morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Nope, not on the trail yet. Try not to be too annoyed. This is an entry to appease my loyal readership of one(yes, that means you Storm the Stalker!). I'm going to share with you one of my favorite moments from a week-long hike this summer with two very awesome people.It was cold, it was wet, there were gusts of wind and tiny needles of precipitation; ominous storm clouds filled the sky and lurking banks of fog followed us up above treeline. I was wearing a smelly hat that even a homeless person would probably reject. And it was one of the best days ever. That's the beauty of hiking. Something as simple as rescuing your friend's disgusting hat when the wind blows it away turns into an epic moment of hilariousness.I keep telling people who ask that I'm not that excited. About my hike, that is. I go on to explain that I almost never get excited beforehand about trips and vacations. It doesn't even sink in when I pack. Don't get me wrong: I love the planning that goes into trips. I have a lot of anticipation. Just no overwhelming excitement, typically.But now I'm going to admit something: I am seriously excited. I can't wait to meet new people and see good friends again. I have an uncle who introduced me to hiking and was the very first person I shared my dream of thru-hiking with; I want to hike with him and share that the dream has actually become a reality. And it's shameful but I must confess that I am also really excited to have an excuse to pound sodas and eat doritos and snickers constantly. I can't wait to eat a meal at Elmer's in Hot Springs. I want to discuss trail runner options at Mountain Crossings. I keep thinking about how good the air smells above treeline and how sunlight feels on my skin. And I seriously can't wait to find absolute hilarity in something as underwhelming as a mildewed hat.So yes, I'm excited. And I can't believe I ever fooled myself into thinking that I wasn't. I LEAVE IN LESS THAN A MONTH!!!!! The job has been given two weeks notice and the one-way train ticket has been purchased!
Date: 2010-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Thank you's...To my mother: you are one of my best friends and I could not ask for a better mom. Only you would agree to spend 18+ hours in a car with me! Thank you so much for your support and love. I know the trail is not something you understand or enjoy. I know you're worried. So thank you for helping me realize a dream despite your misgivings. I'm glad you have faith in me.To my dad: it was hard telling you about this, but I hope you understand why I am doing it. I get my stubbornness, determination and willingness to bite off more than I can chew from you. Good to know delusions of grandeur are hereditary! I know you'll be proud of me and maybe you can even race me down a mountain or two when we hit MA. You'll probably be faster than me... still!Family and friends from home: I love you all and thanks for loving me (and repeatedly telling me that I'm crazy). I'll miss you! Send emails and come visit (and bring food)! Also, I lied... I'm NOT bringing the compass!Former co-workers: You guys are awesome and I'm sorry that working in a cubicle makes me turn into Dwight from the Office. Krista: now I'm really going to stink!Rocket and Storm: You guys are foul-mouthed, perpetually farting hilarious hiker trash and I love it. Thanks so much for your encouragement, generosity and friendship. I can't wait to see you on the trail.Loon: I hope my thru is every bit as much of a success as yours and I really hope I get to see you on the trail this year! Thank you so much for journalling for me. I will try my best to write legibly!EMS co-workers: Thanks for never failing to give me a hard time... one that I always totally deserve. I'm looking forward to seeing you guys when I return... but before then, we'd better hang out on the AT! Uncle Hikey: You are my role model and mentor. You introduced me to backpacking and barely even flinched when I almost immediately told you that I wanted to hike the entire AT. You are always willing to snowshoe, hike, feed me, or shuttle me to a trailhead. You are generous, cheerful and have the best attitude towards life. Your jokes are awful and you let me get away with being a total grump. You are a great hiking partner (even when you think streams are trails and NY is CT).To every friendly hiker I have encountered (both on trails and online): Your helpfulness, enthusiasm, friendliness, generosity and shared love of adventure is what makes hiking so great. I can't wait to meet new people and renew previous acquaintances while I am hiking this year. Wish me luck!(And I'm off! FINALLY! Will be on Springer soon... can't wait.)
Date: 2010-04-16
To: Amicalola State Park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Just getting to the trail was an adventure; a 10 hour train ride to Virginia and a night spent at Dak's house, an overnight stay in Franklin, NC and then a drive to Neels Gap...and then yet another ride to Amicalola State Park.Thank you to Daks and Tiffany for opening up their home to me - dinner was delicious and you guys made me feel so at home and welcome. Daks, you were great company for the long drive down! Good luck moving - hopefully someday I'll see you out on the PCT!Thanks also to Juma for the ride to Neels Gap - was nice meeting you, and I love the umbrella hat!Guthook, it was awesome seeing you again and thanks for the knot tutorial. Blue: Hope we can hike together some day and thanks for the ride. Have fun on the PCT guys.A great start to my hike with lots of generosity...
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Amicalola State Park

