morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mount Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow...today was an awesome day!! It was a long day, mileage-wise, but it was just a fabu hiking day! The day started out pretty easy, and the first five miles seemed to fly by. I really feel myself becoming a stronger hiker. I passed by Reason and Argon, who were taking a stretch break. We discussed what a great day it was already. Somehow this segued into a discussion of techniques of...how can I put this delicately...using the woods as a toilet. This is something that I continue to not enjoy having to do, although if I have to, I do. I glorify and sing praises to each and every privy I find along the way, and this day was no exception. Just before the climb up Clingman's Dome, there was a god-sent (I prayed to the privy gods today...they heard me) new mouldering privy...the best kind. I took a short break there (and a photo of the privy), then headed on my way to conquer the tallest peak on the AT. It was a very long three miles from the shelter, and we definitel!y had to work hard for some of the last three quarters of a mile, but it was an awesome hike! The weather cooperated, and we were able to get views for at least a hundred miles in each direction. It was especially incredible to look back to Fontana Lake and track the ridge that we had done over the past few days...it really gave us a sense of accomplishment. The last four miles were a bit anticlimatic, but still good hiking...mostly downhill - yay! The shelter here is nice with an even more beautiful mouldering privy. We are sharing it with one of the ridge runners, James, who is really great. The only downfall (literally) of the day was when I wasn't paying attention, tripped over a root, and did this slo-mo fall. I landed first on my knees, then the weight of my pack kept my upper body moving forward. I must have instictively realized that my face was going to hit so I tucked my chin and hit the top of my head. I rolled over to try and figure out if I was alright!, which put me into "beetle" position, that is, unable to move becauseyou're stuck on your backpack...with all limbs in the air. I unstrapped myself from my pack, got up, and assesed...the only thing hurt was my dignity. Glad no one saw me!         I decided today that Reason is my hero...he has written three songs about the AT since Neels Gap, and performed them for us tonight (they're really funny...although I think you may have to be a thru-hiker to truly appreciate the lyrics) . I can't even start my ode to a privy...I feel much shame. Tomorrow we're doing a short day's hike (5 miles), and heading into Gatlinburg...the tourist trap...guaranteed to take all of a hiker's money...I can't wait!!
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.3

Could anything possibly be as amazing as ridge-walking in the Smokies on a sunny, warm Sunday in April??? Lessee...nope! I didn't think so. I don't think that my descriptions or my photograghs (which will be coming soon!) can truly do ustice to what I experienced today. I had the most beautiful view of the sunrise over the mountains right from the bunk of the shelter...it was a wonderful start to the day. Almost the entire day, I was walking on the spines (or at least the shoulders) of these great mountains, surrounded on all sides by yet more mountains. It is absolutely breath-taking. When you're walking here, you're on the edge of the world, the edge of your seat; you just KNOW you're on the edge of something so much larger than yourself...yet you become part of it by being there. The hike wasn't overly strenuous today, which allowed for a rather lazy, meandering pace. I took a long lunch break and talked with Shankadelic about being on the trail. We both agreed t!hat oneof the biggest joys of being out here is the incredible sense of freedom...we could have an hour-long (or more!) lunch...could hike the next 5.3 miles to the next shelter, or just .5 miles to the shelter we were near. And, any decision we made would be the right one, because there really are no wrong decisions.After lunch, I sat and soaked up some sun, then headed out. After about an hour, I came across Dutch lounging on the top of a mountain. I sat for awhile and we talked about the coming week's schedule. We figured out a way to get into Hot Springs early on Friday, that has us averaging 10 miles per day. Dutch is looking forward to meeting his wife there, and I'm looking forward to getting a massage (a deal for hikers!). The crew at the shelter tonight is pretty much the same as last night's, a group of guys who have been hiking together for awhile. I think that we'll lose them over the next couple of days...they move faster than we do. I don't mind them, they're quite funny, however, most of them smoke and I have problems when there's too much smoke. Reason just arrived at the shelter...after dark. He hiked 16 miles today to catch us! He brought some bourbon to toast 10%...that's right, we've done 10% of the Trail. Woo-hoo! I hit the hay soon after he arrived, but there was much rejoicing in the trail magic he brought. What a fabu day!
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was yet another fabulous day in the Smokies!! The weather was warm/ hot, and the sun shone all day. Dutch got up early and hit the trail before anyone else...about 8. A few others took off before me. I can never seem to get my butt out of camp before 9, regardless of when I wake up. I never really was a morning person, y'know...I've just been able to fake it really well. We had planned a 15 mile day today...pretty ambitious, although a good portion of it was downhill or flat. This is my kinda terrain...I knew I could really cruise. By 12:15 I had hiked the 7.7 miles to the next shelter, where I stopped to eat lunch. A couple of foolhardy red squirrels attempted to get closer and score some of my GeniSoy bar and milk and cereal bar, but I was having none of their begging! I continued on, with about 1.9 miles of steady uphill, then 5.2 of pure down...Arrived at this shelter at about 4. Dutch and Laffy Taffy were here...we started debating whether or not we sho!uld go to the road and hitch to Mountain Momma's for cheeseburgers. Then we tried to decide if we should continue on for the day...we were done so early. We all finally took out our food bags and ate some dinner. Then Laffy Taffy couldn't take it and decided to move on. We opted to stay here and continue to slowly make our way to Hot Springs. Our decision was based on the fact that when we are in towns we spend WAY too much money. Because Dutch is meeting his wife on Friday, we need to be sure we don't arrive there any earlier than then, or we (or at least I) won't be able to afford to complete our trek! We shall take time to smell the roses this week, then. Reason has agreed to join us in our leisurely pace, after doing two 15+ days in a row. Life is most definitely good!
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: light rain

