morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Approach Trail- Amicalola Falls

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Great first day. Although I'm not a big fan of stop and go traffic, and the fact that I felt like I needed to blow chunks, I'm super excited to be here. After all the hooplah at the Visitors center and pics, I got on my merry way. Passed Peter 1/4 mile up trail, he said it sucked already. Met Cloudwalker later and hiked with him for a while. He is here at the shelter, along with Smile (who I thought wasn't leaving for a while, like a month), Robbie who also has a TJ and Piece of Work. Hiking was good all day, felt hot-spot on right heel, taped it after a while when it didn't go away. Stayed at Springer resting for a long time, talking with a ridge runner and 2 people who go around country talking/educating about LNT. View from Springer sucked b/c smoke, but cleared finally and made my way to shelter. Hydrated well all day and treking poles are awesome. I was so-so on them until I felt them working with a full load on my back. Warm weather all day, cooler now, but not cold (as it could be for this time of year). Taking it easy first week or so, so my body can adjust. First night in a shelter, lets see if mice really are a problem. Oh yeah, I snuck up on 20-30 Army Rangers training in the woods. Pretty cool to see w/ all the camo and guns and stuff. I came around a bend and spotted 10 or so on the trail and 10-15 in the woods on the right, down in a gully. The one in the back on the trail then heard me, said something to the second in back, he then turned around and kept going.
Date: 2006-03-09
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Awesome weather today, a little overcast but temps were good, sun finally came out. Heard three fire fights of the Rangers near by mid-afternoon; followed one for about a mile and a half this AM. Same 4 folks from last night plus Railroad and Critter, Brain & Braun, Eagle, Falcon, and UHaul (they all spent last night at Hawk Mtn- I think). Passed Hightower, Horse and Cooper Gaps, and Sassafras and Justus Mtns. Lessons Learned: 1) I don't like downhills- they stress your knees too much and slow me down b/c if I go fast, my front pack messes up. 2) Uphills are pretty sweet, I motor up them pretty quick and guess I'm in good enough shape to not stop for rest breaks often. 3) Flat is awesome. Expend most of your energy here, as the other two only have minimal gains for energy spent. Gear talk is rampant, everyone sees my new stuff and wants to know. My pack especially. I think only one person out of everyone I've met has seen one, so I have to explain to everyone what it is, the mechanics of it, how it works, etc. Feet held up well today and body in good shape. Only pain is slightly in hips b/c that is all pack rides on, so they are just weighed down all day. Hopefully tomorrow goes well, as miles increase (only slightly, but still)to Meds. And hopefully POW's hint of sleeping w/ head facing out of the shelter will keep me from hearing the mice. Two were scurrying around last night and b/c I wasn't used to it, they were bothering me. Snorers don't bother me too bad, but it is claimed we have some loud ones tonight (how RR got his name). POW is a stud, in his early 60's, he can put some miles down. Although I was first one at shelter, he was helping Smile and he wasn't too far behind me.
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Walasiyi Center @ Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Forgot to say in earlier journals: 1) Tried to name me Beef Stick, but I resisted, not so hot about the name. 2)... I forgot again. Pretty good day today, everyone but Piece of Work, me, and maybe CW (is he staying here tonight?) stopped at Woody Gap for Suches. I had originally planned for Woods Hole, but went on over Blood Mtn. and staying at Mountain Crossing, at Walasiyi Center @ Neels Gap. Lots of Whiteblazers here tonight; Frosty, others don't know screenames of. Met Nean, working here, (WB too) who is helping Squeaky w/ his 40 day thru attempt. Really down to earth guy; talked for a while with him while the others went to AYCE. Frosty, Brian from NM, Mango, Mark, Jon and Lilly here with me (none of who I've met yet). Two blisters today, one on each foot, on the knuckle of some little toes. Weird. Blood Mtn. was awesome, great views, stayed up there for a long time resting/ eating before coming down to Neels. PJ, "Over the Top" is an awesome movie. When going on a tough uphill, if my hat isn't already backwards, I turn it that way and Sly Stalone's power comes to me. Plus it is already a large trucker hat so it helps. But really, none of the uphills have gotten to me too badly. Big Cedar was the worst today had to offer, right after Woody Gap. Legs, knees, ache minorly. I'd be a sissy though if I said they hurt. I ain't no sissy. WE'll see about tomorrow's miles. I keep increasing, and it is good. One shelter looks to be around 18 away, we'll how early I can get going after resupply ( I didn't do it earlier when I got here).
