morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Blue Ridge Parkway just past Punchbowl

To: Salt Log Gap
Miles today: 18.7

It was a treat to wake up in a comfortable bed at Dutch Haus. Earl and Lois moved back east from Texas and run the best hiker B & B on the trail. To entice hikers down Fish Hatchery Rd, they offer a free lunch to all. Not many can resist staying the night which includes free laundry service. They provide terricloth robes for the hikers since we need "everything washed"!! Before the offer of robes, Lois watched hikers wrap up in her sheets or their tents while the laundry was being done. She had a great idea.After breakfast Earl had me back on the trail for my longest day yet. Soon I met Jim & Elaine. Their dog who is 9 years old was having a rough day and Jim was now carrying the dogs pack as well as his own. He must really love this dog because there is no way I would carry 10 pounds of dog food up and down the mountainside. I could tell they needed the break so I encouraged them to stop off at Dutch Haus. This was Elaines first overnight experience in the wilderness. She sure is brave to start long distance hiking with a 3 month section hike.The trail passed below Pedlar Dam which creates a beautiful reservoir that supplies driking water to Lexington, VA. Later the trail followed Brown Mtn. Creek. Along the creek were remnants of several rock walls. These were the only remains from a freed slave settlement of the last century. I couldn't resist putting my hand on some of the stones in the fence, probably last touched by settlers 100 years ago. It made for an eerie feeling in a dark, quiet valley. Crossed over US60 in the afternoon. Originally, my plans were to hitch-hike from here to Buena Vista where I would meet my wife Reggie and her niece. They were planning a spring break to Williamsburg. Unfortunately, Reggie got called for jury duty a week earlier, so plans were changed.I made it to the pickup point at 6:30 and Earl took me back for dinner. We were joined by Lois's parents who were visiting for Easter. Lois's father entertained me recounting his recent 17 day voyage on a container ship from San Francisco to Melbourne, Austrailia. He and his wife had a really unique cruise.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Salt Log Gap

To: Tye River Valley
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It was Easter morning as well as my Birthday! Last year I started a tradition of being on the trail on my birthday. That was the only way I could guarantee Reggie wouldn't throw me a surprise 50th birthday party. The plan is still working!!It turned out to be day 3 of fog with no mountaintop views. I climbed Spy Rock and The Priest Mountain and barely saw 50 feet in any direction. Guess that is a good reason to hike the AT again someday.I met Sweet-n-Low and Not Yet resting at Seeley-Woodworth Shelter. They had been cold and damp for three days now so I invited them to be my guests at Dutch Haus that evening. I ticked off all the amenities but they asked "Is there a warm shower?" Apparently I had overlooked the most important luxury on their priority list!!Arriving at the pick-up point 20-30 minutes before I got down the mountain, they remarked to themselves that this just might be a cruel joke. Fortunately, Earl arrived and we were back to the B&B. At dinner I learned both women graduated from college two years ago and after earning enough money were now enrolled in graduate school. This fall Sweet-n-Lo enters medical school in Kansas City and Not Yet goes to law school at the University of Cincinnati.Two other vistors arrived at the B&B...Pilgrim and Sugar High. These guys were good friends of the girls. They had separated just after Pearisburg about 10 days ago and had not seen each other since. Because we were picked up at the Tye River and shuttled back to Dutch Haus, Pilgrim and Sugar High were still 12 miles behind the girls. The boys decided to continue hiking at 7PM after a long 18-20 miles earlier in the day. Their plan was to hike for 4-5 hours in the dark so they could catch the girls in the morning. Such is the energy of youth!Dinner usually includes dessert and to my surprise Lois's mother baked me a birthday cake. Luckily she couldn't find 51 candles. It was a great gesture...thanks to Earl, Lois and entire family.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Tye River Valley

