morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-06
To: Winter has returned to PA
Miles today: 0.0

Well I got up this morning thinking that I was going to go for the two or three mile hike that I have been going on every morning the past week or so with my pack and my dog. Well I tell you there must be an inch of ice on my Jeeps in the driveway. The brick pavers in my grandmas drive way are like a skating rink. Some one already slid all the way down the little hill in front of the house here taking the garbage can all the way to the bottom of the hill with it.I guess that next week it will be a relief to be in GA where I hope the temp is a little warmer. This winter, the best ever here in PA for skiing and other winter sports, is now getting old to me. I have not been able to ski since the 7th of January when I tore the ACL in my left knee. I should have my knee brace in the next day or two and I hope that all goes well with the DR. Appointment that I have to goto on Monday. I have to goto three DR. Appointments before I leave here next week. I have to get my teeth cleaned, see the knee Dr. and I have to goto my family Dr. to get some info on a sleep study that I attended. I am also going to ask for a PX for lime disease in case I get bit by a tic. There are a few other PX meds that I am going to ask for like a good antifungal for me feet, and a good anti-inflamitory, and some other things.Well... One week from today I will be leaving town here to head to Amicalola.I cant wait.
Date: 2003-03-08
To: Abandon my Labrador today
Miles today: 0.0

Well today was the day. I dropped off Nuptse my yellow lab at the breeders house near Hampton Roads Virginia.I spent the ride home looking over at the passenger seat in my Jeep that is covered with here hair and I really realized how much I really do love that dog and how much I am going to miss her.She was right at home there with his two dogs, the big lake in back yard that was full of water fowl, and that huge yard to roam in. When I was getting ready to leave John called the three dogs up to teh porch and into the house and Nuptse never looked back to say goodbye. She will probably be very very happy and free this summer as she will get to run around on his land inside of his electric fence and play with the other two dogs all day.Well it is only one week till we hit the trail... so much to doo... so little time...
Date: 2003-03-13
To: Well... Today we leave for the ride to Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

In just a few short hours I will no longer be preparing for a thru hike.That is kinda wierd in a way. Back in 1999 I bought a totaled Jeep Wrangler to rebuild. It took m nealry three years to finish it. It was kinda wierd when it was done because my identity sorta changed the day that I put a plate on the back of it. I was no longer "Building" my first Jeep. I was driving my first Jeep. That was a great feeling, however it was as if part of me was lost.So today I start transition to anew phase in my life. I will no loger be some one who is preparing for a thru hike, I will become an attempting thru hiker.I scratched my left eyeball this morning with a piece of papaer that I was printing mail drop labels on... Not cool.So any how I now turn over this journal to the care of by brother. He will be posting my entires here once a week or so depending on how responsible I am with writing and sending him the info.Wish us luck, as Journey 03 calls us, the Fearsome foursome is now mobilized.
Date: 2003-03-14
From: Amicalola Lodge

To: Amicalola Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

Well Today we hiked up and down the 700 steps along side of the Amicalola Falls.Tomorrow will officially begin the start of my Journey. I am excited and nervous. I hope that I will make it to Neals Gap, and I hope that it does not rain to much in the next few days.Breakfast here at the lodge is the best meal of the day. AYCE breakfast bars are the greatest.My brother or my self will begin adding my entries as soon as I mail them, or get to a library to post them.
Date: 2003-03-14
To: Amicalola Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today was the big day to get to see Amicalola Falls and to goto the visitors center here and sign the thru hikers trail register here. The falls is quite interesting. It is nearly 700 feet down and there is a wood and metal staircase that is along side the falls. What a climb, both up and down were long walks. So tomorrow is the big day. We will head up to Springer and get started some time around 10:00 am. Today LT and her friend left for Springer and I met two fellas who said that they passed a fella named Eian who has dropped out of HS to start his hike. They also said that they quit counting people attempting a thru hike a 67...I feel great. I will be foggy and dreary the next few days but I hope that I get started and get adapted quickly and start to make progress. Neals Gap here I come.Aaron
Date: 2003-03-15
From: Forest Service Road #42

