morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-14
From: amicalola falls state Park

To: Springer Mountain shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

"All endeavor calls for the ability to tramp the last mile, shape the last plan, endure the last hours toil. The fight to the finish spirit is the one... characteristic we must posses if we are to face the future as finishers". -Henry David ThoreauMy day began as i like every good day to begin, At Waffle House in a nearby town from the State Park. I met John Carlson, a fellow hiker, for breakfast and i downed a couple of pork chops, some eggs and hash browns, John is an older guy from Brockton, MA originally, who wrote a trail journal last year that i read, or his unsuccessful thru hike attempt. After breakfast we were shuttled to the State Park by "Survivor Dave" who drives hikers to the Trail. We arrived at the Approach Trail, registered and then were quickly on our way.   The trail begins with a 660 step ascension aside the great waterfall. It was a wondrous view and the steps were not as tough as had been advertised. The trail was in horrid condition, though, and my injured ankle was retwisted several times over the many trees fallen on the trail. The snow and ice only added to the treacherous terrain. I felt pretty good despite the long journey that broughtt me to Georgia. I left Boston on Friday morning and headed south on Amtrak (monumentally bad decision), and did not get to Atlanta till 5pm the next day. I tried to get some sleep on the train, and did so by consuming a dozen beers and a bottle of wine, and yet was only able to eke out about 2 hours of rest. There was a child behind me that wailed and whined for the entire trip, which in retrospect, i cant blame him. The trip was torture. The train came off the tracks in Georgia, and the passengers were left to sit on the train, for the next nine hours. I felt like driving a machete through my eye socket the entire time. A few passengers and I snuck into a nearby town to kill time and have a few laughs. We were later put on buses and driven to our locations, albeit very late. John (known as OM River on the Trail)and I, got the top of Springer Mtn, around 2:30pm, i quickly took all my clothes off and took a quick photo, and we moved on another 0.2 miles to Springer Mountain shelter. We set up our gear and ate dinner (Ramen Soup) before Thrasher and Turkey sauntered in around 5:30pm. They are a very young married couple who seemed very nice. We chatted briefly and by 8:00 pm i went inside my bag and fell into the deepest and longest sleep of my life. The night was cold and snowy and i awoke to two surprises; A mouse had eaten some of my peanut butter, and snow had covered the inside of the shelter and landed inside of my boots.
Date: 2010-02-15
From: Springer Mountain shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome". -Anne BradstreetThe Morning on Springer Mountain was brutal. Howling winds and about a half foot of snow greeted me as i made my way down to the water source, which was a dribbling brook. I quickly got my pack on and at 8:00am we were on our way. The hiking was very strenuous, and every step was harder in the snow than it was on solid ground, River and I both had our share of spills, and by the time we reached Hawk Mountain Shelter we were exhausted (7.8 miles). We took a long lunch break and headed out towards Gooch Mountain Shelter. I had a pretty good afternoon but River had a hard time keeping up and he needed some coaching to get him to Gooch by 6:30pm. The temps during miday were very nice maybe into the 30's, but by 7:00pm they got really cold. I quickly ate my dinner and set up my sleeoping area, barely chatting with the other inhabitants, who were already in their bags when we got there. Micah, chatted a little about his job working for the Atlanta Falcons, and about his form fitting shoewear, which has gotten him the early trail name "Toe Man". They hung their food bags from the bear cables, but there was no way i was doing that, and i burrowed what food i had into my sleeping bag and tried to fall asleep. The temps dropped considerably on the mountain (a local said the temps in town was 14, so the mountain was much lower than that. The wind and snow inside the shelter made it impossible to sleep for me. I tried to stick my head totally inside my sleeping bag, but the dehydrated Chili with Beans i had for dinner had created a most potent "Dutch Oven". I waited painfully till morning and ate breakfast in my bag.
Date: 2010-02-16
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

