morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Springer Mt. GA

To: Stover creek
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a momentous day, I began my Northward journey from Springer Mt. I got a late start today after church, and worried that we would get lost on the way to USFS rd 42, but we finally found it. Mary hiked the short distance up to Springer with me. I got to see the Springer Plaque with my own eyes. I've spent months looking at other people's photos, but now I was here. We hiked back down to USFS 42, and there we met Youngblood. He is a former thru-hiker, and I have seen him on White blaze.net and on the hammocking forum. He gave good directions for Mary to get home, and I went NOBO. I can't explain how excited I was! I had to tell myself to slow down...I wasn't going to get too far that late in the day anyway, but I was flying. I passed Stover creek shelter, heard people talking, but I wanted to go further. I got to Stover creek, followed it for awhile, and found a good little camping spot. I set up my hammock, ate dinner, and hung my bear bag. My summer's adventure has begun. As the night progressed, I heard thunder, and saw flashes of lightening. This continues for awhile, and I fall asleep. I woke up later and the moon is coming through the trees, leaving little spotlights on the forest floor. A lightening but is exploring the area, and the creek is bubbling and singing as it flows. (I found out later that all of N. Georgia was on Tornado warnings that whole night, and Tornados were seen not too far from Springer.)
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Stover creek

To: just before Granny Top Mt.
Miles today: 18.4

I started hiking around 7:50 AM this morning. The morning was damp, misty and rainy. I figure this won't be the last time I have to break camp in the rain. I hiked past three forks and continued to Long Falls, the temperature was pretty cool, and the rain had picked up, but the falls were still worth the little blue blaze to get to it. I was doing pretty well until I met Justice Mt. By the time I summited Justice, I was feeling fatigued and sick on my stomach. I made it to Gooches gap shelter, and decided to set up my hammock. The shelter was pretty cool, but the tenting area behind it was strewn with litter, toliet paper, and half eaten food. It was a really sorry sight. I rested up, ate a snack, and took an hour nap. After that, I was feeling pretty good again, so I decided to start again. It was too early to stop at Gooches gap, so I continued hiking toward liss gap or jack gap. Unfortunately, the trail was overgrown with poison ivy and I just didn't feel this was a good spot to hammock. I kept going until I reached woody gap. A huge group of teens were there, I think boy scouts. I heard them a half mile away south of woody gap, still there was nowhere to camp. By this time it's getting dark, so I get my head lamp out. I hike in the twilight, hoping for a place to stop, no dice. I ascended Big Cedar Mt. with my head lamp. I ate a snack ona rock outcorpping with the full moon shining over me. It was absolutely beautiful, but I was getting very tired. I descended Big Cedar, desperately looking for a half clear place to set up and finally reached Dan Gap. I set up my hammock on the ground and spent a very windy, foggy, and chilly night. I struggle, but finally get to sleep.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: just before Granny Top Mt.

To: Baggs Creek Gap
Miles today: 12.9

Today started with me worrying. My feet were very sore and my body very achy from the miles I hiked the night before. I spent alot of last year suffering with foot pain, I even have gone to a poditrist to see what he could do. I have custom orthotics, and until this point, my feet were feeling fine. What would the rest of this trip bring? I decided not to push myself this morning, and got things together fairly slowly. I still got started by 8:00 AM. I started getting ready for my climb of Blood Mountain. The ascent of Blood Mountain wasn't anything like I thought it was going to be. I took my time, and before I knew it I was at the summit. I dried out my gear on the rocks above the shelter and took a nice long break. The Northern side of Blood Mountain was more difficult. There were lots of rocks and it was a lot steeper. I made it to Neels Gap. This is a great place to take a break, resupply, or even spend the night. I got my maildrop, sorted through it, ate some snacks and in general just rested. I wanted to make some more miles, so I headed up the mountain toward Baggs Creek gap. I arrived early (for once). I did my evening chores of getting water and setting up camp. Had my dinner and did a little reading. Around 12:50 AM I was awakened by animals that seemed to be all around me. They sounded almost like monkeys. The would call out to one another and just get closer and closer. It really started freaking me out. I layed in my hammock with my hiking poles ready to defend myself. I eventually figured out that maybe they weren't interested in me. (Later, I found out these were Barred Owls).
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Baggs Creek Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Today has been an interesting day. Blue Mt. is a mean mt. The hike along from Hog Pen Gap to Cold Spring Gap was good trail but from the chatahooce gap to below Blue Mt...very rocky, mean! Overall the hike today was fun. Spring is in full bloom and my feet are feeling pretty good(until the ascent of Blue Mountain). I met a couple at Low Gap Shelter (I had taken about an hour break in my hammock there). They seemed pretty interesting, so I talked with them for awhile. The closer I got to Blue Mt., the harder the trail seemed to get. It may be because I was tired, but I was starting to wonder if I was ever going to see the shelter. A little before the shelter I filtered my water, and made my way to the shelter. Two short section hikers were there. They were pretty interesting fellows. We talked about some of their past hikes, their families, my job...all sorts of things. They had the camping view of hiking. They were more interested in doing low miles, with camping in high comfort. I couldn't believe the amount of food they had, and the gear was enormous. I will say this for them, they were really comfortable! I retired for the night, hoping to finally get a good night's rest. I'm starting to drift off, when the couple I met at Low Gap shelter came in. They arrived around 10:00 PM, and set up their tent right beside my hammock. They had tons of other places to set up, but they were 8 feet from me. They talked and giggled for about 2 1/2 hours. No sleep! I could hear every word they were saying, and I was so tired. I didn't want to listen, but they were so loud. Then...to beat it all, they go to sleep and start snoring....SNORING!!!! I almost broke down camp to find a different spot, but I was afraid I would get hurt I was so tired. I decided to stick it out and try to get a little sleep.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

