morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-12-07
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter, 5507'

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter, 4570'
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today Memphis and I hit 2,000 miles just before the shelter. We expected some type of demarkation and were disappointed when we saw nothing. When we got to Mollie's Ridge, a wild looking man was already there attempting to start a fire in the fireplace. We had read about this guy in the registers prior and knew he was doing a "peace walk" to raise awareness of various issues including the Middle East conflicts and deforestation as well. Another A.T. character, this guy has done some tree sitting in Humbolt County, CA to prevent Redwoods from being cut and was a vocal leftist. We gave him a lot of stuff like hot water as his stove had apparently been stolen a week prior.
Date: 2005-12-08
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter, 4570'

To: The Hike Inn, Fontana, NC
Miles today: 11.0

Somehow, "Bear" (the peace walker) quickly became a part of our hike and promised beers in town if his maildrop had arrived. We informally agreed to stick together and I said I would share a motel room with him which I later began to have doubts about as we neared Fontana Dam. When the owners of the Hike Inn arrived to pick Memphis up, (he already had reservations) we all got in and when we came to the intersection where Bear had to make his turn and walk to the post office, I decided to stick with Memphis out of a high likelihood that Bear would be completely unreliable and probably put me in further awkward situations. I felt bad but these decisions have to be made now and then and this late in the game, it's best not to be overly trusting of no-fly list. The Hike Inn was great; beds, plumbing, heat and an extensive collection of native American artifacts. We resupplied and began an extensive junk-food binge; donuts, coke, fried chicken and much much more. There was big talk per usual about "the big storm" coming in to damn all plans of mountain traversing. Of course nothing happened except some rain.
Date: 2005-12-09
From: The Hike Inn, Fontana, NC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter, 4330'
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We did a decent job getting an early start and found Bear in hibernation at the Fontana Dam Shelter, his mail drop never came. We woke him and gave him some more vitals which he bowed in gratitude upon receiving. Met some section hikers throughout the day. Some really nice scenery off Cheoah Bald but I have to admit that I spend very little time anymore admiring the landscape. Memphis' legs are probably 5" longer than mine and I now know what it's like to fall behind continually.
Date: 2005-12-10
From: Cold Spring Shelter (4920')

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was a break-even. Memphis and I started early with stong potential of getting some breakfast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We hiked for 7 miles downhill and were dissapointed to discover we restaurants weren't serving breakfast anylonger due the Center, being a river rafting company, was in off-season. At the Center though, I got an fantastic maildrop. Big package from the parents and letter's from Uncle Dick Demmings and my sister Sarah with some cash and instructions to treat myself! [Thank you very much, it was kind of you to think of me and I appreciate your support] As a consolation, we decided to stick around for lunch at 11am when the restaurant would open. Antother dry-county and I was unable to order beers for us hikers. We compensated by ordering the brownie sundae for desser, tasty. The walk out of Nantahala was brutal. I'd adjusted my pack after lunch and that was causing me some pain on the seven mile climb. Towards the end of the day I stopped looking up, instead choosing to daydream while staring at my feet as often happens when fatigue sets in. I was cruising along, thinking about the movie "Primal Fear", starring Ed Norton and Richard Gere, when I walked straight into a fallen tree aligned with my face. It didn't hurt too bad but when I backed up to move around the tree, my glasses fell respectively down each side of my face and dangled around my neck, held on by my glasses-band. Damn, I'd cracked my beloved frames in two. This was disapointing as I'd come so far with them incident free and now a week from finishing I bumble into a low and destroy them. At night, we tried to tape and glue them, failed miserably and resigned to our sleeping bags. We had the company of three section hikers from GA who told us to keep an eye out for a knife they'd lost earlier that day on the section of trail that we would hike the following day. I offered to take the address of the hiker who'd lost the knife and said I'd send it to him if I found it. He declined and said we could keep it if we found it on the trail, seeming to disregard the possibility of it being recovered or simply not caring.
Date: 2005-12-11
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter, 3760'
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