To: Stover Creek
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Its 8:30pm on my first night on the trail...and I am surrounded by screaming boy scouts scrambling through the woods in the dark. And when I say screaming, I'm not exaggerating. Evidently this is a game called "kick the can"...and apparently in the morning I am going to have to explain to the scout master what hiker midnight means. Because he is one the loudest culprits!But enough about the inconsiderate neighbors. Today was an excellent day. Exhausting, but excellent. Guthook, Daks, Juma, and I were on the road before 7. We reached Neel's Gap and Daks and Juma took off on their section hike. Guthook and I fiddled with my tarp. (I have to confess that my tarp pitching skills could be called half-assed, at best.) Then we drooled over the ULA packs and Western Mountaineering jackets in the gear shop until our ride arrived. I asked Guthook to give my pack an ultra-light intervention at the last minute. He spared my cuben fiber stuff sacks...but let's just say a few things went home. Goodbye, hammock bug netting! I'm really living on the edge out here.I was hiker number 635 to sign in at the Amicalola Visitors Center. My pack ended up weighing 25 pounds with 3.5 days worth of food and about a liter and a half of water. I walked through the stone arch of the approach trail at 11:40am. It took a while for me to realize that I no longer felt anxious, scared, or even excited. It just felt right. This is what I was meant to be doing right now. I finished the approach trail (8.8 miles of trail that "don't count" - it just gets you to the beginning of the AT) at 4:45. The caretaker on Springer Mountain, Many Sleeps, told me that 14 other thru-hikers passed by him today and I was the only female. He also said an earlier hiker had told him to look for me. No idea who that could be...maybe Daks?I met some great people today. Jim and his family were out for the weekend. Kitchen Sink blew my mind with how he earned his trail name: the man was hiking with over 100 lbs of pack weight initially! I kid you not. He had a very heart-warming story of how people helped him out, though; by the time I saw him he was down to around 50 lbs and planning to lose more at Neel's Gap. I ended up at Stover Creek Shelter for the night and met a man who attempted a thru-hike 32 years ago and was back out for 2 months. He gave me salt and pepper, had a homemade tyvek bivy and tent, great stories, and an amazing attitude. He was thrilled to be back on the trail. Hanging out with two really upbeat hikers was the perfect way to end my day...as was the insanely delicious re-hydrated spicy Italian soup I ate. The screaming boyscouts have receded into the distance like a pack of far off coyotes. I'm beat. Time for bed. Before I fall asleep I do have to confess though: I totally had an irate exchange of words with a 12 year old boy tonight...over the fact that he was disrupting my nine o'clock bedtime.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Stover Creek

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was perfect hiking weather. I had a leisurely morning and left at 11:30 from Stover Creek. 3 Forks had beautiful camping spots and I regretted not going a little farther the night before. I'm still not entirely comfortable with the idea of camping close to roads though. While hiking I met quite a few other thru-hikers and section hikers: Dragonfly, Slim, Sleepy, Major, Talks Bull, and quite a few others...too many names to remember! I also saw lots of wildflowers; there was one stretch of trail overflowing with wild columbine. While hiking in an area where the military practices maneuvers we came across a giant hollow tree...and in the bottom of it there were belts of ammunition!I've been hiking too fast so this afternoon I tried a slower pace and took lots of photos. On Sassafras Mountain the sun was dropping lower in the sky, the air was warm and golden, and as I looked over at the mountains in the distance five hawks looped and circled right in front of me. I was alone and it was so quiet I could hear their wings flap as they landed on branches and then rose up to soar again. It was a perfect moment of happiness.I made it to Gooch Mountain Shelter just before 7 and met even more people. The Justus Creek campsite looked nice but there were quite a few people there. Of course, there were quite a few people at the shelter, too. There was a really nice stealth site at Blackwell Creek (in between Justus Creek campsite and the shelter) but by that point I had tunnel vision and knew the shelter was near by - that was my goal and I wanted to make it. Now I'm in my hammock with no tarp so I can see a spray of stars and a sliver of moon.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Jarrod Gap
Miles today: 10.6

