morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-19
To: COUNTING DOWN
Miles today: 0.0

we are almost there......#1 son just departed......house is empty and quiet....except for the screaming silence of anticipation...we decided we might get on the trail earlier...perhaps march 28 or 29...we figure starting midweek will mean less traffic at the start...and the weather patterns seem to suggest milder conditions....small leaves are emerging everywhere.....hell, i can feel my allergies acting up....spring must be near...we cant believe how well things are falling together...i had some knee surgery last december....so of course the obvious aftermath of fighting the fight of the ridiculous "overcharges" of the hospital vs the "oops, we only pay 60% of THAT procededure if it is done on a tuesday afternoon with the wind from the southwest" weasel insurance company crap...you know...when you finally get the bill that says "all the insurance claims have been filed....and HERE is the balance that YOU are responsible for....lol....and it is "alright, let the games begin" fight with the you and the hospital and the insurance companies....but WHOA!!!..we had it handled in 2 days.....a miracle that we see as an omen that it is time to hit the trail....cujo has her pocketmail ditty working....prepaid all the bills...(seems that we cant get our vehicle tags though..(we have to have emmissions check and it must be within a time period of the tag notice)..so we shall have to pay a penalty on those when we get back...but all we have now to do is last minute dehydration....finalize mail/bounce stuff.....and get it down to #1 daughter...plans to do that on wed or thurs this week....no more excuses....foreplay is almost over...time for the REAL thing...time to stop READING about all you people in your journals, and MEETING some of you...we cant wait....last minute haircuts are in order (i shared with #1 daughter that in preparation for life on the trail i had ceased the unnecessary task of removing the hair on my face....her excitement was less than impressive).we soon shall see how well stone mtn has prepared us...wish us luck..
Date: 2007-03-25
To: 85 DEGREES!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

sunday in atlanta.....returned from depositing food drops to #1 daughter..she is too good to be true....basked in sunny destin...returned home on saturday....so what the hell....we decide that instead of repacking our packs-going in another 7 mile never-ending circle at stone mtn...lets just go to springer...get in the .9 mile...and be ready to rock and roll on thursday when the clock starts for real....(and maybe share some magic while we are there.....)we arrived to springer on an almost record breaking 85 degree day (while they were running a damn marathon thru downtown atlanta)...fs 42 was a bit dusty....when we parked, we saw a dude with his truck tailgate open...and it appeared he was providing some magic there on the trail at fs42...we met him....(mountainsquid)..and told him we were there to do the .9 back to springer...so we could hit the trail running on thursday....it was then when he pointed out the unusual display there behind him....(see photos)...a "thruhiker" stayed the night there at fs42, and what you see in the photo is what he decided to leave behind...items included a dolly, cans of soup and stew, a REAL shovel, and a FIVE gallon plastic container of water!!!and mtn squid said he was on his way to hawk mtn shelter MINUS this stuff...and wearing his blue jeans...and a 60 lb pack...after seeing this my 34 lbs (4 day food and 3 litres of water) felt nice....cujo and i slipped up (backwards) to the start....was blessed by dapper young Many Sleeps...and started the clock (temporarily) for the first almost mile of the trail....only 2170 to go.....met Sheepshead...Dealer...and a soon-to-be-named young couple Ron & Kelley from north carolina ....we had arrived back at our truck on fs42...and we just HAPPENED to have some COLD beverages.....GOOD ones...to share....it was delightful...everyone we chatted with was beyond nice....it was hard to get in the truck and return home..... thursday cannot come soon enough....maybe we move it to wednesday....
Date: 2007-03-28
To: D-Day
Miles today: 0.0

well.....here we goit is 2 a fricking clock...no way to sleep....mind too busy...racing everywhere...we are lucky enough to have a pal that will pick us up at 5:30 (3 1/2 hours from NOW) and drop us off on springer....THANKS DANNY!!!...may you always hit 'em straight....cujo is still in bed (of course)...while i check journals...yesterday we got the house-closing chores done...grass cut...plants watered...kitchen spotless....i shall NOT miss the yard work....it is now in god's hands (and barth's)....good luck with the weeds...this is undoubtedly the BEST time to be leaving atlanta....the dogwoods are out in full bloom....but the damn pollen has blanketed everything...cujo's eyes swollen and her sneezes are constant...gulping the last pots of coffee we shall make for a while...enjoyed the last "morning nature call" in the cleanest, best literary stocked bathroom i shall see for some time...what a joy to purposely use excessive tp....and FLUSH!!so often i have read the "final thoughts" before folks hit the trail..they now ring so true...excited...scared shitless...gung ho....mail drop blues...equipment....damn PACK WEIGHT...cujo is starting with 31 lbs (4 day food-2 litres water)....mine is 36 lbs....we shall see how that goes...we are anxious to see if our stone mtn training has served us well...called the hiker's inn at fontana to arrange something....and was told no way we shall be there before 19 or so days....we shall see....what a perfect time in our lives....we are soo lucky...to be able to have the time...$..and health to do this...my dad (who turns 80 next month) would love to be able to do the trail...his steady determination as he fights parkinson's is an inspiration...his level headed strength in an evershaking world that never ends makes our feeble attempt to do this seem trivial...thanks to all the ball-less bastards that decry stem cell research...especially you "w" for the only veto you ever exercised...wish you could live one day in my dad's world...i see "guide dog and george" are starting today....he is a hero..she a portrait of love.... a true lesson in courage ...hope to meet them...well...time to check my list ONE MORE TIME....LACE UP THOSE BOOTS!!!!..GA-ME ON!!thank you in advance kimberly....you are the best...you make me proud..
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Trail

