morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-01-01
To: Welcome
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone, welcome to my Appalachain Trail Blog. Please make sure to sign my guest book if you visit so I can see who's checking it out. If anyone wants to send care packages, look at the "mail drops" link to the left, and it will let you know where to send them and when I expect to be there. Take a look at my post from 3/13 "ready to go" for info on how/what to send. Anything given, including even encouragement and excitement will be very appreciated. Thank you all for following me. I'm excited to share my journey.
Date: 2013-02-08
To: Journal Jitters
Miles today: 0.0

One month and 10 days to go, and I'm becoming more nervous about my preparation. I know that most of the hike is in attitude, so I'm not despairing, just amping up my anxiety a bit. I'm still very excited, and anticipating the journey of a lifetime. Last night I finally put the large majority of my supplies in my pack for the first time and pleasantly surprised myself at how much it can actually hold. At the same time, it made salient how little prep I've actually done. LOL. I'm still waiting for the last drips and dregs of my gear to arrive, and have a small trip to the store left to do. So, anyway, I'm hoping putting my foibles and concerns in my journal for all to see will motivate me into a last great push to be as ready as I can. I've got a hint of stage fright starting a blog, so any recommendations to improve it would be great. To anyone who questions if they should comment, any comments, jeers, encouragement, advice, or other words are always more than welcome. Until next time.
Date: 2013-03-13
To: Ready 2 Go
Miles today: 0.0

So I finally finished getting the blog set up. I'm currently on a final week vacation at my grandparents' in Ft. Myers FL. Enjoying my time relaxing, and ready to finally get on the trail on Monday. I wanted to post some info about mail drops for anyone that is not familiar with how to do them. This is a link to an entry on whiteblaze.net, a great forum site for thru-hikers:Whiteblaze Mail Drop ArticleRead that article and it gives great info on how/what to mail drop. The Ben & Jerry's coupon is an awesome idea, it IS my favorite food! I'm sure what I'm craving will be posted in entries along the way as well. So I know that was a bit of a lazy post, but it all fits. I'm going to try to get some good sleep tonight (it's very needed). Thanks in advance to everyone who follows my blog, sends love, sends goods, or even just sends great words of humor, encouragement, etc. I'm so excited for my adventure. Love you all.
Date: 2013-03-17
To: Last day before the big day
Miles today: 0.0

Laying in the motel in Dahlonega, GA, last day before we head to Amicalola and start our journey. Have my pack full off food, already dropped a few things of gear; it's amazing how heavy it feels. Know ill struggle the first bit, but very excited for the adventure. It'll be awesome. Of to bed now, need to try to maybe finally get some sleep.
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Black Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Started the trail today at the approach, all of us were in good spirits. Thunderstorms were predicted, but didn't seem to threaten enough to worry. The falls are spectacular. They are the tallest east of the Mississippi. The trail started with 604 steps upThe side of the falls. It was strenuous, but my pack was feeling amazingly good. I weighed it at Amicalola and it came in at exactly 30lbs. It made me pretty psyched. Still think I'll drop a few things. Anyway, it was a hard hike, about what I'd expect, but you can't prepare for carrying 30 lbs over mountains without doing it. Well, over the first peak, the wind started to howl and gust, we had planned to eat lunch there, but it wasn't going to happen; the wind was freezing. We finally stopped in a little gully, and then the clouds emptied on us. All soaked and cold, we headed on. Even when the hail started, it didn't seem to dampen our moods too much. We finally made it to the first shelter, Black Gap Shelter and decided to stay there the night. Met some other hikers who had a fire going. It was a welcoming site. The final insult was when we went to get water, and it stated to pour so much that the side trail basically flash flooded. All was fine in the end, skies cleared at night and we were set up, fed etc. I learned a lot of lessons, like know where your headlamp is, set up before dark, and have everything you need to bear bag in one known place. Jess and I figured it was better to start with a day like this because we know we can take the bad, and simple things like the sun will feel wonderful. Laying here in my hammock, and I'm super comfy. Awesome choice. Mo leaves tomorrow if she can make it out. She's pretty sore from today. It was great having her along, and Brandon is invaluable. He's such a great guy. Love my friends. They all make this possible. Well, we are still a little over a mile from springer, can't wait to be at the start of the AT. I am so exited for everything to come.
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Black Gap Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: clear sky

