morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-02-26
To: We're Almost Ready
Miles today: 0.0

   This journal entry is our first transcribed entry so our transcriber, daughter Kristy, can see how the Trail Journal setup works. We have a Pocketmail device that allows us to type journal entries nightly from our campsite on the trail.The Pocketmail saves them until we get to a phone and are able to send them home to our email address. It's a high-tech pad and pencil and amazing if it works as planned!   We've said good-bye to our family and friends and our church family, all of whom we will miss very much, and we're running around doing last minute details now with only three days left before we leave.   The weather is bitter cold here in Massachusetts and we surely hope for warmer temps in Georgia. We watch the weather reports for the various trail towns and it seems as if a storm may be heading east across the country. This will certainly be an adventure whether it's sunny or snowy and we have clothes to keep us warm and dry.    So follow along as the adventure unfolds. Thanks in advance for your good thoughts and keep us in your prayers. ~Scamp
Date: 2003-02-28
To: We're Ready!
Miles today: 0.0

   This is it! We're ready! We've confirmed our airline reservations and everything is all set for us to fly to Atlanta in the morning. I sit here and ... I'm excited... and I'm nervous... and I'm apprehensive... but mostly I'm excited and I wonder what lies ahead.    The preparation has been great fun. We've planned meals, packed food drop boxes, organized gear, filled the packs, weighed the packs, emptied the packs, rethought some clothing needs and filled the packs again, weighed the packs, and so it goes day after day. Our little postage scale has had a workout since every item has been weighed to the ounce and evaluated, and either was included, put in a food box to be mailed later, or eliminated completely. Such obsession with weight!    We've checked the weather websites to see what the temps are in the South right now and even though there are showers, it's generally much warmer than Massachusetts. So this is it. All the unknowns we've been wondering about will find answers as the experience begins. Time to get to bed. Morning will come quickly and then we're off.
Date: 2003-03-01
To: Bon Voyage
Miles today: 0.0

Hello all!This is Kristy (KayDeeDid), Scamp's daughter! I will be keeping up Scamp and Greylock's journal for them while they're on the trail.Scamp and Greylock are Georgia bound!!! After so many months of preparation and waiting, they are finally on their way. Popeye and I took them to the airport this morning. While they were waiting to check their backpacks, a man asked if they were thruhiking. They explained to him that they were hiking to Harpers Ferry this year, and he told them that he would be starting his own thruhike on March 13th. His trail name is Itchy Foot. It sure is a small world...either that or the trail community is just larger than we think. I'd like to think it's the latter of the two. :) We went over all the final details and reminisced about our own hike last year. We weren't allowed to go through security without a boarding pass, so we said our goodbyes and off they went. Their flight took off around 11:30 and they'll be in Atlanta around 6:00. Can't wait to hear from them! We're so excited for them and our thoughts and prayers will be with them constantly. We love you, guys!!!I'll keep you all posted as they send me information!KayDeeDid
Date: 2003-03-02
From: Springer Mountain

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: overcast clouds

After a great flight to Atlanta we met our trail angels Gary and Joan Fleeman who showed us true Southern hospitality by meeting us at the airport and having us overnight at their home. After making us a delicious breakfast, Gary drove us to Amicolola Falls. Thank you Gary and Joan!   We signed the register at the Visitor's Center and wished we didn't have to hike the uphill approach trail which would take us to the first white blaze on Springer Mt. summit...8.8 miles all uphill. Well, within minutes along came trail angels and future A.T. hikers John and Charlotte Stevenson from Atlanta, who graciously offered to drive us up to the top of the mountain. We were overjoyed and appreciate so much their help and for hiking with us to the summit. Thanks to them, we were able to get started today and so here we are at our first shelter. It's cold, but not too cold, our food is in the bear bag, we have a lovely campsite down by the creek and several other hikers are here with us sitting around the campfire.   Thank you Lord, for good people who gladly help out folks in need.
Date: 2003-03-03
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Sassafrass Mountain
Miles today: 8.5