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

Today was a snake day! I saw 3 snakes, I even had to convince 2 of the snakes to leave the trail so I could pass by. One was black and around 4 to 5 feet long. The others were fairly small, but that doesn't really mean anything I suppose. I climbed out of Unicoi Gap to the summit of Rocky Mt. The views were pretty cool, and I saw several overnighters out. One man was there with his two sons. I think it's cool for families to be sharing their love of the outdoors with their children. The cheese factory site wasn't all that impressive to me, but Tray Mountain was pretty awesome. The main event for the day was Kelly's Knob. Now, I don't know why they refuse to call it a mountain, but Kelly must have been one heck of a woman, because the climb about killed me. It felt like it was straight up. Descending to Deep Gap was well appreciated, and while I really didn't like hiking that far off the AT (.3) it was well worth it. I set up in front of the shelter, all by my lonesome tonight. I finally got some much needed rest. No snoring tonight! Unless it was me.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I met some really nice people today...Phillip and his son Jason. Jason is 19 and had thru-hiked last year. They are hiking until the NOC, maybe I will meet up with them on next weeks hike. I met them while I was taking a hammock break at the blue blaze to Plumorchard shelter. I was just swinging away, reading my book when they came up to me. The hiked on to the shelter for a good break, and I headed on down the trail. Of course, Jason is a quick hiker and his dad isn't too bad either. Pretty soon I could hear them coming up behind me. I let them pass as we entered the Nantahala National Forest. Phillip slowed down some, and he and I talked all the way to the NC/GA border. I had made it to my home state of NC! Now you'd think this would be a huge thing, and mentally it is....but the sign looks really puny in real life. I'm not sure what I was expecting, but this wasn't it. Soon after we are at Bly Gap and the famous tree. I take a few pictures, and then onward we go. The first few climbs in NC are brutal. I thought Kelly was rough, but now I know why she's just a knob. The climb up courthouse bald and sharp top were like ascending a staircase to heaven. It was straight up, but so beautiful. Jason was in the lead, with Phillip and then me in the back when he freezes, then runs backwards chasing us back. A HUGE and I mean huge rattlesnake was in the center of the trail. There was no going around this beauty, and it had no intentions of moving. We convinced Jason, cause young people are fearless and can't be hurt...to scare the snake away. He yelled, rocks were thrown, (from a distance) we tried everything, but the snake just played dead. We figured we had made it pretty mad, and it was waiting on revenge. Eventually it meandered away and we ran up the trail, grateful to be moving again. Eventually we made it to Muskrat Creek shelter and camp. While I was setting up camp, my two new friends were talking with two thru-hikers. As far as I know, they were the last thru-hikers of the season that far south. Jason was really wanting to see a bear...and I was convinced that he was going to curse us with a night visit from a bear, but it never materialized. After dinner I decided to leave all my gear in my hammock, and take a walk out to Raven rocks. It's a .5 mile blue blazed trail out to rocks with wonderous views. I know you may be tired after that hike up to muskrat, but the blue blaze is well worth the effort. I sat with my journal, and camera enjoying the view, when this loud explosion takes place JUST above my headd. This very large bird of prey flew close enough that the hairs on my head stood up, and I watched him float on the air currents over the valley and across the mountains we had just climbed. This was an experience I just can't do justice with words. I'm so glad I hiked out there.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Deep Gap USFS 71
Miles today: 4.0

