morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Hawk Mtn. Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

things,things that I wish were here:1. My mom2. Wendy's3. Kitties4. Pillows,things that I miss:1. Chocolate2. Grapes3. O.U.4. Being able to watch Lost tonight5. Milkshakes6. Editing,things that I love about the AT:1. People2. Challenges3. The views4. Constant changes,things that smell:1. My socks2. My shoes3. My tent4. Me,best part of the day:1. Dinner - tonight is pad thai... Yum!
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I made it! Yesterday we hiked from Hawk Mtn. shelter to Gooch Mtn. shelter - 7.3 miles. Today I went from Gooch Mtn. shelter to Woods Hole shelter - 11.9 miles, my longest hike yet. It was rough and I had my doubts, but I made it! My hiking partner had to go home so now I¢m solo, something new to adjust to. Well, I have a lot to say but my phone is running low so I'll save some power for later. I'm off to join Sad Sack, Phil, Driftwood, and Birch by the fire. Write ya from Neels Gap tomorrow!
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

From Momma Ash - Danielle is staying at a hostel tonight with hikers she has joined up with. Hot shower, good meal, but poor cell phone connection - therefore no journal entry from her. She had her pack re-fitted at Walasi-Yi Center and says it's perfect now. She also packaged up about 5 pounds worth of gear to send back home. Her spirits are high and she says hello to everyone out there!
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Neels Gap

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 12.0

From Momma Ash - Danielle called about 9:30 PM. They hadn't set camp up yet and got separated from some of their party. Spirits were high though. No cables to hang their bear bags from so they had to improvise their own. New physical problems - both big toes are numb all the time, no blisters, just can't feel a thing, Achilles tendons aching, got stung by a bee, and both Danielle and Birch have heat rash on their hands.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Poplar Stamp Gap

To: Blue Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

From Momma Ash - Turns out the brand new Verizon phone still has power but both screens are no longer working so Danielle didn't know she had power, and she can't journal. This should be fun to fix. Love the trail names of the people she is meeting - Spock, Pirate, Bubba, Patriot, Driftwood. Danielle is still waiting for her trail name to happen. Rumor is there are a couple of ladies ahead of them that are doing a thru-hike barefoot. One of the gentleman at Blue Mtn. tonight is 85. Somebody made popcorn - so much better than microwave in the dorm. Wish I could be there to share all this.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Blue Mtn. Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 13.0

From Momma Ash - A hiker doctor noticed today how badly Danielle was walking and checked out her swollen feet. Tomorrow the boots will be traded in for something a little kinder in Hiawassee. Also the cell phone will be sent back to Ohio so that I can exchange it (for free) for a new one. Then it looks like I'll be sending it up the trail to someplace in NC. So we might truly loose touch with Danielle for a while.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello everyone! Updates - here we go... can't remember where I left off last time, but I left Neels Gap - stayed there one night, I was one of two women in the 15 person bunk house and had to listen to men fart and snore the whole night, but it was fun. Had the AYCE spaghetti dinner with some 'beverages' (dry county) from the cook. A+ on that meal. Then we - Alan, Birch, Jake and me - chased Driftwood and Phil down 14 miles without catching them so we camped in the MIDDLE OF KNOWHERE. Ha-ha. But it was a funny time trying to hang a bear bag in the pitch black... ha-ha. Then from there we took an easy 5 mile day because of the heat to Blue Ridge Mtn. Shelter. From there we went 12ish miles to a gap last night and camped with some new people - one whose girlfriend lives in Nelsonville Ohio - of all places!! Small world!! Perfected the popcorn recipe too. So this morning we woke up and took a surprisingly challenging hike to Dick's Creek, about 6 miles, and got picked up for Cloud 9 - a hiker hostel. This place ROCKS! I've been soaking my hurt heels in their stream, drinking a few beers, and they own a trout farm so dinner was AMAZING. I also got to meet the trail legend - Lone Wolf. Made my day! Taking a 0 day tomorrow so my heel can rest and I can try and to catch a ride to Neels Gap to get new boots. Hopefully we'll still get to Franklin in time for Hiker's Bash - food, beer and bluegrass - YES! By the way, a hiker staying for work here named Crutch says hello to my mom and everyone as well. He's been yelling at me for being on my feet. He says I'm stubborn... no.... hahaha. And oh yes! The best part of my email! I got my trail name!! I had mentioned at Neels that I liked bottle caps so pretty soon I had a handful in my pocket that people had given me. I woke up at Blue Mtn. Shelter and made a racket of noise with my caps shaking in my pocket. Alan looked over and goes, "What in the hell is making that noise!?", and I said shyly, "Bottle caps..." and he said, "That's it!!! You're Bottle Caps!!" So since then it has stuck and now I'm Bottle Caps. Today the people at Cloud 9 took us into town and everyone got a different beer and has been giving me their caps. Ha-ha... Love it! So it appears that part of me from life at college and back home has followed me here. Ha-ha. Alan by the way has adopted Duct Tape as his name because his feet are covered from blisters. Oh I love trail names. Well, I'm off to enjoy an ice cream sundae with some new friends, a crazy duo - Tick and Duck, Serial, Lone Wolf, Mountain Man, Jo Jo, Bone, Queens and some others I can't remember. Hope all is well back home. Might be a while before I get to write again so take care! -Bottle Cap
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