"We gotta get out of this placeIf it's the last thing we ever doWe gotta get out of this placeGirl, there's a better life for me and you "   -the AnimalsThe Day started off poorly, i was frozen solid and my boots were difficult to get on and tie. The laces were frozen solid and erect. I had little water and there was not much at the site very close, so i decided to head out early and get to a spring which was about 2 miles down the trail. River and Toeman also left, and before long Toeman was out of sight. The snow was deep and drifts were thigh deep in spots, while the temperatures were abysmal. The hiking was tough enough, and when we approached the water source after two miles, we were dissapointed to see it was little more than a trickle, and grimy. We surged forward against some howling winds and got water in another 2 miles and then moved into Woody Gap. Woody Gap was impossible. Winds were hurricane force and skin defacing. I hurried across the Gap toward a random restroom, i ran inside the mens room in effort to gain cover and inside getting dressed was Cedar Tree, a hiker i had corresponded with who started on Feb 13th. He was calling for a pickup, to get off the trail for a bit. He said this was too much at this point, (Cedar Tree had thru hiked in 2000). i found that to be a solid idea, at least for the day and hitchhiked into Dahlonega, and got a bed at the Hiker Hostel, to get shelter and warmth for the day before heading out tommorrow towards Neels Gap. They had a nice facility, a warm shower, internet, and a bed. River came along, and spent the afternoon watching "The Hurricane" starring Denzel Washington. I tried to warm up, but that kind of cold is tough to shake, but i used the opportunity to dry out my soaked clothes, and sleeping bag. Missing home very much but trying to stay strong and wait out this bad weather and do a little bit every day until i can stretch my legs out on solid ground.
Date: 2010-02-17
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

"Failure to prepare is preparing to Fail"- Coach John Wooden I got a ride from Josh @the hiker hostel to Woody Gap in the morning. The Hiker Hostel is a great hiker experience, a beautiful Bed and Breakfast, and for only $16. They gave us a nice breakfast of Pancakes, Eggs and oatmeal. When we got to the trail, I felt totally energized and enjoyed the day immensely. The big climb was Blood Mtn which was a blast, we got up to the top and took a ton of pictures and had lunch at the stone shelter atop the mtn. The snow was still deep, bit the day of rest was neccessary to having a good day. We arrived at mountain Crossings in Neels Gap at 3:30pm. We resupplied and went downstairs and hung with the other bikers passing through; Mike(Snowplow), Joker, Spongebob and Slingshot. They all seemed like nice guys, and the latter three were from Arkansas Tech, getting credit to hike the trail. They did pack a bit heavy though, spongebob had all kinds of camera equipment and a laptop. The place was pretty cold and I found myself in my bag pretty early, and asleep by 8:00pm.
Date: 2010-02-18
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: clear sky

"Keep your face always toward the Sunshine, and shadows will fall behind you"-Walt WhitmanToday was one of the toughest days ever, as the snow was over 3ft in depth for most of the day. Your feet had to lifted over your waist so often that the hips and groin were exhausted early. The pace was so slow, with the first 7 miles taking 6 hours to hike. I kind of got a second wind late in the day, and just shot out ahead of the crew over the past 3 miles and got to Low Gap to find a couple of guys we had camped with at Gooch mtn, there and settling in. Jersey Joe is a thru hiker who has the look of someone that is going to finish, he is young and tough, and not too bothered. By the weather. He only made 4.6 miles today, though. We commiserated over the depth of the snow and then me, Snowplow and River made our dinner, and settled in to our bags. I slept good at first , but woke at midnight to Snowplow and River snoring in Stereo. It was torture. At least the night was wonderful. For the first time I stayed dry all night.
Date: 2010-02-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: broken clouds

