morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-22
To: Gear List
Miles today: 0.0

Ive been really bored at work lately, staring outside at the nice weather we have been having. And since i cant take the time off right now to hike, ive started to add some of my new gear to my gear list page. I find this to be a great way to escape from the urge to keep my eyes glued to whiteblaze and other trail forums. During the summer i spent a lot of time reading the great journal entries of this years northbound class, but now that most of them have finished ive lost that option.
Date: 2005-09-28
To: Food
Miles today: 0.0

Ive really been torn over what to do about food. I hope people dont jump over my use of words, but I am a vegetarian that eats fish and some dairy. My dairy breakdowns are with cheese, eggs, and ice cream. Because of this, I had planned on doing mostly maildrops with my vegetarian trail favorites. After doing a lot of reading, I am slowly coming to think that i have definitely crossed into maildrop overload. I understand how people who eat anything can do this journey with only a few food drops from home where it makes the most sense, i.e. The NOC, Fontana, etc. However, I cant rely on every trail town having someplace to resupply that is going to have enough veggie-variety to keep me sane. I already eat with a whole lot less variety than omnivores. But i cant live on mac n cheese every night. I am italian, but not that italian So since my gear list at home is almost complete, my next task is going to be researching veggie diners. I have purchased a few books on vegetarian trail foods. I can see getting by breakfast and lunch with foods bought in trail towns, but for variety Im going to need to be mailed some different dinners. I just hope I dont have to maildrop so much that Ill be in towns and post offices just as much as I am on the trail.
Date: 2006-01-23
To: Updates
Miles today: 0.0

Well its been a while, and i dont have long to go...so i figured id give an update to those who have read my journal entries or looked at my gear list....my anxiety level has risen from about 35% a month ago to about 75% now....to be expected...Did a shakedown hike back in November with a great friend who introduced me to the AT and hiking over 10 years ago during college....we hiked between Hot Springs and Erwin...my gear worked out great...had some chilly temps after starting out warm...thermometer read 22F starting out day 2.....covered good mileage...11+ miles each day...Gear-wise Im just about set...waiting on my new pack from ULA....my P-2 is great, but i couldnt resist the new invention...i think im going to carry a filter instead of chemically treat...its just what im used to, and like not having to wait for chemicals to do their thing....Food is my current task....I cant say enough about Lipsmackin Vegetarian Backpackin....what a book....ive tested out over 20 meals, and i love them all!!! so i dont think ill fall into the trap of getting sick of food prepared ahead of time with the variety that ill have....i plan on resupplying myself with most of my dinners, mailing them to hostels/trail towns along the way....most of my breakfasts and lunches will be bought along the way...So right now im in the process of preparing 6 hearty servings of my 20 favorite dinners from lipsmackin vegetarian backpackin....my maildrop list is set, i might add it to this site, but its quite lengthy!Goodluck to all those also getting ready to head out, and thanks to those who haven taken the time to sign my guestbook....see ya soon!
Date: 2006-02-20
To: 21 days to go??
Miles today: 0.0

Well, if all things go correctly I'll be spending my first night on the AT 3 weeks from today. 21 days sounds so short, since I've been anticipating this for about a year. Still, many things have to fall into place for my trip to start out smoothly....First off, I found out last week that my dog needs to have a cyst removed from her right eye-lid. That means surgery, which means $$, and anxiety. The vet convinced me its an easy procedure, with just 10-12 days recovery time before her stitches need to come out. After which she should be absolutely fine.This threw a wrench in my starting plans. Originally I was going to rent a car and drive to Florida on March 1 to spend a some time with my parents before I left. Linda, my girlfriend, was going to fly down on March 8 to celebrate her birthday with me. We were going to spend a few days relaxing in the warmth, then rent a car and drive to Springer Mtn on March 11, with an intended starting date of March 13.So now it looks like Florida is out of the picture, as I will need to be here with my dog till she is ready to get her stitches out. And instead of spending 4 days in Florida, now my girlfriend and I get to spend her birthday hanging out with my dog. Goodtimes.I am hoping that March 13 will still be the day. But now instead of driving up to Springer Mtn from Florida, it looks like I'll be driving down from NJ. So I'll rent a car and take it to Atlanta, then get picked up by the folks at Hikerhostel.com probably on Sunday, March 12.Besides that I'm just waiting for some last minute funds to fall into place since I learned of my dog's issue, and my new ULA pack should be arriving tomorrow!! I am very excited about that. Most of my meals are prepared, about 80 dinners, and 60each of breakfasts and lunchs. I've narrowed my maildrops down to 18, which is still way high compared to most. However, the vegetarian meals that I've prepared are delicious and can be prepared in a ziplock.
Date: 2006-03-06
To: T-Minus 7 Days
Miles today: 0.0

