morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning at the Blueberry Patch Hostel we had pancakes with blueberry or maple syrup, cheese biscuits, sausage and OJ. It was outstanding! Gary and Lennie Poteet are the owners and are great hosts. Our stay at the hostel was wonderful thanks to them and the great company. We stayed with Iron Chef, Mr. Magoo, Firefeet, Doc, Superman? and his wife Heather, and Straw Bale. Got to the trail at 9:40 and Gary hugged us all goodbye. He thru-hiked in 1991. We hiked up and down all day and the last hill was a killer. Holy Hills! We crossed over into North Carolina to a rude awakening! Toughest hill yet I think, but we all made it. At the shelter I am camping with Smokey, Sleepy Floyd, Flatlander, Captain and Escalator formerly known as Tenille, Viking, Superman? and Heather, and Papa Bob who is out for a few days only. I have decided to change my trail name. My group has dubbed me "Tucson" because several people have called me Arizona Girl. The group decided Tucson sounded better so I'm going with it.Got a little rain today but didn't need a pack cover. Haven't really hiked in the rain yet and for that I am grateful. We'll see tomorrow. I am hoping for another 12 mile day to the next shelter. The terrain looks much easier though. I smelled another skunk today but I was going up that torturous hill with a heavy pack and couldn't pick up the pace. I fear a skunk more than a snake or a bear! We crossed over into North Carolina today. One state down, 13 to go!I am brain dead and am missing the comedy routine around the shelter table. I have to stretch or my legs will fall off."Tucson" formerly known as Cookie.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter 4,600

To: Carter Gap Shelter 4,640
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: moderate rain

Rain was pouring this morning! Thunder and lightening, too. I was warm and dry in the shelter with Papa Bob, a section hiker. Everyone else was in tents and I really felt bad for them. By the time we got ready to leave, the skies had cleared and we had great hiking weather all day.We hiked a few miles and came up on Tom from Brunswick, GA and his two grandsons, Hunter and Burton. They were trail angels! They had hamburgers, hot dogs, and sodas. Tom runs a hostel in Brunswick, GA called The Hostel in the Forest. It sounds like a great place with fishing, swimming, yoga, canoeing, and a hot tub. Their website is www.foresthostel.com.I was so tired when I got to camp and this was my latest arrival so far - 5:00. I did my chores when I got there and went to bed after dinner. The Viking, Flatlander, and Smokey never did show up.I hiked alone most of today. I enjoy hiking alone, but don't think I would like to camp alone. I like to socialize at the end of the day. Had mac and cheese for dinner tonight for the first time. It was excellent for having used powdered milk and no butter. Camp cooking is still somewhat simplistic for me. I'm hoping to learn from other people and get a little more creative.Goodnight Oscar."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Carter Gap Shelter 4,640

To: Rainbow Springs Campground 3,740
Miles today: 12.8

I shared the shelter last night with Easy Street. He woke me up this morning talking in his sleep about urinary tract infections. Weird.I put some miles behind me in excellent time today. I woke up late because of the time change, but got going by 9:40. It was at least 50 degrees out and clear skies. Today's hike was so easy except the climb to Albert Mountain. The ascent was 500 feet in .3 miles. When I got to the top, the view was worth it. It was cold and windy up there though so I didn't waste much time. I hiked alone all day again and only ran into a few people headed south. That was okay. I was on a mission. I got to Rock Gap Shelter at 3:40 and I could tell a storm was coming. I left a note for the others and went on to Wallace Gap. I walked about 1,000 feet on the road when a family stopped and gave me a ride to the campground. I rode in the back of their truck and when I got out I left my walking stick in the truck. I almost cried. I hope they bring it back. I will leave a forwarding address.I got a room in the hostel which is okay. They have plastic on the mattresses. Not too keen on that but I understand it. Also smells a bit like pee when you first walk in. Not to keen on that either, but I'm hoping a fire in the wood stove later will fix that. Like I know how to build a fire in a wood stove! Hope somebody does.I'm doing laundry in my rain clothes right now because all my other clothes are dirty. So are these, but I have no choice unless I do laundry naked. Have you ever worn rainpants or a raincoat with absolutely nothing else on? Just something for you to think about before I write to you again."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-07
To: Siler Bald Shelter 4,670
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up at the Rainbow Springs Campground hostel after a rough night of little sleep. No one really snored but I still couldn't sleep. It rained hard last night so I was really glad to be inside. Met some interesting characters at the hostel. Pirate hasn't received mail in 13 years. Wee Willie is trying to write a book using people's trail names but he can't spell "Tucson" or lots of other words he needed to explain how I got my trail name. Wild Child hiked from the southern tip of Florida to Alabama and is now on the AT - all because of a woman. I spent the night with these people. Perhaps this is why I got so little sleep. For those of you who read Bill Bryson's book, he really slams this campground. I saw some improvement with the new management, but it ain't no spa!I got my walking stick back! Night Stalker drove us to our starting place today at Wallace Gap and I was describing the truck I left my walking stick in yesterday. The truck was his neighbor's so he drove me 2 miles to his house. He wasn't home but the truck was there so I got my stick and went back to the trailhead. Night stalker made it very clear he expected a tip so I had to dig in my pack for $2.75. I gave him all my change. It gets heavy.Now I am at the shelter and we have a full crowd sleeping on the floor. Sleepy Floyd and Flatlander went into Franklin, NC. I did not know this until I got to the shelter. That's okay. I would have spent more money. I'm ahead of them now but snow is expected on Thursday so I may take a zero day at the Nantahala Outdoor Center while they catch up. We'll see. I am in the shelter with Superman? and Heather, Todd, Michelle and Josh, Danielle from France, and Big Paw. All but two of us are in the shelter. Everyone has a tent except me and I am the only one who wants to use one. What's wrong with this picture? My left big toe has been numb since day four. Is this normal? "Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Siler Bald Shelter 4,670