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 30.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I finally received some journal entries to post, but there are not entries for Whitebear and Cujo's first few days of hiking...they started out on Wednesday, March 28 and have gone about 10 miles each day. I am posting this entry so that their total trip miles will correspond. I have talked to each of them and they sound exhausted, but excited. They both cannot say enough about the people they are meeting on the AT. (from their daughter, Kim)
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

we climbed mountains, mountains and more mountains, leapfrogging with hangman and sneakertramp things we learned so far:-baby steps WILL get you up the mountain-duct tape really does work on blisters-our knees creak whether going up mountains or stairswe love doing this, you're carrying 30 plus pounds and every day you have to pack up your house,food,kitchen...tie up your boots and walk...climb...scramble over rocks...it's beautiful.Expecting our first rain...should be interesting. It's 7:30..the bear bag is hung...must be time to retire to our bed.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

we are in our tent...had dinner and its raining...has been all day.lesson of the day - dont stay near a shelter on the weekends -city hikers show up in drovesboy its raining hard-hope it clears up soonwe kicked butt today21 miles to nconly 2 blisters each - not bad!tired..time to sleep
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

cujo and i sit here on tuesday morning in the holiday inn express in hiawassee....it ROCKS...free internet...whirlpool tub in room...EXCELLENT breakfast buffet...HIKER FRIENDLY to the max....even tho i am from alabama, and have spent a lot of time in the back of a pickup (remember--it is hard to look cool when riding in the back of a pickup)....i have never hitched....however....we were picked up fairly quickly by a nice young man who took up part way...he seemed to have a fear of police...the last thing he wanted...we were then picked up by the next truck that went by...such a nice guy, a hiker himself...he even took us to the door of the Holiday Inn and wished us well...and if anyone is interested, the Holiday Inn will arrange transportation back to the trail for $8 per personhangman, sneaker tramp, cujo, and i have been hiking pretty much together....we left the cheese factory after a HUGE pelting all night rain (thank you henry shires for your tarptent-it kept us dry )...our goal was to get to dick's creek and then to town to dry out all our damp packs and stuff...but we knew it might not be realistic...muddy trail...big mtns...most everyone we saw was stopping at deep gap shelter(.3 miles off trail)...we made it to deep gap and were standing at the shelter intersection, and had to make a decision....we thought 1/3 mile to the shelter--no way...ONWARD to dicks creek and hiawassee and holiday inn and REAL food and washers and dryers....it was not an easy 3.5 miles...and a couple of climbs, but then downhill to hywy 76 and the real world...downhill seems to be the worst on my feet...and they are rebelling this morning for the punishment from yesterday...but we take a zero day here, restock, wash, dry, and heal.tomorrow we leave GEORGIA hopefully....saw some folks we ran into previously here...what a bunch of great people on this trail...if only this spirit could carry on into the real world...perhaps osama,bush,cheyney,putin,and the north korean dude should do the trail together...had a great meal with hangman and sneaker tramp last night at the rose-right next to the hotel...pitchers of beer-burgere-wings were enjoyed by all....sleeping in a bed was unusual...hard to get used to a big pillow...
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Dicks Creek Gap

