead at 10:00am after a wonderful breakfast with Gary and Lennie at the Blue Berry Patch. I was feeling good after a nice night¢s rest. My feet still hurt but hiked with ¢Piper¢ and we did 11.6 mile to Muskrat Creek Shelter. Today I crossed from Georgia to North Carolina and that night at the shelter there was an M.D. who gave me a diagnosis of a neuropathy on my foot problem. No permanent issues, just painful. I had a fun campfire with about 15 people at/near the shelter.Last few days here also caught up to Greg (from Ft. Wayne) and Gerrard from Jacksonville, Fl. Gerrard is a nurse that we have dubbed ¢Hot Lips¢. He was initially P.O.¢d about that but now everyone up and down the trail has heard about the male nurse with the ¢Hot Lips¢ trail name. The campfire nearly got him when a big gust blew the flames right on him.
Date: 2007-04-20
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

April 20, 2007 Friday (Day 9: Muskrat Creek Shelter to Carter Gap Shelter)        (12.5 Miles)For the most part, all the folks from Muskrat stopped at Carter Gap except the Father/Son combo, ¢the Maine-iacs,¢ who went ahead to Betty Creek Gap. Also joining us were those who stopped early at Bly Gap and had to do 15 miles to get here. They were Goldilocks, Sudoko, Skittles, and his Jack Russell Terrier Lotus. Also from last night were ¢Doc¢ and ¢Kentucky¢ who put a bit of a scare into the novice hikers with some great bear stories around the campfire.
Date: 2007-04-21
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stairs Gap
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

April 21, 2007 Saturday (Day 10: Carter Gap Shelter to Winding Stairs Gap)        (15.9 Miles)Pushed hard today to get to town so I can get to the outfitter to try new insoles in my boots to see if that will help the foot pain.Left Carter Gap just after 8:00am and made it to Winding Stairs by a bit after 3:00pm, so I did 16 miles in a little over 7 hours. I¢ve re-caught the ¢the Maine-iacs¢ as I pushed hard and made up the 3.7 miles head start they had. I stayed at one of Ron Haven¢s Motels in Franklin with Eric who I had met at Neels Gap last week. We ate at the AYCE (all you can eat) Steakhouse. Good stuff.
Date: 2007-04-22
From: Winding Stairs Gap

To: Winding Stairs Gap (Franklin, NC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

April 22, 2007 Sunday (Day 11: Franklin, NC- 0 miles)I took a zero day in Franklin to see if the new insoles helped my feet. I also did laundry and ate a great AYCE (all you can eat) meal at the Prime Sirloin Family Steak House. I went to Wal-Mart for some new camp shoes (anything to get boots off at night). I also got some stove fuel and a new shirt since the machine at the laundry mat tore up my nice Hawaiian print). I will get to P.O. early to send stuff home. It¢s sort of a slow day waiting.Here in Franklin, the town pretty much shuts down on Sundays.I went into town with Greg from Ft. Wayne and Hot Lips. All in all, it looks like there are over a dozen hikers waiting on the P.O. so I will hit it again tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-23
From: Winding Stairs Gap (Franklin, NC)

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

April 23, 2007 Monday (Day 12: Winding Stair Gap to Cold Springs Shelter - 15.8miles)Got up real early, had breakfast and hoofed it about 12 mile to the Post Office. Sent home trail notes and a bit of gear not getting used. I ran the 12 mile back to the hotel to catch the 9:00am shuttle back to the trail.About an hour into the day¢s hike, I got a bad case of the pukes/trots (most likely from breakfast). It sucks hiking all day on sore feet looking for a place to crap every hour. I went from Winding Star Gap to Cold Springs Shelter (15.8 miles). I had a nice dinner with a group of boys led by a ¢99 Thru Hiker out on a long section of the hike.Man, am I happy to ditch those super feet ¢green¢ insoles. They sure wrecked my feet over the past 100+ miles. I replaced them with Spenco ¢Backpacker¢ insoles and they are way better. Unfortunately my feet are already a total wreck and it might take awhile for them to get better.
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: broken clouds

