morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Big lightning and thunder early this morning. I¢m looking for my motivation this morning. It¢s not raining right now. Oh, the sun is coming out.After I started hiking, it started to rain. Then it began to lightning and thunder. I would count between the flash and rumble. One¢¦ two¢¦ Dangerous, probably yes. Scary, no. Around 2:30 pm little round white things were falling. Oh gosh, hail! They were the size of mini M&Ms. Then came Kelly Knob, two miles from the shelter, straight up for a mile, a little less than a 1,000-foot climb. It just kept going up and up and up. Kept myself going by thinking of the warm, dry clothes I¢ll put on at the shelter, the hot ramen I¢ll make at the shelter. I would alternate these warm thoughts with visions of th hot bath I¢m going to have in Hiawassee tomorrow, lowering myself in the hottest water possible. Those thoughts really helped in the cold rain. When I got to the top of Kelly Knob, I said a small ¢Yippee¢, at a big snickers bar, and made up verses to the song, ¢She¢ll be coming around the Mountain¢. I was at the shelter soon after that.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Cold this morning, but the sun is out and the world looks beautiful. I¢m extra slow moving this morning. Hiawassee is only 3.5 miles away and I¢m in no hurry. But my stink is getting to me so I think I¢ll pack up. I want to take lots of baths in town.While hiking to Dick¢s Creek Gap, I met Dancing Bear and Bear Foot. They were day hiking and like to section hike. They smelled so good and then they clued me in on Patchouli. I need to get me some. I knew that the Cloud 9 hostel was having a St. Patrick¢s Day bash and didn¢t think I wanted to go. Well, they told me how good it was going to be with all kinds of food, so I changed my mind. This couple that I just met will be picking me up at Hiawassee Inn. When I got to Dick¢s Creek Gap, another day hiker offered me a ride to town. His name is Everett and he hopes someone will do the same for him when he hikes in VA in May. Voodoo joined us in the parking lot and got a ride to the Blueberry Patch. I had read many journals tell about Blueberry Patch and I had always wanted to go there. However, Ron and Sam had been such gracious hosts the other times I had stayed at Hiawassee Inn that I had to come back.They gave me a clothes basket to put my dirty clothes in and a sweat suit to wear while waiting for my clean clothes. Ron handed me his van keys to drive myself and two other hikers, John and Blake, to Daniel¢s Steak House for AYCE. We saw the Grateful Greenpeace Guy, Bronco, Hell on Bad Wheels, and an Australian hiker there.Tomorrow, town chores. Ron will have coffee ready at 6:00 am P.S. My fuel canister lasted until this morning ¢ 7 days.
Date: 2008-03-17
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Eww...I still have yellow mucus (wet and dry) around my eyes and eyelashes. I haven't seen myself in a mirror since my last stay at the Hiker Hostel. Pinkeye? Allergies? My face is baked, and my nose is flaky and peeling all over.I have a continuous stream of real coffee from Ron's coffee pot. I love this place. I rode around town with Ron as he did his errands. I picked up my maildrop at the Post Office.I made a big boo-boo. I thought there was an outfitter in town to get more fuel canisters. Now what will Barbara do? I worried about it . I tried not to let it get me down. I told myself that it would work out. I tried to figure out what I would eat for 6 days without cooking it.Meanwhile I visited the library to use the internet. I washed my water bottles and cooking gear with hot soapy water. I went to Ingles a couple of times but I wasn't sure of what I should buy.I was ready to be picked up at 4:30 with another hiker, Lucky, by Dancing Bear and Bare Foot. They were a no-show. So at 5:00 pm Sam handed over the van keys, but first he made me promise to be back by 10:00 pm and not to drink. (Yes, Dad.)Crutch, who works at Cloud 9, found out that I needed a fuel canister. He opened a closet and asked what size. I was so overcomed with gratitude that I said I could kiss him. He presented his hairy cheek, so I gave him a loud smooch. I still could slobber all over him. I'm so happy.Lucky and I left before our curfew so I could make one more run by the grocery store.
