morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Campsite

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: broken clouds

Almost 17 miles today! The night was friggin¢ cold, and I couldn¢t find a comfortable position for my knee, so I didn¢t get a great night of sleep, but I was up by 6:15. Packed up in the freezing wind and was on the trail by 7:15. Crisp morning with some clouds that soon gave way to sun. A really wonderful morning with some great views and TRAIL MAGIC! At Burningtown Gap, Apple had set up his huge dome tent ¢ about 20 feet in diameter ¢ where he had coffee, hot chocolate, doughnuts, hotdogs, snickers and other stuff. This is something he does every year, and I was so grateful, and so touched by the kindness. Kept plugging away even though we found out that the NOC bunkhouse was full. So Wings, Feather and I were able to call ahead and reserve a room for them, and I got a cottage at a nearby place. Se we kept up a fast pace, ran into Honeypie and Hoss, the two guys who were so curious about my sexual orientation yesterday. I didn¢t have many words for them, which seemed to amuse them. No big surprise considering the source. And FINALLY, I caught up to Leki-less, Joy, Bloody Cactus and Nuffy. It was great to finally meet these internet friends, and they are great people. Had a really great view off Jumpout Point that moved me. I bid a very fond farewell to Wings and Feather who are taking a zero day tomorrow. I sure hope I meet up with them again because I grew very fond of them. They are fun, funny, great athletes and kept me sane. Looking forward to our next meeting. Today was a truly wonderful day. Everything was there. Meeting some great people. Seeing the countryside in a way that I had only dreamed of. Working hard to make good time. A hot shower. And kindness from Strangers. I was full. I was overflowing with wonderment and awe. All the things I hoped for form the trail happened to me in one day. It just reminded me that I need to find the wonderment and awe not only on the trail, but off. Hopefully I can learn in the months to come that whether I¢m on the trail or working to pay bills, or performing on a stage ¢ I can find the magic and awe if I just become more aware. People may find this overly sentimental, but I do believe in magic and miracles, wherever they come from. I expect nothing, but hope for everything. And I hope I can become more and more grateful for it all. I¢m learning.I¢ve decided my tent it named Bubba.Songs sung in my head today ¢IT¢S A SUNSHINE DAY¢ ¢UNDER THE BOARDWALK¢ ¢REUNITED¢ Best moment of the day: Being utterly full up of the views allowed me today.Worst moment: Having this day come to an end.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: NOC

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

Well, it¢s out of the way: my first 20 mile day. 22.2 to be exact. I really didn¢t plan on this, but things kind of fell in place. I was on the trail by 8:20, with a whole lot of up facing me out of the NOC. And, in addition, it was raining. The rain kept up for about 3 hours and then off and on during the afternoon clearing up a bit around 4:30. I got to the first shelter at around 11:30, with a good pace despite the climb. By that time everything I was wearing was soaked. So I headed out for the next shelter, knowing that a friend, Daniel, was in front of me. I was feeling pretty good, and made a deal with myself: if I made it to Brown Fork Shelter by 3:30, and AND Daniel had gone on to the next one, I would go, too. Right before the shelter was this insane climb up some ¢un-named cliff¢ that about killed me, and it was raining. I had to stop and catch my breath about 8 times up that thing. I made it to Brown Fork at 3:28 p.m., and Daniel was sitting there for a rest, just on his way to Cable Gap Shelter. I asked him to wait while I got some water and said I would go with him. Those last 6 miles were tough. Luckily I was able to talk with Daniel which made the time go faster and take my mind off the fact that my knees were quickly failing me. Daniel¢s a nice guy. From Tallahassee. Just graduated with a finance degree, and is planning on law school in the fall. He¢s already been accepted to Harvard and Yale, which he was extremely shy to say. We finally made it to Cable Gap shelter at about 6:30, and I am dead. A surprising amount of people here. I think there¢s 8 all together, so I¢m tenting, which should at least be warmer. The temp is already about 42. One of the guys here is Harrison, who I met back on day four. His trail name is now Mousetrap. He and I are going to try and get a room at the Hike Inn Tomorrow in Fontana. Get some laundry done, a good dinner. Luckily with my long day today, it¢s only 6 miles into Fontana. My legs will be happy. Sorry, no big philosophical hoo-haw tonight, daddy is way too tired.Songs sung in my head today ¢IT¢S RAINING MEN¢ ¢RAINING ON THE INSIDE¢ ¢EVERYBODY¢S WORKING FOR THE WEEKEND¢ ¢DANIEL¢I¢ve named my hiking poles ¢ The Leki brothers ¢ SLEEK and Creaky Leki. Best moment of the day: Finishing my first 20 mile day.Worst moment: Finishing my first 20 mile day.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Thank the Universe for short days. It was well worth the 22.2 miles I did yesterday. Did I mention I did 22.2 miles? That's right: 22.2 miles. My knees however, recovered beautifully. Although a little sore here and there, they are doing very well. I slept pretty well last night in my tent. But at about 11:30pm a huge thunderstorm went through with hard rain and lightening strikes that scared the crap out of me. But wow, the weather today was phenomenal. Reached Fontana Dam Visitors Center and called The Hike Inn and got a double room with Mousetrap. Daniel is here, too. And we ended up being the only three in the hostel. We got a ride into town and got to the internet, had a great Mexican lunch, and enjoyed some leisure time. Tomorrow we enter the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. I should be through them in five days, but I'll play it by ear. It sucks that it's the weekend, because with the great weather, there'll be a lot of weekend hikers filling up the shelters. I've decided to take a zero day in Hot Springs which should be in about a week or so. Songs sung in my head today:"MANIAC""AFRICA"Best Moment: Experiencing the kindness of Jeff and Nancy Hoch at the Hike InnWorst Moment: None
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: few clouds

