morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

I was up by 6:00 a.m. Everything was wet in the shelter from blowing snow. I looked outside, and everything was white. It was so cold my fingers, toes, and every other body part was numb. My sleeping bag was wet from snow blowing in. My food bag was hanging outside on a tree limb, and it was frozen solid. I need to get to Hiawassee today, so I can dry out and rest. It is supposed to be in the low 20's tonight in the mountains. I stuffed my gear into my pack and started the 10 mile trek to Dick's Creek Gap where I can get a ride into town. The snow was about 4 to 6 inches deep. It was hard to stay on the trail at times because the trail was covered with snow. I went down Tray Mt., up Young Lick Knob and Round Top. Next came Addis Gap and then the "bear," Kelly's Knob. I learned that anything with a knob connected to it is not good. Kelly's Knob went up for about a mile. Usually with a knob, when you think you are at the top, you still have about 1/2 mile to go. Once in the Gap, it took only a few minutes to hitch a ride into Hiawassee. Mull's Motel was not great, but it had a hot shower, a heater, and it was close to food sources. I will stay tonight and take a 0 day tomorrow. I will be back on the trail Tuesday morning.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is a 0 day. It is supposed to be a rest day, but you have to walk everywhere, so it can be very tiring. I need to go to the post office, drug store, restaurant, laundramat. I met Stray Dog, Corsican, Half Day, and Crazy Talk at lunch. Corsican thru-hiked in the 90's. He and his wife live in Hiawassee. They seem to be real nice people. Stray Dog is probably in his 30's. He is doing a long section hike. He started in Erwin, TN, and is going to Springer. I have been feeling kind of low since Big Bubba got off the trail. Talking with these people helped pick me up a little. I will be back on the trail tomorrow morning. I met an elderly man by the name of Mr. Mac Moore. He goes by Pappa Mac, and he is a real Trail Angel. He agreed to shuttle me back to the trailhead Tuesday morning.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

After a breakfast at McDonald's, Papa Mac picked me up along with Cleveland and James. We were on the trail by 9:00. The hike out of Dick's Creek was not bad. I passed the GA/NC line at about the 8.5 mile. The welcome to NC was memorable. The climb up Sharp Top and Court House Bald was tough. I met Seventy near Muskrat Creek Shelter. Seventy is actually 71. He was not moving real fast, but he was going steady. He plans to do a thru hike. He makes me feel like a youngster. I got to Muskrat Creek Shelter around 4:00. I was feeling tired and out of sorts. I was beginning to feel nauseated. I just wanted to get my tent up and rest. It took all of my energy to unpack and get set up. In a few minutes I getting out of my Microzoid tent to throw up. This went on for the rest of the evening and throughout the night. I could not even drink water. It was really bad!
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Hospital in Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After being very sick all night, I checked the map and saw that there was a forest service road at Deep Gap four miles away. I got up and started packing. The service road was my best shot. It took me forever to pack. I had to go over Yellow Mt., and then into the gap. It felt like I was sleepwalking those hard four miles. I was near Deep Gap when I heard a car on the service road. I scampered down to see a couple parking one car and getting ready to drive the other to Dick's Creek. They were real trail angels. They took me to the hospital in Hiawassee. I was severely dehydrated and still very nauseated when I arrived. At the hospital, they gave me fluids intravenously and something for nausea. I stayed in the hospital for two days. I called my wife and asked her to come get me. It's going to take some time for me to get my strength back. I am going to wait until I feel bettr before I decide what I am going to do next.Mississippi Mule
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Home

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am finally starting to feel better. I will leave today for Starkville, Ms. My son, Michael, is in graduate school at Mississippi State located in Starkville. Michael will shuttle me back to the trail. We should be in Hiawassee Saturday. I will start hiking Sunday morning. It will be good to get back on the AT.
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Wallace Gap