I don't think I've gotten more then 3 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night. At around 1:30 last night there was a raucous concert hosted by the local owls that was actually really enjoyable to listen to. It took what felt like endless hours to fall asleep after that, though. So once again I got a late, leisurely start at 11:30 am. After I got moving I bestowed my first trail name on a man named Frank who had what looked like a 5-gallon bag of trail mix. I told him his options were Gorp or Bulk Bin. I don't think he was particularly excited about either!I was exhausted today and the last few hours of hiking were tough due to lack of sleep/energy. As I was psyching myself up for the last hour of hiking (2 miles uphill to the shelter) I came across Dan, Brian, and Mike. Apparently everyone they had encountered warned of bears raiding for food bags at the next two shelters - even climbing trees and ripping them off of the supposedly safe bear cables. They were avoiding the shelters and camping at the gap. I threw my lot in with them. Becky showed up later and the five of us had an uneventful night after agonizing over finding the perfect tree to hang our bear bag. I tossed and turned all night and my over-active imagination got carried away a few times picturing potential bear encounters!
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Jarrod Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain, had my earliest start yet, and was hiking by 10, if not sooner. Saw bear scat on the trail and all it seemed to contain was walnuts and plant shoots - no hiker food like snicker bars! Stopped at the top of Blood Mtn. to check out the shelter - an old stone building from the 1930s that looks and smells ancient. The register inside had mixed reviews in terms of bear incidents: some had marauders all night and their food stolen, others had no incidents. There were beautiful views on top of Blood Mountain framed by flowering trees and banks of foggy condensation. My hands were cold and numb so I raced forward to warmth and lunch. In order to distract myself I sang silly nonsense songs with no words - noises for the sake of making noise, like how a little kid entertains themself. At Neel's Gap a newly made friend we had met two nights ago greeted us with beer, gatorade and a ride to dinner and the grocery store. Five of us ended up splitting a cabin and we had a great night. Thanks again, Newb!
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Neel's Gap

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Despite yesterday's short miles it had felt like a long day...it was cold and wet, I pushed myself a little too hard, and once again stayed up way too late. Today was sunny but cool and brisk and after loitering in the outfitters for almost 2 hours I realized that I was not in the mood to hike, so I headed over to the hostel next door and offered my services to Miss Janet. I helped clean then lazed about in the sun with the store's dog. Read a book, paid my bills, deleted my email, hung out with hikers at a delicious barbecue dinner (2nd night in a row of bbq!). I'm glad I stayed because I have been pushing myself a little too hard and my knee is not happy. After today the goal will be to hike more consistently, at a slower pace, and to start earlier in the day so I don't have to rush.Now I'm stealth camping across the road from the hostel/outfitter. A guy who works at Mountain Crossing helped me "retro blaze" - we hiked up an old section of trail that got re-routed and is now hidden and overgrown. It's not too stealth though - as dusk was falling two of the outfitter's dogs ran through my camp! I didn't see people but they must have been near, I could hear them. Right now it's a strange mix of vulnerability and confidence, hiking by myself. It feels good, though.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

Set my alarm and woke up at 6 - saw the sky slowly brighten in shades of warm gold and rose...only to fall back asleep until 8. Rushed back down to the hostel and managed to rip my pack on thorns bushwacking down the hill. I missed breakfast but there were leftovers. There were beautiful views throughout the day: from now on, when the guidebook mentions campsites with scenic views, I'm going to do my best to stay there. Today I felt slightly off - it didn't help that I very foolishly ran out of water. The last source for several miles was out of sight and I thought I could make it to the next... it was hot and the midday sun was beating down; I shouldn't have been lazy.My knee was killing me and I didn't think I'd be able to make 10 miles. Multiple ticks crawled on my gear and made me paranoid that I was crawling with unseen parasites. But as I crawled up Wildcat Mountain I decided to switch knee braces and went from the heavy duty double cho-pat to just the single strap - and my knee stopped torturing me. My spirits lifted after that and I made it to the shelter by 6. The guys dug a foot soaking pool in part of the stream, complete with a log bench and stepping stones. I soaked my aching feet in the icy cold water and then got to listen to Tom Waits songs played with banjo and harmonica. Then two of us had a yoga session under the stars, in front of the fire. I like how easily and simply a slightly bad day can right itself out here. Out here you have no one to complain to, no one to blame but yourself and you can't allow yourself to get stressed out.I saw a ton of signs of bear activity today in the last few miles leading up to the shelter - overturned rocks and shallow holes dug into the side of the trail, gnawed on dead logs...I think I'm too tired to care, though!
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

Today was very hot - temps were in the 80s. There was a spring that dripped in tiny trickles from a rock overhang right next to the trail and as I passed I stuck my head under - it felt so good. As I walked I tried to clear my head of all conscious thoughts in order to just focus on how good the water and wind and sun felt. I hiked 9.6 miles and was planning on pushing further so I'd have less to hike the next day - rain was forecast and if I could manage 15 miles I'd only have 11 more before I reached Hiawassee. But as I hiked the realization dawned on me; even if I pushed hard today, I'd still have a relatively long day in the rain with some steep elevation climbs tomorrow. And why do that when I could head into town from Unicoi and stay dry and well-rested? I shared this epiphany with Puck and Echo as they sat in the parking lot at the gap.The Hiawassee Inn shuttle had pulled away from the lot just as I was crossing the road. Luckily for us, the minute we made up our minds to head into town a car pulled in and we got a ride from the Colonel and his dog Goober. They were supposed to meet friends for a hike but gave us a ride instead...and an amazingly delicious ice cold beer complete with a bag of ice for my knee. Beer never tasted that good before. We ended up staying at the Blueberry Patch hostel and I am so glad we did. Lenny and Gary are so kind and generous; it's inspiring.There is a hot shower, comfy bunks, cold soda in the fridge - and it is all supported by donations only. They have donkeys, goats, blueberry patches, and a beautiful back yard. Gary is a former thru-hiker...and the most incredible part is that they have been running this hostel for 18 years! Your laundry is washed and folded for you, rides are offered, fuel for stoves in provided...cheerfully, promptly, with kindness and without any expectation of reciprocation.
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