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

My first night at Hawk Mt. Shelter has been interesting. I am sleeping in the top level in the two level shelter. Goldberry is sleeping beside of me and Leap year and Journey03 pitched there tents in the camp site beside of the shelter. There is a group of scouts at the camp site that are getting ready for Philmont trips this summer. Toda I walked past what might be the oldest hemlock that I have ever seen. It is the one that was in the guide book. The hemlock forest was pretty neat. It reminds me of the hemlocks on the Ferncliff Trail at Ohiopyle in PA. Today I met Plugger, Chef Paul, and Cool Foot. I am a bit tired right now and this first day has been harder than I had expected. I got here to the shelter around 3:30 and I made a chicken one pot meal that I vacume sealed at home for dinner. I hope to be up early tomorrow and to get out of camp very early.
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Camp Site
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

This mornign I left camp at 7:15 am. I was the second one out of camp. I had made oatmeal for breakfast so I was happy that I got up and successfully boiled water ad left camp so early. I had lunch at a cold creek crossing where I dangled my feet in the cold water of the stream. At the stream I met up with Chef Paul who had snored his head off last night in the shelter. We hiked together the rest of the day and when we reached the new Gooch Gap Shelter, Chef Paul suggested that we push of another mile or two. Chef Paul suggested a camp site that was at the Gooch Gap #42 road crossing. I decided that this was a great place to call it a day. Goldberry pushed on tonight, while Paul and I set up Camp. Leap Year showed up late here tonight. Chef Paul nearly blew us up with his alcohol fuel bottle trying to add a little more fuel to his stove while it was still burning. I figure that I will not see Goldberry for a while now as she seams to be in much better shape and eager to bust out 15 mile days already. I took a bath in a creak near by while Chef Paul sat by my camp fire and smoked Cigars. It is not even dark yet and I am tired. I will probably fall asleep very early tonight.
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Gooch Gap Camp Site

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Today I got wet. It rained, and it rained, and it rained. It is foggy and visibility is pretty poor. I pretty much have nothing dry left in my pack. I hiked all day with Chef Paul. He owns Etowah Outfitters. L-Y (Leap Year) and GB (Goldberry) are not in front of me many miles. Journey showed up late tonight with and older guy named Slow Walker. Para"Noid", Goober, and Yo-Yo showed up too. Yo-Yo has about 500 "Yo Momma So Fat" jokes. This guy is pretty funny. I hung all of my stuff to dry. I got up once to cook lunch and again to cook dinner but I spent the rest of my time in my sleeping bag. Tomorrow I want to summit Blood Mountain and make it down to Walasi Yi. More rain forecast for tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Walasi Yi Center
Miles today: 4.1

A short day today. The summit of Blood was neat. No tree growth except for some Laurel and Rodi. I want to go back and summit Blood again some day because it was very foggy and you could not see. It was good to arrive at Walasi Yi. The first thing that I bought was a bottle of Ruby Red grape fruit juice. I decided to stay in the Hostel tonight. Journey, Slow Walker, Noid, Plugger, Goober, and a few others are here tonight. Plugger, Journey03 and my self missed the shuttle to Blairsville to dinner. Three ladies showed up right as the shuttle was leaving and took our seats. Plugger and my self were hungery nd hell bent on the AYCE buffet there so we opted to hitch hike to town. Journey03 was not exactly excited about hitch hiking with us. So she stayed behind. I was starting to think that she is not going to go more th an three or four days without getting to a place to wash her hair etc. Anyhow the Cookie Jar was a great place to eat tonight and I am very very full. Tomorrow I will be getting a late start wasting for my lost bounce box to get here and then I will be off in the wet rainy wilderness again.
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Walasi Yi Center

To: Camp Site on The Blvd. Low Gap Shelter was full
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

