morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last year when I started my journal, I considered it a great committment, but only as far as it went. I figured...no one knows me out on that trail, so if I just get out there and decide it is not for me...it won't matter. That happens to a lot of folks.For some reason it is terribly different this year. I've let the family and non-hiker friends know that I intend to do this addictive madness again. And I've previously mentioned that some think I'm totally off my rocker based on last year's experience. Others are very encouraging, also based on last year's experience.But the real committment in starting the journal this year is in letting my hiking buddies know....THAT is serious. Those I've only met online are buddies...but those with whom I hiked, ate, camped...that is different. There is a friendship that forms out on the trail that is totally different from any other. Those people know the exhilaration of discovery; the misery of day after day of rain; the sometimes bitter cold; and the total silliness that sometimes happens. So, getting this journal started is a big step. I've known since I got off the trail last year that I would be back.So, now I have the larger (but lighter weight) tent, all the other gear is the same except for footwear and a new pack. Oh, I did luck into a sale at REI on the Sierra Design down booties...what a luxury that is!I'm getting excited all over about being out there....and meeting new folks.I see that Bubbletoes is going again, and I think I'll see some of my other friends from last year on the trail.General plan is to hike until July 10, head back to East TX long enough to clean up, grab some clothes and go to a conference in Canada...then back out on the trail by July 24. Depending on my condition and whether I made it out there that long, then I'll decide whether to pick up where I left off, or go straight to Kathadin and hike south from there to the middle.But...as always, if I want to make God laugh, I make plans. So, it all will be played out day by day, step by step.
Date: 2006-02-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I¢m very pleased that my weight is down from last year. Oh, no, not MY weight, the weight in my pack. Definitely not my weight.I¢ve packed and repacked, and without water, fuel or paper products, I¢m right at 16 pounds. I figure at this rate I could possibly max at 22 pounds, hopefully. That in itself should make quite a difference from last year. When I left TX last year I was just sure that my pack was 30 pounds, maybe 32, no problem. I walked all around the shallow hills here with that pack on my back. Well shock¢¦when Chim Chim and I left Hiker Hostel, it was 35 pounds¢¦and I don¢t think it got any lighter as I hiked. Yes, I sent things back at Hiawassee, and I sent things back in Franklin. But that pack felt heavier every day.I loved that pack. It had compartments and places for things, and was very sturdy every time it became the back bumper when I slid down rocks and mudbanks. As time went by, I just couldn¢t get the fit right, no matter what I adjusted. So, she sits in a special place in my storeroom. Of course she has a gender and a name, Old Red. But, she was made from a heavier material,and she weighed 6 pounds empty.   And I discovered this year that she was fitted to a 21 inch torso¢¦oops, I have a 17inch torso. So who knew?   I now have a pack that weighs 3 pounds, and is fitted to my body a lot better. No name for this one yet, we will see how it holds up when I land on it a few times.And my BA SL1 weighs a bit less than last year¢s tent. I¢ve actually done some better food preparation so the food weighs considerably less. The sleeping pad weighs less. Once again I¢m in the Ounce Mode. I¢m learning a lot about getting the most stuff in a slightly smaller space.I mentioned that I¢ve been going to the gym to try to strengthen specific muscles¢¦well today I went, got on the elliptical machine with my full pack¢¦the first time I¢ve done this at the gym¢¦.No problems, the people who know me just nodded and that was it.   Then in comes this guy that is usually there in the mornings¢¦one of those who comes in, speaks, works out then goes to work.   He looked at me and asked ¢are you going somewhere¢? Uh¢¦I couldn¢t help it, I said ¢why would you think that?¢. He responded¢¦¢You do have a pack on your back, y¢know¢, pointing at my pack. It was very hard to respond sensibly. Truly I wanted to turn, look surprised and say ¢where did that come from?¢. Nah, I¢ve gotten mellow¢¦I just told him the Appalachian Trail, and he said ¢Isn¢t that in Colorado?¢. I gave up, I said "I¢m going backpacking". Honest, he said ¢Do you carry everything on your back.¢   At that point my mouth must have been just hanging open, because one of the other regular women said ¢Charlie, look¢¦pack on back¢¦backpacking¢¦leave her alone¢. He just wandered away. The woman looked at me and said ¢He ain¢t from Texas, you have to excuse him¢. Oh my. Indeed.
Date: 2006-02-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last year I used my hike to raise money strictly within my church for a mission church we help sponsor in Mexico. It is truly in a colonia, and they are building their church themselves, concrete block by concrete block. There is very little money to work with, but a little goes a long way.People in our church and one other Methodist church near here go down there twice a year and help build furniture for the church, while a church in Tennessee goes down and builds wood frame houses. It is quite a cooperative effort. So, I got permission from our church to again get pledges from the congregation...pledges per mile I walk, and the effort is called Miles for the Mission, La Iglesia Metodista del Buen Pastor. The neat thing is that I don't handle any money, I don't really have to do anything but walk. The pledges are handled within the church, and when I notify the pastor how many miles I've walked, folks turn their money in to the church. That way no one can in any way think I am getting monetary gain from this. All the gain is within my soul.
Date: 2006-03-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I've learned the hard way that the little half-ounces add up, and up, and up.Something to write on, guidebook, data book, a few bandaids and some antibiotic ointment, etc...all those little things continue to add weight to my pack. I can only be glad that this pack is lighter...imagine what it would be with a heavier pack and tent. I've already removed many things that I thought I needed. I may end up needing them later, but I'll deal with it then.It still looks like we will head east from Texas on 3/11, and hopefully I'll be on Springer on 3/13. I'm finally getting a bit excited about this second attempt.Memories were becoming a hinderance instead of a help. I had been remembering only the good parts of last year's hike, but reality has been creeping in the past few days. Suddenly an image of clambering over scattered rocks, slick with rain or ice forces its way into my brain. The picture of realizing how many small trees I would take out if I slipped off the muddy trail is vivid. Wondering if anyone would find me when I got off on the wrong trail for a while, or even how long it would be before anyone missed me. Slip-sliding away in the mud, always entertaining!..NOT.And of course there is the memory of how many steps I could take before having to stop and breathe for the first couple of weeks....yes, couple of weeks, not days. I confess that self doubt has been creeping in and trying to overtake me.So I spent some time reading other journals, coming back to those of people I know, some of whom are almost as old as I. It helped to see that even some of the youngsters had to struggle at times. Determination, mental stength, will power...those are the things that bolster the physical part of this. And faith.Five days!!!!
Date: 2006-03-10
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Leaving Texas today!!!The backpack weighs too darn much with minimal stuff. I really can¢t think of anything that I could leave out, based on all I ditched last year. But we shall see.Back to the wheezing, whining and wailing about the weak legs, tired lungs and accelerated heartbeat. But y¢know, at least all of us out here are alive and able to move enough to cause all of that moaning and groaning.It is time to get on the road, so all you who will start after the 13th, speak quietly when you come up on me moving every so slowly, and let me know you are there. I¢ll gladly step aside to let you pass.   I¢m so excited about getting back out on the trail, and look forward to meeting so many of you who have sent me notes of encouragement.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Springer Mountain