To: Dripping Rock on BRP
Miles today: 15.4

We were dropped off early and crossed the Tye River on a great looking suspension bridge. Soon we were at Harpers Creek Shelter where the girls enjoyed waking Pilgrim and Sugar High. They had hiked until almost 1AM. How they made it down The Priest in the dark is amazing.The climb up Three Ridges was fairly easy. Of course, with no pack I really shouldn't compare accents. This was another day in the clouds, but today had a slightly different look. After topping out on the ridgeline I was now above the fog and it was a beautiful sight to see the mountaintops surrounded by a sea of puffy clouds filling the valley.Had a nice snack break at Maupin Field Shelter. Ate one of Reggie's honeycakes she sent me....delicious!! Made it to the pickup point after several crossings of the Blue Ridge Parkway.Upon returning to Dutch Haus I met Jim & Elaine. They were making slow and steady progress and appreciated the break. Jim is a trail maintainer in Maine near White Cap Mountain in the 100 mile wilderness. In fact, he is interupting his hike and returning to Maine so that he can clear the trail of all the winter blowdowns before the thru hikers hit his section of the AT. The trail would not exist without the dedication of all the volunteers who maintain the AT. THANK YOU!!This was my last night at the B&B. I thank Bearfoot, a 2002 thru hiker who recommended this establishment. Dutch Haus does not appear in Wingfoots Handbook and no one should miss a place this special.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Dripping Rock on BRP

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today I am carrying my pack again. All good things must come to an end. Really kind of an uneventful day. Took a break at Paul Wolfe Shelter which is one of the nicer ones I have visited.Popped out of the woods, crossed the BRP and came face to face with I-64 and US250. The smelll of car exhaust and diesel hit me immediately. The community of Waynesboro realizing that hitch hiking on the main highway is near impossible, provides free rides to all hikers at their welcome center. My tour guide took me all through town and finally dropped me off at the Quality Inn. The motel is located on US250, the same road my daughter Susan and her husband Matt lived near in Ashland, OH. If I make a left had turn and walk 400 miles west, I could drop in for a visit...maybe next time.For dinner, I found an Arby's and ordered a "super-sized" milk shake. It had to be close to a half-gallon, but I made sure to drink it all. Nice ending to a perfect day on the AT.
Date: 2002-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am back from my last section hike only 3 weeks and am already planning for my next journey. I guess that means I had a terrific time on the trail. Although the scenery of the AT is spectacular, the real joy of hiking continues to be the friendships made on the trail. Most every hiker I meet provides great companionship and is a wealth of information making my hiking experience more enjoyable.My Spring of 2002 section started in Erwin, TN and concluded 278 miles later in Pearisburg, VA. This was considerably more successful than my 51 miles covered in 2001. I have to believe that my hike was more enjoyable due to a lighter pack as well as a better conditioning program. What I never realized my first year was that the Appalachian Trail is very physically demanding. Uphill is a real cardio workout and downhill uses muscles not normally called upon by a flatlander! I met a number of thru-hikers who did not workout prior to hitting the trail and most of them recounted tales of muscle cramps, blisters and total exhaustion the first two or three weeks from their starting point. So it is "Pay me now or pay me later" when it comes to physical preparation.As far as lighter pack weight goes, I don't consider myself an "ultralighter". These are folks who work hard to survive with minimal gear. Some of these hikers challenge all their buddies to see who can survive on next to nothing. There has to be a balance between comfort and pack weight. For me that balance is about 20 lbs before food and water. Ultralighters might be 1/2 that weight, but for me, I would like an extra pair of dry socks, an extra clean-smelling shirt and a soft sleeping pad for nights on the bone hard shelter floors.
