morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-11
To: Cedar Creek Falls
Miles today: 0.0

Another great weather Saturday. There is supposed to be bad weather today, but it isn¢t here yet. Once again there are lots of people out enjoying the scenery and weather. Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park is a wonderful spot for families with kids. The hiking is not too bad, and the kids get to climb and explore all around the falls. I think it is about a 75 foot drop. There is a fair amount of water flowing today. We had a heavy rain day before yesterday. My Quickpad is working out pretty well so far. It is great to sit out here and type away. I received the hardware I needed to transmit and transfer to a P.C. and then on to my Trail Journals account. My trip today should be about 6 miles. It's few miles, better than none at all. I feel I am in fair to good shape. My gear is pretty well set. I don¢t think I need to add anything. And I may find a few things to take away. I need to weigh everything again. I want to stay below 30 lbs. for a full winter pack including food and water. I think I can do that. I look forward to a summer weight of considerably less. But who know it may be a wash out Carry less clothes but have to carry more water. I thought I was out of the way, but I am being swarmed by about 50 kids trying to get over behind the falls. Must be a church group. I have less than 3 weeks before first day. Logistics are coming together. Packing is next on the list. And make my arrangements to get to Springer.I guess I will get going again. These kids are crawling all around me like I am invisible. Clouds are moving in.Clay
Date: 2006-03-27
To: All the Goodbyes
Miles today: 0.0

The getting ready is more difficult than the hiking. At least that is what it feels like right now. My pack is full. Still a bit over full in my opinion. The bouce box is almost ready. I will drop it off on the way out of town. The apartment is cleaned out and the storage unit is full. All I have to do now is head out with Raskal Flatts singing " I'm Leaving " on the radio! Last week was full of goodbyes and well wishes. To each and all I say thank you for the encouragment. The overwhelming response has been envy and approval. Just that alone has made me more comfortable with my decision. The hard part has been all the goodbyes with all my friends and coworkers and colleagues. It is too bad that it takes a crisis or a goodbye to remind a person how many dear friends he has. Even as the hours approach uncertainty does not enter into my mind. I keep saying it is just walking. We all walk each day. I simply will be walking with one single faraway destination for the next few months. I have complete confidence in my gear. Almost 100% confidence in my body's ability to do this. With steady pace, especially in the beginning I feel my body can adapt to the tough daily challange. And I have complete confidence in my mental ability to stay positive and focused. I think being unemployed homeless and having all your stuff in storage will tend to keep me moving! Where else and what else would I do?? And I have already done the hardest thing I will ever do in my life, walking everyday will be nothing. So for now goodbye from Conway, Arkansas. I look forward to signing on from the trail next time. Keep the encouragment coming. I enjoy hearing from everone.Clay
Date: 2006-03-29
To: Amicalola Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello from the trail! I can't believe I have actuallydone it. I have started! The last few miles of the drive tothe starting point were the most anxious moments, butnot bad enough to stop me. I got a late start; it wasabout 4:30 p.m. before I actually started up theapproach trail. I spent the day with family shoppingand site seeing. Thank you Brett for the ride and thank you Kim and Kayli for your support. Since it wasso late I have hiked about a mile of the trail.I was lucky to find a nice spot on top of a hill. I am totally alone tonight. I am not far from the state parkcampground so, I can hear kids playing down by the creek.I ate a serving of noodles, hung my bear bag, and am now in my tent at 7:30. Nervousness is gone. Pack weighs 33 lbs with 5 days of food and no water. I weigh 182 lbs. We will see how much of that goes away over the next few weeks.Tomorrow will be at least 7.5 miles of uphill, but Iam not too worried. The weather is very nice. High wasabout 73 today, and it is still aroud 60 with no wind.The barometer on my watch says storms tomorrow, but Idon't see any clouds yet. We will see. More tomorrow.Clay
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Three Forks Tree
Miles today: 12.9