Time is now starting to fly...My dog had her surgery, so far so good. She is real trooper. 5 stitches on her eye lid, can barely close it when she sleeps. And, she has to sleep with a collar on so she doesnt upset the healing process. Her stitches come out in 6 days, Saturday morning.Good news for me being that I convinced my girlfriend to take the drive with me. We will leave Sunday morning, rent a car in Philadelphia, and drive straight to Gainesville, GA. We have a room booked for Sunday night, although we will probably get in late. Monday morning she will drive me to Amicalola Falls Sate Park to see me off on the approach trail. Originally i wasnt planning on doing the approach trail, but whats another 8 miles ontop of 2,175.Preparation is winding down. I will have my first few resupply boxes ready to be mailed out on friday. My bounce box items are all accounted for, just the box itself needs to be found. This too should be mailed out friday.After loading up my new ULA pack, ive decided to send it back for a large. A medium fit great with my P-2, but feel like a large is the way to go with the Circuit. Ill overnight it tomorrow, and request the same in return. Brian is great when it comes to customer service for his gear.
Date: 2006-03-12
To: Day of Departure
Miles today: 0.0

The 12.5 hour journey starts in about 7 hours. Last night of sleep in your bed is always tough on a 5 day trip, nevermind 5 months.The last few days have been hectic tying up loose ends. Ive said all the sad goodbyes to the people Ive worked with for the last few years (thanks for everything), my best of friends, and my family. Thanks for everyones support and words of encouragement, Ill need all I can get. Now i prepare to leave all the comforts of home, which is my last hurdle.Monday morning I should be on the approach trail, with Walasi-Yi in my sights for Thursday. You should get my next entries around a week from now, along with some pictures finally. Looks like warm weather to start, but turning colder day by day. Im ready for all it throws at me.Next post will be from Springer Mountain, GA.....
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Top of Amicolola Falls Parking Lot

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Im finally hiking... after dreaming, planning, anticipating, second guessing, and then saying goodbyes to all the great people in my life. Started out hiking at 1145am in clouds/mist/rain, and it still hasnt cleared. Might even have a round of thunderstorms tonight to start off the trip right. Temperatures are nice, mid 60s. I got here around 3pm and an outdoors club from Northern Iowa University was already here. Most are tenting, and one even built himself a "Survivorman Special" lean-to.Looks like I'll be on the same schedule as them up until Neels Gap. Even though there are 11 of them, they are good company.Spirits are high, as is confidence. One thing about living at sea level, that first day hiking above 3000ft takes a toll. I made good time, but definitely felt the uphills. I was considering heading on to Springer Mountain Shelter, but I figure Id save it for morning. Word is there are some other NJ hikers there.Pack weight when I left was 36lbs with 4 days of food. On to Hawk Mountain Shelter tomorrow. I told the college club about the occasional late night visits from the Army Rangers.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

