morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-03-09
To: Looking towards Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well today is March 9. Only 6 more days and a wake-up until I leave on my adventure. The pack is packed. The food is decided upon. Stops for the first few miles have been anticipated. Weather has been watched. The yard mowed, the cars gassed up, finances prepared, and emotions have been placed on hold (at least for a week more). Did I mention that I have only 6 more days? Wow. Time has really flown by since I first began my initial planning back in November. So far everyone I've interacted with at the outfitters, the online AT community, the Forest Service, my friends, my church family, my immediately and especially my wife have been so supportive and understanding. I'm having a hard time keeping my own emotions from coming unglued. If I would think about the enormity of all that "hiking the AT" is about, then I might be just tempted to not go. But, life is about experiencing all new kinds of things, no matter what your age or abilities. I am ready for the journey - no matter how far it will take me. I will sure enjoy meeting more persons and seeing more sights as I begin, but for now, I couldn't be more excited. I wish everyone who begins on or after March 16 great success. Be at peace with your decision to go. For those who have been ahead of me and are already on the trail - I wish you continued success and by all means be safe. Hike a safe hike. Be smart. And, Look for me out there too.Next entry...somewhere on the trail on or about March 16. One more thing. Thank you to all of you who signed my guest book offering wisdom and kind words regarding my hike. I really appreciate you. //Trailchef
Date: 2015-03-12
To: For my friends who want to follow my progress...
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome! Thanks for visiting!For those of you new to Trail Journals, here are some pointers:You can use the left column to navigate around the site.--Journal: You can click List to get a full listing of all my journal posts including the title/destination. Or, you can use the drop down box to select a post by date.Each day¢s journal post (like this one) also has links at the top and bottom for going forward or backward through the posts.--Gear: Rather than list all my gear here, I simply refer you to the journal posts where I discuss my gear in more detail.--Photos: This takes you to a photo page. These are slightly larger format photos of those I included in the journal posts. Each photo page has a dropdown box where you can select photos by title and date. The top and bottom also have links for going forward or backward through the photos.--About: In addition to telling a little about who I am, And why I'm doing what I'm doing.--Stats: Trail Journals automatically computes this; I don¢t enter anything here.--Guest Book: You can either view all the other Guest Book entries or make a new entry yourself (which I like to read!). When you make an entry, Trail Journals automatically sends me an email with your post. Note that if you enter an email address in the email box, it will not show up on the site, but is included in the email Trail Journals sends to me so I can respond directly to you.I use the Pre Hike entries to discuss my preparation for the hike and to practice posting to Trail Journals.I¢m going to use the Post Hike entries to not only summarize my hike, but to discuss my final gear decisions and tips, and to practice my writing by sharing some of the thoughts I had during my hike that I didn¢t take the time to mention in my posts on the trail.Enjoy!"Trailchef" Credit for information given to AstroGuy 2014.
Date: 2015-03-16
From: Springer Mountain

To: Justus Creek
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Hi everyone. Trail Chef here. Well, to start this adventure, I arrived at Springer and went up to the top and registered. I met my friend Subman and then came back down the trail.   I began at roughly 9:00 in the morning. The weather was really nice with no clouds and a high of about 84 degrees. I traveled 14.5 miles to Justice Creek, with the first 8 miles by myself and the last 6.5 miles with OutdoorPhotog- a professional photographer from New Jersey.
Date: 2015-03-17
From: Justus Creek

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi folks. Trail Chef checking in. I left Justus Creek about 8:00 a.m. today It was an uneventful day. The weather was nice and not quite as hot as yesterday. I hiked most of the day with Photog. I arrived at Lance Creek around 6:00 p.m. after hiking for about 1 hour after dark.
Date: 2015-03-18
From: Lance Creek

