morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-12-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

MACK (formerly Macchaeus) IS GOING TO ATTEMPT A THRU HIKE THIS YEAR AND I WILL BE SECTON HIKING WITH HIM ALONG THE WAY. I WILL BE WITH HIM WHEN HE LEAVES SPRINGER IN MID MARCH. MANY OF YOU MAY REMEMBER MACK AS MACCHAEUS IN 2004(his journal is in the 2004 AT hike section). MACK AND HIS HIKING PARTNER CHARLIE THE TUNA STARTED OUT FROM KATAHDIN IN MAY 2004 HEADING SOUTH. MACK MADE 270+/- MILES, ALMOST COMPLETING THE STATE OF MAINE WHEN HIS KNEES BECAME SEVERELY INFLAMED AND HE HAD TO COME OFF THE TRAIL. CHARLIE THE TUNA WENT ON TO COMPLETE HIS THRU HIKE IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO THE ORTHOPEDIC DOC AND MONTHS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY, HIS DOC AND THERAPIST HAVE GIVEN MACK THE OKAY (and some strong anti-inflammatory drugs, just in case) TO MAKE ANOTHER ATTEMPT. MACK HAS DECIDED TO BEGIN WITH A NEW START, INCLUDING A NEW TRAIL NAME, WHICH HE HAS NOT DECIDED UPON YET. HE SAYS HE WILL LET THE TRAIL PROVIDE THAT FOR HIM AFTER HIS HIKE BEGINS. MY TRAIL NAME IS HIS SUNHINE(MACK'S SUNSHINE). HE GAVE ME THIS NAME BECAUSE HE ALWAYS SINGS ME THE SONG "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE". SWEET HUH? MACK IS 61YRS OLD AND I AM 41YRS OLD. WE LIVE IN HOLLY SPRINGS NC. OUR EMPLOYMENT HISTORY INVOLVES MANY YEARS OF WORK IN WATER QUALITY. MACK RETIRED IN 2004.
Date: 2004-12-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

TODAY IS OUR 15-YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY. WE HAD A WONDERFUL EVENING TOGETHER AND OF COURSE, THE AT WAS PART OF OUR CONVERSATION TONIGHT. WE ARE STILL PLANNING TO LEAVE IN MID MARCH FROM SPRINGER. MACK IS STILL FIGHTING A BATTLE IN HIS MIND OF DISCOURAGEMENT- A RESIDUAL FROM HIS THRU HIKE ATTEMPT THIS YEAR. I KEEP TELLING HIM THAT INJURIES CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE ON THE TRAIL AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE PEOPLE TO HAVE TO END THEIR HIKE. BUT THE TRAIL IS STILL THERE, CALLING YOU BACK TO TRY AGAIN. I KNOW HE WILL BE SUCCESSFUL THIS YEAR. I AM PRAYING FOR THAT. WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE SPENT 15 YEARS OF MARRAIGE TOGETHER, AND HIKING TOGETHER IS ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PASTIMES- ESPECIALLY ON THE AT! HIS SUNSHINE
Date: 2004-12-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

TONIGHT WE WENT TO REI TO INVESTIGATE SOME ULTRA LIGHT GEAR. WE MET A 2004 THRU HIKER NAMED "ICE COLD". HE STARTED OUT FROM SPRINGER IN JANUARY 2004 AND MADE IT TO KATAHDIN! HE WORKS AT REI AND SAID HE MET MACK'S HIKING PARTNER "CHARLIE THE TUNA". VERY NICE GUY. MACK IS HOPING TO REDUCE HIS PACK WEIGHT SIGNIFICANTLY BY GETTING A LIGHTER TENT, LIGHTER SLEEPING BAG, AND MAYBE GOING WITH BLEACH TO DISINFECT WATER INSTEAD OF THE HEAVIER WATER FILTER HE ALREADY HAS. "ICE COLD" TOLD HIM HE MIGHT WANT TO TRY A LIGHTER PACK. RIGHT NOW HE HAS A GREGORY PALISADES(VERY GOOD PACK), BUT IT WEIGHS ALMOST 7-POUNDS. I BOUGHT A GREGORY DEVA- I REALLY LIKE IT. WITH MACKS HISTORY OF KNEE PROBLEMS, IT IS VITAL THAT HE GET THE PACK WEIGHT DOWN. HE ALSO IS GOING TO DROP HIS MSR WHISPERLIGHT STOVE A GO WITH A HOME MADE PEPSI-CAN STOVE. EVERY LITTLE BIT WILL ADD UP! I PERSONALLY WOULD LIKE TO SEE HIM GET HIS WEIGHT TO AROUND 40 POUNDS. I AM HOPING THE WEATHER WILL BE GOOD (EARLY SPRING WEATHER) SO WE CAN LEAVE AROUND THE FIRST PART OF MARCH, THAT WAY MACK WILL BE HOME THE END OF AUGUST/FIRST PART OF SEPTEMBER. I AM A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT CLIMBING KATAHDIN AFTER MID-SEPTEMBER. WE WOULD APPRECIATE PRAYER FOR A SUCCESSFUL HIKE! GOD SPEED! HIS SUNSHINEPS- MACK GAVE ME A GOLD "SUNSHINE" CHARM PENDANT FOR MY ANNIVERSARY GIFT!
Date: 2005-01-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