As usual I was awake around 645am. A hard rain pushed through overnight, followed by the colder air and the wind gusts over 30mph. I thought it was going to rain, so I stayed in the shelter. No mice, and the "Survivorman Shelter" survived the storm and the wind that followed.I felt great today. I didnt start hiking till just after 10am. I took 20 minutes at Springer Summit for some pictures, an hour for lunch at chester creek, and arrived at Hawk Mountain Shelter at 3pm. Im tenting tonight, should have clear cold windy skies. It was in the high 40s all day, should be a cold night.This place is packed. Must be close to 30 of us here, including the 11 from last night. I think most of the others are thruhikers. I cooked and ate dinner up near the shelter to be social. Im tenting off on my own away from the crowds. Mid 30s right now at 830pm, but Im toasty in my tent. Winds seemed to lay down a little as well. 8.5 miles tomorrow, Id like to be hiking around 10am again. No rush.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a cold morning. I didnt sleep that great. Went to bed around 8pm, woke up at midnight, and again at 4am. Fell back asleep around 5am until the sun starting shining around 705am.I made it out of camp around 940am, one of the last people to leave. I knew it was going to be an easier day, so I wasnt concerned. I passed a few hikers after descending through hightower gap, and felt great. Next thing I knew I was about halfway to the shelter, and it was only 1140am.I started getting a hotspot on my left heel, so I decided to break for some water, a snack, and to air out my heel. It looked a little ripe, so I applied my first moleskin of the hike. Just as I was finished, some hikers joined me. We had all spent the previous night at hawk mountain.The winds finally calmed, and the temperature hit the low 60s. I was still in my thermals, plus my windpants, longsleeve hiking shirt, and wind jacket. I descended to a nice stream about 2 miles south of the shelter, and had to shed some layers.I washed up, changed into shorts and just my longsleeve shirt. Felt so much better that I made it to the shelter in no time. Had a nice relxing day here from about 2pm on. Weather was great, no wind and 60.Another full house here, but Ive got an awesome tentsite. The college club is here, along with 6 thruhikers I havent met. The ones I have met and enjoy are jeff, ickey, 5 way, gigi, and catwoman. They are all here as well. Catwoman is 62, and 5 way got his name from his 5 way bypass surgery. God bless them both!Nice night, 40 degrees and still no wind. Hope its a nice morning.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Slaughter Mountain Tentsites
Miles today: 12.4

Another so-so night of sleep. The morning wasnt as cold though. I was the last one leaving camp, right behind Marcos around 930. I hiked with him for the first 3.5 miles, passing 5way, ickey, and catwoman. After helping catwoman with her pack, I went off ahead and ran into the college kids just short of woody gap. I jumped ahead of them, flew over big cedar mountain, descended down into dan gap and had lunch. Hummus and tortilla wraps hit the spot. It was so nice out, mid 60s and sunny.For the last 4.6 miles, I decided to break out my mp3 for the first time since day 1. It was all uphill on the way up blood mountain, and the tunes really hit the spot. I reached woods hole shelter side trail around 3pm, and was planning on staying there.I walked the half mile to the shelter and saw neffa, a woman from maine who was also at gooch mtn shelter the night before. Jeff was also there, he had hooked up with Bud sometime early in the day.Jeff mentioned some tentsites another half mile up the trail, since the shelter was small, and there were very few tentsites. Even though the crowds are thinning, the college kids were planning on staying at the shelter also. So jeff, bud and I made our way to the slaughter mtn tentsites, and they are sweet. We set up camp, cooked, hung our food, and then watched the sunset. Today was an incredible day to be alive and out soaking in all God's beauty.Tomorrow we climb blood mountain and then head down to neels gap. Im looking forward to a shower, and calling home to see how everyone is. Three days of food to be purchased to get me to dicks creek gap / hiawassee.Marcos and catwoman left at woody gap to go into suches, ga. They both had too much gear and food. 5 way, gigi, and ickey planned on staying at dan gap tentsites. In a few days Ill seperate from Jeff and Bud, they are plannig on a resupply in Helena while I head on towards dicks creek gap and a hotel room in Hiawassee. Hopefully Ill find them again, we all get along well and hike the same distances.Hoping for a better nights sleep. However, if my days are free from pain and full of strength like they have been thus far I wont complain.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Slaughter Mountain Tentsites