April 24, 2007 Tuesday (Day 13: Cold Springs Shelter to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) - 11.5miles)I did not sleep well last night. I had to make several trip to the privy to deal with the worsening case of the squirts. I guess it could get worse, but now I have to hike with sore feet and a sore ass. I went from Cold Springs Shelter into Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) today for 11.5 miles. This stomach thing really has zapped my strength and it was all I could do to get here. I could not eat dinner because any food I ate the whole day would just come right back up. Nate and Brian were here (banjo and mandolin players) and so was Piper. Piper will be heading out in the morning and I will join him if I am feeling better.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

April 25, 2007 Wednesday (Day 14: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) -0miles)What a bummer, looks like I got food poisoning from my breakfast on Monday morning in Franklin. I had to take yet another zero day at N.O.C. because of gastro issues.Not much to report since I spent most of the day in the bathroom.Added a preview of a view to come on the 27th.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

April 26, 2007 Thursday (Day 15: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) to Sassafras Gap Shelter - 7miles)Not feeling all that great but decided to head out anyway. The forecast is for thunder showers in the afternoon. The Sassafras Gap Shelter is only 7 miles away. I hit the trail at 9:00 am and by 10:30 am it was pouring rain outside. Even though it was only 7 miles, it was a 2600 foot climb. It really sucks hiking straight uphill in the pouring rain and having to drop ¢trow¢ every half hour to deal with the ¢revenge.¢ I got to the shelter around 1:00pm with no desire to move on.I ate dinner and went to sleep by about 6:30pm.At the shelter, there was Greg, Hot Lips, Brother T, Wooly and two ¢06 thrus heading to Damascus, VA for trail days (Park Bench and Sanford).
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

April 27, 2007 Friday (Day 16: Sassafras Gap Shelter to Cable Gap Shelter -15.2miles)I woke up feeling much better. I hiked with Hot Lips all day after leaving the shelter at 8:00am. We made it to Cable Gap Shelter by 5:00pm for a decent 15.2 mile day. ¢Are we there yet¢ and Brother T were also at the shelter. A short 6 mile day tomorrow will get us to Fontana Dam.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

April 28, 2007 Saturday (Day 17: Cable Gap Shelter to Fontana Dam Village -7miles)Finally!! I woke up feeling pretty dang good, especially since it is only 6 miles to Fontana Dam for a restaurant meal and a re-supply to get ready to tackle the Smokies. I hiked slowly all day laughing it up, exchanging stories with Hot Lips. He wants to change his trail name from ¢Hot Lips¢ to 12B10 (twelve B ten). You¢ll have to ask him.Hit town around 11:00am and went straight to a shower and then did laundry while eating a pint of chocolate ice cream. The hikers here at Fontana Village are: Wooley, Coldilocks, Dave/Chaco, Greg, Soduko, Are we there yet, Sam I am, Patches, Skittles, Elizabeth, Brother T, Hans and about four others who I just met and don¢t know/remember their names. Now that things are better, I hope to crank the daily mileage up.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

April 29, 2007 Sunday (Day 18: Fontana Dam, North Carolina -0miles)I was hoping to get back out today but I was too late for some of the re-supply options, so I will have to get that done first. I also have some gear repair that need to get done. I would like to get as far north as possible so that it will be easier to attend my nephew¢s, Mathew¢s, graduation on May 16th at VMI in Lexington VA. Elaine, his mom, will come to pick me up so the further north I get the easier it will be for everyone. I split a room last night with Hot Lips. He is a pretty tough cookie. He worked the system here at Fontana Village and got us a $180 pool side cabana suite for $60. My share was $30. Sweet!!! So far, the trail has been tougher than expected with lots of ups and downs. The steep downs, in particular are rough on the feet. I have been enjoying the conversations with all the hikers from all over the United States and several countries, Canada, Finland, Holland and England.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Russell Field Shelter 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

April 30, 2007 Monday (Day 19: Fontana Dam Marina to Russell Field Shelter ¢ 14.9 miles)After a mile or so in the morning, I caught the 9:40 shuttle to the Marina and got to Fontana Dam just before 11:00. By 11:11 we were in the Great Smokies National Park. I hiked today with Hot Lips and ¢Edge¢ who caught up to us. I also saw Corky, Scissors, two dogs, and Crockett. The views in the Smokies are the best so far. It helps that the weather is so clear. Those new insoles are sure making things better. During the worst of the old insoles, I was taking 6-9 ibuprofens a day to even be able to walk. Today was the first day that I did not have to take any. My feet are still hurt but I can deal with it.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Russell Field Shelter 

