morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-05
To: I ache
Miles today: 0.0

It's been almost two weeks now since I climbed Katahdin. I'm home now, thanks in large part to the kindess of two young section hiker ladies, Carol and Phyllis, and to the security people at the Manchester, NH, airport for letting me on the plane despite me lacking any sort of identification at all. My plans for the future, or at least the next few months, are beginning to take a definite shape. I'm going to be heading out to Moscow, Idaho, soon to help out with a research project at the university there, and I might just allow myself to settle there long enough to get a Masters in Wood Science. I'm pretty excited about that. I've never been to Idaho before, and people that I talk to who have say it's a beautiful place. And I get to get back in an academic environment, which I enjoy. So things are working out as well as I could have expected them to since getting back home.But I either can't or am just unwilling to allow my AT experience to move to the past. I've had an obsession with the AT ever since the idea of a thru-hike entered into my head several years ago, and I'd hoped that by completing a thru-hike I could let it go. Nope. Uh uh. It's still pretty much all I can think about. Only now instead of anticipation, it's reminiscing. I miss the simplicity of the task. Simply walking, following the white blazes until they stopped. That was the goal, and it is as lofty a goal as I've ever reached for. I miss dreaming about what it would be like to climb Katahdin, even though that day was greater than what I could imagine. I miss not thinking about how I look or smell, because everyone just expected me to look disheveled and stink. I actually miss sleeping in a different spot each night, having to walk a ways for water that I would have to treat, all the daily aches and pains, the smelly privies, and, believe it or not, the rain. It's been raining a good bit here in Nashville the past two weeks, and though the city doesn't need it, I'm glad for it. I guess I got accustomed to {cursing at} the rain. I don't miss the bugs, though. That I can do without.I don't want to sound depressed. I'm not. In fact, I'm really quite happy. People who know about my journey congradulate me and tell me what a big accomplishment it is, but I don't think they know just how big it is to me. I wish I knew how to describe the feeling. I guess this is not the sort of thing that is supposed to have closure. Darn. Because if I could spend half the time I think about hiking thinking about something else, like maybe a new wood derived material that could save millions of acres of forest from being harvested each year, then I could probably really get rich. Oh well, I guess I'll have to just keep on hiking. Is the PCT in my future? As much as my parents wish it wasn't, I think it is.
Date: 2003-09-10
To: A new adventure
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow I'm off, leaving Nashville behind on a journey, this time by car, that will eventually lead to Moscow, Idaho. I was thinking -- if I went by the quickest route to get to Moscow (which I'm not), then the total mileage would only be about 50 miles greater than what I just hiked. It gives me a new perspective on that distance. Kind of staggering to me, but maybe I just have a simple mind.I've got a couple more ideas for some last journal entries. Obviously they won't be up within the next few days, but stay tuned. I'm not ready to sign off for good just yet.
Date: 2003-09-30
To: settled in....almost
Miles today: 0.0

