morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Dockery Creek

To: Baggs Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.6

So walking along the trail today I have been thinking about a trail name, as it seems everyone who thru-hikes, has one. Posssiblities have included, Eagle Eyes, Lone Wolf, Shutter Bug, Nature Girl...but somehow I keep coming back to the one Doug had for me--the Lollygagger. I have decided my reluctance for the name stems from the fact that I think people associate the term lollygagging with laziness, tardiness and maybe even a general attitude of apathy.My reasons for lollygagging along the trail are many but mostly they come down to stopping to notice nature. Today my pace practically came to a crawl as I walked along a slope covered with trillium, ferns and other wildflowers. I pause often to inspect plants, rocks, insects, spiders, snails, etc. And often, I have my camera in hand, trying to capture what I see. I will stop to listen to the bird song or grouse drumming in the distance. I whole-heartedly believe in the statement: The journey IS the destination. Anyone who's ever been in my car has surely seen the small sign I have (posted over the clock) that reads: It is good to have an end to journey towards, but it is the journey that matters in the end." For me it is not important to arrive somewhere first or to get there fastest. Outside I have always noticed the trend of most people to reach the top of the mountain...to get to the lake... or waterfall. So what if on the way they pass by hundreds of opportunity to stop and look, to notice the amazing animals and plants. I WILL make it to Katadhin. Doug may get frustrated with always waiting for me and others will surely pass and leave me in the dust. But I will dally. I will dawdle. I will lollygag. To not would be wasted gold. So those who don't know me and who meet me for the first time, intoduced as 'The Lollygagger'... they can think what they want when they hear the name. Those who know me though will understand, and will smile and say "perfect!" And so we are officially: E-man and The Lollygagger
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Baggs Creek Gap

To: Blue mt shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday we hiked Blood Mountain, by far the hardest hike yet. But what a view! (No, Frank, we did not see any rattlesnakes or copperheads)By the time I got to the outfitter store at Neel's Gap, I was ready to lie down and never get up again! My left knee (good knee) is killing me. It feels like the kneecap is out of whack, shifted to the outside and not able to support my weight. It makes me nervous.The guy in the store helped me some, recommended that I help matters by using walking poles. So I've taken that advice and it seems to be helping, though things do not seem exactly normal. I am sloooooowwwwwww on the downhill sections, and there are lots! On top of that I have shin spints on my right shin and two blisters on my right toe. I have never been in such pain.Of course, I should add that I am loving being out here. Despite the pain. Everything aches! When I lay down to sleep my body feels like there are tiny people inside hammering away at every joint. But I do love being on the Trail, love the scenery and the peacefullness of hiking along in the wilderness, never knowing what I may see. At Neel's gap, many hikers get the "shake down". That means they empty everything from their pack onto the picnic table and the guy there looks at the stuff and tells what to get rid of. It's amazing what some of the hikers had in their packs! ... 100 feet of heavy duty rope! Full 20 oz size of sunscreen! Full-size plastic tarp! Doug and I skipped this as I feel I am already as light as can be unless I opt to get rid of some of my "luxury" items. Which I'm not. Today's quote: Doug says, as he surveys the most common plant in Georgia--poison ivy!--" I prefer ferns as a ground cover!"
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Blue Mt. Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: broken clouds

Doug really is a nice brother. He was set up and waiting for me when I got into camp tonight, a lot shorter than I know he would have gone if he was alone. He had fire wood already collected and the bear bag ready to be hung. And a fire going. I saw a bear today!!!!!! I was walking along, enjoying the quiet, in my own little world as I often am. Suddenly I heard a ton of racket down in the valley, down the slope to my left. There was lots of undergrowth and it was hard to see what was the cause of the noise. At first I thought turkeys? But no, the noise seemed to be moving in circles, not like turkeys would do. And too much noise! Deer? No I ruled that out as the sounds were so low to the ground. So I'm straining to see what was going on, when I see a bunch of wild boars! 8 were coming up the slope towards me. Then I saw the bear, moving behind them, obviously tying for dinner! So the boar are coming towards me, then the line of 8 of them stop and look up and I'm like "aughhhhh!" Outloud. And they heard me, stopped in their tracks and then scattered, the bear in hot pursuit. Of course all this happened in a blink of an eye and I was so caught up in the moment that I didn't get pictures of the boar, just one of the bear. And it is certainly not a prize winner by any means, just enough to show someone and have them say, "yeah, that's a bear." It was exciting and definitely the high of my day! How lucky am I???
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