Well, I can't say that we were very ambitious today...we hiked out early enough...probably about 8:30. We got to the 3.3 mile mark, and there was a sign for Standing Bear Farm...200 yds. We were planning on doing a resupply there, so we headed to the west. When I arrived, Famous Shoes was just gearing up to get going. Very Small Animal and Mr. Pumpy (who we had met at Neels Gap) were hanging out...they all recommended we stay. All I knew was...this place was gorgeous!! All the buildings are built in a rustic style, and there is a stream that runs under one of the hiker cabins and through the whole farm. I knew when I saw this haven that we would be staying for the night. We had been planning on doing a short day on Friday, but we were soon rethinking our plans. I wanted to do my laundry and have a shower, and by the time that was taken care of, we were making plans for dinner and deciding which cabin we were staying in (the one that the stream goes under). Curtis an!d Maria have a sweet place here, and they are wonderful to the hikers who come through. Their daughters are adorable and fun. We sat around talking to hikers who were arriving throughout the day, just taking it easy. For $10, we had steak, potatoes and salad (Dutch cooked...he's quite a good cook). Now everyone is sitting around the fire, having s'mores, listening to classic rock on the radio (ZZTop right now), and just being mellow. Okay, so we had the easiest day out of anyone here, but we'll make up for it! We were very happy to see Cruiser hike in this afternoon, as well...some of us are reunited once again...Probably going to bed late tonight, but hope to do at least 10 miles tomorrow...Hot Springs by Friday!
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Brown Gap Campsite

To: Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy Beltaine! Today was a fabulous day!! It started out rather slowly for me. My tent (outside only) got soaked in the rains we had last night, and there wasn't any space to hang it to dry where we were camped. My arch-enemy, poison ivy is abundantly thriving in these woods, and I worried that if I hung my tent anywhere, I would inadvertently get a dose of it. We were four miles from Max Patch, which is a bald, that is, a mountain that is not above tree line, but has no trees on top. We figured that we could stop there and lay out all our stuff to dry. The hike up Max Patch started out with a steep ascent, but then wasn't bad for the last 2 and 1/2 miles. The views from the top were absolutely amazing!! We were able to take a long, lazy break there, and get our stuff dried out. Of course, this meant that it had to rain again! About the same time in the afternoon, the clouds began gathering, and the thunder began to grumble. The first storm that came through mis!sed me completely, but apparently dropped rain and hail further along. The second storm hit just as Dutch and I arrived at a shelter, and we decided to stop there and cook our dinner before heading on to our destination of 14 miles, Big Rock Spring. I hadn't done this yet; eat dinner, then hike more. Usually, dinner makes me very tired, and all I want to do is go to bed. Tonight, though, it worked out fine, and we started again, with another 4 miles to go. The third storm of the day hit as I was ascending Big Bluff Mountain. I was a bit worried about the height I was at and the proximity of the storm, but I figured that if I stopped, I'd get cold and wet, and if I continued, I'd at least be moving closer to my destination (albeit still wet). I caught up with Dutch on the downside of the mountain, and we pulled into Big Rock Spring, where Grandpa Bear was camping for the night. Dutch and I conferred, and decided that we weren't through for the day...we still had some! miles left in us. So we chose to continue hiking till we got to the next shelter or till we felt like stopping. We did a bit of a jog down the mountain, me chasing a rainbow that I just knew would be there...it was...beautiful, and so bright (Reason told me the next day that it was a double one...); and came to an agreement that we would stop at the next appropriate campsite, as it was getting dark. We approached a stream that flowed into a steep ravine, and I could see an outcropping of quartzite that overloked it. When we came around the corner, I realized there was a small campsite on that spot...dusk was coming on, so I called a halt to our hike. We were able to set up camp just as it got dark. After a 16 mile day, we figured we'd get right to sleep. Dutch did, but I couldn't get to sleep...I think that I just can't sleep around running water. I would swear that I could hear voices in it...oh no! the voices again... Oh, well...soon we'd be in Hot Springs...
Date: 2003-05-02
To: Hot Springs 
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got up early today (not an unusual thing on the Trail...sun's up, I'm up), and was able to get everything packed up in a timely fashion (very unusual for me!). We were on the Trail by 7:30, and I was feeling great...I passed Dutch and flew along the Trail. I had reached the last shelter, about 4 miles later, by 9:30. I got into Hot Springs at eleven o'clock. It's a small town, very hiker friendly, it seems. I saw Alison (Double A is now her trail name), Cinderella and Happy Feet outside the post office. We went in to retrieve our mail drops, and Cinderella and Happy Feet told me that G.I. Gypsy, Psycho Pat, Nuts and Twigs had all left earlier this morning...I was so sad! I had hoped that I would at least see G.I. and Pat...but to find out that I had also just missed Nuts and Twigs...made me quite upset. I'm hoping that I can catch up to them by Trail Days in Damascus. I picked up my boxes (two that I sent to myself, and my mail drop box), and discovered that my T!ang had exploded all over my mail drop box...not pretty! I decided to deal with that later. I checked with some other people who I saw (Laffy Taffy and Taro), and found out that the town was pretty full of hikers. I chose to tent at the campgrounds...only $5 per night. I went and set up my home for the night, then hit the showers and laundromat, respectively. I think the thing that bothers me the most when I'm out on the trail is how bad I smell! A really intense thunderstorm blew through while I was doing my laundry...glad I wasn't hiking in it! While I waited for the laundry, I hit the convenience store for food...my cravings right off the trail always include juice, but my latest one, for no apparent reason, is for hot pickled sausages. I just don't know about me... So, I ate my sausage, pringles, and dessert of a pint of New York Super Fudge Chunk (yum!), then went to the library for internet access, then a few phone calls. With all my task work out of the way,! it was time for dinner...steak, of course, with a wonderful salad andmashed potatoes (somehow, I think that my descriptions of food will only become more elaborate over time...). A couple of Guinness (on tap...heaven!) and a little bit of live bluegrass music, and I was ready to call it a day at 10...
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Campsite

