morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Blood Mountain

To: Past Hawk Mountain
Miles today: 0.0

Cricket and I arrived at the lodge last night. At dinner Cricket asked for the wine list. The answer...."We have red or white." I was home in the rural south, and the simplicity of my trip had begun.We spent over two hours tearing through all of my gear last night. Cricket's ears literally perked up as I drug out my pack. She drove a Porsche, had two beautiful children, and had everything she could possibly want, but the gleam in her eye as she focused on the pack contents let you know that "the call" was very strong. Cricket had done the AT and the PCT. She was a hiker, it was spring, and the fever to begin totally rivaled her responsibilities.I'm ready to go. I'm ready to hike. The only thing holding back right now......Cricket is sleeping. I, of course,e have to wait on Cricket b/c she wants to go to the starting plaque. She is even going to gimp a mile up Springer in her cast. Of course she has made me promise not to tell her husband Glenn, and writing it in my on-line journal keeps this promise....:-).I've made it to Hawk Mountain tonite. The weather was LOUSY today. It rained the entire day, and at the exact same time I began setting up my tent, the skies literally opened up, and one of those stray storm cells the maintaineer claimed had missed us found it's way here.I stopped by the shelter on my way to the tent site. It was full. It's a nice shelter. I'm curled up in my tent. I've managed to find a warm spot amidst the numerous puddles created as I set-up the tent. The wind is blasting through the trees and I'm getting sleepy. Sure hope there are no widow makers hanging around.Mayfly
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Hawk Mountain

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The subject of this e-mail describes last night and all of today. As I was setting up my tent last night I got SLAMMED! My timing was perfect. I arrived at Hawk Mountain shelter, and came around the corner to see a rather large group of faces peering back at me. I'm not really shy, but I am more comfortable away from groups or crowds. I just kinda smiled and said I was going to go pitch my tent. An older couple insisted there was room in the shelter, but at that moment, peering into a totally foreign group of faces, the tent offered some security I currently needed on this new adventure where everything was still a little unknown.I was just pulling out my little yellow bubble (no trouble locating this gal), when the first lightning strike popped right across the clearing. I got hit by a monsoon, accompanied by lightning and hail. Out of the corner of my eye I observed others struggling to set up their tent and tarp before the rain let loose. I was not fast enough, and within about thirty seconds, everything I had was soaked. I did manage to salvage the sleeping bag and a change of clothes. I sopped up a lot of the water with my dry bandanna, and as I curled up on my dry Thermarest, I tilted my head back and observed the surrounding woods. An older gentlemen had set up his bright orange tent about 20 yards away, and the middle was already completely sagging in the middle with collected water. Another hiker (that had the appearance of a hard core trail junkie) was already curled up under his tarp, but it was so high off the ground, that sheets of rain were blowing under it and soaking him. I would have to say that of the rainbow of little bubbles stretched through the woods, mine appeared the most weather resistant for the time being. I would see the hard core tarp man for the next couple of days, but I never saw the older gentleman in the orange habitat again. The next day's hike was pretty uneventful. I startled a Turkey which sounded like a helicopter taking off. He was startled, and I had the bejeezies scared out of me. It was freakin loud as hell! Tonight I'm in a rather nice shelter with a great overhang. I rarely stay in shelters, but it is still raining and freezing outside, and the setting up my wet little tent is not overly appealing. I'm crammed into this shelter like a Sardine, and unfortunately that is not making things any warmer.Everybody seems very nice. Mostly young kids...five on springbreak with no tent, so they will have to be wedged into the shelter. They also are wearing jeans and cotton sweat shirts which appear wet, so I know they must be cold.Rumor has it that the fellas down below are major snorers. I sure hope not b/c there is not enough room up here to drop a shoe on them accidently...:-)Finally, and most importantly, I have relatively few aches and pains, no blisters and very little frost bite. My fingers are a little split on the tips. I had to wear my water logged gloves, so they soaked all day long...ouch.I have to go try and get warm now. My fingers are stiffening.Mayfly
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Blood Mountain
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