There was a great deal of cursing this morning as Memphis and I delayed the start of our day out of lack of interest in hiking. We eliminated any possibility of getting Shoney's breakfast buffet as it was too far to make by closing. The sleeping bags remained occupied until 9:15, quite late, and wehn we packed up we both remarked about how excited we were to get back in them later that evening. We decided we've burnt ourselves out on hiking. The walking was easy and conversation was good -- concealed weapons and their positions as a safety tool in society or lack there of, the Catholic Church and recent scandals and future parenting practices for our own families when we get to that point. Surprisingly, my eyes readjusted to not wearing glasses and I could see just fine. In fact, I saw the lost knife on the ground while walking and I now own a very nice Kershaw with a spring loaded blade. It's great to finally find a knife after years of misplacing them or losing them in Kent Lake while sailing the catamaran. Just before the shelter, I fell hard on my ankle and thought that I may have caused severe damage. I became woozy for a minute, drank some water and regained control. No serious damage but we'll see what happens tommorow. Nice shelters lately, excellent water sources with piped springs means no filteration necessary. 100 miles to Springer!!!
Date: 2005-12-12
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter, 4760'
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

This is the point in my thru-hike where I stopped writing in my journal so from here on out will be memoir, sorry. I recall that we were fairly motivated to get to the shelter once we finally got going mid-morning. We arrived just before dark to another deluxe shelter, thanks Georgia mountain club. Memphis was looking at his maps after dinner, planning out the next few days' hikes as he usually did. Somewhere we got the idea surfaced to do a 16 mile day and hitch into Hiwassee, GA for some motel room comforts. It was cold that night and we justified another motel visit on the basis that we would be entering the final state of the trail. So with that in mind for the next day, we took to slumber with smiles on our faces, knowing that tommorow would bring heat, showers, snacks and beers!
Date: 2005-12-13
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Mull's Motel, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice hiking day, mostly sunny and some nice views but we were pretty much focused on getting down to that road leading towards Hiawassee. Easy hitch into town from Dick's Creek Gap, first time riding in the back of a pick-up truck on this trip and that was cold and fun as we wound our way down the mountain into town. Several beer stores passed on the way in extinguished the flames of fear of another dry county. Nobody was around at the motel to take us in so we walked around a bit, picked up some fuel and groceries before returning. The inn-keeper, Miss Cordie, was a sweet southern grandma who's family from Texas were assisting her in running the motel as she had been very sick for the past few weeks. We got a room and set the thermostat for tropical. As it usually goes when you get into these places, the television comes on and serves as a constant stimulating distraction untiil you leave the next day. After being in the woods for so long, any program no matter how ridiculous sucks you in and all the sounds and images overwhelm one's senses. We went out for some Mexican which was excellent and ordered the big beers there. Later, we learned that both the laundries would be closed for the evening which meant no clean clothes for another day. We watched a tribute to Richard Pryor on Comedy Central which was great and enjoyed some junk food and micro-brews. A great night in the town.
Date: 2005-12-18
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Spinger Mountain 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

There was no trace of anything bitter when I met my father at the Springer Mtn. Shelter on Dec. 18, it was all too sweet. After a long December in the woods, and an even lengthier last week of hiking wraught with disaster, I prevailed and stood atop the Southern Terminus of the A.T. The feeling was surreal and the day beautiful. As I walked the fifteen miles towards the conclusion of my pilgrimage, I tried to recount events and characters, looking way back to Maine and working my way forward state by state. What an epic. From old lady inn-keepers eating cool whip for dinner while spitting jibberish at the dog, good ole' boys drinking Bush on a Tuesday afternoon in North Virginia, to relatavist Brazilian thru-hiking females, the cast of characters were phenomenal and the settings in which they appeared, the 100 mile wilderness, the Bronx and countless crimson colored mountain tops throughout Virginia. I can't say I'd recommend a thru-hike for everybody, it's certainly not a walk the park, but I can say that if someone invites you to walk a strecth of that trail, then I implore you to take them up on the offer. That's my brief synopsis to let all the interested know I've finished and will be indulging in lights, heat and plumbing for a good while. After that, I will fill in my last week's adventures which include freezing rain, Hiker X05 and lots of trips to the privy! Cheers!
Date: 2005-01-26
To: Cabin fever
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking again. It's time to get rid of this unfinished business. I made it to Daleville last year before switching over to the CDT. Not because I didn't like the AT. I just didn't have the amount of fun I should have been having. I was slightly depressed and stressed. I thought the CDT would take my mind of things. That trail wouldn't allow me to get lost in my thoughts because I would have to pay attention to the navigating and the snow and the ice axe (okay the axe was only for the first week). I also thought hiking with less people would keep me out of trouble. Well, it worked to a certain extent. I'm again slightly depressed but I'm sure the trail will help me up. I have learned a lot on the CDT. Resilience and flexibility are key. And I need to find a job that will keep me outdoors. 'Cause sitting inside all day isn't cutting it.
Date: 2005-01-26
To: Boxes
Miles today: 0.0