To: Cold Springs
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Well I am back. My son, Michael, dropped me at Wallace Gap around 9:00AM. He hiked with me for a few miles. It was a near perfect morning. The forest is still in its winter nap mode. Soon the forest will be waking up to spring time. I did see some bluets & trillium starting to bloom. I went over Siler Bald(4940') in the morning and Wayah Bald(5340') in the afternoon. A bald is usually an area on the top of a mountain that does not have any trees. The views are often spectacular. I did not plan to do 19 miles my first day back. I felt good most of the day, so I decided to try and get to Cold Springs Shelter. It was getting late and I was very tired when I arrived at the shelter. It was crowded, so I decided to hike a little farther down the trail and try to find a place to set up my tent. I found a place about .2 miles from the shelter. There were three others tenting in the area. It seemed to take forever to do all the chores. That includes putting tent up, cooking, eating, cleaning up, getting water, hanging food bag, and getting ready for bed. All of that really wears me out when I am tired already. I plan to be up early and hike to the Nantahala Outdoor Center(N.O.C.). I would like to thank Michael for getting me back on the trail. He has been very supportive. My entire family has been very encouraging and I appreciate that very much. I am going to get in the bag and try to get some sleep.
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Cold Springs

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: few clouds

I was up around 6:00AM. I got to see a beautiful sunrise as I was packing up to go. It looks like it's going to be a great day. The birds are chirping and the forest is waking up. I spent a few minutes talking with my neighbors . Big E, Singer, and another fellow were all camping in the area. It's nice hiking early in the morning. The forest seems so fresh and undisturbed. I hiked over Cooper Ridge Bald(5200'), and Wesser Bald(4630'). It was tough hiking today. The 19 I did yesterday took a lot out of my legs. I saw a lot of flowers mostly Bluets, Blue Violets, & Daisys. Near the end of day I met up with Seventy. We are going to share a room at the NOC. I got there about 12:30. When I got to the room the first thing I did was take a hot shower. A hot shower is a real big deal. Later I met up with Seventy and we got something to eat. It has been a tiring but good day. Tomorrow will be a tough day. It will be a 6 mile climb out of the NOC. I hope to be at Fontana Day on Thursday.
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: few clouds

This was a pretty tough day. The climb out of the NOC. was brutal. Then it was up and down into three gaps. The last was climbing out of Sweetwater Gap. I was up on my toes for most of that climb. I spent close to 10 hours hiking and I was totally exhausted at the end of the day. I stayed in the shelter since it wae not crowded. I was almost to tired to eat. I am looking forward to Fontana tomorrow. I am still not feeling good. I need rest and calories.
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up by 6:15. I had to pack up quietly since I did not want to wake the others in the shelter. The sun is coming up and it's beautiful. I was on the trail by 7:00. The trail was kind for the first few miles. Then I went over a Knob and High Top mountain(3680'). It was then mostly downhill. Downhills can be tough on the knees. The forest was alive today with Woodpeckers hammering on trees. It reminded me of Dueling Banjoes. I rolled into Fontana about 1:30PM. I booked a room at the Inn. It's a great deal for $25 a night. I will stay at least two nights. I am not at full strength. My appetite is not good. I am burning 5000 to 6000 calories a day. I need to rest and take in a lot of calories.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Fontana Dam Village
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I had the breakfast buffet at the Inn. I spent the morning washing clothes, getting maildrop, and resting. I had the lunch buffet and then spent some time at the outfitters. I met up with Seventy again. He fell off the trail near Cheoah Bald(5062'). He fell head first about 100' down the mountain. He did not break anything, but he is real sore. He also lost his glasses. He is really having a hard time walking. Seventy is going to take some time off in Fontana and the try and get back on the trail. I also met Todd. His trail name is Rumbler, and he is from Jackson, Ms. He seems to be very nice. Tommy Smith, who works at Buffalo Peak Outfitters in Jackson told me Todd was on the trail. I am at the gateway to the Smoky Mountains.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Fontana Dam Village