WE WENT FOR A DAY HIKE TODAY AT RAVEN ROCK STATE PARK. WE BOTH CARRIED OUR PACKS WITH THE APPROXIMATE WEIGHT IN EACH PACK THAT WE THINK WE WILL BE CARRYING WHEN WE LEAVE SPRINGER. YESTERDAY WE TRIED TO PACK OUR PACKS AS IF WE WERE LEAVING TOMORROW TO TRY TO GET AS CLOSE AS WE COULD TO THE ACTUAL WEIGHTS. MACK'S PACK WAS AROUND 45LBS AND MINE WAS AROUND 32LBS. WE WENT TO REI THIS MORNING AND LOOKED AT SLEEPING BAGS AND TENTS. MACK HOPES TO DEMINISH HIS WEIGHT BY MAYBE 3TO 5 MORE POUNDS BY GETTING A LIGHTER TENT AND SLEEPING BAG. OUR HIKE TODAY WAS GREAT- 70 DEGREES ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY. MACK'S KNEES DID NOT BOTHER HIM EITHER. WE PRAISE THE LORD FOR THAT! WE ARE STILL PLANNING TO LEAVE ON MAYBE THE 11TH OR 12TH OF MARCH. WE PRAY THAT THE WEATHER WILL BE PERMITTING. MACK AND HIS SUNSHINE
Date: 2005-01-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

ON JANUARY 20TH THE WEATHER FORECAST WAS FOR SNOW/RAIN AND AROUND FREEZING TEMPERATURES. WE JUST BOUGHT A BIG AGNES SEEDHOUSE1 SL TENT AND WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A PERFECT EVENING TO TRY IT OUT! (BACKYARD) THE SEEDHOUSE 1 SL WEIGHS IN AT 2LBS AND 14 OZ. THE SPECS SAYS IT SLEEPS 1 BUT MACK AND I ARE BOTH SMALL AND WE FIT COMFORTABLY IN IT. THE TENT IS A FREE-STANDER AND REALLY DOES WEIGH LESS THAN THREE LBS WITH THE RAIN FLY AND FOOTPRINT INCLUDED (WE CHECKED). WE PITCHED THE TENT AND CRAWLED IN ABOUT 11:30PM, AND SLEPT GOOD UNTIL 07:00 THE NEXT MORNING. NO SNOW THOUGH, JUST RAIN ALL NIGHT. WE WOKE UP DRY, BUT CONDENSATION HAD FORMED ON THE INSIDE OF THE RAIN FLY LIKE ON SO MANY OTHER TENTS (WE WERE HOPING THAT THIS TENT WOULD BE DIFFERENT) THE CONDENSATION WAS NOT INTOLERABLE, IT WASN'T DRIPPING DOWN ON US OR ANYTHING, IT WOULD JUST MAKE FOR A DAMP TENT PACK UP ON A TRAIL MORNING. MACK HAS A REI HALF DOME 2 TENT THAT IS VENTED AT THE TOP ON THE RAIN FLY AND HE HAS NEVER HAD A CONDENSATION PROBLEM WITH IT. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT TENT IS THAT IT WEIGHS ALMOST 6 LBS. WHY THESE SOLO TENT MANUFACTURERS CAN'T DUPLICATE THAT DESIGN FOR THE SMALLER TENTS I DON'T KNOW. RIGHT NOW WE WILL STICK WITH THE SEEDHOUSE 1 SL BECAUSE OF THE WEIGHT AND WE BOTH FIT IN IT. IT SEEMS TO BE A GOOD LITTLE TENT, EASY TO SET UP TOO. ANYONE WITH ANY INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!! MACK IS STILL LOOKING AT LIGHTER SLEEPING BAGS, AND WE HAVE A FEW MORE ITEMS TO GET TOGETHER. MID-MARCH IS MOVING EVER CLOSER AND WE ARE STILL PRAYING FOR GOD'S BLESSING ON OUR VENTURE.
Date: 2005-02-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