Date: 2002-06-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just completed a great shakedown hike at Big South Fork National Recreation Area in Tennessee. This park has dozens of natural stone arches, chimneys, waterfalls and magnificent views. I discovered Charit Creek Hostel. Open year round, it offers everything a weary hiker could want. They serve breakfast and dinner if you are tired of preparing your own food. They even have cold Coke's since they are able to refrigerate using propane. Kerosene lanterns are a nice touch. Without electricity air conditioning is the only convience not available, but hey...it's a backpacking trip.The trails are well maintained by the National Park Service. There is even a "cement" swimming pool at the public campsite. I imagine their budget for this one unknown park exceeds what they spend helping the ATC maintain the entire Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2003-01-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I wasn't going to keep a journal but my family has some how been able to talk me into it. I've asked a family friend to do the transcribing for me and I would like to say thanks. Thanks Jim! Looking forward to finally starting the hike. I can't believe there's less than two months to go. Looking forward to meeting my three hiking companions, this will be an interesting adventure.
Date: 2003-02-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, here I am a 26 year old female in sunny south Florida. When I was growing up my family always did a lot of hiking and camping, but it wasn't until I spent a summer working in Yellowstone (many years ago) that I really got into backpacking. In the past I had thought that hiking the AT might be something I'd like to do at some point but it wasn't until about two years ago that I decided I really wanted to do it. So I started planning and was all set to go March of 2002 when I found out I needed surgery and would have to postpone my plans for a year. At the time I was very disapointed but now ten months later I realize it was a good thing. Today I spent the day working up on the roof in the 80* heat getting sunburnt and thinking about how I'm going to freeze when I finally get to GA. Boy am I going to miss my pool and the warm weather.
Date: 2003-02-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well here it is another day closer, I'm really looking forward to starting this journey. I have my rides all worked out. My dad will be driving me to Georgia and I have made arrangements with Hacksaw to take the group to the trailhead. I'm not sure yet what my final pack weight is but I will find out this weekend. My list of maildrops has been made and now I'm just working on putting the boxes together.
Date: 2003-03-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, tomorrow is my last day of work =) and although my "bosses" may not be looking forward to it(or maybe they are) I sure am. It means that my adventure is about to begin. I will be using this last week to wrap up all the loose ends. I am starting to get pretty excited!!! It is hard to believe there is only 11 more days. Don't cry Mom!!!
Date: 2003-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone! This will be my last entry before I start my hike. I'm in Georgia hanging out at the lodge, waiting to meet my hiking partners later today. We will start hiking tomorrow. The weather is pretty nice right now. It is sunny and there isn't a cloud in the sky. When I checked earlier this morning it was 60 degrees. To me that still feels pretty cool but I'll get used to it. I'm glad we'll be starting out with some nice weather.Befor I left home I had a patch from the 173rd Airborne sewn onto my pack to honor my Dad and his buddies and to show my support for those who are in the service.More to follow soon!
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Springer Mountian