So just a note to all those who may have wanted to send me food. As much as that would help me financially, I don't think it's practical. ( If you already bought it or already sent it, that will be fine. I'm sure I will eat it!) The food is such a complicated matter, planning and trying to carry only what I know I will eat, nothing more, but enough to provide sufficient calories. If you want to show your support and that you are thinking of me: sign my guest book at trailjournals.com, or send me an email at samammoser@juno.com or send me a real letter to one of the post offices I included in the note. If you really want to send something in the way of food, it could be one thing that I could enjoy at the post office or before I head out on the trail.Thanks! I do look forward to hearing from you!!! :-) ....We left the hostel a bit after 8, were on the Trail by 8:30. Today was the hardest hike yet--all uphill and steep after Bly gap. So now I know what Laura was talking about when she referred to Bly being hard, even for experienced hikers. What a climb! Really tested the stamina, which I have to say was not bad! I guess a week of hiking has whipped me into shape. Hard, but do-able. I arrived at Muskrat shelter early, before 4:00. Doug is staying in the shelter as they are predicting more rain, wind and thunder and lightning. I am opting for my cozy tent, despite the weather. I just like having my own space and think there is a better chance I will actually sleep. The shelter will likely be colder, harder and though I am not afraid of mice, I don't think having them crawl on me in the night will help me sleep. So the tent it is!
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

We hit the 100 mile mark today!!! I can't believe I actually walked 100 miles! It is amazing to think about as before this trip the longest distance I've likely ever covered is 15? 20? So to know I've done 100 is really amazing. Doug and I hiked together today, more so than most days. We had some good laughs! Ask him if he got any nice pictures of the Mount Albert tower! We climbed Albert Mountain which was a pretty tough rock scramble and lots of those giant rock stairs that I love so much. I was glad for my poles as they seem to really help with the knee situation. There is a fire tower on the mountain and we climbed as high as we could go. Yikes, was it windy up there!! The rain had stopped in the night but it was still cold. The view was fantastic! And from the tower you could see 360 degrees, nothing but mountains, mountains, and more mountains. I wish there was a way of knowing which ones we had climbed and which ones we will climb in the next few weeks. And we made it to the parking lot beside the highway near Franklin, North Carolina. Got a ride into town with the nicest trail angel so far-- a guy who has worked as a volunteer on the AT for 25 years! His trail name is Oliver Twist. We waited for the four guys who'd arranged the ride in the first place (Be Still, the Muffin Man, the Bartender and Gummy Bear) and then we were off. I rode shotgun while three guys squeezed in the back and Gummy Bear rode in the pickup bed. Apparently, in NC, riding in the pickup bed is perfectly legal! So he took us to the outfitters where Doug needed a few things. Then he drove us to the post office and then dropped us at our hotel. What a nice guy! And wouldn't even take a penny for gas. How refreshing that there are such nice people in the world! Doug and I went to the Igles in town for groceries. It was so much more organized than the last grocery run! We each had a list--mine only had 2 things on it, as I am still carrying food from the last time. Mostly because I skipped at least two meals for being too cold to stop and fix and eat them. So I got my two things and he got the few things he needed.Then we went out for dinner in town, just down from our hotel, to Cody's Roadhouse. Doug ordered the largest beer I have ever seen! And only $5.00! I don't know how large it was, maybe 50 ounces?? Giant! We had a delicious dinner and got in early for a good night sleep. Didn't even have to hang a bear bag! Today I am getting a late start as we are dependant on someone to get us back to the trail. I highly dislike this fact! Usually by now (9:00) I have been hiking for 2 1/2 hours! We won't even get to the trail until after 10:00. Am not sure how far we are going today, I think somewhere around 14 miles. It is a sunny day! And not so cold. Can't wait to get started.
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin

To: Licklog Gap
Miles today: 12.3

Today we hiked to a place called Siler Bald, a grassy spot on top of the mountain where we had lunch. What a fantastic view!! A 360 degree view, with mountains all around. We shared the place with three day hikers who were so nice, very interested in hearing the details of our trip. They gave us water and even volunteered to take our garbage. I wished we could sit up there all day. But of course we had to hike on. What was most amazing was looking out across the valley and having the guy point out the firetower on a distant mountain and hearing that we'd be there later that day. It was 6 miles away and sure enough, several hours later, we arrived there, looked back across to see the grassy bald where we had lunch. We are camped tonight at a nice spot in the woods. Doug has set up his tent "on a bed of grass" and I am a stones throw away down an old grassy road. Doug continues to crack me up, haven't laughed as hard as often in so long. Tonight we took a walk for our nightly challenge--hanging the bear bag. He says, "This is better than TV! You get to hunt for the right rock, attach it to a rope, then hunt for the right tree, then throw the rock and rope through to hang the bag." What could be more fun?
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Licklog Gap

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Today was a hard day, lots of it downhill, which is so hard on my knees. It rained some, though luckily, not the whole day. We are at a shelter tonight, though I plan on setting up my tent, down next to the stream. The forecast is for rain and stormy weather, but I would rather be in my tent. It's just Doug and Pangea in the shelter. Today's quote once again comes from Doug. So we hike a hard one all day, get to the shelter and I am very tired, just want to rest and relax, eat dinner, hang out. But not Doug. I'm hardly there 10 minutes when he wants to go gather wood for a fire. That wouldn't be so bad except the shelter is surrounded on all sides by steep hills and lots of poison ivy. So in order to get wood one must walk up hill. Doug says, "They don't call me E-man for nothing!" as he heads off up the steep mountain to find wood that he heaves down the hill toward the fire. My job became to make and stoke the fire. Works for me!
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 18.0

Another rainy day. But cooooollldddd. I could find no inspiration in the rain today. The day and the rain went on and on and on and on. I couldn't wait to reach the shelter. And then, finally, after a long day of hiking, I saw it, at the bottom of the ravine. But as I approached, I could see lots of tents, and lots of people. I rounded the bend, saw the shelter and about 8 guys outside it, standing around talking. I was bummed. Did not want to stay there. Mighty Mouse stepped out of the shelter and said Doug had left a message for me saying he would hike on, to find a camping site further on. So despite being tired and wet and hungry and cold, I hiked on. Uphill. And up and up and up and up, waiting to see Doug, expecting to see him at any moment. But it got later and later and I still didn't find him. It was foggy and cold and getting darker and I knew I didn't have my headlamp (lost it at the NOC) so I wouldn't be able to hike once it got dark. Finally I came to a tiny clear spot beside the trail and decided to camp there for the night. Had much difficulty setting up, as I was freezing and one step away from hypothermic. I set the tent up and then moved on to the bear bag. What a challenge! I couldn't find a rock, then I couldn't get the shoestring (my emergency bear bag line for when I'm not with Doug) tied on the rock and then I couldn't get the rock and sting over the limb at the right place. It was quite a fiasco! Though at the time I didn't find any humor in the situation.I did manage to get it up, though far from ideal. If a bear really wanted that food bag, he could have got it because it ended up being only about a foot away from the tree trunk. At that point though I was like, oh, well, let him have it! Had a quick dinner, then huddled in my sleeping bag and hoped for a good night sleep. ...And in the morning the birds were singing and the fog was gone and I found Doug less than .5 mile down the trail.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Birch Spring Tent Sites