MACK PURCHASED A MARMONT HYDROGEN 30 DEGREE SLEEPING BAG LAST WEEK. IT ONLY WEIGHS 1LB 5OZS. HE THINKS THAT WITH ENOUGH CLOTHING ON INSIDE THE BAG HE WILL STAY WARM ON VERY COLD NIGHTS, WE HOPE SO ANYWAY. WE HAVE DECIDED ON SOME MAIL DROP LOCATIONS AND ARE ABOUT TO START PACKING UP FOOD BOXES. WE WILL PROBABLY MAIL A COUPLE OURSELVES BEFORE WE LEAVE AND MY MOM WILL BE MAILING THE REST. WE ARE GETTING EXCITED ABOUT GOING, BUT WE SURE HOPE THE WEATHER WILL BE GOOD. MY MOM IS GOING TO BABYSIT OUR CAT WHILE WE HIKE (THANKS MOM). I WILL REALLY MISS MY CAT- SHE IS MY PRIDE AND JOY! WE REALLY HOPE AND PRAY THAT ALL WILL BE WELL FOR THIS JOURNEY.
Date: 2005-02-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

WELL, THIS IS MY FIRST REAL ENTRY. MY SUNSHINE HAS BEEN MAKEING A FEW ENTRYS FOR US AS WE PLAN FOR OUR HIKE. I HAVE TURNED OUR NED BED ROOM INTO A STAGEING AREA TODAY. LAYING OUT SOME ITEMS FOR OUR TRIP. LOOKING AT BOTH TENTS, THE REI SURE LOOKS MORE COMFORTABLE FOR TWO PEOPLE, BUT IS ABOUT 3 LB. HEAVER THAN THE BIG AGNUS. THE PEPSI CAN STOVE WILL BE OUR STOVE OF CHOICE THIS TIME MUCH LIGHTER AND EASLY REPLACED IF DAMAGED SINCE MY GOOD FRIEND GENE MADE ME A FEW EXTRY ONES. LOOKING FORWARD TO STARTING. OUR FRIEND RALPH AND ANN WILL CARRY US TO GA. AND DUMP US OFF AT THE PARK FOR OUR START UP THE APPROCH TRAIL. (I BET YOU CAN TELL THAT THIS ENTRY IS NOT BY MY SUNSHINE EVEN IF I DIDN'T TELL YOU, JUST BECAUSE OF MY SPELLING). LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING SOME OF YOU ON THE TRAIL. LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE KNOWN AS THE MARCH CO. SEE YOU THERE.MACK AND HIS SUNSHINE
Date: 2005-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

MARCH 11TH IS ALMOST HERE. WE WILL BE LEAVING FOR GEORGIA ON MARCH 10TH, ARRIVING TO SPEND THE NIGHT IN DAHLONEGA. A VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MACK'S IS GOING TO BE KIND ENOUGH TO SHUTTLE US IN TO DAHLONEGA AND CARRY US TO AMICALOLA FALLS AROUND 0700 ON MARCH 11TH (THANKS RALPH AND ANNE). WE HOPE TO BE STARTING THE APPROACH TRAIL BY NO LATER THAN 0800. WE ARE PRAYING FOR GOOD WEATHER. WE HAVE PACKED SEVERAL FOOD DROP BOXES ALREADY- MOM WILL BE MAILING THEM TO US. WE ARE STILL TRYING TO KEEP OUR PACK WEIGHTS DOWN. MY PACK IS AT ABOUT 33 LBS AT LAST WEIGHING, I WOULD LIKE TO GET IT DOWN TO 30LBS. MACK'S PACK IS AT AROUND 43LBS, I REALLY DON'T WANT HIM TO GO ANY HEAVIER WITH HIS HISTORY OF KNEE INFLAMMATION. WE HOPE TO BEAT ALL OF OUR FELLOW HIKERS TO THE SHELTERS AND NOT HAVE TO TENT CAMP IF POSSIBLE, BUT IF NOT, THE BIG AGNES SEEDHOUSE1-SL WILL SUFFICE! I AM AT PEACE WITH THIS JOURNEY AND I PRAY FOR GOD'S BLESSING ON EVERY STEP WE TAKE. I WANT TO APPRECIATE ALL THE BLESSINGS GOD HAS GIVEN US IN THE NATURAL WORLD. I WANT TO HAVE UNDISTRACTED FELLOWSHIP WITH MY LORD AND USE THIS HIKE AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RENEW AND STRENGTHEN MY LOVE FOR JESUS. MAY GOD HELP ME TO SHARE HIS LOVE WITH OTHERS. THANKS MOM FOR TAKING CARE OF ALLISON. THANKS CECIL, KAY, STEPHEN AND PHYLLIS FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE FOR ME TO DO. I WILL BE THINKING OF ALL OF YOU AND PRAYING FOR YOU. I LOVE YOU ALL!! KEEP IN TOUCH HERE AS WE WILL BE UPDATING WHEN WE GO INTO TOWN. IF YOU NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH US OR YOU JUST WANT TO SAY "HI", SIGN OUR GUEST BOOK ON THIS WEB SIGHT. WELL, I GUESS THIS WILL BE OUR LAST ENTRY BEFORE WE LEAVE. PLEASE KEEP US IN YOUR PRAYERS, FOR WITHOUT GOD WE CAN DO NOTHING.GOD IS GOOD, ALL THE TIME, HE PUTS A SONG OF PRAISE IN THIS HEART OF MINE-GOD IS GOOD, HE IS SO GOOD, ALL THE TIME.MACK AND HIS SUNSHINE
Date: 2005-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I WANT TO REPLY TO THE FRIEND WHO SIGNED OUR GUEST BOOK TODAY. I AGREE THAT USING "ALL CAPS" CAN SEEM EXTREME TO SOME WHO READ OUR JOURNAL, BUT THERE IS A REASON FOR IT. WE HAVE A PERSON WHO IS FOLLOWING OUR JOURNAL WHO HAS A VISUAL IMPAIRMENT- "ALL CAPS" IS EASIER FOR THIS PERSON TO READ SO WE ARE DOING IT FOR THEM. THANK YOU FOR FOLLOWING OUR JOURNAL- I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP IN TOUCH. ARE YOU A HIKER? MAYBE WE WILL MEET YOU ON THE TRAIL. GOD BLESS YOU!
Date: 2005-03-09
From: home

