morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-10-13
To: Back at home
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sad to say that this journey has come to an end.I climbed Katahdin, the northern terminus on October 7th.All in all I walked over 2000 miles in six months.Some realizations:I can't belive I walked that far. I could have driven there in two days!!!I realized that my favorite time to walk was the early evening, about 6 pm, when the light was getting softer, and I was tired, and I knew that I was almost done for the day. I felt satisfied at this time.I learned much less about wilderness survival than I thought. My fire making skills are those of an amateur.I learned much more about the value of people, the kindness of the human spirit, and the honesty of strangers.This was a beautiful experience that I will never forget. I wouldn't trade it for anything. I learned much more than I ever thought I would- about people, friendships, and myself.Thank you to all those who have helped me in my journey.I have added some more photos- from the end of the trip- from Mt. Greylock,Mass to Katahdin. I still have a bunch from the middle that I haven't put up yet but I will try to do it shortly.I shaved my beard yesterday. Its the first time I've been clean shaven since March. Readjusting has been weird. I went to the Redskins game on Sunday and didn't even watch the game. I was exhausted, and just watched some of the 90,000 people walk around, yell, curse, and smile and cheer. I couldn't understand how people got so worked up over a game. The speakers were booming, the band playing, and advertisements were everywhere. I stayed away from the $7 beers.Its a big change when you're used to seeing five people a day and only listening to the sounds of the natural world.And so I continue on with my life, in search of love, happiness, and further adventures.
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Let's see. It's August something and I've been off the trail since PA. I hitched to Louisiana to see a friend and then back to NC. Back to work as of last week. Enjoyed the trip and will be back out there next year. Hey Tex I got your guest entry but have no idea how to get ahold of you. My email is magickgb@email.com. Let me know how you are doing brother.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Hot Springs

To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, I finally made the time to add to my journal. I'm in Hot Springs. I made it through the Smokies in 4 days. Stayed at Spence(Tom, thanks for writing. I don't know how to get your e-mail, though.), Mount Collins, and Tri-Corner Knob Shelters. Hiked my biggest total yet, 25.6 miles, leaving the park and ended up at Groundhog Shelter. Took an easy 12 the next day and finished up with 15 by 11:30 this morning to get here. I'll probably hike out tonight as all of the rooms and hostels are taken. There is a campsite but I don't see why I should pay $10 for something I can do on the trail for $0. I saw a bear and her 2 cubs 2 miles after the Smokies. I was also attacked by a wild turkey by Charlie's Bunion. I had to beat it with my stick. Either it had a nest nearby or it was rabid. Good luck to everyone else on the trail. I will put another entry in Erwin.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Springer

To: Maine
Miles today: 339.9
Weather: moderate rain

Erwin,NC. Good hike from Hot Springs to here. Wonderful views on Big Bald. Made excellent mileage every day except I seem to be walking all day to do it. I can do 20 miles pretty easily now so why rush it. My hiking partner, Texas Kid, has pulled a muscle in his leg. He hitched a ride ahead to here to rest it. God bless him, he had breakfast ready when I came down the mountain today. I'm probably going to stay in town tonight to let him get another days rest. It will slow me down but the companionship is worth it. He'd give me the shirt off his back if I needed it. I'm going to be in Elk Park on Sunday and will probably stay a night there also. That will only be 60 miles in 5 days but hopefully Texas Kid will be better by then. Will be in Damascus by Thursday or Friday. Happy Hiking to everyone and thank you to all who haved helped along the way.
Date: 2004-06-22
From: georgia

To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Pearisburg,VA. Had a lot of good times over the last couple of days. Troutdale Baptist Hostel was amazing. Good people and good food. Met 4 weekenders from Virginia Tech at Dismal Falls. Played board games and ate burgers with them from Fri. night until Sat. at 5. Hiked to Wapiti Shelter and then to Wood's Hole Hostel in the morning. Stayed there all day. Tillie Wood is the greatest. Breakfast was great. Hiked to Holy Family Hostel Mon. morning(today) and will stay tonight. Having a great time if not doing the miles I originally intended. Did my math and need to average 15.something to finish by Oct.1. So still no need to sweat. Onto the trail tommorow. Don't really know where next library is but I can't wait to get to 4 Pines Hostel. Joe is a very gracious host. Happy Hiking!
Date: 2004-07-09
From: georgia

