morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Amicalola Falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: broken clouds

The Journey BeginsI had a hard time sleeping last night since I was so excited. I was kinda surpirsed by that since I can sleep anywhere at anytime. Breakfast at the Hiker Hostel was top notch. I found out that the 84 year old was named cimiron and has recently thru hiked. It took him two years to complete and this year he is trying to complete it in one year. Old man drove us to Amicalola Falls State Park giving us good trail advice along the way. I signed the register as thru hiker number 267 and got myself ready to hike at the historic archway. I started the trail with ben, young and dumb, and kristin. We all posed for a picture together then stood around a while contemplating the adventure we were about to begin. It was a bit daunting looking at the sign that said Mt. Katahdin was over 2000 miles away.At 9am exacly we took our first steps onto the approach trail. It felt so good to get this trip started. All my hard work had finally paid off. The approach trail was pretty easy and I'm glad I hiked it. Ben, Kristin, and I ate lunch at black gap shelter then trucked it on up to springer. I couldn't keep a smile off of my face for the last mile. It felt great to hike up to Springer and i met a lot of nice people along the way.We posed for pictures and hung out, taking in the views then continued onto to Stover Creek Shelter. We walked 2.5m through an amazing stand of rhoedendron along the way, some of the biggest I have ever seen. There were 10 other people staying at stover creek shelter,but only 3 in the shelter. I stayed in my hammock near the shelter and had dinner with Ben, Kristin, and Sleeping Beauty. After we ate, Amtrack (a 2000 thru) showed up. He was spending a month on the AT to get in shape for the PCT, which he would start in April.My body feels great and my spirit even better. I know I made the right decision to come out here!! So every journal I am going to enter the stats below.(sorry for being dorky :-) I get the elevation data from my altimeter watch. Pain Factor is on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being helicoptered off the trail and 1 being no pain. Temp data is guessing and the alti is not acurate when weather systems are changing the pressure. Today's StatsStarting Point:Amicalola Falls Ending Point:Stover Creek ShelterMileage:11.3 (2.5 AT miles)Elevation Gain:3450ftElevation Loss:2220ftHiking Time:6:40Weather:60's light breeze, beautifulPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

SassafrasWoke up before dawn to a barred owl hooting along the creek. Ate breakfast and packed up my gear. I made sure Ben was awake then started walking as the sun started peaking over the mountain. Last night only got down to 53 so I ended up sleeping on top of my bag. My hammock underquilt keeps a lot of warmth in even without insulation above me. The walk over to Hawk mtn shelter was great, especially the first mile along stover creek. I followed a blue blaze to long creek falls and took some pictures. These falls reminded my of the cascading falls at ken's cabin in NY, but were about 4 times the size. Stopped at Hawk mtn and walked like 0.4 down the wrong trail to get water. I had to backtrack and then go down the correct trail to grab water. D'oh... Ate my fav lunch of tuna, mayo, relish, duck sauce, and curry powder. sooooo good, don't knock it till you try it. I kinda zoned out for the next 6 miles. Sasafrass mtn was the first climb that I thought was trying. On our way down to Jenkins Creek Sarah or Sandwich caught up with us. She hauled ass from Springer on her first day. We made it to Gooch shelter, but all the tent sites were already full and there were a lot of people in the shelter. I would estimate that about 20 people were there already with prob 10 more on the way. I expected crowds, but that was a little nuts so we pushed another mile to Gooch Gap campsites. There were like 20 people there too. This is crrazy!! We set up camp and I ate my cheesy chicken cous cous dinner which was delicious. I think I am getting the hiker hunger already which kinda scares me. I feel like I can shut down an AYCE buffet already. I think I'll dream of the clay oven, my fav Indian buffet tonight.My body still feels great with just standard muscle fatigue. I met a lot of people that were having a tough time today. Today's StatsStarting Point:Stover Creek ShelterEnding Point:Gooch Gap CampsiteMileage:13.8Elevation Gain:3760 ftElevation Loss:3850ftHiking Time:9:05Weather:High 60's Overcast during afternoonPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Gooch Gap Campsite

