morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-15
To: katahdin part 3
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

at the jo-mary logging road, pipesmoke's wife jeanine met us with a truck, a grill, steak, asparagus, and beer. in a downpour the next morning, the remnants of hurricane katrina, we elected to zero in millinocket, in search of more good food and beer.   thursday, the sun out again, we managed 17 miles around pemadumcook and nahmakanta lakes, through much mud and standing water. we forded or rockhopped streams again and again. my buddies, nimblewill nomads, "danced" the highwire act across fallen trees over fast water. me, i'm just not that agile.   friday we covered 19 miles to hurd brook, stopping for a swim in rainbow lake. that night we had a honking good campfire, and a unity college group shared their smores with us.   saturday we crossed abol bridge, met jeanine and her truck again, and she and pipesmoke cooked up some bacon and eggs right on the spot. we had become ravenous. trail appetites are indeed a force to reckon with. we worked our way along nesowadnehunk stream, with its waterfalls just a-roaring. that night at the birches campsite, a thru-hiker name of duke shared his only bottle of beer with the three of us; a simple gesture made grand by the circumstances. doc questioned the integrity of my ursack, and whether it could withstand a bear attack. i don't care, says i; not one mouse has got into it in six months of use. doc continues: how about a polar bear; could it stand up to a polar bear? i tell him i could see the commercial now, the polar bear with the bag in his mouth, and the voice over reads: ursack, good for 10,000 flosses.   sunday was partly cloudy, but sunny enough as we scrambled up the giant boulders on the hunt trail, and lo, there was the summit ahead, with clear views and a patch of cloud over the knife edge. a very thoughtful pipesmoke pulled a bottle of champagne out of his pack, and we commence to celebrate. someone nearby complained in a low voice about the summit crowd. someone else growled about the chill in the air. i'm not complaining, i thought to myself. i'm some glad just to be here at all, with two good friends.                                                            amen
Date: 2004-02-04
To: Preparation is Complete.
Miles today: 0.0

My preparation for all practical purposes is complete. I will be using a combination of Drop Boxes (14) and Bump Boxes (as needed).   Bentley, my wonderful bird dog and hiking buddy, will be staying home. The P-2 pack's base weight is now 22 pounds excluding food and water. This includes all the winter gear. It is going to be exciting to meet the class of March 1 on Springer. I will arrive on Springer on Sunday, February 29, pull the metal drawer open in the rock and sign in. Mickey-One-Sock is back!
Date: 2004-02-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A big thanks to EZ-Does-It and my friend Tom C. who have been a great assistance in my 2004 thru-hike. They have provided much wisdom and practical advice on how to be successful. I have used Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield for most of my hiking preparation. A big thanks must go to the park officials who provide such a perfect environment to train. To my brother, Dale, who encourages me every day to train hard and finish in 2004. My mother has a map of the AT posted in her Floria home to follow my journey. I never underestimate her connections with the Good Lord. Carol, the wife, has issued an edict: Do not return until you have walked the entire trail. If you come home early the "boys, Adam and Scott," will take you back to the trail and dump you out. "Good-bye." "See you in Seven Months." "Hit the road!" "What? You are waiting until March 1?" "Get in the truck and head to the trail." As you can see my wife is very shy. Ok, here is the point. I get home sick. So this year I must focus on the fact that if I don't finish my support team is going to be sick of me. So, suck it up little man and hit the trail. Ok, I will try to hang onto the one sock I have left and go north on March 1.
Date: 2004-02-06
To: The Wait
Miles today: 0.0

