morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Woody Gap-Hiker hostel

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Josh and Leigh were amazingly hospitable. The place was in full swing. We ordered Chinese food. They had a coke/snack machine kitchen and laundry in the basement. Even a computer we took turns using. They had people coming and going on planes,trains and automobiles. Big boxes on the porch with backpacks shipped from who knows where. A full service hiker hostel for sure. We were late getting to bed or sleep rather. Hiker midnight is when the sun goes down and a young man was going through his pack trying to get rid of unnessary items like the huge 12 inch blade hunting knife in a leather sheath. Wow it had to weigh 10 lbs alone. But at 11;00 the other three of us were ready for the lights to be out. I said ¢Good night John Boy¢ Ha. His name was Joe. But he got the point and turned the lights out.   We got back to Woody Gap at 9:30 and I started up Big Cedar Mountain. Beautiful vistas from a huge rock ledge. The morning was a little cooler and it felt great. I met a hiker with the trail name Tortoise at the hostel. He was a nice guy. He even passed me going up the mountain.But don't let that name fool you,he can pick em up and put um down when he wants to I know Zeke. Ha. I just think it's sorta funny. I am hiking my own hike. That's what HYOH stands for. Some had asked me earlier. Over Burnett and Turkey Stamp Mountains and I decided to stop at Woods Hole Shelter. That was the next water source for miles. As I got there hikers were hollering out ¢No water,No water here¢ My heart sunk because I was almost out and very thirsty. It turns out they were reading in the shelter log(a book for hikers to write notes,etc)an entry from last year. Ha Ha. It was funny but I was very relieved. Because we have to climb Blood Mt tomorrow and that without water would have been brutalA lot of people are here at the shelter. Sinage who hiked in 2007 and made it to Maine and got off the trail with a stress fracture,then she completed the hike in 2008. It was great to meet her because I had read her journal. Here also was Helen,Hot Feet,Spaceman,Ironman,Heather and Lee,and a few others.   They are all stopping at Neels Gap tomorrow for the night. Thanks again to all who sign my guest book. It's a real treat to hear from you. And to my Trail Talk buddies you guys are great. Thanks for your support.
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Baggs Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.9

Lucky me, Lucky me. I met some trail angels with hamburgers (licking lips) I got up after the shelter gang had left. They headed out early to get dibbs on bunks at Neels Gap Mountain Crossings.Thr climb up Blood Mlountain wasn't too bad and the views were awesome. I have been lucky in the nice weather we are having also. So how does camping in a tent by yourself at Slaughter Creek on Blood Mountain appeal to you thriller seekers? Ha! I didn't either. I saw only a few squirrels today and a small bird that looked like a wren. But then they all look like wrens to me unless they are blue or red. :p On arriving to Neels Gap I smell grilling food. The poptart for breakfast was long gone. I was hoping to buy one but Helen from last night headed me off and told me where to get it for FREE. The GMATC (Georgia Mountain Applachian Trail Club) Ministeries were making them up fresh what a treat. A beautiful dog kept eyeing mine but I didn't give in. LOL. The girl said he had eaten plenty already. Whew!! I was safe. The Mountain Crossing Outfitter was packed with hikers,backpackers,bikers and motor cycle riders. Many backpackers had their gear strown out on the floor for a shakedown of their packs. These guys tell them things they don't need and what they do. Many lighten their packs a lot by doing this. Then they send home the extra stuff. After resupplying for the next few days I left the outfitter and went through a hallway with a whiteblaze(that is the mark on the trees,rocks,poles,etc that we follow on the Applachian Trail all the way to Maine or to Georgia if you are going south). That was just too cool. And DUN--DA--DUN--DUN I am in new territory. I haven't been hiking in this part all the way to the Smoky Mts yet. So it is very exciting to be treading new ground for me. YAYI met many dayhikers on the trail among whom were Trail Ghost and Trail Doc. They are sectioning the whole trail over a long period of time. Maybe I'll see you guys when you start your Maine section in August. At camp tonight were Greyson and Micah. They don't have trail names yet. They made a nice campfire and it felt great because it was alreay getting chilly. They were both sleeping in hammocks. Ernie my knees are doing great. Even on the downhill where it used to hurt real bad there is NO pain. I hope I can say that after a thousand plus miles. But I'm just taking one day at a time. For those who didn't start my journal from the beginning I had bilateral knee replacements in August of 2006. Yes, both at the same time. That's usually the next question.
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Baggs Creek Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter campsite
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

