morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, time is winding down. Two weeks from today I'll be walking. Also huffin' & puffin'. I got my walking papers today, but I have to be careful. I recently got caught walking through a stop sign on the trail and then a week or two later got clocked doing over 3.5 in a 2 MPH zone. Lost 6 points and I'm not even on the Appalachian Trail yet. I did earn one point back by picking up trash at a campsite in the Francis Marion Forest.    I bought some food today and plan to put together some mail drops to be sent later. The start will be easy, just need three breakfasts, three dinners and four lunches and snacks. Four days (+/-) gets me to the first re-supply point. So, like Chinmusic says: just show up with four days of food and start walking. I'm still debating whether to take a stove. I really like having coffee in the morning, but if I can get by without a stove otherwise, it will be sent home. I guess a coupla weeks will decide that issue.   I feel like I have the right mix of clothing. I have too much, but I will pick and choose before I go. The final weight is a big factor in that process. Don't want to carry more than I have to. It is two thousand miles, after all. That's a long ways to carry something you don't need!   I want to throw a shout out to all the well-wishers here and on the store's Facebook page. I hope you enjoy the journal and wish you all could go along. Feel free to comment along the way: and I can take the bad with the good. I'm thinking the first test to pass is the first day that I feel I can't go any further. If I wake up the next day and keep going, nothing can stop me. So keep me pepped up. Also, stop by the store and check the wall map. Brenda will be keeping up with my progress. 'Nuff for today. More tomorrow. I'm back for the daily entries now.   One last thing to say. Waylon and Erin got married Saturday. They looked wonderfully happy and had a beautiful wedding. I hope they have the bestest marriage ever.
Date: 2014-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I took my last Sunday hike with my doggies before I leave for the trek. It was a good hike. We met other hikers and both dogs behaved. A rarity. I know I'm going to miss walking with them and they will miss me as well. Brenda takes them for walks, but not in the same places and usually not as long. But they will be fine. I just like to think I'm important, I guess. Top dog, as they say.
Date: 2014-03-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Won't be long now! Sunday morning. Our yellow lab Gracie got me up for the third time at 3:30 AM. So, why not re-pack again? Coffee, light breakfast, pack up. Sounds like a routine. Except I'll be driving today instead of walking. I've done several "lasts" this week. I'm thinking a lot of that won't really sink in 'till later. Some things are obvious, others not so much. Like walking out early morning with the dogs and seeing the constellations, while they eat deer poop. (Dogs have a way of keeping things in perspective). Or sitting on the screen porch. Cutting the grass. Watching TV with Brenda. Doing anything with Brenda and the dogs. All that is what begins to effect you later. The mental game. Yee-ha! Let's do it.One of the more interesting things is going to be any habits that I break or acquire. I probably will not even notice these as they occur. One day it'll just dawn on me: hey I don't (fill in the blank) anymore. When did I start ______?Another biggie for me: I'm gonna miss almost the entire Braves season. Not since they moved to Atlanta in '66 have I been this out of touch with Braves baseball. Old school, ain't i?It's getting on towards 6:00, better go check my lists and pack again. We'll be hitting the road soon. I hope Springer Mtn. Is ready, cuz here I come.
Date: 2014-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The drive to Amicalola Falls State Park today was interesting, but I hope not indicative of my near future. Took off with no map and only a vague idea of where to go. First we missed the turn off of the interstate. Then missed the turn in Gainesville. Went to Clayton just merrily chatting away. Lost a little over an hour. Maybe I'll change my trail name to navigator. The plan for tomorrow is to just walk around, meet folks, get familiar, and mostly just try to relax. And probably re-pack. The womenfolk plan to antique shop, or some such. 'Til next time.
Date: 2014-03-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was pretty good for a last day. Spent some time tourist shopping in Ellijay with Brenda and Irene. Ate entirely too much food. Walked to the falls with Brenda to take a look. That was a little disappointing 'cause of the fog/mist/cloud cover, we couldn't really see much. Registered as hiker #521. Weighed my pack: 22 lbs. with no food or water. Met a few hikers I'll be leapfrogging for a while. Even drank a beer out of a green bottle in honor of St Patty's Day. Now the challenge is to see how much sleep I can get. Later.
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Springer Mountain