To: terminus
Miles today: 0.9

So, daughter Cathy and I got to Dahlonega in late afternoon....on the 12th. Decided to go on up to the mountain so we would know where to go the next day. Since I was up there and the weather was beautiful, I just did the .9 mile up there, signed the register and went back...sort of slack-packing the first day.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Springer parking lot

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 6.7

We got up and out to the trail about 11:30AM. Nasty fog, but no rain, so it looked good to me. I met lots of folks on the way, and it was a fairly easy walk for a first day. Along the way I was stopped by two of the military's finest, to inform me that there were about 100 folks in the woods ahead, trying NOT to be seen. I asked if there would be shooting, they said not while I was walking by. That was the reason they were there. They also told me that there would be about 250 folks doing war games up on the mountain and at the "hiker hooch down the trail".   And warned me about the huge storm and front coming through. So....as I started off I heard one of them get on the radio to notify troops that a hiker was coming through....with the horrid words "fat woman walking". Did I say a word to them? Nope,. just thought some foul things about them.The shelter was absolutely full and quite a few tents were pitched. I had planned to use my tent as much as possible, so it worked out. The war games were noisy, but God outdid them on the sound and light effects when the storm came in. Managed to stay relatively dry...there was a little water that had blown in, but that was the wind, not the fault of the tent.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mtountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

My concern was that my ego wouldn't let people pass without me trying to keep up. I know, hike your own hike, but there is usually something about folks passing that last year made me try to keep up. This year I've made a concentrated effort to realize that it is a benefit, after all, I am meeting all those folks that are starting after me.Sassafras Mountain again just did a number on me...and it is amazing since it surely isn't the highest mountain to encounter in GA....guess it is because it is at the first of the hike. And I am a flatlander, so it makes a difference. That is my excuse and I'm sticking to it.Did make Gooch Mt, very windy day, and pretty darn cool. But the wind did let me dry out the footprint and the top of the tent before I set it up.Spring hasn't hit here yet, the the promise is there with the swelling buds of the trees and plants.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Gooch Mtountain Shelter