To: maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Stopped by Buena Vista this morning if for no other reason than to get out of the heat for a couple of hours. Great weather for views and sleeping the last week. No rain but lots of heat and bugs. I'm going to try to make it to Waynesboro on Sunday and take Monday off. I was going to try to do mad miles and catch Texas Kid but he's humming along. I hope he doesn't think I'm ahead of him or off the trail. Happy Hiking to all.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Springer

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Harpers Ferry. Yes! Got here at about 11:30 in the morning. A former thru-hiker from 99 was at the ATC. She wanted to take some hikers back to her house in Gaithersburg, MD. She hiked with her spouse under the names Husband and Wife. So I ran back down the trail to find Skittles and we went to their house. Shower, laundry, pizza, internet, phone, bed, breakfast and a ride back. We had a wonderful time and they were wonderful people. Sometimes I just don't know how we do it. Tough life, huh. Well, off to the next adventure. Happy Hiking.
Date: 2004-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's getting closer and closer! Dorothy and I only have 5 more days of school and then a work day and a day to prepare before we leave! We are going to drive to Clingman's Dome on Sat. (or at least get close) before we start hiking on Sun. We are only going about 3 or 4 miles that first day, so if we don't get all the way to Clingman's Dome, we can drive in and start hiking at mid day and still be all right. Since we are driving from central Texas (Georgetown) it will take us about 16 hours and we may not want to drive it all on Sat. Either way, we will be hiking on Sun.Last year was our 2nd year to be hiking and we got to Clingman's Dome before the constant rain did us in. If you want to find out a little more about us and last years hike we have a 2003 journal on this site. This year we will be starting where we left last year and going to Damascus. We actually started trying to get to Damascus in 2002. But we have found out that hiking is as much a mental exercise as it is a physical one. That first year we just weren't prepared for what we were getting into. This year, though, WE ARE GOING TO DAMASCUS! Well, I've got papers to grade and final to finish writing, so I'd better get back to it. More later.
Date: 2004-05-21
To: getting started
Miles today: 0.0

Last night I began to try to put together some sort of an idea of what we will be carrying for the first few days. I have already gotten our permits for the section through the Smokey's, so we know our itinerary for the first 4 or 5 days. We are starting at Clingman's Dome on Sun. and hiking only about 3.5 miles to the first shelter, Mt. Collins. From there it is about 7.5 miles to Icewater Springs shelter. That way we will start with 2 pretty easy days to get our legs back. In the last 2 years we have started right in with 10-12 mile days and by the 3rd or 4th day we are really tired. The third day we are going to get into Tri Corner Knob after a 10.5 mile day. after that another short day to Cosby Knob and then we leave the Smokey's the next day and will stay at either Mountain Mommas or Standing Bear. It will just depend on how far we want to go that day. From there it is only about 3 days to Hot Springs and our 1st "zero" day.Since we are required to follow our schedule through the Smokey's, we won't be tempted to put in too long of a day at first. I think this will help keep us from overdoing as we have in the last 2 years.As far as food, we will be eating the regular stuff - oatmeal, GORP, candy, mac and cheese, ramen, potato flakes, tuna, chicken, etc. We had planned to use a pepsi stove instead of our MSR Whisperlite, but suprisingly, it is lighter to carry the MSR because the extra weight in fuel for the pepsi stove makes it heavier! I was shocked. I guess the MSR is just that much more efficient. Oh well. Now it is off to the store to pick up the groceries and get the packs packed so we can get some idea of how much weight we will have to get rid of before we start. I want my pack down to about 35# and Dorothy's about 25#. Shouldn't be too much of a problem. We have done it before. Next time a little about our gear. Time is moving too slowly. I'm ready to go NOW!
Date: 2004-05-22
To: all packed
Miles today: 0.0

