morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-01
To: 2.5 Hours Down, 5 Months Back
Miles today: 0.0

   Today was the last major hurdle to get this hike off the ground. Busy day. There were some emotional goodbyes, some last minute errands, and a not too long plane flight. I was thinking to myself...wow, it's going to take me 5 MONTHS to cover the distance of this 2.5 hour flight. Thats part of the beauty of it though, Speaking of beauty, I requested and received a window seat on the plane! However, on the Boeing 717 that I flew on, my window gave me a magnificent view of the right engine. All I could see was a giant blue engine with the message "inlet valve only." Awesome. Although, I will admit that materials Science majors have a special place in their heart for airplane engines. They are works of art. Sooo... next time you fly, thank a materials scientist!   Anyways, it was awesome seeing Christian. I got into Atlanta around 6:00PM to sunny 65 degree weather. Wow. It feels like I have not seen the sun for a week. It was snowing this morning in NH. We got some burritos at "Chipotle" and headed back to his fraternity for a "Vegas" party. While it was fun, I had enough alcohol to remind me that parties have never been my style. However, I was impressed with the number of kids who asked me the why questions rather than the hows (regarding my hike). Maybe its a college student thing. Who knows. This was my favorite conversation of the evening:Some guy: So, I heard you were hiking the ATMe: YupSG: Thats cool man. I had a friend that tried that once. No offense but I dont think you'll make it.Me: Thanks man. (nodding and smiling)Hello? Either hes a motivational genius, a professional fortune teller, or kinda dumb. How does he know? I didn't have a witty retort, (I rarely do), but I've been thinking about it a lot. Although I dont like to admit it sometimes, someone telling me I cant do something is a GREAT motivator. I know that thru hikers must be self-motivated but that was certainly a boost. Thanks random Emory kid.It's looking more and more like a Monday departure. I'll keep you updated!
Date: 2008-03-02
To: T-Minus 1 Day
Miles today: 0.0

Today has been a pretty relaxed day. It's 70 degrees and sunny. Christian said that there Atlanta has seen snow 2 times in 4 years. By the way, Happy 22 Christian.The official plan is to leave tomorrow. Christian has class until 2:30, and after that we drive north. I think it'll take around an hour. Since daylight will be waning, we'll drive up Springer, and I'll walk the mile to the summit, and stay at Springer Mountain Shelter for the night. Then, on the 4th, I will walk north. Still gotta pick up some mayo and cheese, but I'll do that on the way up tomorrow.Right now I'm watching Christian play an intramural basketball game from the elevated track over the courts. This is a really nice campus.The rest of the day was spent doing several things I will have limited access too. Lots of TV, Movies, etc. Right now I just want to get to the mountain. Soon, Eric, soon.
Date: 2008-03-03
From: Springer Mountain

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: broken clouds

3.3.08        The journey begins. I have finally made it. Not to Katahdin, but to Springer. That was my first checkpoint. All the planning, all the websites, all the "I will be" statements. I'm here. Not without a little adventure though.        Christian and I left Emory around 1330 and headed north after a brief stop for subs. What a change in scenery. In an hour of driving, we transitioned from Atlanta skylines to Kangaroo farms (I'm not kidding) that smelled putrid. Since Christian's printer doesn't work, we mapquested directions to the summit of Springer Mountain (you can drive up it about a mile from the summit) and copied them down on paper. After a wrong turn somewhere, we accidentally went up the wrong mountain. To make a long story short, we were supposed to go up USFS 42, and instead went up USFS 28. After a bit of head scratching, I consulted my trusty "Appalachian Pages" guidebook, which told me that USFS 28 crosses the Approach Trail (the trail used to climb Springer) 2.8 miles south of the Springer summit. At the trail crossing we got out, took a few pics, and went our separate ways. Thanks Christian for driving me out there. It was a big help.        The hiking felt great. While I only did 3 miles, I got an idea of the Georgia terrain, my out-of-shapeness (not too bad honestly), and my packweight. Everything felt fine and dandy. I reached Springer around 1700, took some good pics, signed the register, and went on my way. I officially walked the .2 miles from Springer to Springer Mountain Shelter. At this pace, I'll reach Katahdin in about 11000 days! I'm tarping tonight because it's so nice and no one else is in the shelter. Apparently the mice are vicious. I made my Lipton noodles, bear bagged the food, and off to bed!"Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth." - Thoreau
Date: 2008-03-04
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: moderate rain

