morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-13
From: Collegedale, TN

To: Appalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dear Friends and Family - Today I am embarking on the adventure of my lifetime!=) In about an hour I am leaving to go to thetrailhead of the Appalachian Trail, where I will beginthe 2000+ mile long hike from Georgia to Maine throughthe Appalachian Mountains. Pray for me!!I'm finally getting excited. What with finishingfinals, graduating on Sunday, my family being here,and scrambling to finish up the last minute planningfor the Trail, there has been so much to process Ihaven't had time to feel! I'll be glad to get outthere and have some time.Two friends are going with me today, one staying for aweek the other for two weeks. I'm glad for that, so Ican get my "Trail legs" before I go off on my own! Iwill most likely meet up with some other thru-hikerstoo once I'm out there.At any rate, I wanted to tell you where to look for me- www.trailjournals.com/hephzibah. I expect to gothrough towns at least every other week or so, andwill keep that updated either myself in publiclibraries or by a transcriber through the mail. Whenyou log on be sure to sign my guest book! I will alsocheck my e-mail, but not sure how much time I'll haveto write any...probably won't be too much differentthan how often you hear from me now! =I You'reprobably more likely to get a snail mail from me whileI'm out there!I will be safe. I am confident that Jesus will walk bymy side step by step - that is one of the things I amlooking forward to the most! And remember you arewelcome to come and hike with me too!I love you all - thanks so much for the bond I havewith each one of you.Emily
Date: 2003-05-14
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

About 12 hours later...I feel much better. Hope I have more energy today!A shocking discovery: Matt tells me I snore, a claim confirmed by the other hikers. Bummer.Another surprise this morning - my friend that took my senior portraits last month showed up to take some photos this morning! He was real excited when he found out I was planning to do this and wanted to come and hike yesterday b ut had photo sessions scheduled. So he surprised me this morning instead - a little Trail magic already! I told him how to post them on here.After that we got going about 9:30, hiked until about 6:30...with plenty of stops. It was pretty slow going for me again, even with my twelve hours of sleep last night! But I felt much better after lunch.This I ate at Hawk Mountain Shelter, while veteran thru-hiker Sarge and his dog watched. I got lots of good, albeit unsolicited, weight-saving advice from Sarge - like how I didn't need my fleece (which I'd worn this morning) or my jacket (which I was wearing at the time) and that I was carrying too much water (which I drink from typically every 15-30 minutes while hiking)... Anyway, good intentions, and I have already thought of lots of ways I could trim weight... Good thing I'm going home this weekend.I had half a mind to stay there at Hawk Mountain, an eight mile hike from Springer, but Matt and Summer had hiked ahead and I was afraid of getting advice all night so when Sarge took his dog to get water I took off!I finally caught up to Matt and Summer at Horse Gap and discovered I hadn't actually been that far behind (somewhat of a relief to my pride). I named Summer - Farrah. She's so pretty like Farrah Fawcett, and like mine often does, her nose runs like one! Matt we're still waiting on a name for.It was nice to hike alone today. At first I was tempted to be irritated because I hadn't meant to hike so far today. But then I heard a plane fly overhead, a sound that always reminds me of a lazy summer afternoon; I heard the birds - my favorite sound is the woodpecker; and I started to process things. "This is what I wanted, God." In the words of Chris Rice, "My heart wells up with hallelujahs."So we made all the way here to Gooch Mountain Shelter. Another crowd eating dinner; we shared stories and laughs. All my chores are done; think I'll stretch and crawl in for the night. Should be asleep by nine tonight.
Date: 2003-05-15
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Earplugs are wonderful things. I slept another ten hours (still feel a little tired).Matt heard the mice last night until he remembered he had M&Ms in his pack. He promptly put them inside his Nalgene and the mice went away. Problem is, the Nalgene was full of water...It rained in the night; it's raining a little now. About 50 degrees. Here we go! "No pain, no rain, no Maine," as the saying goes.It wasn't so bad - I always dread hiking in the rain more than it's worth. It's just water after all. We pulled out about 10am and an hour or so later the rain had stopped and the woods filled with mist, not unlike what I envisioned the Enchanted Forest my sister and I imagined when we were little.Since most of my backpacking experience has been in the late fall through early spring, I am repeatedly struck by the greenery! It is so beautiful. And the flaming azaleas - orange. I love orange flowers.We fell in with a father and two sons from Florida, passing each other several times throughout the days as we both stopped to rest.The problem with hiking is, contrary to Newton's Law, what comes down must go up - especially in Georgia!!! I've heard it before and it is NO JOKE - Georgia is literally up down up down up down up... So what used to be refreshing downhilss are now bittersweet to me. They're also what tear up my feet the most. By the middle of the day I'd taped up my feet for blister protection - duct tape works great.I lost count of how many mountains we climbed today - at least three AFTER I was ready to stop! It's amazing how much longer your legs work when you think they're not going to anymore. We did another 12 miles today... I don't know if it's good or bad - I don't want to be overdoing it too soon. I'll be pretty stiff tomorrow! Was doing some self-massage, and I think my calves are too sore for anyone else to even touch!We met another thru-hiker this evening - the first - who put in about 20 miles today... We all ended up at Wood's Hole Shelter, same two guys from last night - nice, fun guys - the three from Florida, and the thru-hiker. Sat around the fire for awhile, and now going to bed about 10:45. Late for a Trail night!Tomorrow will be an easy, easy day, Saturday and Sunday near-zeros, so I'll have three days of rest.
Date: 2003-05-17
From: Bull Gap campsite

