morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-02-27
To: Planning, Packaging, And Potables
Miles today: 0.0

21 days to launch. Kathy and I have made great strides the past few weekends. That¢s right, you heard it right. We actually stayed home two weekends in a row. It can wear you down, all this planning. We had talked about going diving with my brother, Ted, and his wife Claudia last weekend, as it was a 3-day weekend for them gummint workers, you know. Then we talked about going backpacking somewhere warm, like New Mexico or something. We finally agreed we will be doing plenty of hiking soon enough and we had better take advantage of our time now to get some things done. So, we sat in the kitchen and, over a couple Bloody Mary¢s, plotted our drop locations on the map seen here. If you want to download a color version: http://www.classbrain.com/artmonument/uploads/atmap.pdf Keep in mind it is a large (1meg+) file, so if you are using dial up it will take a long time. The Green on the left are our mail drops, and the yellow on the right are resupply towns. Next, we paid a visit to the liquor store. We bought two cases of vodka. That works out to 21 liters, (or 2 shots/ponies per person; per day for the uninitiated), which is just enough to get us to Mount Katahdin if we pace ourselves. We were going to package up a bunch of Gatorade, but all that sugar weighs quite a bit. We couldn¢t justify the additional weight, so I think we will stay with Crystal Lite.We also did a ¢mock¢ mail drop to see how much stuff we would be carrying on average. Then we took that and packed our packs. This is where we get down to brass tacks. My pack, fully loaded, with 2 liters drinking water and .5L vodka weighs in at around 44 pounds. Granted this is with my winter clothing and I probably won¢t be carrying more than 1L water, so I think I can get it down to around 40. And that is perfect for me. My average pack weight on the Wonderland was 38, so I think I¢m in good shape.
Date: 2006-03-17
To: Happy Saint PatrickÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Day!
Miles today: 0.0

Greg and I just want to thank everyone for stopping by our ¢send off¢ party and giving us all your support and best wishes. We¢re slowly knocking off our last little chores. We unpacked our packs so that we could rethink (one more time) those items we truly want to take and those that we can leave behind. For you local folks, keep an eye out for something in The Bay Weekly newspaper about us and another couple from Calvert County who are also through hiking. That¢s all for now. The next time you hear from us, we¢ll be on the trail!
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Nimblewill Gap

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: moderate rain

The forcast for our start day was bad, 100% chance of rain with heavy downpours. We contemplated staying at the lodge one more day as the forecst for Tues was much better, but decided to go ahead. Carolyn and Calvin drove us up this long twisty dirt Forest Road finally dropping us off literally in the middle of nowhere where a trail crossed the road. The wind was howling but off we went. Actually the weather calmed down a bit; it did stay cool, windy and cloudy. We past the first shelter and opted for the next a couple miles down the trail at Stover Creek shelter. There were already a few people there. We went ahead and set up our tent and went down to the selter to make dinner. As soon as we settled in there the rains came and it got cold pretty quick It rained buckets all night long but we were dry and warm in our tent.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Since it was still rainy when we woke up, we took our time getting up. By the time we did most of the other hikers were already gone. One guy Dennis came through the site just to stop and make coffee. This was his first back packing adventure. By the time he reached the AT from the approach trail, he had dumped all his GORP mix due to the weight!We got on the trail at eleven and hiked til about five thirty. The sun was out for most of the day. As we approched the next shelter we decided it was still too early to stop and opted for hiking to Justus Creek where there were some campsites. It was another 6 miles and as we headed up and down a few more mountains the sun disappeared and we spent the day in a strange mist and I wondered whether we had made the right decision. We had one really strenous climb up Sassafras Mountain - elevation 3340. We found a nice campsite right next to the creek and as we ate dinner a few stars came out. Looks to be good weather tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Justus Creek

