morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-03-28
To: Leaving for Georgia in the Morning
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It is finally here! I am extremely excited that I am leaving tomorrow morning and heading to Springer Mtn. I cannot wait to get out there and finally begin this adventure of a life time. The last few days have consisted of saying goodbyes, delicious family feast, packing, unpacking, making sure I have everything, mentally preparing, drinking as much sweet tea as possible, eating all the cajun food I can find, and most importantly enjoying this exciting time.I would thank my friends and family for encouraging me and enjoying this time with me. The Lord has surrounded me so many incredible people, I am super thankful for that.Anyway I received my first off the trail "trail magic" the other day at Gearhead Outfitters. The last few weeks while working there I have been monitoring the weather very close and preparing for the snow and low temperatures. I knew that I needed a heavier down jacket than what i had, so i decided to get the patagonia down sweater. Long story short, the store manager called the main office and they ended up giving me the jacket for freeee! They simply said have a great hike and we are happy to do this for you. Thank you guys so much it is awesome to work for the great people of Gearhead. I saw this quote on my grandpa's desk the other day and I think there is something to be learned from it: ¢Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.¢ Mark TwainHere is a more detailed gear list if you are interested. http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=10969
Date: 2013-03-29
To: excited, nervous, ready to go!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Great day and there is no place id rather be! It is a blessing that I am here. We are camping at Amicalola Falls State Park. We got here a few minutes after 5:00 and the visitors center just closed. I am planning on stopping by the visitors center in the morning to sign in. We are now at our campsite cooking and relaxing. The joke before leaving was run if you hear banjo music and the first thing we heard at our campsite was a guy playing a banjo......crossing my fingers it's just a fluke
Date: 2013-03-30
From: Springer mountain

To: horse gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

I struggled going to sleep last night but woke up feeling good and ready to go. I signed in this morning at the visitors center a hiker #720. After that we drove up to springer and my parents hiked the AT south with me the beginning of the trail. I have had perfect weather all day and really enjoyed my first day on the trail. The first day has been beautiful. The trail followed stover creek and winded through rhododendron. I experienced my first trail magic today and it was a feast. Thank you Georgia adventure club! The plan was to stop at hawk mountain shelter but I got there around 2:30 and still felt really good. So I hung around and met some people who were staying there. I continued on a few miles to horse gap where I am tent camping tonight. I've met some really cool people this far and I am looking for to a good night of sleep and the days ahead.
Date: 2013-03-31
From: horse gap

To: Woody Gap Area
Miles today: 10.8

I shared a campsite/fire with three other thru hikers and two guys and their sons from Indiana who are here for a week. We had a good time and all planned to meet at woody gap for tonight. I didn't realize that woody gap is along a highway and you aren't supposed to camp there. So I hiked down the trail a bit farther until I found a side trail to a site. I got my tent up right before it started raining. Today has been another great day of hiking. I thought I was going to wake up sore from my first day but I felt pretty good. I woke up around 7:30 and left camp around 8:45. We were camped at the base of sassafras mountain aka supposed to kick your ___ but it wasn't that bad. The scenery changed quite a bit throughout the day which i enjoyed. I'm going to relax an read in my tent for the rest of the day and get a good night of sleep. I am really enjoying Georgia so far! Ill be climbing blood mountain tomorrow which is the highest point in GA and ill end my day at neels gap. Oh and I carried way to much food for a three day supply I might have enough for four more days after today. Looking forward to not making that mistake again and carrying a lighter pack.I am really happy about how my legs feel and my stamina throughout the day. I like my pace but I'm still breaking in my body for the next few weeks.
Date: 2013-04-01
From: Woody Gap Area

To: neels gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Another fantastic day. So blessed to be here and to be immersed in the AT culture. It rained again last night and my tent leaked a bit through a velcro strap that is used for my door. I didn't get wet it was just an inconvenience. I woke up this morning to clear blue skies ,the sun rising over the mountains, and with clouds in the valleys below the mountains it was really cool. Around mid morning I spooked up 5 deer on the mountain side. A few miles later I was able to creep within 15 yards of two more deer. Most of the day was spent approaching and climbing blood mountain. I was really surprised to reach the top of blood mountain a lot sooner and easier than I expected. We had a great view from the top of blood mountain. After leaving the summit I hiked with Star Man down to neels gap and mountain crossing outfitters. Star man thru hiked in 1985 and he has been great company to have on the trail. I finished my day around 3:00 at neels gap, where star man and I did some maintenance to our gear and resupply our food. I fixed the drip in my tent and resealed all the seams so my tent is not super waterproof.....I hope. After finishing my maintenance I met up with my friends from Indiana and they are meeting me stay in a cabin with them. They even bought four pizzas and let me eat with them. So clear skies, great views, dry cabin, hot food, hot shower, and laundry. It is a day thru hikers dream of. I'm trying my best not to get spoiled ha.When I weighed my pack at springer mountain I was shocked to see the weight at 30 lbs. once I figured out how much food I will need for a 3 day supply my pack is now full of food and water and weighs 25 lbs. feels incredible!A special thank you to my Indiana friends they have been a huge blessing and they have been incredibly generous! Thank you for the prayers going forward!
Date: 2013-04-02
From: neels gap

