morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-23
To: Some Background
Miles today: 0.0

Twelve short months ago, this was all just a dream, a "wouldn't it be cool." Rachel and I had talked about it, but hadn't really gotten beyond both thinking it would be a really great thing to do. It's an idea that I'd been tossing around in my head for a while, but never thought I'd actually do.A little bit of background for you. My house is literally right on the trail. Every summer, we'd be out in the yard, and we'd see the hikers walking up and down the hill, right past our driveway. Later, I started going to a summer camp, where the main focus was outcamping trips. After the first couple years, where the youngest kids do overnights on the camp property, nearly all the trips are on or near the AT. The culminating trip is a 16 day "Odyssey," a hike of the 100-mile wilderness, finishing on Katahdin. That trip really got me thinking about the possibilities of doing a through hike, but not too seriously, because I knew I couldn't do it alone. I just wouldn't enjoy it as much, and I don't know if I could go that long without a companion. Also, I don't think my parents would have let me go solo.Enter Rachel. This was fall of Senior year. I don't even remember how it came up, but I found out she was interested too. I don't know her story, so I'll let her tell it sometime. We started talking about it, but it was never more than vague plans. Then the letter from Olin came. I was on the waitlist, which meant they'd guarantee me a spot the next year if I wanted to wait. That's what made up my mind to go through with this. I told them I wanted to stay on the waitlist to get the spot for next year, but not to offer me a spot if one opened for this year. I finally convinced Rachel to defer, and we started making plans.Six months ago, we set off for our test hike. I'd been busy all summer, so Rachel did most of the planning for that. We started off from here (Norwich), and headed south. Our intention was to make it as far as the New York state line, and then come home. Two weeks in, we pushed ourselves a little too hard, and I ended up with tendinitis in my ankle. We got off the trail, having made it as far as Williamstown, MA.It wasn't quite the success we'd hoped for, but we'd learned some valuable lessons, not just about what our bodies were capable of, but also about gear, food, and hiking in general. We met some great people, who had lots of advice for us. A great thank you to all of you we met on the trail, especially to Five-Leaf.Over these past six months, we've made plans, scrapped plans, made new plans, modified plans, and made more new plans. I'm excited to leave, and I know Rachel is, too. I am a little worried about my ankle, about the weather, about food, but I know that worrying is natural, even healthy up to a point. Here's my estimation: if we can make it through the first month, we'll be fine, barring major injury.The magic number is now 1The Brain
Date: 2007-02-25
To: Driving to Georgia
Miles today: 0.0

10:42 amDay 2 of the drive down to Georgia. Last night we spent the night at the home of Mike and Elaine Whitaker in Penn. They took good care of us. Feeding us well and giving us what will probably be out last night in our own rooms. Had a great breakfast and managed to get on the road only 10 minutes behind our goal (7:30). Unfortunately, the weather in Maryland is not pleasant, heavy snow is expected to turn to ice later this evening. Virginia is unfortunately the same (we just drove over the state border). The weather forecast for tomorrow is precipitation in the morning, clearing up in the afternoon. Traffic just slowed way down. I hope this doesn¢t impact our chances of starting tomorrow. It is looking like it probably will. The snowflakes are about 2 inches across, and our max speed is around 40 mph.It is still a little hard to believe that at some point in the next two days we will begin our thru-hike. We have spent so long preparing it is hard to believe it is really here. I am trying to think of it on a day-to-day basis instead of as a whole. The whole thing is exciting but too daunting and unproductive to be dwelling on. AHH!!! I¢m so excited. Sitting in the car while this excited is almost painful. I have to go do something to take my mind off it.Pinky10:41Hampton InnWe didn¢t make it all the way to Amicola Falls. We stopped in South Carolina for the night. This leaves us about two hours short of the trail head tomorrow. We had dinner in a restaurant shaped like a castle. In this restaurant, the Brain pressured Pinky into stealing her long handled spoon, which will be useful in eating out of dehydrated meal packets. Though Pinky does admit that it was her idea, she had no intention of going through with it.Well it is about time to turn in. We starting the approach trail tomorrow around 10 am tomorrow morning and will be spending out first night at the trailhead on top of Springer Mountain. I can¢t wait¢¦ we will keep trying to post but it will get a little trickier from here on out.Pinky
Date: 2007-02-26
From: Amicalola Falls Visitors Ctr