For the most part I've settled back into the routine of everyday life. Starting over in a completely new place has helped me out in readjusting. I'm now working a job with the University of Idaho, where a little over two weeks ago I had never set foot in Idaho before. I'm getting settled into my new environment, getting familiar with my new job, and for the most part able to put the trail behind me. Still, from time to time, a memory will suddenly enter my conscious, and I ache to be back out there living the simple trail life. Tonight it was reading Dixiebound's journal entry about Laurel Gorge that did it. I remember passing the falls there, still early on in my hike, still unsure if I would make it the whole way.The biggest disappointment for me (and I knew it would be) about returning to society is that most people have only a passing interest at most in the AT when I start talking about it. I know it's a bit self-centered to want to talk about the AT right after I hiked it, but c'mon, I've earned the right to brag a little bit, haven't I? I want people to understand that this was the life I lived for nearly six months, the only thing I knew. I'd like to have people constantly nagging me to show them my pictures and tell them stories. I realize it's silly and it's not going to happen. Part of me is just still unwilling to let go of the adventure.Last week I put up a pretty detailed account of the day I climbed Katahdin, but the computer lost it just as I finished writing. Freakin' technology. I'm going to re-type it eventually, if for no other reason than it gives me a chance to re-live that day again.
Date: 2003-02-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's February 2nd and only 24 days to go. I'm finished packing (a few more doggy treats) but the Poolerbears are still sorting through their equipment! Of course my pack IS a little smaller! The maildrop boxes are packed and ready to go - we'll be sending the first one in two weeks! You can see me (in the photo gallery) resting after all that packing! We're going to take a bus to Boston where we'll pick up AMTRAK. I may have to sneak aboard (being a dog)! I get to spend a night in a "sleeper"! I get the bottom bunk - OK,OK, I'm sharing the bottom bunk - Geez! We've been reading all the journals of those starting on March 1st - hope to meet you all on the trail! Nose
Date: 2003-02-24
To: Springer MTN Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's finally here! We are leaving for Georgia Thursday to start the great adventure and maybe even find Huggy! I have Butterflies in my stomach (do dogs get butterflies?) and we're all anxious to get started. All those trees..................ah Oops, got to stop day dreaming and get the last of the preparations done! OK, OK, so I don't have to do anything, BUT the Poolerbears do. Check and double check that we have everything, make those last minutes calls, pay those last bills and say our goodbyes. Hope to see those of you who are starting on the 1st and best wishes to the rest of the 2003 hikers we don't meet. My next journal entry will be from the trail. Until then........woof, woof
Date: 2003-03-01
From: Springer MTN Georgia

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Hiked the approach trail from the Amicalola Falls Lodge, to Springer - 8.8 miles, then started the AT. OK, OK so I ride on top! I have the important job of watching for the white blazes on the trees! At Springer a day hiker offered a PB+J sandwich which Ma Bear accepted, plus two cookies. Yum! Yum! This is fun already! We meet lots of thru-hikers throughout the day - too many to get names of everyone. It was foggy and damp most of the day and by the time we reached Hawk Mtn Shelter it was full. We set up the tent along with at least a dozen others. We knew it would be like this (80/100) hikers starting out. The tent next to us had a dog too - but we behaved ourselves. Oh, I almost forgot - 2/3 people asked if I was Nose - I didn't know I'd be famous! Hee Hee! We ate and crawled into the tent for the night. I get to sleep in Pa Bear's sleeping bag pocket - nice and cozy. Yawn.....Great Day! Nose signing off.....
Date: 2003-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Rained all night last night and everything is pretty wet except me. Hee Hee! Met a girl from Australia who carries "Tigger with a small backpack". Also met a guy carrying a banjo. He played last night and I howled along until the Poolerbears told me to be quiet. I thought I was pretty good! We also met a girl named Jenny. Real nice. The trail was well maintained and the Rhododendrums are ready to blossum. It should be beautiful in a few weeks. We also saw some ground cover that had leaves like Begonias. We had a lunch of cheese and crackers but the cheese had holes in it. I thought mice got into it, but it was swiss! I woofed it down. Yum Yum! We found a nice site near an overlook about a mile before Woody Gap. It was REALLY windy and cold. We stayed warm in our sleeping bags but in the morning the tubes to the water bottle were frozen. Everyone we talked to said it was windy where they were too!Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-03
From: Woody Gap

To: Walasi-Yi Center Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: few clouds