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Hey everyone, today I got an early start at 8 a.m. and hiked up and over Blood Mountain to a place called Neels Gap where there is a wonderful hostile and Mountain Crossings outfitters. I am very tired and going to bed at 6:00 p.m. Blood mountain is 4,458 feet in elevation. And Cherokee mythology states that the mountain was one of the homes of the new Ricci or immortals, the "people who live anywhere", a race of spirit people who lived in green townhouses in the highlands of the old Cherokee country.   Before the arrival of the white settlers, the Creeks and the Cherokees fought a disastrous and bloody battle for the land at Slaughter Gap and the highest peak of the area, Blood Mountain. Blood Mountain was named for the blood that ran into the streams as a result of this battle.
Date: 2015-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 11.5

Hey everyone, Trailchef here. Today's weather has not been the most enjoyable for hiking. I am now sitting in my tent with my wet sleeping bag and all of my clothes on. I've been averaging about 10 miles per day but most likely that will increase as I get my trail legs. Pack weight about 40 pounds with about 4 days of food and water. We hiked 11.5 miles today in solid rain and sleet. The temperature was about 36 or so. Rain supposed to continue tonight but let up by early morning. Made arrangements to be picked up tomorrow afternoon by folks at Hiker Hostel of Georgia near Hiawassee (about 9 miles from our current location). Need to dry out and reorganize. Better weather tomorrow in the forecast!
Date: 2015-03-20
From: Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Well folks, Trailchef here. Day five. We've been hiking now for two squishy days in the rain. That wasn't too bad, but I'm having a calorie deficit condition. I've lost ten pounds in five days because I'm burning about twice the number of calories as I'm eating. I didn't feel well today so I've decided to come off the trail to rest. I'm staying at the Top of Georgia Hostel in Hiawassee, GA, a wonderful place for hikers. It has all the amenities like hot showers, comfortable bunks, FOOD, advice, and personal service. They even do your laundry for you while you shower. Today I rested, planned, and ate food. I've been eating chicken wings, copious amounts of salad, hamburgers, French fries, scrambled eggs and sausage, and sweet tea, not necessarily in that order of course, but my body needed some FAT. I also went thru my pack and found some unused equipment to send home to save me some pounds to carry. I reduced my pack weight down to about 33 pounds from 40. Yea! ?? Right now I'm traveling only as far as my body wants to go. Then I'll stop. From here it should take me about six more days to reach Franklin, but don't hold me to that just yet. More rain scheduled for tomorrow. I will leave the hostel about 9:00 to return back to Unicoi Gap to resume. See you tomorrow. Remember, one foot in front of the other.
Date: 2015-03-21
From: Hiker Hostel of Georgia

To: Hiawassie, Georgia - Zero Day One
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

