morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-15
From: Monson

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Today is for Sr. Eileen O¢Connell, OLA. who was murdered at Warri, Nigeria and all the OLA family. Today is the beginning of the ¢End¢ as I enter the 100-mile wilderness. That will bring me to within 14 miles of Kathadin. The ¢Wilderness¢ is famous or infamous because there are no places to re-stock or buy food along the way. So you must figure out how many days it will take and carry enough food to last the duration. I picked up some good food in the Hiker Box and decided on a six-day hike. I put in an extra dinner, just in case. Rising early, we were served a massive dinner at Shaws. Mothman ate enough to do him through the Wilderness. I went shopping to buy some last minute items, films and some extra ¢MilkyWays¢. Then I went to the Post Office. No letters came so I left them my home address. Hopefully, these letters will arrive. The new boots were there so I bounced them on to Millinocket. No point gambling with new footwear on this last hurdle. Seabees and I got a ride to the Trail courtesy of Keith (Jnr.) and we were on our way by 8.30. A beautiful morning as we set out from Route 15. My pack was weighing a ton with all the extra food but at least, it would get lighter with each passing meal. The terrain was not easy but I was ready for one last mighty effort. Seabees was in great form, I was struggling. It is always the same after a day off. Commander in Chief passed and she too was excited to be ¢nearing the end¢. After 2 hours, I was starving. Around 11.30 I began to lighten my pack by eating as much as I could. Seabees was worried that my food would not last for three days never mind six. 5 miles done by lunchtime was not too bad. I walked on feeling better and drank lots of water on a warm afternoon. We came to the Wilson River which we had to ford. I was lucky and was able to rock- hop and keep my feet dry. Seabees was not so lucky. At 3 pm, we reached Wilson Valley Shelter where we had a substantial snack and decided to walk another 4.7 miles. It was tough walking with another river crossing at Long Pond. Again, I crossed dry-footed. We met Jim, a cousin of Constant Motion who had wet feet. He came out to hike the Wilderness with Constant Motion. A hard climb up along the river to the Shelter. It was hard to get down to the river for water but we managed and reached camp around 1815. No time to waste as I cooked supper and got ready to sleep in the Shelter. Constant Motion, Commander in Chief, Jim and I shared the Shelter. Seabees put up his tent. We had a very pleasant time as Jim, a farrier by trade told stories of his native Arkansas and shared some extra fudge with us. We were happy to have walked over 15 miles today. Tomorrow, we would have some of the hardest walking with some hard climbs. So a good nights rest was called for.
Date: 2003-09-18
From: Gulf Hagas Cut-off Trail