To: amicalola falls state park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

TOMORROW WE LEAVE FOR AMICALOLA FALLS STATE PARK. WE ARE VERY EXCITED AND YET APPREHENSIVE BECAUSE OF ALL THE BAD WEATHER STORIES WE HAVE BEEN SEEING FORM HIKERS THAT ARE ALREADY ON THE TRAIL. THE WEATHER FORECAST CHANGES SO MUCH FROM DAY TO DAY SO ANY LONG RANGE FORECASTS ARE NOT TOO RELIABLE. WE WILL JUST KEEP PRAYING FOR GOOD WEATHER AND HOPE FOR THE BEST. MACK'S PACK IS EIGHING IN AT 43LBS AND MINE IS AT 33LBS. WE ARE SATISIFIED WITH THAT. MACK TESTED OUR WATER FILTER AT 20:15 TONIGHT AND FOUND IT TO BE FAULTY. HE HAD TO RUN OUT TO REI AT 20:30 TO GET A REPLACEMENT (I WILL TAKE NO CHANCES WITH THE WATER BORNE NASTIES). I TOOK ALLISON (MY CAT) TO MOMS TODAY- MOM LOADED ME UP WITH CALORIES AND HER GOOD HOME COOKING( THANKS AGAIN MOM). MAY GOD BLESS OUR TREK, I KNOW HE WILL BE WITH US ALL THE WAY.GOD IS GOOD , ALL THE TIME, HE PUTS A SONG OF PRAISE IN THIS HEART OF MINE- GOD IS GOOD, HE IS SO GOOD , ALL THE TIME.
Date: 2005-03-11
From: amicalola falls state park

To: stover creek shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

RALPH AND ANN DROPPED US OFF ON THE APPROACH TRAIL AROUND 0800. WE REGISTERED AT THE AMICALOLA VISITORS CENTER AND THE PARK ATTENDANTS TOOK OUR PICTURE. WE STARTED HIKING AROUND 0815. BEAUTIFUL DAY- THE WEATHER PRESENTED US WITH A TASTE OF IT ALL SUN,CLOUDS, VERY HIGH WINDS, SNOW FLURRIES AND A TEMPERATURE OF 45F. THE SUN IS SHINING AND IT'S SNOW FLURRYING AT PRESENT. WE REACHED SPRINGER AROUND 1230, STOPPED FOR SOME PICTURES AND MOVED ON QUICKLEY (COLD WIND). WE MET CUTHBERT FROM SAVANNAH GA, TIM FROM OHIO, AND THE ALASKA BOYS. WE ARE ALL STAYING AT THE STOVER CREEK SHELTER TONIGHT. TIM AND THE ALASKA BOYS ARE TENTING. ME MACK AND CUTHBERT ARE STAYING IN THE SHELTER. IT IS COLD!!MACK AND CUTHBERT ARE TRYING TO LIGHT A FIRE-NO SUCCESS YET. EVERYTHING IS VERY DAMP FROM LAST WEEK'S SNOW. SNOW IS STILL ON THE GROUND ON THE NORTH FACE IN PATCHES. WE WILL HAVE DINNER SHORTLY AND TRY TO GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP. 11.3 MILES TODAY- WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET TO GOOCH GAP SHELTER TOMORROW. THAT WILL BE ALMOST 14 MILES SO WE NEED TO GET AN EARLY START. MAY GOD BLESS US WITH GOOD WEATHER AND A SAFE HIKE. PRAISE THE LORD- I THINK MACK AND CUTHBERT GOT THE FIRE GOING! WE HAVE ALSO JUST BEEN JOINED BY JAY FORM MASSACHUSETS AND PAT AND CAT- JEN AND ALLY ALSO CAME AND IN AND OFFERED SOME ASSISTANCE WITH FIRE STARTING.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: stover creek shelter