To: Ooltewah, TN
Miles today: 0.0

It rained in the night - HARD. First time to pack up in the rain. Boy does gear get nasty and muddy! We got back to Neels Gap around 10:15 and waited for Steve to come get us. He arrived at 11:30, hadn't gotten any of our messages yesterday at all. He and Matt both kill me, how they don't check their messages! "Well no one calls us!" But what if they did?Came home and took a nice hot bath and did my favorite cleansing ritual - a salt glow. (3/4 cups table salt mixed with a little water and my favorite bath gel of the moment - today it was Victoria's Secret Lovespell) Not only does it exfoliate and leave your skin unbelievably soft, it's also good to stimulate circulation. Now I'm clean and I smell good again, at least for overnight!I do feel anxious to get back out there and get going again (especially after reading all the encouraging entries in my guestbook!), but I am glad I get to be here for Rachel's wedding tomorrow. I want to be sure she knows she is more important to me than the AT.
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Ooltewah, TN

To: Bull Gap Campsite
Miles today: 1.1

En route back to Neels Gap we just passed a place called Booger Hollow. You gotta love the South!We just returned to Neels Gap once again. The 1.1 mile climb to Bull Gap was muddy; took us considerably less time this time than last, since we're fresh today. I felt good except my calves really burned. It was pretty chilly when we drove up so I donned my capilene shirt and jacket, but once I was hiking those came off again fairly quickly.It really did feel a little like coming home; I pitched my tent in the same spot. A group of about 8 or 10 middle aged ladies from Florida are here tonight -- quite a hoot. I think it's awesome they're out here! We heard their laughter before we saw them. Summer and I smiled at each other when we noticed their food -- most hanging almost next to the tree trunks, some only at eye level! We proceeded -- with several prayers -- to hang ours over the same tree branch and with the same technique as Ross showed us the other night -- thanks, Ross! Summer flung the rope over, I tied the knots.It was nice to be home overnight, in many ways. Definitely worth being at the wedding, my deepest, warmest wishes for Rachel and Frank. Kind of fun being a transient! A little unnerving -- it will take some getting used to.I got up early this morning and finished packing up all my stuff to store at Chad's, did a couple loads of laundry, got some financial stuff squared away. Then Matt was so, so gracious as to chauffeur me around to all my errands since my car insurance has already been cancelled. Why on earth he thinks I'm worth bending over backwards to accommodate I'll never know. I just hope he knows I don't take it for granted. I said thank you, but it just sounds so trite.God, please keep my eyes open for ways to pay it forward.It didn't really strike me until we got to Neels Gap that I won't be seeing Matt for a long time! We hugged goodbye and I cried a little. He drove away, honking profusely, and two minutes later as Summer and I hesitated on the brink of the trail, I heard his diesel engine approaching -- he'd returned to hug me again. That was very cute -- I cried again. He is a treasured friend; I am humbled and awed. I just read the note he left me with and bawled some more! Maybe if he doesn't mind I'll post some of it -- it's too beautiful to keep to myself! His artist's heart will touch some woman very deeply someday.As I set up my tent I thought of all the goodbyes I missed -- Lisa, Christoffer, Chad, Karin, my cat! Tadd and Marissa (Happy Birthday, Caleb!) . . . You are all in my heart. This time it's really for awhile. As I lay in bed tonight I really began to feel release; now I can really relax into this journey. It's really begun. "Again I thank You, God, for this opportunity. I am humbled and awed. May I be made worthy of Your grace. May my eyes be open to the needs of others, and may I have the words and deeds to fill those needs. May I be your servant."
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Bull Gap Campsite