To: Lunsford Gap
Miles today: 6.9

Last night's stay along Justus Creek turned out to be a fantastic site. Nestled in between two ridges next to a fast running stream We heard the wind blowing through the trees but felt none of it in our tent. Greg recorded a temp of 34 degrees this morning, but a hiker who stayed at the shelter up top said it was 24.Two rangers passed by asking if the bag of GORP in a nearby campsite was ours. Apparently lots of hikers just get rid of stuff along this first part of the AT. After a day or two, they find their packs too heavy. These rangers pick up everything from food to sometimes really nice gear.Weather was excellent with just a slight breeze and sunny skies. We came across a few places along the trail that offered clear wide open vistas of the valley below and even a view of the section we had just hiked snaking up the mountain.Once we passed the last shelter within reach for the day we pressed onto the Blood Mountain Wilderness Area. We hiked about, filled our water, and began searching for a suitable place to camp. Again we found a nice, flat, clear campsite just off the trail with a view of the sunset.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Lunsford Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to chilly clear skies. Had some coffee then off we went with the hopes of reaching Blood Mountain shelter for the night. As we started hiking, clouds rolled in and winds continued. It began to look and feel like it might snow.Along the way we met a hiker who advised us against staying overnight at Blood Mountain. We figured we'd make the call went we got there. We met our first trail angel later who passed out Snicker bars and info regarding how long it would actually take to get to Blood Mountain (turns out a lot shorter than we thought) and according to him the climb wasn't that hard. He was right. We soon came to the last spring before the shelter. Here we met up with some guys from Chicago on spring break. They had been hiking for about a week with no cold weather clothing to speak of, all cotton clothing, a tent they bought when they got here (that they said didn't work for some reason), carrying a propane stove as well as all kinds of stuff in bags hanging off of their backpacks. Needless to say they didn't look like happy campers. The summit was rocky with scenic views stretching all the way back to the start of Springer Mountain. There was a boy scout troop already settling into the stone shelter which pretty much decided it for us that we were going to go to Neel's Gap. That and it was still pretty early in the day, was quite cold and the forcast was for rain that night. So we decided to come down off the mountain as Neel's Gap and try to get a bunk in the hostel there. No rooms at the hostel but some other hikers were checking out a place, Goose Creek cottages, for rooms. The proprietor was picking them up and they asked if we were interested in going there too. We both wanted a dry night so we decided to go for it, especially now that we were ahead of schedule. Luckily there was a room available for just the two of us. After our showers, which were heavenly, we droppped our laundry at the office then went back to the room for some dehy dinner and dessert.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Note: spent yesterday at Goose Creek Cabins and the Wayalasi (at Neels Gap). We decided we needed a day off to rest feet, heel blisters and rebuild muscles. And it worked. Got up fairly early and shuttled back up to Neels Gap. The snow and rain were done but now the wind was fierce. Took off about 9:30 straight into the wind. As we hiked higher there was more snow, just a dusting, and then we hit a crystalline forest! All the trees had crystals on the branches but they weren't hanging down. They were actually growing sideways, parallel with the ground and all on the same side of the branches, the side the wind blew. Lots of ups and downs, and finally after Testnatee (or test your knees as we called it) we found a lovely rock outcropping in the sun to lunch. This didn't last long as the sun was overtaken by clouds and the winds blew cold. So off we went. You have to keep hiking in order to keep warm.When we finally arrived at the shelter site at around 3:30 to tent out, it was already quite full, but there was a fire. We hung out at the fire as long as possible but by 8:00 pm the cold sent us to our tents.Notes on some other hikers we have met: Dennis the guy with all the troubles quit at Woody Gap, Russ who we met on top of Bloody Mtn. hurt his knee after Neels Gap and called it quits, Beth from the first night is still hanging in there and has hooked up with a very interesting lady Terry (Bluebird) and hopefully the two of them will help each other through
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