To: Springer Mt Shelter, GA
Miles today: 8.0

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day to start the trip. After driving through a wicked snow storm yesterday, today was sunny and in the 50s. We started hiking around noon, and reached the summit around 4. We got to the shelter, and realized we hadn't signed the register on the summit, so we hiked the 0.2 miles back up.It's good to finally be on the trail. After years of dreaming and months of planning this is finally it! We're really here, really doing this. It's a great relief to actually be on the trail. There were times when I wondered if we'd ever make it past planning, but now we're here, and loving it.The BrainKarl and Rachel Gearing up at Amicalola Falls Visitors Ctr - Click picture to see full sizeRachel's saddled up and ready - Click picture to see full sizeAnd Karl, too - Click picture to see full sizeRachel at Springer Mt plaque - Click picture to see full sizeKarl on Springer Mt - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-02-27
From: Springer Mt Shelter, GA

To: Hawk Mt Shelter, GA
Miles today: 7.4

We took our time getting out this morning. we sat and ate breakfast while watching the sun rise on distant mountains. This beautiful morning set the tone for another incredible day. We spent the morning hiking down off Springer into what felt like a jungle of rhododendron trees. It was really beautiful the way that the sun filtered through the trees. Mmm.... I really am loving this. The Appalachian Trail gods are spoiling us. Too many more days like this and we might actually be surprised the first time it rains. We made it into camp around 12:30 pm this afternoon. We considered heading onwards to the next shelter (another 8 mi.), but decided to heed the warnings about starting too fast and hung out in the sunshine for a few hours, taking it easy. Overall, it was an excellent day. Looking forward to many more.PinkyAn enormous tree for Five-Leaf - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Hawk Mt Shelter, GA

To: Gooch Mt Shelter, GA
Miles today: 7.3

Another fairly easy day. We left around 8:15, full of oatmeal and tea. Sassafras Mountain was a good climb, but the rest of the way was fairly easy. We got in around 12:30, had lunch, and decided to stay here for the night, not wanting to push on another 11 miles to the next shelter. After Neels Gap, we'll start picking up the pace a little. It's supposed to rain, starting tonight and continuing through tomorrow. It's supposed to stay warm, though, thankfully. During the day it's up in the 50s, but it gets chilly at night.The BrainRachel at Gooch Mt Shelter - Click picture to see full sizeAscending Sassafras Mt - Click picture to see full sizeRachel is strong like bull - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Gooch Mt Shelter, GA

To: Neels Gap Hostel, GA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: moderate rain

In the words of our new hiking companion, Erin, today was "epic." It was indeed our first challenge on the trail and I think we conquered it beautifully. The day really started at Gooch Gap when the first bolt of lightning was met by the three of us simultaneously sitting up in our sleeping bags. It rained all day. It is still raining. There was rain coming in sideways, frontways, and behind. Cold rain and warm rain....etc. Afterall, it is a Thursday. We went up and over Blood Mountain. As we were hiking down it was more of a stream than a trail. The day, however, ended well. I am writing from the top bunk at the Neels Gap Hostel. Staying here has confirmed my opinion that hikers really are some of my favorite people in the world. I just had a conversation about how in the main hikers are either post-grads or retirees. Where else do you see those two groups of people joking and laughing together? So, I guess the moral is, I am looking forward to more epic days.Pink
Date: 2007-03-02
From: Neels Gap Hostel, GA

To: Low Gap Shelter, GA
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Today dawned as if yesterday had never happened. The sky was clear, and the only sign of the rain was a faint dampness in the boots. It was a beautiful day for hiking, clear and sunny. From the top of Wildcat, we could see the skyline of some city off in the distance. Anyone know what city is in visible distance, somewhere between South and East of Neels Gap?We're now sitting in the shelter, chatting with the other thru-hikers. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid are out here with us, along with Swish, who's with them as far as Hiawassee. Also here, but not staying in the shelter, are Alabama Bob, who did the trail in '05 with Butch, and Twofer. It's good to have people to talk with.This morning, we packed up half the food that we'd been planning to carry to Franklin, and sent it to the Cloud 9 Hostel in Hiawassee. We figured it would be better to carry less food, and spend another night in a hostel. Seven days of food is a little too much food to be carrying. Also, Cloud 9 comes with high recommendations, so we figured we'd try it out.The BrainWalasi-Yi Hiker Hostel bunkroom - Click picture to see full sizeWalasi-Yi Hiker Hostel common room - Click picture to see full sizeButch Cassidy on Cowrock Mt, GA - Click picture to see full sizeSome kind of fungus? - Click picture to see full sizeButch Cassidy, Sundance Kid, Swish-Show Gap Shelter - Click picture to see full sizeTwofer - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-03
From: Low Gap Shelter, GA