To: just past Hawk mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Tuesday! It begins! Got up at 4:30AM, showered, checked the weather, caught up my journal and read some of the others. Read a book while I waited on Brenda and Irene to get up. Went to breakfast and joined RW and his wife, Freedom, Achin and his wife. RW has a schedule to keep and will be averaging 13-14 miles a day. I'm planning on 8-10 per day. So, I may not see RW and Freedom again. Achin is finishing up the approach trail first, so will probably be half a day behind me. I'm sure I'll see him soon.I started at the parking lot and made the short walk to the first blaze. Lots of people. For everybody that wondered about me walking alone, there's probably 40-50 people starting today.Made it to Hawk Mountain Shelter and cooked supper. Felt pretty good, so I walked on. It was only about 6:30 and the place was crowded. Must have been 30 tents plus more in the shelter. At least 50 people.Ended up with a 9.0 mile day, starting at 11:15. Feel ok, no blisters or aches. Got a signal and sent Brenda a short text. Off to bed. 7:40.
Date: 2014-03-19
From: just past Hawk mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Have you ever been rained on when it wasn't raining? I felt like I was in a terrarium. Or maybe that is what a rain forest is like. Actually I was sleeping in a cloud. Water dripped from everything all night long. What a great experience. I don't recall ever having done that before.Right as I was falling asleep last night, some characters stopped at my tent and asked "do you want to drink some whiskey?" I just said no I'm gonna sleep. I heard a coupla giggles from a girl, then another one said "c'mon we got some weed too." No thanks I just want to sleep. I guess I'm going to meet every kind out here. Cool.Got started hiking at 7:40. I was hoping the extra time last night and starting a little earlier than most might help me finish the day with the crowd. The temp was kinda cold and the water was still falling, so I started out with pants over my long underwear and shorts and a rain jacket on. Didn't take long for those to come off. Too hot. The mountain was steep. So was the next one. I think maybe they're all steep. Look out knees.Got to Horse Gap and came across Freedom. Said he was getting off trail to reconsider. He was trying to keep up with RW. One thing you gotta do out here: "hike your own hike." I hope he gets back to the trail. Turns out Sassafras is maybe the toughest of the first few days, except maybe Blood Mountain, the tallest in Ga. and the trail is rocky. "Never quit on a bad day."Remember I said I was out front at the start of the day? Only two came into camp after me. Snail! But I'm not hurting and I'm "getting her done."Observations from the day: Need to eat more to keep the energy up. Need to drink more water. Muddy mountain slopes make for slow progress.Thanks to everybody for signing in and keeping up with my journey. I will update when I have signal.
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Gooch Shelter

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

Thursday started off nice. I think I was the first one out, which is necessary because I'm also one of the slowest. Haven't had much pain yet. Sometimes the knees get a little sore, but a good night's sleep fixes that. I've met a pretty good fella named Ed. He's done part of the trail several times. Good source of knowledge. There's a group of college spring breakers from Cincinnati. A father and son team. More than I keep up with. I'm eating better trying to keep my energy up. Still need to drink more water. The mountains are beautiful. I only have an iPhone for pictures, so I can't really show you. I'm having a blast. Tomorrow night I will be at a hostel and get a shower. But for now, it's time to recharge. Thanks for following.
Date: 2014-03-21
From: Lance Creek

