morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Blood Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: 0

I started hiking at 8:01am, and the day was a gradual uphill climb all day. When I crossed Woody Gap the trail went wilderness for 8 miles. It only crossed one dirt road between there and Blood Mountain. I arrived at Blood Mtn about 4:30pm and decided to stay in the shelter because the ground was either rocky or sloped. The day was beautiful and I walked in my base layer top and shorts. As the day went on it got colder and the wind was building intensity. When I reached the Blood Mountain it was freezing. As soon as I got there I had to dress quickly to keep warm. My spirits were high and I had a great day hiking my dream. To help time pass I have a small radio that I wear around my neck on a lanyard. I was able listen to music and move right along, the miles disappeared. As I mentioned earlier it was cold up on the mountain but the view was beautiful.Mountains - Click picture to see full sizeMountians - Click picture to see full sizeView - Click picture to see full sizeBlood Mtn. Shelter - Click picture to see full size Old GoatSue's note: Old Goat said he hikes alone most of time. He likes his own personal pace...doesn't have to keep up with or slow down for anyone else. When we talked before he hunkered down for the night he was concerned about being cold. Someone had mentioned one of those emergency blankets (real thin with a reflective side to keep body heat in), and Old Goal regretted not bringing one. (We have a few of them at home...that doesn't help him on the trail.) The shelter at Blood Mountain is stone and the wind was blowing through. It has a fireplace, but they can't light a fire in it because there's a fire ban there right now. Although he was worried about the cold, Old Goat did say that he was glad it was cold because "it's testing me."
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Neels Gap / Hostel

To: Low Gap Shelter, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: 0

Today was a very nice day of hiking. I was the first one up and immediatly started to pack. By the time I finished packing most of the others were up and packing. I left Neels at 8:15am with an immediate uphill climb. Remember that a Gap is the low point between two mountains, thus to leave a gap you must hike uphill.The weather prediction for today called for rain this afternoon, but it hasn¢t happened yet. Partway to Low Gap, while I was taking a rest, I was joined by a crew of 3 hikers I¢ve gotten to know. Two are hiking for a few days and then going home. The other started with his cousin and the cousin in now off the trail with a bad knee. They seem to have a similar style of hiking to mine and they¢re stopping at the same shelters I do, so I¢m hiking with them for now.The hike went well and the rain didn¢t come while hiking. We made dinner and built a fire. It seems the pack (of people) I started with hasn¢t broken up yet.A lot of us seem to be using the same camping shelters each night. We probably will start to split in a few days when we start our resupply trips to town. From the talk about resuppling there seems to be a few different strategies. Some have mail waiting in one town some in others. I will go into Hiawassee for a box at the post office that I mailed from home on March 14th.I¢m still learning names and I don¢t have them straight yet. I¢ll start mentioning names of the people I meet soon.Old GoatFire - Click picture to see full sizeFire - Click picture to see full sizeSnowhow at Hogpens Gap - Click picture to see full sizeG-Man at Hogpen gap - Click picture to see full sizeEric at Hogpen Gap - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue mtn Shelter, GA
Miles today: 7.2

The hiking was fairly normal, some ups and downs all the way. The weather was starting to change into the rain we were expecting so we hurried to set up our tents.I was cold at that point so I slipped into my sleeping bag and of course I fell asleep. After my nap I went over to the shelter and everyone camped there was huddled around a campfire and under the shelters roof.Again I got cold so I went to my tent and climbed into my sleeping bag. From my tent called Sue and we had a good conversation.I fell asleep soon afterwards.I¢ve been traveling with a group that came together the first night at Hawk Mountain Shelter. We all seemed to be going the same distance each day so we all became friends. Let¢s see there is Snowhoe, Gman, Eric, Carbomb, Elspith, Kelly, Sandy, Lindy, and Kristin. The last three are sisters from Australia.Old Goat Sue's Note: Old Goat said Snowhoe is from Denver and does a LOT of snowboarding...that's how he got his trail name. I think Old Goat said Sandy, Lindy, and Kristin bought all their gear when the arrived in the US. A couple e-mails the sisters sent out were fun to read - they said they're trying to teach everyone to speak "Aussie," and they're definitely speaking more American. They find it interesting to see how popular their accents are.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Blue mtn Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: 0

