morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today, I added another I item to my list of gear, so 2 pieces of gear down and only 1000 more pieces to go, just kidding. My mom got me a nice fleece jacket, that has pockets all over the place, which will be nice for putting chap stick, id's and such.Oh, I forgot, I got the boys each a pair of convertible pants, that are pretty light weight, a couple of weeks ago, and I'm sure once I look around the house I will find more things we can use, like the to wind up flashlights that we bought for the boys a couple of years ago so we didn't have to keep buying batteries. Speaking of which, I would highly recommend these to those weight consicious hikers out there to use. These flashlights work really well and give off a descent amount of light.Well, have to head out to Tae Kwon Do, so this one's going to be short.
Date: 2009-09-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

First, I just want to say thank you to the people that have responded so far to my plea for help in finding gear cheaper. I don't know why I didn't think of checking out thrift stores and maybe even pawn shops myself. Great idea!Until my husband starts his new job, hopefully, barring any problems in the next couple of weeks, I can't buy anything until then. This is good in a way, because I can do more research and maybe things will get a little less confusing than it is now.Since, I am going to be feeding three of us, does anybody have a recommendation on the type of stove we should use. From what I have read the homemade alcohol stoves are the lightest, but they don't heat up food very fast, and I don't know if it would support a the size pot I would need. Everything I have read concerns individuals or groups that are larger than mine. Thanks for any help anyone can provide. The motivations behind this trip are difficult to explain since it involves my kids too. I personally like a challenge I believe I can succeed at. I love the outdoors, especially hiking and camping. I also like to prove to myself that I can do something that most people would look at me and think that I could not do, just like I hiked Pikes Peak in Colorado, to prove to myself that I could make it all the way to the top. This trip has more complicated reasons behind that It is difficult for me to put into words all the reasons I want to do this hike. I guess the main reason I would be doing this trip is to hopefully make my sons better people, as well as myself. Yes, that would be the main reason. I'll leave it there for now.
Date: 2014-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

In 2011, I attempted to hike the Appalachian Trail with my two sons, ages 14 and 15 at the time. For reasons, I won't go into here, we only made it 40 miles which was a huge disappointment to me. However, within a few months of getting off the trail, I was planning my second attempt. I wanted to try the very next year by myself, but by then I had been accepted into a Nursing program, and had to wait until this year, when I graduated.Having survived two years of Nursing school, I feel like there is not too much that I can't do. I can honestly say these were the two hardest years of my life; not knowing from one quarter to the next if I would pass and ultimately be able to do the hike this year. It has been a very nerve racking time. I am ready for the physical challenges the AT has to offer. This year my older son Tony, who is 18, will be joining me. I am so happy, that I can now start counting down the days until we leave, which will be around the beginning of April. I have been looking forward to this for a very long time.May everyone be able to follow their dreams!
Date: 2014-04-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am writing this at two in the morning, because this is the first chance I have had since my last journal entry to write something. I cannot believe it has been two months since I graduated Nursing school and three weeks since I passed my NCLEX. So I am an RN/BSN, yeah!!!!! In those three weeks, I have been buying the rest of the equipment my son and I will need. I will try to post a list of all the gear in the next two days. I packed my backpack today and weighed it with 1.8L of water and food for about 5 days; 28 pounds, counting misc. items, like my phone and a couple of other items, including an extra thing of water; I anticipate the weight will come out at just about 33 pounds.We will be starting our journey in a few short days on the approach trail. The only question, I have since I am not tech savey, is can anyone tell me if I can link this journal to my FB account?I am heading to bed now to try not to be totally exhausted tomorrow. Got a birthday party to make happen tomorrow for my 18 year old son and several last minute things do to make thing easier for my husband to hold down the fort while I am gone.
Date: 2014-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This is going to be short, as I am exhausted. I flew into Atlanta today and Tony and I will begin our hike very soon. I am excited and nervous. I have been planning for and anticipating this day for two years, but yet I still can't help but wonder; "what have I gotten myself into?" Hopefully the adventure of a lifetime; one that will be filled beautiful memories.I have a problem with comparing myself to others and being a worrier. My challenge will be to "hike my own hike" and not worry about how fast others are hiking. I am really going to have to focus taking it one day at a time and enjoy that day and not think too far ahead. I want to make it to Mount Katahdin before it closes, but I want to enjoy the journey also. So starting out I am going to be okay with hiking single digit days and hopefully after we get our hiking legs under us, we will pick up speed and make it to Mount Katahdin before it closes October 15. However, if we don't, I will know that we still had the adventure of a life time.May everyone be able to make their dreams come true!
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Approach Trail