The next 22 days will test my wise use of time. I have the responsibility of my father and mother-in-law. They are enjoyable and will fill a lot of my remaining time. Next, my continued training. I am committed to improve my conditioning for this hike. Then, the testing of the equipment. I have tried several of my alcohol stoves and my Pocket Rocket. I have decided to take the Pocket Rocket. I have used alcohol stoves on previous hikes. I am going to at least start with the Pocket Rocket and see if I switch back to the Brasslite or Etawah. I also plan a "shakedown" of all equipment in the next week. The real test will come at the last moment. Ah, an uwise use of time. That last fleeting moment when the ole' brain goes "quietly step into the storage room and remove some of the items that you have stored. You will, will, will, will, NEED THEM!!!" That will be (pardon the pun) the "moment of truth". O. K., truth is too strong a word. How about, a "moment of stupidity". Yes, a lot of my time left will be packing and unpacking.   I know that Hamlet was a Danish Hiker. To be or not to be. That is the question. O. K., Hamlet I know the answer. I will be.. I will be... I will be a thru-hiker and in that outragous fortune lies the rub. But, not this year. I am going back into the storage room. I just remembered I HAVE BODY GLIDE. There will be no rubbing this year. Alas, four more ounces in the pack.
Date: 2004-02-15
To: Hostel Visits
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, Carol and I drove to the new Hiker Hostel at Woody Gap and to Mountain Crossings at Neels Gap. I dropped off a resupply box at each location. Pictures of the new hostel can be located at Hiker Hostel.com. Joshua and Leigh Saint have done a fantastic job in design and construction. I plan to stay at their hostel on night three of the hike. Joshua (Profile) and Leigh (Almanac) thru hiked in 2000. They are very friendly and we very much enjoyed our visit. From the new hostel we drove the thirteen miles on HWY 19N to Neels Gap. The weather was great at 45 degrees. Winton Porter, the owner of Mountain Crossings, was very helpful in correcting a problem that I was having with my right shoe. Winton and his wife, Margie, are wonderful individuals that I always enjoy visiting. I have always been treated with the finest in customer service from Winton and his staff. Winton also told me that 30 thru-hikers have checked in at Mountain Crossings. Now, there are thirteen days left before my hike begins. On the fourteenth day of planning before the hike my true love said to me, "Take me home, it's valentines day." Oh, what should she expect from a person who hikes? Ramen Noodles for our Valentine Meal with a Snicker Bar for dessert!
Date: 2004-02-22
From: Springer Mountain

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: few clouds

   After Mass at 7:00 a.m. and a large breakfast at Cracker Barrel, Carol drove me to Springer Mountain. Mr. Reynolds, a representative from the Appalachian Trail Conference, came over to our vehicle and introduced himself. He will be providing education and training at the trail-head for three months. At noon I began my south walk to the top of Springer. On the way to the summit, I took the Benton MacKaye Trail to read the dedication plaque to the founder of the Appalachian Trail. I then returned to continue my move south. I opened the metal door in the rock. I continued down to the shelter and signed the shelter register. I filtered two liters of water. Since the weather was beautiful, I decided to walk to Stover Creek Shelter. I met Jackie Bohene, a thru-hiker from Canada, who was contining to Hawk Mountain Shelter. I was the first person to arrive at Stover Creek Shelter. I set up my tarp and began to cook supper. I was then joined by a section hiker from Bartow, Florida, and two young men section hiking from Minnesota. The two young men were carrying all canned goods for food. One had a garbage bag for a rain jacket. Each were dressed in blue jeans and cotton shirts. I never have been with three happier hikers. One gentleman with the best gear money could purchase and two young men with clothes from home. What we all had in common was great fellowhip around a great camp fire. The gentleman and father of seven made coffee for the four of us as we continued sharing our love of camping and hiking. We then turned in for the night. A positive conclusion to a wonderful day to begin my journey north.
Date: 2004-02-23
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

   Today is the birthday of my Grandmother Grandstaff, my mother and my youngest brother. I awoke at 7:00 a.m. after a wonderful night's rest in my Black Diamond Mega Light Tarp. I cooked oatmeal for breakfast with a cup of black Folger's coffee. After two and half hours of piddling around, I head north. I stopped at Three Forks for a snack and again at Long Creek Falls for a snack. One mile past the falls is a wide gravel road. I had stopped at the gravel road a couple of years before with my brother, Dale, for a break. I decided to walk left down the road a hundred yards to Hickory Flats Cemetery for another snack break. This place is great! It has chairs, tables and garbage cans under a large covered pavilion. You are greeted by a large sign that states: "Campers Welcome." Now, that is an inviting cemetery. There is a small chapel on the cemetery grounds where a sign states a reunion is held once a year. After I returned to the Appalachian Trail, I met Stump Knocker, who was finishing a south bound thru-hike. He was hiking with Hippie-Long-Stockings. Hippie-Long-Stockings had started at Fontana Dam. We had a brief visit. He had recalled meeting me last year on the trail north of Dick's Creek. Stump Knocker said that I was the 47th thru-hiker he had met this season. I arrived at the shelter at 2:00 p.m. I placed a clothes line between two trees and dried out my sweaty clothes. I was the first to the shelter then Ty and Amber arrived. They are from Michigan. The two sisters grew up on a sheep ranch. Amber is a second grade teacher in Cairo, Egypt. Then, Joe (Eats), Dan (Slips) and Matt arrived. Martha, who is from Boone, NC, arrived with Marit and Frank, who are from Michigan. I climbed into my sleeping bag at 5:00 p.m. and quickly fell asleep.
Date: 2004-02-24
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