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: light rain

Today was another rainy day, though totally different than yesterday. I could find no poetry whatsoever in the day. It was miserable. I was up and on the trail before 6:00, hoping to catch Doug before he left the shelter. I had to hike 5.4 miles to reach him so I was cruising along at top speed. At one point, after I'd been hiking for quite a while, I turned a bend and saw a guy off in the woods. He shouts to me "I'm not a bear!" and as I get closer, he steps out and says to me "Your brother's been looking for you." And I'm like, how the heck does this guy know this?? So it turns out he is a ridge runner, spent the night at Derrick Knob Shelter and talked to Doug at length about me, especially when the night wore on and I didn't get there. He wanted to go looking for me but Doug convinced him I'd be fine. And I was. So I managed to reach Doug just as he was leaving. It was suddenly windy and wicked cold and looked like rain. We hiked together, through pouring rain and cold, arrived at the shelter to find it very crowded. Something about the day and my mood (and likely my personality) made me not want to be there with all of those people. I opted to set my tent up back behind the shelter as did Doug and we both hit the sack early, even before 7:00. Mainly to get warm. It was a cold, long night. I was wishing I was back in Patterson, snuggled up in a warm, comfy bed.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Newfound Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Our first zero day. We meant to return to the trail but some things got in the way and in the end we decided to stay in town. It turned out to be a good move because it was stormy with giant hail and rain and wind. We picked a good day to be in town! Top 10 ways to determine if someone is a thru-hiker:10. They avoid having pennies, dimes, nickels, quarters as if it were a deadly disease.9. They show blatant disregard for signs requesting them to "leave backpacks here."8. When introducing themselves they offer completely untraditional names/words and even phrases, such as "The Lollygagger," "Tumbleweed" or "Bear Bait."7. In resturants they order more than one entree at a time, then eat every last bit, then order dessert and eat that all too.6. In grocery and convenient stores they don't check the nutritional information or price, but rather lift the item to see how much it weighs.5. No matter where or when you see them, they are always wearing the exact same clothes.4. They express glee and delight when they spot a drinking fountain, bathroom with indoor plumbing, and especially, a garbage can. 3.Their feet (in addition to being foul smelling) appear aged, dirty and swollen and they sport duct tape, bandaids and mole skin as if it were tatoos.2. When they remove their boots or step close in an enclosed space, a most utterly foul and pungent odor will permeate the room and make it uninhabitable within mere seconds. 1. Even on a bright sunny,blue sky day ,they can be seen walking around town wearing nothing but a raincoat and rain pants( a sure sign they are doing their laundry)copyright: Sharon Mammoser 05/24/2008
Date: 2008-05-27
From: camp creek bald

To: Old Homestead
Miles today: 14.0

The best part of today came in the morning when I took the blue blaze to white rock cliffs. It there ever was a time to say "Oh, my gosh!" that was the time. I followed the narrow trail through the laurel all the way to the very edge of the world. Then sat and looked out at the view, wrote in my journal for a long time. Below me stretched the forest and beyond that, row after row after row of mountains, dark in front and getting lighter toward the back row, until in the very far distance, a faint blue shape blending into sky. Might be my favorite place yet.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Old Homestead