My first night in the hammock was great. Super comfortable, and far warmer than expected. I had to sleep with the sleeping bag half open and take off my bottoms. Definitely raised my confidence. Waking up this morning was hard. It was definitely frigid out, and we had to go early to get Mo to her ride on time. The hike up to Springer was harder than expected, but it was awesome to be at the start. Finally on the AT, and the sky was clear and the sun was shining. It was great. Unfortunately I started realizing I had chafed really bad, and it only got worse throughout the day. Stopped at Stover Creek Shelter for a break, it's a nice new two story shelter. Still hoping to not use them; the hammock is just too comfortable. We had lunch by a nice waterfall and then made our way to Hawk Mountain Shelter. We were there nice and early, and setting up was easier than last night. I turned in right after setting up to try to nurse my chafing. I'm really worried that I'll have to go into town to deal with this, and hope it doesn't end my journey.
Date: 2013-03-20
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Thankfully, nursing my injury worked. It's not healed, but not painful anymore. The goal today was Gooch Gap Shelter, but we made good time and headed to Suches, GA for other reasons too. I'm having some trouble eating the food I brought. I keep chewing but can't get it down. I think I'm dehydrated too. Had "lunch" at Cooper Gap at about 1, which consisted of one Snack Cake. The going was fairly easy today, minus the growling I kept turning to find, only to discover it was my stomach. Got down some Kool-Aid at Gooch Gap Shelter and we headed to Gooch Gap to hope for a hitch into Suches for some real food. Got a ride and stayed in the Wolfpen Gap Country Store/Hostel. Had some pizza and wings and lots of soda. Feeling much better. Full belly, and being inside allowed me to reorganize my gear. The shower felt great too. Will get some new food at the store and try that. Ready to hit the trail again tomorrow.
Date: 2013-03-21
From: Gooch Gap

To: Lance Creek
Miles today: 7.1

So the stay at Wolfpen was great. Not exactly mind blowing food, but heaven to a hiker. The proprietor, Becky, who is actually a Gooch (as in Gooch Gap) was amazingly friendly. She treated us like her own children. That alone made it a place I'd recommend highly. She gave us all a ride back up to the gap and we headed back on. We had a short day ahead of us because we had to avoid camping in an 5 mile area of the trail surrounding Blood Mountain where you are required to carry a big heavy plastic container called a bear canister if you camp there. No one wants to have to carry that. So we stopped at Lance Creek campsite, the last place to camp outside bear country. It was packed. I hung my hammock over a hillside, which was a bit unnerving, but an option only a hanger (hammock user) has available. After dinner we all hung around the campfire and met new people; two who would become part of a nice little group we now have, Olivia and Brian. They also brought s'mores ingredients which was amazing. There was a German couple there who had never had s'mores or marshmallows and an older hiker "sparky" who had never tried them. Made for a fun night. I should stop here to educate anyone who isn't familiar with trail names. There is a tradition on the AT to go by an alternate "nickname", most often earned through some deed and named by another hiker, though some do name themselves. Sparky was a radio operator, the German couple are Pacemaker (due to a very constant hiking pace) and Runner Up (always behind her). Bulldog, who was with us the very first night we camped, was there too. We all turned in at sunset and, even though it was cold enough to freeze my water overnight, I had a nice warm snug night in my hammock, drifting off to sleep to the sound of the creek.
Date: 2013-03-22
From: Lance Creek