Woke up early to a clear, still, frosty morning. Had a wonderful breakfast of our homemade Granola cereal. We decided to hike and then hitchhike into Hiawassee to pick up our mail drop and stay at the Hiawasee Inn.The day stayed sunny and the trail wasn't too tough as it meandered up and down around 3500 feet. It was a hard hike down from Blue Mountain to Unicoi but it was worth it. At the bottom in a parking lot were several previous year through hikers who set up food and drinks for all the hikers coming by. There was hot dogs, soda, coffee, chips, candy bars, potato salad, cookies, breads and fruit cobbler. We ate and hung around and talked to people until the sun started to go behind the mountain and it chilled down super quick. We stuck out our thumbs but one of the hikers, Last Minute, offered us a free ride to town.He was really nice as were all the folks at Hiawassee Inn. We got a room, showered, had laundry done, got a shuttle to local restaurant for dinner and then back to room to go through our mail drop. Eevryone is so VERY NICE. Greg and I are just beginning to see the community that evolves among through hikers. We heard about plenty of other generous occasions where people who have through hiked come back and do something nice for current through hikers to try and pay back those that helped them when they hiked. Pay it forward so to speak.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

After a great contintental breakfast at the Hiawassee Inn, we got dropped off at the trailhead at Unicoi and off we went. It was a high climb up but we made good time. We went through one of many "green tunnels" of rhododendron and mountain laurel. Made it to Deep Gap around 5-ish and since it wasn't crowded and it was a really nice shelter we decided to camp out there (besides we heard there was a chance of rain in the morning and we didn't feel like packing up a wet tent). There was the group of deaf hikers, an older couple, Philly (John), and two young guys from New England. We had our first trail drink and first homemade dehy dinner. It was a fire night so we stayed up late. Had a great time. It was a warm night!
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Deep Gap

To: Plum Orchard
Miles today: 7.8

Woke up early to drizzle but we were dry as a bone in the shelter. We had some homemade granola and coffee and by the time we packed up the rain stopped. A cool cloudy day, the trail was relatively easy (well compared to most of the terrain so far). Anyway we hiked about 10 miles in 4 hours. The shelter at Plum Orchard was also very nice and there weren't too many people so we decided to stay. The deaf hikers were there as well as Bowman, his son, Stones, a young couple from LA and us.We got trail names today. Someone heard Greg call me "Cake" and later asked Greg "Where's Cake?" So that became my name. He then said to Greg, "I guess You should be Pie." So Greg became Pie. The funny thing is is that I sometimes call Greg Pie at home but had never called him that on the trail. We changed them alittle though. He is Pi (dropping the e to save weight) and I am K'ache (due to all my little aches and pains).
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Plum Orchard

To: Standing Indian Mountain
Miles today: 13.7

Well today we hit a milsestone! We crossed into North Carolina. I can only hope that the people in NC will be as nice and generous as all the people we've met so far in GA. We were planning to stay at Standing Indian Shelter about 1.5 miles shy of the summit at 5200 feet. We met a guy, Malla, with two friends who were going all the way to the summit. He said there was great camping and great star gazing. Since it was still early in the day we decided to go for it. The summit was beautiful with views of the mountains below, a large flat rocky area to hang out and grassy area to camp. We met a woman Daphne who was hiking alone who also decided to stay the night at the top. We ate a wonderful Seafood Chowder enough for the three of us as well as cocktails and even some green tea with hot chocolate. Sounds crazy but tasted great. The stars came out in the thousands!
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Standing Indian Mountain

To: Big Spring
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Left the top of Standing Indian after a clear cool night filled with stars. The trail was mostly flat with long steady downclimbs so hiking went fast. We also heard there was some sort of trail magic going on a the road crossing a few miles down the trail so that motivated us to get going.As we came upon the road crossing there was nothing there! We were bummed out because we heard rumors of burritos and more. We hiked on through tunnels of giant rhododendrons and mountain laurel...like an enchanted forest and came close to another road crossing. Here however there was a sign "Trail Magic." Two guys, Gatorade and Fishin Fred, set up some food and a fire tripod made out of a huge old saw blade where they were cooking quesadias and grilled cheese sandwiches. Their camper had XM radio so we sat around the fire, ate, talked and listened to tunes for close to 3 hours.Finally we started back up the trail (Albert Mtn) straight up to a fire tower and Big Spring Shelter. There wasn't much space so we tented out, protected under a stand of rhododendrons. So far we've heard grouse, a great horned owl, barred owls and maybe a screech. A couple of warblers have started to come through but I can't identify them or their songs. The wildflowers are starting too!
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Big Spring