   I awoke at 7:00 a.m. from a great night's sleep in Hawk Shelter. Several of us are great at making night music (snoring). The young guys built a camp fire and cooked their breakfast over the coals. Eats, who get his name from eating any and everything, hikes in sandals and also his barefeet. Slips got his name because he climbed the top of Long Creek Falls and promptly fell from the top of the falls. He was cold all night but made it till dawn. I told him to stay away from Niagara Falls. I hiked most of the day with Eats, Matt and Slips. Matt is 23 years old from Pennsylvania. Matt is an expert outdoorsman. As we hiked, he identified ferns, plants, trees and birds by sound. He works in a zoo in PA. We hiked in the drizzle and fog all day. It was very light. I only wore my rain jacket, but didn't need to wear rain pants. We arrived at the shelter around three o'clock. Matt and Eats built a fire. The rain cleared. We sat around the fire until 8:00 and then went to bed. It was my second night in a shelter. Eats burned a candle lantern all night to keep out the mice. It worked.
Date: 2004-02-25
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   During the night Dan (Slips) and Matt (Fits) left to night hike to get more miles in. Also, during the night a new hiker arrived, Burr Rabbit, from Salt Lake City, Utah. He awoke the shelter when he bumped his bald head into a wood beam at the top of the shelter. The two sisters, Ty and Amber, hiked out ahead of the gaggle of Eats, Marit, Frank and myself. When we arrived at Woody Gap, the two sisters had built a fire and were waiting for us to go to the new hostle in Dahlongna, GA. The hostel is owned by Josh and Leigh Saint. It is a magnificant three-story log building with all modern conveniences. Josh's mother greeted us at the hostel. She made us hot vegetable soup, coffee and cake. Bulldog on Trailjournals.com, who is a 62 year old from Layton, Utah, joined us at the hostel. He is slackpacking Georgia. I had no trouble hitchhiking to the hostel. Martha continued with Burr Rabbit to sleep at Woods Hole Shelter. Six of our trail family ended up at the hostel, Joe (Eats), Ty, Amber, Marit, Frank and myself. Since we are under a winter storm warning with ice and snow, we feel good about our decision. Leigh took us to Big Dave's Roadside Grill for supper. We returned to watch the Weather Channel, write in our journals and finish laundry. I turned in to a nice, warm, clean bed at 11:24 p.m.
Date: 2004-02-26
From: Woody Gap

To: Hiker Hostel.com
Miles today: 0.0

   Breakfast was served at 8:00 a.m. today. Breakfast time varies depending on the hiker needs. Waffles, coffee, juice and bacon were served "all you can eat" style. After breakfast Ty, Amber and Joe were taken by Leigh Saint to Woody Gap to begin their snow hike to Neels Gap. We then went in the four-wheel drive Suburban to Mountain Crossing Outfitters at Neels Gap for two of the ladies to buy some clothing. We then went to Wal-Mart and I bought a Boston Market microwave dinner. It was very good. In the afternoon Leigh helped Nuffy, who came in at 2:30 a. m. on a flight from Australia. Andy from Boston arrived at 4:00 p.m. At 4:00 the snow continued.
Date: 2004-02-27
From: Hiker Hostel.com

