morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's about one week until my AT launch. Been thinking about food and planning for trail needs. I found a reference to Logan bread while researching lightweight foods. It is a dense, intense bread that you can make at home.    Logan bread was created by a local baker and an expedition leader in Canada in 1950. The group was climbing 19,550 foot Mt. Logan and needed nourishing, calorie dense food. There are many recipes out there with the common theme of mixed flours, dried fruits, nuts, various sugars and spices.       I made a batch using a recipe from backpackinglight.com. I used a 60/40 mixture of whole wheat and white flours, dates, dried cherries and craisins for my fruits, pecan pieces, powdered milk, oats, wheat germ, and brown sugar & honey for the sweeteners. Some recipes don't use eggs but I used 2 eggs and a stick (1/2 cup) of melted butter.       The batter is very thick and I hand kneaded it before pressing it into the pan. An hour later the house smelled great! We sampled some and had to hustle the rest into Ziplocs to keep from eating it up. Because it is pretty low moisture it can be kept for a long time without spoilage, simply stored in air tight bags.   I put Ziplocs with three healthy squares in each into my freezer. I think this will make a good alternative to Cliff bars and will be easy to eat anywhere. My bread came out a little crumbly, but that's because of the low moisture content. I'll be sending myself a Ziploc full of Logan bread in each mail drop.
Date: 2013-03-19
To: To Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Can't believe I'm on my way. Today I flew from Salt Lake City to Atlanta. It was a beautiful day to travel. I took the MARTA train to North Springs and am overnighting here. Have repacked my gear and I'm ready for the trail tomorrow.    Survivor Dave will pick me and another lady up at 5:50 a.m.   We'll add another guy from the train station in Gainesville at 7:00, stop for a quick brekky then head to Springer via the FS road. Hope to be on the trail before noon.    The desk staffer the hotel asked if I was on the 7 day hike. Yep, plus a few more!   Thanks to my family for all the support.   I'm anxious to get under way.
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Lao-Tzu   Well, that's the theme of the day. I'm in my bag and tent at Hawk Mountain shelter, along with ALOT of others. Dinner is done, food is hung on cables, in my base layer to keep me warm tonight.   What a first day. Survivor Dave (a cancer survivor like me) fetched Emily and I promptly at 5:50 a.m. Off to Gainesvile for some wild times at the train station as we awaited the arrival of David on the overnight train from NY.   Let's just say we were introduced to another friend of SDave's named Louise and leave it at that. SDave also called AWOL, the AT guidebook author who is in GA at the moment. We said hello and he wished us well.    On the way to the Springer Mtn drop we stopped for brekky and to stash a water supply as we drove up the mountain. SDave's def got it figured out and the water drop will help lighten the load tomorrow. At the parking area SDave took our photos, which he posts at atsurvivordave.com. Emily lightened her pack a bit, then we were finally off--albeit backwards for 0.9 mile to the Springer summit. Yeah!! It's all good.    We reached the terminus in good time and took pix, signed the register (it's tucked away in a metal drawer on the side of the rock where the marker is) and enjoyed the view. Then we retraced our steps and began hiking NOBO. It was chilly early on but we were blessed with a great day for hiking. Passed through some beautiful forest as we made our way to Hawk Mtn.    My hiking pals today are wonderful. Dave is taking a life break before looking for new directon in his work and before starting a family. He is originally from northern England.   Emily is a Penn business grad who veered into the culinary world after a taste of biz consulting didn't wear well. She came from Napa to hike, arranging for a leave from biz dealings @ The French Laundry.    We arrived here at mid-afternoon and made camp. Talked with many others, then drifted back to our tents or hammocks to stay warm. Hope to rest up--someone is snoring lightly nearby!