To: Bull Gap Campsite
Miles today: 0.0

From Matt, as I returned to the Trail after he'd spent the first week hiking with me...Words often fail because their utterance would spoil what is so beautiful. Tranquility and happiness walk hand in hand with a love for God that radiates from you. Your smile and the way your eyes sparkle when you are hint at a passion for life that resonates with anything you do. You are not leaving home, but returning to it. The wind will whisper its greeting, telling you where its been while you were gone and where it plans to go next. The sun will look in on you day after day, warming your heart and lighting your path. And the trees will nod their approval of your passing. God will be with you, because He is in all things. His angels will worry over blistered feet and delight in praise and worship of the Creator with you...The time spent hiking the beginning of your journey with you was something that could not have a monetary value, and will remain a wonderful memory. Thank you.Matthew
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Bull Gap campsite

To: Blue Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, aside from being the longest mileage I've ever hiked, today was really relatively uneventful. We chatted a little over breakfast with the ladies from Florida -- who turned out to be quite a bit more wilderness savvy than I initially gave them credit for -- then set out around nine into a foggy, wet woods.It stayed that way all day, hovering around 55-60 degrees. It wasn't really raining but the wind would blow big fat drops off the trees. Both Summer and I are hiking in sandals, and if we were little girls our mothers would be scandalized at our dirty feet!I felt much stronger today; everything feels good except for my feet. . . they are tired and a little bruised feeling. Hope I didn't overdo it. It is awfully nice to be in a shelter.Highlights of the day were watching a wild turkey saunter by the Low Gap shelter where we ate our lunch; seeing two bright orange salamanders; and achieving our mileage goal. Took us about nine hours and 15 minutes plus an hour and a half stop for lunch. Long day. So I will stretch, read a bit, and close my eyes.
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Blue Mtn. Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we made it again -- another long day. My feet are worn out! It was a beast of a hike -- three big mountains this morning, including a 1,000 ft. descent followed by a 1,000 ft. climb first off, then some smaller, shorter climbs, and another near 1,000 ft. climb and descent right at the end of the day. I wasn't sure I'd make it.Nasty weather again too for most of the day. I asked God for at least a little sunshine and we got some, so that was nice. But most of the day was covered by a low, white sky, and climbing Kelly Knob took us back up into the fog. At least the dripping stopped around lunch time, and the afternoon was relatively dry -- but the trail still had lots of mud-bog spots! I have to admit I had thoughts first thing this morning of quitting. They weren't that distinct even but they were there. I'm not sure what it was; maybe waking up to dampness again, the multiple summits of Blue Mountain -- each one teasing you with the thought that you've made it. But I began to think of all the people supporting me. I tried to think of something I'd rather be doing, or what I would be doing if I was at home. I envisioned myself getting to Franklin, to Maryland and my parents; to Katahdin. And I remembered all the hard work I put in last semester to save up $$! And I said to myself, like my dad suggested, I don't have to do this. I can go home anytime I want. I'm choosing to be here.And by afternoon the thrill had returned. I'm really out here -- I'm really hiking the AT! Well, trudging seems to be a more appropriate term.When we got here to Deep Gap it was nearly 8:30 (we'd started at 9:30, took an hour and a half for lunch), and three other hikers were already in bed. We tiptoed around and climbed in bed about 9:30.
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