To: Neel Gap
Miles today: 7.4

So today was the day I've been dreading the most for the past few days. We were going over Blood Mountain, the highest mountain on the Georgia AT. Brandon (Underpants) left really early ahead of us to reserve cabins at Blood Mountain Cabin at Neels Gap. Everyone around the fire the night before had agreed that we should get 3 cabins and share them, and being one of the fastest hikers, he was likely to get there with cabins still free. I had a quick breakfast of a danish and headed out to confront my nemesis. Well, it turns out the buildup was far more than the reality, and I just powered through. The view from the top of Blood Mountain was breathtaking. It was crystal clear out and you could see for miles. You could even see Atlanta. Had a quick snack and some water and a short rest at the top and headed down. The down was far worse, and thrashed my knees. Of course, somehow Sparky (71) was powering down easier than I was. He is a real inspiration. We got down to Neels Gap, home of the famous Mountain Crossings Hostel and Gear Store and met Underpants who had of course gotten there early enough to secure the cabins. I picked up my bounce box from Mountain Crossings and headed to the cabin. It was a great cabin, 2 beds, futon, porch, laundry, kitchen, etc. Jess and I ended up rooming with Olivia (Wrong Way, due to going the wrog way on the trail twice on day one) and Brian. I am very happy fate brought us together. We are a good little group and had a blast at the cabin. Up all night telling stories, playing cards and listening to music. Jess earned the name Hammy after the hyperactive squirrel character in Over the Hedge, and Brian is now Story Time (he had an endlessly entertaining supply). I am still nameless, but I'm sure it'll come. Sleeping in a real bed for the first time in the hike was a great end to a great day.
Date: 2013-03-23
From: Neel Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 6.9

Got to sleep in today and laze around before heading out because we had yet another short day planned. I sent off my bounce box, another box of gear I decided not to carry to home, and bought a new pair of underwear. I've been having to wear my long-johns to avoid the chafing, which is incredibly hot, so hopefully this will help. Today was Underpants last day with us and Mo was picking us up at a gap not to far off the trail to stay in a hotel. We had been a little off the planned pace, so we found the best gap that made sense for her to meet us and headed for that. Only 6 miles away. My knees were really bothering me, but about a mile in I finally caved and took some Vitamin I (thru-hiker lingo for Ibuprofen) and it worked wonders. It was a gorgeous foggy cool day and the first 5.1 miles of the hike was great. I only stopped once for the Vitamin I and some water, which felt good because I'm finally starting to notice some improvement in my fitness. Just two days ago I would have had to stop many times to catch my breath. After 5.1 miles we reached Tesnatee Gap and Rt. 348. Underpants and Hammy had already moved on and I stopped for a quick snack before the last .9 miles. Storytime and Wrong Way showed up as I was finishing and I went on. None of us were prepared for the brutality of that climb. It was 500ft nearly straight up, and it really kicked my butt. We basically came out just a short distance down Rt. 348, one of the many seemingly pointless ups and downs on the trail. Hitched into Helen, and got our rooms. Helen is and odd little town. It was apparently slowly dying years ago, and a local who had done a tour in Germany was appointed to redesign the town, so he redesigned it in a Bavarian style. It is a tiny, 300 person population, Bavarian tourist trap in the mountains of a rural Georgia. Very bizarre. We got some wine at the local store, relaxed with some drinks and then headed out to dinner at a sports bar named Hayloft. It turned out to be quite the interesting night; complimented by a bachelorette party, karaoke, and lots of good food and booze. I had one engaged woman hanging over me the whole night with her hands roving to inappropriate areas. Most danced and sang, we we given penis straws by the party, and one of us was invited to a cock fight (welcome to Georgia). Not a night I'll forget for awhile. I left slightly early with Mo, and just talked until the others got back and passed out. Another night in a hotel and real bed. We are thus far having quite the luxurious hike.
Date: 2013-03-24
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero (means we hiked no miles) in Helen, GA today to regroup, rest some joints, and get some resupply after the long night last night. Not much to say about today. spent most of it in the hotel with a quick trip to Wally World for supplies. Attempting our highest mile day tomorrow so off to bed early. My gear list is now updated with changes I made.
Date: 2013-03-25
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light snow

