morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-20
From: siler bald

To: complete the day
Miles today: 14.3

up at 5:30 am great night of sleep. combat told us of a trail magic stop at burning town gap 10.2 miles so we hiked with rattler and got there at 1:00 pmApple from austin tx. had a large (major large) dome tent set up with carpet, stoves (heating and cooking) and he offer all the hot dogs you could eat, cookies, coke, and DONUTS plus chairs to sit in and we were allowed to take our boots off. My blood levels were over 500 after we hiked the rest of day. I thought I could burn off all that food but I guess the donuts will always be my down fall. I had no energy, no legs and my sholders hurt all day. we set up camp on the side of a hill where there was a spring. spent all night slipping off of my sleeping pad down the hill. had rain for a short period after we set up our tents. Rattler showed us a new trick to put our feet in the cold spring to refresh them. what a great feeling.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: complete the day

To: noc wessor
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

arrived at the center at 1:00 pm rented a cabin (they put us on top of the hill)this place the nantahala river center has everything. we were going to zero here tomorrow but we descided to remail our first mail drop to Fontana dam ncand hike tomorrow. we had lunch at the rest. hamburger and beer and beer. I hitched to a store and bought eggs, sausage, and bread for tomorrow and beer.we had dinner in rest. and we let easy, and no problem stay in our cabin with us. we dried all of our gear out.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: noc wessor

To: just another day
Miles today: 18.8

cooked our breakfast in the cabin the guys let me cook and said they liked it (just shows how hungry one could be) underway in the dark easy and no problem still asleep. as usual rattler left us behind and we had planned a easy day but it turned out to be our best. we went from 1600' el to over 5000' in the first six miles. we hiked until 6:00 pm we were going to shelter but too many people and then the next spring rattler and another hiker had the only tent sites so we just kept going. KZ could be the everready bunnie he is so tough and so much better shape than me. He said biking prepared you for the arobic (like smell) exercise better than hiking. we camped at cody gap with water off the trail about .5 mile (down?) San0-man and two fellow at trail people from Ga. were at camp site along with a single lady, and song & melody (two like hippies young people who enjoy nature and each other it would apear. good camp
Date: 2007-03-23
From: just another day

To: fontana dam
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

out of camp by 7:00 am. what I didn't mention was yesterday was my best feeling day yet. My pack has become a part of me and most of my pain has quit.we had pop tarts and coffee for breakfast with tang. Tang is the best thing I am carring. Made it to fontana dam by 12:30 pm. the down hill was so long My toes really hurt with a blister on the end of one of them. we called the shuttle at the inn I paid the lady when we got in and then when we were registering at the hotel she charged KZ again because he hadn't seen me pay. the room we got is down the hill from the lodge and I'm not happy to have to hike to a store or the rest. for food. had lunch and beer and beer oh did I say beer I really only had two for lunch it just tastes so good. Rattler showed up at lunch he had blown his knee and thinks it may be over for him I hope not becaus he has become a good friend.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: fontana dam

To: zero
Miles today: 0.0

today no hike just rest. This is my first time to enter any of these daily journals on the site. thanks for the support and interest in my journey. My life has been reduced to just hiking this stupid trail. The shuttle driver asked what my motivation was to hike the AT and I responded it beats the sh..out of Me. but like all of life I guess it takes a goal to keep going. I apologize for my bad spelling and I havn't re-checked any of these entries so hope you can understand what I'm saying. Hey Ethan you big goober.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: fontana dam

To: russell field shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

we were headed for mollies shelter but it was early so we went on for another 1.5 hours but it seemed like for ever.. Rutabega and bonnie carolina was at the shelter with us. the water sourse was just down the hill from the shelter.here in the great smokies you have to stay in shelters or if they are full you have to tent next to the shelter. the section hikers have to reserve a shelter at least a month in advance. there was a lot of mice but no problem.we have been instructed to leave our packs open because the mice will chew into them if they think there is something for them to eat.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: silver bald shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.8

couple from maine @ the shelter. Long day. I'm ready to quit the trail seems so hard you go till you can't, rest and then go again. We past mississippi mule. He was going south with a couple of friends they had two cars and were leap froging sections. I was wondering to myself what is the point??? KZ has a foot that is really hurting. It seems really hard at this time again today.The shelters are dingy and dirty and you sleep on a shelf either up or down.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: siler bald

To: icewater bald
Miles today: 15.5

up to clingmans dome. the lookout was in the clouds. there was a disply of workmen finishing the concrete in 1959. the structure is realy awsome. At Newfound gap there was a parking lot of tourists some of them were hiking the trail No. for the first 2 miles. My thigh muscle went out climbing clingmans dome but I took vitiman I twice. You people will have to ignore my spelling it only gets worse as I get older. Shelter was full maybe 20 people so we tented and it was great.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: icewater bald

