morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-17
To: Nearing the End of Preparation
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It has been just over a year since I retired and casually began planning for my AT Hike. Serious planning began about 5 months ago and Wow its now just under 3 weeks to go. I'm getting more and more antsy and anxious to start, especially after the one day venture into mid-spring last week (followed by yet another winter mix). I know I will miss my bride and how that will be handled is likely the biggest question I will leave with. My goal is to finish all loading of mail drop and bounce box supplies by March 28 and cruise to the end, but I'm also struggling with getting all things in order here at home before I leave. It seems this is the season for appliances to break down around here. First the hot water heater, then the washing machine's "mother board", and finally our ancient dehumidifier decided this was the time to stop. Navigating through these distractions coupled with the need to build two more boxes for our raised garden,hand over my chores at the Reset Ministry, and get the Honda to the shop for checking out and an oil change, etc. are making for an interest last few weeks.I praise the Lord for these challenges and anxiously anticipate my extended journey in His natural creation.
Date: 2014-03-29
To: One Week
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It's finally here or almost. One week from today, April 5, Dan will pick me up and we will head down to southern Tennessee. There we will stop for the night and head out early the next morning for the approach trail to the AT at Amicalola State Park in Georgia. That is about a two hour drive from where we will stay. At this point I'm almost done with packing. I hope to get out a few days next week to hike some more before the real hiking beginnings. My plan is to take it easy with short mileage days leading into my first resupply stop at Neels Gap. I figure it will take a week to ten days, maybe more, to reestablish my hiking legs. I'm really pleased at this point that my gear is not too much and similar to what i used on the Sheltowee last year. Extras only amount to about one maybe two pounds of weight at the most. The exception is food and I will soon learn if I have more than I need. This week I hope to spend good time saying goodbye to my bride. Over the last 40 years we have not been separated longer than 5 days. At day 6 I will be hitting that proverbial "wall" and that may well be the toughest day regardless of the physical terrain.
Date: 2014-04-01
To: Sweet Victory
Miles today: 0.0

Less than a week before "launch". The countdown is underway. I just completed a trial pack of my gear and food for the first leg. It all fit just great and the weight was no more than what I carried a few times on the Sheltowee. Extra water needed on the Sheltowee accounted for some of it but also when hiking the Trace I most always carried extra just to prepare for the AT. That was a wise decision I think. On the AT I plan to trade off some gear in Gatlinburg, like my winter sleeping bag for a summer version, and leave some winter clothing as well. That should counter some of the extra weight I will need for food later on up the trail. I have been doing battle with a head cold and sore throat for almost two weeks and hope that all clears up by Saturday when I leave for northern Georgia.
Date: 2014-04-05
To: Launch Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The big day is here! Cathy and I have had a good last few days and we are already anticipating our reunion in about a month in Gatlinburg. I still expect a tough time releasing from her final embrace. This morning my daughter Sandahl and her husband Jeff are coming over for a sausage, scrambled egg, and pancake breakfast. And at 11 Dan arrives and we hit the road south. Yesterday went really well. All my packing was done, the first mail drop sent Thursday. It should easily arrive at its destination before I do. I met my other daughter, Marina, yesterday for breakfast before she went for a job interview and then to Lexington to help a friend at an alpaca show. Then I headed to the store to pick a few things up for the house; came home and fixed a gutter drain pipe...a rather regular day. Later I loaded my pack, including the first load of water and food. It now sits in our living room waiting to be loaded in Dan's car. Last night dinner was burgers and fries from Mad Mikes. Nothing fancy for the last dinner, just calorie laden and yummy! Just some more cals to burn on hike day one. Thanks to all my friends who are wishing me well and praying for my journey. To name a few I've heard from in the last few days... Dave, Tad, Grant, Kevin...I hope I can keep everyone abreast of my hike here...stay tuned and God Bless.
Date: 2014-04-06
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Len Foote Hike Inn
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dan and I arrived at Amicalola State Park around 10 am, checked for our hike to Len Foote and mine to Harpers Ferry. We then grabbed breakfast at the lodge before heading the 5 miles to the Hike Inn. Nice trail, great warm up for me. We enjoyed a pleasant afternoon, good dinner, and music after before turning in for the night.And as the evening progressed so did the start of rain which was forecast to endure all the next day.
Date: 2014-04-07
From: Len Foote Hike Inn

To: Len Foote Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Pouring down rain today as I saw Dan off back to his car and home. I packed and covered for a real ugly day of hiking. Turning my key in at Len Foote I met my first offer of "trail magic". The general mgr a former thru-hiker offered me free room and board for work. As I was deciding what to do, Bill, another mgr and a basketball fan offered me access to the staff TV. Sold! No rain hike yet and the ballgame.I helped in the kitchen and enjoyed talking with Terrance the cook. I'm now a day behind schedule before actually starting the Trail.Blessings.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: Len Foote Hike Inn