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We were going to stay at Springer Mountain Shelter; but the weather was too bad (we had snow and gusty winds), so we ended up hiking 2.8 miles further than we had planned. The Approach Trail is 8.8 miles. I did not think that the Approach Trail was that bad. We started hiking at 9:30 and reached Stover Creek Shelter by 6pm. Tony and I were so tired that I just cooked one thing of Creamy Chicken Noodles and went to bed. Both Tony and I stayed pretty warm in our sleeping bags. I feet, legs and back held up pretty good. The water fall is beautiful on the Approach Trail. I took some pictures I will post later. I think it was definitely worth the hike.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was a much shorter and nicer day. I got up around 8 and started packing. I let Tony sleep until 9:30. We hit the trail about 10 and made it Hawk Mountain Shelter by 2:45. So, we got some much needed rest.I was so tired this day that I don't remember much.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Hawk Shelter

To: Gouch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7

Sassafrass Mountain and Justin Mountain kicked our but today. We hiked about 7 miles and met some really nice people: Dan, Heidi, Jason, Mickey, Zach, Paul, Jim and other who I can't remember their names. Jason and Mickey were just hiking for a week and Paul and Jim are just hiking until May 7th. Paul doctered my big toe, by sticking a needle through the top of the toe nail to drain the blood that was building up. Apparently by shoes were too small. I'm not in too much pain. Tony had a couple of blisters, so we ditched his boots. The plan is to hike the next day or two in sandels until we can get new shoes.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Gouch Mountain Shelter

To: Super 8 Moter/Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked 5 miles today to Woody Gap and caught a shuttle into Dahlonega and are spending the night in a motel. We hike the 5 miles in 3 hours. Tony couldn't wait to get into town. First thing we did was go to Walmart to buy new shoes for Tony and more food. Dixie, the wife of Wes who gave Bill Bryson a ride to the trail several years ago was our shuttle driver. She is really nice. After Walmart she dropped us off at the motel and the first thing we did was go get McDonalds across the road from us. We still haven't got our hiker appetite, so we were only able to eat our usual. Then, I showered and did laundry. I saw Paul and Jim at the laundremat. The shower felt soo good!   We had our first had our first trail magic today. Water was left at Cooper's Gap to get us through a dry stretch and then a guy was at another road with a box of Dunkin Donut. You should have see Tony's face light up! We each at donut with chocolate on it. I also met somemore really nice people: Melitha, Marshall, and Ryan. Melithia was only out for a few days and is a pharmist in a big hospital. She taught me the names of some of the plants. So now I know what a trillum is and looks like.   It was definitely a good day to be off the trail by 1 because it started raining about then.
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Super 8 Moter/Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

I plan to look up the exact mileage later for each day and add it to Daily miles; but I believe we hiked about 11 miles today. We didn't see too many other hikers today; just lots of runner out running the trail. It was a very tough day. Since we hiked Blood Mountain 3 years ago and Tony's let was hurting, we took the Freeman Trail. I did not like this Trail; but we did probably save an hour and a half. On a beautiful day; without a pack it is a very nice trail to hike. But it was raining when we did it and Tony and I fell at least twice. I know there are purist out there that are not going to think too highly of this; but this is our journey and we are doing what we can to make it as far North as we can. We did see some really beautiful views; and once again I will probably be adding the pictures after our hike. If I can do it before I will. I really missed my husband, Sam, and my other son Schuyler today.   We did meet up with many of our fellow hikers at Neel's Gap; Paul, Dan, Joanna, Zach, Ben, and others.
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