To: Blood Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy First Day of SpringI followed the same routine this morning as I did the day before. Here is my routine. I wake up at 630 and do about 45 min of yoga and meditation. Then I get back in my hammock and cook oatmeal and drink some yerba mate out of my gourd. Then I get my hiking clothes on and break camp. Next I wake up ben, put his food and water by his tent, and start hiking with the sunise. I took a break at woody gap, our first real road crossing. There I caught up to Kristin and met bill the pony, barbara, and aussie. I continued on from there and met mising link, a trail maintainer. We talked for a bit then I hiked to the next water source where I set up my hammock,took a nap, and waited for ben to show up. When ben got there I ate lunch then packed up and continued on. I think I am going to try and take hammock naps as often as possible. I feel so recharged after them. Blood mtn shelter was only another 5 miles so I pushed ahead. There is no water source on top of the mountain so I knew the crowds would be smaller. I also wanted to camp up there since Blood is the biggest mtn we have hiked over yet at 4461ft. I was right about the crowds and there were only 5 other people there. Bill the pony, Ben, Sleeping Beauty, Aaron, and Stephen. Sandwitch and Kristin cruised past and are prob at the hostel in Neals Gap now. You know I managed to find a nice hammock spot on the side of the mtn protected from the wind.Tomorrow, we will roll the 2m down the hill to neals gap. Catch a shower, eat PIZZA, shop in the outfitter, and push 6 to the whitley shelter. Our next town stop will be Hiawasse, GA on Monday where will will get to soak in a HOT TUB at either cloud 9 hostel or the holiday inn express.Body still feels good today. I'm dealing with a bit of chafing btwn the legs, but that is not enough to elevate the pain factor yet. Hopefully a shower will help that.Today's StatsStarting Point:Gooch Gap CampsiteEnding Point:Blood Mtn ShelterMileage:11.8Elevation Gain:3750ftElevation Loss:2100ftHiking Time:8:15Weather:Same as first 2 daysPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Blood Mountain Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Neals Gap GoodnessLast night on Blood Mountain was great until the clouds/fog rolled in. I was pressing my luck and didn't hang my tarp for the third night. Once the fog started to condensate on the rhody above me, I got rained on. My hammock, sleeping bag, and underquilt got wet. Luckily I stayed warm.I walked the 2.5 down the mountain to Neals Gap and spent some time in the outfitter there. I bought a marmot wet rib to replace my fanny pack and a granite gear stuff sack with a zipper down the length of the bag. I had been looking for that bag for a while. I also wanted to pick up a jet boil fuel can, but they were all out of them. I said, no worries, and started to pick out breakfast food that I didn't have to cook to save fuel. As I was about to pay, the UPS truck showed up with 4 boxes of fuel canisters. How's that for good luck.After I got my pack ready to roll I went back into the outfitter and cooked a frozen pizza which was delicious. For some reason I decided not to take a shower. I am kinda enjoying the stank. I will get a shower on sat night which means i will have went almost 7 days without. Awesome!!I hung out at Neals Gap for almost 3 hours socializing and drying out my gear. I said good bye to the Chi town boys and met a few other people. Ben and I left around 1230 and pushed on. The hills got a little tougher after neals gap.I had my first trail magic experience. At Testnatee Gap there were two adventure racer guys taking a break on their way to a race. They had the same watch as I did and were having a tough time figuring out how to use it. I showed them all the features and explained how the altimeter and the barometer were related. As payment they hooked me up with rice crispy treats!!I made it to Low Gap shelter and met Kristin, Weeks (05 thru), Step and a half, Sleeping Beauty, Aaron, Diesel, and and a few other people.Hung the hammock next to a stream without the tarp again, I'll never learn, but tonight is clear and I'm at a much lower elevation. My Body still feels good!!Today's StatsStarting Point:Blood Mtn ShelterEnding Point:Low Gap ShelterMileage:13.0Elevation Gain:3250ftElevation Loss:4750ft!!Hiking Time:9:23(3 hrs in NG)Weather:Overcast in the morning then beautifulPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Campsite