To: Hawk Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

I can't believe this day has finally come! I'd have to say that the 1st day went pretty well. Hacksaw picked us up at 8:00 this morning and drove us up USFS 42. Hacksaw is a very nice guy and sent us off with all kinds of advice. Hikes up to Springer Mountain, took all the official starting pictures, had a little break, and met a couple of other thru hikers. Then we were off! Over all the hike was pretty easy although I have to say there were a couple of inclines that really got me, but seeing as how I haven't climbed any mountains since September I figure that's okay. There are a lot of people camped here tonight at Hawk Mountain shelter (only 3 are actually staying in the shelter). Too many to count. Everyone I've met so far is really nice. I even met someone here who is from Miami names Hussan. I'm really bad with names but the ones I remember are Sunshine Man from Myrtle Beach, Moo & 42 from AL, Smokey (Sara), Pete & Dardin & Ken. Ken had some Girl Scout cookies (Do-Si-Does), a great hit at camp. The weather was really nice today. I think it was about 60 degrees when I got up but it warmed up into the mid 70's. My hiking partners are pretty nice. Both Mary & Steven have a little faster pace than I do but that's okay. Well, its 8:00 and I'm already in my tent & ready for bed.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Hawk Mountain shelter

To: Gooch Gap shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up this morning and made breakfast, good old oatmeal. It was about 50 degrees and sunny. It may have reached close to 80 but I could be wrong because my pack was laying out in the sun when I checked it. The hiking went well, the uphills were really long as well as the down hills. When we hit the uphills I seem to lose Mary & Steven. They just keep moving while I need to stop every now & then. Tonight we are staying in the shelter at Gooch Gap. There are quite a few people here tonight, not as many as last night, though. There's Chuck, Christy, Ben, Hussan, the Healer, Sara (Smokey), a group of 5 Spring Breakers, and a couple of others who's names I can't remember, sorry. These people are great, very funny. Everyone was sitting around telling jokes. Steven has been singing Viva Las Vegas but he has changed it to Stinky Vegas. I know it is going to get stuck in my head & I'll probably end up singing it to myself tomorrow. It's 6;30 pm now and i'm all bundled up. I'll be going to bed as soon as it gets dark. It was supposed to rain today but so far we haven't had any. :-)
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Gooch Gap shelter

To: Woods Hole shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to an overcast sky and very cool. The sun did come out for a while in the afternoon but didn't stay very long. We stayed in the Gooch Gap shelter last night which wasn't bad until we went to sleep. As soon as all the flashlights were out the mice came in and inspected everything. They got into Healers pack and had a little party. My shelter mates for the night were Steven, Mary, Smokey, Healer, Adrianna, Michelle (not me) & Josh. Healer gave everyone an adjustment last night and it felt great! Today we were on the trail by 8:00, amazingly. The wind was really kicking today so when I did stop it wasn't for very long. I'm not positive but I don't think it ever got past 60 degrees today. There were some pretty tough inclines that had to be climbed today and I actually did pretty well thanks to Adrianna's ski pole lessons. She gave some really helpful advice and now I just chug right up those hills. Met up with everyone at Woody Gap for a quick lunch. Once leaving the Gap I hiked a while with Adrianna, Michelle, and Josh. I lost them after a while and hiked with Healer & Smokey the rest of the day. The last couple of miles were tough. I was really ready to stop for the day. I have never been so happy to see the shelter sign. I think someone decided to play a joke on people when they built this shelter trail. It just kept going and going and going. Finally arrived at Woods Hole shelter at about 5:15pm and couldn't have been happier. Moo & 42, my fellow Fla friends, Marylou, Tom for Short, Foreplay, Mary, and Steven were all there and set up. Steven saved a spot for my tent which was really nice of him. Good thing he did because they filled up pretty quickly. I was so exhausted and hungry I didn't want to move but I set up my tent. Then I had to walk half way back down the trail to the shelter to get water so I could make dinner. I had spaghetti but since I was so hungry my stomach started to hurt about half way through. Adrianna, Michelle, Josh, Christi, Ben, and Chuck all came in about dark. It was a long day, 12.1 miles. I'm glad I did it and I'm glad its over. We did have a really great campfire.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Woods Hole shelter

To: Walasi-Yi / Neels Gap
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out of camp by 8:45 am. It was a cold & windy day and we were socked in by clouds all day. Started off by hiking up Blood Mountain. Boy, what a climb that was. It was about 1.5 miles up hill and from there it was all down hill. Arrived at Walasi-Yi, picked up my mail drop and a few snacks for tonight. Rented a cabin with Steven, Mary, Smokey, Moo, and 42. Washed my stinky laundry, took a shower, and ate some lunch. The owner of Walasi-Yi brought us up his van so we could drive into Blairsville for some dinner. Yummmm! I had the best pizza ever from Jimmy's Pizza. Came back to the cabin, relaxed and went thru the pack to see what I could get rid of. I can't believe its 11:30pm and I'm still awake. Good night all!
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Walasi-Yi / Neels Gap