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Walasiyi Center @ Neels Gap

To: ?(Past LowGap Shelter/Before BlueMountain Shelter)
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Temp was good but rainy and foggy all day except last two miles. Camped here, after cameling up and not knowing next water, with Mango and guy named Tybee Pete. Hiked w/ John and Lilly part of the day. They are from Buckhead and are really cool. Everyone out here is a little kid, all cracking jokes. Wow, so this trail that I am on leads to Maine? That is pretty crazy to think about. Body still good, feet hurt a little. Picked up a warm bomber hat in hiker box, spacey looking but no matter. Still light but I'm tired, try 15 tomorrow.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: ?(Past LowGap Shelter/Before BlueMountain Shelter)

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow what a crazy/good two days. Where to start with it all. Well how about what happened first then what happened later. 3/12 daily miles ~19.6 (dang, almost 20, not quite though). Met up with Mango, John and Lilly and hiked with them some. Pressed on to Blue Mtn. Shelter but they didn't show up for a while, so I went on down to Unicoi Gap. I didn't believe in magic, but now I do. Husband and wife with their daughter had some awesome magic, consisting of Cokes, Little Debbies, Pringles, etc. My Hawaiian Punch and Little Debbies were a much appreciated surprise, after hearing of some trail magic the previous day. Talked with the Angels till J/L and others arrived, then headed out. Nice solo lunch @ Cheese Factory campsite. Tray had some great views. Eventually got going again and thought I reached Addis Gap twice before actually getting there. Then, on top of that, I just happened to have one Miss Kelly Knob at the end of my longest day yet. Bone-haeded move. I survived and headed to Deep Gap Shelter to sleep. Maybe 5-7 already there, yet all tenting. Cool, I think to myself, this nice semi 4-sided with a huge front door shelter is all mine. A little later, two New Yorkers, Goat, and Freight Train (aka snorer, LOUD) guys my age come in. They are to sleep in the shelter too, no problem it is pretty roomy. WE get to talking and they start talking about the "Non-a-hall-a." The what I say? The "Non-a-hall-a." Again, I am confused. Finally I figure out they are speaking Yankee, not Southern and figure out they are speaking of the "Nana-hey-la." We try to sleep, but there are mice problems. Not like the first night out where I heard two of them just for a bit. THese suckers were smart, agile, and athletic. They were everywhere. We all had out lights and would shine them when we heard something near us (read very often). Once I turned my light on to see one little fellow looking @ me from about, four, maybe five inches from my face. ANother time, FT shines his light on Goat's pack, the theif emerges, does his Superman tricks jumping about a foot to a vertical beam and scurrying it without missing a beat. Finally and luckily, the weather was good and shelter had a porch so about 4 AM we moved out there to sleep.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: North Carolina baby!!! (Bly Gap)
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Now what happened today... Late start, haed down to Dick's Creek Gap, try thumbing into town. Now there is no way to know this a fact or not, but I had been trying with my hat backwards. I flipped it around (it is a redneck hat, a CAT"epiller" hat) and the first truck that passed had two good ol' boys in it. They passed us by. About a minute later, they came back up the road and picked us up to go into Hiawassee. We resupply at grocery and in store we start talking with an elderly couple. Turns out they give us to shoe place (was like 20+ miles away on curvy mountain roads, rode right past Brasstown Bald). THen take us back to trail, sweetness. As it turns out, and I think I'm getting this correct, is that Sam and Ellen Messick are their grand-daughters. Slow going (heavy pack w/ food now) to Plumorchard Shelter. Pleace is full and I don't like crowds (FT and G stay), so I want to reach NC before dark. I really go for it, think I stopped like once for 10 seconds to get breath and view. But views were rare. Hiking in, through fog a lot. Start thinking about the delectable tasty treats of Little Debbie. How could one hike be without Honey Buns or Duncan Sticks?? This questionbothers me deep and I cannot think of any reason why a steady diet of Little Debbies could fail somone. Anyways, back to reality, I take pics @ GA/NC sign and the old, crooked, gnarly tire and set up camp close. Can see lights of city way down below from end of tent. It isn't a star-filled sky but much better to go to sleep to than snoring and mice. Oh yeah...forgot to say that Goat tried to trap a mouse. THere are shelter registries and Deep Gap Shelter happened to come in a wooden box. He put a snickers wrapper in there, then once the mice tried to get from his pack, and put a tring tied to a stick that was propping box open. Heard the sound, pull the string, close the box, but no mice.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: North Carolina baby!!! (Bly Gap)