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 0.0

I am going to take another day at Fontana. I am eating and feeling some better. I am looking forward to the Smokies. The weather has been great. Rain, however, seems to be on the way. Today I met the legendary Baltimore Jack. This is his ninth year in a row to hike the trail. He has a thing for bourbon & cigarettes. This is not the combo one would expect on the AT. I saw some other guys that I always see in town but never on the trail. I wonder what that's all about. I will be out of here tomorrow.
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Fontana Village

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

I had dinner last night with Batch & Mountain City. Batch is 81, and thru-hiked 23 years ago. The trail is tough. It's hard to imagine an 81 year old man thru hiking. I got a shuttle back to the trail. I started hiking about 9:30. The first few miles were all up but once on the ridge line it was fine. When the weather is good the Smokies are spectacular. It is a gorgeous morning. The forest is covered in a blanket of white trillium. It is very pretty to see. A short time into my hike I caught up with another hiker. He stopped and turned toward me. He looked very familar. It was Chet Nicholson from Pass Christian, Ms. Pass Christian is only a few miles from Long Beach where I live. I met Chet a couple of years ago at the local gym. He is taking some time off from his law practice to hike through the Smokies. Chet thru-hiked in "99". His trail name was Ice Falcon. It's really a small world. We may hike through the Smokies together. Chet stopped at Mollies Ridge Shelter to work on his feet. I continued on to Russell Field Shelter. The shelter was very crowded. The policy in the Smokies is that you have to stay in the shelters unless they are full. Then you can tent close to the shelter. The reason for this is because of the large bear population.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning was very cool with a cold mist rolling through the forest. The pattern most of the day is up & down. The Smokies have the highest elevations on the AT. I hiked with Ice Falcon in the afternoon. Rain is in the forcast. We did not see a lot of views because of the low clouds. Will be going over Clingman's Dome in the morning. This is the highest peak East of the Miss(6643').
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Ice Water Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: moderate rain

The morning was very cold & rainy. The cold made it hard to dress and pack. Temp. in the low 30's with strong wind and rain. I spent most of the morning climbing up Clingman's Dome. The mist and blowing rain reduced visibility to near zero. Ice Falcon & I hiked together in the afternoon. The weather did not get much better. We stopped at Ice Water Springs Shelter. Kodiak & Sassy, who had been to Gatlinburg carried cokes, Lil' Debbie cakes, and hot dogs to the shelter. This was a real special thing they did. It was turning very cold. So I ate some of the goodies and then crawled in the sleeping bag. I put all of my dry clothes on and I was just warm enough.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Ice Water Springs Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light rain

It's another misty, windy, cold morning. Ice Falcon was out first, and I was right behind him. Ice was falling from tree limbs. We were still above 6000'. There are eleven peaks above 6000' in the Smokies. It stayed cloudy and cold all day. We arrived at Cosby Shelter about 6:30. That's near eleven hours of hiking. The shelter was almost full. Ice Falcon & I got the last two spots. It is a very cold night. I ate a cold supper and crawled into my bag.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Mountain Moma's Kuntry Store & Bunkhouse
Miles today: 9.0

I woke up to a beautiful morning. It's only 9 miles to Mountain Moma's. We are going to stop for one of Moma's famous greasy cheeseburgers. I stopped there last year, and found the place to be less than friendly. This year it seemed a little better. The place still reminds me of the Seinfeld episode about the soup Nazi. I have been doing a lot of thinking lately about what I need to do. Since my bout with food poisoning, I have not felt very good. I am still feeling nauseated at times, and my appetite is still down. I also might be running a low grade fever at night. So this is what I plan to do. I am going to catch a ride home with Chet. Then I am going to have a doctor check me out. In mid May I am going to start where I left off last year. That would be near Harper's Ferry. I would then hike north to Maine to complete the hike I started last year. Harper's Ferry to Maine would be over 1100 miles. If I have anything left I can return to Harper's Ferry and walk south to complete my thru-hike. I just think the way things have been going I need to go ahead and complete last year's hike and then think about the thru-hike. I am disappointed but also excited about covering some new ground. So this will be my last entry until mid May.
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I have dreaded putting this entry in my journal. I apologize for being so late. The back up plan was to start where I left off last year. That was near Harper's ferry. I made a feeble attempt but it just did not work out. I feel that thru hiking the AT is 80% mental. The body might be ready, but if the mind is not the hike will not go far. It seems that this year I could talk the talk, but I could not hike the hike. Thanks for reading my journal. Prehaps I will try again in the future. Happy trails.Mississippi Mule
Date: 2003-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