Slept really great last night for a total of nine hours. Had a shower last night and another one this morning. Was on the trail with Mousetrap by 8am. Ran into Trail Lite also, just past the dam. Someone said the climb out of the dam was worse than the one out of the NOC, but it wasn't for me. Was finished within about two hours. There's a firetower on top of Shuckstack Mountain that I had evert intention of climbing, but I got to the second flight of steps and the wind picked up and it started to wobble and I totally wussed out. The Smokies are incredibly beautiful with great views and good shelters. The legs felt fantastic. Mousetrap and Trail Lite stayed at the previous shelter and Daniel made it to this one. There's two other guys here, T and Steve. At this point the clouds are rolling in and I think there will be rain. I hope it clear before morning. I want to do a big mileage day tomorrow, see if I can get to Clingman's Dome. But if it's raining tomorrow morning, I'm not sure what I'll do. Clingman's Dome is the highest mountain on the trail at 6643 Feet. Something that I'm noticing is that although the day goes by really fast, it feels like I've been on the trail for ages. It's two weeks today. Happy anniversary to me. If I reach the shelter after Clingman tomorrow, I'll be just shy of two hundred miles. It seems so long ago that I stood on the top of Springer. Maybe it's because during that time I've learned so much and really filled each day. I learn about the trail, my body, my gear, my reaction to being away from friends. Smash all that into two weeks and I guess it would seem like a long time. Today is also the first day of Spring. Happy equinox to everyone. Many blessings from the Universe to you all as we begin a season of growth and potential. Anticipation is a wonderful thing. Of course, living in the moment is great too. A healthy balance.Songs sung inmyhead today:"ROCKY TOP""SHIKSA GODDESS""WHO WILL LOVE ME AS I AM?"Best Moment: Looking back over the mountains seeing the fire tower I passed and seeing how far I've come. Yay for me. Worst: None
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