Today was a great day! We hit the trail around 9:30 and went to Hawk Mt. Shelter for lunch. It was a beautiful spot, the weather was warm with a cool breeze, and since the shelter was empty, we decided to have our cooked meal at noon. It was delicious and gave us the energy to keep on going a few more hours. We knew the next shelter was too far to go to tonight so we chose a beautiful spot on the top of Sassafras Mt., set up our tent and had a cup o soup and a Cliff Bar for supper. It's cold at night, but Dave is a wonderful campfire builder so we're warm and cozy on our private mountain top.   Thank you Lord, for blue skies and sunshine.
Date: 2003-03-04
From: Sassafrass Mountain

To: Ramrock Mountain
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Another beautiful day! We got an early start and stopped at the new Gooch Gap shelter for lunch. Gorgeous brand new shelter. Then we continued on to see how far we could get and we're on a mountain looking down on the lights of Dahlonega, GA. It's an even prettier spot than last night. It's chilly though, and we can hear the wind roaring around us, but our campsite is protected. We have another nice campfire and will get to bed early and try to get to Neel's Gap tomorrow. This will get us back on our original schedule.   A thruhiker just passed us going south who left Katahdin last Sept.6th. He's one of the last SOBO's (southbounders}. It was just about dark, but he hiked on. All our gear is working well and as we hoped it would. Having a great time.   Thank you Lord for trails that are sometimes flat with the sound of the creek and rhododendron canopies overhead. ~Scamp
Date: 2003-03-05
From: Ramrock Mountain

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was awesome! We did our biggest mileage yet! It rained in the night last night but stopped by morning. The day was warm and sunny and we got some great views along the way. Workmen at Woody Gap told us about severe thunder storms due to arrive at 6PM so we hustled and met our goal of Neels Gap by days end and a night indoors.    We're staying tonight at Goose Creek Cabins and we have a darling cabin complete with kitchen. Needless to say, the hot shower was wonderful and after a pizza dinner we're going over to the main building to send these journal entries to Kristy.   Thank you Lord, for your strength each day and for a wonderful husband who encourages and believes in me.   ~Scamp
Date: 2003-03-06
From: Neels Gap

To: Rock Spring Top
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light snow

Last night at Goose Springs Cabins was wonderful and the timing was perfect! The thunderstorms hit last evening and for hours the thunder and lightening raged all around us while the rain poured down. It seemed to last all night and we kept saying how thankful we were to be indoors. We had a nice breakfast in our cabin and after we got shuttled back to Neels Gap around noon, we went into the Walasi Yi Center and had the outfitter there go through our packs to evaluate our clothing and gear. He was extremely helpful with organizing our packs and pointed out things we really didn't need. As a result, we filled a large box with the surplus to send home. Our packs are now much lighter and trimmer.      This took quite a long time so we got a late start and stopped for the nght at a campsite along the trail. We set up as the sun set, had dinner in the dark, and are snug in our sleeping bags since tonight is COLD!   Thank you Lord, for a helpful outfitter who spent much time with us today.
Date: 2003-03-07
From: Rock Spring Top