Date: 2008-03-18
From: Hiawassee

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The trail provides. I was drinking coffee and gabbing with Ron in his kitchen when John, a hiker, walked in with 2 new fuel canisters. John, who has chronic Lyme disease, is getting off the trail. He was going to put the fuel canisters in the hiker box. Oh, me of little faith.Sam drove me to the trailhead. It was a drizzly day. It got windy and colder and then foggy. I think I've seen this movie before. Tomorrow we are suppose to have thunderstorms.I got to the shelter by 2:00 pm. Already here is Slow Stepper and Route 66. They decided to stay. Later Wool E. Mammoth showed up.My little thermometer shows about 49*. It feels cooler because of the dampness. I'm in my bag as I write this. Brrr.
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

A gentle rain this morning. But what about those suppose thunderstorms later today? Stay? Go? This is such a nice shelter. It is new, has three levels, and an inside table. The next shelter, I heard, isn't so nice. It's a big climb today. But if I went, I would be in a new state - NC. Agh! If I stay I might not respect myself. If I go, the next shelter might be over-crowded.Wool E. Mammoth had left. The Comedians (Punchline and Tag) are packing up. So is Hell on Bad Wheels. I'm warm and dry and comfortable here. I remember how wet and cold I was during that hike to Deep Gap Shelter. I have enough food to last me. I'll be doing myself a favor by eating some of it. Slow Stepper and Route 66 are staying...I had a nice warm nap. Beaker, Jersey, and Rocko - 3 girls I had met at Cloud 9 - stopped in for a break. Oh, Ky (Kyanite) and Sunkist and the beagles just showed up. I thought they were staying at Cloud 9. (It seems that once you go there, you have a hard time leaving.It has been a steady rain all day so far. Everyone decided to stay. Ky, Sunkist, and the beagles went up to the loft. I hear the happy pitter-patter of doggie feet up above. Another nap...P.S. There were no thunderstorms.
Date: 2008-03-20
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Cold, windy, and sunny. Hat on or hat off depending which side of the mountain I was hiking on. Dozens and dozens of newly hatched flies flying close to the ground.North Carolina! First, the wooden sign near Bly Gap, then the gnarly tree, and finally the up, up, up. It was grueling. My hardest day so far. I thought that if I fell down, I would just lie there and never get up. But I didn't fall. I kept going up. That last mile to the shelter was forever.There are many tents here. And only me and two guys are in the shelter. Ky and Sunkist are here. I was surprised to see the Comedians - Punchline and Tag. They had spent a zero day here.Everyone was around the campfire cooking. They were making quesadillas by holding the wrapped tortillas over the fire on a stick. I don't think I like campfires - I always get smoked.P.S. There is nothing wrong with Muskrat Creek Shelter. It's just small, that's all. I like the tall table built inside.Oh yeah, this morning, the toes of my boots were frozen. My toes felt frozen. Everything warmed up after I started walking.
Date: 2008-03-21
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: clear sky

Cold. About 31*. HAD to get up to pee. The ground is crunchy with ice. The two guys in the shelter have already left. They have thru-hiked previously. The older guy was Crispy Critter. It's nice having the shelter to myself to pack up. Less distractions.Chatted with August, possibly the only black thru-hiker. Unusual as the two Asian young men who passed me yesterday. They were from China and live in Minnesota. I was out after 10:30, but before the couples. Warm day. I had to keep taking layers off. My pack was uncomfortable and hurting my back. I took it off, rearranged things, and ahhh, much better.A big surprise at Deep Gap. Trail magic by Poppie and Toad. Beef stew cooking over a fire, beer, Little Debbie cakes, candy, and othe goodies. I'm fat, dumb, and happy. I think I'll waddle up the mountain to the next shelter. I promised myself yesterday not to push my body. Short day today.I'm in the shelter with No Eyed Deer and Ginkin. Ky and Sunkist are tenting nearby. Also tenting is Hi-Lo, another female solo hiker. Punchline and Tag came and a grandpa with his 10 year old grandson. The others gave the kid a trail name - Opie.It is windy in the shelter.
Date: 2008-03-22
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

It was much warmer this morning, about 44*. I'm wearing everything except my rainsuit. I was all chrged up this morning. I was hoping to do 11 miles to Betty Creek Gap, because Sunday night through Monday we are suppose to have snow and freezing rain. I was hoping to get closer to Franklin.I went up to the top of Standing Indian Mountain this morning. The last time I came through here it was foggy and rainy. I wished I had camped up there. It had a nice flat grassy area. But I was worried about the temperatures. The mountain is about 1,000 feet higher than Muskrat Creek Shelter and it was cold there.Beautiful, easy hike today. I kept shedding layers. It was warm enough to hike in short sleeves except for the chilly wind. The wind comes in loud roaring waves, like the ocean or a semi-truck passing by.The Easter Bunny left goodies for the hikers in the Carter Gap Shelter. It was 4 pm and I was ready to move on and do four more miles. I walked up part of the trail and just stopped. To be realistic, I could probably do two more miles, not four. So I turned around and came back to the shelter. It's a beautiful sunny afternoon and I'm here all by myself. I feel a little lonely.I had a Lipton Asian Side - Thai Sesame Noodles - for dinner. It was so delicious. I'm watching my 4 liter water bag drip-drip-drip. I wonder if I'll have any water left by morning. I'm hoping to visit the Outfitters in Franklin. Yes, I know, use duct tape. I would if I could figure out where the leak is. I just don't want to wrap the whole thing in duct tape.
Date: 2008-03-23
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

6:06 am. Awake and having to get out of the warm bag. It's still dark. I knew it was freezing because of the sparkling crunchy ice crystals on the ground. I checked the thermometer. Yep, it's 29* right now. I went back into my bag and I'm warming my fuel canister between my legs. There was less than 2 cups of water left in my water bag. I didn't think to pour some in my pot before it all leaked out...Slow Barbara.The day started off grey and cloudy. Then the sun came out and the trail was easy. A beautiful day. I was passed by a total of 5 hikers. I think I'm between waves.I was excited to climb Albert Mtn. I did it! I wanted to go to the next shelter and brag about it in the register, so I did. I also got to call the husband. It was the first NC mountain that I was able to make a call from. And then my battery died.It was early afternoon. I could get to the next shelter. Ron Haven does a shuttle pick up at Rock Gap. If I got there, he could be there ready to pick me up! (Hey, this is my fantasy.) As I was hiking through the prettiest part of the forest, all I could think was: Franklin, Franklin. (That's the next town.) There was a tree where water was gushing out of its base. I stopped to take a picture. Franklin, Franklin... This would be my longest mileage day. I'm risking injury and blisters for Franklin, Franklin. I was stopped short by the number 100 spelled out with stones. Hey, I hiked 100 miles so far. As I continued hiking, I was in the middle of a hot cheese pizza daydream and I was just about to select the toppings when I heard whistles and shouting. Well hey, there's the shelter down there. When I arrived I found Ky and Sunkist. Also Hi-Lo, Gray Ghost, and Dear Abby who I just met before Albert Mtn. There was trail magic at the road nearby earlier today. Sunkist was unloading all the left-over food out of a bag. Goodies galore. Sandwiches, chips, cookies, fruit, Cokes...Tonight I'm in a shelter and tomorrow I'll be in Franklin. It was a good day. Happy Easter.Oh yeah, Rock Gap Shelter is a personal favorite shelter of mine. It was the first AT shelter I ever stayed at 8 years ago when my brother and I took our first backpacking trip. We met our first real thru-hikers that I had only read about previously. I was thrilled.
Date: 2008-03-24
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: scattered clouds

27.7 degrees. That's what someone's digital thermometer read this morning. I woke up at 7:00 am before everyone else and I started packing. No making coffee, I want to get to Franklin. Gray Ghost and Dear Abby got up after me but left before me, of course. I was wearing all my layers except for the rainsuit. I was OK except for my fingers. They felt so cold that I was afraid they would snap off.My water had frozen in my hydration bag and hoser. I didn't want to waste any time getting more water. Ky and Sunkist caught up with me at Wallace Gap. I didn't want to take any of their water. Sunkist ignored my foolishness and went ahead and poured some from their Nalgene into mine. Thank you Sunkist. As they left me, I told them not to wait on me when the shuttle came.It was hard to believe I hiked this section 8 years ago. Never mind, it is cold now, my hoser is frozen, and I want to get to Franklin. All I have to do is get to Winding Stair Gap and everything will get better. When I finally arrived, there was Ky and Sunkist. The shuttle hadn't come yet. And there was more trail magic. A nice Baptist couple had drinks and goodies. They also had Bibles and tracts. We chit-chatted until Ron Haven's school bus shuttle arrived. We had to backtrack where we had come from as he made his rounds. But that was OK because the bus was warm. Ron was a non-stop dispenser of hiker information, local sights, Cherokee Indian lore, folksy humor, etc., etc.I got settled in my room at the Sapphire Inn, got washed and clean, went across the street for a good buffet, and waited for the shuttle for town errands. Now I'm dressed only in my rainsuit because everything is stinking dirty. There are 14 hikers riding in the school bus shuttle. We stopped at the post office, the outfitters, Walmart, Ingles, and the ABC (liquor) store. At every stop I was running between the bus and the store because it was so cold. When Ron came back to our motel, he waited so we could get our dirty clothes to take us back to the other motel where he had washers. After I was done, he drove me back to my motel. What a guy.After I quickly added more layers of clothes, seven of us went out to eat - Ky, Sunkist, Punchline, Tag, Wool E. Mammoth, John, and me. A late evening to a long day. The party continued next door as I went to my room to call and talk to my husband.I had my husband send me Luxury Item #2 - my down pillow, to Franklin. Hikers usually use their clothes bags as pillows but since I've been wearing everything, there has been nothing in mine.P.S. I have diaper rash. Adults call it chafing. I bought a baby product to deal with it. It's too late for the Gold Bond.
Date: 2008-03-25
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

21 degrees. Ha! I'm lazing in a warm, comfortable bed as I have the Weather Channel on mute. This is sure different from my usual mornings... In the dark, groping for my glasses that I left in one of my Crocs, having to warm up the glasses next to my body so I don't have foggy glasses when I put them on. Then, having to unzip the sleeping bag after locating the zipper, and since I toss and turn at night, there is no telling where that zipper ends up in the morning. Then I have to struggle to get out of my sleep sack that behaves as a black fluid spider web. Usually by now I'm getting desperate.I slept in late. Watched my friends Ky and Sunkist, and the Beagles, get on the shuttle bus from my window. I organized my stuff... deciding what goes home, what goes to NOC, and what goes to Fontana Dam. Then I gathered up everything to be mailed, including a gift for my sister and hiked down to the post office. I stopped to read about the Indian Mound located in town along the way -- fascinating. When I hiked back, I stopped at the Mexican restaurant. Punchline and Tag came in and joined me. I was glad to see them. Then John comes in and only orders a Screwdriver. I think that is what his trailname should be because that is what he always orders. We all went back to the motel to wait on Ron's 4:00 pm shuttle around town. This time there was 18 hikers on board and mostly all new faces. I was surprised to see Berf and I sat next to him. I mostly went for something to do, and I had a couple of things to get. I bought a bottle of wine and I plan to make it a quiet, early evening. Next time I'll remember to also buy bubble bath.I like town stops.
Date: 2008-03-26
From: Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

I took my time to carefully pack before the 11:00 am shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap. I was going to take a picture of Ron's bus this morning, but no bus. It had broke down. So all our backpacks went in a pickup truck and 9 of us squeezed into a van. They were all new people to me.Lovely day. I hiked in shorts and short sleeves. Eight years ago when I hiked this section, I would go from tree to tree, holding on and gasping for breath. I now know how to pace myself. I'm slow, but I get there. Another thing different from 8 years ago is that the shelters in this section now have privies and bear cables.At 3:00 pm when I got to the turn off for Siler Bald Shelter, I sat down and debated where to go. It was early, so I could do more miles, but I needed water and the closest was down by the shelter. I thought about camping on top of Siler Bald but needed to get some water. After a bit I headed towards the shelter. There was a guy here named Long Burn. I'm the first person he had seen in 2 days. He is hanging out at this shelter waiting for the Hiker Bash this coming weekend in Franklin. First one-by-one then by two's more hikers came. I think there are around a dozen hikers here now-- All young people except for a guy in his 50's and me.I began to feel unwell and my stomach was hurting. I didn't want to eat so I went inside my tent to lie down instead. I woke up after 7 pm and felt better so I got up to cook my dinner. The idea of getting sick out here is scary. (Maybe it was colic to go with the baby rash).It has cooled down considerably. According to the dinky thermometer, it is below 50 degrees.
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I am awake at 7:30 am. It is 45 degrees and windy. I am having breakfast in bed. I like the Breakfast Cookies now, instead of oatmeal. I packed up inside the tent and left the shelter before 10:00 am. I was, of course, the last to leave. (In my early backpacking days, it used to take me 4 hours from wake-up to hiking if I tented).As I was hiking on the blue blaze trail from the shelter back to the AT, I suddenly thought, WHERE IS MY CAMERA?!? So, when I reached the trail junction, I unpacked everything from my pack and there it was¢¦ at the bottom of my pack, where I left it last night. Sheesh. I repacked and continued on my way. When my brother and I hiked this section 8 yrs ago, it was April and all green with Spring. Not now. The colors are: tan leaves covering the ground, gray bare trees, and blue sky. Once in awhile some green rhododendron or green moss is thrown in.I enjoyed the views from the Wayah Bald stone tower. I saw Standing Indian Mountain and Albert Mountain with its fire tower 10 miles away according to the display map. And then, in the other direction, I saw the Smokies. Wayah Bald Shelter is a new shelter. So new it isn't in my guidebook. It's nice. Five of us fit inside this supposed 8-man shelter. Everyone else is tenting. I don't know this group of hikers. Not a chatty group.First, She comes in the shelter, looks a round, and goes back out. She comes back in and announces that this shelter holds 8 and could we move closer together and make room. OK, no problem. Now we made room for one more person¢¦ enough room for her but not her partner. Now this is one of the few shelters so far that doesn't have bear cables to hang food bags. So, almost everyone is bear bagging on the sapling trees outside the shelter. Given the choice I would have hung my food bag on one of the so-called mouse hangers in the shelters. They have a string tied to a stick to hang your bag with a tuna can in the middle. These are supposed to deter the mice from getting to you food bag. However, this was the most bear-phobic group I have ever been with. They were certain that the cooking smells in the shelter were going to draw the bears inside. Someone had hung his food bag on one of the mouse hangers. She couldn't believe someone would do that and not bear bag. She demanded to know whom it belonged to. She turned to me and asked if it was mine. No, it wasn't but I was afraid she was going to find out that I had put my food bag in my backpack. It turned out to belong to one of the tenters. She went out of the shelter to let him know what's what. Then, the unhappy tenter stomped in, took his food bag, and stomped out.Oh great, I accidentally chipped the lens on my glasses.P.S. Bus Driver wrote in the shelter register that he thinks my hair is pretty.
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up hoping She would leave early. Nope. She's sleeping. So I quietly pulled my food bag out of my pack. Nothing was touched. Gray, 55 degrees, and windy. I put the pack cover on in case of rain. Around noon it got foggy, and then in the afternoon it started to drizzle. After 4.8 miles of hiking I reached Cold Spring Shelter. I stopped for a break, remembering when my brother and I stopped here for a break eight years ago. He had taken a picture of me taking off my pack while sitting on the bench. I didn't remember how old this shelter was back then, but it is really seems ancient now. Think¢¦logs with mortar. The mouse exercise wheel that used to be here is missing.It was good hiking until I got to Tellico Gap. I didn't remember how tough it was to hike down and back up from Tellico Gap. It was down 1200 ft in 1.7 miles and then up 1100 feet in 1.4 miles to Wesser Bald. There is a fire tower on top of Wesser, but there was no point in climbing it because it was socked in by clouds.I reached the shelter with Shiloh and Brad inside. They were at Wayah Shelter too. We are all heading to NOC tomorrow. After we hung our food it started to rain. I¢m thinking about that cardboard box of crackers in my food bag. I'm thinking it will get all soggy.