To: Tray Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The most painful part of this morning was waking up, eating my oatmeal and watching as Butch Cassidy cooked pancakes and bacon. Bacon cooking should be outlawed unless you have enough for everyone within smelling distance. I really enjoy the company of Butch Cassidy and the Kid, though. They have the same sort of harrassment humor that I will be missing from a source that shall remain unnamed...(cough, cough, DAD).We got on our way however and made decent time up to Tray Mountain. It might be a chilly evening at high elevation and in the wind. All I want to do is curl up in my sleeping bag and conk out.We cooked chili mac with beef tonight. We learned our lesson about stirring when we poured out the last bowl and there were clumps of seasoning. Oh, was that some powerful stuff!PinkyView from Tray Mt, GA - Click picture to see full sizeErin on Tray Mt - Click picture to see full sizeStaying warm at Tray Mt Shelter - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-04
From: Tray Mountain Shelter, GA

To: Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel, GA
Miles today: 10.6

This place is amazing! We got here around 2:30, and have since showered, lounged in the jacuzzi, gone to town for all you can eat buffet, come back to the hostel, treated blisters, and watched movies. The owners of the place are really nice, and the "resident hiker," Wonder, is a blister expert.This morning we woke up and it was absolutely freezing. We were up around 4200 ft., so it was quite chilly. Our waterbottles were all frozen, and our fuel barely worked. We packed up as quickly as possible, and got going. On the way down, we passed Bushwhacker and his daughter, Taken. He's planning on thru-hiking, and she's out for a section. They were meeting Stumpknocker at the road, and when we got there, he offered us a ride if we didn't mind squeezing into the back of his truck. We didn't, and just as we were about to take off, Jaybird showed up. He's just finishing up a yo-yo (thru-hiking, then turning around and doing it in the other direction), and needed a ride into town, so we made some more room, and off we went.When we got here, we discovered that the box we sent from Neels Gap wasn't here. It was supposed to get handed off at a party last night, but got missed. After a few phone calls, we learned that it was still at Neels Gap, so Wonder drove around to get the box (Thanks again for doing that!). Wonder also discovered that my heel was near getting infected, so she treated it with an epsom salt bath and rubbing alcohol. It looks much better now. The Brain
Date: 2007-03-05
From: Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel, GA

To: Bly Gap, NC
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Today I woke up in a king size bed at the Cloud 9 Hiker Hostel. Highly recommend it!!! We had our $4 breakfast which consisted of a mountain of french toast, bacon, coffee, homefries, and cereal. What more can you ask for? Then we had the blister queen and resident hiker, Wonder, check out our feet. She really is a genius; today was the first day my blisters didn't fill back up. Lovely stuff, I know....We got back on the trail around 9-ish and had beautiful weather hiking up to Bly Gap. We decided to camp out here tonight instead of at the shelter, which is up another 800 feet approx. This makes our first night in the tent and I guess we will see how much warmer it really is. I just hiked up to the ridgeline above the gap and took in what was a beautiful sunset over some purple mountain majesties.On my way back down I saw two headlamps coming out of the woods. It was Bushwhacker and Taken making camp late. That makes 6 of us at Bly Gap. Erin and Joel (who spent the night with us at the hostel) are also here. And my favorite member of the campsite is Sebastian, Joel's beautiful 110 pound dog. Bushwhacker is having a fire. Think I'm going to check it out.PinkyA comfortable log-Rachel - Click picture to see full sizeA comfortable log-Karl - Click picture to see full sizeRattlesnake Plantain - Click picture to see full sizeJoel at Cloud 9 Hostel - Click picture to see full sizeSebastion at Bly Gap - Click picture to see full sizeTree at Bly Gap-1 - Click picture to see full sizeTree at Bly Gap-2 - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-06
From: Bly Gap, NC