"I hate the fuckin' Eagles, man!"-The Dude in the Taxi in Malibu in "the Big Lebowski"I woke up to a beautiful Sunrise in Low Gap Shelter to the sound of the babbling brook below us asn the flapping of the tarp tacked up in the shelter, reacting to the slight breeze. Best morning yet. I got my food bag and forced down 4 Pop tarts, (need those early day calories) and started gettin g my stuff together. River brought some Bobcat urine crystals and that has helped keep the mice off our food at night. Batman and Robin were the first out of the shelter at about 7:45am and we all left about 45 minutes after that. Snowplow stayed behind. We kept a good pace for the first 4 miles or so, but then the snow got real deep (about 3 ft consistently, and it started working on our minds). The Deep snow is real slow and real tiring. I tried to Keep my mind off the snow by thinking about different things and listening to the music in my head, but invariably, a song i hate kept finding its way into my mind, "Hotel California" by the Eagles. I tended to dislike classic rock geowing up and always didnt like that one almost more than any other. But it kept bugging my mind. It demonstrates what was wrong with music of that era, as its a song about how shitty it is to be a rock star. Please!!. Im living in a blizzard and all i can think of is Don Henley's troubles, of being famous. typical 1970's fare. We arrived in Unicoi Gap at 2:30pm and i was ready to climb Rocky Mountain, but River said he couldnt make it, so i devised a plan to reach our goal the next day and we headed into Hiawasee. I slept poorly again, combination of not hiking long enough and River's snoring. Well, that and i always have had sleep problems. Got into cell phone range and spent the night checking my emails and twittter and surfing the web.
Date: 2010-02-20
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: few clouds

"You're suspect! Yeah, you! I don't know what your reputation is in this town, but after the shit you tried to pull today you can bet I'll be looking into you. Now the business we have, heretofore, you can speak with my aforementioned attorney. Good day, gentlemen; and until that day comes, keep your ear to the grindstone. "- Chuckie in "Good Will Hunting"Today was a big day. We got up early headed over to the trail at Unicoi Gap and got ready to ascend Rocky Mountain. Before we got started a young lady came up to me and asked for a favor. She was a college student from Mississippi, who was in the nearby town of Helen, GA and decided to come up to the mountains to check out the snow. She was the most breathtaking thing i have seen in quite a while, (we shall refer to her as "Helen of Troy"). She was wearing her tights very low and her blouse came about 6 inches from making any contact with her tights, so the lower midgerift was exposed. River could not say a word, as he was awestruck. She wanted me to take her picture in the snow and i did, and then she got in her car and left. We went up the mountain and started on our day. I thought of Helen of Troy often that day. WE did very well as we got past Rocky Mountain and a few others before hitting Tray Mtn. The snow had melted a bit from previuos days and the hiking was a lot easier. Tray mountain was marred by downed trees everywhere (apparent Ice storm) and low hanging branches. We had to get down low and belly to the ground in spots (Rambo style), to get up and down the mountain. It was majestic. Ice crystals at least an inch in diameter formed around the curled up leaves of the lush Rhodendrons. It was like walking through a chandelier. The snow got deep for the final ten miles or so, but it was broken up by the meeting of a church group from Atlanta on a weekend hike (they were doing the same distance as us, 16.6 miles, only they were doing it over a 3 day weekend). They teased me a bit about my Boston accent, and asked me to say certain phrases and all that, and they started in with there "Cheers" type bad imitations. I told them to watch Good Will Hunting and that the accents in that were accurate. One of the guys knew that film well, and started spouting off lines "Allegedly, what I am saying is your situation will be concurrently improved if I had two hundred bucks in my pocket right now." he says. I laugh, and move on and finish the trail about 3 hours later. I ate small and went to bed quickly. One more day in Georgia.
Date: 2010-02-21
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

"In my mind i'm going to Carolina" -James TaylorStarted off in Dicks Creek Gap, ran into Cool Breeze and he said the trail was rough ahead, with deep hip high snow. I didn't find it the case so far, although my legs are sore from yesterday. Got work on my mind all day as crisis has hit and I'm getting phone calls. I saw dirt on the trail for first time today. It felt good to have dirt under my feet, God willing it will me that way for a while. Camping at Muskrat Creek tonite, in No Carolina. Glad to leave Georgia behind.
Date: 2010-02-22
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Us 64
Miles today: 13.0

From Bly Gap forward was real deep snow. Once took 30 minutes to get 150 yards. Got to service road and made way to Us 64 (I am heading to Fontana as I already did Deep Gap to Fontana) was told Smokies are awful, like the Swiss Alps. Not sure what to do. May sit it out for a few days. Want to keep it fun, but this clearly isn't.
Date: 2010-02-23
From: Us 64