From Momma Ash - Danielle took a zero day today. Lone Wolf gave her a ride back to Neels Gap where Cornbread and Winton fit her for new boots. Her feet blew up form size 7.5 to 9.5 because her feet didn't have enough room and as her tendons tightened everything swelled up. She says the new boots (Keens)are the most comfortable boots ever. She got her bounce box at the Hiawassee P.O. Lovin' that dark chocolate bar. So the old boots, the broken cell phone, and some other stuff are heading back to Ohio. I don't expect to hear from Bottle Cap for a while, but if all goes well and she's back on the trail tomorrow she should be in North Carolina by sunset.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin N.C.
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Heya everybody! Well I made it through my first state!!!! I'm past Georgia and into North Carolina. I also think I'm past the 100 mile marker, meaning I've hiked over 100 miles! Crazy to think about. Finally got into Franklin - pulled some hard days to do it too. We (Phil aka Wrong Way, Duct Tape and me) went from the lush living at Cloud 9 and hiked 12 miles to a shelter where I came up with the BEST camp food ever... I made bagel squares with cheese and oil making bagel grilled cheese. Yum! As you can tell food is what is on my mind most of the time now. I can tell I've lost some weight and am gaining muscle so the food is important and the best part of the day. After that we pulled our farthest yet - 16 miles - to Betty Creek Camp where I camped with Chris (who I call Cisco), Duct Tape and Wrong Way. Yes, Phil finally got a trail name, Wrong Way. He hiked down Trey mountain 2 hours before realizing he was a on a Blue Blaze and NOT the AT, so we trail named him Wrong Way. Haha. He's a cool guy and pretends he's my trail Dad. Haha. After our long day yesterday we hiked 12 miles today and hitched a ride into Franklin. Yes, I hitched... first time ever! Haha, the people were very nice and is wasn't scary, but no - for those of you worried I would have never done it without my trail Dad, Wrong Way. So in Franklin we picked up beer and now we are at the Hiker Fools Day Bash. It's basically a lot of hikers drinking, eating AWESOME food, and listening to a live bluegrass band. It's going to be fun for sure. Tomrrow we will take another zero and I'll possibly get fitted for a new pack. Fun times. Hope all is well with everyone! -Bottle CapPS Night before last we heard Coytees howl at night which was neat and I saw my first snake on the trail a few days ago. Haven't seen a bear but ran into a guy with his hound dogs hunting them... maybe soon we will see one!
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Winding Stair Gap/Franklin N.C.