One word for today - brutal! We hiked about 11.5 miles and I felt every one of them. Lots of ups and downs. The trail seemed to go on and on! There were at least 25 people at this shelter; one of them a blind man hiking with his dog. The man's trail name is Quest and the Dog and Vision.
Date: 2014-04-21
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Well, I thought after pulling two 11 miles days that this day would be now problem. I was wrong! The last 2 miles were one big rock scramble; it didn't even resemble a trail. It took us 6 hours to hike 7.3 miles. Tony's leg was hurting a lot today, and my legs were pretty sore too,. About the last half of the hike we met another hiker named Johm that hike with us the rest of the way and carried Tony's tent when it fell off his pack. Tony was really having a hard time. We plan to zero tomorrow; due to weather and now to also let Tony's leg recover. There weren't a whole lot of view today; just some hiking over rocks; lots of rocks! Joanna, Ben, Dan, John and an older couple are spending the night here. It looks like most of them are going to zero tomorrow, too.
Date: 2014-04-22
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

First, I just want to say that when I get into towns to update my journal, I am trying to do it quickly so others can use the computer and also to enjoy my time off from the trail, so I have not been proofreading my writing and realize there are several errors, but hopefully everyone gets what I am trying to say.   It is nice to have a day off to rest, but I am looking forward to a shower and a real bed Friday. Zeroing at a shelter is kinda boring, but at least there are some good people here; Joanna (Spider), Ben (Tramp), Dan, and the family. There was a beautiful sunrise this morning. Definitely, doesn't look like it is going to storm, but the weather can change so quickly.   Tomorrow is my youngest son's (Schuyler) birthday and I am a little sad I am not at home to celebrate it with him. I did give him a birthday party right before we left though. He is turning 18. I also really miss Sam!   Well, it is not so boring now. Paul, Jim, Marshall and Ryan showed up. This is when Joanna earned her trail name "Spider"; when she and Paul were trying to hang up the tarp, she crawled up the wall of the shelter and reminded people of a spider. Pictures to be posted after I finish the hike. About 3pm a mom and her 3 kids showed up. They are know as the Mountain Mutts and are also attempting mostly a thru hike. She has two boys age 11 and 13 and a girl age 9 and a Golden Retriever with them named Charlie. The mom is homeschooling her kids.   We have a fire going and Tony has eaten a lot today. It has been a very good day. The rain has held off so far. I didn't think this day could get better; but a couple; David and Heather showed up and David played us some tunes on his guitar like instrument and they did some singing. We also met two guys hiking barefooted. I met another girl named Sara who is a geologist. She is studying for her GRE. The mom with the three kids was in the Navy. She attempted this last year with her kids; but started too early in March. Another couple Toni and Michael showed up. It was an awesome day!
Date: 2014-04-23
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: clear sky

   Today has been a great day! We left out at 730 this morning and reached Unicoi Gap around 9 and Sherpa was down in the parking lot providing trail magic. Tony got a few cookies and we split a swiss roll and two oranges and I had a banana. He also had water with him too, so I topped off my water bottles. Awesome trail magic!    It was a hard hike, 8.1 miles. We were going to try to hike 15.5 miles, but were dead by the time we reached Tray Mountain Shelter. Tony wanted to go into town tomorrow, but it will have to be Friday.   I talked to a bird today and it answered me back. I also picked up a couple of rocks; one quartz and the other mica. We also saw some nice views.   It was a beautiful sunny day. Spider, Dan, and Sara are staying here tonight. The water source is a little far and it looks like everyone is turning in early. Tony and I also had some good conversation today.
Date: 2014-04-24
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: few clouds