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 8.2

Another rainy day! After a rainy night and a bad night's sleep. Doug and I passed by the last shelter before Sam's gap (where we were to be picked up and shuttled to Ashville) because it was early and there seemed to be a lot of people staying there. But we were both tired, out feet hurting. We walked and walked and walked.And came to a tiny site at an old homestead beside a winding stream. We decided to stay and of course Doug took the only good spot to set up tent so I was left making a clearing in the stinging nettle, or trying to use an overgrown trail that went to the stream. I opted to set up in the middle of the path to the water, ("I doubt anyone will be needing to walk here tonight." I said.) After our short fire we both went to bed and I, being very tired, fell asleep rather quickly. Then later, was rudely awakened by what could only have been an animal pawing my tent flap. Wow! What a shocker when I'm in a sound sleep! I imagine some animal walking along, down the same trail it takes every night only, what's this? A tent in the middle of the trail?? And so the animal paws it to figure out just what the heck it is. I was awakened with my heart beating, wondering what the heck was out there? I grabbed for my flashlight and my whistle but of course the animal was gone. I don't know what it was. Not a bear or deer, something smaller. And I heard other rustling by my tent later. And woke to find both stakes on that side of the tent were out, which explains why my tent had seemingly shrunk in the middle of the night! So I don't think setting up my tent on a trail (even one that doesn't look used) is the best plan and I will avoid it in the future! Anyway. Doug and I left the campsite together, hiked on through the rain to Sam's Gap. Today I loved the rain! It was a warm day and I didn't even put on my raincoat or rainpants, just let the rain hit and soak me. It felt wonderful! Like it used to back when I was in college and used to go jogging in the rain every chance I got. Doug rigged up his umbrella so he could have his hands free for his walking sticks and he got some good laughs from the few hikers we passed. We made it to the interstate an hour and a half early and proceeded to rig up a clothes line under the bridge to try and dry out our tents. Also Doug had the bright idea to hold the tent and run down the road, under the bridge to try and create some wind. That was funny! Especially when cars went by and he was booking along with the tent flying out behind him. Unfortunatlely in the short time we had the stuff did not get completely dry so it looks like we are taking it with us to California. Now we are in for 4 zero days in a row! I am so looking forward to it! (one side note: Doug's toe has been numb for some days now so when he was on the computer tonight he did a google search for 'numb toe" and came up with lots of hits. Seems many long distance hikers experience this and some even have numb toes for months after the hike! We are going to re-name Doug 'numb toe.' Just kidding. But it would fit!)
Date: 2008-06-03
From: spring

To: Ogelsby Creek Gap
Miles today: 14.2

Today was a hard day. My feet and knees were aching like I haven't been hiking for the past month.We had some more trail magic-- a bin of homemade cupcakes, water and coffee just sitting there beside the trail. Such niceness! And a journal for us to say thanks and tell where we are from. Doug ate 5 cupcakes! Then later we came to a spot in the woods where there was a green lawn chair and a box for a journal. Doug and I each had a turn in the "comfy" chair. Such simple things to make us happy. I wished I could have sat there longer, but of course we had to move on. When I am hiking with Doug I hardly ever have time to lollygag--he is all business.Now we are sitting beside our campfire at our spot in the woods. Doug chose a good one! Just a good amount of miles, sites for both of our tents, a place for a fire.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Ogelsby Creek Gap

To: Curley Maple Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

We stopped today at the Nolichucky River to swim. It was a HOT day and the water looked so inviting. Of course Doug was already there by the time I arrived--probably had been there for an hour. He was lounged out in the middle of the river, just sitting there getting cool. I joined him, wearing my sandals and hiking clothes. After sitting down to cool off we were heading to shore when one of my sandals fell off and was floating downstream. I didn't want to lose it so I made a mad dive, lunging forward into the foot-deep water, but missing(but succeeding in gaining a few bruises). Meanwhile, the other sandal fell off and was floating away. The bottom of the river was rocky and slippery and my feet are so sensitve that I was paralyzed. Could do nothing but watch the crocs float away. I urged Doug to get his boots on and go after them but he was slow as molassas! It took him like 5 minutes just to reach his boots and then another 5 to put them on. He kept saying, "keep watching them!" Finally he was laced up and went downstream but of course they were both long gone. I was so bummed. Not just because they cost $30 and I didn't want to spend that much in the first place, but more importantly, because now I would have nothing besides the stupid hiking boots to wear. And my feet will die having to be cooped up in there all the time. I am always being deafened by them, "let us out of here! Please, free us! We need fresh air! We want to feel the wind! Let us outttttttttt!!!!" I will try to replace them as soon as possible, but even that cannot be soon enough.