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had a good night's sleep in spite of pitching my tent on an incline. Kept sliding during the night. I woke up late (8:15) and probably 3/4 of the camp was already gone. Guess it the good food, shower and laundry ahead. This was a long hard day for me. Went over Blood Mountain, the highest point in Georgia. Plus the trail was mostly rocks along that section. Hard on the feet. I'm beginning to see some new green along the ground now and then, but the trees are not leafing out yet. I almost lost my balance once today and had to jump down to keep from falling over on my face. Slightly sprained my left knee. But I don't anticipate any problem.Lessons so far:Drink more water!!!!I started with too much foodThis is a blastHikers are great peopleOnce I got to Neel's Gap, I ate a lot of food and got more for the trail. Also got a new spoon (broke my other one first day), a different water filter, and some camp shoes. Tomorrow will be 11.5 miles, quite a bit farther than we have been going. Sandman is calling.
Date: 2014-03-22
From: Neel's Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday morning I left out of Walasi-yi, the hiker's hostel at Neel's Gap. There is a tradition that people who buy new shoes at the outfitter there tie their old pair together and toss 'email in a tree out front. Passing by this tree you go under an arch that is part of the building. The trail thus goes through the building, at least in a sense.Got an early start around 7:30. I was second out today. Had a shower last night and a real toilet this morning. The trail makes you appreciate a lot of things most people take for granted.I wasn't last in yesterday, so I was feeling pretty good about myself. Then came Wildcat Mountain. A climb of over 600 feet in a very short distance. Like going up the stairs of a 60 story building, wearing a 35# pack, only the stairs are dirt and full of roots and rocks. And no landings or handrails. Just straight up. And then the next mountain was almost as hard on the way down, almost all rock. But we all made it and it's nowhere near as difficult as what is ahead. Just a warm-up.Today we covered 11.5 miles, quite a bit more than the 8 we have been averaging. I'm staying in a shelter tonight for the first time. This one is new and very clean. The others before this seemed a bit dirty. Been traveling lately with Lo Jack, Snickers, Guardian, M¶bius, a group of four whose names I don't know yet and a group of young'uns that changes often. Those people fly. And more scattered all over the hill: hobo city.
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: 3/4 mile beyond Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: moderate rain

Sleeping in the shelter went ok, but I still got a late start. Guess I was tired from the extra miles yesterday. I still got out earlier than half of the others. Lo Jack and Snickers got out early. They have a package coming to Helen, so they are going in for the night to stay at a motel. From what I hear, several people are.Today was a hard day for me. I just kinda zombied through the day. I guess that's why some took a little time off. Most of the day was a "gentle" climb up then a steep down. That was Unicoi Gap, where folks were leaving for Helen. Several of the young folks were gonna top the next mountain and stay at a campsite just on the other side. They encouraged me to join them, but I told them I didn't think I had the energy left. After finding some water, I made it about half way up the hill and pooped out. Set up camp, ate and was asleep by 6:30. Made 10.5 miles today.Oh, and I almost forgot. Someone had notched some figures on some tree trunks at the site where I was staying, gave it a Blair Witch feel. Kinda cool.
Date: 2014-03-24
From: 3/4 mile beyond Unicoi Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 9.6

Today is my seventh day on the trail. It's kinda cold, guessing upper 30s. After I got rolling I started seeing hoarfrost coming up out of the ground. Crunchy dirt. Everybody is trying to get to Hiawassee before Tuesday night. The forecast is for a cold night, maybe in the teens. Spent the day hiking with Guardian and M¶bius. Towards the end of the day met up with Dandelion. She was beat and decided to camp with us old guys at Sassafras Gap. She's the first one I've seen with a bear bell. A bell that hangs on your pack and jingles while you walk. Supposed to let the bears know you're close so they move on before you get near. But with the great sense of smell a bear has, (way better than a dog), no way a stinky hiker could sneak up on one.After setting up camp, Dandelion got a fire going in a snap. The four of us swapped jokes and urban myths about bears and such along the trail. Then off to sleep. Gotta get to Dick's Creek Gap tomorrow.
Date: 2014-03-25
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap, Top of Ga. hostel
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: snow