To: Somewhere along the trail
Miles today: 8.0

I had already determined that I was not going to make it all the way to the next shelter, the miles were too much for my tired legs and lungs...Still at the point where I'm climbing about 30 steps, then wheezing and breathing.I had frozen the night before, and learned from someone in the shelter that his thermometer registered 17 degrees. At least that made me realize that I'm not a total wuss, and that it really WAS cold. One of my best investments has been the Sierra Design down booties. Last year my feet froze, but this year, not so far.I finally got going, slowly and tiredly. I met a day hiker who was taking his newly adopted dog (from the Katrina animal orphans) up the mountains to take photographs. He said the dog has been terrified of every hiker he has met. Having run into this problem in the neighborhood at home, I figured she was afraid of folks with backpacks. Sure enough, when I sat down and took off the pack, she was as friendly as could be, not afraid, and almost licked me to death. Some other hikers passed by and she tried to bolt the leash. When I got ready to leave and put on my pack, she was again terrified. I surely hope the man decided to take her back down the trail for the day.So, I met my first trail angel that day. I did about 5 miles, ending up at the top of Big Cedar Mt. and decided that was it. I was tired, and I started looking for a place I could throw my tent. Walked almost a mile farther and found a rather flat space. I was trying to throw my line over a limb so I could secure my food bag (the first thing to determine whether or not I can stay there) when along came a man who actually looked like a Paul Bunyan. He was carrying a double bladed axe, along with heavy duty pruning implements and a small saw. I asked him if he could throw the line over the one tall and isolated limb I had found. He asked me why I didn't go a couple of miles farther to the tentsights by the creek so I could have water. I told him I just didn't have another two miles in me. The man, Tim Carlisle, picked up my pack, said "I'll carry it, you need to be by water"...and off we went. Yes, another two miles, and there were at least ten other folks by the creek. Indeed a trail angel. It was a decent night, not as cold.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Somewhere along the trail

To: Blood Mountain OR Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, I guess I'm not doing well by some folks standards, as I am only managing 5-8 miles per day....but, it is my hike. I don't plan to injure myself by pushing too hard. When I get too tired, I stop.I had thought to stay at Slaughter Gap tentsites, but as I was climbing and climbing looking for it, I met a lovely lady and I think her niece, out for a day hike. I mentioned where I was going to stay and she said "Oh mercy, you passed that quite a while back....you are nearly to the top of Blood Mountain". What a nice surprise! Got to the top, took tons of photos and then found a place down slightly from the rock top where I could pitch my tent. The thing is, it was 3pm, and I had more than enough time to go down to Neels Gap, however, I didn't trust my knees. Good thing too, because it turns out the hostel was full that night. Yep, things do work out. I was not by myself on the top, there were 4 young men who stayed right on the top in all the wind. I had to tie my guy lines on the rain fly to rocks, because there is NO soil in which to put any type of metal or wood to hold them down.A decent night.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Blood Mountain OR Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I actually slept in until the sunrise wakened me. I took my time going down Blood Mountain to Neels Gap, but blessedly there was tons of room in the hostel...in fact I was the first to sign in.Hot shower, bed, flushing toilet...AND as Neffa pointed out, a place to put trash without having to pack it out. Good company, 5-Way, GiGi, several others spent the night, with a wonderful pizza feast ordered in. Clean clothes...yay. Rest is a wonderful thing.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Neels Gap

To: Tesnatee Gap
Miles today: 5.5

After getting my backpack adjusted, I started out hiking. A crew of GA Trail Maintainers and I played tag back and forth during the day....dedicated people indeed to haul in all the equipment and work on the trail. We really need to thank them every chance we get. I also met up with a group of folks out of Jasper, GA who were out on a dayhike..and it turns out that one of them graduated from high school in Houston, where I came from until two years ago. Strange the coincidences on the AT.Then I was coming down into Tesnatee Gap, when a group of people came up behind me. As is my habit, I moved over so they could pass. The first one in line, Karen Greene, told me no, that they liked my slow pace. Of course I didn't have the heart to tell her that was my fastest downhill speed.We chatted, and I learned that they were a group of day hikers from the Buford United Methodist Church. Through all the conversation I sort of hinted I'd like to go to church the next day, and Karen said that if I wanted to go in with them on the church bus, she'd bring me back to the trail. I asked her how far it was, and she said "oh, about an hour". OK folks, remember that I am from fairly flat, open highway country....so when she said an hour, I figured an hour the way I would drive the windy mountain roads...about 30-40 miles. It was 70 miles. I couldn't believe I had so miscalculated.
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Buford, GA