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 14.3

Today is for John McLaughlin and all at Cliffside Park. Thank you so much for your support.A great night¢s sleep. I was up early and ready to go at 6.30. I had done well the evening before but I was glad I did not force the pace to reach the next Shelter. It was 2.5 miles and a testing little up-hill. I reached there before 9 and I had a good ¢go¢ at the food bag. I had a hard climb up Gulf Hagas along a new Trail. There were no White Blazes and for sometime I was worried that I had taken the wrong Trail. The day was bright and breezy with excellent visibility. I continued to climb and came to a campsite where I found a lovely spring about 14 mile off the Trail. Then I headed up West Peak, which was a killer, down again before heading up Hay Mountain. I stopped in the sun and ate lunch. One more Big One to go, White Cap Mountain (3,650 ft.). In fact it was much easier than the other ones. I climbed easily to the summit and was rewarded with a fabulous view of the Kathadin Range and could see the ¢Big Fellow¢ standing proudly in the distance. I sat in the chilly sunshine and thanked God for bringing me safely to this point. Now it was so near. All sorts of feelings were surfing, but mostly feelings of gratitude and wonder. A long down hill to Logan Brook Shelter where I met two young south bounders, who had started at Kathadin some days earlier. One of them had terrible sores and blisters on his feet. I pitied him and wondered how he could possibly continue. It was a beautiful shelter, but too early to stop, so I decided to go another 3.6 miles to East Branch Lean-To. It was a very pleasant walk and I arrived around 5. I met two nice ladies, teachers from California who were going south. We cooked dinner together. Soon we joined by Easy Rider and Snowberry, a married couple from Vermont. I had met them briefly in Damascus and Manchester (Vermont). I saw them on Sunday in Monson and was delighted to meet them again. Leap Year arrived soon afterwards. Spunky, his hiking partner had got off the Trail so he was ¢doing good miles¢ again. We had a lovely evening together. Leap Year was excited as he had encountered a large Moose as he neared the Shelter and had photos to prove it. The talk turned to Kathadin and the ever-nearing end to the walk Easy Rider and Snowberry were anxious to finish. I was glad to see the headland. Leapyear, also, was happy to be close to the finish line. All of us were getting ready to say goodbye to the ¢Long Hike¢, smelly clothes and stinking backpack. We laughed and joked about nice food, comfortable beds and a daily shower. But all of us knew that we would miss the Trail. The evening turned cold and soon the sleeping bag was the best place to keep warm. 14.3 miles today and nearly all the mountains conquered. Only one ¢Bump¢ on the horizon tomorrow, Little Board Man Mountain (1980 ft.) After that, it would be all downhill.
Date: 2003-09-19
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for Seamus O¢Neill and all at St. Patricks, Kiltegan, Co. Wicklow. Another cold night and nippy morning. I was hitting the road early and had to contend with a biting morning air. First I had to cross the East Branch of the Pleasant River. I was able to negotiate the big rocks and get safely over. This is more difficult early in the morning when limbs are still stiff after the night¢s sleep. A gradual uphill, which brought me to the top of the last big one before Kathadin. Or ¢so they said¢!! It was a wonderful feeling to know that I had climbed so many and now could look forward to some easy miles before the finish. I walked on feeling strong and happy as the ground was level and I could ¢stretch¢ those legs. I stopped with Leap Year on a sandy beach where we ate a good second breakfast. The mice had got to my food bag the previous night and had made inroads on my muffins. Nothing for it but to feed the muffins to the fish. Snowberry and Easy Rider also stopped for a snack. We were all so happy with the ¢east Trail¢. We walked at a lovely pace to Cooper Brook falls Shelter. This was the sort of Trail I signed up for. More food here while LeapYear was enjoying the warm sunshine. 11.4 miles to the next Shelter, we all decided it was within our reach. Snowberry, Easy Rider and I stopped for lunch and a long chat around 13.00 hours. I got moving again and had walked nearly one mile when I realised I had forgotten my camera. I ran back along the Trail and found it on the log where I had dined. But I had lost valuable time. I walked at a fast pace over the next four miles and caught Leap Year at Antlers Campsite. Only 3.5 miles to go to Potaywadjo Spring Shelter. Snowberry and Easy Rider were already there. We enjoyed a great evening with leap Year and Easy Rider reliving films and shows of the past. We were within 50 miles of Kathadin and once more our conversation turned to the final walk to the summit. After weeks and months of walking, we were now in the final days. It all seems so unbelievable. I had plenty of time and still wanted to get close to Kathadin before I could relax. The big Mountain kept ¢pulling¢ me with an incredible force. Leap Year, Snowberry and I sheared the Shelter while Easy Rider set up his tent. He hates the Shelters. Rain was forecast and we hoped it would rain during the night and leave us dry in the morning. But at this stage, we could manage, no matter what type of weather. This would be our last weekend on the Trail.
Date: 2003-09-23
From: Kathadin Stream Campground

To: Kathadin Stream Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is for John Finnan, Michael Dollard and their families. Medicine Man left camp during the night. Leap Year and Starbuck decided that the day was not for climbing and will wait over till tomorrow. The morning was cold and looked like rain. We had a great breakfast with some Thru-Hikers , who had finished some days earlier and were still hanging around. Goat, Dred , Zero and Goat¢s mother had food to feed a nation. They were leaving the campground that morning and were off-loading their supplies. There was little to do at the camp-ground except wait. I rented a Lean-To for Starbuck and myself. Leap Year would join us later. I spent some time talking with campers who came to enjoy the peace and solitude of Baxter Park. I tried to figure what I¢d carry up the mountain. My pack would certainly be lighter, no tent or sleeping bag and certainly no heavy food bag. The day was bitterly cold but no sign of rain. I walked up the Trail a little just to keep warm and wait for John and Eddie, who were driving up from New Jersey. It was strange hanging around camp all day, it was a Hiker¢s Limbo as I waited nervously for the Big Climb and Journey¢s End. It was good to have Starbuck and Leap Year to share the experience. Wizzard arrived in the early afternoon, soon followed by Loa. Later Jason and Trout Lilly came into camp. I was delighted to see them as we had been together for a long time and now, would finish together. The last to arrive was Blaze and Face. We would have a good group summiting on September 24th. We all got together and cooked our last supper. Dred and Starbuck¢s father had brought some beer. No sign of John or Eddie yet!! But just as we began to eat, they arrived. Great rejoicing and celebration. More, when a bottle of Powers was quickly devoured in an after dinner toast. It was nearly 6.30 and almost dark. The rain came and we said a hurried goodbye. They went back to Millinocket to get a Motel. We soon retired and tried to sleep. I quickly put aside what I¢d carry up the mountain. Leap Year and Starbuck were forever sorting out their gear. I slept early as the rain pounded down, my last night in Camp. I was relieved and nervous. I was glad to share my last Shelter with Leap Year and Starbuck.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Hot Springs