To: Wesser Bald Shelter 4,115
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: light rain

What a day! I knew it had to happen sometime. I hiked 18 miles in the rain today. When I woke up this morning it was in the 50's and not raining yet, but we were in a cloud. The moisture in the air was so thick it settled on us while we walked. I was wet all day but warm as long as I was moving. I was covered in mud from the knee down.I hiked the first 12 miles to a shelter but I wanted to go further. Big Paw said there was a hostel at Tellico Gap so we took off. It doesn't exist! We looked for it at the gap but there was nothing to be found, so we kept walking 2.2 miles to the next shelter which is where I had planned to go anyway. We arrived at 6:00 and the shelter was full of spring breakers who all had tents and didn't want to use them. Then why the hell did you carry them all the way up here?!? I was cold, tired, wet and hungry. This was my first day on the AT where I ended on a bad note. I shared the shelter with 9 other people - all male. Three of the spring breakers were from Michigan. I guess there are no bears in Michigan because they hung all their food in the shelter above their heads! I bet all three of these guys graduated at the top of their class!I wasn't going to argue. I grabbed a spot in the corner to sleep, hung my pack so the mice couldn't have another party in there, and I went to sleep dry and warm. Last night the mice chewed a hole in my stuff sack for my therma-rest. Here are some sounds I've heard these last weeks while sleeping in the shelter. Keep in mind at night the shelters consist of people, mice, and other small rodents that are less pesky than mice. You can guess who makes what sounds. Here's what I've heard:snoring, wheezing, coughing, sneezing, farting, burping, scurrying, shuffling, cussing, gulping, breathing, scuffling, clanking, eating, drinking, gnawing, pitter-pattering, knocking, singing, zipping, oinking, laughing, partying, wagering, comparing, discussing, measuring, and I could go on. Who would have thought there was so much noise out in the middle of nowhere?Found out today that Sleepy Floyd named his pack "Lumpy." Too funny."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Wesser Bald Shelter 4,115

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center 1,740
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

After the shelter cleared out a little this morning I got up, ate a cold breakfast, and was on my way by 8:10. There were no bear attacks last night so either they are smart enough to stay in out of the rain or to dumb to recognize a feast. Either way, I woke up with all my limbs and was pretty happy about it. I walked through the clouds and rain again until I got to the Nantahala Outdoor Center at 11:30. It took forever to get here because of the slippery mud and muck on the severe downhill today. I didn't want to earn the trail name Mud Butt II. There is already one Mud Butt. I arrived and got my tent and food box, ate lunch in the restaurant even though I reeked worse than the bathroom in elementary school, and then I decided to stay instead of moving on. I'm glad because Sleepy Floyd, Captain and Escalator caught up and arrived here today as well. I also saw Moo and 42.I have not been crazy about the hostel situation so far even thought the Blueberry Patch was fantastic. I think I just need more privacy than they can offer, but I took a risk and got a bunk and the other hostels already had at least one guy in them, so the woman in the office gave me my own room. No one else checked in so I am alone tonight for the first time since this trip began! What a luxury for $15.00! This place is really great. It sits right on the Nantahala River and is a rafting center, but they also have restaurants, and outfitter, and hostels and cabins. The shower was awesome. I used the handicap stall because it was huge and had a place to sit while I shaved my legs! It is raining now so I'm really glad to be here. Snow is expected tomorrow in the mountains.I have developed my first zit on the trail. It is under my nose. Probably because I blow it all the time while hiking uphill. Flatlander, Smokey, and the Viking are nowhere to be seen. Others have seen them but I haven't in about four days. I lose all track of time out here. I'm afraid of messing up the time or date on my watch because I don't know how to reset it.We may take a zero day here if it is indeed snowing tomorrow. I bet I won't get my own room again though. I'm hungry. I think I'll eat my last moon pie and go to bed."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-10
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Took my first real zero day today. It snowed all day in the mountains, but we were at too low an elevation. The west end of the Smokies was closed today because of the snow.I ate an early breakfast at the restaurant and updated my journal. Most of today was spent sitting around doing nothing. I finally found a phone I could use to send email and I walked a mile to an ATM. As Sleepy Floyd says, I just sat around on my kutookus! Everybody who was behind caught up with us today. I don't know if Flatlander, Viking, and Smokey will take a zero day tomorrow or not since they just arrived today. The rest of us are heading out and tomorrow should be the coldest day so far, but I think I am prepared. I noticed a lot of people are complaining or concerned about foot, knee, or leg problems. I have none, so I consider myself very fortunate. Tomorrow will be a real challenge though because we climb 5,000 feet in about 6 miles in the snow! At least I'll stay warm!I ended up not having a room to myself last night. I went to bed around 11:00 and around midnight two girls from Little Rock came in. They are here to kayak. Very nice people and I stayed with them in the hostel tonight instead of with people I know because they don't snore! Hope I don't get a roomy on the top bunk who does.I read in the newspaper today about how we have taken over Baghdad. I was glad to hear it and hope all this mess will be over soon. I also heard the stock market is doing better. I hope this means my money is working for me again instead of making me want to invest in coffee cans buried in the yard."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center 1,740

