morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: moderate rain

Got onto the trail at 8:15, hiking in a gentle rain, that quickly turned to pouring rain with strong winds. The trail was black, slippery mush in some areas, and leaf covered areas in other parts. The climbs today were tough for me - As Knob and the climb out of Blue Ridge Gap were both tough. Then I saw the gnarled tree that indicates the state line has been crossed into North Carolina. I reached that tree at 10:30 and let out a WooHoo and did a "happy dance" in the rain, and continued on. There were times today that I hiked through tunnels of rhododendrons that were shrouded in mist. Very beautiful and very wet! 7.5 miles from the start of the day, I arrived, in a downpour, to Muskrat Creek Shelter. I had planned on having a quick lunch out of the rain and continuing on 4.9 miles to Standing Indian Shelter. However Swamp Dog, Infinity, Iron Man and Spaceman convinced me to stay overnight at this shelter. Swamp Dog said this was the type of weather that you could get hypothermic very easy - cold, rainy and windy. So I got out of my wet clothes, warmed up in the sleeping bag and had oatmeal and a cup of tea. Just hung out in the shelter for the rest of the day. A steady stream of hikers showed up during the day. The younger ones pressed on to Standing Indian, while the older ones stayed put at Muskrat Creek. One of the "older ones" happened to be a soldier just back from Afghanistan. SO I am in good company. Catfish also showed up wtih his ever present good mood and southern drawl.Tonight is the night of the fund-raiser for the LPN Program. I want to thank everyone who has participated in this event and in all the fundraising activities. I am honored that this scholorship has been established in my name. Thank you so very much!
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: moderate rain

Today was an all day slog through the pouring rain and high winds. Much of the trail was a quagmire of black oozing mud. Unfortunately I didn't have any views from the ridges and mountains because I was socked in with clouds. The trail is shrouded in mist and looks kind of like "Dark Shadows" spooky, whin I am hiking through the twisting tunnels of rhododendron.Stopped for lunch at Standing Indian Shelter. It was so cold and windy at the shelter as it was somewhat exposed. 2 other men were there for lunch, one being the soldier just back from Afghanistan. His friend shared some of his summer sausage wtih me. I probably looked pathetic at that point.After lunch I moved on to Carter Gap Shelter. This shelter filled up fast with shivering, wet, cold, hikers. I had the most difficult time hanging my bear bag after dinner. There were no bear cable systems at this site. Well, after 15 minutes I finally go the rope over a branch, but it was not sturdy enough to hold the weight of my bags and it sagged low enough that a bear could have easily plucked it off the branch. Thank goodness Spaceman came out of the shelter at that point and offered to help. We were able to find a large oak tree, with a super high branch that Spaceman was able to reach after a number of throws. All the walking around to hang my bear bag and going to the privy in my flip flops in the rain resulted in my sliding off the side of the left flip-flop twisting my foot by the arch of the foot. Ouch!The weather tonight was fierce. High winds, buckets of rain, and lightening. Sure glad I'm snug and warm in my sleeping bag in this cozy shelter.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