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Had a great nights sleep at the cabin last night. Got up this morning & had cold pizza for breakfast followed by what was left of the Pringles I bought yesterday. Once we were all packed up we headed back up to Walasi-Yi. Steven, Mary, & myself had our packs checked out to see what we could get rid of. I lost a total of 3 pounds. By the time I had the shake down with my pack and made some phone calls, it was about 1:30 pm before I started out. Mary and Steven left about 30 minutes before me. I made great time until I hit the Testnatee Gap which slowed me down quite a bit. The day was very eerie. Spent the whole time walking through the clouds, able to see just a little bit of trail in front of me. It was really windy & drizzling,(it still is) and the temperature seemed to be dropping. I made it to the shelter at about 5:45. Only Mary and Healer are staying in the shelter tonight, everyone else is camped out. I'd say there is between 8 to 12 tents and 1 hammock here. Let me tell you it was a real chore trying to put up my tent in this wind. If I didn't know better I'd think I was in a hurricane. It is much warmer in my tent than in the shelter, though. Everyone retired to their tents & sleeping bags as soon as they finished dinner. I bought on of those balaclavas before I left home (on my Dad's advice) not expecting to ever use it but I'm extremely glad I did because I'm wearing it right now. I can't believe this wind. I hope my tent doesn't fly away. Actually, I hope Smokey doesn't fly away, she has her hammock strung up in the trees next to my tent. What a brave girl she is! I've had to get out of the tent once already to re-adjust my rainfly. I had it too close to the tent and it was blowing some of the rain into the tent. I thought bringing it in closer would keep that from happening but I was wrong. Learn something new every day. Some trailnames that have been adopted in the last 24 hours are Cookie (Mary), Viking (Chuck), Cap'n Ben (Ben), Comic Relief (Cindi), Sleepy Floyd (Steven)
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Helen, GA
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up this morning to snow. There was 2 to 4 inches of the fluffy stuff. I had a little trouble getting out of my tent because the zipper was frozen. It was really beautiful but really COLD. The Weaver family was there camping with their kids and offered to drive us into Helen for the night. The 8 of us jumped on the opportunity and hiked down to Hogpen Gap with the Weavers. We were dropped off at the Super 8 motel and got a few rooms. There is gear strung up all over the place drying out. This is a different looking town, its very Dutch. Had some dinner then back to the hotel room to lounge around.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Helen, GA

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

The shuttle picked us up at 10 this morning to drive us back to Hogpen Gap. The cold temperatures wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the WIND. The 8 of us pretty much hiked together until we got to Low Gap. We stopped there for lunch and Smokey stabbed herself with her Swiss Army knife. Its a pretty bad puncture wound but she wants to push on. After lunch the faster group went on and Ben, Chuck, Smokey and myself stuck together - Team Mosey. Arrived at Blue Mountain Shelter at aound 6pm. Made some dinner, stood around the campfire and laughed hysterically at all the jokes. I'm freezing so I'm off to bed.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was a really good day. Started late this morning at 10am and got into camp around 5pm. Smokey, Viking, Cap'n Ben, Cindy & I stuck together today. Smokey declared today as National Take-it-Easy Day so that's just what we did. (Yesterday was Love Your Sleeping Bag Day). We hiked until we got to Unicoi Gap then we took a lunch break for close to an hour. We took another lunch break a few miles up the trail on top of Rocky Mountain. It wasn't quite as windy today, thankfully, and the temp reached into the 70's. Ran into Michelle and Josh (2 cousins) at Cheese Factory Gap. When we got off the trail & went to Helen, I guess they went into Hiawassee. It's still pretty windy here on Tray Mountain but nothing like its been over the past few days. Tomorrow should be a fairly short day. We are only going 7.1 miles to Deep Gap Shelter and there is only one big climb. I've noticed my appetite has started to increase a little, I wasn't expecting it to do that for at least another week. Most of todays conversation seemed to center around food. Well, its 8:30 and I'm getting cold so in the sleeping bag I must go.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

I was up and out of camp by 10am this morning. You'd think there wouldn't be anyone else left in camp by that time but you would be wrong. There were about 4 or 5 others still there when I left. Met up at Sassafras Gap with Smokey, Viking, Cap'n Ben, and Cindi. The hike today was actually pretty nice until we got to Kelly Knob. It just kept going up and up and up. Just when you think you're at the top you're not. I pulled into Deep Water Gap shelter at about 4pm. One of the guys here at the shelter has volunteered to give us a ride to the Blueberry Patch tomorrow so we don't have to walk the 3.5 miles down the road. Since he is leaving early in the morning I've decided to stay in the shelter for the night. It was about 40 degrees this morning & warmed up into the 70's. It was a beautiful day today, not a cloud in the sky. Saw my first snake today, it was a little one.