My tent has redeemed itself! The last couple of nights it got pretty cool and very windy but when I went inside my tent it was like going inside a house and shutting the doors. Ha. The condensation was less also away from the creeks. I guess you have to take the good with the bad. Maddog(Michael) did go ahead and get the regular Hubba for me though. I will probably need that when it gets warmer. Greyson and Micah said they saw a bear coming close to camp last night after I had went to my tent. But they said when they shined a light on the bear he turned and went back up the trail. Cool!Signage,Helen and Infinity passed by my camp as I was packing up they had already hiked from Neels Gap that morning. WowToday took me over Cowrock Mt with amazing views once again,Tesnatee Gap,Wildcat Mt,Hogpen Gap,Poor Mt,Wide Gap,Sheep Rock Mt then back down into Low Gap. You see how this trail goes up and down like a roller coaster. It seems unending at times. It got warm again today and something is biting me already leaving some good size whelps and itch terribly. But I have hydrocortisone. No worries I stopped at Low Gap Shelter and set up camp in the campsite area. There are a lot of people here in the shelter and in tents. I am very sore today. My legs and left hip especially.Duh,wonder why? The blisters still hurt but I don't think they are any worse. Everyone is talking about how sore they are and how the terrain is whipping them. So it's not just me whining Again thanks to everyone signing my guest book. I hope to answer you all soon. It does mean much to me.
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter campsite

To: Blue Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

My tent turned out to be on a slant last night. So with the soreness and the sliding around I didn't sleep to well. While packing up I couldn't find one of my socks. I thought maybe a squirrel might have taken it off but I looked all around my camp area to no avail The terrain today was pretty nice compared to the many ups and down of the last days. Lots of streams along the way But I didn't have to stop for water. I did take a break at Chattahoochee Gap and took off my boots to let my feet air. One blister is looking red and infectious so I treated it then moved on. Today I walked through some nice Mountain Laurel and Rododendron tunnels. They seemed to be coming to life with there wax green color shining in the sun. They are sure to be more beautiful in a month or two when they bloom. I hate missing that but I sure there is more delights up the trail. Passing over Rock Knob lived up to its name. I had to carefully place my every step on the loose rock. I did see a chipmunk playing from rock to rock as I stopped to sit on a rock calling ny name. HA! I sit on every rock or log that calls my name. Dang,this sure is a noisy forest.I set up my tent away from the shelter because I had read the mice were bad here. And after unpacking my pack, there it was down deep into my pack, I had buried my other sock. Yay After eating my chicken flavored noodles with ground chuck I went up to the shelter where most everyone else was around a campfire. Among whom were Infinity,Signage,Helen,Spaceman,Greyson,Micah,Ironman,Heather,Lee(now named One Step) and many more.It was a lot of fun hanging out with the crowd,There was also Obi who started his hike in the Florida Keys in December and is planning to go all the way to Canada. HhmmmA beautiful sunset to end a great day. My tent is on flat ground tonight!! MmmmmHa,that sounds like a good song title. Nite guys I'm tired.
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Blue Mountain Shelter 

To: Unicoi Gap;Helen,GA
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: broken clouds