A really excellent day off. Lenny and Gary have been featured in Backpacker Magazine for "best breakfast on the trail" and it is definitely a well-deserved honorific. Eggs, biscuits, gravy, sausage, pancakes and blueberry sauce - all homemade! Plus coffee and orange juice. It was incredible. We then got a ride into town and ran errands: post office, groceries, etc. before killing time in a great coffee shop. I actually recognized the font they used for their logo, and it was kind of funny to be reminded of work while on the trail. We were warm and cozy today, with comfy chairs and tea and books to read, and the barista was very friendly. I managed to eat a pint of Ben and Jerry's after a huge breakfast and lunch.Rain poured down and lightning flashed...so I decided to leave the coffee shop and walk to the antique store a few blocks away. Met some friendly people, and procured a ride from Ron, former owner and shuttle operator for the Hiawassee Inn. I read a book once I got back to the hostel, finally managed to draw in my sketchbook, illustrated a postcard for Rich, and sewed up the gaping holes in my thin pair of tights (which were literally worn for 5 days before falling apart at the seams). All in all, a very productive day.I also forgot to mention that yesterday I managed to pee on myself, poured protein drink all over my pack, ripped a hole in my cuben fiber pack cover, and then I sat on a loose rock and tipped ass over tea kettle right into a spring! My trail name may have to be changed to Calamity Jane. Oh, and I also forgot to mention that I lost my nice new underwear; I did laundry at Stover Creek...and left the laundry behind. I'm a mess. but I'm having a great time despite that! And speaking on trail names...mine almost got changed to Shank. Because I may have accidentally stabbed a bed while at the cabins near Neel's Gap! Don't worry though, the name didn't stick.Rain is pouring down now and I'm glad to be spending the night cozy and dry indoors.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We reversed direction today. The original plan was to hitch back to Unicoi Gap but since Gary was dropping people off at Dick's Creek Gap anyway, he suggested that we leave our packs at the hostel and slackpack southbound to Unicoi. He even told us we were welcome to stay at the hostel again if there was room. An incredibly kind offer that I felt a bit guilty accepting. 16 miles would definitely not have been possible for me with a pack. My knee was bothering me and I felt sluggish so I held back and let Puck and Echo take the lead. Echo was literally running up the hills. At one point he took out his harmonica and was playing as he hiked. It was nice to follow the music up and down the hills. I'm meeting many characters out here, all seem like good people:Cotton is only 19 and like me is by herself and female. She's out for 2 months until school starts up. She comes from a family of 11 and is an old soul. Quiet, laid back, and easy to talk to.Old Bay is out for 2 months too, until grad school starts. He has traveled to Rwanda and volunteered in Ethiopia. He loaned me a great book about a man who heads the volunteer program he worked for.Puck is 27, from Indiana and has worked demolition and bartended. He has a growly voice, an overgrown mohawk, and a great sense of humor. He carries a hockey stick as a walking staff. Echo is 27 too. He is on the trail going as far as his money will take him, and talks of working along the way. I have watched him bound uphill after both smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer! He tells stories about wild adventures and has hitchhiked and train hopped; that might sound disputable but he is a really kind, generous person - full of energy and friendliness.Greyhound is a sweet older woman out solo hiking to celebrate her 60th birthday. She thru-hiked in the nineties and is out here for a few weeks.Dragonfly is hiking to Harper's Ferry and then heading up to Maine and flip-flopping his hike in order to end in Virginia where he has family. He is a soft spoken Asian man in his thirties who is very precise and conscientious. It's his luck that his pace is the same as a loud and boisterous group of guys. I still haven't been able to figure out if he likes traveling with them or not!Newb is a section hiker who talks a blue streak and is occasionally hilariously inappropriate. He gave me a great introduction to trail magic at Neel's Gap with a ride, drinks, and snacks for all. Really generous and gregarious - not at all what you'd expect for someone who works for the government!That's just a small sample of people I have met. Acquaintances ebb and flow as people walk at different paces and follow different schedules.