morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Wesser Bald Shelter 

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

NOC: Nantahala Outdoor Center,legendary among hikers for providing various perks of civilization. In 5 short, downhill miles we, too, would be partaking of their bounty. That was enough to motivate me to step right along this morning. V8 took off and was out of sight for the rest of the morning, til I met up with her at the River's End restaurant at 1:30. She was just starting into a large burger plate with elegant looking fries, when I sat down and sad, "I'm having what she's having!" Bananas appeared shortly after that, so we were reunited in lunch. Barley and Rain joined us as well, making a very happy group.    NOC seems to be just entering hiker season, and to be quite at loose ends, as I did NOT find it a place I would want to spend more than 1 night. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-03-25
From: NOC

To: Sassafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

A humbling, humbling day.    We woke up in the hillside "base camp" bunk room at NOC. Let's clarify: A 7x12' rustic room that contained four plywood bunks with 3" foam mats. A window. A strip of baseboard heating. An overhead light of about 40 watts. The bath facilities were two flights of stairs uphill from the bunkroom. The whole business was a jog across a busy road, a walk over a bridge, a stroll across a large gravel parking lot, up a flight of stairs, across a set of railroad tracks, up a steep dirt path, further up a steep, curved driveway, and across another gravel parking area. From the lodging admissions office.   It was not clear to me exactly how the NOC regarded thru hikers, but I did not feel renewed by my stay, and cut what might have been a zero day down to a nero.   So, here we were, waking up at first light,to a veritable gear explosion. We had packed up what we could the night before, so quickly rounded up the stray bits and by 8 were toting the packs back downhill to the restaurant for breakfast. The coffee was strong and tasty, and I needed that as I had yet to get stove alcohol, use the ATM, mail off a package, weigh my pack, and find the outgoing flat-mail place. This little list of duties took a ridiculous amount of running around, and further soured my already somewhat dim view of the NOC.By 10 am we were finally on our way, V8, Bananas and me. It was a 7 mile leg, mostly uphill. We strode moderately and with increasing strength out of NOC, for about 4 miles to a spectacular viewpoint rather questionably named "Jump up Lookout". I passed a hiker who mumbled, "Man that last section really kicked my ass." I had a thrill of smugness noting that I had not had my butt kicked and was still feeling quite perky.   Part 2: The next three miles. A staggeringly steep section that practically brought tears to my eyes. My calves were burning.    Leigh Saint had told us about cyclists attending something called Climbing Camp around the Dahlonega area. I had begun to call signfigant ups, climbing camp. Today's feature became Senior Climbing Camp. There were no signs at junctions and landmarks, so we were guessing all day as to miles hiked and miles left.   The shelter sign for Sassafrass Gap found me in a foul mood. Angry, wiped out, defeated and hungry. It was cold and windy at the shelter, accessed by a mudslide euphemistically called a path. It took me about half an hour to come around, after which I enjoyed the company and shelter a great deal. The elevation there was 4330', which was responsible for the brisk temps.More anon.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To:  Brown's Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

Group statistician Bananas has pointed out that we have now done 150 miles, and have completed 6.93% of the AT. YES!I am sitting up against the log wall of the Brown's Fork Gap shelter, its almost 8pm, and the light is fading.No rain, thank goodness, and slightly warmer temps today, maybe actually up to the 60's.After yesterday afternoon's ultra push, we thought perhaps today would be more benign. Not so. Our intrepid band of travelers sashayed over hill and dale, with another afternoon pitch to conquer, that left all of us quite testy and fatigued. Once at the shelter, we came around promptly to fixing dinners and readying to read, write and text message before bed.Last year I met Tom in Harper's Ferry, partway through his hike, and saw the relief map of the AT at the ATC. This thing is at least 8 feet long, and shows in dramatic relief, the entire Appalachian chain. I was aghast at the jagged peaks through the south: GA, NC and TN. Happily I recalled that map today as I painfully crept my way up several of those self same peaks, and was comforted to know that yes, these are big, steep mountains, and that they are not the character of the entire trail. If I can manage these, I should be OK on the rest of the trail. One more night til we hike into Fontana Dam!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-03-27
From:  Brown's Fork Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: broken clouds

Its time to tell you about the individual who is providing, as Bananas would put it, ground control.   Uncle Tom is doing all the invisible work of spousing a thru hiker, by managing the house, pets, telephone, and computer, while working, getting the groceries, doing laundry, doing vehicle maintenance, paying bills, cleaning, and trying to get in some exercise and time outdoors. Not to mention that it has snowed a record breaking amount this winter, so there are walkways, driveway and mailboxes to keep clear. Then there's feeding the wood stoves and keeping up with kindling. And did I mention fielding phone calls or emails with odd requests from his wandering wife?    Today is his birthday, and it is my least favorite day to be apart. Its also the first anniversary of his thru hike last year.    I can't say enough about how it feels to call home and have his incredible enthusiasm for our hike come bubbling through the lines. He has been a positive force for accomplishing this amazing journey, from the start.Happy Birthday, Tom, from the Appalachian Trail!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Fontana, Rt. 28