Woke up today after a restless night at the hotel and some flurries starting in Helen. After breakfast we had our ride back to Hogpen Gap by our expensive but awesome driver Doug. The snow was starting to stick and the temp was crispy, but we were all ready for a hike. After setting a pace and working up some heat, the hike was beautiful. The snow made the mountains and trail breathtaking. There were parts of the hike where the wind blew me sideways off the trail, and the bite went through my bones, but it was still a great hike. I took a short break for a snack at Low Gap Shelter, 5 miles in. I was very happy with the time I was making. I met up with the rest of the group and then hiked on. Went another 5 miles to Chattahoochee Gap where I met Rob, a younger guy who had camped in the gap overnight, and had finally motivated himself out of the tent in the frigid cold to pack up his frozen tent. It was already 2:30, and his goal shelter would have brought him well into darkness. We had planned on hiking to the next gap, and heading back to a hotel, so when the group arrived, I suggested we invite him to stay. Felt good. We hiked the 3 miles to the next shelter, Blue Mountain, notorious for its high winds and called our shuttle and had lunch. It was brutally cold. There were tarps up at the shelter, but by the time we left, I couldn't feel my fingers and we still had a steep downhill into the gap. I couldn't imagine having to stay there. The rest of the hike was pretty miserable with cold temps, high winds and frozen rocks in a steep 1,000 foot decline over one mile. It was great to be down. We had a long wait for the shuttle and had to wait in the cold, but knowing we had a warm bed made it easier to deal with. We had done over 14 miles today, and were all pretty proud of ourselves. Hopefully indicative of things to come.
Date: 2013-03-26
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 0.0

After a far too short night if sleep, a bit of debate, breakfast and drama, we decided on another zero today in Hiawassee, GA. We learned later of hikers that had gone out and turned back after trying to make it out of the gap over iced rocks and driving winds and snow. It's supposed to warm a tad and stop snowing tomorrow, so we are ready to move on. It was a pretty lazy day, with a short trip to the store, but mostly resting. Rob got the trail name Pack Rat because he seems to pick up everything he finds on the trail. His load was so heavy it snapped his lack frame, which we worked on fixing today. He's a good guy to be around.; naive, optimistic, and ridiculously adorable. Tomorrow's trail has some major ups and downs, so we will take it as it comes with no real goal destination. Looking forward to early sleep and good rest. Will be nice to be back on the trail.
Date: 2013-03-27
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Passed out like a rock last night and slept well. Woke up totally refreshed and ready for the hike. Had a great breakfast and after some shuttle issues, finally made it to the trail. We had two of the biggest climes yet today, and while they really kicked my butt, I still felt surprisingly good. We met an awesome local woman who hikes around here and we talked for a while at the top of Tray Mountain. She also gave us some of her orange; fruit is amazing when on the trail. We had a good lunch at Tray Mountain Shelter and then hiked the rest of the way to Addis Gap to camp. I was there about an hour earlier than everyone and was completely set up before they got here. It helped my self confidence, as I had been feeling like the slowest and that I was holding them back. There are a group of firefighter weekend hikers from Florida at the same site. I had to save their fire, and we cooked next to that. It's supposed to be a freezing 10 degrees tonight, and we turned in early. All my major issues seem to have gotten better. I'm eating well on the trail, chafing is gone or not noticeable, and I'm moving on the downs faster and that seems to be bothering my knees less. I'm really feeling good about this. Today was a wonderful day all together. I had the opportunity to read Hammy's a blog today and realized that I've left some things out of my blog that seem mundane to hikers but might be of interest to others. So, check out her blog too at http://jessicanlawtonblog.com. If you notice some identical things in hers, she tends to forget what has happened through a day or two on the trail, so I said she could go ahead and copy some of mine. ;-) I think I should go over my clothing like she did, so: Most of my clothes I wear in one day. Every day I where my hiking shorts and tee shirt. On cold mornings I start with my mid weight layer over the tee, my leggings, and then my rain jacket and rain pants. They normally get dropped as the hike warms me up. Even as low as 45f, I can be sweating in shorts and a tee shirt. At night around the fire I wear my expedition weight layer and my down vest until bed when the vest is too warm. I have the boxers to prevent my too small shorts from chafing if its too warm for the leggings. One pair of sleeping socks, and two pairs of hiking socks in case one is too wet. That is everything. Gets pretty stinky, but none of us mind and all thru hikers stink. We probably do laundry once a week or so on average when in town, and the same with showers. Not that we have been average yet, but we are geared up for some good weeks of hard hikes and much less zero days. The cold is starting to deepen here, so I'm going to huddle in.
Date: 2013-03-28
From: Addis Gap