We started a little late today because we were meeting Snowhoe¢s uncle at 10am in Unicoi Gap. On our way down we had an incounter with a baby bear - it seemed to be lost and it kept going down the trail in front of us. Everyone was afraid it¢s mother would come out to protect it but she never did. This lasted about a half mile before we could get by.Then as arranged, Snowhoe¢s uncle was there doing Trail Magic, cooking hamburgers and soda. There was also another felow there with more Trail Magic. I¢m sorry but I don't remember his name, but it was very much appreciated. Thank you to both - I am grateful.Also at this point I rode into Hiawassee and picked up my first mail drop. I¢m picked up my drop two days ahead of schedule to sink up the drops with my new hiking partner, Snowhoe. His intended partner had knee troubles and had to drop out. We have similar hiking speed and we both like to get early starts. We¢ll see how it goes, it should be fine.The hike heading north out of Unicoi is famous for being a long hard climb, it didn¢t disappoint - it was tough going up it. The rest of the hike was a lot of uphills, but it was more manageable.There was a day hiker at the shelter tonight who had extra food...fajitas. Snowhoe, Lowgear, and I each got some. Real hamburgers and fajitas; not a bad day! If only they all could be so good.That is it for today.Old Goat
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Plumorchard Shelter, GA
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: 0

Last night the wind blew hard all night. We woke up to a dusting of snow all over the ground, also all of our water bottles had some ice in them.We awoke at 6am and were hiking by 6:45am. It was very cold and windy still and I had all three layers of clothes on when we left. As we walked down the trail I began to sweat, so I had to start stripping off layers to prevent getting wet. Once you are wet in your clothes you no longer have a means of getting warm. Body temperature is regulated by putting on and taking off layers. My base layer is long johns, mid layer is pants and fleece [windstopper], and the outer layer is my rain suit. The final defense from the cold is to get into my sleeping bag.As the day wore on the temp went into the mid 60¢s. With all the energy I was exerting I was down to shorts and insulated under shirt.The hiking was almost all uphill - sometmes gradual, sometimes steep.We hiked 11 hours to reach our destination. We figured we might as well be hiking when the sun is up, and stopped at 5:45pm.The shelter has three floors and there are only 4 of us in it, so we each have lots of room.I forgot to mention our tents were wet and frozen this morning - that is the problem of using the tent instead of sleeping in the shelter.Don¢t know what else to say but goodnight.Old GoatView - Click picture to see full size Sue's Note: In Kristin's e-mail, she said the snow was the first time she has been in snow when it was actually falling. She also said the Americans "all found it quite amusing that we had to specially get up and check it out." For those of us who live in snow country, snow is not so special. It's always fun when someone experiences it for the first time. That surely will be a memory from the Trail that Kristin and her sisters will have for a long time.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter, NC
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: 0

I slept in the Plumorchard shelter last night - that¢s the second shelter I¢ve slept in. It was the warmest nights sleep I¢ve gotten outside. The shelter sits in a hollow with mountains all around, so the wind didn¢t hit the shelter at all last night.We woke up at 6:20am and were hiking by 7:20am. There was a constant gentle uphill climb right into North Carolina, then it went straight up. From there on the climbs got harder and longer until we reached the shelter. Standing Indian Mountain sits right above us and it looks like it will be hard.We reached this shelter and found it full of people so we set up our tents. After that we made dinner, and during dinner the promised snow started to fall. Fortunately it is falling gently - we¢ll see how badly it comes down. We cross two highways that go into the nearest town tomorrow. If the weather is bad we¢ll get a ride into town and find a hotel room.Now I¢m the guy who avoided sleeping out during the winter camping trips, and here I am sleeping out in the snow! All in all, my spirits are high and I¢m still on target hiking my dream. I love the hiking - it feels good even though it¢s tough.Good night for now, I¢ll send this when I have a good cell coverage.Old GoatSnowhoe at GA/NC border - Click picture to see full size Sue's note: Old Goat called me on the GA/NC border at 10:42am. I immediately sent that message out to our family and close friends...an exciting milestone (to finish one state...even though it's only 75 miles).
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Rock Gap, USFS Road 67/ HOTEL