Well today went well. I was awakened when it was justgetting daylight by what I think was someone yellingand clanking pots together. So I was just waiting forsome bear to come scurrying by my camp, but nothingcame by and I began to wonder if I dreamed it. I gotup by 6:30 ate some oatmeal and broke camp by 7:45. Ihad about 8 miles to go this morning to get to the topof Springer Mountain and the start of the actualAppalachian Trail. For most of the time I saw no one. Idid come across one guy, Patrick from Augusta I think.He was just getting ready to pack up and hit the trailas well. We had a brief chat then I went on my way. Ididn't see anyone until I arrived at the top of theMountain. Many Sleeps was the representive of thelocal trail association there to take some stasticalinfo and remind us to practice leave no tracetechniques. He said I was the first he has had fromArkansas! There had been hikers from all over. SouthAfrica, and even Antarctica! I wonder how they will dowith the heat and humidity. The hike up on theapproach trail was sort of eerie. Spring has notarrived here, at least not on the south side ofSpringer Mountain. There was no color at all. The wasvery little breeze. No noise from any animals. I sawonly a squirrel or two. The sky was overcast, theleaves on the ground were a dull brown, and the trees weredark. There are lots of blow downs all around. I thinkfrom hurricane Opal in 1995, according to a signposted. So it was a very sort of foreboding forest.Sort of how I would have envisioned the forest thefables of Eastern Europe speak of. Hansel & Gretel ormaybe The Little Red Riding Hood. But when I arrived atthe top, I saw a few daffodils in bloom, and furtherdown the other side of the mountain it was green withRhododendron (I think that is what they are) trees, andhuge Hemlocks. I covered about 12 miles today. My feetare tired, and I had some hot spots but have beendiligent in attending to them. I am camped alone againtonight beside 3 nice clear streams. I suspect I willrun into more people tomorrow and probably stay in ornear a shelter tomorrow night. There is a chance ofrain tomorrow evening and Saturday morning. That willbe a test for sure. Al else is going well. I slept ok.Could be better, could be worse. All of my gear iscooperating, thankfully. I guess that's all for now.Clay
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Three Forks Creek

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another long but good day. Distance of about 11.6miles. I am staying in my tent tonight, but near theGoch Mountain shelter. There are about a dozen peoplehere. All people I have met today of the day before. Afull variety of people. I don't know everyone's names yet,but one guy just retired. A post retirement couple ortwo. About half of the people are less than about 25years of age. Everyone seem nice. Some are talkerssome are quiet. Everyone is tired, and sore in oneplace or another, and everyone is hungry. Food andmiles are the common topics, then gear. Tomorrow may bea tough day. Blood Mountain is looming, and want toget as close as I can to it tomorrow. So I can summitearly Sunday, then get to Nels Gap for at least ashower, maybe some town food. Still my only concern ismy feet. This morning was no problem. I didn't use myliner socks. They make me prespire too much. As theday wnet on, my feet in a couple spots hurt a little.NO blisters just warm spots. But I am encouraged thatif I take care of them in the evening. Then I can gowith no real problems. I am confident that in time, myfeet will toughen up. I haven't seen any wildlife other than a fewsquirrels. Dissapointed about that ut there are lotsof mile to go. I am sure I will see plenty. I guess Iwill close for now aad cook some dinner. MMM noodles!Clay
Date: 2006-04-01
To: Dropped him off
Miles today: 11.0

On the afternoon of March 29th, we dropped Clay off at Amicalola Falls State Park to start his journey.I heard from him this morning (April 1) and he has traveled about 20 miles and is currently around Woody's Gap. His next destination is either Blood Mountain, another days worth of hiking (uphill) or the hiker hostel in Dahlonega to get some food and rest. Stay tuned for the next update and let's keep him motivated and in our prayers.
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Slaughter Creek
Miles today: 12.4

Well since signing off last night I had my first rainexperience. I survived fine. It started raining about11:30 PM and went until aboot 4:0 AM. Things got alittle wet but not too bad. I learned how not to setup my tent when rain is pending. Today was a 12.4 mileday. Most all went well I felt fine until the lastcouple miles. I gained about 800 feet in net elevationI am at 3,800 tonight, but here was some up anddowning today. My feet are getting better. Tired bythe end of the day, but not more than to be expected.Tonight I am in my tent at a campsite 650 feet belowthe peak of the highest mountain in Georgia. BloodMountain. In the morning I and the other campers Ihave been keeping pace with will get up at 4:30 AM andhike up to see the sunrise from the summit. Thatshould be nice. After that we will descend to NelsGap. I will stay in the hostel there tomorrow nightfor a rest. I will also resupply and have theoutfitter there go through my pack to see if I need tomake any changes to reduce weight. I will let youknow how it goes.Clay
Date: 2006-04-02
From: Slaughter Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: few clouds