I got a late start today waiting for my mail drop to show up at Walasi Yi. The screwed up mailing it from the Amicalola Lodge. Anyhow I did 14+ miles today. Right now I am tired and wet again. I was bummed to find Low Gap Shelter full. I got hot spots that I know ill turn to blisters on both heels. Yo-Yo and I walked till it was near dark and then pitched our tents. As soon as I got into my tent it started storming. Yo-Yo was under his poncho tarp. I was happy that I was in my dry tent. I only wish that there was some way to dry my clothing a little bit while in this situation. There has been a ton of wind and thunder and it has been raining now for at least two hours. I cooked a quick meal, hung my food bag in the dark and I have been listening to the rain dance off of my tent tonight. Tomorrow is going to be tough because my feet are torn up after the long walk in the rain today.
Date: 2003-03-20
From: Camp Site on The Blvd. Low Gap Shelter was full

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

My feet hurt. It has been wet for three days. I got to the shelter early today and after taking a break decided that today had to be a short mileage day. Tomorrow I am going to try and get some good miles in since I have rested all day today. There is a guy here from France tonight who does not speak much english. We went over english words like "tent" "stove" "water filter" and other trail and camp related things. It is windy up here as this shelter faces right into the wind. Plugger showed up here tonight along with a guy that has spent the last year or two in South Africa teaching.
Date: 2003-03-21
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It was great to get up today and see sunshine. It is the first sun that we have seen in three or four days. Plugger and I got up and cooked this morning and left the shelter by 7:30am. By 9:30 we had crossed Unicoi Gap and were on our way to the summit of Tray Mountain. We stopped at Tray Gap to rest and have lunch. A 15+ mile day with raw heels has me beat. I cant write much today. This is a very nice shelter here. There are five us here tonight. Tomorrow will be a Hiawasee town stop.
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today was a great day. First off my journal for the last 7 days has been chicken scratch on a sheet of paper. I forgot to take the little book with me that I was going to use for a Journal. I have asked my self several times this week why I am doing this. At times I think that I am crazy. I hitched a sketchy ride today from a guy that was intoxicated. I decided to ditch the ride at the Blueberry Patch. Thank goodness for that drunk bastard. I found Plugger and Yo-Yo here at the hostel. Plugger is 63 and he is taking a train home tomorrow. His house is flooding from ice and snow melt in New Hampsher. His wife does not really approve of this trip I dont think. I think that the kind of people that I have met like plugger are the reasons that I am very motivated to continue this hike. Plugger has a stroke 10+ years ago. he forgets stupid little things like where he put his head light and where to fill his new stove up to with fuel. I have helped him out now sevearal days in a row with little things like using his calling card to make phone calls. He is a great fella and he has wanted to hike the trail since 1968. I really sense that it hurst hime to go home. He also has a hernia on his belly that is hurting and it has gotten worse by hiking. He reminds me of both of my grandfathers combine. One is Type A, heart patient, with false teeth, and the other was a stubborn old man who enjoey his retirement mowing his lawn. I loved both of the and in a way that is why I really like Plugger. I wish him fairwell tomorrow and I hope that he might hike with me again some day. Yo-Yo, Plugger, and my self made camp chilly tonight for dinner that I made. We laughed at Yo Momma jokes for a good two hours. I know that Plugger was supposed to be here on the AT. I know that I will think of him daily now on my hike, yet I respect his tough decision to leave the trail and to go home and take care of his family and house. Happy Trails Plugger.
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: PlumOrchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: broken clouds

Another short day and more rest. My blisters hurt. THis morning was hard. I left and said goodbye to plugger. He was nearly in tears when we left. What a kind old fella he is. I hope that some day he is able to complete all of the trail. We shared breakfast today at the Blueberry Patch. I am so greatful now for that drunk hitch that I balied out of because I got to spend the night with Plugger. If it were not for that I would not have been able to say goodbye. Some guy here tongiht said that Journey03 has made it to Hiawasee. I may opt for another 5-8 mile day again tomorrow but I must get to Franklin to Re-Supply by tuesday or at the latest Wednesday because I only brought three days of food. Eight people here tonight in this shelter that sleeps nealy 25 people. There are three people here from Pittsburgh tonight.
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Summit of Staiding Indian
Miles today: 12.0