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

Here in Franklin taking my second zero day of my trip so far. Picked a good day too because it's raining out and I haven't yet had to hike in the rain. Tomorrow looks like a good day to get back on the trail. Met some new hikers last night including a wonderful fella named "Finnegan" who is a 24 year old fiddler from Mass. He and his hiking partner are at Fontana Dam which is about a week away from me but they hitched back for the hiker party. Wrong Way wanted to catch up to some people so he and I might speed ahead, push some hard miles and catch up to everyone. Looks like we'll be at the NOC, the Nantahala Outdoor Center, by Tuesday or Wednesday of this week. We might stop to "aqua blaze" the AT which is rafting instead of hiking for a few miles... haha. What a life. Should I raft or hike? Haha. There I should get my phone again so I will be able to do more updates on Trail Journals. So far the AT experience has been great. I don't really have many complaints except for my heels hurting last week and the horrible black flies (I have 16 bites right now, four alone on my ears and they hurt!!). The people are great, the food is awesome, the hiking towns are fun and climbing these mountains feels like a huge accomplishment. Well, about to go into town with some people to re-supply again.Since I've been hiking with Phil and Chris who are both from New York City I've decided I want to master the New York accent. Phil says the process of teaching me is 'de-culturing' me. Haha. Here are a few words I've learned so far: Carmel = Caramel,Vanilla = vaniller,Pop = Soder,Talk = Twart,Yoga = Yoger,Oil = Earl. I'm sure there are more lessons to come. Haha. Went to the outfitters today to try and get a new pack but I'm taking Baltimore Jack's advice and waiting till Hot Springs. Instead I bought Teva's to replace my heavy Keen camp shoes, a smaller lighter therma rest, smaller lighter rope and a few other things. Pretty soon my pack won't weigh anything! I'm looking forward to the hot summer weather so I can send all my winter clothes home but we heard someone mention today that in a few days it's going to snow. Ekkk! I hope not! Snow just in time for the Smokies... Well, I'm heading to my room to go pack my bag so tomorrow we can get up and get a ride from the trail angel Ron Haven back to the trail head. We have another 16 miler tomorrow which will be hard after relaxing for a day here. It's nuts to think I've been basically walking a half marathon almost everyday for the past two weeks with a 40 pound pack on my back. Hiking is a sport! Phil jokes that we are tri-athletes - we are professional drinkers, eaters and hikers. Haha! Well, that's all for now folks! G'nite!
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Whew! I made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center! I would be lying if I said the last two days were not hard and that it wasn¢t driven by what Wrong Way called ¢boy blazing¢... Ha-ha. In any case, we did 16 miles yesterday and 11ish today making it from Franklin to NOC in 2 days. Last night Duct Tape, Wrong Way and I stayed at Cold Spring Shelter with no one else. First time that has happened. Today we slept in ¢till 8 and I made cheesy hash browns for everyone and then left for the NOC. Today¢s hike was HOT! BTW anyone at OU that hates Jeff Hill should hike what I hiked today... the name alone gives the difficulty away... The Jump Off. Ha! Just before getting to the NOC we saw a 3-4 foot black rattlesnake. Pretty neat. Hitched a ride to the inn where I¢m staying with Serial, Megan, Wrong Way, and Duct Tape. Rafting and more journals tomorrow!
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: rafting day
Miles today: 0.0

This morning Wrong Way, Duct Tape, and I went rafting down the white waters of the Nantahala River. It was 50 degree water but it well worth it to see Wrong Way and Duct Tape get soaked. Ha-ha. We had planned to do 7 miles after that but we were feelin' the river so we stayed and lay out in the sun. We'll still get to Fontana Dam at the same time as planned but we will just have to pull two long days to do it. A funny story that happened a few days ago: Wrong Way and I woke up when it was pitch black at Betty Creek and got an early start in the morning. We started waking and he was behind me. About 30 minutes into the trail it got light and we took a break for some water. Wrong Way turned around and I noticed something on his pants. I said, "hey Phil, there is something on your pants." He looked at me with this ghost like face and said, "Shit!¢ He reached for his butt, pulled back his hands and said, "It¢s shit!" I said, "Who¢s shit?" He replied, "my shit!" I stood there laughing so hard I almost peed my pants. So picture this, Phil with shit on his pants and me peeing my pants laughing because of it. Apparently he hadn't mastered going in the woods yet and going in the dark didn't help. Ha-ha. The whole thing was priceless. Well, 16 hard miles UP tomorrow so I'm off to bed - it's almost hikers midnight! Write ¢ya from the top! Cheers!
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: scattered clouds