We've gotten all packed and are just about ready to go. Tomorrow is the last day of school. I'm starting to miss my 9th grade kids already, but i sure am ready for a break. I think Dorothy feels the same way. Our packs weigh 22 and 34 pounds without water - about what we were shooting for. This is a little lighter than what we started with last year. Most of the weight savings were in food. I am carrying the food for both of us, the tent and the water pump, in addition to my clothes, bag, and misc. gear. Dorothy is carrying the cookset, and stove in addition to her bag, clothes and misc gear. We are using our Coleman 2 man tent, which weighs 6# and a PUR water filter. It looks like there may be rain in the Smokey's when we get there, but that is to be expected. I guess for a couple of old school teachers we are about as ready as we can get. We are looking forward to another great adventure this year. We have one of Dorothy's kids at school, Ezekiel, who is going to look after our 2 dogs. We have a lab mix and a Dachshund. They are really going to miss us and we are going to miss them. We only have about 3 weeks to get from Clingman's Dome to Damascus because we are leaving for Costa Rica on July 8. We will be there for a month studying Spanish and just vacationing. Ah, the life of a school teacher. It doesn't pay much but the time off makes up for a lot!Well, the next time you hear from us we will be in Hot Springs.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Clingman's Dome

To: Mt. Collin's shelter
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: light rain

Left Cookeville, Tenn. about 8:30. I discovered I had left my hiking socks at home. There is an outfitter in Gatlinberg where I can get another pair. Gatlinburg was a trip! It took us about an hour to drive through town. It was bumper to bumper, 5 mpg, stop and go. What a mess! I bought new socks at the Happy Hiker and it was off to Clingman's Dome. Foggy, but no rain. Yea! The 4 mile hike to Mt. Collins shelter was uneventful - too us 2 1/2 hrs. Boy, are we out of shape Ramen and chicken for supper, a beautiful sunny sky and 4 guys from NC for company. Life is sweet. Tomorrow we go 7.5 miles to Ice water Springs shelter.
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Mt. Collin's shelter

To: Ice water springs
Miles today: 7.5

Rained all night - hard! We waited around until 9:30 waiting for the rain to stop. It had pretty well stopped, but the trail was a river. We got to New Jound Gap about 12:45, changed clothes and ate a little before going on to Ice water - a total of 7.5 miles. Got to the shelter at about 3:30. Sun was shining, nice people and a great shelter. Laid our clothes to dry in the grass, lazed around a little. There were some great views from the shelter. Got a picture, but a camera just can't do justice to the view. The forecast is for good weather for the next several days. I hope so. We have a long day tomorrow - 12.6 miles to Tricorner Knob. If the weather is good, the trail is gentle and we take it easy we should make it about 8-9 hrs. of hiking. We both feel pretty good today - a little sore. Dorothy didn't eat enough yesterday and went to sleep at 6:00 last night. She is doing much better today. I'm a little sore, but feeling good. The new bootsd are great. I can't believe how much difference it makes. Well, off to fix supper - rice, beans and lemon pudding and then to bed.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Ice water springs

To: Tri Corner
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

It is now Monday in Hot Springs at the library. I was typing along at Standing Bear and a thunder storm came and we lost connections. So here we go again. Loft Icewater at 7:30 for a 12.5 mile day. Beautiful day - sunny and cool. Had great views all morning. Most of the AM was along the ridge between Tenn/ NC. At some places it was a knife edge - only about 2 feet wide with vertical drops on both sides. Since there was so much undergrowth and trees, it wasn't too scary. Most of the time it was 5-6 ft. wide. We made good time. We got to the cut-off to Pecks Corner shelter at 12:30. That was 7 1/2 miles in 5 hrs. Had lunch of PB, fruit and gatorade. Stayed about 30 min. then took off for Tricorner Knob Shelter at about 1:00. Got there about 4:15. It was a little rougher and we were both tired but not exhausted. We had stopped every hour for about 5-10 min plus some photo ops. It made a big difference. About 2 miles from the shelter, Matt from last night passed us. He and Doc were going on to Cosby Knob, about 7 1/2 more miles, giving them a 20 mile day. AH! to have 20 something legs again! Tomorrow we head to Cosby Knob for our last night in the Smokey's. Dorothy started having trouble with her right hand getting VERY cold. We had to shuffle around the pack several times to get it better.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Tri Corner