   We hiked 7.4 miles today from Tray Mountain Shelter to Deep Gap Shelter. Tony started 5 min. before me at 8am and I did not see him until almost 10. In that time I did a lot of praying and talking to God because I know we I will need his help to make this nearly 2200 mile journey.   We have done some longer days, but there were several points today where my legs felt like jelly and could barely go another foot. I was so tired, maybe it was my bodies way of telling me I needed more fuel. Tony did pretty good though. We stopped at Sassafras Gap for lunch and saw the father hiking with his 10 year old son for spring break. They are heading back to Chicago today. The only one from the group we started out with that is still with us is Dan. Tamora age 52 and her son, 25, are also staying here at the shelter. Several more people showed up around 7pm; Josh, Megan, Phil, another Josh, and Larry. They started a fire around 8 and Megan, age 22, invited me to join them around the fire and I did. Had some more trail magic. They had marshmellows and shared with me. I ate 3 or 4 roasted marshmellows, yum!    We will be doing a nero day (a very short mileage day), tomorrow and Saturday. We are hiking 4.5 miles to Dicks Creek Gap for a ride into Hiawassee, where we will stay in the Budget Inn. Tony missed out on the marshmellow, because he went to bead early.
Date: 2014-04-25
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

We are spending the night in Hiawassee at the Budget Inn. The first thing I did was do laundry in their laundry room, while I waited for our room, then I took a shower. We then went and ate at Tony's favorite place, McDonald's. Actually Tony had McDonald's and I ate at Daniel's all you can eat buffet (ayce). I couldn't eat that much, though. Then we had Dairy Queen for super; but after we ordered our food we discovered we didn't have much of an appetite. Hiawassee is a very nice little town. It has some shops that I wouldn't mind visiting another time, if we are ever out this way again.   We did the hike to Dick's Creek in an hour and 45 minutes. The Budget Inn runs shuttles at 9 and 11 and we were on the 9:00 one and it was packed full with the following people; Dan, Phil, a guy and his two dogs, another guy, and the Mountain Mutts.
Date: 2014-04-26
From: Hiawassee

To: Plumorchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: clear sky

We had a very good night's sleep; but Tony has not felt like hiking at all today. It was not an easy hike, though. It was rough for me too; just feeling very tired; despite sleeping in a real bed. We did get to Plumorchard in 3 hours. Dan is here and 3 other people I don't know. I met two older ladies Mary and Kathy; who are hiking to Damascus. The Mountain Mutts are supposed to be here; but it is getting late; so I guess they camped somewhere further back. I am not feeling very energetic, today or up to writing much. I slept in my tent and Tony in the shelter.
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Plumorchard Shelter

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

Well, we have lost the last person we started with; Dan. It is just Tony, myself, Steve, and another couple camping on the other side of the creek; Rob and Kat. There are also two other people staying here marketing thru hiker food. They have been here for 10 days. The couple selling the food are from Houston. Steve is from New Hampshire and was an officer in the Air Force. Steve hiked with us most of the time today. We crossed over into North Carolina today; almost passed right by the sign. It is not very conspicuous. We also say the famous tree. Steve was kind enough to take our pictures at the border crossing and the tree.   I do not like this shelter. It has been written all over; plus there are not any bear cables. But, at least the people selling food have a dog with them; which I am told will keep bears away.    It was a very difficult and rocky climb today; with a lot of ups and downs.
Date: 2014-04-28
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter and Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