See yesterday's account for what happened today. Tomorrow I'll begin again at Unicoi Gap. For all you folks watching and sending me encouragement - Thanks and keep it up. I really appreciated all your comments so far. ?? As soon a as I am able I'll edit the pictures to turn them to the correct orientation.
Date: 2015-03-22
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Well Folks, Trailchef here again. I'm sorry that I haven't been posting for awhile but I haven't had good cell signals for the last five days or so. After having recouperated from being dehydrated and undernourished I left this morning in cloudy rainy weather again to resume my trek. I hike most of the day by myself very much uphill starting up from an elevation of about 2940 to 4017 in less than two miles - then down, then up, then down, etc. I met up and hiked with Big Jim, a through hiker I saw on day one of my trip who I passed earlier. He met up with his brother for several days and had left the trail, about the same time as I did to take a zero day. Anyway we hiked together for about 10 miles until he decided to call it a day in a place called Sassafras Gap. It was only about 2:00 o'clock or so and I wasn't tired so I decided to go ahead to make "Deep Gap" Shelter arriving about 5:15 pm or so. Because I wanted to go back into Hiawassee the next day, I decided to sleep in the shelter in lieu of putting up my tent. Besides as I arrived, it began to rain. Easy choice - right? "Bubble Gum", "Sam", "Poofy", and "The Wizard" (four other hikers) were already there so I joined them in the shelter. Just after I arrived "Happy", another senior citizen arrived. I learned later that he might just be a professional hiker. I seems he just finished hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and is not working to complete the AT. By the way he did tent in the rain. It was an uneventful night except for the shelter mice who came out to play on and around us during the night. I wish I had a picture to show you, but they were too fast. None bothered me but when I awoke in the morning, and as I was putting my boots on, I found exactly 4 acorns in each boot and 10 in the bottom of my pack. Thats a total of 14 acorns that they will never find again for dinner. Sorry mice. Maybe you can get some food off the next shelter residents?
Date: 2015-03-23
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Well Good Monday to everyone. So today I left Deep Gap Shelter on a partial sunny day and headed to Dick's Creek Gap and Hiawassee to collect a hiker box (full of food, toilet paper, stove fuel, candy, vitamins, etc.) It was uphill for about a mile and a half and then down hill all the way to Dick's Creek Gap and US 76 where I had hoped to hitch a ride down about a half mile back to Top of Georgia Hostel. The 3.6 miles took me about 1:45 minutes. I arrived about 10:00 am. The shuttle from the Hostel bringing hikers back to the gap hadn't arrived yet so since a ride wasnt forthcoming, I decided to hike the half mile down to the hostel. I spent the middle part of the day from about 10:00 am to about 2:00 pm snacking, repacking my pack with the new items, sending some unused items home and riding the shuttle into Hiawassee 13 miles away to mail a bounce box along ahead of me for another use. You see, bounce boxes are boxes you send yourself contain items that you may need to use when you get to a hostel or a town, but also may not want to carry with you because of excess weight. Things like medicines, razor's, fingernail clippers, shampoo, etc. So after you finish with them, you repackage everthing in the same box, put a new address label on it and "bounce" the box ahead to the next town or hostel location. After doing all that I stopped at Zaxby's for lunch and then took the next shuttle from the hostel back to the trailhead a Dick's Creek Gap to resume hiking. I arrived at the next overnight location at Plumorchard Gap Shelter about 5:00pm and proceeded to set up my tent for the night. I turned in about 7:00pm. Around 2:00am or so I was rudely awakened by a screeching sound I had never heard before (nor would I like to hear again) It was a sound staight out of a horror movie. Fortunately, it was far off and moving away from me. Had it been closer, my tent might have had an new entrance out the other side. But as God is there too, it didn't come closer and my tent is still intact, and I resumed my restful sleep. I hiked the day by myself. I didn't make but 8.1 miles, but I got a lot done in town. Good day, all in all. I feel that I'm getting stronger every day. Stopping very little going up hill and really moving on level, near level ground or down hill.
Date: 2015-03-24
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

So everyone, Hi again, Trailchef here. Today is a big day for me, one of many I know, but today I get to mark off the first state completed - a total of 78.5 miles. I go from Georgia to North Carolina. Yea! I hiked off and on today with three different hikers - "Bison", "Andrew" and "Day Late". They are a group of three random persons who also hooked up at some time and were hiking together. They would pass me on the up hills and then I would pass them on the downhills. This is the game we play. All very respectful, considerate, and with dreams and aspirations. All with stories to tell. I pray for all my hiker buddies each day for a safety and a great trip. Anyway I digress. Today was the most difficult day for me so far because it was all uphill and when I mean uphill I mean the previous shelter was at an elevation of 3165. I hiked up to about 4580 before I decended on down into Deep Gap, North Carolina. These north Georgia mountains were sure challenging. They really kicked my B. I am glad to now be in NC again, because I have recently hike this area from just inside NC to Standing Indian Mountain with my hiking friends James Freeman and Wes Hirsch on recent hikes and have some knowledge of what the trail is like. I started the day around 8:00am in Georgia and reached the Shelter at Standing Indian Mountain around 5:00pm. I was really tired. I set my tent up and went immediately to bed - after having dinner of course. Thankfully no screeching animals this night and I awoke only once during the night.
Date: 2015-03-25
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap, just before Albert Mt.
Miles today: 11.3