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 15.0

Sorry we have been away so long. We walked all day long and it¢s hard to find the time and place to mail this out. Hi to everyone.White Blaze   Day 14 4-6-2003Hiked to Wallace Gap where Dave and Jan picked us up. It was only a 6 mi hike and all down hill, so we got out early and spent the rest of the day and evening eating, drinking and getting clean. Going to sleep in a real bed tonight in Dave¢s beautiful home. It¢s been raining all evening and more is predicted, we¢ll do a ¢0¢ mile tomorrow.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Wallace Gap

To: Franklin
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

White Blaze   Day 15 4-7-2003 ¢0¢ mileSpent the day getting the gear in shape for the next section. Water proofed the boots and the tent seams. Got rid of the water filter and one shirt to cut weight.We drove to Franklin and got two rolls of film developed.   While there we met some old friends from Ft Myers, Mike Malloy and his sister Kelly Jelenesky. They are both in business in Franklin. We had BBQ for dinner and went back to Dave¢s house. Had phone calls fro home and mailed post cards.
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Wallace Gap

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

White Blaze   Day 16 4-8-2003   RAINWe had a nice early breakfast with Dave & Jan and pecked out Bumpboy to ship to Gatlinburg. Dave dropped us back at the trailhead and we hiked in the rain to Siler Bald shelter. We found the shelter full of wet hikers, with everyone trying to stake a claim to a small piece of the wet floor. At one time there were 16 of us under cover plus 3 wet dogs. When the rain let up a little several of us set up tents and tarps. Rain is forecast for the next 3 days. It is foggy and dreary and not much fun hiking but this is part of it. We don¢t know anyone at the shelter-most of our crowd is ahead of us now since we took time off. We met a few Chaucer Spot, who is doing the trail for the 4th time. 2 dog nite-got her name because she spent the nite with her 2 large dogs in a hammock. Hope the rain ends tonight and we see the sun in the a.m.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Wallace Gap

To: Wayah Bald 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

White Blaze Day 17 4-9-03 Mile 117.3No such luck. We stayed in the shelter until 11am trying to dry some equipment and pack up. The rain let up about 11am but it never cleared all day. We managed to get to a campsite just past Wayah Bald with a about 9 others. We met ¢Easy does it¢ who is doing his 3rd AT hike and ¢Wild Flamingo¢ from Florida, and ¢Fire Feet¢ a young woman who was in the Navy band. We didn¢t quite finish eating when it started to rain again. At least we¢re able to keep our warm clothes and sleeping bags dry. Word is that it may snow tonight which would be better than this damned rain. I didn¢t take any pictures today, trying to keep the camera dry down in my pack. You can drive up to Wayah Bald on a forest service road and can see for miles on a clear day. There is a really nice spring on the trail just before the campsite.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Wallace Gap