Miles today: 13.0

I'm Like the Dude, ManSo I finally met people today that knew where Hungus came from. When I said Hungus one guy was like "Oh, Karl Hungus in Logjammin". I definitely got a kick out of that.This morning I got walking around 8 and made it to Blue Mtn shelter at 11 where I had lunch. The rest of the day was super strenuous. After Blue the trail went down 1000ft to Unicoi gap then up 1000ft to rocky mountain then right back down 1000ft to Indian Grave Gap then up 500ft to the "cheese factory" campsite. I was pretty spent when I got there and took a nap from 3 till 5.At camp was osowito, trooper, kristin, north star, and ben. Diesel is trying to make it to hiawasse tomorrow by noon and aaron went ahead to tray.Yesterday at Neals Gap I met the "leki guy" and we talked for about 10 min on the proper use of the hiking poles. I put his suggestions into practice and man what a difference. On the up hills I shorten the poles and turn the shocks off. This allows me to pull myself up more. On the down hills I lengthen the poles and turn the shocks on so that I can take a load of my knees and keep my back straight. I also keep the straps tighter around my wrists so I don't have to grip the poles too hard. All of these tricks add up to a lot of saved energy.Tomorrow I am doing 9 miles to deep gap shelter, then sunday I am taking a "nero" 3.5m into Hiawasse. This way I can get to my bounce box on monday morning and rest a bit. My body feels good still, just have the standard hiking fatigue. I am starting to get THE HUNGER though. Can't wait to get to the AYCE on sunday.Today's StatsStarting Point:Low Gap ShelterEnding Point:Cheese Factory CampsiteMileage:13.0Elevation Gain:3520ftElevation Loss:3040ftHiking Time:7:14Weather:Not a cloud in the sky and high 60'sPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Cheese Factory Campsite

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Owl LovinLast night was the most awesome night on the AT so far. Trooper, Osowito, Earthquake(formerly ben), and I were sitting around a campfire when we heard a barred owl calling off to our right. This went on for about 2 min then we heard a loud screech from our left followed by the same "who cooks for you" call. It was the female returning his call. Then we heard a faint sound of wings flapping over our head and then the two owls started "talking" instead of calling to each other. The female flew over to meet the male and the two were calling through the night. What a sound to fall asleep to!!Since I was doing a short 9m day, I didn't start walking until 930. I could tell I needed a rest day because the mountains seemed tougher to climb today. During the day I met an 04 thru named karma. He was rockin the kilt too so we talked about how great they are for a while.I made it to Deep Gap Shelter around 3, set up my hammock and took a nap until 430. At the shelter was earthquake, karma, north star, osowito, trooper, step and a half, kids meal, and sleeping beauty. Def an awesome bunch to wind the day down with.An interesting new annoyance started today. BUGS!!! Any time you stop you got swarmed by flying termites that like to crawl in your ears, hair, nose, etc. I am getting good at tuning them out, but it is kinda hard when they fly into your eyes.Tomorrow we do a nero into Hiawasse where we will get clean, rest, and EAT our faces off. As i'm writing this at night in my hammock, more owls are hooting. Life is goood!!Today's StatsStarting Point:Cheese Factory CampsiteEnding Point:Deep Gap ShelterMileage:9.0Elevation Gain:2990ftElevation Loss:3130ftHiking Time:5:31Weather:beautiful, clear skiesPain Factor:2
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawasse Holiday Inn 
Miles today: 3.5