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day one on the trail dawned sunny and cool. Much better than the rain yesterday. I was surprised how dry the trail is. Arrived at the official start on Springer Mountain Got a few pictures and keep going. Met other hikers immediately and several of us hiked to the Stover Shelter. One guy there Gentleman Jim from Cape Cod was beginning his second thru-hike. Others there: Mary(Yellow Springs, OH),two guys from Germany, two ladies from France, Dewayne and his dog Lucy from NC, Train Wreck from Salt Lake who got his trail name because he arrived via a cross country train ride. Good people who I hope see more of along the trail.Blessings,
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Justus Creek campsite 
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

First real day of hiking and the experience of the challenging north Georgia mountains. Stunning views and mountain streams made for pleasant hiking until the mountain. Learned early to slow it down uphill. Camped a bit earlier than planned at Justus Creek. The two German guys were there as was Kim from Denver. Kim is the first I've met who left a job for the Trail. Dinner sure tasted good and my sleeping pad soft after a rather hard day.
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Justus Creek campsite 

To: Lance Creek campsite
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up rejuvenated this morning and ready to take on a few more miles of the AT. Even with only 9 miles of hiking today we wanted to get going early to make Lance Creek, the last camp before a bear restricted section leading into Kneels Gap and the first stop with beds, showers, laundry and food. Between us was Blood Mountain and too much for one day from Justus Creek. Woody Gap or the climb out was the challenge. 61 felt really old going up that one. Made camp at Lance along with a new friend Lucky from Florida at 6:15 after having started at 8 and "only" 9 miles today. Just can't wait for Blood Mountain tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Lance Creek campsite

To: Neels Gap/Mountain Crossing/ Blood Mountain Cabins
Miles today: 8.0

Started early to reach Blood Mountain as early as possible and get there before the heat of the day. Unseasonably warm weather here in N.Ga. is taking its toll of me on climbs. The .8 mile to Blood was awesome. Must have stopped to rest every 5 minutes!And it took over 2 hours to negotiate. Actually was light headed at top and it was not the altitude! Lunched and just chilled at top for an hour before the hazardous downhill to Neels Gap. In Neels I shared a cabin with Cigar Willy and Lucky. $20 bucks each plus free laundry...they do it for you too! Never thought frozen red baron pizza could taste so good. Missed out on free burgers at the Mountain Crossing outfitters cooked by a church group on weekends. Had already eaten the pizza.Shower and bed helped recovery.Ready now for the next challenges but not too anxious for predicted rain and cold weather moving in on Monday and Tuesday.Blessings,
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Neels Gap/Mountain Crossing/ Blood Mountain Cabins

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Blood Mountain Inn was a nice respite after the last two days of climbs from Woody Gap and up Blood Mountain. Stayed late to further recuperate, eat breakfast and pick up a couple of items at Mountain Crossing. Needed some 50 sunscreen to combat the sun. Lucky and I hit the trail at about 11:30 and as usual all trails out of gaps are up. Second trail angel at Tesnatee Gap just before the climb to Whitley Shelter for the night. This one was in person offering bananas. Oranges and apples were all gone. On a hot day oranges would have been the preferred choice. The banana was great though and the .7 mile jaunt uphill to camp a bit easier. The side trail to the shelter was a whopping 1.2 miles and back again the next day. Just too much for this Logman; so I set up camp "lone wolf" as Lucky and me had separated several hours before. He's just under half my age and I have learned early on that I have to keep at my pace. My camp site among rhododendron trees was quite cozy but a bit on the slant. During the night I found the tent side holding me in quite frequently. Determined to get up early tomorrow to make up miles I'm loosing as I get in hiking shape...a two week plus process. One benefit was however that I had a long texting conversation with Cathy before hitting the bed.Blessings to family and friends and thanks for prayers.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After a good nights sleep I headed north again at daybreak. Low on water I had not cooked last night eating the extra lunch I had due to leaving Neels Gap late and enjoying a sandwich there before hitting the trail. First water was (supposed to be) at Hogpen Gap. If it was it was way down a hill...so headed another 4.8 to Low Gap Shelter and for sure water. The trail was much less steep heading into and out of Low Gap. Some quite rocky most not. Another 7 miles to Blue Mountain and dinner/sleep. Leaving Low Gap I passed Lucky who had also solo camped. He is now behind me. Nice hiking today starting to round into shape but still much to do. Arrived at shelter to find it mostly empty, only three in it tonight. This is my second shelter experience and not too bad yet. Some folks were tenting there hoping to get out before tomorrow and storms. Including a couple of former thru hikers who met on the trail and married after. This weekend they were doing a favourite short section.At the shelter I reconnected with Cigar Willy who had taken off early from Neels Gap. Wind all night was forboding of the expected storms. Met No Regrets a new friend my age, a former pastor from the Atlanta area. Slept good but the wind headed straight into the shelter. Not too bad actually but needed all 15 degrees of warmth provided by my cold weather sleeping bag. Blessings
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap/ Blueberry Patch 
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke to strong wind and threatening rain! Expected later this afternoon but not early. Packed and headed down Blue Mountain 3 miles to Unicoi Gap. My plan was to make the next shelter before the storm but that was not His plan for the day. Upon arriving at the Gap it was getting colder and rain imminent any minute. I decided to join No Regrets who knows the area well for another change of plans...a warm dry place to sleep, free laundry and shuttle to town (Hiawasee, Ga.) Blueberry Patch is one of the most popular hostels on the AT. Christian owned, fee based on donation, and great breakfast. First thing once the house was filled No Regrets and I became members of the "Purple Tribe". Thanks to Lynn (no trail name yet) and the group who was ahead of us arriving from a different Gap. I will probably come that way back here in two days to resupply for my four day hike to next stop in Franklin, NC. The others so are about two trail days ahead of me. New friends: Ranger, Alpine Monkey, Moose and Teton a couple from Iowa, Dexter and Chi. Chi and Alpine Monkey live about 10 minutes from each other in Connecticut and met while planning their hikes.Gary the hostel owner and former thru hiker shuttled us all to Hiawasee for AYCE pizza and salad at Big Als, absolutely wonderful. One thing for sure is that hikers EAT. No Regrets and I will head back to Unicoi tomorrow if the weather tails off as predicted. The additional rest of this day should be great but I'm now about one and a half days behind my schedule.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Unicoi Gap/ Blueberry Patch 