To: Fontana dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

QUOTE: ¢When I examine myself and my methods of thought, I come to the conclusion that the gift of fantasy has meant more to me than my talent for absorbing positive knowledge.¢ -- Albert EinsteinI took a few days off, hoping for some better weather, which was not coming, so it's back on the trail. The respite was needed, and I hope I can get my butt moving on tuesday. The highlights of the trail so far have been the peaks at Blood and Tray mtn. "Cooter" the guy who picked us up hitchiking in Hiawasee, and dazzled us with his lack of sophistication, but charmed us none the less, despite the large stores of moonshine in the back of his pickup. (River told me it's not the people in the cadillacs that pick u up). Counting the earlier Winter hikes, Mt Albert, sticks out as an ass kicker, as was the climb out of the NOC. The hike from the Doyle to Pine Grove Furnace in PA, was an exercise in frozen futility, and extreme innebriation thanks to my friends like Over the Edge, Sasquatch, Bag o tricks, Panzer, big John, Baltimore Andy and so on. The Smokies are before me, and I can't wait and hoping to latch onto a small group to enter the park with for safety at higher elevations.
Date: 2010-03-02
From: Fontana dam

To: Fontana dam shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

He was born a little baby on the Appalachian Trail At six months old he'd done three months in jail He robbed a bank in his diapers and his little bare baby feet All he said was "Folks, my name is Outlaw Pete." -Bruce Springsteenthis song rang in my head all day. It's about a guy who keeps paying for the sins of a previous life. His reputation has imprisoned him. No correlation to my Gday, it just hung in my mind, and it was better than yesterday when a Pink song got lodged in there all day(Dont let me get me) . Arrived back in Fontana dam and ran into Joe on the trail. It was crazy seeing him since we had not seen him since low gap shelter. We got to the shelter which was really nice by 4 pm and met Tim Uk and headed out to the Lodge to see Farmah. Farmah was there and we chatted with him about his journey thus far, then met Dave (Angler) and Jb a couple other really nice guys, as they had just came in really late. We all talked about planning for the smokies, and got acquainted. Hikers make friends real easy, because the lack of comfort and suffering is a common experience that can be shared. Later farmah, jb and Dave got together for dinner, at the lodge. It was good times, and before it wass over I left the table with a full stomach a pair of gaiters and snow shoes as farmah is heading north to hot springs, nc , about 30 miles north of the SMNP. He'll come back to do the park later. I sat in the shelter, later and listened to music, still excited by the news that the best band I know of, "the felice brothers" are headlining Lebowski Fest this year. Lebowski Fest is an annual celebration of the landmark and hilarious Coen Brothers film "the big Lebowski". Te film and the bands music are IMO "unpretentious masterpieces". I listened to the Duke and The King, Bon Iver, and Bruce Springsteen. I soon felt myself drifting away to the sounds of Rivers snoring and the mice around me.
Date: 2010-03-03
From: Fontana dam shelter

To: Mollies ridge shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

"Smokey, my friend, you are entering a world of pain."- Walter in the Big Lebowski Woke up at 4 am and layed in my bag till 6am waiting for the day to start. River is leaving th journey today, and that is sad, and I will try to push on with Timuk and Joe. They are young and tall and thin guys and it may be tough for me to keep up. Very nervous about this endeavor, as reports are pretty bleak and warnings are all around.
Date: 2010-03-04
From: overpass AT Bridge