Woke up this morning to skies that were clearing, but the temps were very cold. I had to make a hot breakfast today because I felt I needed as much energy as possible to make it as far as Rock Gap Shelter. If I could make it to Rock Gap Shleter today, I could be in Franklin, NC by tomorrow. Then I could dry my gear, shower, and sleep in a bed! So I drank almost 1/2 quart of Gatorade, ate my Farina with nuts and blueberries, and off I went.The day cleared and I had some great views in the morning, but then I was socked in with cloouds for the rest of the day. Trail was muddier than yesterday (didn't think that was possible) and in some areas the trail actually became a shallow stream flowing down hill. Interesting! The only real problem: my left foot! It is hurting with each step. Took some Advil and kept going.Almost 6 miles into the hike I arrived at Albert Mountain. That my dears begins as a log stairway and then huge rocks that you have to pull yourself over. I threw my hiking poles up to the top of the huge rock and then pulled myself up and over. This continued rock after rock, until I was able to get to an area where the rocks were more manageable. All bushes and rocks were covered with a thin glaze of ice.Now, as I approached Albert Mt I waw that there was a fire tower on the top. Kind of cool looking. Not so cool looking when I actually got to the top and stood next to the tower, shrouded in a cloud. Kind of freaky. A silent, hulking steel sentinal, in the fog, looking down on me. And of course I was all alone. Another eerie moment on the trail. The way down the mountain was like a walk in the park. The trail widened, it had some small (very small) rocks, and was again a tunnel of mountain laurel and rhodos and a very gentle descent. That was a pleasant surprise.I stopped at Big Spring Shelter, no one was there, and had a quick, frigid lunch and then continued. The day became progressively colder, and I actually saw some snow flurries. I arrived at Rock Gap Shleter at 5 pm, to find Swamp Dog, Ironman, John Nascar and Uncle Walt all buried in their sleeping bags. The temps were incredibly cold. Got in my sleeping bag, warmed up a bit, then made dinner and was back in my bag, ready to sleep by 7:30. Visions of a motel room tomorrow, swimming in my head.
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Hiawassee

To: I am in Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi everyone,I staggered into Franklin, NC this morning. Staggered, because I did 4 miles in 2 hours, and one devil of an up on that hike. I had to be at the road crossing at 9:30 am in order to get a shuttle ride into Franklin. I am at the motel now. Have had a shower (delightful), a short nap (heavenly), and started drying my gear. Had torrential downpours for almost 2 days in the past 3 days, hiked in black muck! Everything needs to be aired and dried. The group that I have been with for the last few days are going for all-you- can eat Mexican as soon as everyone is ready. I am looking forward to that, I am starved!I am 107.7 miles into the hike thus far, and am having a good time, even through the rain! Last night was a bit rough, the temps dropped into the 20's, but I was in a shelter (which is a three sided wooden structure). My 15 degree sleeping bag kept me quite snug and warm. However my hiking shoes were frozen solid!! Took a bit of time to get those shoes on my feet!Thanks for all your messages! This is the first that I have been able to get to a computer, and I loved reading all your messages, and feeling your strength behind me. I need that to get up some of these mountains. This hike is HARD. Irene told me it would be hard, and was she ever right. The past few days I did too many miles. A little of 12 miles both days. That is too much, my body feels like it's been beat up. I am going to slow my pace.Well, got to go, a Mexican feast awaits!Love you all,Perky (aka, Jersey Girl)PS, Irene will do the daily updates once I send her my journal entries, they will go in the mail tomorrow
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Swamp Dog woke us up at 6:30 because we have to start hiking out as soon as we have enough light. The shuttle to Franklin will be at the road crossing at 9:30. I have 3.8 miles to traverse in 2 hours and there is one major up between me and my goal. My left foot is really hurting today, and I am hobbling quite badly. I think I have been doing too many miles per day, especially on an injured foot. The other major issue this morning is that our boots and socks are frozen. Obviously it got even colder during the night, thank goodness I have 2 other pair of dry socks, but it was very difficult getting my feet into frozen hiking shoes! Eapecially my left foot that is extremely painful to bend.It took some time for that left foot to beging functioning properly, but I made it to the road crossing with 15 minutes to spare (that was close). Ron Haven from Haven's Budget Motel shuttled Swamp Dog, Ironman, John Nascar and myself into Franklin. I was exhausted and in pain. Ron had to carry my backpack off the bus and Turtle was there to greet us and carried it to my roomTook a shower and climbed into bed for about 1 hour before Turtle came by to say that the group was going to lunch at the Mexican Restaurant. The walk there and back just about killed my foot. I walked in those darn flip-flops. The foor was now painful AND swollen.At 4pm Ron shuttled all hikers around town to places they needed to go. So I went to the outfitters and bought a new pair of flourescent lime green crocs. If I lose one again on the trail, everyone should know that they belong to Jersey Girl! Went to the food store and stocked up on food for the next few days as I knew that i was going to be holed up in a motel room resting my foot. Thank goodness the room has a refrigerator and a microwave over.
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Franklin, NC