Good zzzzzzz all night. But I did take a Benadryl. I thought it might help with the itching. I don't think it helped much in that regard but it did help me rest better. Around the campfire we were discussing the biting gnats. Some said the gnats didn't bite them, but Heather,Signage and I said we were getting eaten alive. Heather asked what blood type we were and all of us are Type A. That was interesting. I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I got up at daylight this morning because I decided I would go into Helen,GA. I needed to get clean and treat my blisters a bit more. It sure was a steep descent off Blue Mountain. But as I neared the bottom I smelled something cooking again. Greyson and Micah passed me on the trail down as they were going into Helen also for a mail drop. So at Unicoi Gap there was a pickup truck with the tailgate down loaded with bananas,apples,Fig Newtons,orange juice,sweet tea,warm potato casserole,and scrambled eggs with cheese being fried up on sight of hikers by wonderful trail angels Linda and Dwayne.Mmmmmm. Dwayne loves to hike and help hikers.And Linda just loves to help hikers.What a great surprise! After eating, the guys and I tried for about 30 minutes to hitch(my first time ever thumbing a ride) into Helen but no luck. Then Dwayne said he would take us to town. By then a couple more hikers had come down the mountain and needed a ride also. Trail magic on a high scale in my book. Dwayne even took the guys to the PO to get their drop and laid out the town so we would know where things were. YOU GUYS ROCK!!!This town is so cool with its Bavarian-themed style. I went to the laundry after getting a great shower and washed my already hiker stenched clothes. Then I went through all my gear and washed the pots,water filter and Platypus(water reservoir I drink from). After all the dirty chores were nice and clean I walked the very scenic sidewalk to Betty's Grocery. Nice store. I got enough food supplies for the next few days. For the next few days of RAIN!!! Ha...guess who's gonna get wet.
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Unicoi Gap;Helen,GA

To: Tray Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: light rain

Did I sleep well last night in the hotel room at Days Inn? Well yeah!!But I did get up early and packed up because I didn't know if I would have to hitch or not and I wanted to catch work folk as they were leaving town. I did call the hotel desk last night and they said they were working on a shuttle back to the trail for us. Well, the owner, Rhonda didn't know anything about it this morning. So while I was having a continental pastry we had a good conservation about why I was doing this and why she wasn't. Ha! ¢You couldn't get me out there in them woods,¢she said with a southern draw even I took a second notice too. It was too cute! She asked me how far it was back to the trail and I said nine miles. ¢ARE YOU GONNA WALK NINE MILES!!¢She screamed. No I said I will try to hitch a ride back to Unicoi Gap. But what she did next blew me away. She picked up the phone and told the receiving end that she would give him gas money to take a hiker back to the trail.¢He will be here in fifteen minutes!¢She said. ¢Go get your stuff!¢ I couldn't believe it! I told her also that Greyson and Micah may need a ride but when she called their room they said they were staying another night. So I got my ¢stuff¢ and off I went. Thanks so much trail angel Rhonda!! Southern hospitality at its finest. Today, was and still is very rainy,windy and cold. My wettness today was mostly from sweating as I was wearing my poncho. I do generate a lot of heat going uphill (tis the reason I don't wear rain pants/coat) but cool off to a chill going downhill. Rocky Mountain had no views for the rain and fog but it was a serene hike nonetheless. The footing wasn't too slick but I was extra careful not to splatter the ground with my bottom. I took a quick break at the Cheese Factory Campsite. It don't take long to cool off in these temps and winds. Then up Tray Mountain where on a clear day you can see Fontana Lake. Fontana Lake? Ha, that is next to the Smoky Mountains. I didn't see the lake but what a thought that I could have. I know I am quiet away from the Smokies though. But I headed that way. Many are at the shelter here and they look so cold. I set up my tent, put on dry clothes and climbed in my bag to warm up. Now I have had my supper of Veggie Rice and Grilled Mesquite Salmon(from a pouch)and I am ¢Fine and Dandy¢ to quote Forrest Gump. So yesterday was a nero (nearly zero) day at 2.2 miles. But today even at 5.6 miles was a full day for me considering the weather and terrain. Okay? Ya'll stay warm ya hear?
Date: 2009-03-27
From: ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂVistaÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Campsite