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.9

Wow ditch plan A and go with something to deal with the weather. No overnight at Gooch Mtn. Shelter (an easy, break the legs in 7-8 miles)--gotta make tracks to find a way out if the 20-30 mph wind and cold. Oh, and it snowed on us the first night out last eve.    Kept hiking to Woody gap, a thirteen mile trek. I go sloooow on the ups right now, a real pack animal toting my stuff. Emily (now maybe trail named "OB") really goes. I am the caboose currently and rarely pass anyone. No worries.    At Woody Gap our group ( now five with the addition of Molly from Rochester NY and Couch from Golden CO) opted for the Wolf Pen Gap General store and hostel. There are hikers everywhere, on wooden bunks, a couple of beds and spread out on all available floor space. I met Highlighter, Anne, Mother Goose, Tortise ( haha could be a good name for me!)      Since my legs are tired from the longer than anticipated miles today, I arranged a slack pack for 4 of us tomorrow. Our packs are headed for Neel's Gap at 7:30 a .m . And we will hike the 10.6 miles over Blood Mtn. To catch up with them. I'll carry my rain gear, filter, water and food and know that I'll still be huffin' and puffin' on the long climbs. But hey, whatever gets me there. And a big rain is coming, so for safety sake this is the best path for me.   Bed time to rest for the morrow.It's all good
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Got started around 8:30 a.m. It was better weather, as the wind done gone somewhere else. It was cold overnight, though, and when we returned to Woody Gap we found 6 hikers camped out in the pit bathrooms there, 3 in each. At least they were out of the wind.   The hike up and over Blood Mtn. offered spectacular views. The GA mtns. are every shade of blue, purple and brown. I loved walking with my dinky bag and made tracks down the trail. Atop Blood Mtn. is an old stone shelter. Most thru-hikers don't use it to overnight as you are required to have a bear canister for food in that area. There were lots of people out--thrus, day hikers and other groups.    The path off of Blood Mtn. is made of rock slabs and stone steps. You drop down steeply into Neel Gap and pop out just across the road from Mountain Crossings, an outfitter, store and hostel. The AT actually goes directly through a breezeway between the stone buildings..   Obie and Turtle got there first and hooked us up with the last cabin nearby. The hostel was filling up as the weather forecast was not promising. Four of us shared the Deer Cabin for $15 each, and the owner did our laundry gratis. Sweet!   I soaked my feet to revive them a bit, and then it was off to Mtn. Crossings for a look around and provisions. The outfitter carries an extensive gear selection and many hikers make changes here. They will ship unwanted stuff back home, too.   My fellow hikers did their part with the purchase of sleeping bag, stove, trek poles, mat, gloves, hat and a bandana. I'm thinking of a sleeping bag liner to add some extra warmth for the next bit.    We met Pirate and Baltimore Jack, a couple of legendary figures. A local church served a free dinner of spaghetti, salad and brownies. I enjoyed meeting others in the cozy hostel dining area.   With the storm approaching, I'm going to rest up tomorrow. I've gone further than I'd expected at this point due to weather and think it best to let the worst of the cold and rain pass. Some may go on....we'll see what tomorrow brings.   Thanks to Dixie and Wes for bringing our packs to Mtn. Crossings. I met Keeper and his dog Cannon, Ryan and Olive Oyl..   Having trouble uploading photos so will keep trying in future posts. No service at the cabin, so I'm at the outfitter on their computer. It's all good.