Don't worry everyone, the southeastern drought is over. All fixed in one day. Today will be deemed downpour day.        Last night was tricky. Around midnight, the rain started coming. Since there were reports of crazy psycho jumbo mice in Springer Mountain Shelter, I took the caretaker's advice and tarped. It wasn't a good pitch. The rain kicked the crap out of it, and soaked through the footbox in my "waterproof/breathable" bivy, leaving me with a damp down sleeping bag along with lots of other wet gear. Since down looses all insulative value when wet, that is not a good thing. After not much sleep at all, I packed up and started hiking around 0800. I was planning a big day. Maybe it was just because it was my first day on trail, but hiking in the rain is fun! Once my feet got wet (I expected that they would), you can jump in puddles until your heart is content. Also, apparently I'm in shape. Who knew. I hiked with Baboon and Sasquatch from Florida, and Bananas and I recognized each other from Trailjournals.com. I did 7.6 miles to Hawk Mountain Shelter by noon, so I decided to push another 8. I felt great the whole time. Feet held up well. I'm a little soar but that's to be expected. No blisters though. Sassafras Mountain gave me a bit of trouble, but nothing to fret over.        I normally would not do 15 miles my first day out, but I wanted to set myself up for easier mileage during the next 2 days. I feel like I've made several good decisions so far regarding logistics etc, but I may investigate 1-man tent options when I get to Neels Gap.        Trail food rocks! I'm sure I'll get tired of it, but right now it's awesome. Clif bars, tuna, mayo, cheese, noodles, oh my! The sun came out at about 1700, which gave us just enough time to set up some clothes lines and dry some stuff out. The shelter was full (it holds 14), so the rest (10ish) of us are tenting around the shelter. It's not supposed to rain though, so it's fine with me. Shelters are infamous for mice eating everything and old men snoring. That's it for today. I'll be falling asleep to the sounds of Army Ranger gunfire, which is close to here. I'll probably knock off a few chapters of the "Predicting Weather" book Beth from Tyco gave me. Thanks!"Everywhere is [within] walking distance if you have the time" - Stephen Wright
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gaps
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Wow. What a day! Last night I tarped out near Gooch Mountain shelter. It was cold. Mid 20's I'd say. My sleeping bag was fine. I was warm the whole time, but man getting up isn't the most pleasant experience. You've gotta get up, keep moving, and get hiking ASAP.        It warmed up though. And no rain. I had a great day of hiking. Clear skies, great views, and good terrain. I don't want to downplay the Georgia mountains too much, but the are so forgiving! NH mountains go STRAIGHT UP while GA trails use switchbacks liberally. OK, I know I'm not supposed to hike 15 miles my first 2 days, but it just worked out that way. I heard tonight is supposed to be colder than last night, and I don't really want to sleep outside again until I get my shelter situation figured out...which I will do tomorrow. Soo, I booked it into Neels Gap, and got the last bunk in the bunkhouse (hostel). I've got one blister, and my right knee is a little tweaked. I'll have all day to rest, recuperate, ask some blister questions, and probably buy a tent.        Anyways, Neels Gap is awesome. $15 buys you a bunk indoors, awesome company, dinner (by donation), movies, and breakfast (by donation). I met several other thrus today, including Kirby (who is on Trailjournals.com and is a whiteblaze.net celebrity due to the fact that he is taking time out of high school to do the AT at age 16), Adam, Brian, Hillbilly, Windjammer, and Bearpaw.        Pirate, the hostel owner, cooked us dinner, gave out prizes, and entertained us. Pirate served us Pork Rinds. They were pretty good. We played a crappy game of Texas Hold'em and watched Deliverance! That's right folks...Deliverance. I was disappointed. Not very good at all. I thought it won a bunch of awards. I'm off to bed, but I'm sure I'll think of more tomorrow."Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far." - Teddy Roosevelt
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Neels Gaps