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

Another bad night of sleep. The winds shifted during the night, which means I get a mean draft blowing over me. So I bury myself in my sleeping bag, just about fully enclosed. Then I get too warm, and need to open it a bit. After 10 minutes it gets too cold. Well that happens about 5 times a night. Bring on the heat.Got out of my tent around 710am. Stiff wind blowing cold air motivated me to get over blood mountain and into neels gap for some food, a shower, and call home. Jeff was already packed up, and Bud was moving around a few minutes later.Of course I was the last one out of camp at 815. No cooking this morning in that wind, so I had a couple pop tarts and some peaches. I ran into Jeff on blood mountain summit, and went down ahead of him. Bud had already passed him to head straight into neels gap.I flew down blood mountain, and eagerly got to neels gap around 925. I made my phonecalls, showered, and bought some food to get me another 36 more miles to Hiawassee. Jeff and Bud were gone by 1115, but I took my time and left around 1230. Jeff overheard a rumor of a hotdogs/beer/wiskey St Patricks day party at low gap shelter, another 10.6 miles north of neels gap. We were planning on staying there, but that made it even more inviting.I hoofed it up over levelland mountain, rock spring top, wolf laurel top, and an awesome cowrock mountain. Great view from cowrock looking towards wildcat mountain. Heading down cowrock mountain my right knee started stinging on the inside top of my kneecap. Nothing too bad yet, but noticable. Then the climb up wildcat mountain from testnatee gap was probably the most difficult of the all so far. My guidebook says its a 300ft climb in a half mile, but I dont believe it.I finally arrived around 440pm, and the place was packed. Indeed a party is planned. Mostly everyone here is thruhiking, except the great people throwing the party. They thruhiked in 1990, and have a tradition of throwing a st patricks day party at low gap shelter every year. I enjoyed the 2 beers, and met some of the new faces I had not yet met.Today Jeff and Bud joined my plan of going into Hiawassee. Im glad they did, having a little hiking crew definitely makes things easier. We plan on rolling into Hiawassee on Monday, since we all need the post office. That means we get 2 days of single digit mileage in a row, with a hotel room and lots of food inbetween.Trail names are now official. Bud is Bud, Jeff is Mule, and I am Catch Up. Always last one to leave in the morning, but catching up fast.7.2 miles tomorrow. Im going to eat a lot in the morning and take my time getting out of here, hopefully by 11am. I also plan on hiking a little slower since we have easy days ahead till Monday.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Tentsites
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Slept half the night again. I used to sleep like a champ in the woods. Im at a loss. Of course it doesnt help hearing someone get sick from too much drinking from about 4am to 430am. Sounded like he was 10ft away.Out of my tent around 7am, I had food on my mind. Ate a dinner for breakfast, rice with broccoli cheddar sauce. We made a fire to get us warm, and then made it out of camp at 1110.Hiked to chattahoochee gap for lunch and met up with gorgin george from west palm beach, fl. I also had to moleskin and tape my left heel.Only had 2.2 more miles to blue mountain shelter, but when we arrived boy scouts had already taken control of the place. So we hiked on down through unicoi gap, with my right knee screaming at me.Once at the bottom, we gathered ourselves for the 1000ft climb up rocky mountain. Pumped water from a really nice stream halfway up, and set up camp near the summit. We quickly set up tents, cooked, hung our food bags, and then warmed by the fire. Early night tonight, in tent by 735pm. What was supposed to be a 7.2 mile day turned into a 10.7 mile day with a mean climb at the end. Up and over tray mtn tomorrow, highest peak yet just shy of 5000ft.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Rocky Mountain Tentsites

