morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Starting my hike on 2/18 and I already have that decreased appetite and nervous stomach feeling. I am anxious to start, but have several things still to complete before I leave. I hiked 550+ miles from Springer north in 2014, started then on 3/1/14, so I have a fairly good idea of what to expect both as far as weather and the actual physical and mental demands of the hike. Looking forward to re-entering the trail community. Hope to meet many of you on the trail. I am now 63 and retired (12/31/17), don't plan on setting any speed records, so many of you young-uns may pass me on the trail.
Date: 2018-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last Sunday, 2/11, I drove with my wife to Pittsburgh (500 mile drive from our home in Niskayuna, NY) where we spent 3 nights/ 2 days visiting with our youngest son and his wife (and her parents). We had a very nice time there. Then on Wednesday, 2/14, we drove another 600+ miles to Atlanta where we spent another 3 nights/ 2 days visiting with our oldest son, his wife and their 2 sons (our 3 yo and 1 yo grandsons). Again, we had a great visit and enjoyed letting our grandson's become better acquainted with their grandparents.This morning we drove from Atlanta to Amicalola Falls State Park/ Visitor Center and I signed the NOBO-THRU HIKERS REGISTRATION as hiker #157. After a short visit there and talk with the park rangers, I decided that I will take a shuttle from the visitor center to Springer Mountain parking lot tomorrow morning. With all the rain lately, Forest Service Road #42 is not in the best shape. We drove my wife's new Mini-cooper here and I doubt it would make it - they suggested not trying w/out a 4 wheel drive vehicle. We are checked into a timeshare named the Loreley Resort in Helen, Georgia for the week. Tomorrow morning we will leave here at 7 AM to drive the 1 hour to the Amicalola Visitor Center and meet my shuttle at 8 AM. I should be on Springer Mountain by about 9:30 AM.I am all packed, but will be doing a combination of overnight and daytrips/slackpacking this week and the forecast is for mild weather, so my pack is light - only 25-28# for the overnighters, maybe 15# for the daytrips. Tentative schedule to start is: 1-2/18-2/19- Springer Mountain to Woody Gap intersection w/ GA 60 (mile 20.8) - overnight trip2-2/19- Woody Gap to Neels Gap intersection w/ US 19 (mile 31.7) - daytrip3-2/20- Neels Gap to Hogpen Gap intersection w/GA 348 (mile 38.6) - daytrip4-2/21 (or 2/21-2/22)- Hogpen Gap to Unicoi Gap intersection w/ GA 75 (mile 52.9) - probably daytrip/ possibly overnight trip5-2/22-2/23 (or 2/24-2/25)- Unicoi Gap to Dicks Creek Gap/intersection w/ US 76 (mile 69.6) - overnight trip.I'll see how it goes, how cooperative the weather is, and how my legs/ body hold up. Regardless, my wife leaves for home on 2/24 and then I will continue on my own w/ full pack (probably 32-36# depending on how many days of food I carry).
Date: 2018-02-18
From: Springer Mountain

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

Starting my hike this AM. Took shuttle from Amicalola Visitor Center to Springer Mountain and hiked .9 miles south to Springer Mountain. Now have to turn around and hike about 8.1 miles to Hawk Mountain shelter where I hope to spend the night. Left Springer Mountain about 10 AM and hiked 8.1 miles to shelter. Stopped 0.2 miles before shelter and got water from stream (I filter it). Now at Hawk Mountain Shelter - got here about 3:30 PM.  Set up my sleeping pad and sleeping bag in the shelter - may rain tonight. 5 tents set up around shelter and about 5-6 people in shelter.27,063 steps today. One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-19
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