To: Derrick Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: scattered clouds

May 1, 2007 Tuesday (Day 20: Russell Field Shelter to Derrick Knob Shelter ¢ 9.2 miles)Only did 9.2 miles today. My thermometer was registering 90F and it was hot and sweaty when I got to Derrick Knob Shelter at 2:30. It was another 6 miles to the next shelter, but I wimped out and did the wash instead. Went over ¢Rocky Top¢ around noon and Hot Lips took my photo. My feet continue to get better. Pulled into the shelter and watched it fill up during the day as people stopped early due to the heat. The four from New Hampshire, including a ¢06 thru ¢Centipede¢, were there along with Spud, Diesel, Lion, Hot Lips and other. Lion stared at Springer on April 21 so he is moving.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Derrick Knob Shelter 

To: Mt. Collins Shelter 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

May 2, 2007 Wednesday (Day 21: Derrick Knob Shelter to Mt. Collins Shelter ¢ 13.5 miles)Today was much better for traveling. It was overcast and cool and that was a good thing because it was up and over the Clingman¢s Dome today (all 6643 feet of it). I took a wrong turn and ended up at the parking lot so I had to back track that 12 mile. It was annoying to waste that mile of walking. It was mostly the same bunch from the last night at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Mt. Collins Shelter 

To: Newfound Gap 
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

May 3, 2007 Thursday (Day 22: Mt. Collins Shelter to Newfound Gap ¢ 7.2 miles)It was a short day to the Gap and a ride into Gatlinburg. Just before arriving at the Gap, we ran into a ranger who told us there was 90 percent chance of T-storms for the next couple of days, so we made a snap decision to stay in town and keep an eye on the storm. The three from New Hampshire went into town along with Slowpoke, Spud, Hot Lips and I. I will re-supply and did the wash. Halfway thru the Smokies and the views/foliage has been by far the best so far.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Newfound Gap 

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

May 4, 2007 Friday (Day 23)- Spent the rainy day in Gatlinburg at the Grand Prix.It was listed several places as 'Hiker Friendly' but I saw no evidence of that. What a dump, leftover food still in the mini-fridge, cigarette butts on the floor. After checking in, we found that many of the much nicer places in the center of town were literally just a couple of dollars more and so much nicer. Did laundry and major re-supply getting enough food to make it to Hot Springs. Three of us (Hot-Lips, Spud, Myself) used local bus service to go to the only grocery store all the way across town. We ended up spending something over 3 hours waiting in the rain at bus stops/transfers stations. We had a nice Italian meal and will be heading out tomorrow rain or shine.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Newfound Gap

To: Icewater
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

May 5,2007 Saturday (Day 24)- It is still raining but four of us decided to head out anyhow and we each pitched in for the outrageously expensive shuttle that the Grand Prix provides ($40 to Newfound Gap). It took until nearly 10:00 for everyone (Hot-Lips, Spud, SloPoke,& Me) to get ready, so I had some time to zip over to the Happy Hiker, a hundred yards from the Grand Prix, and send home the last bit of gear not getting used or that I could do without. I guess we hit the trail around 10:30 in a steady rain. Within a half an hour, it was really coming down and the trails were rivers of water. It would not have been so bad, but it was cold out. Not a fun combo to be cold & wet. After only three miles, we got to Icewater shelter and decided to wait out the worst of the rain. By the time it slowed some, it was too late to make it to the next shelter. Icewater was completely full with everyone doing the same thing.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Peck's Corner
Miles today: 7.4

May 6,2007 Sunday (Day 25 - Icewater Shelter to Peck's Corner, 7.4 miles.) The weather is still a little drizzly this morning and the scenic overview at Charlies Bunion was socked in (zero visibility). Got a late start trying to get everything as dry as possible. Centipede and the other two from New Hampshire were already there. This was another of the shelters with the bear fence across the open side. It looks like those will eventually all be taken down.