To: Fontana Dam 
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: light rain

We decided to knock off the section between the Marina and the Dam, before going to the Hike Inn, where we had reserved rooms for Sat. night. Stashing our packs at the Visitor's center, we were let out at the Marina for this little day hike.   Nancy came for us later and brought us back to the Hike Inn, a very nicely run spot for hikers. V8 and I have a room with two beds, which connects to Bananas' room by a small galley kitchen. We ate leftover steak and pizza from the general store, and a Whoopie Pie my husband sent, right away. Once the metabolis is up, it seems to keep the appetite active even on relatively inactive days.   Bananas is in heaven, as she has met a big, fluffy cat named Catzilla, who has followed her to her room and is curled up, purring on her lap.   V8 has gone through and eliminated her bounce box, a big relief. She received some treats from home, and is looking satisfied, indeed.   I have exploded my pack, as the saying goes, have inventoried its contents and made a list for the food store run tonight after supper.    We head up Shuckstack Mtn. tomorrow morning, into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Rumors are flying about the cold, the snow, the bears, etc. I think we are ready and still would rather hike with some cold or snow, than be sweating through a 90 degree humid spell.   With a stop for resupply in Gatlinburg, we should be out of the park in a little over a week. Pray for pleasant weather: that will help a lot!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Fontana Dam 

To: Birch Spring campsite
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

"Its a rain forest!" said Bayou with a tone of resigned acceptance. I had asked him about the climate in the Smokies as V8, Bananas and I ambled over tne Fontana dam and up the woods road toward the trail junction.   It was cool, misty and wet, with moss, damp oak leaves and black fallen trees that looked extremely old. Shuckstack Mtn. looked ghastly on the relief map, with the trail going straight up across the closely spaced contour lines. Fortunately, the AT took a much more moderate path up the mountain.   Bayou said goodbye as he veered off down a different path, and we trucked on to the Birch Spring Campsite. Its the only site without a shelter in the Smokies, and we pitched the tent on one of a few prepared tent pads. Food has to be prepared away from the tent sites in the park, so we all brought our stoves and supplies down to a centrally located fire pit. Other hikers wandered in after 4pm, and we appreciated the efforts of Patrick, who built and maintained an elegant fire, with some of the dampest, least promising wood I've seen. I met Sauerkraut, whom we first saw back in GA, and Pipps, a new face. They made good hiking partners, and lively conversationalists.    All day clouds seemed to gather and thicken, and at night fog rolled in. We packed up a wet tent in the morning, which is significantly heavier than a dry one. V8 has been toting it for us, ostensibly til I got stronger. I am certainly getting there fast.   Gear talk: Our tent is a Tarptent Double Rainbow, a single wall tent with a nice tall peak, and double vestibules. Its worked out really well for us, its easy to sit up in, and handles two residents with some gear, nicely. In strong winds it has been very stable, seeming to deflect wind effectively. It weighs 2# plus change, and is absolutely palatial for one, as Uncle Tom found last season. It has weathered rain like a champ, with our packs tucked under the vestibules. Boots, clothes and sundries can fit easily at one's head. It comes in a one man version, as well, also spacious and light. I've seen a lot of MSR tents out here, quite a few Big Agnes Ultralites, and assorted others. More on gear as we go along.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Birch Spring campsite

To: Spence Field shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we met a ridge runner who was asking us for our home states and suggesting where we should head for for the night. Word was out that Fontana Dam would be closed to foot traffic this week, which created a larger than usual wave of hikers entering the Smokies over the weekend. The ridge runner knew that some 30 odd folks had camped at Mollies Ridge last night, so was eager to distribute those of us en route there, to other shelters further along. We got into Spence Field area around 5, to find a bigger crowd than ever there already.    It was a friendly group, and I met a fellow Camden, ME area resident, Three Cats, who was hiking for a few weeks after having done a thru hike a couple of years back.I saw Barley and Rain, Bearpaw and Windjammer, Quattro and Malmut, Inspector Clouseau, Robin and Wildflower, Pipps and Sauerkraut, Leaping Turtle, Wingfeet, Pops and Brushstrokes...and others, a good bunch.   V8 and I set up the tent just uphill from the horse hitching area. The horses had the only flat spot on the site, but we did not think tenting right there was such a hot idea. I struggled to get and keep the alcohol stove lit, as the winds were fierce and gusty. The Vargo titanium raced through a full tank of fuel in just minutes. I have more to learn about best practices with this unit.Rain poured down in the middle of the night, and left a dense fog and dripping trees behind. No harm was done, save causing us to pack up a wet tent.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Tell your friend about PocketMail and let the savings start rolling in!------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Spence Field shelter