Left Muskrat shelter around 7:50 AM and arrived at deep gap at 9:32 AM. Let's just say I was motivated to see Mary, and the idea of eating food I didn't have to carry really appealed to me. I heard all sorts of animals on my morning stroll, one seemed rather large, but if it was a bear, I didn't see it. I was convinced that somewhere in GA or NC I would've seen a bear, but it just didn't happen. I saw this pretty cool sign this morning. It was for the Chunky Gal trail. I wonder if the person who it was named after was pretty mad. I mean...you live in trail history, but you're called "chunky". Hmmmmm...I'd have to think about that one. Upon reaching deep gap I knew I had a little while to wait. There were a group of Boy Scouts there, ready to take a training hike for Philmont. I took my boots off, curled up beside a tree and talked with the leaders for awhile, then waited on Mary.I was so glad to see her. We put all my gear in the back of the jeep, and we headed toward civilization. I told her all about my journeys during the past week, and she told me about he week of nursing classes. Then she took me to arby's for a snack and cracker barrel for lunch. Tomorrow I will do my church job, and then begin another hike.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Deep Gap USFS 71

To: Old Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Finished my church job for the week, and now I'm back out on the trail. The hike here was pleasant and my feet were not in any real pain, so life is good. I met a trail maintainer who is camping tonight. I helped him build a fire and we talked for a good while. There are boy scouts at the new carter gap shelter. They are a little loud, but not too bad. The view from Standing Indian Mt. was pretty cool. The blue blaze to the actual summit is well worth the couple minutes hike. There is a neat place to have a tent up there, but it was awful buggy, and I had more miles to make. It's kinda difficult getting prepared on Sat and Sun to get back out on the trail. I have the drive, the resupply and the church job, but it's really nice to see Mary. There will come a point in my hikes that this week hiking and going home on Fri or Sat won't be possible.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Old Carter Gap Shelter

To: Panther Gap
Miles today: 17.9

I'm on top of Albert Mt. now. That was an extremely hard rock scramble to get up here, and unfortnately there is no view. Everything is fogged in. I want to come back here. Even though the climb was hard, it was still beautiful, even in the fog. It rained on and off all day today. I took a break at Rock Gap, and hiked into Wallace Gap. Then I hiked on to Winding Stair Gap. Back in March I hike from here to Swinging Lick gap to try out my hammock. It's interesting seeing some familiar trail. I finally set up at Panther gap. It's been a long, long day. Emotions were pretty low today. I felt very tired, and emotionally drained. I think the rain didn't help, plus I've not gotten rid of the blisters that developed on last week's hike. They say that long distance hiking is often a mental game, I believe it. Tomorrow will be a better day.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Panther Gap

To: .2 past Tellico Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: moderate rain

The hike up to Siler's Bald was uneventful. It was foggy, and wet, but it was only drizzle. I met a SOBO who was hiking with and umbrella. I've heard of people doing that before, but never saw it first hand. We talked at the blue blaze to the shelter, then we both went in our opposite directions. He was finishing his hike from Harpers Ferry from the year before. I had already been to the summit of Siler's Bald, and since it was so foggy, I decided to not take the side trail to the top. I hike down into Wayah Gap and begin my ascent of Wayah Bald. This is another place I want to visit in good weather. The hike wasn't too bad, and it was interesting seeing the connection of all sorts of other trails. As I approached the summit of Wayah Bald, I saw all sorts of people. Some had driven to the top and some had hiked in SOBO. I saw a church group of teenagers at the fire tower, they were full of energy. My poor body was wet and tired....how could people have that much energy? I took a break for lunch in the room at the bottom of the fire tower. After lunch, I went to the top of the tower, hoping for a little more clear weather, but it just wasn't meant to be. I started down the mountain. I met two girls hiking sobo. They were part of the church group already at the top. I felt so sorry for the one girl, she was obviously not having a good time. I hiked into burningtown gap, and then began the ascent to cold spring shelter. This is where I intended to spend the night. Once I got there, a family had taken over the shelter, which was ok, because I was still planning on hammocking. Unfortnately, there just wasn't a really good spot to set up, and I felt crowded. I talked with the family for a while, then continued to the summit. It was thundering, and threatening to storm, so I decided to hike to Tellico gap. The gap was pretty open, so I hiked a short ways into the woods, and set up my hammock.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: .2 past Tellico Gap