To: GOOCH GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

AFTER A NIGHT OF HOWLING WIND AND CUTHBERT'S SNORING, WE WERE ALL UP AROUND 0700 AND ON OUR WAY AROUND 0815. THE ALASKA BOYS AND JEN & ALLY WERE STILL SLEEPING IN. TIM FROM OHIO WAS THE FIRST TO LEAVE. WE ALL TAKE BREAKS AT DIFFERENT TIMES SO SOME WOULD PASS US WHILE WE WERE ON BREAK AND THEN WE WOULD PASS THEM WHILE THEY WERE ON BREAK. OUR DESTINATION WAS GOOCH GAP SHELTER. WE PASSED CUTHBERT FOR THE LAST TIME RIGHT BEFORE CLIMBING SASAFRASS MT., HE WAS SWEATING HEAVILY AND SAYING SOMETHING ABOUT HATING THE "UPHILLS". WE NEVER SAW HIM AGAIN. PAT AND CAT WE NEVER SAW AGAIN AFTER SASAFRASS MT. THAT WAS A TOUGH CLIMB. WE STOPPED FOR WATER AT JUSTUS CREEK- WE WERE HURTING AFTER HIKING FOR ABOUT 11 MILES AT THAT POINT WITH MORE TO GO. WE REACHED GOOCH GAP SHELTER AROUND 17:00. NOT TOO CROWDED. JAY FROM MASSACHUSETS WAS THERE ALREADY. SEVERAL PEOPLE WERE TENTING WITH ME MACK, AND A FEW OTHERS STAYING IN THE SHELTER. IT'S A NICE ONE- ONLY THREE SIDES BUT A DOUBLE DECKER WITH AN OUTDOOR COOKING AREA. SOME OF THE PEOPLE HAVE A CAMPFIRE GOING- IT'S BEAUTIFUL. I CAN ONLY PONDER THE BEAUTIFUL DAY THAT GOD HAS BLESSED US WITH. NOT AS COLD TONIGHT EITHER, OR AS WINDY. NO CELL PHONE SERVICE SO WE HOPE ALL IS WELL. TOMORROW WE HEAD FOR WOOD'S HOLE SHELTER. WE DID 12.4 AND WE ARE TIRED. TURNING IN EARLY TONIGHT. GOD IS GOOD.
Date: 2005-03-13
From: GOOCH GAP SHELTER

To: WOOD'S HOLE SHELTER
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

WE LEFT GOOCH GAP SHELTER AROUND 0815. GOOD WALK TODAY. WE MADE 12.4 MILES. MACK HAS A COUPLE OF BLISTERS AND I HAVE A BLISTER ON MY HIP FROM WHERE MY PACK SITS. OH WELL, BLISTERS ARE THE ONE THING EVERYONE HAS IN COMMON OUT HERE. WE MADE IT TO WOOD'S HOLE SHELTER AROUND 1700. WE FILTERED H2O, COOKED DINNER, TOOK A MUCH NEEDED MAKESHIFT BATH, AND NOW WE ARE ALL JUST CHILLING OUT. MARY MET US WITH A SMILE WHEN WE GOT HERE. WE WERE SOON JOINED BY MARK AND ANDY. WE ALL HAD DINNER. MACK AND I HAD TACO RICE WITH SALMON, YUM, YUM! THERE IS ALSO A YOUNG COUPLE CAMPING OUTSIDE. LIFE IS GOOD. WE ACHE AND HURT BUT ALL IS WELL. WE ARE GOING TO NEELS GAP TOMORROW- SHOWER, WASH CLOTHES, EAT REAL FOOD- OH BOY!! WE HEARD THUNDER A WHILE AGO, I HOPE THAT'S THE END OF IT. NO BEARS YET (THANK GOD). GOD IS GOOD.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: WOOD'S HOLE SHELTER