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter 3,720
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early and hit the trail by 8:00. I skipped the AYCE buffet at the restaurant. I knew I had a long 16 miles ahead of me, but I didn't realize it was mostly uphill! That's what I get for not looking at the maps.I began at 1,740 feet and climbed to 4,750 feet in 7 miles. Tough! I had lunch at Sassafras Gap Shelter, and I almost froze to death. We were in the leftover snow that had fallen the night before. I naively headed toward the next shelter thinking the terrain would be easier.The next 9 miles were hell! The last climb went from 3,330 to 3,910 in .8 miles. I was not expecting this. The peak is currently unnamed, although I thought of a few names as I was climbing. These are "R" rated by the way. How about Piece of Shit Peak or Son of a Bitch Summit or Bust my Ass Bald? The profanity running through my head while I was climbing this thing was unbelievable.This was by far my most challenging day on the AT so far. If I can handle this, I can conquer this trail. I am again in the shelter since it is raining. I have my tent now, but didn't want to pack it up in the morning because I want to get an early start. I want to try to make the Fontana Dam post office by noon. I have twelve miles to go. I am in the shelter with SWIFT ("Shit, What Did I Forget Today?" or George), Big Paw, Spiderman, Hoser, Flamingo, Brad, and some other people I don't know. Only two girls here tonight, me and Rachel. We must have been the only two females stupid enough to not read the maps!Big day tomorrow. I'm exhausted and my feet hurt. I think I need different shoes. Now my entire left toe is numb. It's spreading!Goodnight Oscar."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter 3,720

To: Fontana Dam, NC 1,820
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

SWIFT woke me up at 5:30. We call him this because he forgets something every time he packs up and someone else carries is until they see him again. Today he forgot the Z Rest piece he was using to sit on. His real name is George and he smokes like a chimney. I don't know how he does it.I was on the trail by 6:50 trying to get to the post office, but after I hiked like a demon for 4 hours I knew I wouldn't make it and slowed down. Ran into Hoser but couldn't keep up because my feet hurt too much because of the steep descent. I made it to Fontana Dam around 1:00, so now I have to take a zero day tomorrow and wait for the post office to open on Mon. I'm okay with that. I got a hotel room at the Fontana Inn for $25 a night and I am alone! Wahoo!Sleepy Floyd, Flatlander, Captain and Escalator, Viking, and Smokey are a day behind me so I will look forward to seeing them tomorrow. I ate camp food in my room tonight to save money but hopefully the gang will want to hit the restaurant tomorrow night. Right now I'm watching TV for the first time since I stared this trip. I watched CNN and learned about the war, and now I'm watching a movie. Luxury! This Fontana Resort is great. Inexpensive and really nice. I might visit the fitness center tomorrow. Haven't been getting much exercise lately. Goodnight Oscar."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Fontana Dam, NC 1,820

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took a zero day today and wrote some post cards, sent email, and watched more TV. I also called my sister and got a report on Oscar. He is doing fine and really loves the yard. I bought new shoes today. My others were killing my feet on the downhill. I can't feel my left big toe and all of my toes were jammed in the end of my shoes when I went downhill. I think the new Salomon's will work great. I can't feel rocks through them either. I'm going to take another shower just because I can, then I think I'll try to find the rest of my crew. They arrived today and we take off tomorrow for the Smokies. Goodnight Oscar."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: few clouds