To: Cosby Knob
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left Tri Corner at 8:30. It was cold last night - about 40 degrees! The only other people in the shelter were 2 college age kids who were volunteers for the park service. They were there to post bear signs. A bear had come into camp 3 days ago. We didn't see one. The trail was easy and we made good time. Dorothy's pack is still bothering her right shoulder. We finally put a rag under it to take the pressure off and it seems a lot better. We got into Cosby Knob shelter about 1:00 and took the afternoon off. sleeping in the sun, reading and snacking. It has been a beautiful sunny day with great views. Got more pictures, but we'll see how they turn out. Beans & rice for supper tonight and on to Standing Bear Hostel tomorrow for resupply and cleaning up. It means we miss Mountain Mammas and her famous cheesburgers, but that's the way it goes. About 5:00 we were reading in the shelter when I looked up and a bear had come up to about 10 yds. from the shelter. When I reached over to punch Dorothy, he took off. We peeked out in front of the shelter and he had gone about 30 yds. and was looking back. When he saw me, he took off and we didn't see him again. Pretty cool for our last night in the Smoky's.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Cosby Knob

To: Standing Bear
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Our last day in the Smodey's - 10.6 miles and almost all downhill. We've gotten to like uphill more than down. Down hurts. Up you can always stop and rest. We make about the same time either way - a little less than 2 mph counting rest stops. We got to Davenport shelter at noon - 8 miles in about 4 hours. From there only 3 miles to Standing Bear Farm with showers, laundry, pizza, beer and beds!. Took a wrong turn coming out from under I-40 and didn't get there until 2:30. Got cleaned up and had pizza and beer for supper. About 4:00 it started to rain. Glad we were not still hiking. Only 3 days to Hot Springs and a zero day. This was our last day in the Smokey's and we still can't decide if we love them or hate them.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Standing Bear

To: Ground Hog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

Got ready to hike and it started raining hard! Decided to wait it out since we only have 7 miles today. Left about 9:30 and had a beautiful day. Climbed 3000 feet in 4 miles. Tough climb. Got to the shelter about 2:00. Built a fire and rested up for tomorrow - 13 miles. Maybe our toughest day ever. Had ramen and tuna for supper. Pretty tasty. Off to bed at 7:00.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Beautiful day again. Left shelter at 7:40 and promptly took the wrong trail for about a half mile detour. 20 min. later we started on the real AT. It was an omen of things to come. 3 more times I took a wrong turn. Thankfully Dorothy was always there to say "Colbert, where are you going? The AT is over here." Pretty tough morning - a lot of climbing. Got to Max Patch about 12:15. Tremendous views. They could have shot "The Sound of Music" here - flowers on a meadow at the top of a mountain with views of the mountains in all directions. Left there and got to Roaring Fork Shelter at 3:00. Had planned to go another 2 miles, but decided to stay here. Hot springs is 15 miles away. Should be there tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early and were out of camp by 7:30 for a 14.9 mile hike to Hot Springs. Had a couple of short climbs and then one of about 1000 feet. From there we descended to Hot Springs. Made good time until we got about 3 miles out and Dorothy started to get blisters but didn't know it because her feet were numb because of the downhill terrain. After 8 days, all of a sudden things pop up. Got into Hot Springs about 4:00. Had planned to stay at Elmer's, but they were full so just stayed at a motel. We had to walk to the bar to find the motel operator and he told us to just go take #8. We showered and then headed back to the bar and restaurant for burgers, crab cakes, beer. It was WONDERFUL. Dorothy has 2 huge blisters on each foot which we popped. Looking forward to just laying around tomorrow before we leave for a 6 day stretch to Erwin, TENN. about 68 miles.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Got up and had breakfast at a diner and then walked over to Elmer's to try to stay there tonight. 2 young men showed us around and we will have a lovely room in a Victorian mansion tonight. They serve only vegetarian foods and we can hardly wait! They say they are delicious. Dinner is served at 8:00 pm - which is after our badtime, but we will sacrifice for food. We are at the public library and it is very nice. We got lost coming here and wonder if we have picked an activity we can manage. We'll see. It will be a week before we can get to another computer. Have a great week.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