To: NEELS GAP
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

TERRIBLE THUNDERSTORMS LAST NIGHT- HAIL, WIND, AND HEAVY RAIN. THE YOUNG COUPLE CAMPING OUTSIDE GOT WET, AND THEY HAD A SLIGHT BEAR ENCOUNTER. I AWOKE SEVERAL TIMES DURING THE NIGHT DUE TO THE VIOLENT WEATHER AND MY FIRST AQUAINTANCE WITH SHELTER MICE. 3 RAN ACROSS ME DURING THE NIGHT. I AWOKE MACK TO TELL HIM ABOUT IT AND HE ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO GO OUT IN THE STORM AND PITCH THE TENT BECAUSE THAT WAS MY ONLY OPTION. THE SOUNDS OF THE STORM AND SOMETHING BIGGER THAN A MOUSE ROAMING AROUND OUTSIDE THE SHELTER MADE ME DECIDE TO STAY PUT WITH THE MICE. I ZIPPED MYSELF UP TIGHT IN MY MUMMY SLEPPING BAG WITH ONLY MY NOSE STICKING OUT. THIS WAS ONLY A PRELUDE OF THINGS TO COME CONCERNIG SHELTER MICE (LITTLE DID I KNOW). WE AWOKE TO NO RAIN BUT HEAVY FOG AND STARTED HIKING UP BLOOD MT. BY 0900. WE HAD TO STOP AND FILTER WATER FIRST THING. WE SUMMITED AROUND 1100 (TIM FROM OHIO WAS ALREADY THERE) AND GOT DOWN TO NEELS GAP AROUND 1230. WE GOT A SHUTTLE RIDE INTO BLAIRSVILLE AND ARE STAYING AT THE SEASON'S INN. WE WENT AND WASHED OUR CLOTHES, ATE TWICE (HOT DOGS,SALAD,HASH BROWNS, AND TWO LARGE PIZZAS) AND I AM STILL HUNGRY. WE TOOK LONG SHOWERS, PUT ON CLEAN CLOTHES AND ARE REGROUPING FOR TOMORROW. I FORGOT TO SAY THAT WE WALKED DOWN TO THE LIABRARY TO ENTER THIS DATA ON THE JOURNAL AND IT WAS CLOSED ON MONDAY. WE ARE SORRY BUT INTERNET ACCESS IS VERY LIMITED. OUR RIDE IS COMING BACK FOR US AT 0700. WE HOPE TO BE BACK HIKING BY 0800. OUR GOAL IS TO REACH LOW GAP SHELTER BEFORE THE RAIN SETS IN. RAIN IS IN THE FORECAST FOR THE REST OF THE WEEK. THAT WILL CUT DOWN ON OUR ABILITYTO MAKE AS MANY MILES. RAIN CAN MAKE FOR DANGEROUS HIKING. WE HAVE HAD NO PROBLEMS SO FAR. MACK HAS 3 SMALL BLISTERS ON HIS FEET BUT NO KNEE PROBLEMS. I HAVE ONE BLISTER AND A BRUISE ON MY KNEE AND ANKLE- I DON'T REMEMBER THE INCIDENT THAT PUT THEM THERE, I HAVE NOT FALLEN. BUT BRUISES AND BLISTERS HAVE NOT STOPPED US SO FAR. SO FAR WE ARE RIGHT ON SCHEDULE. OH WELL, WE ARE GOING TO SIT BACK AND SOAK UP THIS CIVILIZATION. OUR NEXT TASTE OF IT WILL NOT COME UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK WHEN WE GO INTO HIAWASEE GA. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: NEELS GAP

To: LOW GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

FRED PICKED US UP AT 0645 THIS MORNING. WE STARTED BACK HIKING AROUND 0730. WONDERFUL HIKE TODAY. WE STARTED OUT FROM NEELS GAP WITH SLEET AND SNOW FLURRIES. AS THE DAY PROGRESSED THE SUN CAME OUT AND THE TEMP WAS 52F. THE TERRAIN WAS GREAT AND WE MET OUR FIRST TRAIL ANGELS TODAY. BRUCE AND MYRTLE- A COUPLEFORM FORSYTHE GA WERE AT HOGPEN GAP WHERE 348 AND THE AT INTERSECT. THEY HAD A SMALL SHELTER SET UP WITH ALL KINDS OF GOODIES TO GIVE TO HIKERS! LITTLE DEBBIE SNACKS, PECAN TWIRLS, BANANAS,OATMEAL COOKIES, SODAS, ETC. BRUCE IS A FORMER THRU HIKER-GOD BLESS THEM BOTH! WE HAD A LONG HIKE TODAY. MACK IS FEELING HIS BLISTERS AND MY BRUISED ANKLE IS HURTING AGAIN. IT FELT GREAT THIS MORNING BUT AFTER ABOUT 8 HOURS THE PAIN CAME BACK. THE CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM MY BOOT AND THE POUNDING ON ROCKS STARTED AGGRAVATING IT I GUESS. WE GOT TO LOW GAP SHELTER AROUND 1430-THE FIRST ONES HERE. WE THOUGHT ABOUT MOVING ON BUT THE NEXT SHELTER IS ABOUT 7.2 MILES FROM HERE. WE CAME IN , GOT CLEANED UP, STARTED A FIRE AND STARTED THINKING ABOUT "DINNER". WE WERE SOON JOINED BY MORE HIKERS (BEAR TRACKS,SUBMAN, RAINBOW-N-SPARTICUS,McNUGGET, WASABI, AND DAVID). WE ARE ALL WALL TO WALL PACKED IN THIS SHELTER TONIGHT BECAUSE OF THE RAIN IN THE FORECAST. DAVID INSISTED ON TENTING IN SPITE OF IT ALL BECAUSE HE "LOVES HIS TENT". DAVID IS A REAL CHARACTER BUT WE LOVE HIM- HE REALLY BRIGHTENS UP THE GROUP WITH HIS PRESENCE.IN 2000 THERE IS A PUBLISHED BEAR INCIDENT IN THIS SHELTER. OH WELL, MAYBE THERE IS SAFETY IN NUMBERS. WE ALL JUST CAME IN TO BED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT. I THINK MACK AND I ARE GOING TO BLUE MT SHELTER TOMORROW, IT'S ONLY 7.2 MILES BUT THE FORECAST IS NOT GOOD. WEATHER PERMITTING WE MIGHT PUSH AHEAD TO TRAY MT. WE HEARD THAT BLUE MT SHELTER HAS A HISTORY OF BEING VERY COLD. ALL DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER AND SORE FEET/ANKLES. EVERYONE IN HERE TONIGHT HAS BLISTERS, AND RAINBOW'S KNEES ARE SWELLING. MAY GOD HEAL US ALL. GOODNIGHT AND PRAISE GOD FOR HE IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. OH, AND BY THE WAY, McNUGGET OFFICIALLY GAVE MACK A TRAIL NAME: LUMBERMACK! MACK KEPT THE CAMPFIRE GOING, DRAGGING UP LOGS THE SIZE OF TREES. BEFORE YOU KNOW IT THEY WERE ALL CALLING HIM LUMBERMACK. WE SHALL SEE IF IT STICKS.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: NEELS GAP