¢It is good to have an end to journey towards, but in the end it is the journey that matters.¢-- Ursula K. LeGuin   With the new year I am counting the days! Plan is to leave from Anne and Norm's (mom & dad's) for Amicola Lodge in Georgia on 3/9/03 and hit the trail at Springer Mountain on 3/11/03 or 3/12/03. That may be adjusted due to weather and well, a haircut. Sounds odd, but I am still debating whether or not to cut off all my hair before leaving. Much to the dismay of Norm!   Thanks to Santa, Mom, Dad, Jeanne and John (Sister and Brother in law) I have 99% of my gear. Beautiful new pack, stove, trekking poles, socks and sundries will make my life on the trail all the more comfortable. Still waiting on a few things like a second set of boots. Everything I read tells me I'll walk through at least 2 pair.    I am sort of in a "what to do now" mode now, collecting an extraordinary array of noodle and rice dinners, instant mashed potatos, poptarts, ziplock bags and Folgers single packs of coffee (Amazing little invention)! I collect and then sort into 16 different boxes which I will then have mailed to me at places and towns along the trail. It's a little tough trying to figure out what I'll need five, ten, fifteen weeks into this trek, but I am sure my current frustration will be long forgotten after a 15 mile day with 45 pounds on my back, up hill, in the pouring rain when all I want is a hot cup of boullion, 22 crackers, slim jim and a Kool-Aid chaser!    I am also repackaging vitamins, Alleve, bandaids and spices into teeny tiny plastic bags so I don't have to carry the whole bottle. And Yes, my pack is weighing in around 45 pounds. I am desperately trying to shave every ounce possible by cutting off labels, drilling holes in my tooth brush and thinking "do I really need a second pair of socks"? I am hoping to be around 40 lbs, hopefully less. To cut some weight, I plan to use a "Bounce Box" where I will send ahead "town stuff" like clean clothes (ones that don't smell really bad), shampoo, deodorant, beer and cigarettes, just kidding about the deodorant!    My 16 mail drops are set. It's a list of places and post offices where I will definately be picking up food, clothing, mail and other assorted stuff. If you'd like to send me anything, hint, hint, here's your chance! Dates are approximate and may be a little early.    Haven't picked a trail name yet. Hopefully along the way a light will go on and I will be renamed. I just hope it's something positive and uplifting and not mortifyinglly embarrasing like "poop shoe" or "falls down a lot"!
Date: 2003-01-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"You can do anything you want, as long as you set your mind to it"               - My Mom   This adventure, personal journey, trip, trek, vacation, whatever you want to call it, would not be possible without the love and support of my family and friends.    Thanks to Mom and Dad. When I first told them of this idea of walking from Georgia to Maine, my mother simply said "No". After discussing it further, she came around. Dad on the other hand wants to go too. Unfortunately, he has bionic knees and doesn't think he's able to do it. Pop, if you want to come for a spell, I know you can! You can do anything you want, as long as you set your mind to it! Also, thanks to dad for handling the details of my journal entries. Hope you can read my handwriting!   Thanks to my sister Jeanne and my brother in law John. They have been nothing but supportive, always ask the best questions and keep me engaged on this mission. Jeanne and I are complete opposites! We are so different I sometimes wonder how the heck we can be related! She is all about designer furniture, Prada bags and high heel shoes. Im all about a comfortable chair, backpacks and sensible footwear.   Thanks to Linda and Polly, the best friends anyone could ever ask for! They both think I'm a little crazy, but support me in any way and every way they can. They constantly remind me that this journey is about and for me. If not for them, This journey would never be possible! I owe you both more than you will ever know!   And thanks to you! Thank you for reading this and following me on my personal journey where I seek peace, clarity, nature and myself!
Date: 2003-01-19
To: Top Ten 1
Miles today: 0.0