Hi Everyone, Trailchef here again. Well today was a great hiking day. We began in the rain, but it was not particularly a cold rain so it was fine. We all dressed for it and were prepared. After summiting the remainder of Standing Indian Mountain (the shelter location is about 1.5 miles below the summit) the trail to Betty Creek Gap was almost all downhill. Boy was that a nice thing accepted by all who worked so hard the previous day coming out of Georgia. Today I hiked with a group of about 13 or so hikers and together we made up a train that spread out over about a mile or so because of our different paces. A few of their names: Bison, Andrew, Day Late, Happy, Flash, Rainbow and her dog Dexter, Doc (a veterinarian), Bullet, Magnum and about 4 or five more whose names I can't recall. Sorry I'm old. Anyway I guess I should tell you now about my difficulties. You see, because of the rain I decided to put on a thermal base layer, some running shorts and then my rain pants. About an hour into the trip I noticed that my thermals had slid some from my waist so I stopped to readjust them and hiked on. Then about 10 minutes later they did it again. And again, and again and so on it went for another hour. Every hundred steps or so I had to unhook my pack's waist belt and hitch up my britches so I didn't trip over them. Later in the day a hiker noticed I was stopping a lot and asked if he could help. I said "no thanks" I've got a problem in my pants. Well, I did! Anyway it wasn't too long when I pulled over on a wide spot on the trail and disrobed to remove the culprit thermals and to just wear my running shorts and rainpants. It was a wee bit colder that way, but at least I was saved from having a really bad tripping accident. It seems I learned the hard way that "cotten" thermals should never be worn when it rains. When you sweat and they get wet, they never stay up. I guess I would have to investigate some actual hiking tights made of Capiline. When we arrived at our overnight stopping point, a group of boy scouts and leaders (out doing their 50 mile merit badge) were already there stacking wood by size for a campfire later that night. This is my actual first campfire on the trail. Anyway, we also heard from another hiker that the Wounded Warrior Hikers would be arriving later that evening. I seems that they were behind us for most of the day and their goal was to get to Franklin by the weekend for a big celebration in their honor. Go American Servicemen and Women. All in all that night there were about 25 or so tents camping at our location. it rained all night long, but just before dawn it stopped. I was high and dry in my little home away from home. I'll sumbit a picture of it at some point. Right now the picture I choose is the campfire scene. Enjoy.
Date: 2015-03-27
From: Home

To: Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Two
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hey Everybody, this Friday morning it sure feels good being back in Franklin, even if just for a day or two. Yesterday I learned that several nice people from my church community at FUMC had made the trip up to Winding Stair Gap to welcome me back to Franklin. Unfortunately due to my need for food, Judi and I left about 5 minutes prior to their arriving. Wes Hirsch and Margaret Freeman are so nice and thoughful and when I found out I had missed them by only a few minutes I did feel really bad and special at the same time. Both have been praying for my safe travel as many of you are. And I really feel your prayers and covet them. Keep it up and Thanks. Later I did call and talk to both Wes and Margaret and Wes even made it into town to meet up with me at the mexican restaurant for a few minutes. I told them I was headed to the outfitter afterwards and Margaret informed David at church and he even came by to see me there. What a nice surprise from you guys. Thank you. Today I enjoyed having lunch with "Bison", Andrew, whose trailname is now "Bookworm" because he is without a novel which he carries all the time, and "Day Late. I then took them in my car to do some errands and then back to their hostel. Later I joined into the hikerbash festivities at the Saphire Inn and tomorrow I'm going to a luncheon at the new Lazy Hiker Brewery just for the Thru-hikers from 10:00am-2:00pm. Based on all the hikers I've seen I believe that there are over 100 or so hikers here this weekend. The hikerbash is really awesome and good for Franklin, and is growing each year with all the town has to offer. Trail note: I've decided that I'm going to wait out the cold weather until Sunday and leave from Winding Stair Gap sometime around 9:30am. Happy Palm Sunday everyone. More tomorrow about the hiker luncheon.
Date: 2015-03-28
To:  Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Three
Miles today: 0.0