To: Helen,GA
Miles today: 0.0

Church at the Buford UMC was great, lunch afterward and I thoroughly enjoyed Karen's hospitality and that of the church members the next day....especially considering that I was in hiking clothes.   Karen was going to take me all the way up to the trail, but I had her drop me at Helen, figuring I'll hit the trail via a shuttle after a second night in a real bed.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Trey Mt. Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: broken clouds

Kelly Knob was ahead today, and since it was so cold it was nearly two hours before my hands were warm, but I did want to get to that wicked Kelly. Unfortunately, Kelly WAS as bad as I remembered. I remember seeing a note in the shelter register that Trisket, Ribbit, and Longhorn had climbed it without stopping. Congrats to them, but I surely didn't make it that that well. But make it I did.An unusual thing at Deep Gap tonight. Six women and only 3 men. What a change in the AT population! A nice change. The weather was much warmer by comparison, and welcome change.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: broken clouds

The last out of camp this morning, I wasn't really in a hurry, since I planned a zero day in Hiawassee. Reality check came when car after car passed me by at the pass...I guess a senior female person in a pink precip jacket vaguely resembling a pink michelin person just doesn't attract rides. After about 30 minutes, three younger female hikers came out of the woods up into the gap. Within 5 minutes, screeching brakes, a turn around and a man with a truck told us he felt sorry for us. The advantage of age is that I was one of the two women who were allowed to sit in the front of the truck on the way in to Hiawassee....well worth the wait to have the warmth of the truck, although I would have been grateful to sit in the back if it meant a ride.I checked into the Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express with much thankfulness.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yep, the town vortex sucked me in again. In truth, I did notice that there was ice forming on the mountains, that there was a freeze warning for the mountains and a snow warning...color me wuss one more time.My outlook this year is that first I take care of myself..and if I do that I should be able to make it farther than last year.The hikers staying at the hotel were wonderful...jam-packed.I met Nira Duvan from CO, a fellow WomanHiker, who is now going by 42. Also met Heartfire (a fellow Texan)and September. Baltimore Jack was there as were several other folks of some repute. A good time.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: few clouds

OK, this was a long mile day for me. The most I've done up to now is 8 I believe. I was originally going to go just to Plum Orchard Shelter and stay, but it was 1pm when I stopped there, and such a waste of a day.JustUsRyans were there, and had spent the night before at Bly Gap. They reported that there was ice inside their tent when they woke up...not a great aspect from my point of view. I had lunch, signed the register to say goodby to GA. When I started walking I didn't really think I'd make it to Bly Gap. Then I met a ridge runner, who was doubtful I could make it that far, so recommended a campsite with which he was familiar. I made it to there, and was not pleased with it, so walked farther. I found another nice looking campsite, which would have worked, but frankly I am still hesitant to camp by myself in the woods. I can't explain it, I'm not worried about the humans, or really the wildlife, maybe just the things that go "scratch, snuffle and whuff" in the night. So, I pressed on.Amazingly I reached the border and took the requisite "goober" picture of my own face pointing to the sign...silly, but there it is. And made camp, set up my tent by 5:30PM. There were 8 folks camped there in their tents...and a large fire had been built. Not quite as cold cooking supper because of that, but again, cold at night. And a bit of ice on the tent from condensation.Still, I was amazed that I had made it there. Perhaps it was the look on the ridgerunner's face when he doubted I could make it that far. A challenge.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Bly Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: clear sky

I was really tired from yesterday's pressed walk and the bitter cold again last night, so when I finished North Carolina's "welcome" climb up Sharp Top then the other large climb, I got to Muskrat Creek Shelter and put it down.Gorgin' George and Nacho were there with a large fire. I visited with them, sunned, warmed up and spent the day being cheered up by Gorgin' George's sense of humor and encouragement.By the end of the day there were 14 folks there, shelter filled to capacity and lots of visiting around the fire. Just after I cratered and went to my tent, Transcriber got there, but I didn't meet her that night.Not as cold...the predicted rain didn't happen and all was well for the next day
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I started pretty early because it was not nearly as cold this morning. Soon I was passed by all, but what the heck. Good visiting. I had met Transcriber who also passed me at one point. I arrived at Standing Indian Shelter around noon, and was going to stay there. However there was a young couple there with her not feeling well, and it was very cold and foggy. Transcriber was finishing her lunch, and said it was 38 degrees, that she was heading on to Beech Gap because of the cold.I was discouraged, but after a cup of hot chocolate I felt better and headed out. Standing Indian Mountain was long but it was pretty much down hill after that and sure enough, there was Beech Gap.There were five of us camping there, a lovely night. Transcriber, Johnny K, Coffee Break and his dad, and me. We had time for a good evening cooking in relatively warm weather...thank God.The plan the next day was to get on up the road and I would be trying for Betty Creek Gap.