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: clear sky

Thank you Neels Gap! I had never stayed in a hostel before, but it was awesome. The "bunk" I had last night was about 2 feet too short and had a really crappy mattress, so I had to go fetal position and didnt get a great night's sleep. But hey, It's not their fault I got the last bunk (a bit different from the others) and that I'm tall.        This morning Pirate cooked us pancakes and cornbread before checkout at 0900. We ALL mozied up to the great outfitter upstairs to get our packs "shaken down" by Winston (I think) and his awesome, knowledgeable, and busy staff. They even have a meseuse (sp?) on staff that gives free 5 minute massages! He told me that I was surprisingly loose for a kid my age and height. He said that I don't seem to store as much stress in my muscles as most others. That sounds pretty accurate. Anyways, I pulled the trigger on a new Seedhouse SL1 1-man tent and mailed my tarp and bivy home. I gained about a pound of packweight, but also gained confidence, ease of setup, much better waterproofing, and better bug proofing when those badboys decide to join the party. But I lost $250. Plus tax. Oh well, life is too short to sleep in a bivy I always say.        In other news, I am contemplating a trail name change. WalkItOff is a full sentence, not a name. Hillbilly at Neels Gap last night told me I looked like Napolean Dynamite (I do). I think Dynamite would be a sweet name.        Oh yeah, when I signed the official trail register at Neels Gap last night, I was thruhiker number 123 for 2008.        So after gear shakedowns, having a photographer from Backpacker Magazine take pictures of Pirate helping me soak my blister, and eating an entire box of Girl Scout Tagalongs, I was ready to hike. I was planning an easy 4 mile day to make sure my blister and knees were fine. I felt good, but when I got to my intended 4 miles, there was no water where my guidebook said there would be. Since I was running low on my water from Neels, I couldn't camp there, because I couldnt make dinner, and wouldnt have any water tonight or tomorrow monring. So, yet again, I pushed. I pushed another mile where there was again no water. By this time, I was frustrated, dehydrated, and desperately needing water. I passed Windjammer, who gave me a swig, but I had to go 6.4 frickin miles to get a water source. I went over a little wussy Wildcat mountain that beat the crap out of me. No stopping for pics, no eating (it will just absorb more saliva that I felt like keeping). So here I am at Hogpen Gap, drinking mucho agua. I made the best ramen noodles ever created by an earthling. 2 packets of ramen, 2 chicken flavor packets, cheddar cheese, olive oil, and Tabasco sauce. Boom. I don't think it's supposed to rain or be cold tonight, but this is the Seedhouse's first test run. Goodnight."Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing." - Teddy Roosevelt
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: moderate rain

Slow day today. Woke up to rain. The Seedhouse performed very well. It took me a while to get up and moving, so my planned mileage for the day wasn't gonna happen. My legs are hurting a bit (knees), but nothing too serious. I think they just aren't used to all this work. I hope they adapt pretty soon though, because I want to do more miles. I'm at Low Gap shelter right now, with Hillbilly, Zach, Debbie and Johnny Millwater, and a few section hikers. Conversations ranged from theories that America is still run by the British, to the staged moonlanding, to the 7th dimension (in which we can see dead people). I'll probably do a 9.5 into Helen with Zach tomorrow and split a room in town because it's supposed to be really cold. Who knows though."This above all; to thine own self be true." - Shakespeare
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