To: Derricks Knob shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: few clouds

I am sitting on a grassy area just outside the shelter, as people clatter around with their little backpacking stoves, fixing dinners. Bananas is nearby, munching on an after dinner Caramel Nut Blast Balance Bar, which she reports is quite good. V8 is stretched out on her sleeping bag in the shelter, reading and typing her own journals. The sun came out around noon today, totally affecting the mood of the woods and trails, as well as the hikers.We heard a few rumbles of thunder booming in the distance just now, and clouds are rapidly rolling in. The rain forest moniker seems to be an accurate descriptor, to date.   I hit a wall today physically. Yesterday we did over 10 mi, which was a good three miles past my stopping point. It is required that hikers stay at designated shelters, so our stop-and-camp-when-you-want-to, days are temporarily over. This morning we woke to rain and fog, packed up a wet tent again, and took off by 8:15. I took the tent, hoping to build strength for the task by doing it. Once I got going, I realized how depleted my leg muscles were. I felt my lungs working overtime, with nowhere near the resilience I felt yesterday. Jan took the tent back, and even that made no difference. It was the strangest feeling.   Our plan was to go 11 miles, positioning us nicely for Clingman's Dome and the resupply in Gatlinburg. By 2, I was gasping for breath and utterly at myemotional and physical end. V8 yelled, "Shelter", and I dragged myself up the last incline, praying for a chance to crash. It had only been a 6 mile hike, but it kicked a lot of butts out here, others reported.   The sun was blazing across a lovely field in front of the shelter, and hikers began to spread out like beach goers, with gear drying out all over. I was prone as soon as possible, grateful beyond grateful that Bananas and V8 accepted a stop that was significantly short of our goal.   Theories abound as to why a few of us were feeling so depleted in the last two days, from altitude [Denver], to attitude to the hiker's scourge, ghiardia. I am hoping its altitude and that I will improve soon. Under-hydration is also a possible culprit, so I am going to be extra mindful about tanking up in the morning before leaving camp.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Have a spare PocketMail laying around, sell it back to us and help those in need.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Derricks Knob shelter

To: Double Spring Gap shelter 
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

To my happy surprise, a clear morning. The path today was benign. It was unlike yesterday in every way. By 12, however, I was dragging again on the uphills. My shoulders hurt with the pull of the pack, something new to deal with. I had empathy for the folks who have had to cope with pain and injuries all along.    I am now on a tear to lighten my pack weight, as that alone can maximize or wear down one's strength.   Having a second round of vulnerability, I think about this sort of thing quite intensely while hiking. More on this later on.   Gear note: I am extremely happy with my boots. They are Keen Targhee II's, very cushy with a drugstore insole added for comfort. They are very good on rocks, ie, no slipping. They keep out all but constant, driving rain. I got them 1.2 sizes too big, which is perfect with a Smartwool Light Hiker sock. Have had zero blisters, and no foot pain, some of which is due to lower mileage than some, but much of which is due to this particular boot. Hurray for gear that works well!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame------------------------------Allow us to help those in need, sell back your spare PocketMail and make some extra pocket money.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Newfound Gap -->Gatlinberg, TN

To: Gatlinberg, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Rain continued to threaten as we went about the chores of doing our wash: V8 didhalf for us last night, and I did the rest this morning. We enjoyed a breakfast at a small place nearby, served by Romanian boys, whose day we attempted to brighten. V8 and I took the trolley to the foodstore and PO, both across town by about a mile. Bananas had quite a windfall at the PO, and carried her packages and letters back to the motel in her backpack.    V8 and I visited the Smoky Ountain Outfitters, where we ran into Frank and Christina again, to our delight. The staff were very cordial, and actually talked me out of a potential sale. I was eyeing a Mystery Ranch pack and inqired about its weight and volume. The fellow who looked up the specs asked me how much weight I carried usually,and when I said, "Oh, 27, 28 pounds...", he leapt on it saying, "Oh, for heaven's sake, just suck it up! that's a great weight! Stick with the pack you have!" [A Mountainsmith Boundary pack, 4.6#, 4200 cu.] I had to laugh, and actually felt pretty good about keeping the weight under 30#.   That night we ate at a Mexican restaurant whose pico de gallo was to die for. We were tucked in a booth that allowed us a sense of privacy, even with a squadron of convention-goers filling the entire place. Like bunch of kids, we zeroed in on the Baskin Robbins shop on our way back to the Grand Prix. I had a scoop of pralines and cream, mixed with their coffee ice cream on a hand rolled cone. One of the best cones I have ever had. Bananas was standing in line with her new sun hat on, and the boy serving her was clearly smitten by her: taking all kinds of care with her cone and staring at her very obviously. She did look a bit like Gwynyth Paltrow, and we all enjoyed her moment in the sun, so to speak. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Gatlinberg, TN