If I could write while I was out there hiking, these entries would be a lot less cheery.This morning was nothing less than miserable. I woke up still feeling tired, and had little energy for the first two hours or so. By 11:00 we'd hit Dicks Creek Gap and the road access to Hiawassee. Then the rain started. It is 3:30 now, it's been raining ever since. Even before the rain everything had a damp feeling to it; now most things are downright WET. Even my thermarest, which was inside my pack, inside my pack cover, got a wet spot. My sleeping bag feels damp -- I pray to God it's not getting ruined. Just bought it!!!I knew there'd be down days. I just didn't imagine they'd come so soon. Maybe it was the rain, or the perpetual climbing and descending, or the burning in my calves that just wouldn't quit, or the dragging I felt...whatever it was it finally broke me down. In fact, I even stopped on the trail and cried like a little girl a couple of times.A part of me wants to say, "Tears have no place on the trail," but the more realistic part says, "This is how I feel, I'll feel it." It had also been five hours since breakfast and on top of the 17 and 15 miles we did Monday and Tuesday I think I was just worn down. Once we got here, ate lunch, and changed into dry clothes I felt better. I also slept for about an hour and a half, snoozed for longer, and listened to Summer talk to Robert, a section hiker we spent last night as well as our very first night with. Then I got up, did my chores -- dishwashing, water-fetching, foot doctoring, and food-hanging -- and wrote some postcards. Robert read us some Reader's Digest jokes and then we all got in bed around 8:30. I'm hoping for a long rest again tonight so we can hike long tomorrow...I really want to get to Franklin to go to church Saturday.
Date: 2003-05-25
From: Franklin, NC

To: Campsite North of Wayah Bald
Miles today: 10.5

Well, my gear is dry, my clothes smell good, and my toenails are clean. Guess it¢s time to head back out into the woods.Bev and Sheryl tanked me up good on a delicious breakfast of cooked wild rice with fruit and honey, and my favorite soy milk! Once I was all packed up we made a stop at the grocery store and then to the trail. They were so cute ¢ they took so many photos they could have been the paparazzi! They¢re my new friends for life. I¢m so grateful to be a part of this big Adventist family. I had prayed during church for somewhere to stay, and God sent them. I hope they know how much I appreciate it and how much of a blessing they were. May God richly bless them in return!I hadn¢t meant to go far today, figuring on stopping at Siler Bald shelter, just short of four miles. But it was only 3:30 when I got there, and some people were there I wasn¢t too sure about staying with, so I just stopped there for lunch and kept going, hoping to meet up with the Carlsons to camp. They¢d also stayed in Franklin and gotten a shuttle back to the trail. I never did see the Wine Spring campsite, so I ended up going over Wayah Bald and camping just north of there, a little ways down the mountain.Maybe my mom will skip this entry . . . My first time to camp alone. No one else around for a few miles. It¢s kind of exciting, kind of weird. Immediately I set to work getting my food hung ¢ it was about 7:30 when I stopped ¢ and after several tries and a couple mishaps, and some prayer, I got it. My food secured, my tent set up, I stretched, wrote some postcards, and slept by 9:30.
Date: 2003-05-28
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