To: Cold Springs Gap
Miles today: 11.6

What an incredibly beautiful day! Again we had blue skies and warm sunshine as we hiked along in shortsleeves and Greylock in shorts. We leapfrogged along the trail with Zeus and Anthony, the twin FBI guys from Georgia and several others, passing gorgeous views and stopping to take pictures.   We had lunch on a log along the trail and ventured into the woods to answer a call of nature. My method was just to always wait for the next privy but it doesn't always work. Thanks Popeye and Kaydeedid for the instructions before we left.   We reached Low Gap Shelter where the Twins were staying. Zeus and Anthony had their tent up and a young woman had hung her hammock. It seemed like a lovely spot, but we thought we could do a few more miles.   Several miles down the trail was our friend from last year, Mickey One Sock who was camping with another hiker. It was good to see him again. We kept on going, though, and found another trailside campsite. We've had a delicious Enertia Food dinner, another nice campfire and as the mountains really chill off when the sun goes down, we'll soon be in our sleeping bags.   Thank you Lord, for creating beautiful mountains that appear like ocean waves, one after another as far as we can see.
Date: 2003-03-08
From: Cold Springs Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was our hardest hiking day - up and over Blue Mt., down into Unicoi Gap, up and over Rocky Mt., down into Indian Grave Gap, up and over Tray Mt. and here we are tonight at Tray Mt. shelter. We had lunch at Unicoi Gap and talked with Crumb Snatcher who was on his way up to the cheese factory site to camp.   At the shelter tonight is a good group. There's a father and son doing a section of trail, and thruhikers Driver, Lion Cub and Rob. They happened to see us praying when we had dinner and said they're all Christians too and told us the Lord has been real good to them on their hike so far. We can't help but echo that feeling.      Although we hiked again in short sleeve shirts, it got cold quickly at dark and I can see my breath in the tent now as I write this by the light of my headlamp.   Tomorrow we'll try to get to Dick's Creek Gap (10.6 Mi.) and hope there's a spot open at Blueberry Patch Hostel.    Thank you Lord, for fine young men and women who are on the trail with us, hiking their hikes for reasons of their own, but all enjoying the world you made.
Date: 2003-03-09
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 10.6

   Today was really hard. Perhaps it was a combination of yesterday's mountains plus today's, maybe the unexpected heat, maybe we just need a day to rest. At any rate, we woke up to gusty wind and blowing fog on Tray Mt. so we quickly ate breakfast and left the shelter before anyone else was even awake. As we descended, the sun broke through and before long it was a hot day. We were fine until about noon, when we had to climb Kelly Knob (4275'). The trail seemed to never end - up, up, up. We were soaked with sweat, our backpacks were soaked, I took off my gaiters and unzipped the legs off my zip-off pants and we stopped often to drink water.    Then came the descents, ending with a big downhill into Dick's Creek Gap. Exhausted, we hitched a ride to Blueberry Patch Hostel where we picked up our mail drop. We considered staying there, but decided on a motel in Hiawassee and AYCE buffet at Daniel's Steakhouse, which was incredibly good.    So here we are tonight, right on schedule, but wondering if it might be better to ease up a little on the miles even at the risk of lagging behind a bit on our calendar.    A hot shower works wonders, and we're quite proud that we've done 66.8 miles so far.    Thank you Lord for a soft bed tonight and a delicious Sunday dinner ~ Scamp
Date: 2003-03-10
From: Hiawasee, GA

To: Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 0.0

   A "Zero Day", or day in which we hike zero miles, seemed in order after our day yesterday resulting in muscles crying out for mercy. Hiawassee, GA is a lovely hiker-friendly town that we have thoroughly enjoyed. We started out with a Hardee's breakfast, then located the nearest laundromat and washed our clothes, visited the local outfitter's and packaged up some things to send home. As we left the P.O. we ran into another thruhiking couple, Sparky and Zapman, who told us about the Library just down the street so we walked over and checked email and were delighted to see our updated Trail Journal. Great job Kris!   We bought some treats at the local supermarket and had another great buffet dinner at Daniel's. It was fun to walk down the street and see daffodils and pansys blooming knowing there is still snow on the ground in Massachusetts.   So tomorrow morning it's back on the trail but we've had a much needed rest. We're ready to go again! Onward and upward!   Thank you Lord, for rest that renews and refreshes.
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Hiawasee, GA

To: Bly Gap, NC
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

Time to celebrate! We crossed our first state line from Georgia into North Carolina. There's a sign on a tree to mark the line and in the field just up the hill is the famous old gnarled oak tree, which is the hiking landmark. Around the oak are grassy areas with views to the northwest, and this is where we are camping tonight along with several other hikers. It's a beautiful spot to mark the end of a perfect day.   When we were ready to leave Hiawassee, we were able to hitch a ride (without too much of a wait) right back up to the trailhead. There were the White twins getting some trail magic from a local couple who had unloaded several coolers from their car filled with a complete picnic feast expressly for any hungry thruhikers. There was fresh fruit, soda, crock pots of baked beans, casseroles, rolls, desserts and just about anything you could think of. We had just eaten breakfast so only took a piece of fruit, but as we left the picnic area, the couple and the Twins were standing around the table holding hands and saying grace. Helping hikers down here is a ministry in which many folks are actively involved.    Tonight is again cold but quiet. I'm in my sleeping bag journaling while Greylock is in his, studying the maps to assess tomorrow's terrain.   Thank you Lord for bringing us safely this far.
Date: 2003-03-12
From: Bly Gap, NC