To: LOW GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

FRED PICKED US UP AT 0645 THIS MORNING. WE STARTED BACK HIKING AROUND 0730. WONDERFUL HIKE TODAY. WE STARTED OUT FROM NEELS GAP WITH SLEET AND SNOW FLURRIES. AS THE DAY PROGRESSED THE SUN CAME OUT AND THE TEMP WAS 52F. THE TERRAIN WAS GREAT AND WE MET OUR FIRST TRAIL ANGELS TODAY. BRUCE AND MYRTLE- A COUPLEFORM FORSYTHE GA WERE AT HOGPEN GAP WHERE 348 AND THE AT INTERSECT. THEY HAD A SMALL SHELTER SET UP WITH ALL KINDS OF GOODIES TO GIVE TO HIKERS! LITTLE DEBBIE SNACKS, PECAN TWIRLS, BANANAS,OATMEAL COOKIES, SODAS, ETC. BRUCE IS A FORMER THRU HIKER-GOD BLESS THEM BOTH! WE HAD A LONG HIKE TODAY. MACK IS FEELING HIS BLISTERS AND MY BRUISED ANKLE IS HURTING AGAIN. IT FELT GREAT THIS MORNING BUT AFTER ABOUT 8 HOURS THE PAIN CAME BACK. THE CONSTANT PRESSURE FROM MY BOOT AND THE POUNDING ON ROCKS STARTED AGGRAVATING IT I GUESS. WE GOT TO LOW GAP SHELTER AROUND 1430-THE FIRST ONES HERE. WE THOUGHT ABOUT MOVING ON BUT THE NEXT SHELTER IS ABOUT 7.2 MILES FROM HERE. WE CAME IN , GOT CLEANED UP, STARTED A FIRE AND STARTED THINKING ABOUT "DINNER". WE WERE SONN JOINED BY MORE HIKERS (BEAR TRACKS,SUBMAN, RAINBOW-N-SPARTICUS,McNUGGET, WASABI, AND DAVID). WE ARE ALL WALL TO WALL PACKED IN THIS SHELTER TONIGHT BECAUSE OF THE RAIN IN THE FORECAST. DAVID INSISTED ON TENTING IN SPITE OF IT ALL BECAUSE HE "LOVES HIS TENT". DAVID IS A REAL CHARACTER BUT WE LOVE HIM- HE REALLY BRIGHTENS UP THE GROUP WITH HIS PRESENCE.IN 2000 THERE IS A PUBLISHED BEAR INCIDENT IN THIS SHELTER. OH WELL, MAYBE THERE IS SAFETY IN NUMBERS. WE ALL JUST CAME IN TO BED DOWN FOR THE NIGHT. I THINK MACK AND I ARE GOING TO BLUE MT SHELTER TOMORROW, IT'S ONLY 7.2 MILES BUT THE FORECAST IS NOT GOOD. WEATHER PERMITTING WE MIGHT PUSH AHEAD TO TRAY MT. WE HEARD THAT BLUE MT SHELTER HAS A HISTORY OF BEING VERY COLD. ALL DEPENDS ON THE WEATHER AND SORE FETT/ANKLES. EVERYONE IN HERE TONIGHT HAS BLISTERS, AND RAINBOW'S KNEES ARE SWELLING. MAY GOD HEAL US ALL. GOODNIGHT AND PRAISE GOD FOR HE IS GOOD ALL THE TIME.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: LOW GAP SHELTER