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today just felt like the laziest day ever. I got up early..okay, there are chickens at this campground...they have the run of the place. Guess what roosters do FIRST THING REPETITIVELY EVERY MORNING??? No chance of sleeping in with an old pro rooster crowing AND and a young upstart trying his lungs too! I got my things ready for the day...wanted to wash my sleeping bag, send some stuff home and send my bounce box ahead to our next stop, Kincora Hostel. I also wanted to get some breakfast at the diner, which I had heard was good (it was, but took forever to get!). I sat with Cinderella, Troy (whose trail name is now Puff Daddy), and Happy Feet. Cinderella is heading home today. She was only planning on being out here for awhile, as she is on to a slack pack hike in England. I will miss hanging out with her...we had a lot in common. Happy Feet, Puff Daddy and Famous Shoes all left after breakfast. HotDawg and Stubby, who Seester and I met on the way up Springer Mtn !(Stubby is HotDawg's manx cat...she rides the top of the pack, and occasionally walks), started to leave, but only made it as far as the campground. HotDawg said he just lost interest in leaving today as he walked through town. This place is not touristy and commercialized, like Gatlinburg was, but it can suck you in just the same. It's a very relaxing place to take a zero day...or two...or three...But I'm not doing that! I did need to go through my Tang infested drop box...it took at least a couple of hours. I washed and repackaged everything. It really is difficult to deal with a food bag full of food that is sticky (note...I've had Tang explode in my food bag already...this is the voice of experience speaking). I then went across the street and made an appointment for a massage and a soak in the hot tub. I've only had one massage before, and it was a bit of a disappointment, as an aerobics class started up next door halfway through...not very relaxing! This, however, was wonderfully relaxing! I floated over to the pub afterwards to listen to some blues, only to discover that most people had already left for the evening (it was 10:30), and the band was almost done playing...it seemed odd for the place to close so early on a Saturday night. I said goodbye to Reason...he's taking another zero due to sore knees. Cruiser left, not sure if she was going to zero a!s well, or not. I hung around with Wide Load, Primitive Man and Circus, waiting to see if Circus would really leave, as he said he would (he'd been trying to leave all day). Finally, at 1 a.m., he packed up his stuff and took off. He had new headlamp batteries, and said he was all set. I hope he's doing alright. I'm hitting the hay...it's way past my bedtime!
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