I started week number two in snow. Overnight we got about an inch or so of snow. Beautiful sight. But the colder air is coming. Gotta move on. I'm having another air mattress problem, just like back during my Thanksgiving hike. I guess I'll try to get a new one in Hiawassee.Trudged along through the snow and cold, looking forward to the hostel and my first package from home. About a mile before the road I came across Dandelion. She had passed me earlier. But now she had taken off her pack and was just laying on the ground, resting. I had to laugh at her. I would probably do that too, but it is so hard to get moving again when you stop very long.When we got out to the road, there was a tent set up with food for hikers. Two couples come here every year about the time that their sons came through in previous years. What a surprise. Had a bowl of chili, then a bowl of home-made vegan gumbo with homegrown vegetables, cornbread, a brownie and two cookies. Then North Star, Dandelion and I loaded into the shuttle to the hostel.What a nice hostel. This is a new place, just opened March 1 this year. Everybody got showered and our laundry was done for us. Then we shuttled into town. The outfitter was closed, but someone had left an air mattress in the hiker box. So I'll use that one until I can get a new one. While in town, I went to Ingle's grocery store and got a huge salad from their huge salad bar. Can't get fresh greens etc. on the trail. I also got a coupla other items and then walked up the street to DQ with Small Town and Dandelion. I had a chili dog and an Oreo Blizzard. Back to the hostel to swap stories and get some sleep.
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Dick's Creek Gap, Top of Ga. hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday night I tossed and turned all night. It was just plain too hot in the hostel. Felt rested in the morning though. Nice to have a short break, some good food, and of course a shower and clean clothes.Didn't hit the trail until about 8:30. And boy was my pack heavy. I loaded too much food into the food drop. Left some behind for others and still have too much.The weather was nice today. Especially after the snow and the cold. I got lucky and had a night off the trail planned last night and didn't have to find a shuttle or take an unplanned zero day (no miles). I don't think it got as cold as forecast, but you gotta be smart.Crossed the state line into North Carolina today. Done with Georgia. One down, thirteen more to go. Talked with a group staying just up the trail from the state line. They were concerned about going up another 800 feet in elevation to get to the shelter site, but I saw it differently. As I moved along, I came across a "crooked" tree, one of the most photographed sights on the trail. Then came the welcome to NC. The realization that NC mountains have higher elevations and often steeper climbs to get there. But after getting through one of these climbs, you get a good feeling. Got to the shelter around 7:15 after a long day, set up the tent, ate some Ramen and when straight to sleep.
Date: 2014-03-27
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this morning and saw snow on the ground outside my tent. Then I remembered it was there when I went to sleep. The ground is frozen along parts of the trail and there's still plenty of hoarfrost. Had my first fall today. No big deal, just slipped in the mud on a downhill and landed on my butt. Hoping to get to Franklin Saturday afternoon and take a day off Sunday. I'm starting to wear a little thin. Word on the trail though is that all the hiker hotels are booked up for the annual Hiker's Bash. Guess I'll see Sat. Still hanging with M¶bius and Guardian. But probably not for long. They have a schedule. Had a 12.5 mile day and I'm whipped. Time for sleep.
Date: 2014-03-28
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: moderate rain

The rain is here. Rained all day long. Just up and down the trail, nothing to see. When it rains here, you're inside the cloud that's raining. So you don't see much. When I got to the shelter, of course it was full. I wanted to tent anyway. North Star came in and hung his hammock. I noticed two more tents in a few minutes. But the only place to cook was under the shelter roof and folks were having to take turns cooking because of the space. Not much else today: trudging in the rain and trying to keep my glasses dry. Oh yeah. Crossed the 100 mile mark today. Staying at Long Branch Shelter, but haven't seen Miss Kitty yet. Later.
Date: 2014-03-29
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap/ Sapphire Inn, Franklin
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

Rain fell all night. Got out twice to pee. Otherwise I was in that tent for 14 hours. 5:30 PM to 7:30 AM. And it was still raining when I got up. My sleeping, down jacket, and food and med kit are dry. Pretty much everything else is soaked. Good thing I'm heading into Franklin today. I sure hope I can find a room. With the weather like it is, I'm hoping there will be some cancellations or early checkouts. There's an April Fool's Hiker Bash this weekend. Rain fell all day again. Muddy trail, slipped down twice. Got down to the road at about 2:30 PM, found a signal, and by 4:00 PM I was in the shower and then waiting my turn at the laundry. Had Hardee's at 5:00 and Mexican at 8:00. I was hungry. After all that, sleep in a huge bed.
Date: 2014-03-30
From: Winding Stair Gap/ Saphire Inn, Franklin