From the Top of the Pack - The view from where we tented (alone) for a change, was beautiful. The day was turning out to be great for hiking (after it warmed up some). We saw a guy from N.C., who we had seen yesterday and hiked a while with him, nice guy. He's planning to finish a couple of sections of Georgia and skipping ahead of the Smokys. He will do those when he gets back. Many beautiful views of valleys and mountain ranges. The Poolerbears were looking for snacks they thought they had but couldn't find them. Don't tell them but I ate them! It's hard work sitting up there all day watching for white blazes. Hee Hee! Blood Mtn was the BIG climb of the day but well worth it - the view was great! Blood Mtn is where the Creek and Cherokee Indians fought on these slopes and left so many dead and injured that the ground ran red with blood. It is the most visited site south of Clingmans Dome. Got to the Center around 4pm and shared a cabin with bunks, with two other people. At least there was a shower (not for me - YUCK!), a laundry and a kitchen. I get to sleep in a bunk bed - NEAT! Yawn.....Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-04
From: Walasi-Yi Center Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Left Walasi-Yi Center after store opened. The guy who drove us up from the cabin is from Bath, Maine. Wow - the same town we live in! What's the chances?! He's been hiking the AT (back + forth) since 1998. Yes! His dog Annie just turned 10 and has over 8,000 miles of hiking with him. Woof for Annie! The trail today was pretty good going without the big ups and downs of the last couple of days. The shelter was nice but saw mice nests so tented up hill of the shelter. Most of the shelters have a cable system for hanging your food. It works really well. We hope all shelters start having these! They would be great for the Sierras (PCT). They are also eliminating privys, less work and they feel it has less impact on the environment. I guess, but not sure about this. Of course I don't use one anyway! Hee Hee!Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-05
From: Low Gap

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 9.4

From the Top of the Pack - After last night's rain and everything getting wet again, we are going into Helen to pick up a new tent! The Flashlight Clip we have is about 15 years old and just doesn't repel the water like it used to. Also the Fly doesn't cover as well as other tents. The trail was good. Much seemed to be on what must have been old logging roads. Really nice! Got to Unicoi Gap where we met our first "Trail Angel". His trail name was "Dale America". He hiked part of the AT in '98 and '00 I believe. We had hot dogs, chips, COLD soda and cookies. Yum Yum! What a nice guy! Hitched into Helen with a couple from Vermont who are hiking for 3 weeks. There are also 4 guys a couple of doors down from us who are thru hiking. One guy (Trapper) has been at the same places we have stayed since Springer. It's really fun getting to know everyone - wondering if you'll see them again. You do become part of a family. It's fun to answer "yes" when someone asks you if you're a thru hiker. Found a tent at the local outfitters. It's made by MSR Zoid2. It's a 1/2 lb. heavier than the Flashlight Clip but much better protection. It also has two entries and more room at the foot - so we'll see how it holds up. Picked up some more Sports Tape (which works great for blisters) as we left ours at the cabin at the Center. We also are sending a few things back along with the old tent. It takes a week or so to see what you really need and what is extra weight. Got a ride back to the trail tomorrow with the guys staying here - from the outfitters.Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-06
From: Helen, GA

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack -We got dropped off around 9am and climbed quite a while. Got up to the top of Tray and the view waas great! Glad we stayed in town last night - thunderstorms were in the area all night. It's so hard to watch TV when the power flickers. Hee Hee! Nice weather today and good trail, just a lot of ups and downs but such is the life of the hiker! The Poolerbears took a picture of me sleeping in a tree during a break. Gee is it a crime! I was tired! Got to hike with Trapper and another man most of the day. Passed him somewhere and he isn't here tonight. Maybe he stayed at Tray Mtn Shelter. Lots of hikers here at Shelter. Nice one - two stories (holds 12). We're in the new tent (much more room). Nice 0 I even have my own LARGE pocket to sleep in! Yawn! Ate supper and into the tent to Ref the cribbage game between Ma + Pa Poolerbear. 2 to 1 (Pa)! Hi Joey, Emily and Hannah! XXXOOONose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-07
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: scattered clouds