I went to the post office and got my maildrop, loaded up my pack, and didn't go anywhere! My friends arrived a day later than me and wanted a zero day, so I hung out with them all day and at 5:00 I hiked a huge 1.1 miles to the Fontana Sam Shelter also known as the Fontana Hilton. It is a beautiful shelter built on Fontana Lake with water and flushing toilets. We are near Fontana Dam and the weather could not be more perfect. I am sleeping under the stars with no tent and a full moon. The Blues Brothers built a campfire and two people in the shelter are playing these wooden flutes. What a great night.Fifteen miles tomorrow. I have to finish the Smokies by Sat. and my friend Butch is meeting me after Davenport Gap. I am so relieved to get a shower between the Smokies and Hot Springs!I've noticed something about thru-hikers. A lot of them floss their teeth. Wonder why that is when so few people floss anyway."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept pretty well last night outside the shelter under the stars. There was a bright light that came on around midnight and lit up the entire area where we were sleeping. That was a bit irritating, especially since there was a full moon. I got on the trail around 8:00 and walked across Fontana Dam first thing. It was a pretty area and I took some good pictures. Then I entered the Great Smokey Mountains National Park, home to 700 bears! I carried my whistle in my pocket all day, but all I saw was a cute chipmunk and some squirrels and birds. I was fine with that.I'm tired tonight after my 13.8 miles. Most of it was gradually uphill and it gradually kicked my ass! In the Smokeys you have to stay in the shelters because of the bears, so I am bunking with Al and Sumac, Soren who is from Europe, Grizzly, Gator, and a guy from North Carolina who is on vacation. He has a great accent. My main group is behind me and I won't see them again until Hot Srings probably. I miss camping with them because they are so funny, but I need to get through the Smokies by Sat. Didn't think about much on the trail today. Mostly I looked for bears. I bought new shoes at the outfitter in Fontana and they were great today. So far I'm very happy with them and they were on sale!I have poison ivy for the first time in my life. It is a little spot on the back of my left knee. It hasn't spread and doesn't itch anymore, so I guess I am not too allergic to it. This is a good thing.The bugs are back and are driving me a little crazy. I'm tired and need to stretch."Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter 5,460
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to clear skies and about 50 degrees outside, yesterday and today. I hear it is rare to have such a clear view in the Smokies. There weren't any astounding views yesterday and only one today. We stopped on top of Rocky Top and thunderhead and took pictures. We were above 5,500 feet and it was cold so we took off pretty quick, but the view was amazing. Pictures can't do it justice.Today and yesterday were challenging - physically and mentally. Lots of ups, not many downs and almost nothing flat. Physically and mentally I was tired. I keep thinking of Sat. night and the fact that I will be in a hotel and eating in a restaurant. I think most people come out here and adapt to the quiet and the simplicity. I miss the city terribly! It's so convienent and my clothes are clean and I'm clean and almost always smell good. I am enjoying myself tremendously, but I think I will truly appreciate the convienence of the city when I return. I'm sure this opinion makes me different from most of the people out here. I'm used to that.I have hiked alone for most of this trip. Evidently I hike too fast for some and too slow for others. Makes time pass slowly when there are a lot of uphills. I am ahead of my usual group and will be until Hot Springs. Tonight the shelter is full and I dont't know most of these people. I am with Sumac and Undetermined (Al), Molasses, Sniper, ReBob, Soren, Grizzly, and I don't know the others. Two southbound guys are here on spring break and just made a pizza on a Whisperlite stove. I am impressed, but glad I don't have to clean it up.It is supposed to rain tonight and it is getting colder. I hope there is a view on Clingman's Dome tomorrow, the highest point on the AT. So far the Smokeys have held no charm for me I'm sorry to say. Maybe Clingman's will change that. "Tucson"
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Silers Bald Shelter 5,460

To: Icewater Spring Shelter 5,920
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning brought cloudy skies and 50 degree temps. Hiked in a cloud until we hit Clingman's Dome then it began to rain. I got on the wrong trail so I entered the dome at the parking lot, went immediately to the flushing toilets, then hiked up to the tower. It was cold, windy, and wet and I left with no picture and do not care!I hiked the rest of the day with Wizard, an older man who lives near Atlanta. He is interesting and we talked a lot. Made the time go faster. We had a few more hours of hiking in a cloud, then the rain started. It hasn't stopped yet. I am in the shelter with 20 other people and two hearty souls in a tent. We are all thru-hikers except two and my fear is we all have the same destination tomorrow. Most of these people were ahead of me, but no more. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy and wet as well, but the cold is what I can't stand. I'm not too crazy about some of these people here. They are young and immature, loud and abrasive. I ate pop tarts and peanut butter for dinner. It is 6:30 and I'm going to climb in my bag until morning. This is my second night of the trip I really dread.Goodnight Oscar."Tucson"