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Neel Gap

To: Blood Mtn. cabins at Neel Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Heavy rain this morning made me sooo glad to be in the cozy Deer Cabin. It seems odd that my hike in the woods has so far resulted in only one night actually OUT there, but whatever works, works. The current storm forecast is for rain, cold, wind and possible tornadoes in the Atlanta area. I will wait here until the worst has passed, as I know that will be the safest choice for me.    Two from our cabin hiked on about 1/2 hour ago (Obie and Turtle). It was interesting to see what stuff came out of their packs and into the hiker box (a box with items left for anyone who'd like something). They each lightened their load, although Turtle swapped out an inadequate 40 degree bag for a heavier 15 degree bag she'd purchased yesterday, then put in a can of pork and beans (transferred to ziplocs) and some cooked lentils. She'll eat these up first, but they looked heavy to me!    I have used everything I've brought, so there won't be much if anything dumped out of my pack. I'll be watching the weather, reading and resting for the rest of the day.    It's all good
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Blood Mtn cabins at Neel Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: snow

Another interesting weather night and day. Big thunderstorms and lightening overnight and rain this morning. Forecast is for snow possible tomorrow and 40 mph wind. Ick   Our group is definitely resourceful. We want to hike on but also be safe. The wind chill factor has temps down to 1-9 degrees for overnight and tomorrow. We slacked again from Hog Pen Gap back to Neel's Gap (southbounder for a day !), about 7 miles. It was very windy and cold when we arrived back, and starting to rain again. Saw lots of hikers we'd met over the last two days hiking north. Obie and Turtle are out there--we texted them and hope to hear back.   Tomorrow we can do another 14 mile slack but we will evaluate weather conditions in the morning. Would love a break with the weather but my wonderful husband (a retired pilot whom we've dubbed our co-pilot) is our continuous weather guy and he says the jet stream is coming down through the western states and has flattened out sorta straight at GA. Acckkk!!    Well, we are safe and sound so it's all good. And we got a few miles in today. K
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Hog Pen Gap
Miles today: 14.3

Hiked with Jolly, Olive Oyl and Scootini from Hog Pen to Unicoi, then back to Neel Gap for the night. It snowed all day and we were in strong winds much of the time. The trail was snow covered for the most part. We hiked fast because it was too cold to stop for long. A lunch break at the Blood Mountain shelter was very cold. We had 2.5 miles downhill after that. Three of us were done by 3:30, after starting at 9 a.m.    Taking another zero tomorrow as the weather is forecast for the same, except for stronger winds. Not liking the wind and cold!
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Blood Mtn cabins at Neel Gap

To: Blood Mtn. cabins at Neel Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Snow on the ground everywhere. There was an inch on the mountain yesterday and a little less outside the cabin when we returned last night. Awoke to blowing snow today and it has continued all day.    Trying to decide the best course for going forward. I would like to wait for better weather, but not here. The forecast is for some improvement in temps, but it's still March after all. The locals say this is unusually sustained cold, but each year is different.    My hiking pals want to push 17 miles to Hiawassee tomorrow, up and over a strenuous portion of trail. I don't feel ready for that, but also don't want to be out in the snowy cold overnight. Am considering alternatives and am in the throes of agonizing indecision. The weather is still forcing decisions for daily miles, different possibilities and what plan would be safest.    Input from my family is all over the map. It will come down to what I think is the best for me in the end.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Blood Mtn. cabins at Neel Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 17.0