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

After a fantastic breakfast complements of Gary and Lennie owners of the Blueberry Patch Hostel (scrambled eggs, sausage, cheese biscuits, hash browns and the signature pancakes with homemade/homegrown blueberry syrup) No Regrets, now "New Man" more later on that, set out in freezing drizzle and gusting winds to climb Tray Mountain. The trail up was not too slippery but was challenging otherwise. Rocky and steep. As it got colder during the day we were blessed with a stop in the rain. On the way we passed the same trail angel from two days ago who was inviting hikers into his camper for warmth and coffee. Not being a coffee drinker I enjoyed the warmth for a bit. Just afterwards I met "Risky Business" a thru-hiker from Hodgensville, KY. Always nice to see others from home. Closing in on the top the cold and wind was visous. Me in only my raincoat and dri-power T-shirt. Warm enough to hike not to stop even for a brief rest. At the top a few, including New Man were already in the shelter whose open side was directly into the wind! Most already in sleeping bags to help ward off the cold. Wind had to be at least 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 60! Not such a great place to be with few if any other options. No cooked dinner tonight...a kind bar and jerky for me. Too windy to light a stove and too cold to try! In bed by 4:00! I was actually rather warm considering with dry clothes and bag liner. Now putting those babies on was not fun. By dark we had 7 in the shelter and about the same who battled the wind to tent.Now more on my friend New Man. New Man, formerly known as No Regrets, is a former pastor with an uplifting story of pain pill addiction and loss of pastoring...but what a gracious and loving outlook. I suggested his new trailname because of how his story compares with "my" Reset Journeymen back in Newport, KY. 2 Corinthians 5:17Blessings
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0

After last night the morning could not have come too early. Still cold, very cold but sunny and only a slight breeze. I awoke early and hit the trail for one of my longest days do far driven by the urge to bet back to Hiawassee, good food, warmth and a much needed and too long overdue Zero Day. We still could not cook over a stove so the day began with a cold/near frozen breakfast bar accompanied by the very little water I could get out of a frozen water bottle. Not the best way to begin a long day on the trail. Some say this is the toughest section in Georgia (Unicoi Gap to Dick's Creek Gap). I don't know but with frozen water I was anxious to get that thawed. It took about two hours and did that much needed refreshment taste good! The day ended up being almost foodless as time was of the essence to meet shuttles at Dick's Creek. Few stops and eating from the pocket as I went. Made reservations for shuttle at Deep Gap Shelter, about the last spot for cell service as none is at Dick's Creek Gap. I had two hours to make 4 miles; no time to reload water or stop for any break. And AT mathematics is this: Gap = uphill. On this stretch uphills seem to go on and on and on. So starting my time crunch 4 miles I had about 3/4 mile up before some rollers and a long downhill into the Gap. Got there with a few minutes to spare. But the best news was that there was still plenty of room at the Blueberry Patch Hostel. Seconds there are a good deal. I would zero tomorrow in Hiawassee at the Budget Inn a very hiker friendly motel near the center of town. Dinner at Big Al's all you can eat pizza (second time there too) and breakfast again at Blueberry Patch should be a great start to the much needed day of rest. At today's end I felt like I used to after a long week of cycling...dead legs. And knew that only a whole day of rest would offer recovery. I certainly learned the that I need more rest than planned. For example, I should not have gotten back on the trail Tuesday and stayed over then instead of tomorrow. Of course that would have meant missing all that great weather on Tray Mountain! The essence of the AT...unpredictable adventure. My hope now is to stay on track to meet my wife in Gatlinburg in about 10 days. That will require one more Zero in Franklin, NC and from there on into the Smokies and Gatlinburg is the the plan.Blessings,
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee Budget Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Rest day! Much needed but not exactly planned this way. I will be behind a bit more now than hoped for but know I needed this rest. Lounged at the motel, ate a couple of good meals, bought and repacked supplies needed for the next 4 days. Plan a mid-morning start and a look forward to hiking on Good Friday.The motel is filled with other hikers. Many of whom we (New Man) have seen previously on the trail. While this is not a 4 star motel it is very hiker friendly and offers free shuttle service to and from the trail head some 11 miles away.Blessings,
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Hiawassee Budget Motel