We had breakfast at Elmer's - cantelope, waffles with nuts, granola, juice and coffee - family style. Talked with other hikers and had a great time. Lodging for 2 in a great old Victorian home and breakfast - $40.00! What a deal. Hiked 11 miles to Spring Mountain Shelter. It rained lightly all day and felt good as it was warm. Climbed all day! First a 1200 foot climb in 4.5 miles, then a 1000 foot climb in 2 miles and finished with a 600 foot climb over 1.5 miles. We were tired. Had our favorite supper - ramen and tuna with cheese. The bugs at this shelter are terrible. They don't bite, just annoy. Early to bed and off again tomorrow. Jimmy got us lost 4 times! Once, we were hiking straight up a cliff - and couldn't find the trail. We retraced our steps and had missed a turn. Oh, well.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We saw lots of fireflies last night. We were the only ones at the shelter. That was the second time that has happened. We left early. Went 8.6 miles and got into camp about 1:30. It was hot and the gnats were terrible! Shortly after we got there it rained for about an hour. Jimmy got a blister today! After 10 days? Got it doctored and it is fine now. Dorothy is feeling good. No problems with her feet although her pack still needs periodic adjustments. We are at Little Laurel Shelter with 2 other teachers - Bill and John and a child psychiatric nurse practicioner - Robin. Neat people. We will be on the same schedule they are for the next 5 days. Had planned to go 12.6 miles today, but got to Jerry's Cabin Shelter about 12:00 and decided to stay. Had a great hike over an exposed ridge. It was a new trail and we would have had great views, but it was foggy. It was very rocky and we had to climb in places, but fun. It doesn't look like we'll have time to get to Damascus if we want to go to Denver and see Liz, so slowing down is no problem. We do quite well if we pace ourselves and don't do much more than 10 miles a day. We had hoped to have worked up to 15 miles, but that hasn't happened. We'll just hike until time to get off the trail and enjoy the days. We should be in Erwin by the 15th. Still hiking with Bill, John and Robin. Great folks and we are enjoying their company. Bill is a retired social studies teacher and John is a HS math teacher. All have great senses of humor and are just great folks. They are on their way to Damascus also. Not sure what we'll do tomorrow - a 6 mile day to the shelter, camp along the way, or a long day to the second shelter.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had planned to go 12.6 miles today, but got to Jerry's Cabin Shelter about 12:00 and decided to stay. Had a great hike over an exposed ridge, part of the trail that must be new. Very rocky and hard to climb in places, but fun. Would have been great views, but it was too foggy. It doesn't look like we'll have time to get to Damascus if we want to go to Denver and see Liz, so slowing down is no problem. We'll just hike until time to get off the trail and enjoy the days. We should be in Erwin by the 15th. Still hiking with Bill, John, and Robin. Great folks and we are enjoying their company. Bill is a retired social studies teacher, John is a HS math teacher. All have great senses of humor and are just great folks. They are on their way to Damascus also. Not sure what we'll do tomorrow - a 6 mile day to the shelter, camp along the way, or a long day to the second shelter.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Long day - 14.6 miles. Left at 7:30 and got to the second shelter at 5:45! It was a great hike, but too long. We went over Big Butt Mountain. Saw several Civil War era graves and a beautiful stream and waterfall. Had a long, tough climb into the shelter, but felt good when we got in. Ate ramen for lunch and I think that helped. Our first real trail magic happened. At about 7 miles, we came to a 5 gallon bucket filled with comtainers of orange juice, fruit cups, and granola bars. It made a great rest stop. Thanks to whoever did it. It was great. We traded addresses and e-mail with Robin, John and Bill - it has been great hiking with them. I hope we keep in touch. The bucket was there because it was about 1/2 mile from a road. We crossed it and another road and it made it very hot. Dorothy got too hot - fortunately, we came across a wonderful stream and she put a bandana in the water and then around her neck and it helped with the heat. Of course, every time we cross a road, it means that we have a tough climb ahead. It was a LONG way to the top.