To: Licklog Gap - Near It, NC
Miles today: 16.0

Cell good.We were given a ride from town to Rock Gap where we were picked up on Friday night. Normally the ride into Franklin starts at Winding Stair but we were cold and we called ahead.The hike between Rock Gap and Winding Stair went well and the weather was cool but nice. I was afraid we would be walking in snow. Once we crossed Winding Stair we started an uphill climb and it continued for quite a while. The site we were shooting for was at the top of the mountain and it was still snow covered. We pressed on until we found a good camping spot, we ended up going another 5 miles before that happened. We once again went more miles than intended.When we found a site the weather was freezing. We hurriedly set up our tents, ate lunch items for dinner, and hung our bear bags.The night was the coldest one yet, fortunately it did not snow or rain.Old GoatSue's Note: In yesterday's Journal, Old Goat wrote about making this a dual Journal...that stemmed from how my week was last week. To explain my week, I need to give a little background. Hiking the AT was Old Goat's dream for many years. Years ago we talked about the possibility of doing it together and, together, we decided that we wanted to. Although I don't backpack often, when I do I absolutely love it, so in the past few years I had become very excited about doing the AT with him and I was looking forward to it a couple years or so from now.Exactly one year before his retirement, Old Goat told me needed to do the AT alone. I was crushed, hurt, and angry - it had become my dream, too, and I had so looked forward to it. I've been working through my feelings this whole past year and I had them pretty much together until Old Goat got on the Trail. I expected raw emotions, but last week was too raw....hearing about the others Old Goat is hiking with, and seeing that there are Journals by couples and single women raised the ugly one-eyed green monster (jealousy)! I want to be there!We weren't able to talk much that week due to poor cell phone signal and the cold. (He tries to go away from people when he uses the phone, and couldn't because he had to get in his sleeping bag immediately because of how cold it was.) When he got to the hotel, we were able to have some real good conversations and I talked through the emotions.Old Goat is a wonderful guy and I truly do support what he's doing. I wish I were there with him....maybe another time. I can't think about that as a possibility until he finishes this AT adventure. I know there are people who hike the AT more than once...we'll see.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Licklog Gap - Near It

To: Wesser Bald Shelter, NC
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: 0

We slept in until 7:20 waiting for the sun to be fully up. We took our time with breakfast,and airing our tents before taking off. By the time we got going the weather was comfortable and the hiking was good. It was funny the south side of the mountain there was no snow, on the north side there was still snow. It was like that all day. At tmes we had dry trails, wet trails and muddy trails - it all depended how much sun it got.The highlight for today was that we were able to climb a lookout tower at Wesser Bald. The view was spectacular from there, I could see Fontana Lake and for the first time we can see the Smokies, which we will start hiking by the end of the week.The shelter here is pretty nice except that there is no privy. I¢ll report how well the night goes tomorrow.We have Snowhoe, Die Hard, Merlin, Just Joan and me here tonight.Old GoatSue's note: Old Goat called me that evening and described a beautiful purple sunset. He said his tent was pitched in a place where he'll be able to watch the sun rise, too. He said the scenery is beautiful with all the mountains.Food "cozy" sits for 20 min to re-hydrate food - Click picture to see full sizeOld Goat made a food "Cozy" - a pocket made out of a foil surfaced piece of bubble wrap (about 10" x 10"). He duct taped the sides together and formed a pocket flap. He heats water and pours the measured amount of water in his food packet, tucks the food packet into this Cozy and lets the food steep. About 15-20 minutes later it's ready to eat. He said some of the meals come out perfect, others come out too watery, and some are somewhat Al Dente. Overall it's working out pretty well.View from Wasser Bald Tower - Click picture to see full sizeView from Wasser Bald Tower - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Nantahala River

To: Stealth camp near Stecoah Gap, NC
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: 0