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Passed the 100 mile mark today. It rained last night but by morning stopped and the skies cleared. Most of us at the shelter and camping nearby all were headed to Franklin to resupply, clean up and hit a trail fest at the local Sapphire Inn. We did the 10 miles to the road /trailhead at Winding Stair in about 4 hours. It took a while to get a ride into town. The shuttle could not fit us all in so we hitched a ride in the back of a pickup straight to the Sapphire. Took showers, bought some beer and then had some fun with a outdoor barbque complete with a small bluegrass band. Everyone had a lot of fun. And as predicted it started to rain that evening. We were loving it since we weren't in the woods!
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Yesterday was a zero day. This morning was a late start (10:30) and we hiked until 6:30. By noon it started to rain. We came across some college kids offering snacks and water (trail angels). It was a long, rainy walk. We were glad to be at the shelter as we had about 3 spectacular thunderstorms roll in through the night complete with hail!
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Cold Spring Gap Shelter

To: Natahala Outdoor Recreation Center
Miles today: 11.4

It was a tough 11 miles. Basically up and down all day with tough ups in the beginning and a really tough downclimb right before finishing. We had some rain and hail. Between the bad weather we did see some cool stuff. The bald cypress up top had moss growing off them like long green beards off the chins of old men, also saw some mistletoe, and a tree split from last night's lightning.As we came down the mountain , the one side of the hill was starting to erupt with the first wildflowers: purple violets, yellow violets, bloodroot, a trillium I've yet to identify, and a few other flowers.
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Natahala Outdoor Recreation Center

To: brown forks shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Last night we decided to stay at NOC as the weather was looking iffy and my feet were absolutely spent. We split a room with Billy Goat only to find that the room had an extra Bed. Billy goat found one more person an older guy named Jerico that started 5 days after us but had hiked the same places. Today was a long day (7 am to 5 pm)! We started early as the trail began with 8 miles almost straight up a 5062 mountain. That went OK and view at the top was fantstic, a great place to have lunch. But the rest of the 8 miles were tough as my feet, heels specifically, were beginning to hurt. The very last 2 miles were the worst. We came out of Sweetwater Gap and did a 700 foot elevation gain in 3/4 of a mile...GRUELING.And by the time we got to the shelter, I was afraid to look at them. There were two section hikers, older guys from FL, Billy Goat, Jerico and us. We had a super dinner, Turkey Stroganoff. Greg found a great camp site below the shelter in a hollow so we were protected by the cold winds. When I did look at me feet they looked just like yesterday only the blister was bigger.Went to bed early... will have a shorter easier day tomorrow.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: brown forks shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up this morning and had do to do some minor surgery on my blister, but was fine after that. Not too long a day but we have to be in Fontana Dam by 4:30 before the PO closes to pick up a maildrop. Along the way we met 2 southbound through hikers who were doing the trail through the 4 seasons.They started in August at Katahdin with no end date in mind.The hike down was pretty cool as we saw lots of trilliums (yellow and maroon) amidst the blood wort covering the hillsides on both sides of the trail.Made it in time to get our drop and picked up a 12 pack too. Lounged in a small park, packing our stuff and drinking beer. Hiked a short distance to Fontana Dam Hilton, a shelter on the lake. Not too many fun folks there so it was a short night.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russel Shelter
Miles today: 13.8