From the Top of the Pack -The new tent was great! Fit all of us in plus the two backpacks as the bottom. The Fly covers more area and it looks like we made a great choice...Of course a rainstorm will be the real test. It was cold to start but didn't take long to warm up once the sun came out. Perfect hiking weather (mid 60s) with a mild breeze. We only hiked 3 1/2 miles into Hiawassee - short day. We needed to finish up some chores we didn't get a chance to do. We also wanted to give our feet a rest - starting to get the first blisters. Well, not me of course! All in all feeling great and still enthusiastic! It's nice to take a break when you want to without feeling that you have to do so many "miles" a day. Tomorrow we will cross our first state line into North Carolina. One state down! There is no place we'd rather be....We can't believe that we met two more guys from Maine. Johnny Walker and Moxie. They are staying at the Blueberry Patch. We'll probably see them tomorrow. Also we met a psychologist named Shrunk. He's writing a scientific paper on the effect on people hiking the AT - the changes that take place. He asked that we complete a survey when we get to a hostel about a week from now. We probably will. He also said he hopes to write a book. He took all our trail names and pictures of us (me too)!Newsflash: Pa Bear is up 2 on the cribbage tournament. I'm sure Ma Bear will make a comeback. Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-08
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack -Hardest day yet! Elevation gain was over 3000' overall. Some places up to Bly Gap were straight up! 7 Gaps!! I was being blown all around but it was fun. The Poolerbears were pretty tired. The couple from Vermont are camping not too far away. In the shelter are 5 guys. 3 are ones we met yesterday - 2 from Maine, Johnny Walker and Moxie, and Banjo guy (got to get his trail name) is also here. Maybe we'll have some music. Johnny gave us a homemade cookie. Yum Yum! Saw a few day hikers (one is a maintainer). We saw a backpack a mile or 2 after starting today, just laying on the trail. The kids said it was a guy with his dog who quit and left his pack and went home. News flash: Pa Bear decided to call himself "Walking Home" since everyone says to us "Oh you're walking home!" So it's Nose, Poolerbear + Walking Home.Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-09
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Best hiking as far as elevations - basically very little. Kept winding down several mountains - only 4 gaps. Hiked on/off with Bone Player (banjo guy), 3 lads from New England Johnny Walker, Moxie and Pebbles. Saw Vermont couple (Rob + Jim) first thing but didn't see them after that. One guy tenting nearby and several young people went down the stream a ways. Good day over all.Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-10
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

From the Top of the Pack - Cool this morning but warmed up enough for shorts and tee shirts by mid-morning. I didn't need to change. Hee Hee! The climb up Albert Mtn was really steep - to an old Fire Tower. Pa carried me up in a pocket so I wouldn't have to see how far up it was! Once we were inside, it wasn't bad. Beautiful 360 degree look at all the mountain ranges. We saw ravens soaring just below us. Neat! Later we came to a side trailto one of the oldest Poplar trees. Wasilik Poplar - second oldest in the U.S. Pa took a picture of me in front of it. There was even a water fall! The tree is dead which is too bad. We also hiked along a part of a trail that was close to the edge of a very deep valley. I didn't look! GULP! All in all - a very beautiful trail - great weather and great company. Staying at the Franklin Motel - very friendly and helpful. Had a great meal at B+D Restaurant. Yum Yum! Off to Noc (2 days). The Poolerbears hope to try some white water rafting. I'm not sure I'm up for it. I don't want to get my fur wet! I'll let you know if I'm a (chicken) or not in a couple of days. Gulp!Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Lots of ups today - old roads where you could see far ahead! Siler Bald was beautiful even if you had to climb a 1/2 mile to the top. Of course I got carried. Hee Hee! The view was GREAT! Also Wayan Bald had a small tower you could climb for a great view. Around 4 o'clock we were ready to call it a day. Could we find a tent spot - NO. Around 5 - 5:30 we FINALLY came to the shelter. Too Loooong a day. Noc tomorrow.Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-12
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Noc
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