To: Sapphire Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday is a zero day. No miles. Just relax. The Bash last night was a bust. Didn't really rain much, after dark, but most everyone was either already gone or fairly lit. Lots of beer, whiskey, and moonshine flowing. And some old fart singing Merle Haggard and George Jones tunes. Karaoke style. That was the entertainment. I slept through it. Today's weather is much better. I walked 1/2 mile up the hill and had a great breakfast at a cafe. Took a ride with a group in a van to an outfitter and then Wal-Mart. Got a little resupply. Back to the room, and watched part of the race. Too bad I can't stay and watch the season opener for the Braves tomorrow night. Ate some more food, repacked all my gear and went to sleep.
Date: 2014-03-31
From: Sapphire Inn

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Monday morning I took a ride in a van to a church and had breakfast with about forty people. The church does this for about three weeks. Every morning. Pancakes, bacon, coffee, and OJ. Plus they take your picture and give you a print with a piece of note paper and an envelope. You write a note, address the envelope, and then they mail it for you. Anywhere in the world. Then back to the motel and catch the shuttle back to the trail. Franklin really looks out for hikers.So it's back on the trail after a day of rest. I thought the rest would make this easier. It's still just as tough! The plan today is to do the 11 miles from Winding Stair Gap to Wayah Bald Shelter. Coupla pretty good uphills in there, but not too stressful. Had a good hike. I took a one hour lunch today, and a half hour break later and still managed the eleven miles. The highlight of the day was Wayah Bald Tower. The Forest Service built an observation tower for the public and it is about 20-25 feet tall. Fantastic views. I can see the Smokies in the distance.On some of these mountain tops are areas called balds. Nobody is sure how they came about, but the best guess is they were cleared for pasture some time ago. It's so strange to be walking the mountain tops and come across a wide-open treeless area.Got into the shelter area around 6:30. Today was long but not too strenuous. I've noticed that I'm able to go longer periods of time in the morning before I start to flag and the recovery time when I stop is getting shorter. Yea! I'm getting in shape!
Date: 2014-04-01
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I picked an awful spot for my tent last night. Not only was I pointed downhill, but had a slight roll to the side. Guess I was more tired than I thought when I got in. Tossed and turned all night and as a result overslept. Didn't get going until 8:45. Chatted with Toto at a break today. His kids named him that because they are from Kansas. Today was only 10.6 miles, but they ended up being some tough miles. Steep ups and downs. I wasn't the only one feeling it either.I'm beginning to see more color along the trail. Some leaves are starting to pop out and some wildflowers are starting to bloom. I'll try to find the names for them. Staying at Wesser Bald Shelter tonight. Everyone is excited about getting to Nantahala Outdoor Center tomorrow.
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: near Grassy Gap
Miles today: 7.6

The trail down into NOC was not straight down, but still pretty tough on the knees. This is a great spot. There's a river through here, the Nantahala of course. There is an outfitter here for hikers and watercraft. People just milling around. Hikers resupplying and eating. Kayakers in the water. Guides taking people down the river in inflatable rafts. A general store, a restaurant, a train that goes around the mountain. Cabins for rent. What a place.Got a new air mattress at the outfitter. Picked up a little food, didn't need much. Got a burger and fries from the restaurant. And sweet tea! Spent about 4 hours people-watching and eating. Then around quarter to five, started up the other side. Just to get a jump on the long climb tomorrow. Great day, sunny and warm, and lots of happy people.
Date: 2014-04-03
From: near Grassy Gap

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 8.6

Thursday morning I woke up feeling great. Slept well beside the trail part way up the hill. There was a short light rain during the night, but nothing was wet in the morning. Today is a walk until I feel like stopping. No agenda. Nobody expecting me to show up. Just carefree enjoyment. First I gotta finish this long 6 mile up out of the NOC. Got to Sassafras Gap Shelter around 1:00. Had a little food and visited with others stopping by. Ran into Snickers on the way out. I hadn't seen him since Unicoi Gap when he went into Helen with LoJack. After lunch I did another 3.6 miles and camped at Locust Creek Gap with seven other people, including Copernicus, Snickers, and a guy from Tasmania.