"Ten!, Ten!, Ten! Ten!, let's sing a song about ten, How many is ten?..."The gang from Sesame Street!Here's a list of the top 10 things Im going to miss...At least I think I'll miss them 1   24 ounce Dunkin' Donuts Coffee with extra cream 2   The Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer 3   Weekly treks to my local EMS 4   The ability to hop in "Petunia" Pathfinder and go for a drive 5   Kayaking in "Mike", my Old Town Heron kayak 6   Going to the bookstore for coffee, music and of course books 7   WXPN 88.5 FM 8   The Weather Channel 9   Hot Showers10   The beach
Date: 2003-01-19
To: Top Ten 2
Miles today: 0.0

"Ten!, Ten!, Ten! Ten!, let's sing a song about ten, How many is ten?..."The gang from Sesame Street!Here's a list of the Top Ten things I won't miss.I definately won't miss these! 1   Rush hour traffic on Route 202 2   Work Clothes and wondering "do they match?" 3   misplacing my keys 4   buying gas for "Petunia" Pathfinder 5   the hustle and bustle of suburbia 6   TV 7   red lights 8   going to Wal Mart for rice and noodle dinners 9   planning my itinerary for the 42nd time10   Waiting to leave for Springer Mountain!
Date: 2003-02-04
To: Lessons learned!
Miles today: 0.0

"Better to be wise by the misfortunes of others than by your own"                                    AesopIf my first two camping adventures are any indication of the success of this journey, I am doomed!Many, many moons ago, a friend and I decided we would drive from Philadelphia PA to Key West Florida and camp on the Gulf of Mexico! Splendid idea I thought! 26 hours later we show up at the KOA at Big Pine Key. As we strolled through the campground I couldn't help but notice all the telephone poles cut off at chest high level. Not a clue what they were for...As the sun started to set we made camp in our 9 x 9 space directly between a 42 foot mobile home and a palm tree. Of course one of those mysterious phone poles was there too. What the heck is that thing for? As we pieced together 30 foot long tent poles and slid them into their respective sleeves our home for the next few days was starting to take shape. Unfortunately, it wasn't a dome, no, it wasn't quite an A Frame, it was more of a trapezoid or droopazoid... Seems we left a most integral pole in PA. Ah well. Our neighbor in his air condidtioned motor home was quite amused and set two beers on the phone pole for us. Later that night we feasted on hotdogs, potato chips and motor home beer then turned in for the night...Around 2 AM I awoke to the strangest noise, sort of like a crunching, maybe a crinkling, no, more like chewing...I had to investigate...as I unzipped the door to the droopazoid tent and peered out, I was suddenly nose to nose with a very large, but rather friendly raccoon holding a now empty bag of potato chips! Now this wasn't your average Pennsylvania raccoon. This one was a surfer! This one had long blonde hair! This one was enjoying our left over hotdogs, potato chips and beer!   Seems the phone poles are for putting ones trash, chest high and out of reach of the junk food eating, surfer raccoons.The second adventure of note was with a large group of friends in north western New York, not far from Buffalo. We camped in another massive campground, but this one had an amusement park attached to it. I wasn't crazy about the whole campground/amusement park idea, but I was with good friends and having a good time. We had a lovely evening sitting around a fire, telling stories and drinking too many cocktails.   All the while I couldn't help but notice a parade of campers heading over to the amusement park. Most of them were between the ages of 13 and 25 and all wearing black concert t'shirts. Withing fifteen minutes I realized where they were going. Seems Judas Priest was playing at the amusement park that night! Now, I have never been a fan of Judas Priest. The best news was, they played three encores!Lessons learned....I will always make sure I have both of my tent poles, I will always be certain to hang both my food and trash very high, I don't think the AT has chest high phone poles...and I am also certain I won't be running into Judas Priest!