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

   Leigh Saint had an "all you can eat" breakfast of french toast and bacon served at 6:45 a.m. She delivered Marit and me to Woody Gat at 7:30. There was plenty of snow on the ground. We stretched under the covered forest information bulletin board and began our walk north at 7:40. It was sleeting with a light snow. Our uphill climb to Big Cedar Mountain was accompanied with the crunch, crunch, crunch of fresh snow. It was very foggy. It was so beautiful! We stopped at Preacher Rock and took our picture in the snow. It is called Preacher Rock because the pioneers of this area held Sunrise Services on the rock. I thought of all the children and families who made the steep climb once a month to worship! It was very humbling. Three miles into the hike we stopped at the stream and got water. As the morning progressed the sleet and snow stopped and the sun came out. The snowy trail quickly began to thaw to black mud. All the way to Blood Mountain the trail alternated between snow, slush and mud. We stopped again at Jarrard Gap for a snack. We continued uphill to Bird Gap where we stopped for another break. At Bird Gap the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club has rerouted the AT up the south side of Blood Mountain. They have added new camp sites to take some from Slaughter Gap. I was impressed with the new route. It is a gradual climb that finally joins the old AT 1/2 mile from the summit. We stopped on the north side of Blood Mountain for our last break before entering Neels Gap. Carol dropped by from Woodstock and we spent the night at Goose Creek Cabins. At Goose Creek Carol and I met a trail legend, Sarge. He was a very nice gentleman and joined us for dinner at The Riverside Cafe.
Date: 2004-02-28
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

   Carol delivered me to Neels Gap at 8:30 a.m. after an excellent breakfast at The Riverside Cafe. Sarge came down and joined us for breakfast. I began my hike at 9:00. The trail was mostly mud. I took a long break at Cowrock Mountain. The woods were full of Saturday dayhikers. Once again I began the climb up Wildcat Mountain at Testnatee Gap. At the top of Wildcat Mtn. we took a break. We met a young couple from north Georgia, who were on a day hike, but are planning a thru-hike in the future. We also met two gentlemen hiking with two dogs who gave us a Snicker bar. Our Trail Angels! We continued on to Hogpen Gap. The same two men then gave us a bottle of Gatorade and more Snickers bars. One of the Lab dogs kept smelling my pack. I think he could smell Bentley, my dog, who usually hikes with me. I'm sure Bentley's scent is still on my pack. With all the mud that I hiked in today, I was glad that Bentley was home taking care of his backyard and our cat, Amber. We arrived at Low Gap Shelter at 6:45 p.m. It was at the shelter that we met "Just Jim", a retired U.S. Marine, and "Ziggy", who both were on their 2nd thru-hike. I cooked a great supper of Knorr Chicken Soup with Folger's coffee in the dark. Ziggy slept outside the shelter on a ground cloth in a sleeping bag with no tarp or tent. He also had hiked in sandles with no socks in two days of snow, slush and mud. After I climbed into the sleeping bag in the shelter, the natural light made the view spectacular. I could see the stars and hear the night sounds of our Appalachian night.
Date: 2004-02-29
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

   "Just Jim", a retired Marine, was the first up. To my surprise, we were greeted by Joe, Eats, at the shelter the night before. You have already figured out how Eats got his name. He is 22 years old and eats, eats, eats. A very nice young man who hikes in sandles or barefooted. Eats, Marit and myself left at 9:00 a.m. with Ziggy, getting up from his night's sleep on the ground at the Bear Bay Cables. The three of us hiked to Chattahoochee Gap. We took a rest break and Ziggy caught up with us. He hikes fast! Most of the snow had melted away. We hiked in mud, mud, mud. We stopped at Blue Mountain Shelter for a break. Once again Ziggy caught up with us. Ziggy is from Ft. Payne, Alabama. Eats is from Texas. Eats went ahead to hitch into town and rent us a room at the Helendorf Motel. When we reached Unicoi Gap, we were picked up by the third vehicle in less than three minutes of waiting. The gentleman's name was Link. He works on rafting trips in north Georgia. A very nice gentleman with a real love for the environment. He and a friend, who works for the Appalachian Trail Conference, are starting a hike from Springer to Dicks Creek on Monday, March 1, 2004. It's great people like Link that make thru-hiking such an enjoyable experience. When I arrived at the Helendorf Motel, Eats had a room ready. It was a great room for $32.00 I then did laundry, wrote in my journal and had a coffee. After a wonderful night's breakfast at the Huddle House, I turned in for a much needed rest.
Date: 2004-03-01
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Wolf Pen Gap
Miles today: 6.7

   I had a great breakfast at the Huddle House. Walked to the north side of town at a local cafe and tried to hitch a ride. No luck. I began to walk north when a pickup truck turned around and came back to pick me up. He was a hiker who had walked to Pennsylvania from Georgia. He was a retired Army medic. He was not going to go to Unicoi and went 20 miles round trip out of his way to provide a ride. Although rain was predicted for the day I was able to walk all the way to Tray Mountain Shelter under overcast skies. When I arrived at the shelter, Eats and Slow Poke were already in the shelter. I got water for supper and my hike to Dicks Creek Gap. I ate a great supper of rice and chicken. I then packed up and walked to Wolf Pen Gap. A very nice hiker by the trail name, Serpico, was there. He is a chiropractor from Elijay, Georgia. He is section hiking the Appalachian Trail. Little Lulu (Marit), the doctor and myself had a great night's rest.
Date: 2004-03-02
From: Wolf Pen Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