I stayed at Gooch Mountain Shelter last night. Probably one of the few times I will stay at a shelter, but everything (including me) was soaking wet and it was freezing last night!The shelter was pretty nice. It had three sides with a long roof. It was made to hold 12. We had 18! There were both thru hikers and some just out backpacking for a few days.I slept next to two girls from New Jersey. I believe one of them had the trail name "Blue Sky" and I'll just call the other one "Happy Tattoos" since I don't ever think she quit laughing and she had a tattoo on each calf. They were absolutely hysterical.There were about three snorers that had a damn symphony going on. Blue Sky informed me that I may have also snored, but I'm sure she must have had me confused with one of the other 18 sardines.The hiking was tough today and my poor little piggies are aching as I type this. I may even have a blister, but I've not checked yet.Ran into some great trail angels at Woody's Gap. They had put together a great spread! I only grabbed a soda and a brownie and headed on up the trail. I guess my appetite has not kicked in yet. Thanks for the food "Tracker and Sharon"!I'm at Blood Moutain tonight...home of the shelter with the rumored mutant rats. Needless to say, I'm tenting away from the shelter. There is nobody else near by, and I've found a great little stealth site from where I can even watch the sunset from a big rock out cropping right next to my tent.The sun is setting...gotta scoot.Mayfly
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Tray Mountain

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I walked out of the woods yesterday, and heard someone yell "Ellie"! In amazement I turned to see my brother in the small parking area across the road. He, Jacqueline, and the boys had come to find me for a visit. They were expecting me on Sunday, but I was a day early. They were on their way into town, saw some hikers where the AT crosses the road and had stopped to see if any of them knew how far back "Mayfly" was. Now is that a hell of a coincidence or what?! I just wanted to drop down and hug his dirty boots. That is the happiest I have ever been to see my brother! Let me backtrack a bit and explain this a though.The last couple of days had been a little rough. The AT had officially "hazed" me in my first week of hiking. In seven days I'd seen rain, hail, ligjhtning, ice, snow, and sun. The last two days had been the roughest, and yesterday had beem the coup de gras!Yesterday I woke up on Tray Mountain to temps in the 20's and it starting to snow. The winds had howled all night, so I was pretty sure some kind of front was coming through. I was tired b/c I had hiked my first 15 miler the previous day and had 10.5 more to do to make it into Hiawassee, GA.I popped my morning Vitamin I (Ibuprophin) and headed down the mountain assuming conditions would improve at lower elevations, Wrong! They got worse!By the time I made it to Addis Gap to begin the climb up Kelly's Knob, my thermometer said 16 damn degrees. If that was right, then I've no idea what it was with the wind chill! All I know is the wind gusts were about knocking me over and the water in my bottle was freezing. I had on two jackets, my capilene mid-weight tights, and shorts over those. Rule of the day. Just keep climbing. If I stopped to even eat I got cold too quickly, and it took forever to warm back up.The weather only deteriorated as the day continued, and I climbed in this mini-blizzard from when I got up until about twenty minutes before I saw Lee. That is why it was simply so wonderful to see my brother with his warm vehicle at Dick Creek Gap yesterday.The last seven days have had their rough moments, but these mountains are beautiful. I've got some beautiful sunset pics from Blood Mountain, and even some of the snow. I'll post these when I get to a location where I can do this up the trail.I had supper yesterday with Lee and Jaqueline, washed everything, and I'm back on the trail today. I started hiking around 1:30, and I'm about 6.7 miles in camped on a little knob on the side of an unnamed mountain.Sent via BlackBerry - a service from AT&T Wireless.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Campsite outside Hiawassee

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked out of Georgia today and into NC. One state down and 12 more to go, I believe. I also noted about a mile from my campsite that I entered a bear sanctuary. Hopefully, I'll have no visitors.Today was tough. Easily some of the toughest climbs I've had to date.This is going to be a short entry. I'm very tired and I have to go work on my poor little hamburger feet.Ciao
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Beech Gap