To: Carter Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

It was a good thing we decided to stay at Bly Gap last night. When we woke up this morning, it was cold, and would have been even colder 800 ft. higher. Last night, Bushwhacker said something about North Carolina was going to be different than Georgia. For the first couple miles, I was thinking he was right. Out of the Gap, the trail climbs steeply for almost two miles, the steepest terrain we've seen yet. But after that, it flattened out, and the rest of the day was at a much more manageable grade, even the trek over 5500 ft. Standing Indian Mountain.We stopped for lunch at the Standing Indian Shelter, where we had quite the surprise! Five-leaf had been out here on Sunday, and we'd only missed her by a couple of days. It's good to know people are thinking of us.After dinner at the shelter, Joel had built a fire, so we all sat around and chatted as we watched the stars come out. In addition to Rachel, Erin, and I, the two Brits (Tom and Rob, now dubbed Fish and Chips, although not necessarily in that order), Joel, and Sebastian are here, as well as Old Yeller and Singe. It was quite the animated scene around the fire. This is what camping's all about, huddling around a fire, chatting with a bunch of people you barely know, and having a great time of it,The Brain
Date: 2007-03-07
From: Carter Gap Shelter, NC

To: Rock Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Another beautiful day on the trail. The weather has just been cooperating perfectly. We are camping out with the same folks as last night. They are a fun group:   Fish and Chips, Pegasus, Alanna, Taken, Erin, Bushwhacker, Dogfather (and Sebastian), and Keith (SOBO section hiker). The conversation around the fire was good tonight.The hike today was rather easy, with one challenging but short portion going up Albert Mountain. This section reminded all of us New Englanders of home.When we arrived at the shelter today, we were greeted by some soda pop left by Crutch. And around 3:30, Crutch and another local Trail Angel, Nightstalker, showed up. He had many amazing stories about places to stay and trail days, etc. He left us all craving the all you can eat buffets in Franklin, where we will be tomorrow.PinkyTree with rock - Click picture to see full sizeThe Dogfather & Chips - Click picture to see full sizeFish (Rob) - Click picture to see full sizeSebastian - Click picture to see full sizePinky w Crutch at Rock Gap shelter - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-08
From: Rock Gap Shelter, NC

To: The Budget Inn, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

We got up early and hiked the short distance from the shelter to Winding Stair Gap, where Crutch and Ron Haven, owner of the inn and shuttle driver, were waiting for us with a bus. In all, there were 12 of us that piled in for the ride down into town. On getting here, we checked in, showered, and walked down to the AYCE Mexican buffet. It was delicious, and we nearly cleaned them out!This afternoon, we piled back into the bus, and Ron drove us around town, to the outfitters, then to Wal-Mart and the supermarket. I have a pair of sandals sitting in a box in Gatlinburg, but I decided that I'd had enough of walking around camp in my hiking boots, so I broke down and bought a pair of Crocs. When we get to Gatlinburg, I'll just send those sandals home.After shopping, I showed my heel to Crutch, because even though it still wasn't really hurting, it looked worse, at least partially from wandering all over town this morning. He said to douse it in rubbing alcohol three times a day until it turns into a callous. He warned that at some point, the alcohol was going to break through and hurt like hell, and that's when I'd know it was working. Hopefully wearing sandals around camp will help, too.Dinner this evening was another AYCE, this time at a steakhouse. It was delicious and filling, but after the Mexican lunch, I only ate one plate worth of food. Now we're back in our rooms, and mostly packed up. Breakfast is early tomorrrow, and the shuttle hits the road soon after. It's nice to sleep in a real bed, though.The BrainRon Haven at Winding Stair Gap - Click picture to see full size On the bus-1 - Click picture to see full size On the bus-2 - Click picture to see full sizeDinner at the Steakhouse, Franklin, NC-1 - Click picture to see full sizeDinner at the Steakhouse, Franklin, NC-4 - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-09
From: The Budget Inn, Franklin, NC