Fourth night in a row in my tent. Glad I have it despite its weight. One of these times I may try going without the body, using just the fly and ground sheet, to save weight. But then there are bugs . . .I am a little dry tonight, not much to say. Stayed up late writing last night --10:45 pm -- I heard my watch beep at 11 pm. Did just about 15 miles today.Saw Blue Tarp Man several times again this morning, but not after I stopped with Stan and Patty for lunch at Brown Fork Gap Shelter. It was a little eerie how he kept appearing behind us; I guess he pulls off the trail now and then and curls up under his (blue) tarp.Most of the day was overshadowed by anticipation of getting to Fontana Dam. I understand there are some cookies waiting there from Bushwhack and Bramble -- two people I've never met in person, just veteran thru-hikers I've met on trailjournals.com. Thank you in advance!Also have a maildrop from my mom with my regular hiker food in it. I'll spend a couple of hours there probably, sorting through stuff I want to send home and send ahead. Got a good weight-saving idea from Barbara this morning.Barbara is a cute young Canadian girl fresh out of school too, and hiking alone. Too bad she's much faster than me! Most people are, and I'm still fighting to not let that bother me. I mean after all, regardless of my pace, I'm part of an elite group -- at least I'm out here doing this!Barbara's here tonight, along with John. John's a character -- a shock of white hair, dirty capilene shirt, and hiker shorts with a big tear down the front, held on by his belt -- gray boxer briefs clearly visible below. He was at A. Rufus Morgan with us Monday night and was among the group of us that celebrated young John's birthday with breakfast at the NOC. Stan and Patty had spent a couple nights with him already. Apparently he drinks a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil, and eats sausage -- "to be sure and get my fat." I noticed tonight he had some nuts and a spoonful of peanut butter -- oh, and he could spare a few pounds too...(well, couldn't most of us?)I arrived at the shelter and skimmed through the register, but I couldn't tell if it was the shelter or the other hikers that smelled, so I decided to tent tonight. Hmm..back in my tent, maybe some of that odor was from me...My feet felt better today. Could have been the terrain I guess, although today was like Georgia, only with a view. Roller coaster ups and downs, one up very steep. I'd taken the advice of the shoe-girl at NOC and used the toe straps in my Chacos. She thought that might keep my foot more properly positioned over the arch support. I hadn't been using the toe strap because I was wearing socks to protect the sores I got when my sandals were wet! Socks help those -- and I wore my thicker ones today for extra cushioning. A hiker suggested this morning I use moleskin to build some more arch support into the sandal, so I'll try that tomorrow at Fontana until I can get my boots.
Date: 2003-06-01
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: few clouds

Rabbit, rabbit!Today was a tough day. Hal and I were talking about how everyone says the Smokies are so easy, so were expecting it to be easier than it really was. Still lots of ups and downs.Found two more favorite places: just before Spence Field Shelter on up to Rocky Top. I like all the openness. Then again between Silers Bald and Double Spring Gap Shelter, this may be partly because it¢s familiar. But again, there¢s more openness and several great views. One of Fontana Lake. It looks so small and far away¢hard to imagine I was just there two days of hiking ago.Otherwise much of the woods was closed in today. Pretty this afternoon, from Derrick Knob Shelter up to Silers Bald Shelter. A thick forest of short, skinny trees, with long green grass growing on the forest floor. A relentless wind blew all day again today. Even yet it sounds like ocean waves¢¦.except we¢re at just over 5500¢.I guess the challenge today was the desire for someone to lean on. Precisely the position I want to place myself in actually, although difficult. I want to learn to lean on God as much for my emotional needs as I do for my physical. By the time I was headed up Silers Bald I was feeling better, and the evening views on the ridge between there and Double Spring Gap were spectacular. I sat and rested for a few minutes, fighting off that ¢have to get there¢ mentality, the sun hovering over Silers Bald, and a crystal clear sky ¢ well, as crystal as you get in the Smokies.And familiar faces at the shelter! I really like Hal and Anne. Old John is here too ¢ I kind of wondered if he would be. Another SOBO couple on their first day out. Everyone¢s asleep¢¦guess I better follow suit. It¢s 9:07 pm and not even dark yet.