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Shuttle to Dick's Creek Gap; started hiking at about 9:30 am. Today's goal was to make North Carolina and be done with Georgia - one state down 13 to go. Georgia taught me a lot as the AT does to everyone in Georgia. Weather predictions for today were not great. Late afternoon sprinkles turning to steady rain around 3 or 4. I hoped to make Muskrat Creek Shelter before that. North Carolina trail is very nice, less steep climbs it seems than in Georgia. New Man stopped at the first shelter in, Plumbcreek at about 5 miles. I wanted more miles in an attempt to make up for some lost time on my now way off the mark itinerary so I hiked on with fresh legs from the Zero yesterday.The trail to Bly Gap and the state line was nice and made for some great views. And what a nice site to see the pipe (message container) and sign identifying the GA/NC state line! Per the usual (gap = climb) I head up and out of Bly Gap toward Muskrat Creek Shelter. Steep was the trail and wetter was the rain, now rapidly changing from sprinkles to rain! At a low saddle in the climb I quickly set up camp to avoid the pending deluge. Just crawled in when it hit! (You can see a picture of my campsite in photos...I think.)Per my lovely and adorable Cathy's suggestion as we texted during the rain...can't you hike in the rain? Well yes but... One has to make a decision in such situations. This trail can be a monster in dry let alone wet and getting dark conditions. Two hikers did pass me. For me with legs tiring and the weather I stopped. The next morning I learned how wise my decision was. Bly Gap was still a long climb after my campsite and the trail down steep, rocky and with running water...not a good thing for me would that have been at dusk!
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7

Broke camp at about 7 am just after first light. Tent wet and most everything else damp, I headed to Muskrat Shelter for breakfast and to dry out the tent. Two hours it took to negotiate the climb out of Bly and down to Muskrat...see why I made the good choice yet unknowingly yesterday? Muskrat Creek Shelter was not where I would have liked to be. When I arrived it looked like maybe 20 were in the shelter and tenting around it. The shelter itself was very rundown. Of all things at the shelter were a couple from Houston, TX both former thru-hikers, who were there spending two weeks marketing their hiker food (Yeti is company name). So I arrive, take pack off, start to put up rope to hang tent and start getting a sales pitch...not cool. No one I have met since liked the idea. It took about an hour to dry tent, cook, eat and clean up from breakfast (yummy blueberry oatmeal)and hit the trail again. No sooner had I started than a couple hiking a section of the AT heading south passed along word of a group of folks setting up for barbeque at Deep Gap some 5 miles away. Upon arrival I found a well honed setup of "Trail Angels" cooking and welcoming hikers...me being the first. Chicken, baked beans, pork butt, potato salad, chips, soft drinks and Gatorade...wow. Unfortunately the pork was not ready yet but I did dine on chicken, beans and other goodies. They said I was the first hiker to pass since the food was ready. In fact as I came into site several of the folks yelled "first hiker". Sort of neat in the wilderness of NC. Neat people, organized by two former thru-hikers the group had been doing this for 22 years on Easter weekend! In the morning they were going to be making omelets, custom omelets for hikers passing through Deep Gap. Standing Mountain Shelter, my destination, was only one mile away...up of course...so theoretically I could have hiked back down (2 miles with round trip) for breakfast on Easter. Didn't wanted to make more miles for an easy shot into Franklin one or two days later. At the shelter I reconnected with New Man who had stopped short yesterday and with Lucky from Neels Gap. I thought Lucky was way up the trail. This is what happens on the AT. Everyone hikes their hike but we seem to reconnect along the way.