Woke up today with the sunrise and got ready to do the short day down the mountain to the road. Sleeping Beauty and I started out together and filled up our water bottles at the spring. We had quite an interesting conversation about religion and spirituality.We took our time hiking and Earthquake caught up to us. We got to the road and had our first hitchhiking experience. It only took us about 10 min to get a car to stop and take us the 11m into town. We had the two young guys drop us off at the huddle house for a huge breakfast.After we stuffed ourselves we checked into the holiday inn and took long hot glorious showers. Osowito met up with us and we borrowed bikes from the hotel and rode to the mexicn restaurant. Unfortunately we couldn't get beers since it was Sunday. booooo!! The food ws excellent though.After Mexican goodness we went to the ingles for our food resupply. I spent 45 min in that grocery store and felt like a kid in a candy store. I bought some fruit to eat during the first day on the trail. I got an avocado, tomato, and a hard roll for lunch and an orange for breakfast, plus other standard hiking food.We chilled in the hotel some more then hit up the all you can eat buffet. After that we went back to the hotel and spent an hour in the hot tub and the pool. This hiking stuff is tough...Today's StatsStarting Point:Deep Gap ShelterEnding Point:Hiawasse Holiday InnMileage:3.5Elevation Gain:750ftElevation Loss:1540ftHiking Time:1:57Weather:Record Highs 88Pain Factor:1
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Hiawasse Holiday Inn 

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Big MountainsIn the morning I ate the hotel breakfast which was pretty standard except for the cinnabuns, which were delicious. I picked up my bounce box at the post office and brought it back to the room. I charged all my batteries and restocked other used supplies. Ben and I also made a pile of things to be mailed home. I mostly just mailed home stuff that was in my bounce box that I thought were unnecessary. The only things I mailed home from my pack were the origami cup thing, my large knife (still have the one on my micro tool), and the portable mp3 player speakers.Earthquake, Scholar, and I left the hotel and took care of business at the post office. I sent my bounce box to the Hike Inn in Fontana. We walked to the edge of town and got a hitch after about 5 min from the owner of the Hiawassee Inn. I think he was upset we didn't stay with him, but he still drove us back to the trail.We were hiking by noon and it sure felt good to get back on the trail. As fun as it is to go town, I feel more comfortable and relaxed in the woods. Earthquake and I had lunch at the Plumorchard shelter with ninja, pete, and matt. I ate that avocado and tomato on a roll and it was by far the best trail lunch I've ever had!!After lunch we kept heading up the mountain towards North Carolina. The mountains get much more higher in elevation once you cross the border. Quake and I made it to the border marker around 5:15 and did a little celebration singing then moved on to bly gap. We were tempted to stay there since we knew trooper, scholar, north star, and waterfall, but we wanted to get some serious climbs out of he way while we were warmed up.We finished the climbing and made it to Muskrat Creek Shelter and met matterhorn, tom b, Lindsey, diesel, osowito, and the kids meal crew. I set up my hammock on the ridge near the shelter with the tarp this time. I don't want to have a repeat of blood mtn. I'll use the tarp every night when I'm above 4000ft from now on so I don't risk getting my down wet. The temps are def colder up here (prob in the 40's) and It feels good, because I sleep better in the cold. The shelter has an elevation of 4620.Today was a wonderful day! We entered a new state and we are starting to get to the higher elevations. My body is still holding up well and I'm lovin life!!Today's StatsStarting Point:Hiawasse Holiday InnEnding Point:Muskrat Ceek ShelterMileage:11.6Elevation Gain:4490ft!!Elevation Loss:2570ftHiking Time:6:43Weather:HOTT And SweatyPain Factor:1