Rest and be thankful. William WordsworthI hiked north. All the indecision of yesterday fell away when I remembered the wise words of my wonderful son. When in doubt, just hike north.   So, Lumpy dropped us off at Unicoi Gap around 8:30 and upward we went. I'm hiking with Jolly, Olive Oyl (aka O2) and Captain Dan. We had two good climbs early on. It was chilly and sometimes windy at first but the day turned into a beautiful hiking day.       There was snow on the mountain tops and we had some fabulous views of this gorgeous state. We had to be very careful with icy rocks and snow. We were happy to be on the trail after sitting around yesterday.       At lunch time, Capt. Dan joined us and stayed with us for the duration. He has a cabin in NC but is originally from Florida. O2 is from East Stroudsburg, PA and had previously been doing outdoor research in various states. She has the physique of the cartoon Olive Oly but is a strong hiker. I often see her disappearing around the bend ahead of me and do my best to keep her in sight.    We decided to go to Dick's Creek Gap so that 02 could fetch 2 packages awaiting her at the Blueberry Patch hostel. The final climb of the day over Kelly Knob was a butt buster. There was a line of hikers slowly going up up up. We climbed 800 feet straight up. Oye ve.   I am so humbled by this trail. I hear others talk of crushing this or that mountain, but I can't relate. It's all so humbling -- the trail, the beautiful surroundings, the weather, the wind and the experience of being a part of the hiker community. I'm just grateful for every moment.    Coming off Kelly Knob (now straight down) we stopped for water then finished the last 4 miles. We slipped and slid down muddy trail, singing and telling stories. Our feet aretired after a 17 mile day (no slack this time!)      We are now resting and so thankful for this day. Plan a short mile day tomorrow as the legs are a bit tired.    Thanks to all who have posted in my guest book. It's fabulous to hear from everyone and the encouraging words are so kind. Thank you!!   The trail has named me "Tie Dye". I will post a picture to explain this name but am too tired now. My journal will be renamed soon. Again , too tired too do that stuff tonight.    It's all good.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.7

To climb steep hills requires a slow pace at first. William Shakespeare       We were blessed with another beautiful hiking day. Today I didn't wear all my layers for the first time. It's always a trick to find the best temperature. Too hot and everything gets sweaty.   Too cold and you can become hypothermic.    It's a constant process of zipping then unzipping, beanie on then off, hood up then down again. I didn't use my gloves today either. Had my rain/wind jacket on more often than not, but I use the pit zips to keep ventilated as I can become clammy inside it when climbing. It often flaps open as I hike. Whatever works!   We began hiking around 11:30 and started climbing immediately. I was in super slow gear today as I could still feel the miles of yesterday. No need to push, just slowly make tracks up and out of GA. After 10 miles, there it was--a little sign attached to a tree marking the border of GA/NC. I've seen so many pictures of that spot, and now I'm here, camped just 'round the bend at Bly Gap.   There are a ton of hikers here, and a fire is going.   Dinner is long over (I had tacos tonight and they were pretty good), food is hung and most are now chatting and drifting off to their tents or hammocks for the night. Jolly is a hammocker and he has a great kit. It looks like a big black puffy cocoon. He loves it.   He is a total gear head, and does not hesitate to swap out one thing for another if it suits his current mindset.    I hiked alone for much of the day and it was very peaceful and beautiful. Just a wonderful day of walking. I'm always grateful to see the white blazes and I acknowledge every one I see with a smile and a little blown kiss. I don't see them all, especially with my hood up, as it wraps around my face like blinders on a horse. In that mode I usually just look down at the trail and keep moving because the wind is blowing.    You'd think it would be a no brainer to stay on the right path, but sometimes you won't see a blaze for a while and start to wonder. Occasionally a blue blaze is thrown in to make things interesting. I just follow the most obviously trod path. All those footprints can't be wrong. I'm grateful for the local ATCs who maintain the trail. It's a tremendous amount of work to build and repair rain runoff areas, build stone steps, clear blow downs, maintain shelters and paint the blazes.    I'm in my tent, keeping as warm as I can. I have a new sleeping bag liner that will add warmth. Gonna read a little--I'm reading a trail tale right now called "The Barefoot Sisters, Southbound". Yes, they really did hike the AT barefoot. Better them than me ??!It's all good. PS. Thanks book club for your comments!! So love to hear from you and I think of all of you often. You are the best of the best. Tie Dye