To: Tellico Gap 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

White Blaze Day 18 4-10-03Well the forecast was right. We woke this a.m. to about 1¢ of snow and it kept coming down all day. There were some place where there was 3¢ of it. A lot of our equipment is soaked and we expect the next shelters to be full since everyone passes us on the trail (damn young punks). We heard about a hiker hostel at Tellico Gap and decided to try to get in out of the weather. When we arrived there were no signs so we walked about .5 mile past it and stopped at a cabin where we met Dave & Joanne Fussell who offered us a cup of coffee and tried to call to find out about the hostel-no luck. We hiked back to find it was closed but were greeted by ¢Fire feet¢ and ¢Clifford the big red dog¢ who had injured his knee and was not able to go on. The Fussel¢s took ¢B R dog¢ to town and we set up our tents in the lawn. It¢s 7:15pm and it is still half raining & half snowing at least there is no snow on the ground at this elevation. Tomorrow we will try to go over to Wesser Bald and reach the Nantahala Outdoor Center. It is probably because of the weather but this section of the trail from Winding Stair Gap to Nantahala Outdoor Center seems to be the hardest at least mentally.
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Tellico Gap 

To: NOC
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

White Blaze Day 19 4-11-2003Cold and damp, but we made it thru the night . All gear wet and heavy. We climbed Siler Bald it was fogged all the way, on the way down the clouds broke and we could see a long way. This is a beautiful section of the trail but it would be hard going for south hikers. We made NOC in about 6 hr and 15 min and checked into the hiker base camp, all the motel rooms were taken. We shared a 4 man bunk room with Dormabum and Suds, he is a college student and a part time house painter. They live in Washington Stat, but are from the Elmira NY area. We bought food at the NOC and ate dinner in a restaurant, did laundry, dried out and had a shower. Life is good again.
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Hot Springs

To: NOC
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

White Blaze Day 20 4-12-2003 Mile 141Got up early and went down to the restaurant for breakfast at an all you can eat buffet, it was great. We managed to get a call thru to Darrel and Cherry and made plans to meet them at Fontana Dam. We also called Paul and Di to check out things on the home front- all is well. We hiked to Sassafras Gap shelter a nice new shelter.. We had a fire with Robin and Grettle from Texas. Today was perfect for hiking, started in mid 30¢s and climbed to 60¢s. The sky was clear and blue, stars are out tonight.I estimate we are traveling about 8.2 miles per day with one ¢0¢ day. It was a very steep climb out of NOC, had the best views of the trip.
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Hot Springs

To: Stecoah Gap 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

White Blaze Day 21 4-13-2003 Another sunny day, got out about 8:40 am, climbed out of the gap to the top of Cheoah Bald- this is really a bald with large grassy area and spectacular views from both sides.When we got to Stecoah Gap Cherry and Daryl were waiting for us. What a big surprise. They had donuts,, fried chicken , apples, water and soft drinks. They put on their angel wings and shared the refreshments with several other thru hikers. We decided to spend the evening with them at the RV park near Bryson City NC> Cherry cooked a great dinner, steak, corn on the cob, green beans, baked potatoes, beer, wine and coffee.After dinner we phoned home, talked to mom and dad and the kids. We¢re now going to sleep in a real bed, only made 6 miles today. Tomorrow we will slack pack and get in 15 miles to Fontana Dam
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Hot Springs

To: Mollies Ridge 
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

White Blaze Day 24 4-16-2003Ate early breakfast and Daryl drove us back to Fontana Hilton (shelter) where we registered to enter Great Smoky Mt N.P. and started about 8:30. A long steep climbed out of Fontana after crossing the dam. Another beautiful day. We got to Mollies Ridge Shelter round 4:35 about an 8hr. hike 11.5 miles. Met a bunch of new hikers here. Kodiak & Sassy, Potato Head, Katy Dit. LWOP (leave without pay) Cuba Libra again. Red Beard went on ahead. The whole top of this ridge is covered with ¢spring beauties¢ a wild flower so thick it looks like snow.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Hot Springs