To: tricorner nob
Miles today: 0.0

my leg went out. I could hardly walk. Mississippi, Charles and wife passed us.I took tynal two and walk into camp. The shelter was full including us. I rained twice with lightning. a group of citidel army cadets camped at the horse tie area (hitching post) Water was only 20 yards from shelter. We were at the shelter at 3:00 pm.
Date: 2007-03-29
From: tricorner nob

To: standing bear hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: overcast clouds

stoped about an hour short of the hostel and cooked foodcrossed under I-40 I was tempted to stick out my thumb and head for Allbuq. but I went on today my shoulder was just killing me. Wow all I do is complain. the hostel was dirty and the young crowd stayed up till eleven. I always say I,m going to make noise when I get up early but I neer do. We past the 250 mile point. Mississippi Mule was waiting for us. We had two pizza's for dinner. the hostel and resupply is on the honor system and I guess it works. I have a problem sleeping in a large group setting and I got up at 4:30and went on the internet to check the weather. What I forgot to mention was we are out of the Great Smokey Mountians.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: standing bear hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Max patch mtn. today really pretty a big nob with no trees. we saw a rabbit today first wildlife except for one turkey and one grouse. today I really want to quit and I am questioning my motivation for this hike. I know you guys would like more information but it is mostly a blur in my mind. You would have to try this to know how really hard it is on you mind and body. We had the shelter all to ourselves which was nice. Snackbreak came to the shelter but then she went back to the creek about .3 mile back up the trail. Good night
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

in shelter by 2:35. nice hike today only two major ups today.Pink panther and tundra tented at the shelter today. they are from Alaska.Other hikers stopped by but they were all going to hot springs which is only 3.2 miles ahead. We desicded to stay here hike in for breakfast tomorrow. I guess the trail people made an easy day so I wouldn't quit tomorrow. I have desicded to go on even though I will need to buy all new gear.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

In hot springs by 8:30 had a huge breakfast pancakes, eggs, sausage and 1 gal of coffee. hot springs is the first real trail town. The trail goes down main street with A T signs in the side walk out off granite. Had pizza & beer for lunch, nap, beer meat & cheese for dinner. I have lost 10 lbs down to 156 . I' going on till May 1st bought a whole new outfit. My pack (new) is down to 30 lbs from 43. I bought boots, pack, pad, sleeping bag, tent socks etc. sent the rest to home
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hemlock hollow
Miles today: 16.3

Had breackfast @ dinner in hot springs @6:00am (greatest biscuts in the world and the first time I tried grits and they were good. KZ would not try them even after I told him they were good? (I think he doesn't trust me after convincing him to come with me on the trail) The trail goes over the French Broad river and then up stream then UP. We saw wild Iris, Ramps (wild garlic.We tried some ramps on day 21 and it is really strong. We hiked past a concrete dam with a pond really pretty. KZ & I bought new gear. I weighted my loaded pack with water and it was 30 lbs. I did add somemore food but my net loss is 10 +#. It was a so much better hike today with less weight and new boots. We only had one major up out of town and had 10 miles in by noon. We even took an off trail hike up to a fire tower to look around. We hiked off trail to a hostel (.8 mile). At Allen gap we saw a trail majic sign and walked to Jodie and John Nelson's house where they (former thru hikers) served bbq pork potatoe salad, jellow salad, drinks and dessert (bannana splits, choc. sundies,apple pie with ice cream and cheese cake. There was 6 hikers there when we were there. The hostel was on a creek it seem new and we were the only hikers there. A small creek ran thru the property and we soaked our feet it felt soooo good.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Hemlock hollow

To: Low gap camsite
Miles today: 14.9

very cold down to 20. mostly up hill all day. I guess no compalints today. I wish Mabel would go ahead and pay the ransom. I had way too much to eat but only because it was cold and hot ramen seemed so good. I got to use my new tent. It is sure nice to carry but you don't get much shelter out two lbs. I also got a new full size air mattress and now thats good. It takes a lot of air to fill it but it is worth every breath.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Low gap camsite

To: No business Nob shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Very cold in the AM the trees on Big Nob and Little Nob had ice on them like the san luis vally when it is cold. We got to the shelter at 2:30 pm we had a fire and stayed cold all afternoon. It started spitting snow at 7:00 and I got up at 10:30 and the ground was covered. We met 6 trail maintenance people they are all people who have hiked the trail and want to give something back.A shelter is a three sided building with a platform up about 2' above the ground that you sleep on. Most are the size for an average of 6 people. In the smokies the shelters had two decks and could hold maybe 16 to 20 hikers.Most of the shelters were built in the 30's. On big nob they have a ski area.We couldn't see it because they do such a good job of locating the trail out of site of everything not natural.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: No business Nob shelter