Well took an easy day today. Only 3.2. miles. Saw thesunrise and took a few pictures. Very pretty andpeaceful. Then a hard downhill into Neels Gap. I havespent the day here, resting, eating junk food and mostof all redoing my gear. I broke down and bought a newpack, and stove. I was stressing my Go-Lite Speed andI could tell it was not going to handle the entiretrip. As the outfitter reminded me, that pack is builtmore for 20 lbs of weight and with up to 33, it justcan't handle the weight. He also found a few items Icould do without. So I am now at 28 lbs with 3 days offood and 1.5 liters of water! I am very happy aboutthat. And it fits better, sharing the weight evenlybetween my shoulders and hips. The hostel environment is unique. Certainly has thatlived in dorm floor feel, but with its own uniquearoma. But I will gladly take it for one night to geta shower, wash clothes and sleep on a matress.Tomorrow I will head out try to do about 10 miles andget to Low Gap Shelter. All depends on the rain that ispending. I am shooting for going into the town ofHiawassee on Wednesday or Thursday. Later, Clay
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

Tonight I am doing my first night in a shelter.Decided to do it for the experience. There are 8people here. Erin & Will From Dahlonega, GA. CharityMuzzla, Montana. Jim from Hoptkinsville, KY. Sage fromColorado. Fanny from Hartley DE. Rama from Michigan.Dwayne from Minnesota. It is interesting to meet newpeople. Everyone has a common interest and it is funto learn about other people. We are all in oursleeping bags at 7:0 pm chatting and laughing. I Did 11 miles today with my new pack, and new socksand new cushion soles for my shoes. Most all wentwell. I am pleased for the most part. I liked my newalcohal stove also. I especially like 27 light pounds.I am glad I stayed in the hostel last night. We hadthunderstorms this morning. That is all for tonight.Ready to sleep.Clay
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Cheese Factory

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well today we woke up after a cold night. We skippedbreakfast and hiked a couple miles to the next shelterso we could cook out of the wind. Our goal today is 9miles. Then tomorrow morning we will get up early toget to Dicks Creek Gap and catch a shuttle into town,HIawassee. time for a shower, shave and resupply. andan all you can eat somewhere. The hike today wasuneventful, but the interesting part of ohe day isthere is a hiker here by the name of Cimarron. He is84 years old! He it s thru hiker! He has done itbefore and wants to be the oldest man to ever completea thru! Man I hope I am just able to breath when I amthat old! Nice trail Angel left us cokes in a coupleof places today. We may have a full shelter tonight.and it will be cold and windy again. Having a greattime. Pains are mostly gone. Clay
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was my first town day. I got here about 10:0 AMand am staying at the Holiday In Express. It was onlya 3 mile hike to the road and got a hitch into town. Ihave spent the day getting resupplied, taking ashower, washing clothes. And I got a haircut. Itcertainly is not a day off! Will end up being a fullwalking day. Tonight will go out to eat an an all youcan eat. Rain is coming so I am not sure if I will hitthe trail tomorrow. That's all for now.Clay
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Welcome to North Carolina. After having to spend 2nights in Hiwassee it was good to get out and makesome miles. We had spent the last 48 hours watchingthe weather channel aad seeing the damage done toKentucky and Tennessee. The strom moved through ourarea on Friday night. I finally got on the trail byabout 11:30 AM. It was still cloudy and not real warm.Got rained on a couple of times. One time just as I wascrossing into North Carolina was pretty intense. Thewind was blowing at least 30 mile per hour, the rainwas coming down and the temperature dropped 15 degreesin about 45 minutes. The rain stopped soon enough butthe wind and cold kept up for the rest of the evening.I pulled into the camping area about 6:00 p.m., cold and dead tired after an 11.6 mile day. Put up my tent,cooked some rice and went to bed. Tomorrow and therest of the week is supposed to be wonderful weather. Clay
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Muskrat Creek