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Finally!!! I fell asleep by 9, and didnt wake up till 4am. I built myself a little wind barricade with my pack, boots, sandals, and stuff sacks. All in all it worked well.Got up at 645 to go retreive the food bags, and start a fire. The little wind we had was enough to chill the bones. We were out of camp by 910am, and made good time going up tray mtn.Had lunch and got water at tray mtn shelter. Headed out for Addis Gap, which was 5.3 miles. That was the resting point before the last big climb of the day, 965ft in 1.1 miles.Full house here at deep gap shelter. Chance of rain so the shelter is full. Mule, Bud and I are all in there. There are a few tenters as well.Easy 3.6 miles into dicks creek gap, then we get to stay in hiawassee. My right knee needs the rest. Painful coming downhill on the inside of my right kneecap. Not the whole thing, just a little spot. Hopefully rest does it some good.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap / Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up to a cold light rain. So-so night sleep in the shelter. It was full and there was someone who snored really loud. I stayed in my sleeping bag till most cleared out, I was hoping it would warm up.We left the shelter around 10am, and hiked the 3.6 miles to dicks creek gap. We waited about an hour for our first hitchhike, then a nice couple from Alabama let myself, Bud, Mule, and Carnivore get in the flat bed. It was a really cold 15 minute ride down into Hiawassee, but once we were there we had a warm dry hotel room in our sights, along with a lot of food. We checked in, had a filling buffet at Daniels, and then I went to the post office to get my bounce box and food resupply.The rest of the day was spent cleaning up, resting, eating, swimming, and sitting in the hotel jaquzzi. It rained really hard tonight, making it extra nice to be indoors. Supposed to clear out by noon tomorrow and just remain cold. We can handle cold, its just cold and wet that makes it miserable.Carrying 4 days of food to get me to Franklin, but considering maybe carrying 6 to get me to the NOC. Not sure if my knee wants to carry the extra weight right now, but maybe that jaquzzi will make a difference.Next update from either Franklin, NC or the NOC. I cant believe Ill be out of Georgia already in 2 days. It was great hiking. Nice views through the barren trees, dry skies, and a well maintained trail.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Dicks Creek Gap / Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express

To: Plumborchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was nice to sleep in a bed, wake up, and watch espn and the weather channel. I had a food hangover from eating a greasy breakfast around midnight at The Huddle House, so much that I was the only one not to take advantage of the continental breakfast in the lobby.But the rest did me good, as did the pizza we had just before we left town. I sent my bouncebox up to fontana, but I may not need to open it till hot springs, nc. I had 6 days of food shipped to me here, but I took 3 days worth and mailed it ahead to franklin, nc. No need to carry 6 days of food since we are planning on going into a town 3 days from now. That probably saved me 6 pounds. I met a guy last night while doing laundry who is leaving hiawassee with 11 days worth of food, to get himself to fontana. That must be over 25lbs alone.Hitching out of town was much easier, took just 20 minutes. Made it to a packed plumborchard gap shelter around 445, and we sent up tents since the place was packed eith georgia tech students.Nice being back out on the trail. I definitely see how towns can slow you down. It can be tough motivating yourself to get back out there, but there are more nice towns ahead. I dont plan on sleeping inside again, in a town, till hot springs, nc. Unless weather forces us off trail, we are going hard the next 2 weeks. I dont want to take a zero hiking day till hot springs.12+ miles tomorrow, and passing out of Georgia and into North Carolina. Nice milestone, and now the next one is fontana dam, nc and the entrance to the smoky mountains national park.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Plumborchard Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Cold morning getting out of the tent. 29 degrees at 715, so I stayed in an extra hour. Mule and carnivore werent moving yet either, only bud was awake.Made it out of camp by 1015, and started a series of climbs that took us to the NC state line. We paused at bly gap for some pictures and a snack, then climbed up to muskrat creek shelter for lunch break.We took a nice long lunch break, and had only 4.9 miles left to our destination. We left around 330, and enjoyed a great 4 miles of easy hiking. No elevation gains over 400ft.Climbed the last mile to up over 4700ft where we are tenting tonight. This is the highest shelter we have been to yet. Should be a real cold night, low 20s. No wind yet, and clear skies loaded with stars. Too bad its too cold to enjoy them.