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Standing IndianWoke up kinda late today, but no worries. I'm glad I hung the tarp because it was soaked with condensation when I woke up. That would have been my sleeping bag and hammock if I had been lazy again. I got walking around 930 and enjoyed the views down into the valleys.I eventually caught up to all of the people that had left before me and passed them. I guess my pace is kinda fast. I like hiking strong then taking long breaks. I heard a few grouse doing their mating call where they beat their chests. It sounds a bit like a lawnmower starting. I also heard barred owls calling during the day which was kinda odd.I took a short break before the climb up Standing Indian Mountain and Lindsey showed me these edible plants called ramps. They were delicious and tasted a bit like garlic. I made the climb up the mountain and had my lunch at 5500ft. The views from on top were breathtaking! Osowito caught up to me and we took a nice long break. The bugs were surprisingly bad and of the biting variety for the first time today.The trail after Standing Indian was very kind today. It gradually went down hill, but not steep enough to tweak my knees. I made it to Carter Gap shelter at 4, set up my hammock and tarp, and passed out until 5. All of the same people that were at the shelter last night were here tonight with the addition of scholar and mala. Mala is a bit of a legend with his black lab tucker. He is renowned for hooking hikers up with food at the various festivals. I pet tucker for about 10 min and got a little sad thinking of my dog Halley at home where she is probably sleeping in my bed.Speaking of festivals, I am on perfect track to walk into Franklin for the Hiker Fool Bash. There is supposed to be over 500 hikers there, both past and current, with free beer, food, and music. I have a feeling I'll be staying for both days of the festival, especially since we can tent in the town for free! Life is good...Today's StatsStarting Point:Muskrat Creek ShelterEnding Point:Carter Gap ShelterMileage:12.5Elevation Gain:2580ftElevation Loss:2530ftHiking Time:7:12Weather:Cool and PleasantPain Factor:3 (my right leg muscles (all of em) were aching at the end of the hike today)
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin Sapphire Inn
Miles today: 3.8

The Party Begins in FranklinWoke up and ate a banana for breakfast that I had packed out from trail magic. As soon as I finished breaking down my tarp it started to rain so I packed up pretty quickly and got all my stuff under the shelter and waited for earthquake.We walked the 3.8m to Winding Stair gap where the Chocolate Bandito was hanging out with some fresh fruit and fudge. We talked with her for a while until Ron Haven pulled up in his big yellow hiker school bus! He already had like 5 hikers in there and picked up about 10 more at the road crossing. It was a trip getting a ride out of the mountains to Franklin in a school bus. I felt like a little kid again!Ron drove us into town and dropped a majority of us off at the Sapphire Inn where I got a room for 2 nights. He was talking the whole time about how awesome the hiker fool bash is going to be and he got me pretty psyched, especially about the live music part. The room I got pretty much opened up into the roped off party section so I knew Friday night was going to be a little out of control.Earthquake, Diesel, and myself ate pulled pork (my FAV) sandwiches across the street at the Mountain Feast and had a delicious Red Hook IPA beer...the first of the trip! At 4 Ron showed up in his yellow school bus and shuttled hikers all around town. Ron is the MAN! He took us to the outfitters then to the grocery store and then I had him stop at this place called "off the vine" that had microbrew beers that were right up my alley. The owner let me mix and match six packs so I got 12 different delicious beers and 2 even more delicious sammy smiths. I knew I could drink em over the next two days! I had a smile a mile wide on my face walking out of that store.Around 7 we went to the all you can eat steak buffet which was sooo much better than the one in Hiawasse! After dinner we went back to the hotel and started partying. All the hikers were chillin outside their rooms drinkin and a lot of us ended up in my room when it got cold out. I think at one point there were 10 people in my room. Mala was hanging out with us for a while too! If we had that much fun the night before the festival even started, I can only imagine how fun Friday night will be! I am taking my first zero tomorrow and might take one on Saturday as well if the festival is rockin! Yahoo for Zeros!!Today's StatsStarting Point:Rock Gap ShelterEnding Point:Franklin Sapphire InnMileage:3.8Elevation Gain:690ftElevation Loss:830ftHiking Time:1:21Weather:Drizzle and coolPain Factor:2