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Today I did a 12.5 mile day. The weather waswonderful. The climbs weren't bad. I had the bestnight of sleep I have had yet. I think it was finallycold enough so that my sleeping bag was just right.Not too hot. The only excitement for me came aroundmid day. After I had taken a break near a road and thetrailhead I started again up the hill. On a bigbulletin board was a sign saying "bears have beenactive in this area, and have shown no fear ofhumans". Well now that is encouraging. I had beendiligent keeping aa eye out for bears or bear sign,and I have been hanging my food at night but thisseemed a little more serious. I continued on up thehill and in about 15 minutes I rounded a switchbackand low and behold what did I see right in front of me10 yards away? A big Black Lab dog! But in the firstmilliecent it was a bear, and I scared the crap out ofme. I sure don't mind seeing a bear, in fact I wouldlike to, but not from startling one 10 yards awayright after reading a sign saying they aren't afraidof humans. So after a few seconds my heart beganagain, the dog looked behind him and saw his ownerwalking down the trail. When he go up to me I said"mister your dog about scared me to death" He lookedat me with this stupid smile on his face as he waschewing his tobacco and said you thought he was a beardidn't you?" Yup, I sure did. Still with that stupid grin hesays, "yea, that happens a lot". Then he and his dogwent on their way. It was obvious he gained pleasurein walking his black dog in the woods and scaringhikers. Oh well, it made a memory. I continued on withanother excitement. Reached just over 5,000 feet inelevation. That is twice as high as Mt. Magazine in Arkansas.Many, many beautiful veiws. I will send some picturessoon. That is all for now.Clay
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Carter Gap

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Ye-Haw, broke the 100 mile barrier today! I have gonea total of 106.6 miles since March 30. Also did alongest day today too. 15.9 miles. We didn't intendto go that far, but when we got to Rock Gap Shelter,there weren't any campsites. The shelter was full andthere wasn't any good water source around. So wewalked on a little farther to find a site and water.By the time we did that we were just 2 miles fromWinding Stair Gap, Which is where we were going to goto tomorrow and then into town to resupply anyway.Franklin is a small North Carolina town, that catersto a hikers. Definitly a tiring day, but it is good toknow I can do bigger miles now. Tomorrow I will get mypackages from the post office and the outfitter andhopefully move on. I broke a tent pole last week andthe new pole should be in the mail waiting for me. My pack should finally be at the outfitter for me topick up. I hope my gear troubles are behind me. Iapprecate all the well wishes and visits to my guestbook. It keeps me encouraged. I really an enjoyingmyself. Every morning I say I can do this. By theafternoons I say, I am pretty sure I can do this. Buteach morning the aches of the day are gone. Eventhough it is only 9:00 pm here I am going to go to sleepfor the night. I earned a good nights sleep today.Clay
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Silar Bald

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Tough day today. I started about 8:40 a.m. from Siler BaldShelter and got into Cold Spring Shelter about 4:00 p.m.The shelter was old and rotten. Built in 1933, it hadseen better days. I think it may be one of he oldestshelters still around. It was made of logs and chinkedwith cement. The floor creaked and shifted when youwalked around. The spring may have been cold, but ittoo seemed past its prime. Certain we didn't want tostay in the old shelter and just as certain that wehad no more miles in us, Jim and I found a couple ofsemi acceptable tent pads. Shortly after that quite afew hikers showed up and eventually filled up theshelter. They were a bit loud but by 10:00 p.m. they quieteddown. The trail today was tough. A lot of up and downing.Topping out at over 5300 feet, the finishing at 4920.To add to that the trail was full of rocks and rootsalmost all day. The contanst twisting of my boot whilestepping worked a hot spot into a blister and made thesoles of my feet sore. I was glad to get out of myboots and into my camp shoes. The weather has beengood, highs in the low seventies and lows in the lowforties. Tomorrow will be a warmer day, with moredifficult terrain. No rain expected until early nextweek. Regarding the weather, I have been given the trailname of "Weatherman". I carry a small Sony Walkmanradio that has FM, AM, television and weather bandfrequencies. I have been diligent in keeping up withthe forecast and keeping others informed. People beganto depend on my updates and when I wasn't around theywould ask where is Weatherman? So I decided I could betagged with something a lot worse than Weatherman for atrailname so I agreed to accept it.Time for noodles and Tuna.Clay
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 11.5