So much for the 16 mile day... Only did 7 from the NOC. Hard miles though, went from about 1700 feet elevation to about 4000 something in 6 miles. It is also really cold out - could see my breath for most of my walk today and ice along the trail. It's going down to the 20 degrees tonight which scares me. However, I met Daydreamer who taught me to use a hatchet. Ha-ha. This kept me warm for most of the evening... I was hacking away at trees (dead) for fire wood. It was a lot of fun. Still plan on getting to Fontana Dam in the same time to catch up with Finnegan and Donny Keyhote. BTW I have been spelling Chris's name wrong - you spell it with a K. Anyway, we are having a good conversation around the campfire so I should go. Hope all is well and as Noah would say, fair winds....
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

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

Burr! Last night was freezin'! Stayed at Sassa Gap Shelter last night and shivered in my tent the whole night. Made hiking today rough. Funny story though now that I think about it:Dispite my better judgement I got up from laying around the warm campfire and tried to snuggle into my tent last night. I sleep in a solo tent but with my pack at the bottom so mice/people don't get into it the shelter. Half way through the night I rolled over onto my camelbak leaking water all over the bottom half of my sleeping bag. I kept waking up thinking dang my feet are really cold. Needless to say when I woke up in the morning the bottom portion of my sleeping bag was frozen and crunchy. I'm pretty lucky my feet were not frostbit, but it's funny now that I'm warm. Ha-ha! Well, I learned my lesson there - always close the biteval on your camelbak... At Cable Gap Shelter now and was the last to pull in for the night. Here with Duct Tape, Wrong Way, Cayahoga, Stealth, Sandlewood and Ticker. Fontana Dam tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

From Momma Ash - Talked to Danielle today, the weather is the big issue on the trail. She woke up this morning to Wrong Way singing Christmas carols and throwing a snowball at her tent. They made their way to Fontana Dam and have a warm and dry place to spend the night or longer. She says that hikers up the trail in the Smokies are taking shuttles back south to find hotels for the night. Brrrr. From Bottle Cap-Got into Fontana Dam pretty early yesterday. Took a shuttle to the post office and as a group we all decided to stay one night because sleep has been hard to come by with this bitterly cold weather. Also, we were told it was going to be close to -15 up in the Smokies last night and cold again tonight. So we stayed at the lodge. Spent yesterday healing and warming up which was nice. A bunch of people are staying here until tomorrow as well, Rio, Hemlock, Chris, Duct Tape, Ticker, Sandlewood, Wrong Way, Megan, Serial, Cayahoga and more I'm sure I'm forgetting. Did some laundry and have decided my clothes now permanately smell bad. Ha-ha. Today has been relaxful as well, despite itching for the trail. It looks like I'll be hiking the next three days with everyone and then getting off in Gatlinburg with Duct Tape. From there I will be shuttled to Hot Springs to meet up with Finnigan and Donny Keyhote and continue the trail from there. Hopefully I will also be getting a new pack there. The thought of this makes my back smile. Well, I probably won't have cell service for the next few days but I'll be thinking of everyone back home when I reach the highest point on the AT - Clingman's Dome 6,000 some elevation! Lookin' forward for what's ahead!
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Let's see, had a lot of firsts on the trail recently. First time Igot sick on the trail - some kind of nasty cold. First bear sighting- although it was kind of cheating because it was from a car. Ha-ha.First time on the trail where we have hiked over 200 miles. This alsomeans I'm under the 2,000 mile marker. Exciting!Backtracking to the Smokies - it was pretty rough. First day was very pretty - some of the nicest eye candy for hiking thus far. Second day however was cold and I woke up really sick. Trucked some hard miles to the next shelterwhere winds were 30-40 mph, it was rainy and freezing. Plannedon going past Clingmans Dome the next day but was so sick when I woke up thatClingmans was as far as I got. In tears, I was picked up by 3 sectionhikers who graciously drove me into Gatlinburg. Of course it wassunny and nice down there. Ha-ha. Clingmans Dome is the highest point onthe AT so it makes sense. Anyway, paid some crazy dude to drive meto Hot Springs about 70 miles up to continue my hike with Finnegan, Boat Drinks, and Donny Keyhote. Finnegan was nice enough to stay with my sick self at the Duckett House Inn while his friends moved a day ahead of us. Got back on the trail yesterday hiked a good 10ish miles but now he is sick. Hopefully if we can both handle it we will pull two 20ish miles days and meet up again with Boat Drinks and Donny in Erwin. As for tonight, we have stopped early due to potential thunderstorms headed this way. Hopefully we can keep warmtonight ¢cause it looks like it will be chilly! I'm feeling betteralready though - my mom has been nice enough to send me chocolate andgreat food that has my spirits up and I got a new pack in Hot Springscourtesy of the best pack fitter on the trail, Wayne. Well off to makepre-boyfriend grilled cheese!
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Devil Fork Gap/Rt. 352/Erwin TN
Miles today: 8.7