To: Top of mountain above Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

I'm stopped at the gap where Betty Creek trail intersects. I'm making some lunch for the climb up to Mt. Albert. Lord knows I'll probably need the energy. I'm told it is a rock scramble using all fours.Just sent Cricket an e-mail. She wanted to meet me tomorrow with her boys, but I'm not sure I'll be out to the road by in the morning.I'm minus a chunk of skin on each toe on my left foot. It is from repeatedly wearing wet boots on consecutive days, I guess. I've moleskinned them to death, but a couple of them are a little ugly. Anyway, they have slowed me down a little. I may have to take a day in Lincoln to let them rest a bit. I also hear there are some bad rains coming, and I need to seal my tent again.Time for lunch.Albert mountain was interesting. The ex-Rainbow Spring caretakers were there giving out trail magic. They had been there with their camper since the fifteenth. Nice people. They were giving out homemade burritos and sodas, etc.Trail magic is everywhere here in the south. Usually I just grab a soda or something quick and head on out. It is amazing that all these people go to all of this trouble for hikers. There is a lot of controversey about it diminishing the hiking experience. It does seem a little elaborate sometimes, but I really have no opinion. The angels are nice people, and I do love a cold soda!Time to hit the sack. Into Franklin tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Top of mountain above Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: clear sky

I am sitting here in the Franklin Hotel in Franklin, NC, with my foot stuck in atrash can of hot water with Epsom salts trying to bring down the swelling.I camped on top of an unnamed mountain about four miles out of Franklin thismorning.. I had trouble getting my left foot into my boot. I pulled off thesock and studied my angry red toe and red swollen foot.I found a Baptist ministry group doing trail magic at the road crossing, and twoof the women (super cool teachers from Spartanburg, SC) gave me a ride toFranklin and to the hotel. City taxi gave me a ride to the Pharmacy, PO, localoutfitters. I've been told I need antibiotics, but not by a doctor, so I'mgoing to soak it and check it in the morning.I was hoping to get back out tomorrow, but I may have to wait til Friday morningif the toe is still swollen. I'm still three days ahead of my schedule, soloosing one is ok.I just finished a light lunch consisting of a medium pizza, a dozen spicychicken wings, and two sodas.   Yummmm.....I think my hiker appetite isbeginning to kick into gear. Where's dessert! Ha! I LOVE the AT diet! It hasSouthbeach beat hand's down.Gotta go soak. Ciao
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