Happy Cinco de Mayo! Hmmmm...is that the most positive thing I can say today?? Lessee...it was a completely bug free day! Yeah...oh, and I saw a rabbit, a red salamander and several junco nests complete with eggs (I had been wondering where they built their nests...turns out it's on the sides of the trail, in the brush and leaf debris.). Yep, that's it for positive. I woke up today to rain falling on my tent...followed quickly by thunder and lightning. I had a 15 mile day planned, and this was not an auspicious beginning. I made a run to the privy, and headed back to the tent...maybe I could catch a few more zzzzs. Nope...it was after 6:30, I was up for the duration. I started packing up the stuff that I could...basically everything but my tent. By 8:15, I was ready to go except for dismantling the tent. I did it as quickly as possible, attempting to keep the tent itself from getting soaked. It actually worked pretty well, as I am currently inside it, and it's no!t too bad. Only problem is...it's STILL pouring. I think my poor tent can only take so much. I know I'll have to re-seam seal again soon, if I can ever dry it out! So the day has just been a drenching one...with the addition of a battering wind for most of the time. The final factor was a 6 mile constant uphill. I can see why there are times when people just quit doing this. I'm not quitting, though. I definitely had some mental battles with myself today. Slogging along in wet everything (despite wearing head to toe rain gear), desperately anticipating the next shelter where you're going to take a break or stay for the night, can lead you to start talking to yourself out loud...complete conversations...both (or several) parts. Finally reaching the shelter for the night, and hanging out with people there...Laffy Taffy, Snot Rocket, Phobia, Butters and Christine to name a few...helped tremendously. We were all in the same boat (or should be in a boat right now...th!ere's enough water out here!)...just trying to get warm and at least semi-dry. We just KNOW that it will be sunny tomorrow! I sure hope so, anyway.
Date: 2003-05-06
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: moderate rain

Raining?? Is it raining?? I hadn't noticed...just figured my skin was always this pruny, and that my clothes were supposed to be soaking wet. I awoke today at 7:00 (so late!) to the sound of...wind, breezing through my rain fly. But NO RAIN!! I got up and started to get my things together so that I could try to dry my tent and ground cloth. As soon as I had gotten almost everything out of the tent, draped over nearby branches, the rain started to fall again... I rushed to move everything into the shelter, and packed my tent away, wet again. It wouldn't be so bad, except that everything that's wet adds more weight to the backpack. The forecast on the radio was most un-promising...rain and thunderstorms all day, with a flash flood warning. Actually, even further...rain right through Thursday. With no end in sight, I packed up, dressed in wet clothes, wet socks, wet boots and wet rain gear. This is not, by the way, the best way to begin any day...just in case !you were curious. The miles went by pretty quickly, despite the weather. By 11:45 (I had started at 9), I had reached the first shelter, at about 6 miles. Snot Rocket and Phobia were there, and I joined them for lunch. Double A pulled in as S.R. and Phobia were leaving, and we discussed how inviting this shelter was...how lovely it would be to just curl up in a sleeping bag in the corner. I finished my lunch, used the privy and got ready to leave. Double A couldn't go...she had talked herself into staying. I continued on...the rain was really heavy now. I reached a road, sat down to fix a sock that had bunched up, and the most amazing thing happened. The rain stopped...the sky lightened up...and the sun came out! I don't know when I've seen anything so beautiful before! The rest of my hike, about 6 miles, was done in the sunshine. There were 4 or 5 gorgeous waterfalls on the way up the next mountain...wished I'd had my camera out, but I still had it buried in my! pack because of the rain. I got to the shelter at about 5:30, and was able to get my tent dried out a bit before setting it up. Stonehenge built a fire, so we were able to dry out our socks and boots to some extent. The sky is perfectly clear right now, although the forecast for tomorrow says rain, and the stars and moon are beautiful. Oh, yeah, and we hit 300 miles this morning! All in all...a good day.
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Nolichucky River/Erwin
Miles today: 5.7

Today was a short, lovely day on the Trail. I got up early, as, due to the continuing poblems with my sleeping bag, I didn't sleep well. Not only was the bag still damp from my third laundering attempt, but it STILL reeks!! It was so bad last night that I constantly had to push the top of the bag away from my face...then I'd pull it back up because I was cold...Bleah! I got ready and headed out at 7:30. By 11 I was back in Erwin and enjoying round two at The Erwin Burrito. I then tackled the sleeping bag issue again. I got the extra strength Febreze, put the bag in the dryer, spraying it at intervals while I dried it for a couple of hours. I am happy to say that I have had success!! Not only does it smell good again, but it has regained its loft!! Yay!! Of course, I'm not going to have it much longer as I'll be switching to a lighter bag for the summer. I decided that I needed to eat at least one meal that wasn't from a restaurant, so I got some salad stuff and a! pound of shrimp from the grocery store. I sauteed the shrimp, and had a lovely dinner out in the back yard at Miss Janet's. I called to get a shuttle for the following morning so that Famous Shoes and I could do a 19 mile slack pack back into Erwin. I stayed up too late, chatting and watching movies. Miss Janet's House rocks!!