   It stormed all night. I was dry in my tarp. The wind was very strong, but my tarp and Marit and Serpico's tents kept each of us dry. I cooked breakfast in my tarp. My coffee cup broke and I had to dicard my coffee. The oatmeal mixed with a Granola Bar was very tasty. I broke camp at 9:00 and arrived at Dicks Creek Gap at 3:00 p.m. Since I am a slow hiker, I was proud that I had hiked Kelly Knob in 50 minutes. That was the fourth time that I had hiked Kelly Knob and it is always a challenge. The good news is that on day 10, I have no injuries or blisters.   At Dicks Creek Gap, Slow Poke was waiting for a ride. As soon as I had changed into my jacket to stay warm, a red pick-up drove into the parking area with Fits and Slips. It was sure great to see both of them. The young man from North Carolina drove me to the Holiday Inn Express. He shared his love of bear hunting. He was a very nice young man. I did the laundry and had a wonderful all-you-can-eat buffet at Daniel's Steak House. After writing in my journal, I turned in for the night.
Date: 2004-03-03
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: light rain

   I had a great rest at the Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee, Georgia. I awoke to fresh cinnamon rolls and coffee. I walked to the Ingles Supermarket and purchased my five days supply of food. On the way back to the hotel, I stopped in at Hardee's for biscuits and gravy. I walked over to the local hunting outfitters to see if he had any denatured alcohol. I had purchased some at his business the previous year. He said that he was out but would buy some for me. Another hiker friendly business. I walked back to the hotel and finished packing. I called Joyce Monroe at 706-896-9339 for a shuttle back to Dicks Creek Gap. Joyce promptly drove up in her Volkswagon van. It has been 30 years since I had ridden in one. It was refinished and immaculately beautiful. She carried me to the Post Office where I shipped a bump box to Rainbow Springs Campground and another box home. We then drove to The Blueberry Patch where I had stayed the two previous years to see Gary. The Blueberry Patch is fantastic! I just wanted to stay in town this year. Gary now is the proud owner of two donkeys. One is named Hallelujah. After a nice visit Joyce drove me to Dicks Creek Gap. I began my hike to Plumorchard at 11:30 a.m. I walked alone. After I arrived at the shelter, Slow Poke arrived. He is from Hamburg, Arkansas and has many years of hiking experience. We both cooked supper and turned in for the night. It was great to have another person at the shelter. This time next week it will be completely full of hikers. I am a week ahead of the human wave. Plumorchard Shelter is three stories with a covered eating table. It also has bear cables and a latrine. A wonderful even though it was a brief day!
Date: 2004-03-04
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   Mice! Mice! Mice! Plumorchard is a three-story shelter. Slow Poke slept in the penthouse, the mice played rugby all night on the middle level and I slept under the mice action. The good news is that I had no mice in my sleeping bag or backpack. I awoke at 6:35, ate my breakfast of oatmeal, a granola bar and coffee at 7:05. I was walking the trail at 8:05. Today was PUDS (pointless-up-and-downs) all day. I reached Bly Gap at 11:00 a.m. Slow Poke was cooking coffee when I arrived. The weather started to turn cool but not cold. I began the climp up Bly Gap at 11:30. Slow Poke said that it's called "The Welcome to North Carolina Climb". I should never again complain about Switchbacks. The climb up Bly Gap is straight up the mountain with only a few gradual turns. I reached Muskrat Creek Shelter at 2:00. I cooked supper and made a clothes line from my food bear-bag line and hung my clothes to dry. It was enjoyable to have Slow Poke around. We do not hike together but we see each other several times as we play "Break Tag". Slow Poke belives that at the top of each major climb you should stop for a break. Although he is from Hamburg, Arkansas, he was born on Magazine Mountain in the Ozarks. He has finished two thru-hikes. His second thru-hike was a flip-flop. He said that he liked his flip-flop the best. He has also hiked sections of the Pacific Coast Trail. So far, this section has been the most difficult. I am totally exhausted.