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads. Henry David Thoreau   It's Good Friday and I walked through a cathedral of rhododendrons today. Awesome and uplifting this trail is.    The day began with a very steep climb out of Bly Gap. Hellooooo NC - a very hilly welcome. The trail is well maintained here and just so peaceful and pretty. Snow was underfoot most of the day and it is snowing pretty steadily now. I stopped at mid afternoon rather than push 4+ miles over Standing Indian Mtn.    I'm at Standing Indian shelter, sardine-like with 6-7 others. I didn't want to set my tent up in the snow, so it will feel colder tonight outside my personal cocoon.   I had to step very carefully today in order not to slip on snowy, icy rocks.    There's a small, smoky fire going just outside but I'm staying put in my jacket, vest, base layer, fluffy socks, liner, bag, beanie and balaclava. And, um, earplugs. Gonna be a noisy night.    A lot of hikers went further today, including Jolly and 02. I will miss them if I don't catch up, but want to keep at a pace that works best for me, especially with the weather. Need to hike my hike each day. I've met other nice hikers who will likely be my companions for the next part.    Four more cold peeps just rolled in. No more shelter space so they will have to tent or hammock somewhere.   I'm glad I decided to stop early today. Tonight I'm with Dundee, Capt'n Dan, Two Sticks and Sluggo. It's all good.   Tie Dye
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.4

It's not about the miles, it's about the smiles.       What a fabulous day this was. Awoke cold and not totally rested after trying to sleep squeezed into the shelter. Some nights I just rest as much as I actually sleep. It was a bit quicker hiking out as there was no tent to pack. We were at 4700 feet so wanted to get moving to warm up.      The walk today was not too challenging. I was at the next shelter in about 4 hours and stopped there for lunch, a distance of about 7.5 miles from my start point. A group including Rainbow Bright, Willow, Cleveland and two others were there having lunch too.       As we were eating some Boy Scouts rolled in. They had section hiked from Amicalola Falls last year and were picking up the trail again now to hike to Fontana Dam. The two adults were great, one a former Marine. He offered us freeze dried okra. It was excellent! (Note to Copilot--research where to get this?) They were from High Point, NC.       I took a nice long break as I waited for others behind me to catch up. Hiked onward about another 4 miles to Betty Gap, where I'm stopped for the night. The weather was beautiful for hiking today --hooray! So grateful after yesterday's snow. It's nice tonight and warmer as we are several hundred feet lower.       There are nine camped here tonight. We had a good campfire and everyone was happy that the forecast is looking better. One pair here tonight just came back to the trail after having gone home to Atlanta for a few days. The early part of this week was hard for everyone.       There is an abandoned tent here and a battered camp stool. I borrowed that for a while. It's just starting to sprinkle rain. Hope it passes through overnight, although I know from Copilot's forecast that we could be in for some rain tomorrow. For now I'm happy to be safe and warm in my tent after a peaceful and beautiful day. It's all good.Tie Dye
Date: 2013-03-31
From: Betty Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Happy Easter on the AT....and a beautiful day it was. It rained all night at Betty Gap, but the temperature was OK and I was warm and dry in my tent. I packed up early and walked away into a heavily misting cloud. I had a solitary hiking day until the last 3.7 miles. I loved just passing through the georgeous forest in the mist. I hummed and sang to myself for hours, so thankful that I have this opportunity to enjoy God's creation. I am awed by all of this.   The happy hiker-ness lasted until I had to climb to the fire tower. Straight up, up and more up. I was glad to climb this in the morning, when my legs were rested. I slept much better in my tent at Betty Gap as compared to the shelter night previously. I had no view at the top as I was hiking in a cloud. I hiked north for about 4 hours, and then took a break for lunch. After that I seemed to loose my rhythm a bit as the last few miles were marked by stops for water, a taste of a hot cross bun at a road crossing and finally to take off my rain pants as it was warm and I didn't need them any more.    When I descended into Winding Stair Gap, there were a group of hikers there and a number of cars parked. One couple was handing out Easter candy! When asked my name, the woman asked if I was Polaris' mom. (Polaris is my son, who completed a thru hike last year). I was shocked that someone would know this! It turns out that she and her husband, John, had just spent the weekend in Hot Springs, NC, with some of Polaris' close hiking buds from last year. We took pix and remarked on the ways of the world.   Got a ride into Franklin with another couple, Boo and Scout, who thru hiked in 2010. They gave me an Easter Egg. Amazing, the kindness of these trail angels. Thank you so much!!!    Going to a free breakfast in the morning and will return to the trail clean and rested.    Happy Easter.   It's all good.