To: Still in Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, here's the deal. The other day when I was at Carter Gap Shelter I was walking around in my flip-flops (the flip-flops are another story that Irene will input when she updates my journal). Anyhow, it was wet and hilly, it was the end of the day and I was exhausted, and I slipped off the side of my flip-flop and twisted my foot. The area above the instep eventually started to hurt, and became swollen. I actually hobbled into Franklin the other day. So after consultation with Ron, Annette, Irene, Joy and Miss Janet (famous hostel owner on the trail), I decided to take a few days off the trail and ice, elevate and rest the foot. So that is what I am up to right now. Tomorrow I will wrap my foot, put on my hiking shoes, and walk around this very hilly town to see how the foot feels. Then if I am not in too much pain my plan is to hike out of here on Thursday. Thanks for all the encouraging messages, they are lighting up my day. I want to be out on that trail in the worst way, but I need to be patient right now. Daytime TV is the worst!!!Love,Jersey Girl
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Still in Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Had breakfast at the hostel across the street this morning with Miss Janet. Fresh baked biscuits, scrambled eggs with feta cheese, potatoes, coffee and OJ. Scrumptious! There were 8 of us for breakfast. She then shuttled us around Franklin, and I got some nutrient-dense food bars that I will be eating for breakfast on the trail. It's just a lot easier to start hiking and eat your breakfast as you go. Then back to my room at the motel continuing the ice, rest, and elevation of left foot.
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Still in Franklin, NC

To: Plan to hike out tomorrow
Miles today: 0.0

I've been walking all over Franklin in my hiking shoes today, testing this left foot. It still hurts a bit, but a lot less than it did when I arrived on Monday. So, tomorrow I will hoist the pack again, and set off for the NOC. I'm going to give myself plenty of time to get there so I don't torture this foot of mine. Thanks again for all your messages. It is great to hear from everyone. I will check my site again when I have access to a computer.
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Winding Stair Gap, Franklin, NC

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: light rain

I had my backpack completely packed and ready to go last night. So this morning after a shower and breakfast I was ready to leave on the 9am shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap. I spent the past 3 nights in Franklin, NC at Haven's Budget Inn, nursing a painful left foot. By last evening I was entirely stir-crazy and needed to leave town and get back on the trail. Hopefully the past few days of rest, elevation, and ice will have started the healing process for my foot.Ron Haven and the staff of the Budget Inn were very nice and helped me with whatever I needed. Miss Janet at the hostel across the street was great. She consulted with me on my foot, shuttled me to the health food store & provided breakfast on Tues & Wed (I didn't have time to get to breakfast this morning).Got to the trailhead at 9:30 and hiked slowly to Siler Bald Shelter. Two Shoes and Phil started also, but Phil was not at the shelter when I got there, guess he moved on. Two Shoes, Shameless Blue Blazer and Ninja showed up shortly thereafter then came Brown Stone & another man.Hiked in the clouds today, so did not have any views. Started to rain about 5pm. Hopefully will clear up tomorrow. Early to bed tonight.
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 7.88
Weather: overcast clouds