The last time I wrote Finn and I were stopped because ofthunderstorms. Well, I'm glad we did because it got really close tothe shelter and as we found out the next day the next stretch of trailwas a very exposed ridge - not a great place to be in a lighteningstorm with large metal trekking poles. So, with the weather beingcrappy we planned two 20 miles days to follow. The next day we wokeup and although it was foggy Finn and I had a beautiful hike on theridge. I also got an interesting geology lesson from him about thegiant rocks we passed. It was very nice. However, by the time wereached Jerry's Cabin Shelter 7-ish miles later the temp had droppedand it had started to rain. Having 13 miles to hike we choose to stayand dry/warm up and eat lunch with a woman named Chocolate Bandito.Soon, Slinky Dog, a husband wife team, caught up to us and it wasfreezing rain. Within an hour it turned from rain to freezing rain tohail to 3 inches of snow. Needless to say we stayed there instead ofpressing on.We were joined later by Aussie, Bicycle Barb, Slinky & Dog, Golfer and two other people. We ate a lot of food and all snuggled inthe shelter to stay warm. It was in the 20's when we woke up and wehad close to 6 inches of snow. The hike down was very pretty and Iwish I could show everyone the pictures. Finn and I decided that withthe weather delays and not knowing if it was worse ahead and with ourfood supply dwindling that it was best to hitch into Erwin early.Good thing too because it appears everyone got off the trail.According to Donny and Boat Drinks who we reunited with, ahead of uswas waist high snow. Pretty but not fun to hike in. So last night weall split a room at the hiker friendly Super 8. Today we are allstaying at Uncle John's Hostel which is right by the trail. I highlyrecommend this place for hikers to stop at. Nice cabins, laundry, re-supply, and cats! The best part of the day was taking some old 80'sbikes a mile down the road to the A&W restaurant. Finn named his named his bike the Millennium Falcon and then about 100 yards afterleaving it proceeded to break in the middle of the road. Boat Drinksand I almost peed our pants laughing. With a new bike we made it forcheep burgers and picked up some Southpaw beer. I was chosen as thelucky one to rig it to the back of my bike. Oh it was classy. Ialso raced Boat Drinks back and won. Ha-ha. Looks like the weatherwill clear up and we can get some long slack packing days in thanks tothe hostel. Good times to come...