At least my big fat ugly toe picked bad weather to act up. It is raining and dreary outside, and the weather tomorrow is supposed to be the same.I ate breakfast at a little restaurant across the street called "Normandies." The biscuits were awesome...light and flakey, and I clearly was at home in the south again. The restaurant has been there 50 years, and the woman that has owned it for the last 36 years was my waitress. She is a very kind older woman who immediately made me feel comfortable.I smiled as I watched the regulars stroll through the front door. They would walk in, smile, wave, and nod to everyone they knew, which was most everyone in the restaurant. I think I was the only "foreigner" in the place.. I love the south.I've done most of my chores, so I'm now washing everything a second time. I'm also shaving some more weight, and in the morning I'm going to the Outfitter's to get some trail runners to replace my light weight boots. I like my boots just fine and weight is no issue, but I want something more breathable that will dry faster with a bigger toe box.I also changed rooms and my new room is HUGE. My neighbors yesterday were having a "domestic quarrel" and appeared to be settled in for the evening with an ample supply of "energy" to continue their on-going loud discussion for the evening.I'm off to soak the ugly toe, and see if there is something else I can shave off the gear. I'm down to grams now.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The toe is still red and swollen, but there is a definite improvement today. The swelling in the foot has lessened, but it's still tough getting the foot inthe boot.The weather is still somewhat dreary, but the temperatures are just perfect. Iwant to be back out hiking. I am about to go stir crazy looking for things tokeep me occupied between soaking and elevating this damn foot.There appear to be other hikers here at the hotel. I saw Walrus yesterdayafternoon. I've not gone searching for any of them,though. I just want to getthis foot healed as quickly as possible, and running around on it is contrary tothe instructions I was given. Honestly, the hiker social scene is a big part of this hike for a lot of people,but I've really not developed that dynamic. I've met other hikers, but many ofthem hike from shelter to shelter, and stay at the shelters. Unless the weatheris really bad, I typically avoid the shelters. I meet people as I hike, but itis usually brief and in passing as I'm hiking during the day.I enjoy meeting other hikers. Many I've met are off now, and those still onwill be several days ahead, so I'll get to meet entirely new hikers, which iscool. I also fiigure that if I avoid people, I may get to see some cool wildlife (froma distance and on my terms, of course). To date, my wildlife count is up to onesnake, three deer, and numerous wild turkeys. I was really jealous of a hiker acouple days ahead of me. He left a register entry stating he had come across ahuge wild boar. It appears HOGZILLA is alive and well in North Carolina!Gotta scoot.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Finally...a real computer! The Blackberry is working out great (once I figured out not to use the back light and run down the battery), but those tiny little keys make it harder to do more than click out a clump of short sentences.I'm in the Franklin library, but they have their control panel restricted so I can't mess around to upload my digital pics. They have a call into their tec. group, but I won't hold my breath. Where is Mike H. when I need him! Oh well, the librarians are southerners, and super nice people anyway.The last several weeks have been great, although weather and my poor soft body have allowed for ups and downs on a daily basis. All expectations have been met for a southern spring. I've gotten cold, rain, snow, sun, ice, heat, etc. I expected no less. My feet have screamed about 4 days of walking wet, and finally retaliated with a lovely little toe infection that has left me high and dry here in Franklin, NC for a few days with a big fat foot. It is better today but still pretty sore. I'm giving it one more full day, and we are back on the trail! Seriously, if I've learned nothing else, listen to the piggies, or they will make your life miserable!My appetite has definitely been jump started (not that I ever ate like a bird before). A typical lunch here in Franklin includes a medium pizza and a dozen wings! Ha! Here is one for ya also...and you Yanks will love this. I had breakfast across the street (grits, pork tenderloin, coffee, two eggs, 2 BIG biscuits) for $3.25! Go figure..that would have bought one of my biscuits in CT! I think I mentioned this in an earlier entry, but not the price.For anyone interested, trail food usually consists of about 6 granola bars and one king size Snickers/day, along with lunch (tortilla filled with summer sausage and cheese), and a dehydrated dinner (spaghetti, lasagna, rice, pasta, etc). In between all of these I am STILL hungry, and I've only just started. I can't imagine how I'm going to carry enough food to keep fed in a month. I may just have to carry a large fur coat (fake of course) and raid the shelters at night. I can see the headlines...."Large bear reportedly operating bear cables to retrieve food as hikers cringe in shelters and tents!" I'm sure that would last long. I've not doubts that a thru-hiker would attack a bear to protect their food.I have to run to the grocery store for some resupply items, and I think it's time for lunch.Thanks for all the notes, e-mails, and well wishes.Shouts out to Maria, Hayden, Jackson, Lee, Lee, Jaqueline, Mom, and Cricket. Thanks for everything!
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Franklin, NC

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

I replaced my boots with Merrell trail shoes today. Here is the amazing thing. They are 2 SIZES larger than my dang boots! They are also slightly heavier, and for the first time in years, they have no gore-tex. I'm hoping they will dry more quickly, and be more flexible. Most importantly, the damaged toe has much more room to move around and breathe in a larger toe box.Cricket and Glenn came into Franklin late last night with their two boys. They stayed a couple of rooms down from mine. Their two little boys are real cuties but I'm glad there are big concrete walls seperating these rooms....:-). Boys will be boys.They were super nice and I had a good time. They took me to the PO to forward my bounce box, and send some things home, and we then spent the day up at the NOC. Now I'll get to see it twice since I'll probably be there in a couple of days. I'm leaving first thing in the morning. I can't wait to get back out on the trail. I will be taking it a little slow since the toe is still pretty swollen, but I think it will be fine.Merry Trails!
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Franklin, NC