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Arg, crappy start today. Rained all night, was stupid in laying in my bag and water pooled in tent and soaked bag. Windiest day yet and really cold. Finally get hiking after mulling around for a while. I always do this, get a late start. Every day but one so far I've been the last one out. Oh well, I hike fairly fast. Coming off one downhill, I thought about making a hot lunch but decided to go to the shelter to make it. At the trail info sign, there was a sack of cheeseburgers abd snacks. Awesome. It didn't matter that it was cold, it tasted incredible; first "town" food yet. Standing Indian wasn't too bad, and I was really stupid on my water all day. Needed it but never got it until like 2 miles from Carter Gap Shelter. Lots of young folks here, never met them. Sleeping under the shelter, supposed to be coldest night yet.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap (Sapphire Inn)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

So I slept under the shelter last night, yes under it. There was a little platform where max two could sleep, but vertical clearance was only about 1.5-2 feet. Pretty much used everthing I had to make a wind black (under was only two sided), sleeping pad material, etc. And I got my trailname today. After waking up and coming to, I got up to see what the others were up to. I was wearing a black bomber hat and black neck gaiter, so that only my eyes and bridge of nose was showing. Kinda like a ninja. So I came around the corner and Squirrel and Noah are startled by my appearance and say I look like a ninja. THen one says like Sub-Zero from Mortal Combat. So Sub-Zero it is. Albert Mtn. felt like the first 5000', even though it wasn't. THe climb was really good after the initial getting up the gradual part. Had incredible views from the fire tower. And right before the climb, surprise! Trail Magic! Nightstalker, Fishin Fred, Gatoraide, and Keith were just setting up a grand spread. Didn't have everything they were planning to offer but bananna and orange were great! Then, we hear of more magic at Rock Gap. Crutch, thru-hiker last year, has sandwiches, banannas, etc. Slackpack last four miles to Winding Stair Gap, where Ron Haran picks us up. Not sure how I felt about the slackpacking. It was less than four miles, so it wasn't too bad. Stayed at the Sapphire Inn with a big group of folks, 9 total. 8 split two rooms, and Guiness and Alley(dog) had their own. I was with Noah, the intellectual type, Calumet from MI likes singing, Oprah and Hobbit, looks like Shawn White. Other room had Sasparilla and Crasher (sisters), Granite from ME and Squirrel, another crazy one, talkative. Showered up and headed to the AYCE steak buffet. Pure awesomeness...sweet buffet with lots of fried stuff, warm stuff, fruits, veggies, meats, desserts. On top of that you had AYCE sirloin steak that they'd bring you. Couldn't do it everyday but it definatly could fill you up.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Winding Stair Gap (Sapphire Inn)

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started off morning with Shuttle from Frank. Only Guiness and I are on first shuttle, everyone else running errands. Left that group b/c too slow and I don't think it'll stick together. Start hiking at 10 and right as getting out of van it starts snowing. Big, huge flakes of snow, the size of small york peppermint patties. I don't normally see snow, let alone stuff that size. Truck on up in it for maybe 2 hours or so, finallyquits. Meet Chestnut and have lunch with him at Wayah Gap. Wayah Bald was a fairly good climb and had a stone tower at top and info cards showing you all the different mountains and their names. Trucked on and got some magic from Apple, from TX. Had a huge, palace of a tent and served up some hotdogs and snickers. His 4th year doing it and is actually starting his thru April 1st. Cont on up to shelter and meet Bandit, Mitch and Jeremy. Cool guys, and had fire with them and Chestnut. Guiness shows up to my surprise and a good last year named Uncle Bob with Granny (his mom) join us. They all say my name fits me well, cause it is cold and I'm always wearing my black hat and neck gaiter. Make door out of tarp to block the wind, on this shelter in the 30's, built to withstand just about anything.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Campsite (just past the NOC)
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked with Bandit, Mitch, Jeremy to NOC, nice to hike with someone. Haven't done it yet but miles went quick. Met Mountain Goat and Uberdude. Picking up food drop and will hike another mile or so to camp for the night. Left knee kinda hurting. Hope this semi-low day will be good for it.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm steaming mad, I'm fricking steaming mad. I wrote the previous entry thinking I'd call home, pick up my mail drop, and be on my merry way. Got the calling home part done, although Mom is pretty mad she missed me. Go with my buddy, Guiness, to pick out stuff up and neither of our stuff is there; and come to find out, one of the crew I'd been hiking with earlier, Jeremy, is missing his stuff too. Great, just fricking great. I was so look forward to getting some stuff from home, that I'd bought with all the choices available, I'd picked these special things; rather than choosing from the selection available to you. I don't get it. Parents say they mail boxes on the 8th, it is St Patty's Day, the 17th, that is 10 days to get from Atlanta to the NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center). WHat is that, like 3 hours driving time? Ridiculous I say. I fail to understand how even USPS can be this dumb in handling parcels. This is what they do, it is all they do and still cannotget it right. So I end up buying from the "grocery" section at the outfitter which is way overpriced and the expiration