Change of plans - not ready for a 12 mile day yet, so hiked to Gooch Mountain Shelter today and will hike to Woody Gap tomorrow and take the afternoon off back at the timeshare in Helen, GA.Slept on and off last night from 8 PM to 6:30 AM. 7 PM - Got up and spent 30-60 minutes talking to other hikers while packing. Had 2 Carnation Instant Breakfasts for breakfast (made w/ powdered milk, water, and Carnation Essentials/ Instant breakfast).  I left the shelter at about 8:30 AM and hiked 7.6 miles to Gooch Mountain Shelter, arriving about 2:30 PM. Had 1 decent ascent of about 800 ft in under a mile (Sassafras Mountain) and one 300 ft ascent (Justus Mountain). Legs felt pretty heavy by time I got to shelter. Only snacked on 6-8 Swedish fish candies and 1 Powerade bottle while hiking. Still no appetite. Had Lipton side garlic shells for dinner at about 4:30 PM.  Now laying in sleeping bag and relaxing. Dark outside now. 25,172 steps today. One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-20
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Again last night I slept on and off, starting about 7:30-8 PM and got up about 6:30 AM.  It was only down to about 50 degrees overnight, so w/ my 15 degree sleeping bag I felt a bit warm.  On arising I packed up, retrieved my food bag and stove from the bear box (new from when I hiked in 2014), and had oatmeal and chocolate milk (hot chocolate in cold water) for breakfast.  I started hiking at 8:15 AM, again in a misty rain and fog.  About 1 hr into my hike when I reached Gooch Gap (a forest service road crosses the AT there) a trail angel by the name of Fresh Ground was set up w/ a tarp, table, chairs and was cooking banana pancakes w/ syrup, had fresh fruit, coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, and soda for hikers. He was going to be there for 3 days and also had hot dogs for lunch and spaghetti for dinner. He moves north as the "hiking bubble" does and continues to do trail magic for 2-3 months. NICE GUY!!!He has been doing this for 5-6 years and I remember him from my hike in 2014.  I only had a can of Pepsi as I had eaten only an hour before and still do not have an appetite.  There were 4 other thru hikers there partaking of the pancakes.After about 15 minutes there, I moved on and hiked to Woody Gap, arriving there at 11:30 AM, just as I had arranged w/ my wife. Best sight of the day was her blue Mini Cooper in the parking lot.  I was pretty damp/wet from the hike.  We drove back to the timeshare in Helen, GA and I have unpacked, showered, done my laundry, and she made me a nice grilled ham and cheese sandwich for lunch. Plan is to do a zero here in Helen, GA w/ my wife tomorrow, then go back to Woody Gap on Thursday, 2/22, and hike to Woods Hole Shelter.  On Friday, 2/23, I will hike from Woods Hole Shelter to Neel Gap where my wife will pick me up again before noon.  After spending Friday afternoon and evening/ night at the timeshare in Helen, GA w/ my wife, she will drop me back at Neel Gap on Saturday morning and then she will head back north/ home. Will have only done 31.1 miles in 1st 6 days, but this is giving my body time to build up strength and endurance w/ adequate rest to avoid an early injury like I had in 2014.  My original planned schedule I posted last Saturday, 2/17, was overly aggressive/ optimistic for this 63 yo body.18,962 steps today. One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-21
To: Dahlonega
Miles today: 0.0

Spent today taking a short ride w/ my wife to Dahlonega, GA, then spent 4-5 hrs exploring it. In 1828 Dahlonega was the site of the first major gold rush in the United States. Dahlonega is a cute tourist town now. The picture is of the courthouse built in 1836 in the center of "Dahlonega Square", now the Dahlonega Gold Museum. The historic Dahlonega Square is a popular destination, with gift shops, restaurants, art galleries and studios, and wine tasting rooms. There are several old buildings surrounding the square built 150+ years ago.Dahlonega is also home to the main campus of the University of North Georgia.Weather today was pleasant w/ high about 72 and sunny much of the afternoon while we were there. We ate an early dinner at Shenanigan's, an Irish restaurant and pub - we each had burgers and fries.Only 4,173 steps today.
Date: 2018-02-22
From: Woody Gap