To: erwin tn
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We hiked in the snow all downhill to Erwin by 9:00 am a hostel on the trail gave us a free shuttle to the holiday inn express. When we got up we just packed and hiked I had chocolate and tang for breakfast. Coming down off of the Mtn. you could see the valley with the Nolichucky River was really awsome.I should take pictures but my camara is in my pack and I don't want to stop and unpack. I noticed the hike in the snow was very easy for me I could just glide. It makes such a difference to have my pack weight down. I have not read my earlier journal entries but I know I have complained too much. The only person to tell my troubles to was this Journal (nobody else would listen) My motto now is You see the bear on me you help the bear not me. Thank all of you guys for following me along and giving me your support. It really isn't as tough as I have made it out to be its tougher.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: erwin tn

To: zero
Miles today: 0.0

today was a zero day on Easter Sunday. somehow I have messed up the calanderso you may notice a gap april 6 to april 8 but no matter I am what I am and the calender is what it is yo. again thank all of you who send KZ and I messages thru this site and thanks for the support and thoughts. I may get off the trail early due to my health disorder but I have two for certian goals and one is Virginia, and the other is 500 miles. I really want to complete the entire trail but as we all know in life one doesn't always get what they want for one reason or another.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: erwin tn

To: cherry gap shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: broken clouds

good day seemed easy 3 major ups but nicely graded. shelter full 6 people + 4 tents. We seemed to have caught up to a group or maybe they cought up to us. the trail ran up the river a couple of miles before we started climbing up.On top of unaka Mtn there is a large stand of Red Spruce trees very pretty with the snow. It was cold and seemed cold at the shelter. We got in our sleeping bags at 6:00 pm just to warm up. KZ sometimes snores a little loudand he was at around 7:00 pm so I had to explain to the other shelter people it was only a early thing?????? Great water source close to the shelter. Had Ramen and tuna for supper along with a spice syder (hot) My jetboil will boil4 cups of water so I boil the water pour the top 2 cups to my drinking mug and mix my syder then I put my ramen in the rest of the water and just eat out of the jet boil container. I sent my pan home (to heavy and took up a lot of space in my pack.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: cherry gap shelter

To: Carver gap
Miles today: 16.7

We packed up at 6:00 AM as usual and started hiking at 6:40 am just light enough to see the white blazes and the trail. Up hill all day and then wehit Roan Mtn. over 6000' I think this was the hardest up of the entire trailso far. The snow slush, and mud didn't help but it seemed really hard the incline is 3.3 miles. I was ready to go home at any point but what can you do just one foot in front of the other. Coming down the other side was like walking in an Ice box the snow had not melted and the pine canopy didn't allowany sunshine. We were at carvers gap at 4:30 and at 4:33 Sue and Erenst Jahnkepicked us up and took us to their new home for dinner, laundry, beer, snacks and a nights stay. The Jahnkes are friends of KZ that retired here in NC and had invited us to stay. Wow what hospitality and what a beautiful home. I didn't mention that we stoped at clyde smith shelter and had a warm lunch for a change. A nice shelter named after a cousin no doubt. The other thing I forgot was someone had skiied from the top of roam mtn to the bottome along the trail. There is a road to the top up you would never know it was there because of how they built the trail to assure you that you feel like you are in the wilderness all the time.
Date: 2007-04-11
To: Jahnke Home
Miles today: 0.0

We had planned to go to town eat breakfast and then start hiking a short hike.We did that then went to carvers gap. It was in the clouds and the wind and rain were strong and the Jahnke's told us we were welcome to stay another day so you know what us tough hiking fools did. We went back home with our newest best friends. Ernest goes for a hike each day with a friend in town so we went along just to keep our hiking legs fresh????? I guess this would be a unsheduled zero but I think we are a day ahead so it is ok. We are 6 days out of Virgina. I will be updating you then. Rattler we wish you could have stayed out with us. Maybe your pace was too much for the early part. Mississippi Mule sort of slowed down to hike with us and it seems to work well for group support and so I don't just pick on KZ. I'm sure we will hook up again if not pack up again. thanks for all the EMAIL to this site you guys are making it hard for me to excuse myself from this self inflicted torture.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Jahnke Home

To: campsite
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: scattered clouds

The Jahnkes did eggs bacon, toast, & grapefruit and then took us up the mtn. to carvers gap and thru us out to the elements (what great people) We went over two balds mtn. with no trees but the wind seems to blow some. When you are hiking in a rut of a trail the wind is really hard to deal with. We made our shelter destination by 2:30 pm but descided to continue on so we would not have to do a 20 the next day. We went thru Bradley gap named after KZ & I since both of our middle names are that. Saw a deer at carvers gap and a snake on the trail. The snake was dark brown in color and I was suprised because when I touched it with my treking pole he struck it about 3 or 4 times and then slithered off. I don't think it was a garden snake becaused of its agressive behavior. It was a nice day and we found a campsite under some pine trees which was very level and a nice place to set up our camp. Jerry no hill for a hiller but if the going gets any tougher the tough are going home and you would help the Bear just in principle to get even??
Date: 2007-04-13
From: campsite