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

just a quick update - wind howling, temp dropping quickly - typing with gloves on...did a gruelling 11.6 today, several tall mountains - crossed ga/nc line around 2:40!! whohooooooo...1 down , 13 to go!
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up late, freezing cold - someone told us the weather for the next few days - even colder - thus began the inspirtion to get to Franklin - just one thing standing in our way - Fat Albert (Albert Mountain - 5220 ft).The approach to Fat Albert was trecherous to say the least - a two foot wide icy trail with a sheer drop off - Whitebear told me to look down - I refused - little did I know what lay ahead with Fat Albert.We wound up on our hands and knees over the rock outcroppings - the only good thing about that - the rocks were warm. We arrived at RockGap Shelter and there were Hangman and Sneakertramp - Whitebear changed his socks, liners and retaped his blistered feet and off we went. We emptied out our water except for about 1 liter between us since the profile only showed one mountain - seemed to go on forever. Whitebear strained his good knee and its been giving him trouble on the downhills - he changed his brace from his left knee to his right to get him down the mountain where our ride to the town of Franklin was waiting. Franklin is very hiker friendly - so here we are, Hangman and Sneakertramp have gone to the all you can eat buffet and we are here at the Sapphire, icing Whitebears knee and waiting for pizza, oh and drinking a cold beer. Not sure how long we'll be here, depends on knee and weather - expecting snow in the Smokies.Oh forgot to mention we met Bama and Lipstick, maybe 2 days ago, Lipstick recognized Whitebear and took our picture - she will post it on her page soon.Thanks everyone for all your help, thoughts, concerns - you have no idea how we need and appreciate them.Until our next update...
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin

To: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

well....here it is...monday morning, and we have given my knee an extra day's rest...got another kneebrace kinda similar to my other one...hell, i look like a freaking bionic geriatric garbed hiker wannabe....we have to be careful on the downhills....slow it down...today is important to check the knee..ron haven will take us out at 9ish...weather is chilly, but improving...hikers by the dozens fleeing the record breaking cold...looks like rain by wednesday...but bringing in warm skies...that'll work...hearing stories of many folks leaving the trail....we do NOT want to be amongst themwe traded much $ for warmer clothes at the outfitters here (VERY nice and non-PUSHY people)...so there is additional weight until we get to fontana....difficult to make decision on where to send bounce box....if we stay at fontana village center, the post office there closes at noon on saturday...causing conflict in out plans to take it easy...oh well....just another challenge...
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin

To: Licklog Gap
Miles today: 13.2

had a cautious day, so did pretty good getting in 12.3whitebear's new brace seems to be helping his good knee, although he was quite nervous this morning. Cool weather with a few snow flurries and still snow on the ground in some spots.Enjoyed our lunch with sixtwo and e-minor and another guy whose name we didn't get.We stopped along the trail and camped alone in an isolated and beautiful mountain view location. It was warm when we set up camp, but turned cold quickly after the sun set. Bloody cold night.
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

oh feet, my wheels upon the trailall battered, bruised, and patchedwhose primary goal these days it seemsis to keep my legs attachedi know the choice to do this trailconferred with all but youthe most important body partignored, dismissed,its truefor now when i look down at youbeneath the gunk and tapeits you i do apologizeits you i did forsakethru bruises, blood, and blistersdeformed by calloused skini'm here to say "im sorry"and let a truce begini've kept you trapped neath leather bootsimprisioned from fresh airwhile marching you thru mud and icemere mortals wouldn't darei've dizzied you on mtn topsstumped toes on rock and rooti've twisted,turned,and tortured youinside that nasty bootand as i basked atop a peakwith views beyond compareenjoying triumphs, i forgotits you that got me therewe've come quite far with more to goand problems yet to meetwith humbled heart..& pride anewi thank you much...dear feeti promise now i'll give you timei'll wash the tears you sweatcause something tells me, feet of mineWE AINT SEEN NOTHING YET!!!.....a rehabbed foot abuser
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sweetwater Gap
Miles today: 14.7

cujo hit the ground running...first time out without duct tape on her feet..only took 148.5 miles to become ductless...we are in our tent...3 feet off the trail...we trusted a guidebook that said there was campsite and water...kinda right about the campsite....wrongo about the water...we suspected there might be no water, so we conserved...we left the noc with 2 liters each...still have 1 1/3....but no cooking tonight....save water till we reach next shelter...2 miles...uphill....we will use what we have for that climb....so we dine on jerky, power bars, granola bars, gorp.....and no grits or oatmeal tomorrow for breakfast....no one said this is easy....we kicked ass today...no one passed us...except for aprilshowers and montreal.......but they were not going as far as we did..they were talking about camping on cheah bald....our feet were good today (no usual whitebear bitching), packs seemed light....and we had an all morning climb....on top of cheah we saw to the north angry clouds towards the smokies...looked like storms, and the wind was really blowing....on the south the weather was downright balmy and clear...seemed we were at the dividing line of a front blowing in....we hiked a bit into the north side and had to do the rainsuit thingy....cover backpacks and all....but after a couple hours it cleared up...but temps dropped....set up camp in drizzling rain....not much of a campsite, but we shall see....passed a few sobos (south bounders)who said rain was predicted for tonight, and tomorrow...we shall see...feet did well, but all four of them are sore...but tucked into their appropriate marmot down sleeping bags...cujo's rated to 15 degrees....mine 30...my hot flashes are more intense than hers...only 13 miles to fontana dam...a chance we might make it tomorrow with clean weather...muddy trail slows you down...and those slippery rocks eat cujo's lunch... hangman and tramp started today the smokies....hope their weather was ok but i wouldn't be surprised if it is rotten...that low pressure heading to new england passing thru...hangman gave us some tips for fontana...good things about the hotel....that means a bar is near...yesssss!!!time to zip up the bag....getting cold....roll tideWhitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just got off the phone with Whitebear and Cujo. They reported snow falling outside of their motel in Fontana Dam. Dad was telling me about the history of the Dam and seeing Sneakertramp off when all of a sudden, Sneakertramp was in their room! So I'm not sure what his plan is at this time, but I do have this entry to post from Dad from earlier today:seems sneaker has hurt his knee...swollen to twice its size...so he's off the trail for the time being...got himself a ride with a guy from NH...going to see his doc friend...hopefully meet up with his best buddy hangman in Hot Springs...hangman (the ever forward balls to the wall mountain goat) it'll be great for sneaker to see ginny and the kids...this is no day to be hiking...temps getting lower as the day goes on and snow expected in the mountains tonight and then winds gusting between 40-60 mphchores for us...laundry...seeking gel insoles for cujo's boots...stay tuned...
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Fontana Dam