To: Other side of Wayah Bald
Miles today: 11.0

I finally got out of Franklin, NC today. Cricket and Glenn dropped me off at Winding Stair Gap where I got off Wednesday. Thanks a lot for toting me around to run errands on Sunday. I really appreciated the help. I also had a good time running around and it was great seeing the boys. They are a couple of cute fellas."Tracker" was at Winding Stair when we arrived. He was the first Trail Angel I met down in Georgia. He and his wife are super nice people, and it is amazing what they do for the hikers. Thank you both!I met some new hikers today, and they all seem like like really nice people. I met Albert the Dr. from MD. Nice guy that left me in his dust. I also met Miss young twenty something "Sunflower. She seems sweet. She was nervous about camping with no other people around, so I told her I would camp where she camped tonight, just on the other side of the bald mountain. I'm glad I did. It was entertaining watching her trying to hang her food bags. She ended up doing a stellar job, and no bears are going to get HER food!The NOC is about 15 miles tomorrow, and I think that is still a little far for the toe. I probably won't make it in till day after tomorrow. The toe is still pretty sore, and there is now a new blister next to the hurt toe b/c of the hurt toe's bandage rubbing it. DAMN! Oh well, I have plenty of moleskin.Time to snooze.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Other side of Wayah Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Rain tonight so I'm staying in Wesser Bald Shelter. Started out the evening with only 4 women, but a fella and another girl just showed up for the evening. This is a first. I don't think I've ever been in a shelter with mmore than about a 2:10 ratio. Women are definitely in the minority. Today's hike was tough. The toe complained bitterly, but I told it to suck it up. I promised the toe a burger and coke tomorrow when we go through the NOC. It is going to be a rough climb down tomorrow, and the toe will deserve it.The dynamics of a women's shelter are very interesting. Quit reading here men. We have discussed chafing, pros and cons of deoderant, bras, positive energy, negative energy, psychic predictions, exofitio underwear and how to duct tape it to your legs to keep it from rolling. Now come on, would you actually discuss these things with males in the shelter.I'm going to follow Simon's lead (the black lab sleeping near me) and hit the sack.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

I arrived at the NOC around lunch time today. It started raining around 10:30and is supposed to quit tomorrow around the same time. I wasn't going to stay,but the crappy weather coupled with the 5,000 foot of elevation to climb over 5miles changed my mind. I grabbed a room and I'm leaving early in the morning.There are A LOT of hikers staying here. It appears many of them have taken a"Zero", and a lot are slack packing tomorrow. For those interested, slackpacking is day hiking without your pack. Someone drops you off and picks youup, and you only carry what you need for the day, ie., water and snacks.....nopack. It is quite popular out here. Due to the new hostel in Dahlonega, GAthere are some hikers that slacked the entire state of GA...hike during the dayand shower, food and bed at night. At this point I don't plan on slacking, butto each their own. Hike as you want and just enjoy yourself.It's pretty cool having so many hikers in one place. Some days I'll hike wholedays without seeing anyone, and then camp alone. Many of the hikers havecongealed into groups b/c they travel at similar paces, and bonds develop overtime, seeing the same people each night if you stay in shelters. I've notreally had this happen b/c I don't stay at shelters that often, but that'salright b/c I enjoy meeting different people.Let's see if I can name a few staying here. Some of the trail names are prettyfunny, and most all have a little history behind them. Spicey Thai (pronouncedthigh)...nice guy, Cold Feet, Mud Butt and Mimi, Wookie, Ugh, Doctor Albert,Oma, Opa, Big Sweetie, Slick, Scarecrow, Swingin Jane, Sunflower, Tortuga, FiftyShort, etc. There are others, but I don't know their names.There is no TV and only one phone, but there is a common room where I'm stayingand periodically throughout the day you will find hikers hanging out tellingstories and chatting. A lot of these people are true characters, and some oftheir trail stories are absolutely hysterical.Gotta run do some laundry since I'm headed out so early in the morning. Thenext couple of days are going to be some brutal climbing, but I'd like to makeFontana Dam by Friday