To: Campsite at 46.6
Miles today: 14.9

I said goodbye to my Indiana friends this morning and started on my way to popler stamp gap. The morning way in the 30's so I was hiking fast to stay warm. I feel like my best hiking is in the morning, especially when it comes to climbs. My legs felt great again today and I tried to push my pace all day. I am feeling stronger but still trying to take it slow for a few more weeks some my body can figure out what I am doing to it. Funniest part of the day (to me): I walked through a parking lot on my approach to wildcat mountain, which is a .5 mile up (500 feet of gain so pretty steep) and a .5 mile down and crosses the same highway that the parking lot is on. I left the parking lot with another hiker behind me and I noticed that he took the highway instead of the trail. So I went up and over wildcat pretty quick and got to the highway crossing the same time he did, he was shocked that I got there so soon. After that I hiked for a few more hours and got to low gap shelter around 1:00. I hung around and talked to two guys who are sponsored by Moose Jaw, pretty cool gig. After relaxing for a few hours and having lunch I hiked on 3 more miles to mile 46.6. I am camping with two guys from Georgia who are hiking to the ga/nc border. I will be at trey mountain shelter for tomorrow night. Looking forward to the blueberry patch hostel....rumor is they have pancakes. Oh and so much happens during the day that my thoughts are often jumbled so excuse the chronological order of them ha. I'm tired of typing on this phone....goodnight!
Date: 2013-04-03
From: Campsite at 46.6

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Great weather, great day! I am usually in bed by 8:00 and awake around 6:30. This morning that was my schedule once again and I was hiking by 7:45. The day started out with about 4 miles of "relatively" flat hiking making it an easy warm up. Around 9:30 I took a short break at Blue Mountain shelter and posted yesterday's journal since I had cell service. I had a 1.5 mile decent from the top of blue mountain and when I was about .5 on switchbacks from Unicoi Gap, I could see people gathered in the parking lot and several ice chest and tables. I wanted to yell at them from the side of the mountain because I was 99% sure it was trail magic. Once I got down to the parking lot it was confirmed! When you are hiking all food is amazing, even hotdogs. So I had 2 hotdogs, 2 servings of cole slaw, chips, 2 brownies, banana, and a cup of sweet tea! It was great timing because I was ready for lunch. I left Unicoi Gap feeling great and made my way up a 1000 foot ascent of Rocky Mountain. After Rocky I descended 900 feet and then climbed right back up 1300 feet to the summit of Tray mountain, one of my favorite mountains and views of the hike so far. After descending tray mtn I hiked on some PUDs all the way to Addis Gap. I was pretty worn out once I made it to the campsite which is a .5 mile off of the AT but I decided to end the day on a great note. Since I had the place to myself and I figured I wouldn't see anyone for the rest of the night, I soaked my ankles in the freezing cold stream and then took a bath. It was incredibly cold but very very worth it! I cooked big meal tonight and had a candy bar for dessert. Since I am by myself and away from the trail I figured I should hang a bear bag....I don't really feel like wrestling one off of my tent tonight if a bear decided it wanted some of my food. The one thing I hate about hanging a bear bag is if you want a snack you have to get out of your warm sleeping bag and go through the hanging process again..... I really want a snickers and my jar of PB to dip it in, it's delicious.Tomorrow I have a easy five miles to Dicks Creek Gap, where I am going to hitch into Hiawassee to resupply and stay the night at Blueberry Patch Hostel. The couple that runs it does it as a ministry and it is donation only to stay and they cook for you. Really excited to meet them! I hope to be at dicks creek at 9:30 to catch the shuttle but the weather is supposed to get bad tonight. It's 8:07 time for me to go to sleep. The trail gave me a heck of a workout today!
Date: 2013-04-04
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.3