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

As seems the norm, we woke up to frozen water and cold temps. The hardest part is getting out of the hammock where it is nice and warm and making breakfast. When it's cold enough like today, the motivation to light the stove and make a full breakfast is lacking, so I had a couple granola bars. Then I packed up and went on. I think the lack of a full breakfast effects my hiking and although the first up was about equal to yesterday's, it really took its toll. I was struggling the whole way. The rest of the hike wasn't quite as grueling, but after all the snow melt, the trail was really muddy and we basically spent half the downs slipping down 5 feet at a time. I did fall once, pack weight bringing me out of balance and down on my knees, sliding down 10 feet. I also came very close to twisting my left ankle 3 times and I think it's a bit weakened because of it. To top it all of, my chafing has returned a bit, though not nearly as badly. That said, I was able to turn around my mood and bound down the remaining few miles until the gap and road into Hiawassee. We took the day to resupply and plan for the next 3-4 days in the woods between here and Franklin, NC. We head into North Carolina tomorrow, a long overdue, but encouraging milestone. I can't wait. Our group is down to just Hammy, Packrat, Storytime and I (sadly no trail name yet), but we all seem to be very close, and it really helps my spirits. It crosses my mind at least once a day to quit, but so far the reasons to stay on, including my friends, have kept me going. I'm off to sleep now in the last real bed for a few days.
Date: 2013-03-29
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Shuttled out from Hiawassee today back to Dick's Creek Gap, and started the hike toward North Carolina. It was a fairly uneventful day for the most part, with gentle ups and downs and I was feeling amazing. I knew this was right where I wanted to be. I started out first, and none of the group caught up with me for most the day, so I was hiking on my own, thinking about the future, daydreaming, and singing. I took a short lunch at the trailhead to Plum Orchard Shelter, and met my first Ridge Runner (forest service employees or volunteers who hike sections of the trail to enforce rules and make sure everyone is ok and the trail is maintained). He told me that once we hit NC, the trail gets much more easy for a while with less ups and downs. I moved on and before I knew it, I had hit the North Carolina Border (marked by a small sign on a tree).I was beaming. It was a much needed milestone, and helped to enforce that actual progress is being made. Another 1/10 of a mile down the trail was Bly Gap where we had planned on meeting and camping depending on how we felt. It was about another hour before Hammy and Storytime showed up, and they immediately wanted to move on for some personal reasons. I wasn't very happy about that, the next bit of trail was going to be more strenuous, my muscles had cooled and tightened over the last hour, and it was getting late in the day. I immediately went from an amazing mood to a very sour mood. I really need to work on that. The next 3 miles were every bit as bad as we thought and more. Three big, painful, steep ups, and to top it all off, it started snowing, and the trail was muddy and slushy. I finally made it up the shelter and set up. After getting that done, I felt better, and truthfully it meant not dealing with that in the morning. When they arrived I only jokingly said I hated them and that was that. It was too wet and too late for a fire, so we just huddled around our stoves and ate, and went off to bed. It was nice and early, so I got some reading and music in. Turned out to be a nice relaxing night.