To: Moreland gap shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

day 34 Campsite to Moreland gap we went by the elk river wow we all wanted to stop and go fishing. Heard a turkey gobble in the morning. We passed Umbrella lady & Habitual hiker they were going So. and had an older dog with them. They have hiked over 18,000 miles their age I would guess 50 something. We crossed into NC for the last time. Rain off and on all night at the shelter and the roof leaked but it was between me and Mississippi. Go figure the odds of that would be pretty high and then add Friday the 13 th. It was a nice day to hike.I spent the day trying to figure out why we (mostly me) are doing this. Every time I climb a hill or try to adjust my pack so one sholder or the other will quit hurting I say this is crazy I could be fishing with John or riding my motorcycle with Larry or sharing my life with the love of my life (she said she was not going to pay the ransom???) instead I'm out here punishing myself.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Moreland gap shelter

To: Luarl fork hostel
Miles today: 6.1

Nero Day (for you none trail people thats near zero miles) Mr. Ed joined us in the shelter last night. He is a long tall drink of water from West (by god) virgina. He has the coolest accent and voice you could just listen to him all day. He said he was happy to see us because we were the first gray beards he had seen in days. (he is not too fast but steady and continous all day he goes till he runs out of time each day and he has taken no zeros) Kz & I rented a cabin with a bunk bed $25.00 + 10 for heat if you wanted it (well it was raining and cold) Place was dirty and had sugar ants everywhere. Had to walk to the bathroom shower room, and then to the kitchen area. No TV. We had to call a shuttle to get to town to eat ($25) We waited for him for a hour and a half but I figured it out he was waiting until it was time for him and his kid to eat. He insisted we eat a Tia food Rest. which left something to ge desired.We did stop at a conv. store and bought honey buns for breakfast and I bought a bottle of beer. The shuttle driver gave Mr. Ed a small bottle of moonshine (plastic type bottle) Mr. Ed brought it to our cabin and offered me some which I pour into my camp cup. Mr. Ed then tried it and said I could have it all. It had a apple taste to it but when he left I dumped mine and the bottle. I did notice it realy cleaned my cup. Hey Brad I which I could trade places with you because I know you enjoy this kind of thing. I also have noticed that tall thin hikers seemed to do much better than us short thin hikers. Thanks for your thoughts.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Luarl fork hostel

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: moderate rain

Up at 6:oo am and you you guessed it honey bun breakfast. Mississippi had descided to move hostels and slack pack to Damascus with out us which seemed strange because we had been hiking and picking destinations together for quit a while now. I guess he was tired of Kz's snoring (?) or maybe his passing of air all I know is it couldn't be my deorderant because I don't us any. KZ and I start hiking in the rain. We went 10 miles by noon to a shelter. Got lost at a trail to a water fall. We cooked food at the shelter and then about 2:00 pm we descided to go to the next shelter 7.5 miles UP the trail. The rain soon changed to snow. When we finally got to the shelter it was full but the shelter was open to the wind and snow. We pitched our tents behind the shelter away from the snow but the shelter acted like a snow fence and all the snow was settling on our tents all night. It seemed like I couldn't sleep and it was so cold I couldn't test my blood so I was up three times before 2:00 am my feet were so cold I heated a water bottle and man was that like heaven. I slep till6:00 and then we layed there until the sun came up. Eunice I'm glad you are enjoying the trail sitting next to you gas powered fire place I think it would have been much easier to read a trail journal from the recliner in the den so if I really got tired I could doze off and then it would be like a dream. Please somebody wake me up.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double springs shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

day 37 You guessed it honey bun for breakfast We were the second and third hikers out of camp. Mr. Ed started ahead of us by 20 min. or so we cought him after about 2 to 3 miles. Lots of snow and snow drifts (up to 3') Kz broke trail all day after we passed Mr. Ed and I don't know how he could do it I know I must have offered to switch with him but when you are 20 to 30 yards behind with the wind blowing its hard to tell if he ever heard me. I just want to say he is so strong it is hard to believe. We passed two kids that said their group had left them behind. When we got to the shelter there was a group of kids with a trail leader which we questioned why he would leave two teenage kids by themselves for being slow. He explained that was part of their schooling (private school for the kids not wanted I guess and their parents could afford to send them somewhere they would have to learn.) They did go back for the girl and boy and I guess the kids were just looking for our weak side or maybe they stopped to smoke a j. They went and camped off the trail in tents and this was the fourth of fifth camping trip this year so they were prepared to stay in the snow and cold. The shelter filled up with 7 people in a 6 person shelter. It worked out fine. I did the hot water bottle trick when I went to bed this time and had the best night so far on the trail.