To: Standing Indian Mtn.
Miles today: 9.2

After a steep rugged climb out of Bly Gap, we spent the day going up and over beautiful NC mountains and looking at awesome views. We had lunch at Muskrat Creek shelter before heading up Standing Indian Mt.    We pitched our tent on the summit which is 5498' and we're the only ones here. Dinner tonight was a sunset special - we fixed our dinner, then took it up to the tippy top of the mountain to eat it while we watched the sun go down. We had a clear view to the west and the view was spectacular. We thought the weather report was calling for rain, but there was definitely a "red sun tonight" so hopefully the sailers will be correct instead of the weathermen.   Thank you, Lord, for a calm night tonight on our mountaintop and for showing us a magnificent sunset.
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Standing Indian Mtn.

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

In the night last night we heard thunder and distant lightening, but the only precip we got were light showers around dawn. The sun kept peeking out as we hiked with only one interesting shower during the day.   We descended into Mooney Gap, and our thru-hiker's book says that this gap has been identified as among the wettest places in the eastern U.S. Well, it started to shower as we entered the gap and stopped as we climbed out.    For most of the day we were on excellent clear trails, mostly flat with tunnels of rhododendron all in bud. In another month, these gaps will be really beautiful! We had lunch at the new Carter Gap Shelter and didn't see another hiker all day.   Our last climb before stopping for the night was Albert Mt. (5220') and was that a challenge. The trail went straight up! We climbed up rock faces by hanging onto trees growing alongside the trail, with Greylock giving me boosts from behind. Up and up we climbed until we reached the top.    There was a shelter .6 miles from the top, and that's where we pitched our tent tonight, very glad to rest.   Thank you, Lord, for the strength You give us each day, especially on Albert Mt.
Date: 2003-03-14
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

   Today marks another milestone in our adventure since we passed the 100 mile mark! My Dad likes to say "These boots are made for walkin'" and we can attest to the fact that our boots have walked a lot of steps in 100 miles.   The trail today was an easy one and we arrived at Winding Stair Gap at about 2:30 and quickly were able to get a hitch in the 10 miles to Franklin, N.C. At one point we thought a car had pulled over to give us a ride but it was only 2 elderly folks changing drivers.   Again, our timing was right because we had no sooner checked into the Microtel when it started raining. We just smiled. It sure is nice to be warm and dry. Tomorrow we'll do laundry, visit the local outfitter to buy Coleman fuel, do some shopping, and just take it easy and let sore muscles recover.   Thank you, Lord,for holding the rain until we arrived here.
Date: 2003-03-15
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

   Our second Zero Day! We had errands to do, so took advantage of the strategic location of the Microtel. We could walk to the Three Eagles Outfitter and a visit there is always fun. They take a picture of each thruhiker and display it in the store so we were added to their gallery.    We walked over to the Kmart shopping center and got pizza for lunch, did our laundry, and picked up some bagels at the Ingles supermarket, since that's a bread that backpacks well.   It felt good to relax in the evening and catch up on current events on TV. One of the interesting things about the trail is the separation one feels from world events. Our thoughts center around "Where is the next water source?" and "Where will we camp tonight?",so it's a reality check to come into contact with civilization.   Thank you Lord, for America. Grant President Bush wisdom as he makes decisions concerning possible war.
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We had arranged for a shuttle to take us back to Winding Stair Gap this morning, and as we rode back up into the mountains the sun peeked out briefly. For most of the day though, we walked in fog and drizzle. Visibility was poor except for moments when the fog cleared and we saw the views that we remembered from last Spring when we were here.   Wayah Bald (5340') was a long slow climb but we arrived at the stone observation tower in late afternoon and are camping tonight at a campsite just over the summit. Keeping us company tonight are John, TrailFrog and Homerun. Homerun got a nice campfire going and we gathered around its warmth as the evening grew cool. They are all hiking faster than we are, as John said he plans to summit Katahdin during the first week of Aug.   We seem to be in for several days of wet weather. My Dad used to say," I hope this rain keeps up." When we asked why, he'd say, "So it doesn't come down." We agree!   Thank you Lord, for my Dad, who gave me a love for the outdoors.
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Wayah Bald