To: Camping beyond Wayah Bald, NC
Miles today: 10.5

We took a shuttle with one of Franklin's amazing trail angels to breakfast this morning. Had a good serving of food for under five dollars. Then we dropped our packages at the post office and were dropped off at the trail by Ron Haven in his infamous short bus around 10-ish.We had hiked with the same crew we have been hiking with for the last couple of days. We all took a nice long break today on top of Siler Bald and had a beautiful view of the mountains and things to come.The big evening activity was bearbagging. Fish decided that he was going to hang his bear bag in the official PCT style. He had about 5 people watching and helping on and off for about 30 minutes.Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid made a fire tonight (they caught up with us while we were in Franklin) and we all sat around it and kept warm before retiring to our tents.PinkySiler Bald, NC-2 - Click picture to see full sizeSiler Bald, NC-3 - Click picture to see full sizeControlled fire - Click picture to see full sizeWayah Bald, NC-1 - Click picture to see full sizeWayah Bald, NC-2 - Click picture to see full sizeWayah Bald, NC-3 - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-10
From: Camping beyond Wayah Bald, NC

To: Nantahala Outdoor Ctr, NC
Miles today: 17.1

Today dawned with the threat of rain. As I lay in the tent, I looked out the door, and the sky was gray, while the wind blew in the way it always does before it rains. As we were boiling water for breakfast, it started to sprinkle, sending us into a flurry of activity. I dressed for rain, leaving my polypro on, and wearing my rain jacket and gloves. A little ways down the trail, though, I had heated up enough to take all of it off, although it still looked like rain.As the day went on, it alternated between overcast and sunny, never quite making up its mind which way to go. Despite the clouds, we got some good views, from the tower on Wesser Bald, and again from "The Jump-Off," a cliff a few miles above the gorge and river here.The trail was great, and we moved along at a good clip, until we got to the Wesser shelter. After that, there was a long series of PUDS (pointless ups and downs) that just took it right out of me. The trail went straight up and over every single one of them, and they seemed to go on forever. From the top of the last bump, it was four miles, (almost) all downhill, except for where the trail, for no apparent reason, decided to go up over a knob, rather than around it.By the time we got here, I was completely drained, and out of water. To add insult to injury, the bunkhouse was across the river and up a hill! Fortunately, dinner more than made up for it. Pinky, the Dogfather, Erin (now known as Three Hills) and I all went down together, and about halfway through, Butch and Sundance joined us. Dinner was both delicious and filling (a chicken-spinich quesadilla for appetizer, a buffalo chicken burger with a side of salad, followed by a brownie sundae-all large), and we left satisfied.Tomorrow's gonna be a short day, so we're gonna sleep in, then go back to the restaurant for breakfast before heading out. I've turned off my alarm and set my watch ahead (for DST), so now it's time to hit the sack.The Brain
Date: 2007-03-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Ctr, NC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We left the NOC late this morning after a fantastic breakfast at the Riverside Restaurant. We packed up our stuff in our large walk-in closet of a room and headed out.The first six miles of the day were straight up. There were no breaks until the last 0.9 miles down to the shelter. I am glad we decided to go to the NOC instead of doing this uphill at the end of a long day.It is a full shelter again tonight. It is great to have this group of people that we keep seeing. The jokes are flying and we are learning more and more of people's stories. This is the best thing I have ever done, and it has only been two weeks.PinkyChips-Sassafras Gap shelter, NC - Click picture to see full sizeSebastian-Sassafras Gap shelter, NC - Click picture to see full sizeWTFWJD?-Sassafras Gap shelter, NC - Click picture to see full sizeOld Yeller-Sassafras Gap shelter, NC - Click picture to see full size
Date: 2007-03-12
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter, NC

To: Cable Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

We met another SOBO today. We got to the shelter, and Combat was sitting here. He started in July and hiked through the winter. It's kinda nice to talk with someone new, share stories, and talk about the trail ahead.I took my first fall today. Coming off of Cheoah Bald (anyone know how to pronounce that?), I stepped on a rock hidden in some leaves and rolled my ankle. I went down kinda hard, but after laying on my back for a minute, I was able to walk it off. In other news, my heel is getting better. It looks better, and doesn't hurt to hike on. Tomorrow we go into Fontana, for a resupply, then on to the Smokies.The Brain