So I am sitting here surrounded by boxes. Not because I'm going to do all these maildrops but because I have stuff left over from previous hikes and never cleaned it up. I'm trying to sort things out. Things that I might need in the following months. Because I don't want stuff inadvertently ending up on a boat to Holland, be stuck for two months and then have it mailed back over to the States. Opamp is moving back to the flat rainy country so soon there will be even more boxes and if I don't get things separated I could be in big trouble. Being without a home base and resupply person has made me reevaluate my maildrops for the AT. I've managed to figure out a minimal amount and I will assemble and send them to myself from the trail. Except for the Fontana Dam one which will be mailed ahead. I will however post a maildrop list so that people can send me something if they want (It's never too late to hope for a miracle). The only places I'm going to send boxes are Fontana Dam, Port Clinton, Bear Mountain and Monson. If you decide to send me something to the other places (which have P.O.'s close to the trail) let me know so I won't forget to check. If the dates look weird that's because I have to take a break to get my visa in order in the beginning of April.I have a little problem with my back-up shoes. I can't put all four pairs in a bounce box so I'll have to find someone who can hold them and send them to me when needed. I'll also have to find someone who can update my journal for me. I guess I could do quite a bit myself when there are computers available but that won't always be the case. Any volunteers?
Date: 2005-01-26
To: Guidebook
Miles today: 0.0

To do list:Dig into a pile of camping gear and find my old guidebook.Figure out a way to get to Springer. I know there is a shuttle from a hostel in Dahlonega. I just need to get the info again.I guess I should repair my backpack. I probably should've had it repaired by the maker but it's too late now (it's a ULA). Test my Pocketmail to see if resetting it helped or not. It has a problem with pay phones.But first I'm going to Orange and Portland to say goodbye to my PCT buddies. Should be fun.I'm looking forward to February 13th! Going up to Springer again!
Date: 2005-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Enough of the crying and the sadness about not being on the CDT anymore. So what if it was the best experience ever? There will be more. Right?!?I'm trying to get myself psyched about hiking the AT. I was reading JAWS' journal yesterday and it had a lot of good info in it. It made me want to go out and follow his footsteps. I found a transcriber for the times I can't update my journal myself. I've also found a place I can store my shoes at and I arranged for a shuttle to pick me up in Atlanta and drive me to Amicalola Falls. I only have to send the one maildrop to Fontana Dam and then all the practical stuff is taken care of.I spend most of last week in Portland with Belcher, Navigator and Bandanna. Chance and So Far also showed up. It was good to be with friends for a while. Thanks for trying to cheer me up you guys!!! By the way, Belcher is the one who helped me construct the Rotten Apple picture I posted with the last entry. She had this great 'create your own superhero' program on the computer and we had a lot of fun with it. We also played the game of real life. It was hilarious! You get to keep a diary of all the stuff that happens to you during your 'life' and boy, did I have a miserable life! I turned out to be an addicted, disfigured, mentally disabled male prostitute who got tortured in a civil war and abducted and 'tested' by aliens. I guess that should make me feel better about my own life.I wish I could just have a great hike and carry the hiking happiness over into my post hike life. Thankfully I have some cool things planned for after this hike. I'm hoping to join a friend on her travels through South America. I'm hoping to visit Free Radical in Ghana. I'm hoping I won't feel lonely...
Date: 2005-02-10
To: Exhausted!!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

I'm exhausted!!!! Emotionally and physically. There is so much stuff going on right now. It's almost midnight and I've just finished separating the immediately needed hiking gear from the not so immediately needed gear from the gear that won't be needed for a long time (snow shoes anyone?). Most of my stuff is moving back to Europe tomorrow. I'll have to say goodbye to living in CA and the USA after having been here for almost six years. Surreal.I had a last dinner with my friends here yesterday. I might never see them again. Surreal.And I'm preparing to go out and hike the AT. Real. Thank God that's real!!!My personal life is upside down. I'm battling the flu. I injured my toe. At least I'll be home in the woods again soon. Wait! Battling the flu? Injured toe? And I'm planning on taking a red-eye and hike on Sunday after a full day of cleaning on Saturday? That can't be good.Oh well, I guess I can always stay in the hostel for a day if I'm not feeling well. Mmmm... starting a hike with a zero day. Now there's a novel idea ; )Can't wait to get out there and leave all this mess behind me.
Date: 2005-02-13
From: Springer