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"starting today i will measure this trip in units of experience rather than miles" - I said that todayWell today's Hike comes with some explanation. I left Fontana Dam yesterday with Tim UK and Joe heading to Russell Field Shelter in the Smokey Mountain National Park. I began the climb pretty well from 1400 ft to 4500 ft. Time was a major factor, though. It was taking me so long to get there. I got to Does Knob at about 12:20pm or so and that was the halfway point, and i felt like i wasnt going to be able to make it to Russell Field Shelter if i encountered any of the really deep snow that we have seen. I was very tired, falling asleep while i was hiking, and dehydrated and hungry. The blowdowns were sometimes cumbersome and it was very cold. I decided to head back to Fontana. A longer hike perhaps, but downhill mostly and i knew i could make another plan there. I got to Fontana at about 4:30pm and i went into the public bathrooms and hung out for a couple of hours. It was surprisingly resuscitating. I made some hot chocolate and had a cup of red beans and rice soup and did some soul searching. I figured that the Smokey Mountains are one of the highlights of the trail, and it was about to become a severe lesson in survival techniques. I want to enjoy them. I decided to move ahead of the Park and come back and do it later. Farmah, a hiker from Central Massachusetts, was in Hot Springs and i called him up and he told me where he was and i got shuttled up for a cost of $75 which was good since i had $81 on me. I met up with Farmah at the Sunnyside Inn, which is a retreat for Hikers and all people in Hot Springs. It kind of unique place since it is a 160 year old Victorian, with a very large library, with books covering the Appalachian Mountains, the AT, spirituality, vegetarianism, and left wing politics. Much to my chagrin there was no cell phone service to call home, nor a computer to check my email. Still i was so tired from the 13 miles i hiked, and all the stress, that i talked with Farmah for a few minutes and went right to bed. I woke in the morning and got breakfast over at the Smokey Mountain Diner, which was surprisingly very good. I talked with Farmah and we decided to take a small hike from the Hiker Bridge over Route 70, back into Hot Springs. We went to the Outfitter in town which is very good, got a new rain jacket, and mailed off my old shell to home, and got some new shoelaces and soon we were hiking. The hike was good, i forgot about the miles and just enjoying the views and learning about the terrain. Farmah will be a good hiking partner. He is sensible and he appears to be someone i can gleen a bit from day by day. We caught some nice spots along the trail, like a nice fishing pond, a giant rock wall, a raging river, and a vista from a rock ledge. I went back to the Sunnyside Inn and repacked my bag, organized my food, made a hike plan with Farmah and got a bite to eat. Looking forward to better days ahead, and having more smiles than worrying about miles.
Date: 2010-03-05
From: Hot Springs NC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm back to the trail. I am thankful for the time off and glad to see much of the snow is gone. I will return to this endeavor without the journal, though. I felt too much pressure to complete it each town I get to and it was a major drag doing it. I need to shed it. Still wil use Twitter takethisbread is my username and will enjoy my journey. I have about 600 miles in and will continue my hike till may 1 then return to work for the summer. Will try to do a few missing areas while working(smokies!) but will continue my journey Sept 1 in vermont. Thanks to all and sorry that I needed to stop for a few days but I got so sick of the snow. I hope all are well. I will submit a journal next winter when I finish!
Date: 2010-01-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I made the final decision last night that I will hike the whole trail this year. I was already planning to at least finish the 800-900 miles that I didn't do in 2007 and 2008. My friend Jude said she would take my dog. That was the last obstacle, so off I go!I hiked under the trail name "Cash" in 2008, so some people know me by that name. More people know me as "Tango" so I'm going back to that.Every hike is still a learning process for me. So there are some things that I'm going to try to do differently this year. I'm going to try carrying an umbrella. I'm going to resupply more on the trail - a challenge for me since I don't eat wheat and dairy. I'm going to use a bounce box more.I'm going to start out with the hammock and the Stephenson sleeping bag with the built in air mattress and the top that's good to minus 10 degrees. I love my tent, but the hammock is lighter, faster to set up and take down, and more flexible in terms of finding places to spend the night. I usually carry too much food and too much water. I tend to fill the camel in the morning and haul all that water. I got used to doing that in 2007 when conditions were pretty dry. And its convenient. But the convenience is no longer worth the weight to me. I hiked for a week without it last year and did fine. So this year I'll only haul water if I absolutely need to do it. I haven't been able to get myself to cut that pocket that holds the platypus out of my pack yet. Maybe this is the year I will get more ruthless.Last year when I hiked in May in Virginia I had my base weight down to 14 pounds. I probably won't be able to get that low with winter gear, but every time I hike I'm trying to make it more and more efficient. I'm going to try to carry less weight and hike more miles per day.Well, off to climb some stairs in preparation. See you out there!