I had my best night of sleep last night. I woke up around 6:00 and decided to sleep in for a bit more. I left camp by 8:30 to rain and winds. Once hiking I was exposed to high winds for most of te hike down and the trail was pretty slippery. I had a short morning to get to highway 76 to hitch into town so I took my time and did my best not to fall. A few miles into my hike I noticed that my trekking poles were frozen and my rain jacket had a thin layer of ice as well. I reached te highway around 11 and got a hitch from a super nice couple from florida to blueberry patch hostel. The hostel had several bunks available and he had a fire lit keep the placing really warm. It was a great way to dry my gear and to warm up. I am super thankful for their hospitality and generosity. I had dinner at an all you can eat tonight Much needed meal after the first days. Loving every minute of it and I am excited to be in North Carolina tomorrow! Georgia has been fantastic but I am excited to move on! Will update when I get service again!
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

One of my favorite things about being out here is how well I am sleeping, every morning I am fresh and ready to go. Fyi: I posted two journals and pictures on April 4 for the 3rd and the 4thThis morning was great! We packed up and Gary called us into his home around 8:30 for breakfast. It was a huge home cooked meal (it has been vote best breakfast on the AT) and the best part was homemade blueberry syrup with fresh blueberries in it. It was my first time to have such a thing and it was amazing! Gray dropped us off at dicks creek gap at 9:30 and I got to meet warren Doyle. Warren has thru hiked more than 10 times I'm not sure on the exact number. I hiked with mouse and re-run all today me cover miles pretty quick. I enjoyed the change of pace, it was my first time to hike with people for an extended period. I prefer hiking on my own because it is quieter and I just enjoy it more. Although i really enjoyed GA It was great to begin a new state. NC started off with several super steep climbs and no switchbacks, so it was straight up the mountain. It did level off after the start but it was pretty tough when we crossed the border. I finally ran into star man again and it was great to see him he is one of my favorite hikers that I have met so far. One thing that I have noticed out here is that everything I eat taste like the most delicious thing ever....I guess hiking everyday will do that to you. A mile before my stopping point for the evening I walked up on a bunch of cars in Deep gap and they are doing trail magic. So I decided to stop here for the day and enjoy their breakfast in the morning. They are all nice people and they have a lot of quality food for thru hikers. Since I received trail magic tonight and for breakfast I've decided to push on the the NOC for my next resupply. I believe it is two days past Franklin, nc. I have been feeling a lot better with distance and I am going to start to bump my average up to around 16 miles per day this week. We will see how it goes. The one thing that has helped me stay healthy is a lot of preventive care to my feet and a lot of stretching throughout the day. Thankful to have not had any problems with blisters yet. I just put tape and TP over any spot that slightly feels like a blister might be coming on and it goes away. I am excited to be in NC and I have really enjoyed it and the changes of scenery. It is surprising how fast the trees and mountains can change in just a few miles. Also I am thanking The Lord for my trail name it has been an incredible conversation starter. Glad to be out here immersed in His creation!
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Deep Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