Cell excellent.Last night I slept in a hostel bunkhouse, we had beds with plastic covered mattresses, we had to use our sleeping bags. I slept fairly well.We awoke at 6am packed and was on the trail by 6:45m. The hike today was mostly uphill and very taxing. I mentioned yesterday that the NOC is on canyon floor, actually it¢s on a valley floor. The Nantahala River is the water that is released from Fontana Dam. We¢re heading for the Fontana Dam but instead of hiking along the river we¢re going the direct route over the mountains. As I said earlier it was a tough climb all day. We decided to find a place to stop and set up camp once we were tired. It was a good plan as we [Snowhoe, Die Hard, and me] are all beat.Tomorrow we have a few peaks to climb and a lot of ridge hiking to do, it should be physically easier.The weather was very nice today, I think the temperature was in the 70¢s, we all ended in shorts and a Tshirt. I would sweat hiking uphill and cool off going down.The reality of my doing this for the next 5 months hit me today. I think this may be from the fact that I am now surpassing the length of my Philmont trips. Today is the third Wednesday I¢m hiking and the 15th day.Even though 6 months to complete this Journey is a long time, I am still determined to see it through. Now, after a week of walking in the rain, or havng to put wet clothes back on to go out hiking, my outlook may be different. I think my determination will still be strong.If doing this were easy, everyone would be doing it. Because it isn¢t, it takes a lot of determination to do it.I hiked with a guy who is out here taking pictures for his business. His work can be seen at www.fadinglightphotography.com these AT pictures will be on the site when he has completed his hike.Goodnight.Old GoatNantahala River after climb out of NOC - Click picture to see full sizeTents at Stecoah Gap - Click picture to see full sizeSunrise at Stecoah Gap - Click picture to see full size Sue's Note: Old Goat said he's in a "neat rolling community." The thru-hikers recognize each other and often leap frog each other. The other day he had me look up someone else's web site to see where they are and if they were looking for Old Goat and Snowhoe. I find it interesting how they seem to know where other is (e.g., Old Goat knew he and Snowhoe are way ahead of "our old group"). In my active imagination, I picture messengers running back and forth along the AT, relaying information to thru-hikers. In reality, I know it's from the leap frog effect with some hiking faster/slower than others.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Stealth camp near Stecoah Gap

To: NC28 near Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: 0

Cell none.Today seemed to be a little bit disheartining. I¢m finding the hills more challenging on the uphill climb. I¢m very slow going uphill and at times I have trouble taking high log or rock steps. I keep thinking I should be stronger because I¢ve been hiking so long. I¢m probably in between the energy I started the trail with and the strength all this hiking is building.I¢m still enjoying myself hiking and I love doing this. Most of the hiking is done with a large gap between each of us. This gives me a lot of time to think. Today I found myself thinking about my dad and the things he did in his life. I thought about how hard he had it providing for a large family and all the hours he worked to do it. He perserveared moved forward and kept going. I also thought about how strong he is, still going strong and is still lively. Now here I am at 57 years old and I¢m still in the woods hiking like a teenager. I don¢t know what lies ahead for me but I¢m not going to sit around waiting. Once I finish I¢ll find a new job and stay busy.A thought that also passed through my mind was the thought that I¢m about the age my grandfather passed away, my fathers father. I was very young when this happened, I think I was seven. I remember thinking he was so old and now here I am the same age.I am so grateful to have a loving family who are supporting me and allowing me to live this dream. Thank you and I love youOld Goat Outhouse at Brown Fork Gap Shelter - Click picture to see full sizeLooking down on Fontana Dam - Click picture to see full size ADMIN NOTE: Today I decided to update all of his entries. Usually I am keeping this public journal a few days behind for his privacy. I expect not to enter more until late next week at the earliest. Soon we should be getting photos also. Expect to see them in a week or so. My dad said that he's seen fewer and fewer people on the trail. I guess many drop out well before the 160 miles he's done. He and his hiking buddies are starting to feel as if they will be one of the ones who will make it to Kathadin. I hope so, I know he wants to. I can be reached at at2006 @ cencifamily.com for anyone that's intrested, Enjoy!!
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Birch Spring Tent Site GSMNP