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

After doing my morning chores, it was time to begin hiking. The weather was a little misty, but it looked to be a promising day. I hiked up a well graded trail to the Wesser Bald Fire Tower. This is perhaps one of my most favorite places on the trail. The view was tremendous. You have a 360 degree view, the Smokys in front of you, and the trail you had just finished hiking behind you. I have been back to this fire tower three times now. The hike into Wesser and the NOC had plenty of PUDs. I had just had this mountain top experience, and the map elevation chart implied it was all down hill. Well, don't believe it! The hike to the bottom wasn't all that great, but it was worth it to see the fire tower. On a later hike, I did the wesser bald trail (blue blaze old AT). It is a beautiful trail with beautiful cascades. I'm not encouraging anyone to go off the white blazes to avoid a "purist" hike, but if you ever have time to hike that trail, you should. It was beautiful.I have been to the NOC before, but never as a hiker. It was a pretty cool experience. I went to the outfitters to get my mail drop (they couldn't find it), but I got all sorts of goodies, and ate a good meal at the River's End resturant. While there, I saw Phillip from the last weeks hike. We talked for awhile. He and Jason were staying at the base camp, but I had more miles to make. I called Mary and told her my mail drop didn't make it. She called the NOC and found out where it was. She had confirmation of delivery, and somehow it magically appeared. Hmmmmm thank goodness for Mary.Now a little advice.....eating a TON of food, especially the great cheeseburgers at the NOC is good while you are there, but not so great on the hike up to Sassafrass shelter. It is a huge elevation gain 3,339 feet according to the guide book. Mighty rough on a full stomach! It threatened a major storm all the way to the summit. There were several false summits along the way, and the storm moved closer and closer. I just knew it would strike while I was on exposed rock. Fortunately the storm missed me, but it was close. I hiked SO fast and hard. I was worn out by the time I reached the shelter. My feet got soaked (again). This was to cause major problems for me over the next week.I set up right outside the shelter. Two young men fresh out of high school were in the shelter. I listened to their dreams of college and how they were planning their lives. It's good to see kids dream. I was grateful to be in my hammock that night. I got to listen to the sounds of battle. Mice against human, with mice winning. They yelled, slammed things around...turned on lights. I was just gently swinging in my hammock, above the frey. Life is good. Oh, I almost forgot...as I was swinging in my hammock, I heard the two 18 year olds discussing the trail...it went something like this..."Those climbs today were sure hard....imagine if you were kinda old...like in your 30's?" Ahh....the wisdom of the young.....(I'm 35).
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

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

It rained on and off last night....so I packed up a wet tarp. The leaves and vines were all wet, and they splashed all over me on my morning hike. The hike to Cheoah Bald was great, but no view. There is a great place to tent on the summit, and a couple were there. I waited for a long time at the summit, hoping for some clear views, but it just didn't happen. It was time to hike on. The trail down to Stecoha gap was very steep and slick. I must have slid on the trail a dozen times. I met several overnighters in this area, and even two young women who were trail running. It's strange seeing people in fairly clean clothes, when you reek and you clothes have the ability to stand by themselves. Upon reaching Stecoha gap, I had my first experience with Yogi-ing.....The sun was out, bright and hot. I spread my gear on the picnic table to dry out and took a look at my poor feet. They were in brutal shape from the evening before. I have never seen so many blisters. I ate my meager lunch and drank my water while this group of birders were looking out at the view. The kept looking at me, and I tried to look as pitiful as possible. It wasn't too difficult. I hadn't been able to find the spring at this gap, and was low on water. They offered me an ice cold pepsi! I gratefully accepted. Success! Now I forgot to mention what I woke up to this morning. I pulled my bear bag down, and their was a hole in the side of the bag. Some.$%@#$ animal (mouse or squirel) had eaten through it and ate my cheese! MY CHEESE! How dare they, especially after I went through the trouble of hanging a bear bag. So this lunch was without my cheese. See how I suffer?Anyway, I hike on to sweet water gap. The elevation profile has a brutal climb here. It doesn't dissapoint. It is almost a verticle climb at places. Fortunately it isn't terribly long, but I had to stop and rest many times on the hike up, and I hadn't had to do that on a climb in a very long time. When I reached Cody gap, a 14 year old boy walked up while I was taking a break. His water purifier was with the group way behind him. He looked thirsty and asked if I had a filter. So, I began a filtering experience, him, his dad and several of his brothers. I didn't mind, and I figure that trail angels can be trail hikers too. I hiked on to Cable Gap shelter where I met two older hikers. They seemed pretty nice, and we had a good talk around the fire before I turned in for the night.