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

   Again this morning the sun peeked at us, then hid behind fog until noon. We hiked along completely socked in by the fog which obscured all the views.   We stopped for lunch at Cold Spring Shelter where we met up with Beefstick, Sonic and Guana. This lovely shelter has a spring right in front of it and the sound of water flowing from it was delightful. It was overcast and growing darker and as we rested and ate, it began to shower so we got out rain gear and hiked all afternoon in light rainfall.   The descent into Tellico Gap was wet and slippery and we were surprised to see Trail Magic in the form of a large bag of apples, oranges and candy bars with the message that they were from Butch Cassidy. Thanks Butch! On this happy note we were glad to stop for the night and plan to hike the rest of the way down into the Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, N.C. tomorrow.   Thank you Lord, for unexpected events that bring sunshine into a rainy day.
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Tellico Gap

To: Nantahala River (NOC)
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's trail was a rough one and we ended up at a different destination than we thought we would be at tonight. Under overcast skies we hiked to the top of Wesser Bald but there were no views...just a whiteout of fog.   From there, it was a long downhill (4.1 miles) to the Nantahala River that was sometimes gently sloping, sometimes steep and rocky, and sometimes treacherous with slippery mud and wet roots and leaves because of all the rain here over the past few days. It was slow going and tough on the knees, to say the least.   At the river's edge is the NOC, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, which is a huge adventure complex catering to backpackers and white water sports. Their facilities are vast so we never dreamed there'd be no vacancy, but as they explained it's Spring Break and they were completely booked by college kids.   We called some local cabins and got a cute one down the road from the NOC for the night, but will need a shuttle in the morning to take us back to the trail. We were disappointed not to be staying at NOC but are glad we were able to get a warm bed for tonight. Tomorrow we know the trail goes uphill for miles to gain back the elevation we lost today, so we need a good night's sleep.   Thank you Lord, for bringing us safely down the mountain and providing a place for us to stay tonight.
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Nantahala River (NOC)

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We walked uphill for almost 7 miles under continuing cloudy skies that threatened showers at any moment, so we kept raingear handy. It was actually not too bad a climb and at one point we came to an overlook with the most awesome view of the Nantahala River Valley with the N.O.C. alongside. At that point we had gained more than 2000' in elevation so it was quite rewarding to look way down and see the progress that we had made.   The Sassafras Gap shelter where we arrived at the end of our climb is a new shelter, built in 2002. It's large, with 2 levels for sleeping and a wide overhang in front with benches and shelf for cooking. Usually we prefer to stay in our tent even at shelter sites, but the weather prediction was for thunderstorms so we decided to stay inside tonight. Many other thruhikers apparently concurred because the shelter is filled to its capacity of 14 tonight. Some of our neighbors tonight are the White Twins, Jan Litefoot, Pop-Pop, Hashbrown & Homefries, and LumberJack.   Just at dusk we heard the thunder approaching and before long we were in the midst of thunder, lightening, pouring rain and hail. It was so nice to be in here and cozy and dry.    Everyone is settled in their sleeping bags and we are on the upper level. It's early for sleep and in the growing darkness, we can hear the quiet conversations around us...a lone shelter up here in the mountains... but not alone and tonight that feels good.   Thank you Lord, for the hiking community of which we are a part.