Town Day! The key to doing big mileage days is...getting up early. It's so much easier to pack in miles if I can get up and start hiking by 07:30. Today I was up and ready to hike by 0700. Zach and I are planning to go into Helen tonight because it's supposed to get into the teens. I did 9.4 by 12:30 into Unicoi Gap. I hitched into town! It was my first hitch ever! Matt, the 4th car, pulled over in his white ford truck and gave me an 8 mile ride into Helen, which is a wierd little tourist town with all Bavarian architecture. I got a room for Zach and myself at the Best Western, but Zach never showed up. (I later found out that he couldn't get a hitch) I showered up, setup my tent to dry out, and went to Wendy's for some grubbin and some serious salad action., since it's pretty hard to to get fruits and veggies on trail. I ordered 3 cheeseburgers, a huge chicken BLT salad, and a medium rootbeer. Respectable, but not what I expect I will be able to eat soon. I ate my burgers and brought my salad back to my room to lounge. I did some ghetto laundry in the sink (just my socks) and watched Mission Impossible II on TV."The only thing that makes life possible is permanent, intolerable uncertainty; not knowing what comes next." -Ursula LeGuin
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 07:00 with the intention of hitching back to Unicoi gap and putting in a full day. The hotel lobby guy, who served me a pretty decent continental breakfast, said I wouldn't have much luck hitching at 07:00. I thought that was a good point. He told me another hiker was staying there (Indy Girl) who I had met at Neels Gap. She was getting a ride back to the trail around 10:30. I was welcome to join them. Thanks! I went back to bed for a bit, and set my alarm for 10:00. I get a knock on the door at 09:30 and it was time to go. Daylight Savings time started today! Doh. Its hard to keep track of stuff like that out here. I was ready though. At the trailhead, I met Mammoth from trailjournals, and started the first big climb of the day up Rocky Mountain. I felt great until about mile 8, when I was hiking down Tray Mountain. My knee still hurts. Once I get moving it doesn't hurt that bad, but when I stop for a break and start walking again it hurts pretty bad. I popped some Vitamin I (ibuprofen) sp? and that seemed to help. I did 14 miles today. The last climb of the day was Kelly Knob, which kicked my ass. It was a mile long climb with no switchbacks at a nasty angle. Probably the hardest mile of trail yet. I'm here at Deep Gap Shelter with a bunch of guys my age, including Jesse, Travis, Spruce (who did a 24 mile day) and a few SOBO spring break guys. Good company. I got a fire going, which is my first of the trip."Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." - Thomas Jefferson
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Short Day. As always, mornings are not my forte. I woke up, packed up, and headed out by 08:30. It was the longest 3.5 miles of the trip. My knee (and now my feet) are giving me trouble. I set myself up for 3.5 miles into Dicks Creek Gap, where I debated whether or not to stay the night in Cloud9 Hiker hostel or hitch in and out of Hiawassee with a quick resupply and spend the night on trail (for free). As I was deciding, Snake (another hiker) was dropping his friend off, and offered my a ride into Hiawassee. I said yes, and proceeded to put my pack in the back when I was hit with a potent wave of weed aroma. He dropped me off and I did most of my resupply at the dollar store. My knee still hurt, and my feet felt tired, so I thought I would call it a day. I called Cloud9, and after some phone tag, they picked me up and brought me to the hostel. This place is amazing. Laura, who picked me up, is a licensed massage therapist, and encouraged me to ice my knee, then soak it in their hot tub (yeah that's right), ice, hot tub, ice...Sooo, after a shower, that's exactly what I did. She really recommended I take another day off tomorrow, so thats what I'll do. It's hard not to. I spent the night watching Family Guy, South Park, and eating homecooked REALLY freshly caught trout dinner, salad, and dessert. The hostel is also a working trout farm. The trout we ate went from the pond directly into the oven. Tomorrow, I'll go into town again for a nice meal, but mostly relaxing, soaking my knee, and enjoying my stay here. Thanks cloud 9!If most of us are ashamed of shabby clothes and shoddy furniture, let us be more ashamed of shabby ideas and shoddy philosophies...it would be a sad situationif the wrapper were better than the meat wrapped inside it." - Einstein
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day! The knee doesn't feel a whole lot better, but it's nice to relax for the day. Lots of hikers here from Neels gap etc. Poor Boy, Indy Girl, Mammoth, 2 section hikers, The Bag Lady, Gregg, Christine, and a few others are just hangin out. I kinda want to get back out on the trail. I watched enough daytime TV for a long time, and it reminds me why I am out here in the first place. The Price is Right, Family Fued, Law and Order, etc etc. I went into town to finish my resupply and pick up a massive chef salad and sandwich at the grocery store (we had about 15 minutes to shop). I went to check out and get cash back, but got 40 cents instead of $40. I had to buy a pack of tic tacs to get another $40. At least they had orange.        At night a new batch came in for the night including Driftwood, Leaping Turtle, CJ (California Joe) and Maki. The 5 of us stayed up till midnight playing cards. REALLY fun time. Planning on doing 10 miles to the GA/NC border tomorrow."What good is speed if the brain has oozed out of the way" - Karl Kraus
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at 08:00, ate a croissant (sp) and a donut and had Crutch (the caretaker of the hostel and a 2.5 time thru-hiker) shuttle Maki, CJ, and me back to the trail. The knee hurt immediately but it was tolerable. I just have to be careful not to step the wrong way or I will get a really sharp pain. Maki, CJ and I leapfrogged each other all day and made it 12 miles into Muskrat Creek Shelter around 15:00. However, the weather forecast calls for rain on Friday, so we went to set ourselves up for a shorter day into town on Friday, which means pushing today and tomorrow. So, for the first time, I hiked more than a mile within talking distance with someone else. We talked about our reasons for doing the AT and our pasts. Thats one thing I love about the trail. So many different types of people doing the same thing. We pushed another 4 miles for a grand total of 15.7. We are here tonight with a fire, cigars, and more cards. Oh yeah, the terrain is changing too. NC has bigger mountains. We did a few big climbs today and one huge one tomorrow."Technology...the knack of so arranging the world that we need not experience it." Max Frisch
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Deep Gap

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Big miles today. Woke up and got hiking around 09:00. We had a big 1000 foot climb right off the bat. CJ and I apparently missed the turnoff for an amazing view, but oh well. Maki was making fun of us the whole day. Most of the day was easier miles than usual, but the knee determines how fast I go. I hate to keep harping on my knee, but it really is governing a large part of my hike right now. It's hard to concentrate on other things when your mind is focused on the pain of every step and getting the proper footing to minimize it. For the last 2 days, the first 5 miles are fine, the middle 5 miles are excruciating, and the last 5 are decent. Maki, who is a practicing physical tharapist, said it was my "IT Band" which is connected to my butt muscles, and gave me a few stretches that I have been doing multiple times throughout the day. It feels great right now, but we'll see tomorrow morning. Our last big climb of the day was the toughest yet, but it had a firetower on top and some awesome views. I'm glad we did that climb today because its supposed to rain tomorrow.        I'm at the shelter with CJ, Maki, Greg, and Christine (just now dubbed "The Time Traveler" by CJ because she has been dating all her journal entries without taking into account the leap year) I think a game of hearts is about to start. Franklin NC tmorrow!"I recommend to you to take care of the minutes: for the hours will take care of themselves." -Lord Chesterfield