To: sneakertramp
Miles today: 0.0

hell...it is snowing to beat the band...we are holed up here at the lodge....feeding sneakertramp beers, and giving him an option of leaving with us on tuesday morning....after this weather crap is gone.....more later...going now to meet him at the bar....a dangerous situation i think...lol....to all the penn folk...he is looking great...limping less...and thinking about going with us ...to catch the hangman soon.....cold as hell....he is worrying about his basement...but says ginny and kids are IN CONTROL!!!!!....water...NO PROB!!!
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

the book showed todays hike to be strenous...can't argue with that...good weather, very breezy and still patches of snow at the top...our first night in a shelter...we're on the top level, along with 5 other folks and another 7 on the bottom level...including a 76 year old guy and his son...interesting....see there are reservations for only 4 thru-hikerson each shelter...and thru hikers can be (and were tonight)kicked out of shelters for campers with reservations....hiked today with whisky joe, chuck norris, tigger, kokopelli, april showers, montreal, fire hazard....heard from hangman last night...said he could not get to the trail because of all the trees down...wind stilllll strong..feet ok...legs fine...pretty good day...tough little 11 miles though.. Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

after our first night in a shelter...the verdict is in...it sucks...i was worrrying about MY snoring...so i waited to sleep til most were sleeping....hell...i wound up snoring out of pure peer pressure...we were on the second floor (a mere second level)with 14 stinking hikers and their gear....dirty clothes..and boots....the ambiance was spectacular...stinking boots mixed with sweaty bodies in a small 3 sided damp and dim shelter constucted form stone....oh yes...count me in...today's hike was strenuous...mostly ups...and the downs were steep with the trail muddy from the melting snow...patches of snow still everywhere, and a good thing as we utilized it for needed water...thunderhead mtn was tough..5527'...and before we reached the peak was "rockytop"...dont know if this is the one the vol's sing about....youknow...that only song their band knows....it was a nice view...course views get so common here it aint worth getting out the camera...so we are at a shelter...in a TENT....screw the rangers...it was a lovely day...no rain till now....but light as it hits the tent....it is a soothing sound to a hard day...only the 30's tonight....so it is warming up....good sleeping bags rock...i have to go now, because my arms are freezing as i type this....we want OUT of these damn smokies....like big brother watching all the time..telling you where to camp....not as much water sources..and we were dodging horshit where they let damn horses on pieces of the trail...bad enouch to step over all the bear poo...night night Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat
Date: 2007-04-19
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

we are lying in our bags at double gap shelter trying to keep warm...its hailing outsidewe began with intentions of going 14 miles....course that woulld mean going 4 miles past clingman's dome...the highest mtn on the appalachian trail...6643'..so we woke up...after a night that saw the poorest tent engineering attempt this trip....resulting in a wet sleeping pad for cujo....that caused whitebear to be unhappy..so we were slow to pack....slow to hike....and wet heavy packs...simply put...we sucked...we were not happy..and we toiled..several stops to readjust were fruitless...we sucked...packs full of bowling balls it seemed...so we stopped at 7 miles...so we are here at the shelter....resting...and i just looked out....SNOW....the ground is completely white....smokies suck!!!6ish...all fed..spending night in shelter....ground level tonight....smokiessuck...now we dont have enough food to get out of the smokies...so we have to go into our favorite city..gatlinburg...smokies suck...tomorrow we try climbing clingman's dome....in snow..oh happy day.......smokies suck Whitebear and CujoKen and Pat