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 10.6

Weather looked good this morning and my legs and feet felt good, so change of plan - decided to slackpack the 10.6 miles from Woody Gap to Neel Gap and not overnight as planned 2 days ago. Leftthe timeshare in Helen, GA, w/ my wife about 8:15 AM and got back to Woody Gapat 9:10 AM.  Used the facilities there, packed up, said good-by to mywife, then started hiking at 9:30 AM.  Beautiful weather for hiking today w/partly sunny skies and high 65-70 (maybe a little too warm).  Hiked over1st small mountain w/ 300-400 ft rise in 1st hour.  Then decided to put onblue tooth earbuds and listen to A Walk in the Woods. Listened to about 4hrs so far - and yes I read and listened to it before, but I thought it wouldbe an appropriate book to start with.  At 2:45 PM I reached the top of Blood Mountain, which is the tallest mountain on the AT in Georgia (4459'). Was steep 800-900 ft climb in less than a mile. Then had 2.4 mile, 1300+ ft descent to Neel Gap and Mountain Crossings (arrived there about 4:40 PM in time to buy a sweetened cold iced tea before they closed at 5 PM)and my wife picked me up again about 5:20 PM. While hiking today I had 2other thru-hikers pass me, I passed 4 thru-hikers, and I also passed about adozen day and section hikers.10.6miles for today (slackpacking w/ pack weight 15-18 #) and can spend an extranight in the timeshare in a bed tonight.Tomorrow, I will slackpack a relatively short 6.9 miles from Neel Gap to HogpenGap.33,797 steps today. One step at a time .
Date: 2018-02-23
From: Neel Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Left the timeshare in Helen and drove to Neel Gap w/ my wife.  She left and drove back to Helen and I started hiking about 9:45 AM, carrying 12-15# backpack. Hiked mostly between 3000 and 3800 ft w/ couple steep climbs of 600-800 ft. From the start until about 1 PM I was hiking in low-lying clouds and had no views. Finally, about 1 PM the sun came out and clouds dispersed and I had some nice views (see picture) during hike between Tesnatee Gap and Hogpen Gap - the last 0.9 miles of the day. Finished at 2 PM at Hogpen Gap - again my wife picked me up and we returned to the timeshare in Helen for our last night there. Tomorrow, we will check out of the timeshare, she will drive me back to Hogpen Gap and I will hike on northbound, and she will start her trip home.Today I was passed by 2 thru-hikers, I passed 8 thru-hikers, and I passed about 9-10 dayhikers.23,501 steps today. One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-24
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Checked out of timeshare in Helen, GA at 10 AM and drove w/ my wife back to Hogpen Gap.  Pulled my gear out of the car and moved stuff around in car for my wife to travel north.  She left and I started hiking about 11 AM.Hiked all day and passed 16 weekend/ day hikers headed south (opposite direction).  Only saw 3 other thru-hikers while hiking, all passing me after 4:30 PM. Weather was near perfect - partly sunny w/ temps 60-65.  Nice views of distant mountains seen thru the trees, hard to capture in a photo.Arrived at Blue Mountain Shelter at 6:30 PM, after hiking 11.9 miles, this time w/ a full pack weighing about 35#.  Ate few slices of sharp cheese, set up my sleeping pad and sleeping bag in the shelter, and hit the sack about 7:30.  Gets dark between 6:30 and 7 PM and we call that hiker's midnight.3 other thru-hikers in shelter, 5 tents and 1 hammock set up nearby (4 thru-hikers and 2 section hikers).36,437 steps today.  One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-25
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: broken clouds

9:30 AM - Woke up about 6 and packed up. Had Carnation instant breakfast for breakfast.It is raining and I am not in a big rush to leave because I am only planning about 9 mile hike today to Tray Mountain Shelter.  Will start hiking in few minutes. The 2 section hikers and 1 thru-hiker are still here, everyone else left already.7:00 PM - Left Blue Mountain Shelter about 10 AM and hiked in misty on and off showers.  More difficult hike today.  In addition to usual smaller (few hundred feet) ups and downs, had 2 mountains to go over.  1st climbed Rocky Mountain w/ 1100 ft ascent over 1.4 miles.  Then a little later in the day, hiked up Tray Mountain w/ 1300 ft ascent  over 2.5 miles.  Arrived at Tray Mountain Shelter (1/2 mile past and 250 ft down from mountain peak I had just hiked over) at 3:30 PM.  I unpacked, set up my pad and sleeping bag again in the shelter, then made a Mountain House Chicken teriyaki dinner (not bad), then cleaned up and got in my sleeping bag before 7 PM. There were already 3 thru-hikers in the shelter when I arrived and 1 more hiked in and set up in the shelter just as it was starting to get dark about 6:30 PM. No other hikers in tents or hammocks this night.While hiking, I did not see another hiker until 2 younger thru-hikers passed me about 2:30 PM. 29,866 steps today.  One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-26
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up about 6:45 AM (after awakening multiple times thru the night). 3 of the other thru-hikers were already packing and left between 7:00 and 7:45 AM. The younger hiker who had arrived late was still sleeping in his sleeping bag.  I got up about 7 AM, had instant breakfast again, packed up slowly, and started hiking at 9:30 AM - planned only 7.4 mile day to Deep Gap Shelter (mile 65.4).  Hike was in pleasant weather, partly cloudy, temp 60-65.  I was passed by the younger thru-hiker who spent the night w/ us at Tray Mtn about 1 hr into the hike, then by 2 brothers who were slackpacking from Unicoi Gap to Dick's Creek Gap about 2 PM.  There were some minor ascents earlier, then a steep 800+ ft ascent (over 1 mile) near the end of the day. I arrived at the shelter about 3 PM and found only 1 other hiker there - Rick "Gaddabout" - who I had met the day before on my hike to Tray Mountain Shelter.  He had stayed at Tray Mountain Shelter and we had talked quite a bit and have quite a bit in common.  He is 62 and retired a couple weeks before starting his hike, has 3 sons (33, 31, and 21 - no grandchildren yet), gardens.  After arriving at the shelter I did my usual unpack, set up my sleeping pad and bag, then fixed Ramen and had remaining half block of sharp cheese (6 oz) w/ it. Rick started a fire, but temperature started dropping, so I laid down in my sleeping bag about 6 PM.  Temp was supposed to drop down to mid 30's.Only 2 of us in shelter tonight and no one set up outside.27,552 steps today.  One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-27
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap - Top of Georgia Hostel
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: clear sky