Got up early and hiked down to the Dam. Met Carl the ridgerunner for this area. Ridgerunners basically hike a section of trail , checking on shelters , letting everyone know the rules and making sure shelters are not overfull. Unlike the shelters we have used so far (where you fit in as many as you can), the ones in Great Smoky Mountains National Park allow only a certain number per shelter and only a certain number can be through hikers. They are old stone 3 sided shelters some with no cooking area and still have a chain link fences across the front of them. It rained alittle during the day and was cloudy most of the time. Hard hills that seemed to go on forever. I had my first fall today. One of the many nefarious tree roots, stealthy lying across the trail caught me. Luckily nothing damaged and Greg was nearby to help me back up (didn't even get a bruise). Dinner was spectacular...expedition spaghetti with a double batch of crystal light cocktails.
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Russel Shelter

To: Derrick Knob shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

Got up early and hiked a ways to the next shelter and had breakfast there. It was a nice one with a cooking area. Since we didn't have many miles to do we decided to really just take our time. The clouds cleared and by 11 we were hiking in shorts quite comfortably. The hike up to the shelter took us up to balds and Rocky Top Mountain (oh yeah I forget to mention that we have hit Tenn). Actually we've been hiking the TN/NC border for a while. It was a beautiful sunny day and we stopped at any vista or place we wanted. Spring beauties carpeted the mountain sides on both sides of the trail. We got to the shelter around 3. However the trail runner there said that we might have to move into a tent tonight if all the people that signed up to sleep here tonight show up. Hopefully they won't because the winds have really starting blowing and I think the predicted thunderstorms are on the way.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Derrick Knob shelter

To: Mt. Collins shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Luckily there was room for everyone last nightin the shelter as the heavens opened up after midnight and huge storms rolled through over us with large hail and close lightning strikes. It was great lying there safe warm and dry, listening to complete bedlam outside. That morning although the weather was supposed to ge better it remianed foggy and rainy.It rained all day long! With our rain gear on we were warm but you still weren't really dry because you swaet under it...but we were warm so we kept hiking because its better to be warm and wet then cold and wet and as soon as you stop you cool down quick. By 5 we were approaching the shelter for the night and saw a sign that there was "Trail Magic" ahead. As mentioned before, Trail Magic is where previous year's through hikers come out to the trail to give whatever conmfort and support to current through hikers. This often is in the form of snacks or drinks or more.In this case it was a lot more. Greg and I were one of the first hikers there and the trail angels named Wild Cat, Becky, Moonpie and Andrea, had stocked the shelter with all kinds of snacks including cheese, fresh veggies, fresh fruit and sweets as well as juices, beer and wine and even dry firewood. A warm fire was already crackling. They even brought an old fashioned hand crank ice cream maker for fresh icecream that night.People providing "trail Magic refuse to take anything for their efforts as they feel that these are the same types of things that helped them make it through their hikes and just want to help others. And did it ever. We were soaked and exhausted when we walked into the shelter and instantly we were warm and welcomed! The shelter was full and most stayed up late trading stories and advice.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Mt Collins Shelter 

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

In the morning these trail angels got up early to make us all hot coffee, bacon and blueberry pancakes! It was hard to leave the shelter. Five miles from the shelter and we emerged along a busy roadside stop at New Found Gap where tons of tourists stop to get a look at the Smokies, take a picture and move on. Instantly I heard "Cake" and saw Wild Cat in the parking lot. They were all there having a picnic in the sun and invited us over to help finish the goodies (including ice cream). The morning turned to afternoon and they offered us a lift into Gatlinburg too!! This is how they spent their weekend...helping us. Spent that evening and next day in G-atlinburg which is the absolutely tackiest town I have ever been in. It's like a gigantic Ocean City boardwalk surrounded by mountains. In one block we counted 4 steak houses, 5 pancake joints, 4 old time photos, 2 Ripleys Believe it or not, haunted houses, ice cream... and on and on and on. Oh yeah, only 1 outdoor store in the entire city. Fatlinburg we called it.