Today and tonight were incredible. I got up early and left camp at about 7:00am. I walked till 10 over two steap peaks. Today looked great, I sat for a break and looked up to admire the pure blue sky. There was not one single cloud in the sky. I then stopped for lunch and Muskrat creek shelter. I even laid down and rested or napped for a hour or two and red the shelter register. L-Y wrote "Twoffidy and Journey03 where are you". My afternoon hiking included 4.9 miles of pretty easy terrain to Standing Indian Shelter. When I got there the folks at the shelter said that Yo-Yo and Zero were headed to the summit. I decided to pump some water and then trek to the summit. I did not think that I would find any one and that I would be camping alone. Instead I found Yo-Yo- Zero, and Yaker and the summit on a very small bald with the best camp site that I have every seen. I already mentioned the clear blue sky but the thought of what I was going to see tonight did not cross my mind. The sunset. The sunset!! The sunset on top of Standing Indian has no doubt been the best part of my hike so far. Red, Orange, Blue, and Beautiful. Plugger I took extra photos if you are reading my journal. I will send you one. You were one of the people that I was thinking of up there. It will dip to the mid 30's tonight and I hope that I stay warm since were are sleeping under the stars. I must hike two 10 mile days to make Franklin for Re-supply. I am done writing now for the night... back to the star gazing.
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Summit of Standing Indian

To: Big Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was tough. I had a hard time getting going this morning. I stopped at Carter Gap Shelter and took a 2.5 hour nap and break. I even slept in my sleeping bag until some annoying boy scouts showed up. I had thought about tent camping but really did not want to because it is going to start rainin tomorrow. I crossed up and over Albert Mountain where there is a cool lookout tower. THe climb up was very difficult. It was had over hand climbing. Tomorrow it is only 9.6 miles to get a hitch to Franklin where I hope to catch up with Yo-Yo and Zero.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin NC)
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

OK. I realize that those of you who read this realize that all of my other Journal entires from the past week and on half are written down but when I came here to the library in Franklin NC to post I realized that I left my Journal at the motel. Nice Motel here run by some folks who apparently like Cajun Food. The office smells like it. Anyhow the only thing that they need here in Franklin is one small improvement to the Motel. They need some bikes painted NEON orange, or NEON green for the hikers to ride around town. The post office is like 2 miles away and we walked. Those neon bikes could be ridden from place to place by the hikers that stay there.Anyhow I am enjoying my trip so far. I will post the rest of me entries and you all will love to read them I am sure. Today we hitched a ride with a guy who actually turned around a few miles after he passed us to come back to the trail head parking are to pick us up because he felt bad.As for now I am off to consume more beers and some dinner. I want Pizza or Steak... have both places here in Franklin.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin NC)

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: few clouds

Today!! 16.3 miles. Very hard day. The last two miles were tought. We left the hotel at 8:30. I stopped and got nine cents worth of kero for my fuel bottle. The lady laughed at me at the gas station. Ok we stopped for a lunch break and then we came across trail angel Apple. Thanks a buch! We had coke, hot dogs ,reseese and he even let me fill my water bottle. I am sitting here talking to spunky right now while I am writing. She has been hiking with L-Y and she is a very intersting girl. I hope to get to NOC tomorrow. Tomorrow is there big Spring Splash party. I hope that I might see some river people there that I know from up north. I am tenting tonight behind the shelter.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today has been great. THe NOC is a really cool place. I am camping in the hostel parking lot tonight beside of some dudes in a "yota land cruiser from South Carolina. Today I hit the lotto. I got a silicon impregnated nylon tarp for $10 from one of the venders here at the rummage sale. They have this huge swap meet here in the parking lot. Guys where selling Perception Pieroettes for $5 and Trek bikes for $25. I cut a ground sheet from some heavy nylon that this guy had and Yo-Yo and Nimble helped me set up my tarp and gave me the quick explanation on two or three different ways. Tomorrow I have to cut some cord and learn more about how to set this thing up. Anyhow today has been good.
Date: 2003-03-29
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