3:30 PM - In Hiawassee, GA right now.  Did a nero today from Deep Gap Shelter at mile 65.4 to Dick's Creek Gap at mile 69.0, then hiked 1/2 mile west on US 76/ GA 2 to the Top of Georgia Hostel.  Left shelter at 7:45 AM and arrived at hostel by about 10 AM.  Took a long, hot shower, had my clothes washed (they wash and dry a load for $5), then unpacked my stuff in bunkhouse. Staying in room w/ 6 bunks, on a bottom bunk. Again I will wear earplugs.Took 1 PM shuttle ride from hostel to Hiawassee and ate 12" BLT sub at Subway w/ glass of sweetened tea, then walked about 1/2 mile to Ingles Supermarket and bought 4 oranges, 2 ears of corn, and small bottle of hand sanitizer. Now waiting outside Ingles for 4:20 PM shuttle back to hostel.  Been hiking w/ another hiker  (Rick "Gaddabout") for last 2 days (not hiking together during the day, but staying at shelters together). We are both at hostel in same bunk room. We tried to get a 2 bed cottage there together, but they were already booked. Rick went to Mexican restaurant while I went to Subway. Now he is inside Ingles doing some shopping. Plan on doing a zero tomorrow - weather forecast is for 90% chance of showers/ rain/ thunderstorms for next 2 days (Wed and Thur), then 3 days of sun/ dry.  If I hike Thursday and get wet, I will have next 3 days to dry out. Taking nero today and zero tomorrow should help muscles heal up. Tentative schedule starting Thursday has me increasing my miles to average 10-13 miles/ day - up from 8-10 miles/ day for last few days (except for nero today). Some definitions and explanations - 1- ¢Nero¢ - A nero is a near zero.  By staying at a campsite or shelter near a hostel or town (for me less than about 5 miles), you can hike to the town or hostel in 2-3 hrs and enjoy almost the whole day as rest/ down time.  If you were to continue hiking the day before into the town or hostel, you might arrive at 7 PM or later, and check-out is usually at 10 AM, so that does not leave much time. In that case, you might stay 2 nights vs the nero usually being 1 night.2- ¢Zero¢ - A zero is the day between the 2 night stay at a shelter, hostel, hotel, etc.  Therefore, zero miles hiked on a ¢zero¢.15,811 steps today.  One step at a time.
Date: 2018-02-28
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Top of Georgia Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