To: Dick's Creek;Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 2.6
Weather: moderate rain

It sure was eerie last night when I had to get out of my tent to answer a call of nature. It was still drizzling rain and frequent bigger,louder drops were falling off the trees hitting the tent and echoing off the forest floor. The fog was so dense all I could see was the beam of my head lamp. The thick fog swirled in the light and I finally just had to turn it out so I could see.It didn't take me long to take care of business. Ha.   But about an hour before daylight I started packing up so I would be ready to hike when I could see. I know you are tired of hearing it but everything was WET. I thought a vestibule (my front porch on the tent) was suppose to help keep things dry. Nope,all wet. I went over Powell Mountain today but no views again as it was socked-in with fog. When I did arrive at Dick's Creek I was very tired from just trying to stay upright on the trail and not down in the mud. Now I know that you trail maintainers work so hard to keep the trails in shape (thank you very much) and I apologize now because I have to walk on the sides of the trail just to keep from sliding down. I know this creates more work for you. So I'm sorry. So this spring when you are reeming out at all the hikers just say it was Trekkngirl. She did it!I had planned to hitch into Hiawassee and stay at the Holiday Inn (they got a hot tub)but when I crossed Hwy 76 a man in a white van asked ¢Hiawassee Inn?¢ He answered my questions about his place and I said,¢ Sure.¢ Hey, here's the ride,it's raining,dryness awaits and I don't have a bathing suit for the hot tub in my backpack anyway.Oops!! Sam is his name,a great guy and very accommodating. He and Ron have helped hikers for years he said. I had only planned to stay tonight but the forecast for this area tomorrow is severe thunderstorms all day. So I may just have to take my first zero (no miles) day. And that will be okay by me. I did go to the library and add some photos if you care to look at them. But I will ask one favor of you. Go back to my entry on 3/21 and check out that picture. Priceless!
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Dick's Creek Gap Hiawassee Inn

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

I sure was so glad to be getting back on the trail today. I put a few things in the Hiker Box before I left. That is a box set aside for hikers at hostles,hotels,etc. A hiker leaves what he doesn't need and takes what he does. I left some bandaids,duct tape and an almost empty gas can. I wish I could have left tens pounds of stuff. Remember Joe the guy at the Hiker Hostel that had the big knife? He rode with us back to the trailhead. I thought he would have been in Tennessee by now. Also Nightblind and another guy without a trailname was with us. Nightblind had gotten off at Unicoi about 30 miles south and started back at Dick's Creek. Hmmm? He had made friends with these guys and wanted to hike with them. HYOH. There were so many that had gotten off the trail because of the bad weather. The hike was nice today with cool temps but the wind blew a pretty low wind chill at times. The skies were cloudy but the mountain views were awesome. I am very glad I started this hike before the trees are fully leaved. The valley floor and revenes are opened up so that you can see on and on. I was taking a break at Plum Orchard Gap and Sunseeker walked up. I had been reading some of her journal. Cool. I went over Buzzard Knob,As Knob,Wheeler Knob, and all the gaps that go with them. And then I did it!!! I crossed into North Carolina. YAY!! I only have thirteen more states to go. The sign designating the state change was small. I am glad I didn't miss it. It definitely was a great moment. My plan was to camp at Bly Gap campsite because there was water there but when I got there then wind was blowing strong and it was getting colder by the minute. I walked a little further looking for a place to set up my tent out of the wind but I was getting very tired and cold. So I came back to the campsite and quickly threw up my tent and jump inside. By that time it was sleeting and I was freezing.It took hours for me to warm up. Thanks for the foot warmer Marti. I did get a sneak peek and a picture of the old,twisted tree I have seen so many times in others photographs. I'm in North Carolina!!!!!!!
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: scattered clouds