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

While Blaze Day 25 4-17-03We had a good nights sleep and cooked oatmeal while everyone else packed and left. We finally broke camp at about 8:40a.m. After about an hour it started to rain and gradually got worse and the wind picked up. When we got to Rocky Top (the one in song) the wind would blow you off the trail. I think it was the strongest wind I¢d ever been in. I estimated 55mph. The Frog Tog rain gear seemed to work well but the rain got into my boots. I may have prevented this by wearing gators under the pants. It seemed that we never reach Derrick Knob Shelter. I thought we may have passed it in the rain. We finally got here in 9hrs. and 10mins. It is raining harder now, but is supposed to clear by morning. There are 18 of us in a 12 man shelter tonight. Nice folks moved over to make room for us. Thanks guys. I have dry socks but no way to dry my boots so I¢ll remove the insoles and dry the inside with a bandana.White Blaze Day 26 4-18-03By the time we woke p the am the rain had stopped. I didn¢t really clear all day but this was mostly because of the high altitude. We past Silver Bald Shelter and stopped at Double Spring Gap Shelter for lunch. We climbed to the top of Clingman¢s Dome at about 4:30pm. This is the highest point on the A.T. We can literally walk with one foot in N.C. and the other foot in Tenn. It was a rough wet trail to Mt. Colins. We finally arrived at 7:15p.m. Our longest day so far and we covered 14 miles. My feet are sore because I don¢t have the insoles in my boots. The shelter is pretty full. The hikers offered to make room but we opted to set up our tent. We finally ate dinner in the dark. We hung our food by the cables. There are warning signs about problems with bears all over the place.White Blaze Day 27 4-19-03 Mile 203.8Got up around 7a.m. Tent was wet from fog. We ate a cold breakfast and headed out. Skies were clear and blue. It¢s a beautiful a.m. We had a clear view of Mt. Le Conte. Cherry & Darryl had walked up the trail about 14 mi. to meet us. They brought us apples and donuts but gave them to the hikers that were ahead of us. L Spent more time drying and cleaning etc¢¦and drove to Gatlinburg to the ¢Happy Hiker Outfitter¢ to get a buckle for my pack and ended up spending over $100 on a hat, kayak shoes, 2 stuff sacks, and 2 dinners. ON the way back to Pigeon Forge Darryl¢s car blew an oil seal. We are not able to get it repaired because it¢s late Sat. evening, so the plan has changed. Darryl and Cherry will tow the car through the park and drop us off at Newfound Gap and then head for home.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Hot Springs

To: Damascas
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 28 4/21/03      2.9 milesIt is raining this AM as Daryl is driving us back to New found Gap to start where we got off. We said our good-byes and hiked the 2.9 miles to Ice Water Springs Shelter. We met Suen-saw and Loonie-Mississippi Mule, Bumpkin, Pushing up Daisies, Mail Drop, Blade, and Kodiak and Sassy and their friend Rock. All in all there were at least 25 people at least 5 were section hikers. We had a big party because Kodiak and his friends had carried a case of coke, 24 hot dogs and buns, all kinds of cup cakes and apples and bananas in from New Found Gap.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Damascus, Va.

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 29 4/22/03Had a good nites sleep except for when one of the section hikers, a high school age boy, woke everyone in the camp when he stated screaming in the middle of the nite- He suffers from nite terrors. That nite we all did. We cooked oatmeal and packed out for "Tri corner knob" about 12.6 miles we made it in 8 hours and 20 min. So we averaged about 1 mile in 40 min. Most of the day we hiked on the ridge - it was relatively easy but the sun did not break through the fog so we missed a scenic hike. The shelter is full again tonight. We met some new people - Big E, Bach, Searcher and Monster. It was cold all day 35 - 40 degrees and it's a cold nite.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Roan Mt

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 29 4/22/03Had a good nites sleep except for when one of the section hikers, a high school age boy, woke everyone in the camp when he stated screaming in the middle of the nite- He suffers from nite terrors. That nite we all did. We cooked oatmeal and packed out for "Tri corner knob" about 12.6 miles we made it in 8 hours and 20 min. So we averaged about 1 mile in 40 min. Most of the day we hiked on the ridge - it was relatively easy but the sun did not break through the fog so we missed a scenic hike. The shelter is full again tonight. We met some new people - Big E, Bach, Searcher and Monster. It was cold all day 35 - 40 degrees and it's a cold nite.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Roan

To: Damascus, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 30      4/23/03Sky's are clear and blue, ti's 35 degrees in the shelter but there are puddles outside that are frozen. We had long views from both sides of the ridge. It was especially beautiful from the top of Guyot. In 5 hours we reached Cosby Knob Shelter. We had a leisurely afternoon and ate dinner early. A bunch of hikers are here. Kodiak, sassy, Rock, Blade, Bumpkin, Pushing up Daisies, Mail drop and Baltimore Jack who has thru hiked 8 times and section hikers Greg and his son Andy - nice people. Rock built a nice fire in the shelter fireplace and we told stories and had a good time. Everyone is in the sack a 9:15 PM. It was cool today but we didn't sweat :)