To: a great rock overhang just above Cooper Gap
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Sleeping out.Yesterday after the cleaning fiesta Opamp brought me to the airport of San Jose. I took the read-eye to Atlanta. Everything went swell. When Profile came to pick me up however the lingering effect of the cleaning solvants combined with the lack of sleep turned me into a babbling idiot. I hope he doesn't hold it against me.He dropped me off at the point where you only have to hike one mile south to get to Springer. I was on the fast track!!! (Except that it took me about ten minutes to repack my pack before I could get started).The mile went by fast and before I knew it I was reading the register. Not a whole lot of people have started these last couple of days. It's looking to be quite the solitary experience for me. Thankfully there were tons of soldiers to shake things up. First about twenty passed by when I took a short break at Hawk Mountain shelter then about thirty were standing and crouching (all holding big ass machine guns) on the side of the trail to let me pass. I felt like an animal in the zoo. It was very weird indeed.I've seen a handful of day hikers today but no thrus. It seems there are about three of them two days ahead of me and that's it. I wonder how this solo hiking is going to work for me. So far I've been obsessing about some personal issues. It wasn't very uplifting. I've also been thinking about the disadvantages of e-mail. It happens all too often that I send something that I regret or that can easily be misinterpreted. Tasks for tomorrow: Focus on patience and self control.
Date: 2005-02-15
From: Campsite near stream

To: Some gap
Miles today: 9.5

I wake up this morning feeling very lazy. At some point I hear two hikers passing by and start to feel ashamed of myself for still being in bed. So I get up and pack up. It's about 8:15 when I hike out. Not even that bad. The weather is not bad either. No rain and even some semblance of sunshine. Going up to Blood Mountain I pass a day hiker going down (okay I guess he passes me huffing and puffing uphill). On top I catch up with the two hikers who had passed me in the morning. The view isn't that great but we take some snapshots of each other and I continue down. I pick up a woolen hat on the way down which turns out to be Tumbleweed's. I meet him at Neels Gap. I also meet the Great Whazoo, Keith and later the two hikers who are not a couple. After a shower, laundry, some shopping and chatting I am on my way again. By the way, according to the register at the store I am thru hiker #18 this year. Although there was also a section hiker signed in and I'm not sure if every thru hiker actually registered. I added an excellent stick figure drawing of myself in front of a lot of peaks (representing of course the AT). I'm sure the thousands of hikers behind me will enjoy it tremendously.Anyway, I hiked on for about two miles and set up my tent. I don't know exactly where I am but I do know that I kind of regret not having stayed at the hostel. Especially when rain is pouring down and I have to go out and pee. Oh well, such is the life of the thru hiker.
Date: 2005-02-16
From: Some gap

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: light rain

Well, it rained a lot last night and I'm glad it's just me in my two person tent because rain and condensation caused a lot of dripping and leaking inside my tent. The middle stayed dry enough though. When I woke up I had no desire to go out hiking so I stayed in my sleeping bag. Warm and cozy. Finally just as I had decided to quit being a wuss it let up. I hiked out at 9.15am, seriously late. It was again a foggy walk but at least it wasn't raining. The sun even poked through the clouds and I could shed some layers of clothing. When I got to Low gap shelter I took a long lunch and tried to dry out my tent a little. By that time I had already decided that I would just head for the next shelter and stay there. The tent wouldn't dry fast enough. This shelter had a register dating back to September and I looked for an entry from Burrito (one of my PCT buddies). She did a flipflop last year so passed by here somewhere in October. It was so much fun to find her journal entry! I thought I should share it here with all of y'all.She wrote: "I hope Neels Gap is prepared for the Burrito Whirlwind that will be happening tomorrow in the grocery aisle. I am a hungry, hungry hippo. "Burrito whirlwind Aisle 5!"."I thought it was pretty funny. I on the other hand, drew a picture of a miserable hiker in a tent saying that she didn't want to get up and hike in the rain. I added to that the comment that this rain was seriously interfering with my hike ; )I then pushed on to Blue Mountain shelter where I met Jay and Matt. They left Springer about ten days ago and are planning to take eight months to complete the hike. They might try to do some work in Damascus to get enough funds to continue. Eight months is a long time to be out here. They were having a good time taking it slow and were waiting for Larry whose tent I had probably passed in the morning. It was fun to chat with them. It got dark while I was finishing up dinner and we all went to bed early.