This entry is a combination of Monday and Tuesday. So far, the shelters in North Carolina have been very unimpressive and the Privies unusable in my opinion. We stayed in Carter Gap Shelter Monday, but tented since the shelter was full. I didn't want to, because I knew it was supposed to storm; but I never dreamed how bad. We had severe thunderstorms roll through around 10, I think and stormed all night long. Tony yelled out to me around 1 am and asked if I was okay and then around 3 to tell me he was getting wet; but with the torrential rains coming down and thunder and lightning every couple of minutes there was nothing I could do. Water was coming in my tent too. When got down to the next shelter; we were told there had been tornados. What a wild and scary night. I woke up at 7 and packed up all our wet stuff. We hiked from Carter Gap Shelter to Rock Gap Shelter. We hiked 12.2 miles Monday and 12.5 miles Tuesday. We are supposed to have thunderstorms again, so even though the shelter is terrible, we are sleeping in it. I can't wait to get to Franklin, tomorrow for a shower, a real bed, and to dry all our stuff out.   There was a homeless guy, who stays he is hiking the AT and started at Woody Gap. He has a puppy name Caroline; beautiful dog. The guy is okay, I guess; but I was glad when a couple, whom I don't know showed up and another hiker to spend the night at the shelter. We are only .1 miles from the road, and I walked down to it trying to get a signal on my phone and saw the Mountain Mutts there waiting for a ride into Franklin. I thought we wouldn't see them again. Funny how things work out. It was very nice to see someone we knew.
Date: 2014-04-30
From: Carter Gap Shelter and Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The shuttle picked us up about 9:30 and Ron Haven was driving it. He was full of very helpful advice for thru hikers. When we got to the Budget Inn, Paul, Steve, Joanna (Spider), Ben (Tramp), the Mountain Mutts, Rob, Kat, Bryan (Quest), and Dan (Grizzly) were all there, and Sara (Naptime) was just heading back out on the trail. It is amazing how you think you won't see people again, then you do. The first thing we did was have breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen, per Pauls' recommendation. Tony and I had the Strawberry Waffle, which was delicious. I also had my coffee and orange juice. Our room was ready when we got back, so the next order of business was showers. Then I did laundry, of course. We then visited with everyone and then went to McDonald's for lunch and then the Dollar General for resupply.   I also got to speak to Sam at lunch. I wouldn't be able to do this without my biggest supporter. I put a bounce box together and followed Ron's advice on mailing one to the NOC, which is definitely saving us on weight. A few hours later I went back to McDonald's to get a dip cone, but there ice cream machine was broke Instead I got Tony and I ice cream sandwiches from the Dollar General. It has been a nice day off and am looking forward to sleeping in a real bed tonight!
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Franklin

To: Silar Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

We hiked from Rock Gap to Silar Bald Shelter. It was a beautiful, perfect day for hiking. It was a fairly easy hike, too. Spider, Tramp, Paul, Grizzly, Rob, Kat, and Memphis are all here. I just met Memphis today. It is cold this evening, so I crawled into my tent and sleeping bag a little early to warm up.   Today I was wondering what I was doing out here; what the purpose is, other than to prove that I can hike 2000 plus miles. I didn't get an answer, but I think maybe it is to make me more grateful for all that I have, in addition, to molding Tony into the man that we hope and know he can be and to make him more grateful for what he has.    We are camped in a very beautiful spot.
Date: 2014-05-02
From: Silar Bald Shelter

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We hiked from Silar Bald Shelter to Cold Springs Shelter, which is a shelter located right on the trail. Paul, Grizzly, Rob, Kat, Tramp, Spider, and Bob are all the thru hikers staying here. In addition, two section hikers, Michelle and Josh are camping here. About halfway into the hike today, we reached Wayah Bald Tower. It is a very nice stone tower with great 360 degree views.   It was a very long day and I had such a headache by time I reached the Cold Springs shelter. But Michelle came to the rescue with some green tea, and Paul with 800 mg Ibuprofin. Paul and Bob built a campfire and Michelle broke out the marshmellow, chocolate and carmel. Yum!!! Another nice treat after along day. I ate several. We hung around the campfire until about 9:30.   Bob is 61 years old and this was only his 7th day on the trail. He is averaging about 20 mile days. He said that he has obligations he has to attend to toward the end of August, and that is why he is hiking such big mileage days. I give him credit. I certainly couldn't do it.