I decided to leave the NOC today. I thought that I was going to stay the night and take the day off but with the threat of bad weather I did not want to be there for three days. I decided to leave at 3:30pm. I got to the shelter by 7:00pm. I sent home six pounds of pack wt from the NOC. I got rid of my tent for the tarp, and I got rid of my stove for one of Chef Paul's Alcohol stoves. I also sent home my water filter and bought aqua mira. I also made repairs to a rim in my sleeping bag. My pack feels great. I even cut off straps and buckles that were not needed. Tonight it will be below freezing and tomorrow the high is only going to be 35. I hop to stay warw and possibly do 15 miles tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Brown Fork Shelter

To: Fontanna Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I have literally faced my worst fear today. Last night I rolled up to Brown Fork Shelter and there was six people in the shelter. There was definatly room for one more but after suggestion I could not get any interest in people moving one way other the other just and inch or two. We got six inches of snow last night and yesterday the walk was cold and difficult. I sweat even in the cold temps and my worst fear was having damp clothing and a damp sleeping bag along with cold temps. I put up my tarp, borrowed a large tyvek sheet from Leap Year and pitched my self on the dirty ground in front of the shelter. If it were not for Leap Year allowing my to use his ground cloth I would have been sleeping in a nasty pile of dirt and snow mixed. So I survuved the cold and wet night and again I am hapy and warm. I woke up once last night in the middle of the night to the sound of a spoon clanking against a bowl. I did not do my dishes after dinner and before bed. A mouse found its way into my bowl and was making a racket. I dumped him out twice. The third time I took my down vest and placed it over the bowl trapping the mouse. I grabbed him in my hand and threw him as far as possible out into the six inch deep snow. I would have been known as the mouse slinger if I did not already have a trail name. I had a huge burger for dinner tonight and I am in the Fontanna Hilton.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Fontanna Hilton

To: Fontanna Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

My first zero day t oday. Today has been fun. I am sitting here now with four guys. Three are from New York, and one in Mr. Lucky. Erin who passed my way back on the second day is here also. She now has a trail name. Rasinette. Some guy from NC showed up tonight with four steaks and canned veggies. Yummy dinner. I have m pack all set and tomorrow I hit the Smokies. Fontanna Dam has been fun but now it is time to move on.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Fontanna Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was har and long. I feel like I walked 20 miles. It was not hard hiking it was just long. There is not much water avaliable here to drink in the Smokies. I spend the last 1.5 miles tonight with a parched mouth. There shelters up here are stone and it has a working fire place inside. I hope that we get to play uno again tonight. I seam to have found a few new hiking buddies outside of the "Wood's Hole Gang". Rasinette and Lucky and the three NY'ers are here tonight. Just Dan is here too. I hope to make 15+ miles tomorrow to Silers or Double Gap. Clingmans domw will come on Friday. I thought a few times today what the hell am I doing out here. I realize that I have to start to shape my self into a better person some how. I am tired of feeling like things are hopeless and I desire to feel good about my life. I would also like to find some good companionship. This trip is helping me with both I think. I will be better when it gets a little warmer too.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Today I hiked with Rasinette and a fella from Alabama for most of the day. I had lunch on top of Thunder Head Mt. You could see very far from the top. I am sleeping under my tarp tonight because tomorrow we will have rain return to the area. I will be trying for a big early day and to tray and make Clingmans Dome before the rain. A man and his son hiked today with us from one shelter to th other. The man stepped on a land mine in Veitnam, and his son fought Likemia for twelve years. The mother/wife died of cancer a long time ago and things have been tought. Life is short is what comes to my mind and I hope that these two folks will be able to put aside some differences and grow closer.