From the Top of the Pack - Stayed in the shelter last night with Ben (no trail name yet) and Caddis. We've been hiking off and on with them for a while. Caddis went on to the next shelter and we think Ben might be at the hostel. We're in one of the small single rooms - nice. I have the small loft to myself. Hope I don't fall off during the night. The ridge walking today was great. Beautiful views all day. Climbed another Fire tower on Wesser Bald - could see Fontana Lake where we'll be in 2 days. The Poolerbears had a meal of chicken (of course I didn't eat any) just the french fries. Yummy! Sat by the Nantahala River watching kayaks and some instructors doing training. The Noc is in a beautiful area. We start the Smokys this coming weekend. Me and Ma Poolerbear are a little nervous about the bears, but Huggy may be here visiting - no sign of her yet! Has anyone seen her? Haven't seen anything in the registers! Oh well, we'll keep a look out.Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Noc

To: Above Simp Gap
Miles today: 11.5

From the Top of the Pack - Hike was constantly up all day. Not much respite. Met Braveheart and Tigger and hiked to Sassafras Shelter where they were spending the night. Caddis was just ahead of us when we saw a thunderstorm coming. Just got the tent up in time. I wouldn't want my fur getting all wet! Geez! Waiting for the rain to let up so we can cook spaghetti (mine and Ma Bear's favorite)! Hope to get cleaned up and snug before any more rain! View from Cheoah Bald was nice and we did some long saddles with good views on both sides. We had enough time to eat and it was actally warm. As the sun sets it may get cooler but can't tell yet. Sun is out now, so even if it rains again we'll be snug as a bug! Hee hee!Nose signing off.......P.S. Saw a guy with his dog (jumped up on Ma Bear) - I was going to jump down but they left too quickly! He is training to climb Denali. Also saw a maintainer who worked on the shelter we were at for lunch. He said another shelter he worked on was made using plans he got from the Maine Appalachian Club. Neat!
Date: 2003-03-14
From: Above Simp Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Long day - more ups than downs. We saw a beautiful sunrise, then the clouds in the valley. Nice views of Fontana lake - then the Dam. Yucky "PopTarts" for breakfast! I like cereal bars better! Woof Woof! Staying at Fontana Village - didn't get in until 4:30. We're going to take a zero day tomorrow and sart the Smokeys on Sunday. Me and Ma Bear are still nervous, but I'm sure we'll be ok. I'll just hide if I see a "Bear". We're both going to feel much better once we reach Hot Springs!Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Since it was foggy and misty all day and Pa had the pack cover on, I didn't get to see anything! I just munched on snack mix and took a nap. Such is a Dog's Life! Well at least this dog's. Met two Ridge Runners today. The first one just after we crossed the Dam. He was taking information on AT hikers. His mother was born in Bath, Me. Wow another person from Maine! The second guy is checking shelters and cleaning up the area. He plans to hike the AT going South in June with his girlfriend. He asked the Poolerbears some questions about hiking together as a couple. Well, time to ref the cribbage game.Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Heard a coyote (I think) late at night that sounded like it was fighting - eerie! Cleared early - had some great views from Rocky Top and Thunderhead. Started raining after lunch and kept up all afternoon. Was glad to get to the shelter. Cold, wet and tired. So were the Poolerbears! Got covered by back pack cover so stayed out of the rain in the afternoon - GOOD! Quite a group here tonight. 2 kids who are from Maine (again) and the 3 guys from Maine we've been hiking on and off with. 2 men section hiking. Tomorrow Clingmans!Nose signing off.......
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

From the Top of the Pack - Last night was rainy but one of the guys started a fire in the small fireplace inside the shelter. It didn't burn real good because the wood was wet, but at least it seemed warmer. This morning was misty but the hike up Clingman's wasn't too bad. There were snow patches and ice near the top on both sides. There is an observation tower on top with a walkway that is handicap accessible. It looks like a spaceship - out of place! One of the guys at the shelter offered to give us a ride into Gatlinburg so we're here for the night. On the trail today we saw some barriers that keep the wild boars out of certain areas. They dig up plants, roots and all - doing a lot of damage, so they put these barriers up that the pigs won't cross. We did see two deer that weren't afraid of us. Neat, yet sad that they seem so tame. Got to get ready for Shoneys' all you can eat! Yum Yum!Nose signing off.......