My stay here at Top of Georgia was originally planned to be a nero w/ me staying only last night. In this case weather is causing a change of plans - current forecast is 100% chance of rain for Wed (today) and Thur w/ possible flooding.  I had already booked to stay here again tonight before going to bed last evening. I checked the local/ trail weather forecast this morning and the weather forecast for today is showers this morning w/ heavier rain after 1 PM (possible 1-2¢ rain thru this evening) then ongoing rain tonight and tomorrow w/ another 1-2¢ rain tonight and another 1-2¢ rain tomorrow).  This AM I booked and paid for my bunk for Thursday night too - that will be 3 nights here.  Not planned, but better safe than sorry.Nice to be retired, but I would still like to get moving.  Oh well, you can¢t control the weather.Yesterday, after returning from town, I relaxed in the common area here at the hostel.  That area closes at 7 PM and I returned to the bunkhouse/ hostel.  It has a kitchen and table/ chairs.  I microwaved and ate my 2 ears of corn, then scrambled 3 eggs and ate them on a soft tortilla (the eggs and soft tortilla had been left by previous hikers in the refrigerator and were marked ¢free¢ - this happens at all hostels. Hikers don¢t like to carry excess weight, so they leave extra food bought in ¢hiker boxes¢, free to other hikers).  Then I ate 2 chocolate chip cookies I had brought back from my lunch at Subway.  I think I have my appetite back.  I laid down and went to sleep about 10 PM.This morning I woke up at 6 AM.  The common area opens at 7 AM and they have all you can eat cereal and free coffee, tea, and hot chocolate - all included for $30/ night rate.  I had Cheerios and a cup of tea for breakfast.  Now at 10 AM I am sitting on couch in common area catching up on my journal. Bunkhouse/ hostel I am staying in has 3 rooms w/ 4 bunks in 1, 6 bunks in 2nd, and 6 bunks in 3rd larger room w/ kitchen, table, and chairs.  It also has a bathroom w/ a shower.  A 2nd bathroom w/ a shower is available off the common area - again open 7 AM to 7 PM.  There are also a couple porta-potties outside.Last night only had 3 hikers in the bunkhouse, but w/ the weather hikers have already started coming in and they expect all the bunks to fill tonight.
Date: 2018-03-01
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Top of Georgia Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Here at TOG hostel for 2nd zero, waiting out the weather.  We originally had 16 hikers in the bunkhouse last night, 1 had his daughter come from Chattanooga (2-1/2 hrs each way) to pick him up for couple days. That left 15 hikers there overnight.  After breakfast they had shuttles back to the trail at 9 and 10 AM, 1/3 of the hikers returned to the trail.  10 of us are still at the hostel doing zero today.2 reasons for doing these zeros - 1 - Hiking up and down these mountains and hills after this much rain gets slick and muddy.  It is easy to fall repeatedly and injure yourself - twist an ankle or knee or worse.  That could end my hike. 2 - Hiking the whole AT is 90% mental/ psychological/ attitude.  Getting yourself and all your gear soaking wet and cold, especially this early in a hike, can cause you to lose that desire and quit.Yesterday I went into town on 4 PM shuttle w/ 5 other hikers - Rick ¢Gaddabout¢, Wise Man, Mac Daddy, Maple (19 yo from Vermont), and Rolly-Poley (another young hiker).  5 of us (all but Rolly Poley (about 20 yo from Kentucky) who had to go to Post Office to pick up a new backpack he had mailed to him) went to an all-you-can-eat (AYCE) buffet at Daniel¢s Steak House.  We then all met at the Ingles Supermarket, shopped and bought what we needed, then got picked up by the shuttle outside Ingles at about 6:15 PM, returning to TOG hostel about 6:45.  I relaxed for a couple hrs in the bunkhouse and then hit my bunk, relaxed another hour listening to an audiobook before going to sleep at 10.Woke today at 5:50 AM after pretty good sleep, came over to common area and had Cheerios and cup of hot tea at 7:15, then took shower and gave the staff my laundry to wash ($5 for small load) - I had been wearing same clothes (my dry/ ¢town¢ clothes) last 2 days.  Not sure when my next chance will be.  Now relaxing in large common room (again open for hikers to use from 7 AM to 7 PM) here at TOG.  Bought 3 bagels, cream cheese, thinly sliced ham yesterday to make sandwiches for lunch/ dinner.  Not planning to go back into Hiawassee today.That¢s it for today.  Picture is of common room at TOG.
Date: 2018-03-02
From: Dicks Creek Gap - Top of Georgia Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Awoke at the hostel at 5:30 AM after going to sleep between 9 and 10 PM.  Got up, went to the bathroom, got dressed, and packed up my backpack. Went over to the common room and had Cheerios and hot tea, then took the 8 AM shuttle back to the trail.  Started hiking at 8:20 and hiked some bigger mountains - maybe total up elevation of 4500-5000 ft thruout the day.  About 2 PM hit GA/ NC border, then area w/ nice views shortly later near top of Courthouse Bald.  Weather was sunny w/ temps to about 50.  Got to Muskrat Creek Shelter about 4:45 PM and set up my tent, pumped up/ inflated my sleeping pad, laid out my sleeping bag, and threw all my other gear in my tent. Then went to shelter picnic table and ate bagel sandwich I had brought w/ me for dinner.  Quickly retired to my tent/ sleeping bag because of dark and cold. Dark by 7 and temp down < 40 now, suppose to drop to mid 20's tonight.More than a dozen other hikers here - 5 in shelter, rest in tents and hammocks.  1 Southbounder here, trail name Giggles - he started at Mount Katahdin in Maine in early July.Hiked 11.8 miles today.41,531 steps today.  One step at a time.