To: Peck's Corner Knob 
Miles today: 10.4

I slept one of those sleeps we all get once in awhile, where the body lets go and the mind just floats. What bliss! Waking up was like emerging from absolute peace, ready for the day.    It was rainy again, but I took my folding umbrella and went tobreakfast across the street with my trusty companions. Big bowl of grits, a toasted biscuit, coffee and a scrambled egg. Restaurant food is such a treat after days of dehydrated and often kind of boring stuff.   Back at the room we packed up to leave, and stopped in at the Happy Hiker outfitter to pay our respects. I took a step toward the dark side by purchasing a Pocket Rocket stove that works off of a fuel canister. I sent the little alcohol Vargo stove home. I like the new one's weight, ease of use, and simmer feature.   We weighed the full packs, with water and 4 days' food, all of them hovered at 29#. Not bad for starting back onto the trail with resupply.   Today was our intrepid trio's first attempt at hitching a ride back to thetrailhead. We took our packs and poles and with a sign, three smiles and a lot of hope, found a red pick-up slowing down for us in 10 minutes. The older couple asked if we were OK with riding in the back. We jumped up and over the tailgate, hunkered down and had one of the neatest rides all 14 miles through the winding roads back to Newfound Gap. When we arrived, we offered them $20, as we knew a shuttle would have been twice as much. The couple refused, leaving us amazed and grateful that such people exist.   12 Noon, we set off to hike the short 3 miles to Ice water Spring shelter. Misty and cool, we arrived at 2:30 to an odd scene with several hikers half asleep and a pervasive smell of beer inside. We were greeted with sullen looks, so decided to hike on another 7 miles to the next one. As the afternoon progressed, so did the precipitation: drizzle, then light rain, then steady, drenching rain. V8 went ahead, being faster than me, and Bananas and I marched along as quickly as we could, racing nightfall which began to descend close to 7 pm. V8 left encouraging notes for us every half hour, a real help as my morale was slipping as we got wetter by the hour.   I had to push myself on the extended uphills, awash in rain that coursed down the pathway with abandon. Many rounded stones were revealed as the rain continued, forming a unique ball-bearing effect. As luck would have it, we got into Pikes Corner and found exactly 3 spaces left, and many familiar faces there already. I was able to change clothes in the falling dark, under the big metal roof that covered the entry area.    We cooked our suppers and tucked into bed with rain pounding on theroof all night. The front cleared out by daybreak, and sun shone in on us as itrose above the mountain ridges. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Pike's Corner Knob 

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

We woke to a clear sun rising in the eastern sky, and a wet, glistening world of plant life outside the shelter. Hikers rapidly strung up lines and aired out soaked gear, and one of the group hosted his tent and sleeping bag up on the bear cables. I slept in til almost 8 a.m., a luxurious feeling after the stressful late day hike yesterday. We were off by 10, knowing it would be a short hike.   I am definitely gaining strength still, with longer uninterrupted pulls uphill. I am not as affected by exertion as I was earlier in the game.   Tri corner is a beautiful facility with a spacious shelter; skylights, deep sleep platforms, big front over hang with tables and benches. It has a good latrine and also a piped spring right in front of the shelter. The Ritz!I had the good fortune to finally meet "Trout Bum", aka Tom Lange, who had for the last three weeks since he started in GA, been catching up to us. Tom Jamrog had met him last year at Trail Days, and knew he was on his way with this year's crew. He has become a fast hiker, and so may well be ahead of us the rest of the journey, but it was wonderful to meet. Good luck, Trout Bum!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Cosby Knob 
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

Just before sunrise, Quattro, a lean, intelligent and experienced thru hiker, came into our shelter area reporting that over 30 people were camped at the shelter he had stayed at, a virtual tidal wave approaching. He was essentially on the run, trying to stay ahead of the influx. This news rattled some people and annoyed others.   I walked with V8 today, as Bananas wanted to take more time, so we met up at Cosby Knob. This shelter is on the side os a steep hill, such that tent sites were few and hard to find. Our key scout, V8, found us 2 private sites behind some rhododendron bushes, which worked well for us. By this point we craved our tents and the quiet outdoor setting.    As I was passing through the shelter area two people on the steps called me over, and I met Bogey and Slim, a couple whose Trailjournal I had read from last year, and who were back after having to interrupt their 07 hike when Slim's mother was ill.   Nice connection for me, but I think they hike a good deal faster, so I may not see much of them now. I met Downhill, a petite and experienced hiker from the south, and Slowstep, a retired hiker from Poland, ME. Tomorrow, we plan to hike to Standing Bear Farm, a well known hostel just outsidethe Smokies. Yay!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame