morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-17
From: Sassafras gap

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

On this day i entered my second National Forest, the Nantahalas of NC. It is classified as a deciduous rainforest because of two attributes: the fact that it rains 93.5 inches per year, and that the leaves fall every winter and return in the springtime. So it seemed appropriate that i should enter surrounded my rain and mist. I walked through long tunnels of rhododendrun, mammoth trees downed and decomposing due to humidity and moisture. Green moss covers every area imaginalbe. The trail terrain was flat and managable. And the mud was deep but not impassable. I stopped at Standing indian shelter for an early morning lunch break wherei met tim, a Georgia man out for a section in his home state. We swapped stories and ended up meeting each other later at our night destination. There, three dirty old men swapped stories of conquest and danger as related to women, lots of women. One man was trying to convince me that he had slept with fifty women, twenty of which occred during his two failing marriages. Oddly enough, he seemed proud.It was here i met the Troutman; a freewheelin kid from the baltimore area of maryland. He is as comfortable laying down rap lyrics as he is reciting a shakespearen tragedy. We entertained each other all afternoon while the rain came clambering down on the tin roofed shelter. A good day indeed.
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Carter Gap shelter

To: Franklin, NC-campsite
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

I slept to the percussive sounds of rain battering the tin roofed shelter. in the morning we waited out the rain and left around 10 am on our way north. Troutman and i enjoyed easy terrain for several miles through brush and thickets. We climbted albernt mountain 5,220 feet above sea level. Very steep requring both hands and feet to naviagate over sharp rocks and root obstructions. At the top was a tower used for observation but we decided not to climb because the mist was was so thick that if left us with about 10 feet of visibility on all sides. We slogged our way down to big spring shelter where we snaced and planned the rest of our hiking intinerary.Eventually we made it to winding stair gap where i we got lucky on some trail magic. It was there where an elderly couple offered us a box of fresh picked local strawberries. We gorged ourselves in visible apprecation of their gesture.With that energy we pushed one more mile up the steep trail to a campsite abutted by a nice river, our water source for the evening and morning. The troutman and i kicked back and recounted our day. We were proud of our milage. I think we both were in need of a productive day with little pain to follow. Life is so sweet.
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Franklin, NC-campsite

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

With 10 wonderful hours of slumber under my belt i readied myself for another 15+ day. Today we had long pulls up to siler bald shelters, up and down several fire service roads and up wayah bald. Wayah is topped by a stone tower used mostly for fire observation in earlier years and currently is a tourist pedastal which includes plastic coated maps of over 50 mountains one could see if the day was clear. We had another day without visibiltiy. But i figure that there will be some views that i miss out on and just as many that i am able to see. There are many miles to walk, many mountains to climb, and sights to be taken in the 2000 miles that are ahead of me.Troutman and i stayed at. an old shelter right on the trail. Four others spent the night there as well: pertinax, burger, and two women out for a week long section hike north. They had overpacked food-wise and donated the surplus to T.M and I. We obliged and ate most of it that night.We have been walking thru north carolina bear country but have yet to had a bear sighting. I figure im guaranteed to see at least one in the great smokey mountains."There was an old cowboy, who lived on the range. HIs horse and his cattle his only companions". JT
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 11.5

Troutman and Sage were determined to walkr the 12 miles to the River where we could eat at the local restuarant and relax by the swinging river currents. Food, shower, laundry, relaxing-this was my agenda for the day. But first we had to walk the miles. It is out in the woods where one can truly appreciateall the amenities that civilization can access at any time. Your flush toilets, electricty, trash barrels, showers, you name it. As much as these things seem nennecessary in society, in the woods tmhey are luxuries, thus are not necessary. They are comforts. In the woods for long periods of time, people are f forced to look at themselves for who they are. All the things that people put around themselves are merely distractions from something more true. I was thithinking back to health education class where we learned that "we are what we eat". I was thinking about that the other day. People wonder why they are treaed as consumers rather than people. Yes, it is true that we consume, but does that make us consumers before people?Just a few thoughts. The river was nice. We ended up staying in a bunkhouse, very cozy.
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Nantahala River

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light rain

It sure was a treat to sleep on a bed with a mattress even if it was just a wooden/primitive bunkhouse. Troutman and I ate prodigoulsly at the Rivers End Resturuaunt: pancakes, bacon, homefries, and all the coffee i could drink. Once we got our fill the rain came in droves it that makes any sense. Our motivations to push some 15 miles were put on the back burner and we decided to take it easy for the day and hike the 7 or so miles to the next shelter from town. The rain continued all day and didnt let up until sometimei the next morning. The climb out of town was steep and steady. We got to the shelter early in the evening where we were greeted by 14 other wet, and semi-smelly hikers with their wet gear hanging wherever a nail was available. We found room, got dry, and settled in for the evening. If weather permits we will push for Fontana Dam on the morrow."In wildness is the preservation of the world"                     -Thoreau
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: light rain

After a very comfortable sleep wedged between bodies and armpits i awoke slowly to the everpresent percussion of rain on the rooftop. Boy was i hungry and out of food for the most part. So I bartered with Rodent. I gave him just one snickers for three packets of oatmeal. I think counted 40 packets in his cache and now i had three.My hike this morning began in solo fashion (as usual), determined I was, i danced and skipped to the riffs of Peter Tosh and Bob Marely up and over peaks of all shapes and sizes. Only 21 miles and i could feast on pizza and enter the Great Smokie Mountains. The rain stopped and the clouds vanished to reveal the rays of the sun goddess herself. Atop Cheoah Bald (5516 ft) the mist cleared from my view and exposed a horizon laden with mountaintops. Seven miles later i took a rest stop at Stecoah Gap road where two picnic talbes looked very inviting. I sprawled out (along with all my wet belongings) and absorbed the hot sunshine. I was met by Indiana Ben, Lunch box, two-fleece terd, and Butter. Dry at last two fleece decided to acost the bakery truck conveinetnly parked nearbye. I dont know what she said but she may have flashed a little leg. The driver opened the door to the back of the truck and invited her to all she could carry. WE at twinkies, powdered donuts, zingers, fresh baked breads, pies of all kinds, just to name a few. This, my friends is some of the finest trail magic i have ever experienced. Thank you merita Bakery driver. You are in our prayers for the remainder.Made a jacob's ladder type ascent out of the Gap full with twinkies and other goodies. met up with the troutman later in the afternoon where we decided to eat dinner and make the 6 mile push for "civilization". Made it to NC 28 by 830 pm and began thumbing for a ride. A man in a pick truck stopped. His bed was covered with a platform which covered 6 or so barking hunting doggs. He said "Ill give you a lift if yall can handle it". We readily accepted the challange and jumped on top of the platform. We hung on to a 4 foot metal handle and began the 2mile ascent around bends and corners of potent turns. Keroacu would have been truly proud on that day. Surely, the most exiciting hithch ever recieved.
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Killer breakfast buffet this morning. Picked up my packages including my boots and sent my sneakers packing northbound. Also sent home undeveloped film for your viewing pleasure which my lovely lady has so gladly developed and uploaded to this page. As you can tell i am a little behind on the journal updates.The sun was shining and I went walking across Fontana Dam and into the GSMNP-great smokey mountain national Park. After nearly and hour i got ahitch and i was off again. The hitch put me to the wrong section which meant that i had skipped 1.1 miles of the trail. Now I am not a purest (in the strongest legal sense)but i wasnt about to skip it so i made the decision to hike it southbound. Tryed to get hitch back to the place where i began and failed. So i hiked the same 1.1 again northbound (this did not make Sage happy). OH well and so it goes. I was far too excited to enter the Smokies to let it get me down.I made a long ascent of a few thousand feet up and over the ridgline where i found a observation tower. I climbed to the 7 story structure from where i could see for a hundred miles, i shit you not. I took some photos and soaked up the sun and off i went. This was the hardest day i have experienced to date considering my previous big mile day, my lack of water, and my new boots.I hiked until dark on this day. But was lucky enough to have my first ever bear sighting in the wildnerness. It was dark, rainy, misty and 830 at night. A 250lb bear ran across the trail in front of me(about 75 yards away). I was spooked but felt his presence for quite some time.Gotta sleep off the aches and pains.
Date: 2003-05-24
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

Started hiking the day with a new group of hikers whom i had met the previous evening. A real talkative bunch. Mostly about gear, pack weights, and how to lighten loads. As preusual i recieved comments and questions. But, i try to avoid most of them because i dont like talki'n gear in the woods. So i avoid the whole speel by saying exacly that. So i hiked out early and pushed on further to leave it all behind. Low on energy and knocked off 6 miles before lunch but lacked the determination to push the full 17. I was then jolted by yet another bear sighting. This time (he or she)was sauntering north on the trail about 50 yards ahead of me. We both stopped and gazed at one anther. I then proceed to walk towards him and he continued northward. After another stop and glance he turned the bend and away he went. After some sick views from Rocky Top and Thunderhead i had the motivation to go the 17 to Silers Bald where i was almost guaranteed a sunset experience.met a bunch of weekenders with enourmous pack son the way, all very friendly like.alos met the ridgerunners from the Park. They were good company.The trail is a wonderful place.
Date: 2003-05-25
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today i crossed over Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the Appalachain Trail. On this day it was coverd with tourists and Memorial Day weekend passerthrues. I got there around noon and climbed the tower to see 360degrees. I founda bag of opened doritos at the top. I cunningly waited for all to climb down before knew i had them all to myself. A victory was scored on that day. Was it time for a town stop so soon, i thought.I heard some interesting quotes today. One lady said (from the top of the mountain that she had climbed by car) "the view was better from the car". Possbily inspiration for a bumper sticker>.. I say stay on the pavement, its very dangerous if one was to move off it. Another lady was breathing heavily, knodding toher husband she said " I told you the air was thinner up here, Im tired too. When the trail becomes your home you become sensitive about maintiaining its character and sensibility. Of course all are welcome.Came to the raod and hitched into Gatlinburg with the Ridgerunners where i ate KFC, resupplied snakes and went to the Happy hiker for some fuel and to have my picture taken for the hiker wall. couldnt get out of town after 2 hours of thumbing. the same Ridgerunns drove by and offred a spoton their couch. I accepted and decided int return to buy beer for the evening. More magic on the footpath north. Life is good.
Date: 2003-05-26
From: Newfound Gap, Gatlinburg

To: Tri-corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Got to the trail by noon after breakfast int town with mark the ridgrunner. Made my way through the weekend crowds and scamped up and over smooth and easy terrain. Had no views from Charly's Bunion but was amazed by the rock formations themselves. Took a few photos and trotted to the shelter.This evening i met Santa, Moose and a four section hikers spending the night. We had a fire which was quite a treat.Looking forward to a day off, what we call a zero mile day on the trail.I gotta pull an 18 mile day tommorow in order to pick up my package outside of the smokies and move on to Standing Bear Hostel.My sleeping bag has torn at the end where my feet have poked through. I should sew that up pretty soon because i have been losing alot of heat through it on those cold nights. for the most part i have been tied to sleeping in the shelters because my hammock(with what littlei have for a sleeping bag) has been far too cold. so in the shelter i use the fleece liner and then i wrap myself in the tarp to my hammock. When i have all of my cloths on, including my winter hat this provides just enough heat to get to sleep semi-comfortably.The warm weather is coming i know it. I can hold off on my warmer sleeping bag until vermont.
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Tri-corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: moderate rain

The rain held off this morning long enough for me to pack out and scoot north. My last day of the smokies had come so soon. Started slow and got cranking made it to cosby knob shelter wherei met duval downhiller- a cool guy going southbound. Saw the wreckage from an old P4 airplane from WWII. Someone had drageed one of its wings to the shelter for show and tell or something.The rest of the way was downhill all the way. Very tough on the knees after some long days wihtout a day of rest. Tommorow is restday i know.Walked 1.3 off trail miles and Picked up my package at Mountain mommas. Then walked 1.3 miles back to trail- four miles later i was at the coolest hostel on the trail. Owned my maria andcurtis. Two laid back Tennesseens who open their home to hikers and passerbyes. made a deal to work for stay taking out the garbage and tidying up around the place. Cool by me. I got to sleep in a bed.Good night yall.
Date: 2003-05-28
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a day of reste and relaxation from walking that is. I basked in the sun, checked my email and read/wrote in my journal. I also raided the refriderator of cola and other eatables that is provided by Curtis for fair prices. I decided to wait until troutman caught up with me later that evneing. I felt his presence because the trout in the stream were begining to shiver. I spent another night there in exchange for mowing his lawn and weedwackign the premisis. We ordered pizza and cold beer. My appetite is now in full swing. So much that whatever i eat fails to satisfy my belly. And so it goes.After 17 straight days of walking, this day was much needed reste.Thank you Curtis and Maria.
Date: 2003-05-29
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: moderate rain

It was that time. time to depart from the creature comforts and hit the woods. troutman and i left at about 930 in the am right about the time when it began raining. we didnt care that much. Its just something that ive gotten used too. Once you fully believe that your just another animal in the wild, rain isnt a bad thing. We made 8 miles to the first shelter where we stopped for lunch. by that time my body was feeling like calling it quits. But we pressed on and climbed up and over Max Patch. This was my most memorable experience so far this trip. The mountain is a bald some 4662 feet above sea level. with the rain subdued the wind tookover, fully exposed we were at the summit being blown around like ragg dolls by gale force winds. Though we couldnt see the mountainous views we felt the force of cold (like pure adrenaline) rush through our blood."He that wanders is not lost"
Date: 2003-05-30
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today marked another town stop in the world famous hot springs of the south. this is where people go to soak in the springs. That sounds mightly nice by my reckoning. Am i beginning to sound like a southerner? If this is so there is no wrong in that. With the aroma of hot foods dancing through my mind the 15 miles flew by so quickly i was in town by 3:00 in the afternoon. I ate at the local diner, hit the library, resupplied at the market, and worked for stay washing dishes at Elmers HIker Hotel. A good day. I ended up sleeping on the porch but didnt mind much because i was out of the rain and lightining that came that evneing.That evening i journed down to the local watering hole where i drank pinot grigio and ate a huge slice of cheesecake all to the sounds of the local bluegrass band. Ah... it was a fine occasion.
Date: 2003-06-01
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: scattered clouds

A long day of ups and downs along the mountains of North Carolina. The Climb up Frozen knob was quite a doozey. It was the inner daoist in me that allowed me to separate mind and body. Or was it? My longest day so far and my feet are flaming. Maybe another day off or i could do another 20...
Date: 2003-06-02
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was my third 20 plus mile day in a row and the weather couldn't have been more cooperative. My motivation yall are askin...? Such a day would leave me a short 6 mile day into the town of Erwin TE. One funny thing about backpacking is that we carry everything we need in our backpacks, but everything that we want is somewhere in a town. The pulling forces of towns and the pull of isolalation and wildness away from towns seems like an unresolved cunundrum to me and many others. So A large pack of wildly hungry hikers left early on this day in June of 03' inlcluding: Everready, Critter, Medecine woman, Sweetooth, two Jack Russel Terriers, Tokyo, and Sage. We passed over Big Bald around the middle of the day. At 5,516 feet above sea level it offered stellar 360 degree views of the once trodden Smokies mountains, Mt Mitchell (the highest peak east of the Mississippi), and the mountains to our front leering, massive and proud. Summiting this Bald was restitution for many ascents climbed with views resulting in no more than massive cow pies. The funny thing about the balds we pass over is that they are often feed upon my the cows, and long horns. Feeding combined with US forest service mowing keeps the mountains "naturally" bald.The shelter was small and packed with 7 or so hikers including a 79 yearl old korean man who lived in Nyc who section hikes the trail with a car. He hikes the trail one way into the woods and backward once gain back to his car. Once is enough for me, this time i mean.I had a most envigorating time by the montain fed river that passed through our lodging area. My feet battered and bruised from walking 63 miles in three days, i soaked my feet in the icy waters in increments of twenty minutes while white sage burned in the foreground. In town tommorow."NO rain, no pain, no Maine".
Date: 2003-06-03
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TE
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Day 24:I awoke early from a much earned sleep and packed up only later to find myself walking in the rain, then pouring rain, and finally downpouring rain. It didnt bother me much just as long as the winds were tame. Very rarely do i wear the raincoat in wet weather because most often Iwill only sweat from the inside out making raingear from top to bottom obselete. Some need that warmth however. Ive found that if i keep moving i can maintaine my body temps. The terrain ran up and down in quick spurts requring small bursts of energy that became hard to muster after only a short while. The inevitable downward spiral of the trail to town soon began and i was in town by 10:30 am. And just in time to reluctantly check in for the evening at Uncle Johnies, dry off and catch a provided shuttle into town for All "Sage" could eat pizza at the local pizza plus. For $4.93 i ate all i could eat salad bar, pizza, and provided beverages. I hit (by didn't rob) the ATM and library where i updated my online journals and checked my college email for the last and final time. Thank you Sacmail for all youve done. I'm very thankful for the trail photos that have been developed, scanned, and or uploaded to the site compliments of my lady back home. We call her "Basecamp" on the trail. Shese the sugar in my coffee.I was able to rigg a work-exchange for my stay at Johnies by diggin trenches for cement footings for his new patio. I sweat two solid hours with pick, shovel, and barrel dirt full. The bugs took particular intests to he beads of sweat that filtered down and across my back. Several hikers and I through in money for New York sirloin steaks, back potatoies, beers, and all the fixins. We had great fun BBqin' and we feasted in toast of medicine woman and Sweetooth's 14th wedding anniversary.Gotta walk-
Date: 2003-06-04
From: Erwin, TE

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

Day 25:I waited for the early morning rain showers to end before i departed from town.After a few phone calls homewawrd to mother and the grandparents and organized my belongings I was on my way. In minutes the clean smell of soap and hot water was replaced by the odors of wet grass, sweat, and blood. Well, all except for the latter. Sometimes whats important for one's morale rests in the fact that i showered, not in how long i can remain clean. Nough said.At Curley Maple Gap Shelter i met a man named "Gypsey Wind" who looked to be squatting around the shelter for some time. When i asked him to where he was headed (north or south) he replied "to whereever the wind blows". His tent was tattered and well-used and his clothing was in nearly the same disrepair. He was quiet and serious and felt very much inclined to teach me about all the conspiracy theories that riddle our world; including the government's plot to seek and kill him for being a conscentious objector in the late 60's and into the 70's. I thought that all well and good suggested by my frequent nodds and smiles. I filled up my water bottles and was on my way. Though many thought him scary and dangerous, i felt that he was harmless. The trail certainly does attract a wide spectrum of people.I had lunch at a location called Beauty Spot located atop a mountain overlooking a vast valley of trees. I saw what looked to be buzzards circling the area in the sky above. Ussually this means that there is something dead and rotting in the area. Sorry birds, this cat is alive, well, and heading north. Maybe it was a weary hiker over the bump called Unaka Mnt. on his last legg...With many miles ahead