morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.9

I finished today at Katahdin Stream Campground at the base of Katahdin Mountain. The course work and final exams have now been taken. I passed all tests. A 5.3 mile graduation walk is the only remaining event. Today's 10 miles were easy and I think easier than they would have been with conditioning equivalent to my first day out of Springer. In any case it felt good to move along with minimum effort. For my last mile of any day I have often thought of the mile from Moore Bros.Store to my childhood home and project my progress as if I were walking that mile. As I exited the woodland path today there was only 0.5 miles along a gravel road to my destination. If this gravel road were the Creek Road of my youth, I would be at the parsonage for the Methodist minister. Then I pass the Courtney place with the big walnut trees. On a distance I cross a wooden bridge and a dry stream bed. I think I should be at my brother's red barn about now. And his log home on the hill. I am going over a little knoll just like the Creek Road and the Sexton family cemetery would be about here. I stop a few moments and remember. I continue past Aunt Bert's place. Betty lives in a new home there now. I turn left down a lane just like my home on the Creek road. Then in a hundred yards or so my journey is completed. I am home. SL
Date: 2009-09-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.3

It is Monday and I am in Bar Harbor, Maine with Rita. I am on the 4th floor of a nice hotel sitting on the balcony looking upon the most beautiful coastal Maine setting one could imagine. The sailboats are lazily tugging on their moorings in the harbor. Slagline finished his journey summiting Katahdin yesterday. He hiked up the final 5.3 miles to the top of Katahdin and touched that famous sign. Gray, his hiking cousin, made the trip with him. It was warm and pleasant for the first 3 miles. Then the clouds rolled in. By the time of the summit the wind was whipping and Slagline had buttoned his outer shirt and donned another layer of clothing. In the fog Gray and Slagline quickly took pictures with the sign marking the summit. Gray asked Slagline how he felt expecting some spiritual response. Slagline said, "I feel cold. Let's get out of here.". Indeed that is the way he felt. He was too uncomfortable to feel reflective of the long journey he had just completed. He also knew the trip down would be difficult, even treacherous in places. He was thinking about the wet steep rock slides, high wind and serious wind chill. He was anxious to get down safely. Slow and steady Slagline and Gray made it down one of the most difficult and technical descents of the journey. Slagline was sad but more glad that the long walk was done and happy to see Rita waiting for him at the bottom. He was actually glad the weather had been difficult. There was no space in his head for emotions. He could be strong and pretend it was just like any other tough hiking day.I wish to thank all of you for your comments and expressions of support. They have meant a great deal to me. As you have said you waited for the next "edition" I waited for you comments. A few folks have expressed a desire to know the equipment or processes I used on the AT. For anyone who is curious or interested in hiking the AT or any other trail I am glad to offer you what I have learned. My e-mail address is kl.jobe@gmail.com. Please write and ask. It would be my pleasure to dialog with you on hiking topics. I plan to post pictures of the final days of the journey within the week. Happy hiking. Ken
Date: 2009-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I just got my pack completely ready for the departure tomorrow and I am pretty happy with my weight. I managed to keep the pack under 30 lbs, which I think is manageable. I know that I should probably be writing about how happy I am that I am finally doing this and how it is a dream come true and all those other things, but I honestly am tired of thinking about the AT. For the past 6 months I have thought about it at least 5 times a day and for the past 3 months the AT has consumed most of my day. At this point I am ready to stop thinking and just start doing. Its time to see for myself what this is really all about and more than anything it's time for me to see what I'm all about. Tyler
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Amicalola State Park Parking Lot

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

So this is the AT....We got to Amicalola this morning @ 8:05 AM thanks to the generosity of my good friend Will Moore. Thanks again Man. It was pretty cold (38 degrees) when we got there. The visitor center wasn't open yet so we signed in on the after hours sheet, snapped some pics, and started walking. The approach trail (8.8 miles) took us about 3.5-4 hours walking at a pretty good pace. Springer Mt. was great and we had some awesome views. Unfortunately it also had terrible gnats that were really annoying. We hung out up there just long enough to sign in and get some pics. From Springer we started following our first white blazes (YESSS!!). This trip has been a long time coming and my first few steps on the trail were everything I thought they would be. We made our way to Stover Creek shelter (2.8 miles past Springer) by 2pm and decided to call it a day. Hawk Mt. Shelter is only another 5 miles but we don't want to overdue it on the first day. 12 miles is respectable and we still want to be able to move in the morning.This is great. Tyler
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 12.3