The weather has been fantastic and today was beautiful. I left camp at 7:30 and missed the trail magic because I was ready to start the day. I hiked most of the day by myself and I really enjoyed my first full day in NC. I had great weather and great views throughout the day. The day was mostly ridge walking and a few climbs. Albert mountain was really late in the day and it was a straight up .25 climb and it was nice to finally get to the top where there was a fire tower that I climb. We were looking towards the smokies and over the city of Franklin, NC. I am staying at Long Branch shelter for the night. Tomorrow I am skipping my supply at franklin and pushing on to the NOC. I have a 18 mile and a 17 mile planned to get me there. I'm crawling into bed at 7:30 looking forward to an early morning and a great night of sleep!
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I posted two journals today to catch up. Be sure to go back one if you have not seen it.I think today has been my best day yet! Last night i slept from 7:30-7:00 so i was well rested! I left long branch shelter at 7:40 and my body felt really good and ready for the day. Today was the first day that I have listened to music or anything since I have been out here. I listened to two Matt chandler sermons that were really good and made the miles go by super fast. There were several climbs throughout the day but nothing that wore me out to bad. Highlights of the day: I got to hike along a stream that had some pretty large waterfalls and summit Wayah Bald. At the top of Wayah there is a stone fire tower that was built in the 30's it was really cool to visit it. From the fire tower I could look southeast and see the fire tower on top of albert mtn and it was really hard to see. It gave me a nice sense of accomplishment seeing how far I have gone in the last few days. Looking forward to the NOC tomorrow and a hamburger! Hoping for another great night of sleep and an early start in the morning. Oh and I also got to talk to a lot of family today too. Great day and blessed to be out here!
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: between the jump up and swim bald
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Tough day today but fun! I left Wayah shelter around 7:45 and began my hike to the NOC. I was eager to leave because the shelter and the camping in the area was quite crowded. The hike started off with a few pretty good climbs and great views from the ridges and from the top of Wesser bald. Wesser had a tower on top of it with a great panoramic view. We could see Nantahala lake and a lot of peaks to the north that we will be going over soon. After that we began the 7 mile 3000 foot decent to the nantahala outdoor center. It was pretty tough and seemed I go on for a while. I would rather climb than decend, it is a lot easier on my body. The last 2 miles to the NOC I was pretty much walking like Frankenstein and saying hamburger. It was super good to get dinner with star man, rocky, and crasher. They all worked in Antarctica and they were surprised to have that in common. It was super cool listening to their stories of adventure in Antartica. Kinda blew my mind with their stories. I am now soaking my ankles in the Nantahala River and I am going to hike and unplanned 3 more miles just so I can split the 7 mile climb up into 2 days. Looking forward to beginning the smokies Friday and I am thinking about zeroing on Thursday. It will be good for my body to have a day of recovery. I think that is it for now, up the mountain I go. Well update. I posted this journal from the NOC with the anticipation of going to grassy gap. The campsite at grassy gap was not to appealing and I felt good. So I hiked on with star man. We ended up going another 2.5 miles and almost finishing the big climb out of the NOC. We have a couple of easy days planned to get to Fontana dam. Today was also my first day over 20 and I feel great. A hamburger, salad, 5 glasses of sweet tea, and a powerade is basically performance enhancing drugs for a thru hiker. Also got some really cool pictures of the sunset and the nantahala gorge. Great day on the trail!
Date: 2013-04-09
From: between the jump up and swim bald

To: cable gap shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Tough day today. I started around 7:45 and finished the climb out of the NOC. I had an incredible view from cheaoh bald. After that the trail descended all morning for the most part. I got to stecoah gap around lunch time and found someone dropped off gallons of water for hikers. I drank a liter and filled up another. After lunch at the gap I climbed for a bit to the beginning of Jacobs Ladder... Which is a 600 foot climb in .6 of a mile. It was super steep and it didn't have any switchbacks. Needless to say it was pretty tough and I am glad it is behind me and just a memory now. After that it was a long and slow decent to cable gap shelter where I am spending the night. There weren't many water supplies along the way and the afternoon was the hottest we have had. I was more worn out today than any day prior. I'm looking forward to a low mile day tomorrow and a zero day on Thursday! Looking forward to the smokies and hoping for good weather through them.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: cable gap shelter

To: Fontana dam shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Short day today. I relaxed in camp this morning and left around 8:30. It was a pretty easy hike down to Fontana dam. The trail was a bit up and down but provided some really cool views of the lake and Fontana Dam. Once I got down to the parking lot I ran into rocky, crasher, and star man. Star man already resupplied and decided to hike into the smokies, hope to cross paths with him in the future. Rocky, crasher, hot foot and I took a shuttle to Fontana village and resupplied and relaxed for the rest if the afternoon. After i got my 5 day resupply to get me to standing bear we went down to the pit stop and had lunch. I am on a mission to gain a few pounds because I think I've lost a few and I can't afford to let that happen. So I've been eating a lot. I had two pizzas at the pit stop and I'm trying to always munch on something. The rest of the evening was spent at the Fontana shelter. I got to shower and sort of wash my clothes in the shower. The people at this shelter are some of the most interesting that I have been around. I'm going to relax the rest of the evening. Zero day tomorrow.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Fontana dam shelter

To: fontana dam shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Two journals posted today go back and look at yesterday's. I probably won't have service for 4 days or so through the smokiesZero day. I have been relaxing all morning and trying to stay off of my feet. We have a great view from the shelter of Fontana lake and the smokies, I am looking forward to starting them tomorrow. So far the zero day has been a success my feet are drying out and healing up well. I had one blister between my big toe and 2nd toe. I have been treating it the last few days and it has finally dried out and almost all healed up today. I have two other tender spots one on the back of each heel. They are drying out and healing up pretty well too. Overall my feet are in pretty good shape. I will continue using neosporin and taping them up in the morning just for prevention of them getting worse. I'm going to spend the rest of the day reading, relaxing, and waiting on this storm to blow through. You have to be flexible sometimes and it is really all about your attitude when you are out here. I got to listen to a sermon from Tom Givens about finishing strong in everything you do and that is my goal while I'm out here. No matter what I end everyday well!