Hey Everybody, Trailchef here. I just got back from downtown Franklin after having attended the Bash at the Lazyhiker Brewery.   Hotdogs, sweet tea, and chili were on the menu. Lots of hikers were there and from all accounts, everyone was appreciative of the reception. I had lunch with Bison, Bookworm, and Day Late. I also saw Anna (Sweet Britches), Neon, Hasslehoff, Lolly, Wild Card, and Big Jim. I had hiked with him several times before down in Georgia. I think most of the hikers are planning on leaving tomorrow morning to get back on the trail. We are all going to meet for breakfast at the first Baptist Church for pancakes and bacon and then catch the closest shuttle back up to where we all got off. The weather looks good for the next couple of days and we hope to make the Nantahala Outdoor Center by Tuesday or Wednesday. By next weekend I think most of us will be just starting into the great Smoky Mountains national Park. Franklin has been good this year to all the hikers especially with the different and various activities going on in town and we sure do appreciate it. Our stay will not be soon forgotten. For me this afternoon I am working on all of my food drops for the next few hundred miles. Judi will be help organizing them and taking them to the post office and mailing them at the appropriate times so I can have some food as I travel and head north. I hope you have a blessed Palm Sunday and until then I'll journal again a few days.
Date: 2015-03-29
From:  Franklin, North Carolina - Zero Day Three

To: Copper Ridge Bald
Miles today: 16.5

Happy Palm Sundy Everyone: Well today I left Franklin after a nice visit with Judi and a few friends. I had breakfast had the First Babtist Church of pancakes and bacon and fruit. I met up with Bison, Bookworm, and Day Late and rode Ron Haven's shuttle to Winding Staircase, my starting location. My friends began 3.5 miles back at rock Gap, where they had come off the trail last Thursday. We all were glad to be in Franklin for a few days to be a part of Franklin's Hiker Fool Bash. All of us had a good time. At the trailhead there were about thirty or so hikers so as we began, it kind of looked like a long train. Time and our own various abilities spread us out as we slowly made our way up the various mountains towards Wayah Bald and the famous stone two-story fire tower. Total distance was about 11 miles. I flip flopped all day with Conductor, Philco, Neon, Anna and Reah, Hasslehoff, Paul, and several of the Warrior Hikers: Nate, Nate No. 2, and Michele. There was also a mother-daughter team, whose names I can't recall. Also there was a fellow from Germany who practically ran up the trail. I would have named him "The Rabbit" because he was so fast. But my story of the day is that I went thru "three firsts" today: 1. This was my longest day for miles since I began at 16.5 miles. 2. I had to take my tent down in the pouring rain, and (with all due humility and respect,) I had to , well let's just say go to the bathroom in the rain. One must learn how to keep toilet paper dry prior to using it or it doesn't do a real good job- and it's messy. So there you have it. I guess there will be more firsts but I thought you might get a charge out of these. Oh! I also took a picture of a snake sunning himself on the trail. He was at least 13 inches long and looked like he belonged in someone's aquarium at home. Back to the trail... I reached Wayah Bald about 3pm and felt like it was too early to stop. I had lunch and met the Warrior Hikers. They are a group of vets hiking for publicity and to raise monies to give other vet hikers opportunities. They are doing "meet and greets at towns all up the trail. I hiked with them on to just past Cold Springs Shelter to a tent area. I spent the night in the woods in a rain storm with lightning. One of the two Warrior Hikers I tented with left his food bag out and didn't tie it up in a tree and an animal tore thru the bag and ate his food.