After finally getting warm last night I stayed that way until I had to get out of the bag and pack up this morning   Arrgh! I was up once during the night and the ground was frozen but the stars were illuminous. Thanks again Marti for the feet warmers.You are such a sweet daughter. Muah! She bought me a lot of the warmers all sizes and lenghts of warmth. This one was 24 hours long and it kept my feet toasty all night. I have a few in my drop boxes for the colder areas.My tent had frost on it from the condensation and the poles had a sheath of ice around them. I filtered water this morning because I was just too cold last night to do it. Then I started out of Bly Gap. It was straight up for a long time. But it was very interesting. There was rime ice everywhere. Rime ice forms when the sky is wet with fog and then the air gets cold really fast and freezes the fog on trees,etc. The wind then blew the ice onto the ground making it look like it had snowed. It was fun to walk in and see the various accumulations in spots. I took a break at Muskrat Shelter. If anybody needs a map of the Applachian Trail there are about six at this shelter. I couln't believe how this place was trashed. I met Georgiana,Grogan and Corbin their dog.Nice kids. Today was beautiful weather and I took rock/log breaks often. I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter and Two Packs and Yak were already there. Two Packs gets his name for carrying two packs. Their weight total sixty-five pounds. Yikes!! He is a small guy too. He had a fire going which was nice because it cooled off as the evening turned night.Many more hikers came in and filled the shelter and many set up tents as I did. I didn't get all the names but it was nice to hear the different stories they each had of their journey so far. I had noodles to eat and called it a night. I was beat. Everyone is talking about rain for the next few days.
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Check out that double digit mileage, will you? Ha The reason for that is that I wanted to get closer to Albert Mountain(a real biggy) for tomorrow's hike and the terrain was dry today and may not be tomorrow. Mr.Wonderful,hope you guys have a great hike. Are the wildflowers blooming at Frozen Head State Park. It sure is nice when they are. By the way Jim wanted to help you out in my stead this time. Hi Jim and Mauri, take care of the old man for me. Okay?How's my pretty Ellie Mae?Well today I have been on the trail for two weeks and traveled 95.5 miles. This is a milestone for me in both regards. The longest I had been on a continuous hike was eight days and the longest mileage was 70.5 miles and this hike was in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park in 2003.   So I have broken two personal records. I know it's not much in the realm of what I have ahead of me but you got to start somewhere. I had one pretty tough creek crossing today. If you know me you know that I am very afraid of crossing over water on logs. Especially if they are wet logs and this one was.I can't,don't stand on them. I either crawl or scoot across them. I can rock hop all day with my trekking poles of course. This huge log was placed so that I could step down beside it and get onto it upon my knees(which are still somewhat numb from the surgery...weird feeling) and inch my way(all the while the backpack swaying me back and forth) to an area on the log that I then was able to swing my leg over the log and rest it on a rock and carefully maneuver myself around and over the log while rushing water was splashing and roaring under me. Whew!! I was sweating bullets. Scary stuff!! I love it! HaHa. I took a break at Coleman Gap but not too long because it got real cool when I stopped moving. I hiked by the old Carter gap Shelter and stopped at the Ladies Room at the new Carter Gap Shelter. As I was walking up to the entrance a mouse ran out from the sitting down place. This is the first mouse I have seen on this trip. Hence one of the reasons I tent instead of staying in shelters that have mice. But seeing this mouse run out from where I was going in had me a bit disconcerted(freaked). And I looked. I didn't want to. I never look.It's too gross to look.It's like I'm gonna puke if I look.   But I didn't want a mouse jumping out on me while I was doing my business. That's all I have to say about that. Ha, that was way too much information for you guys I know. :pI got to Betty Creek Gap camp site and set up my tent. As I was filtering water it started raining. So I jumped inside my tent. Tonight I cooked up some Veggie Rice with Maddog's great ground chuck.I only have enough left for one more cooking and I'll be sorry it's gone. It has lasted great though and has been a real treat. He's bringing me more to Gatlinburg. Yay!