Another long hard day, more toe catchers and anklesnappers. I doctored up my blister and had no moreproblems. Just sore on the bottoms of my feet. Today we ascended to 5,000 feet then down to 3,800,bumped along between that and 4200. Then did thekiller for the day. Descended 2500 feet in 4.5 miles.My toes were smashed in my boots, my quads and kneesare still in shock. Tomorrow will be the opposite.Climb 3322 feet in 8 miles! Give the calfs and buttmuscles a workout tomorrow! Tonight I am staying in ahostel at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. It is a bigrafting, bicycling, hiking mecca sort of place, hereon the Nantahala River. Nice scenery, good restaurant.I will head out tomorrow morning for the big climb.Next stop for a shower and a bed will be Tuesday atFontana, NC. Guess I will clsoe for now. Had a bigcheezeburger for dinner. I am going to take some Aleveand go to bed. ClayP.S. Don't take my reports as whining. Regardless ofall the hard work and pain, I wouldn't want to be anyplace else.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: N.O.C.

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.1

Plant, step, push, plant, step, push. All day today. Itwas uphill. Plant my left hiking pole, step with myright foot and push with leg and arm. Repeat withreverse side. Slow and steady. I try to keep a pacethat isn't too fast to wear me out. Just quick enoughto set a rythm. Started at 10:00 AM after a goodbreakfast at the restaurant. We did 8.1 all uphillmiles. Tonight I am camped on another bald. The viewis wonderful of a valley far below. I see pastures,and barns and I guess a small town. Mountains allaround. I see a lake far off in the distaace. Verypeaceful. Tomorrow will be Easter Sunday. I plan tostart early to avoid the heat. It was in the mid 70stoday. Probably more of the same tomorrow, although weare certainly at a higher elevation. You can certainlysee difference in the spring season at low versus highelevation. Down in the valley things are green and inbloom. Up high it is mostly still winter looking. Fewbuds on trees, not really any green grass. I am surespring will show up everywhere. I look forward to it.Just F.Y.I. Yes I aware of the bear incidence in NorthCarolina. A 350 to 400 pound black bear killed a 6year old girl and mauled a mother and a two year oldboy. It took place about 50 straight miles south ofhere. I am moving away from the area it occurred. Thebear had not been captured as of this morning. Nextweek I will go into the Smokies and likely will see abear there. I am not too concerned about it. I plan onleaving them alone, and hope they agree to do the samewith me. I hang my food each night and keep a cleancamp. If I see one I will definitely let you know, andget a pic if I can, unless I am running. Ha-ha. Thatis all for now.Clay
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Easter. I can't remember an Easter when Ihaven't gone to church. I guess there are worse placesto skip church for than out in the God's creation.Saw lots of blooming flowers and Dogwoods today. Thatwas nice. Could even smell some honeysuckles as well. Hiking was not too bad today. It was warm for thisearly in the season. Did 10.7 miles today, and havejust 10 miles tomorrow to get into Fontana, N.C. Willget resupplied the take on the Smokies. That is about70 miles. There is only one chance to resupply andthat is in Gatlinburg, TN. I really don't want to getoff the trail there so I think I will plan on doingthe Smokies straight through. Jim from Kentucky, thefellow I have been traveling with is having ankleproblems. He intended to take a break and go homeafter getting to the road that crosses through theSmokies halfway point, but he may leave a littleearlier and go home when we get to Fontana, N.C. He isa great guy. If he leaves, I will miss his company. A couple of guys that happen to be camping here at thisspot with Jim and I are Larry from Murfreesburo, TN,and Ichibon from South of Indianapolis, IN. Both areknowledgeable about plants and Ichibon said he wouldshow me how to find the edible mushrooms. I will lethim eat first! There are supposed to be some wildonion blooming in the next few weeks called ramps. Iam told they are pretty good to add to our dinners forvariety. I wouldn't mind finding some blackberries orwild strawberries in the months ahead either. We have a 40% chance of rain tonight so I hope I staydry. The wind is blowing pretty hard right now. Iguess my tent will get a good test tonight. I will letyou know tomorrow how it went.Clay