Rain, Rain, Hail, Rain. I like to think that as of today I am no longer an AT virgin.    Last night we stayed at our first shelter and it was not to sleep. Everyone complains about mice, farting, and snoring but the worst part of the shelters are the hard floors. We were all in our bags by 7:30 p.m. last night and didn't emerge until 7:00 a.m. That sounds like a great night's sleep until you check your watch for the 4th time you wake up and it's only midnight. No matter how I positioned myself I just couldn't get comfy. Over the course of early morning, I heard thunder and it only got more and more regular as we packed up for today's hike. It started raining just as we left the shelter and didn't stop until after we had been at the shelter for about an hour. We made really good time today and arrived at the shelter right after 1:30p.m. We made great time but were driven by the weather for most of the day. I guess that it was at it's worst when we were walking through hail, lightning, and thunder for about 5 minutes around 10:00 a.m.    Today was tough but I am still loving the trail. I've met some nice people and am enjoying the company of my fellow group members. Everyone is 100% right about this trip; your worst day on the trail is better than you best day at work.      Tyler
Date: 2009-04-11
From: Goach Mt. Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was crazy. I think the storm that rolled through around 8p.m. may have been the worst I've seen, definitely the worst I've been outside for.There were 40-50 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail that sounded like it was going to come through the shelter's metal roof. I was glad to be in the shelter.    This morning our adventure started. At 7:30 a.m., Joseph Augustine, whom we had met earlier the day before stumbled up to our shelter and told us he had a medical emergency. Joseph, who is 70, tried to stay in his tent the night before and spent the night soaked and cold. Needless to say, hypothermia had set in and he was in bad shape. To make a long story short, James, Randall, Jack and myself had to help EVAC Joseph out of the woods and most likely saved his life. The moral of the story is: don't go out in the woods, unprepared especially when you're 70 and you've never hiked before.      By the time we finished the EVAC and got back to the shelter it was 12:30 p.m. and we had walked about an extra 4 miles. We struck out on the trail and hiked 12.9 miles to the next shelter. I am TIRED!! Hopefully tonight I'll sleep good.       At the end of the day I'm tired, but really proud of my friends for stepping up and doing what was needed. The community aspect of this trail is becoming more and more evident.            Tyler
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Today was relatively uneventful and that was great.   We woke up and got hiking around 8:15 a.m. and hoofed it over Blood Mountain to Neel's Gap. We stopped at Neel's Gap. We stopped at Neel's Gap and hung out at the Walasi-Yi Outfitter. Walasi-Yi is a famous AT outfitter and is your first real civilization on a North bound trip. I got some Cheetos as a snack and they may have been the best snack I've ever had. From Neel's Gap we hiked roughly 10 more miles to Low Gap Shelter.   There are some really cool people staying here tonight. There is a couple and their home-schooled 13 year old daughter here who are attempting a thru hike -now that is an education. Also here is a guy named Travis who is hilarious and has me laughing since I got here. Good times!   It's Easter and I wish I had some jelly beans and Cadbury eggs. What I have instead are some sore legs and some instant mashed potatoes. Oh well. All in all, spirits are really high.   ** side note- Met a woman named Lucky Penny who gave me some of her Magic Potion. It was really good and supposedly cured anything.      Lucky Penny's Magic Potion:         -ginger (fresh and thinly sliced)         - Crushed cayenne pepper         - fresh lemon slices         boil all ingredients and drink                           Tyler
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap (Hitch to Helen)
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

   This morning we woke up to more of the same, storms. It was VERY windy and raining when we set out. We made the decision to hike to Unicoi Gap and hitch hike into Helen to spend the night. The 9.4 miles we kiked went by fast and we were at the road by 1:30 p.m.   Our first try at hitchhiking was fun. It only took us about 30 minutes to get a ride in the back of a truck to Helen. During the ride visions of German beer steins danced in my head.      Tonight I got my first shower in 5 days. It was great. I think my night in bed will be even better. Honestly, the best part about being in town was getting a chance to talk to my family and friends.      Oh yeah, the highlights of my day- first I found a light assembly from a Cessna plane about 15 yards off the trail today. The elevation where I found it was roughly 3500 feet and I didn't see any other parts so I guess it fell off a plane. Regardless of how it got there, it'll be a cool souvenir. Second- I saw my first large mammals; some wild pigs.            Tyler
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Unicoi Gap (Hitch to Helen)

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

Last night was our first night staying in a town. I can honestly say that was the best shower I've ever had. I know I'll probably say that about 20 more times, but for now it's the truth. It was nice to stay in a bed but I didn't sleep as well as I thought I would.   This morning I mailed home the Cessna light I found as well as my first 5 journal entries. We hitched a ride back to the trail and got hiking again at 11:30 a.m.   Today was fairly uneventful except that it wasn't raining which was awesome. Tonight I am sleeping in my tent for the first time and am anxious to see how it holds up to the wind that's blowing through the gap. Oh yeah, we got our first trail magic today in the form of a cooler full of drinks and a box full of all types of food. We found all of it on the trail beside a forest service road. I guess someone had come by this morning and dropped if off. We made sure to leave a note so they wold know excited and and happy we were to find it.         Tyler
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Today the weather was awesome. It was a good thing too because last night and this morning was COLD.   We woke up today and hiked about 6 miles to Dick's Creek Gap (hwy 76). When we got there it was really sunny and warm so we hung out in the sunshine for a couple hours and chilled.   We finally got ourselves moving and walked to this shelter. I really like this shelter because the design is cool and there are some interesting people here. The Dude is a guy who's our age and is from N.H. Panama Bill has just retired from the Panama Canal and is celebrating by hiking the AT. I'm looking forward to some good sleep. Tomorrow is a big day, we are going to cross into N.C. and knock off our first state. Baby Steps.      Tyler
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