To: BLUE MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

WE ALL GOT TO AN EARLY START. MACK AND I LEFT AROUND 0820. SLEET, SNOW FLURRIES AND SOME FREEZING RAIN. WINDY ALSO, JUST PLAIN MISERABLE WEATHER. WE KNOW THERE WILL BE DAYS LIKE THIS BUT ONE ALWAYS HOPE THERE WILL NOT BE. I WILL BE VERY APPRECIATIVE OF SPRING! WE ALL WOUND UP AT BLUE MT. SHELTER 7.2MILES LATER. DAVID WAS BRAVE AND MOVED ON TO TRAY MT, WASABI CALLED IT QUITS AND HIKED BACK TO NEELS GAP. ME, MACK, McNUGGET, BEAR TRACKS, VAPOR, SUB MAN, SPARTICUS-N-RAINBOW ARE ALL IN OUR SLEEPING BAGS ALREADY AT 1900. IT'S COLD. WE BUILT A FIRE, IT HELPED A LITTLE BUT NOT MUCH. IT WILL BE BELOW FREEZING TONIGHT- IT ALREADY IS. TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN ARE TENTING OUTSIDE, WE ALL HAVE HOPES OF A HIGHER MILEAGE DAY IF THE WEATHER BREAKS TOMORROW. WELL IF HYPOTHERMIA DOES NOT GET US WE WILL HAVE A COLD START IN THE MORNING. WE ARE WELL PREPARED AND GOD IS WITH US. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME. STEP BY STEP JESUS LEADS ME AND I WILL FOLLOW HIM ALL OF MY DAYS.PS SHELTER MICE CRAWLED ALL OVER ALL OF US ALL NIGHT, CAN YOU BELIEVE IT KAY STARLING? uuuuuuggggghhhhhh
Date: 2005-03-17
From: BLUE MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: 3 MILES NORTH OF TRAY MT SHELTER
Miles today: 10.9

WE AWOKE TO A VERY COLD MORNING AFTER BATTLING MICE ALL NIGHT. THE LITTLE VERMIN RAN ACROSS US ALL NIGHT. WHAT AN EXPERIENCE. 29F THIS MORNIG WITH SNOW AND ICE. WE SET OUT AT ABOUT 0855 WITH TRAY MT SHELTER AS OUR DESTINATION. THE SNOW WAS PRETTY STEADY ALL MORNING. WE CROSSED OVER TRAY MT WITH A FULL BLOWN BLIZZARD GOING ON. THE CONDITIONS WERE TRECHEROUS. THE SHELTER WAS LESS THAN A MILE DOWN THE NORTH SIDE OF THE SUMMIT. WE REACHED IT AROUND 1430. SPARTICUS, RAINBOW,McNUGGET AND ANOTHER HIKER NAMED TRAVIS WERE THERE ATTEMPTING TO START A FIRE. TIM FROM OHIO AND VITAMAN HAD JUST LEFT HEADING NORTH DOWN THE MOUNTAIN TO FIND A CAMP. THEY SAID THE CONDITIONS WERE TOO BAD. WE DECIDED TO DO THE SAME. WE PASSED THEIR CAMP ADN SET UP ABOUT 1 TO 2 MILES NORTH OF THEM. THE CONDITIONS WERE BETTER BUT IT WAS STILL SNOWING. WE ARE ALONE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE LEAVING SPRINGER. WE HAVE ABOUT 8 MILES TO GO TO GET TO DICKS CREEK GAP AND THEN WE ARE GOING IN TO HIAWASEE FOR THE NIGHT TO PICK UP A MAIL DROP, LAUNDRY,SHOWER AND EAT-EAT-EAT! WE PLAN TO LEAVE EARLY IN THE MORNING. I HOPE NO VARMINTS GET OUR FOOD TONIGHT. WE HAD TO MAKE OUR OWN BEAR CABLE TO HANG OUR FOOD ON TONIGHT. IT'S SNOWING AGAIN AND IT'S COLD (NOT AS COLD AS ON TRAY MT THOUGH). EVERY THING WAS BEATIFUL IN THE FRESH FALLEN SNOW- ONLY GOD COULD PAINT SO BEATIFUL A SIGHT. UH-OH, AN ANIMAL IS ROAMING AROUND OUTSIDE OF OUR TENT AS I WRITE. THIS COULD BE AN INTERESTING NIGHT. GOD IS GOOD ALL THE TIME AMEN