To: Spence Field Shelter, NC
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: 0

Cell good.Last night the rain came and I was cozy in my freshly sealed tent. When I heard it downpour I turned on my flashlight and looked for leaks - fortunately there were none.Today's hike was mostly uphill. We¢re on the South end of the GSMNP. The trail was also a horse trail, it was wide and gradual. I felt a lot stronger today. I didn¢t have much trouble climbing the hills.We were the first hikers at this shelter, others started coming in and we soon had a full house. Everyone is preparing dinner and getting ready for the evening.There is a rule here in the Smokies that you have to sleep in the shelter until it¢s full. If a person with a reservation comes in, someone has to give up the space and set up a tent, even if they show up in the middle of the night. Again fortunately Snowhoe, Die Hard, and me are first in last out.I had lots of thoughts today but I¢m drawing a blank right now. Hopefully it will come back to me again and I¢ll get it down.Old Goat
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: 0

Cell excellent.The morning was beautiful and the hiking went well. About 1:00pm it started to spit rain so we put our rain gear on. Soon after the spitting stopped and we were heating up so we stripped off the rain gear.Last night after I went to bed someone started playing a banjo outside near the campfire. I had to laugh, the shop map had ¢If you hear banjos run¢. I fell asleep before he played dualing banjos, that may have creeped me out.Let¢s see who was here tonight, Snowhoe, Die Hard, Me, Posey Picker, Old Reb, Veritos, Icharis, New Orleans (Josh), and Freeze Out.The shelter has a chain link fence, but no gate. If a bear wants to come in it can. Every shelter has a bear cable for us to hang our food on. Everyone seems to follow the rules and put it up.We ran into three kids from Michigan that were hiking locally here in the Smokies. Each one had a full size musical instrument - guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Their packs were falling apart and they were not making any progress. When they reached our shelter we offered them a place to stay but they declined. I have no idea if the made camp before the storm.Old Goat View in Smokies - Click picture to see full sizeView in Smokies - Click picture to see full sizeShelter with fence - Click picture to see full sizeView in Smokies - Click picture to see full size ADMIN NOTE: Click Here to see his entry about the shop map, its funny!!Thier comment was: Mar 21 "Somewhere in Georgia. Do I hear banjos?"Sue's Note: Old Goat said they're happy to know that they now have less than 2,000 miles to go!
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter, NC
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: 0

Cell unk.Before I describe today I need tell about last night. We settled into the shelter before it started raining. About 9 pm the wind started and the lightning soon followed. Sometime during the night the hail started, it sounded pretty fierce on the tin roof over our heads. Next lightning I saw marble size hail all over the ground. The rain kept up all night but stopped just as we got up. We packed up, put on our rain gear, and started up Clingmans Dome. We reached Clingmans Dome about 10:30, that¢s highest elevation we¢ll hike on AT (6500ft). Clingmans was fogged over and there wasn¢t any view. After Clingmans we were off to Newfound Gap, this is where the highway from Cherokee,NC to Gatlinburg, TN goes thru the GSMNP. I was under the impression it was only a mile or two, how wrong I was, it was 8 miles of tough ups and downs. At one point I reached a parking lot and thought I was there. It ended up being Indian Gap and I had another 1.7 miles to go. I finally reached Newfound Gap only to find Snowhoe doing a "Yogi." He ended up getting enough bologna and bread for about 5 sandwiches. Now you¢re thinking what is a Yogi. It is the art of conning real world people out of food, drink or some type of goodie. He also got some candy from a couple. This differs from trail magic because the trail magic giver had the intent of giving to hikers.We thought the weather would get better, but right now it¢s windy and cold. We have about 16 people packed into a 12 person shelter. There are also 8-10 people in tents nearby.We have the hardest part of the GSMNP done and we should be out of here in two days. Onward to Davenport, Standing Bear for more food and a shower.I¢ve been dreading the Smokies and I¢ll be glad to finish it.Goodnight.Old GoatAnimal control gate (stile) - Click picture to see full sizeGroup at Newfound Gap - Click picture to see full size