One state down, 13 more to go. It feels good to make it to N.C. but we still have a long way to go before we've even covered 1/4 of the trail. Today really made me realize how long this trip is going to be and I'm pumped. It looks like we are going to get to Franklin, N.C. sometime Saturday. The bad part about knowing that you are close to a town stop is that you start thinking about all the town food you want to eat. Today I couldn't stop thinking about BBQ and fries. YUM.   We got a scare the other day on the trail. James' knee started really bothering him and it seemed like the pain was pretty bad. Injury is the main thing that I am worried about knocking any of our group off trail. Everyone appears to really want this and I think our group is determined enough to make it to Katahdin. It will be a bummer if one of us gets off the trail, but statistically it's likely. I am just going to keep doing my best to help keep not only my spirits up but also those of the people with me. On a positive note, James' knee is improving.      Happy Birthday Trevor!Raven's Rock- short sidetrail led to a 200' cliff with amazing views. (Wish my sketch from my journal could get put here!)
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was one of the best yet. We covered a good distance and my legs felt great the whole time. Hopefully I am starting to get what are called my "mountain legs". Supposedly after a few weeks your legs start to get somewhat used to the constant up and down of the trail.   We passed some pretty cool spots today. First we climbed Standing Indian Mountain (elevation 5448ft) which is our highest peak so far. The view from the top was incredible. We have been lucky and have had good weather on the days that we pass some of the best vistas. Second we walked through Mooney Gap which is one of the wettest places in the east. It is estimated that the gap gets 93.5 inches of rain per year. Third we climbed Albert Mt. today (elevation 5250 ft.) and were treated with our best view so far. There is a fire tower on top of the mountain that you can climb ad get a 360 degree view of all the mountains you have already crossed as well as those to come.   We are camping at almost 5000 feet tonight but hopefully it won't get too cold. Those last few nights in my tent have been great. I don't really care if I get food sleep or not tonight because we are going into Franklin, N.C. tomorrow and I am going to gorge myself. I'm sure I'll have dreams of hamburgers all night.         Tyler
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (hwy 64, Franklin)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

This morning may have been the easiest miles yet. I can't figure out if it was relatively flat terrain or the fact that I would be enjoying a town lunch that made the walk seem to fly by. Regardless of the reason, we were able to finish the 9 miles in under 3 hours; our fasted pace yet.   When we got to Winding Stair Gap The Dude was already there and he told us that Ron Haven was on his way with his bus to pick us up and take us to Franklin. Ron Haven is what some call a trail legend. He has been running the Budget Motel in Franklin for years and is notoriously generous to AT hikers. This year he also started a hostel in Franklin and has none other than Miss Janet running it. Ms. Janet is a trail legend in her own regard and actually may be more well known than Ron. Well when we got here were lucky enough to all get bunks at the hostel. It is a sweet deal considering that for 20$ you get a bunk for the night, a home cooked breakfast, and access to to all the books and DVDs that they have.   We made ourselves at home and went straight to the Hardees down the street. I really can't remember a burger being better than the one I had for lunch today. We picked up some beer on the way back to the hostel and are ready to relax in the sunshine for the rest of the day. I am looking forward to talking with the other hikers and hearing some new stories. Tomorrow will be our first zero day and I'm ready to relax.      Tyler
Date: 2009-04-19
From: Winding Stair Gap (hwy 64, Franklin)

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light intensity drizzle

Well today we didn't walk and it was great. Every once in awhile you need to take a day off to let your body rest and also to break the monotony of doing the same thing everyday.    I was expecting to get some favors and generosity on this trip but what we've seen already has blown me away. It seems like everyone you meet, hiker or non hiker, want you to finish this thing and have a great time doing it. So far it looks like humanity is in check, at least on this trail.            Tyler
Date: 2009-04-20
From: Winding Stair Gap (hwy 64, Franklin)