dates were a couple months ago. But I am a hiker, expiration dates are for civilized people. So they will not bring me down. You know, "they". The proverbial they will not bring me down, even though they are already trying to this early in the trip. One might ask, should I hike the approach trail to Springer or drive up there? (I hiked the approach trail). In the course of 2000+ miles what does another 8.8 miles mean? Not too big, so I say hike the 8.8. But when talking food and especially dinner, one could ask what does it matter if there is one more night of either Ramen, Lipton sides, and Idahoan Mashed Potatoes. You could say big deal, one more night of those three. I disagree. Food is such a large morale booster and handy variety, and good things are awesome. In this drop, I had two Mountain House freeze dried dinners. Spagetti and chicken breasts would do wonders, but no, I eat the same ol' because of USPS. Also had some icecream, baby ruths, fruit ceral bars, all the great stuff I picked from everything I know of, but no, I cannot eat them now. In addition, I had a large bag of GORP that was suppoed to last me the two days to the Smokies, and then all the way through the Smokies. SO without that, and some frozen terrain, I'm hearing of, it looks like I'll be haeded to Gatlinburg, the tourist trap. And then after I did buy my stuff I wanted to only hike 2.6 to get to a campsite and water, where some guys I had just met said they were going. Got there, didn't like look of place, and decided to race dark to the Shelter. Here now, w/ Turtles and one other. Good sleeping tonight with tired body.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Overflow and I had a long caht this morning, finally got going though. Here now with three guys, one father/son combo. ANd with all four of those people and most I've come across it is strange how you can get into some deep, serious conversation w/ folks you've never met. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that you may never see these people again. So, what wildlife have I seen? Saw a pileated woodpecker when I teated w/ Mango and Pete, a rabbit right @ Bly Gap, lots of greyish/blueish branebirds, don't know what kind, they come right up to you. Also saw a ginormous turkey today. Reminded me of when Uncle TOmmy and I saw that one in the pinetree in his backyard, except this sucker was huge--scared me when I flushed it. Climb out of Stecoah Gap sucked, more like climbing than hiking. Talked with Scouts @ a shelter and had weather radio with them- bad weather Monday and Tuesday, right when I had planned on enterting them. Left knee off and on problems today. Only 6 to the Fontanna Hilton tomorrow, so hopefully that'll help. And maybe on Monday I can actually pick up a maildrop from the P.O. rather than be throughly disappointed again. Oh yeah, don't have red beans and rice for breakfast. Yesterday got in so late, I ate today's breakfast for dinner, and yesterday's dinner for breakfast. Why shouldn't you eat red beans and rice for breakfast? It gives you gas all day long...
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Wake up late, go back to sleep. Only planned six miles, no need to hurry it. Finally get going and have a sweet view of Fontana Lake, so I stop after a mile or so. Sweet, if hiking was like this, nice panoramic views after a mile; who wouldn't want to do a thru? So on my break, 5 thrus pass and I decide to get going so I can get shelter space and head into "town," which is really just a small resort place of Fontana Village. It's awesome to be just above the level of the dam, and see how much water is being held back to a few hundred feet or so below is civilazation again. Get to shelter, claim spot, head to town with Noah. Bum around ther for a while, eat moon pie and box of nilla wafers. Mmm, whole box of vanilla wafers. Try to eat lunch but closed, wait till dinner we will. Dinner comes, along w/ Granite and Guiness and eat large quantities of food. Noah earns name Yogi, and now back at shelter. It's packed out. Must be at least 22 folks staying in shelter, with another one camping. It's cool though, it isn't called the Fontana Hilton for nothing. Planning on a zero tomorrow, even after today's nero. Hey, rest never hurt anybody. I won't lie though, the Smokies are intimidating. They aren't called the "Great" Smokey Mountains for nothing. It is gonan be cold b/c altitude and combinedbad weather will probably be biggest challenge yet.
Date: 2006-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wake up to the sounds of everyone else packing up to head out, roll back over to sleep. Hitch in w/ Mitch and Noah, chill w/ Bandit and Granite until stores open. Get maildrop this time, and it is actually there, sweet. SIt under covered porch watching rain while enjoying breakfast. Head up to outfitters, watch Last of the Mohicans then Lord of the Rings, Fellowship of the Ring. Fit in laundry time and eat lots of good stuff for lunch and post lunch snack. Pretty much hang out with Mitch, Nelson (yogi), Low Key, For Today, Bandit, and Granite. Late in day, Mango shows up and is splitting room with Piece of WOrk. Awesome, these guys are still pressing on doing some pretty decent miles. POW has homemade cookies and I snag one before dinner @ same place as last night. Wear wacky hiker clothes, looks and smells feel out of environment @ this fancy place where they put napkins in your lap for you. Head back to dam, have hot shower in public ones @ dam, walk back to shelter and get in a few more laughs w/ Mitch, LK, and Noah.