Ferocious rain and wind storms last night! The rain was crashing on the tin roof of the shelter. Then during the night there was a huge crash as a tree came down in the woods. Woke up to a world socked in by clouds and that is how it was for the whole day. It was cold, windy, and damp the whole day. Another night in a shelter. It is cold and windy, consensus of hikers thinks it is about 39 degrees. Add the windchill, and it is darn cold. Thank goodness it is not raining.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Wayah Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to absolutely clear skies and a beautiful sunrise, although it is very cold. Had a hard time getting out of my sleeping bag! Mice got into Shameless Blue Blazers pack during the night. His chamois cloth had numerous holes, and his TP was partially in shreds.I packed up and was on the trail by 8:30. This left foot is still painful. Worse on the downhills and just achy on the ups. There was a thin coat of ice on some parts of the trail, but then the day warmed up and it was back to black goo in many parts of the trail. I hiked alone again today, but Shameless passed me a Licklog Gap, so he was able to take my picture.Stopped at Cold Spring Shelter for water and then continued about 200 ft up the trail and there was a blue blaze trail to rocks that overlooked the valley. Sat there for 1hr 15 minutes relaxing and eating lunch.Met a woman and her young son when I was climbing Wesser Bald. That was a tough climb. I was getting tired. The woman took my picture at the fire tower on the top. I was too exhausted to climb the tower. Got to Wesser Bald Shelter at 4:50pm. No one else is here. Shameless left a note in the shelter log that he left at 4:45, deciding to hike closer to NOC. It was kind of freaky being here all alone. I set up my tent, made dinner, hung the bear bags (thank goodness they have bear cables here). I was in my tent for the night when a hiker I had never met showed up. His name is Featherfoot and his is from Sussex Co, NJ. Shortly thereafter Catfish and Alamo Rose arrived. All 3 of them are down at the shelter. My tent is set up on the only somewhat level area I could find up the hill. I feel better that I am not alone, but I was ready to it alone if necessary. Well, it's 8:07 and a full 37 minutes past my bedtime. Goodnight!
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a clear, beautiful day. Slept soundly last night. It was so good to be in my tent. No worry of mice scampering across my sleeping body! Packed up and was out by 8:30am. The trail started out fairly easy with gentle ups & downs, then desceded 2,277 ft in 4.1 miles. That was tough on my left foot and knees. I twisted my ever sore left foot twice and stumbled once. It was a rough downhill for me. Got to the NOC at 12:30. Staying in a room at base camp - a no-frills bunk bed. That's it. Bathroom and showers are in another building. No towels. What's the deal? Washed my hair in the sink in the bathroom and dried it with my bandana. Will figure out the twoel situation after I have lunch. Apparently I had to ask for a towel when I checked in. So back down the hill, across the river, across the road, and I ask the girl for a towel. How could she not know that I needed a towel? You should see me after 4 days on the trail. Unrecognizeable! So I get the towel, then go across the road, across the river, and up the hill to my private bunkroom (nice). Then, to get to the bathroom and showers - that's another 52 steps up the hill. That's right, I counted the number of steps in the outdoor stairway. So I showered and did my laundry and lay down for about 45 minutes.Then down the hill and across the river to the restaurant for dinner. It actually is an interesting place the NOC (Nantahala OUtdoor Center). The river has rapids and you can watch the kayakers go through the gates as they negotiate the rapids. The restaurant abuts the river, so you can watch the action while you eat.After all that I went back to my room to unpack the box Ron sent and organize all the food and re-pack my backpack. I'm off first thing tomorrow. Weather forecast - Mon: 30% chance of rain, Tues 70% chance of snow and freezing temps! Great! Stay tuned...
Date: 2009-04-06
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light snow

The day started partly cloudy and quickly turned major cloudy with dark gray clouds moving in quickly. It then began to sleet and that quickly turned to snow and fierce winds. Got to the shelter at 1:10pm. There were a few people there already. I set up on the lower level and then a steady stream of hikers came in out of the snow. Some are just stopping here and cooking a hot lunch and then moving on. The snow continued to fall and we all sat or laid in our sleeping bags watching the snow accumulate. The temps dropped throughout the afternoon. Two sisters, Hobbit and Knickers, lay next to me with their dog Jumar. He was the best behaved dog I have ever seen. He was covered with snow when he arrived and Hobbit dried him off and put him in a Western Mountaineering Storage Bag. The dog was completely enclosed in that bag and slept for hours. Hobbit used him as a pillow. When whe woke him up, she put his food bowl right by his head and he had dinner in bed. You would never have known that there was a dog in the shelter. 19 people squeezed into the 14 person two-tiered shelter. The mood was light-hearted with good-natured bantering in spite of the frigid, snowy weather. Trapper Lee, who I had met at NOC yesterday, hiked in with her friend Chris. She had just gotten a 20 degree bag at NOC and was going to give it a good test run tonight. I went to sleep at my usual 7:30pm. Sweet!
Date: 2009-04-07
To: Trail Angel - Paralee Dawson (Trapper Lee)
Miles today: 0.0