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

What a way to leave town. We got dropped off at the trail head this morning by Ron around 12 and of course it started raining and the temperature started dropping. Walking through the rain really isn't that bad, it's just hard to leave town when the weather is bad.   As if it being cold and rainy wasn't bad enough the trail was a log jam. I think there were about 45 hikers staying at Ron's hotels and I'm pretty sure that all of us got back on the trail today. We got to the first shelter at around 10 miles and it was packed with people Ron had dropped off on his 9 a.m. shuttle, so we kept going. We got to the second shelter at around 15 miles and it was also packed, so we kept going. By 8 p.m. we were tired and just ready to go to sleep so we pitched our tents at the next available level spot which happened to be Tellico Gap. We almost did our first 20 miles today, maybe next time. Tomorrow should be good. We only have to hike 8 miles to get to the NOC and relax for the day.
Date: 2009-04-21
From: Tellico Gap

To: Wesser , N.C. (NOC)
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Today was awesome. We woke up to a slight drizzle and really cold temperatures but still had really high spirits because we were heading to the NOC for the day.   The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) is a rafting outpost on the Nantahala river in Wesser, N.C. It's and awesome place to hang out and has a few restaurants as well as a s a resupply store that sells beer. It is early in the season so there were only a few rafts on the river today but in just a few weeks that thing will be packed.   James and I pulled up to the NOC around noon and we both had pack explosions right there at the benches by the river. For reference, a pack explosion is what happens when you get somewhere you know you'll be staying at for awhile and you dump everything from your pack to let it dry. Anyway we bought some beer and laid by the river in the sunshine. Life was good. It just so happened that life was going to get better.   We had been at the NOC for about 10 minutes and James recognized a guy that he had met in Steamboat , Co. this past winter is hanging out at the Nanny before going to the Ocoee River in Tn. We hung out with this guy, Jared for awhile around the center and he invited us to come spend the night in the employee housing. We got up here to housing ad we are staying under a roof for free, always cool.
Date: 2009-04-22
From: Wesser , N.C. (NOC)

To: Sassafras GAp Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

Taking it EASY today. I don't know what it was about the place, but the NOC was really hard to leave. We met some cool people last night at guide housing and also had a great morning hanging around the center. I killed a plate of home fries covered in sauteed veggies for breakfast and even chilled by the river long enough to work up the hunger for a burger and fries. We finally left the NOC around 2 p.m. and walked a tough 6.9 miles out of the Nantahala Gorge.   Now I'm sitting in a shelter catching up on my journal. I have been thinking a lot about what I want to do when I get done with this hike and I think I am going to add raft guide to my list. I mean there are just so many upsides: live in an awesome location, have fun all day, meet cool people.....it goes on and on.   I am thinking about trying to walk 20 miles tomorrow and get to Fonatana dam (the entrance to the Smokies) I guess I'll see how my legs react in the morning.
Date: 2009-04-23
From: Sassafras GAp Shelter

To: campsite
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a long day. I'm pretty sure I walked about 17 miles. Most of the day I walked by myself and I really liked that. I'm not sure if I would like hiking alone for days at a time, but just a day is great. I got to a campsite that I liked around 4:30 p.m. and decided to stop for the day. Fontana Dam is only a few more miles but I want to just go there tomorrow on an easy day and relax. As soon as I got to this campsite I started the task of gathering firewood. The bugs are bad today since it is a little warmer. Once I started a fire they kept their distance. Those gnats and flies could drive you insane.   Just when I thought I was going to have my first night camping by myself, James walked into camp looking beat. It was pretty hot today and I'm sure I looked the same way when I got here. Sometimes you have to walk when you really don't want to be out here.    No pain, no gain, no Maine
Date: 2009-04-24
From: campsite

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was an awesome day for my head and legs. James, Ned the Fed (who walked into camp just before dusk last night), and I had a long morning and started towards Fontana Dam around 9:30. Fontana Dam is the highest dam in the eastern U.S. and for thru hikers it's the entrance to the Smokies. I was pretty excited about hanging out at the general store while we did laundry.   We got to the general store in Fontana via a hitchhike from "one leg" a 2004 thru hiker who is a below the knee amputee. It was pretty inspiring to hear his story as we rode along. Once we got to the store I walked down to the post office to get my package from Mom. Wow, Mom hit the nail on the head with my food re-supply. It was a little more than I needed but none of my friends complained.      Just as I was finishing packing my food and putting on my clean clothes I saw my Grandma- this day just keeps getting better! I had talked to my grandparents when I was in Franklin and let them know we were going to be in Fontana today around lunchtime and it worked out that they were coming through here. It was awesome to visit with them and see some familiar faces.   (note from the one who puts "Slapshot's" journal on line- the grandparents drove 85 miles over mountain roads from Pigeon Forge so they could just "happen" to meet up with Tyler-whoops-Slapshot)       Once we were done talking and hanging out, my grandparents shuttled all my hiking buddies and me to the marina at the lake and we said our goodbyes. The rest of the day was spent drinking beer on the a deck with good friends.      GREAT DAY!!