I met a trail angel the other day, and did not realize it until I was in the middle of a major snowstorm today. This is what happened..... I climbed out of the NOC in Wesser, NC yesterday. The weather was overcast, and rain was in the forecast. About 3 hours into the hike it began to sleet, the sleet very quickly changed to light snow, the light snow then changed int a full blown snowstorm. Now, I don't want to be dramatic, but it was snowing very hard by time I got to the shelter (5 hours from the start), and within the next few hours hikers were streaming into the shelter for the night. We squeezed 19 people into a two-tiered shelter that was supposed to only house 14! We were packed in like sardines, which is a nice thing when the temps dip into the 20's. We woke this morning to a continuing snowstorm, with drifts to the middle of my calfs. It is tough hiking through that much snow, when more is falling, and the winds are whipping at over 20 miles per hour.Now the trail angel part: On Sunday I met Trapper Lee at the NOC, and we chatted a number of times. She was doing a section hike with a friend, and also started out yesterday. I saw her on the trail today at Locust Cove Gap, after hiking about 3 miles. We were in a raging snowstorm at that point. She said that she was getting off the trail at the next town crossing, and she invited me to her home for the night, or longer if I wanted. It only took me a few minutes to determine that I wanted out of this snowstorm, because it was only getting worse. So her family met us at the next road crossing. I had been hiking 5 1/2 hours in this snowstorm at that point, and I was spent. It was so good to get into a heated vehicle, and head for a house with all the modern conveniences. Well now... Trapper Lee, known by most folks as Paralee Dawson, had hiked a good part of the AT in 2002, and has WRITTEN A BOOK ABOUT HER EXPERIENCES. The title of her book is "Living a Dream: Laughter, Pain and Life on the Appalachian Trail". I am now sitting in an author's home, having taken a shower, having had a wonderful dinner, and a great bed is awaiting this exhausted body! Can you belive my good fortune! Thank you so much Trapper Lee, I am honored to have met you! Thank you for your gracious hospitality, I will never forget this encounter. Signing off, and going to bedJersey Girl
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: light snow

Woke up to the snow continuing to fall. Looks like there is about 3-4 inches of accumulation. I left with Trapper Lee and Chris. It didn't take long to realize that this was going to be a tough day of hiking. The snow was coming down hard, and the drifts at the ridges were up to mid-calf and higher in some places. The winds were so strong that the snow was whipping sideways, pelting my face. It was nice when I came to protective stands of rhododendron.I met up with Trapper Lee and Chris in Locust Cove Gap, and that is when Trapper Lee told me that she had family coming to pick her up at Stecoah Gap and she was going home to Murphy, NC. She invited me to come to her home for the evening. At first I thought I would continue to the next shelter, but Chris looked at me and said that I really should take her up on her offer. I know I looked beat. Hiking in the ever accumulating snow was exhausting. So I agreed to go with Trapper Lee to her home.Thank goodness for the hikers that started out before us, they cut the path through the snow. But the wind was so fierce that their footprints were obliterated in places. Things really got scary when desceding into Stecoah Gap. The climb down was very steep, the path was hard to follow in places, and the rocks were treacherous. It was great to see Trapper Lee and her family at Stecoah Gap. A warm SUV greeted me with welcomed heat and safety. This was definatley the most harrowing day of hiking yet. Trapper Lee and her family took me to her home. I took a wonderful shower, had kielbasa with cabbage and potatoes for dinner, and then into bed for the night, at 7:30 of course.I am so fortunate for this offer of hospitality. It was great to get out of that frigid weather and to be in a cocoon of warmth for the evening. All my gear was hung on a dryer rack next to the wood stove in the living room. Turns out that Trapper Lee had hiked a good part of the AT in 2002 and has written a book "Living a Dream". Her real name is Paralee Dawson. I bought a book from her, shich she signed and she will send it home for me.