A challenging, yet fun day. I had put a wish out to the Universe for a clear day, but I guess I need to be a bit more specific since it was a clear day, but the temp had dropped and the wind was incredibly strong. It had rained ferociously during the night so there was a lot of mud and standing water. I was on the trail by 7am and going fairly fine, but the wind was so tough: strong and cold. I decided that even though I wanted to make it to the Dome today, that it wasn't going to happen. The weather conditions were a little annoying and I thought why push it? When I got to this shelter there were eight kids here from Columbus Ohio here on Spring Break not too happy that the temp was in the high 30's. I heard several of them regret that they didn't go somewhere tropical like most normal college students. I just got my sleeping bag out and hunkered down to warm up a bit. I eventually got up and made dinner, hung my food, and thoroughly enjoyed the youthful atmosphere by which I was surrounded. Another four guys from Chicago joined us later and it was a night of high humor, and very low temps. But some of the guys put a tarp over the front of the shelter and it helped so much with the wind. Add a nice fire in the shelter fireplace and although we could still see our breath, it had the appearance of a cozy scene. Right now it's 6pm and it's 33 degrees with the temp dropping steadily each hour. I have all my layers on. I'll send some prayers up tonight for some warmer temps for tomorrow. But overall, a pretty fine day. Yay for me.
Date: 2004-06-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay,here I am once again.Just days from setting out on the trail.I have been there,done that and still I am giddy with excitement.Knowing what I do from last year's six months plus on the trail, I am still anxious to get started.It has been a long weary winter.The spring season that usually excites me and sends me scurrying to the garden has only made me impatient to be back on the trail. I say to people"I want to finish this trail.I need to finish this trail".But is that really the reason I am once again heading north?? At times I am afraid that this is a way for me to put off dealing with the things life throws at you when you least expect it. The memories of hiking in snow,rain,cold, rain,more snow,then bugs and heat does nothing to dimish my desire to go.The comfortable air conditioned home I have,my car,my family, my husband ,children,grandchildren,my church friends.I am willing ,yea, impatient to leave them all behind.To exchange comforts and conveiences for the rigors and hardness of the trail.But the hardness is softened by the sights and smells,the wonders and beauty of the woods. The comforts of home are quickly forgotten,replaced by the freedom that comes from being removed from the very things that are designed to comfort you. We own nothing.It owns us.Whether we feed it or tend it ,drive it or use it.It owns us. Part of me is terribly afraid that when I finish the trail this year,it will not be enough for me,that I will never again want to go back to life as I knew it for so many years. Only time will tell. I am still processing what I experienced last year on the trail.I still am daily confronting thoughts and beleifs I held ,that need to be thrown aside.Cast off. Those things that weigh me down,determine who I am and what I could become. Truly I feel like a butterfly,about to escape from it's cocoon,at long last ready to be free. The trouble is,I don't feel it is my time yet.I am not quite "done".So off I trek....to search for what remains for me to grasp....Only a few short days now....Will i get my wings this time?
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Hwy 850, Pa.

To: Boiling Springs, Pa.
Miles today: 16.6

Start Highway 850Destination Boiling Springs, Pa.Why is it when I can sleep late, I always wake up early? Probably the same reason that when I have a bathroom within ten feet of me, I never have to get up in the night to use it. But put me in tent... Breakfast was wonderful this morning. Fresh honey dew melon. Then Eggs Florintine juice, hot tea and sweet breads, all cooked by some one else! The table was set in a red, white and blue decor for the holiday. I do love a pretty table setting. I could not decide last night if wanted to stay here another day or hike. So I did both! I arranged for a shuttle to drop me off north of here and I would slack pack south, back to town. I borrowed a day pack from Veej and packed my lunch, water bottle, headlamp and data book. A 500 foot climb warmed me up and for the next several hours, it was just a level trail leading thru the woods. I hiked thru freshly mown hay fields, around corn fields and bean fields, past dairy farms where cows lazily chewed their cuds as I passed. The trail would reenter the woods for a while, where ferns grew profusely, and rocks were slippery with moss. Every once in a while there would be a patch of fresh raspberries, which I would pick and stuff in my mouth as I hiked. I hiked to the halfway point before I stopped at Scott Farm for lunch. There was a water spigot there and a newly serviced porta pottie. I sat down to eat just as the rain started. After a few minutes though the rain stop and the sun came out, everything turned steamy and humid. By mid afternoon another thunderstorm came though and this time I was not so lucky. In no time I was drenched, with water squishing at every step. As I hiked along the river a big clap of thunder sent the ducks squawking and sending me hiking faster. For the next three hours I hiked in the rain, still stopping to eat berries along the trail. ! I hike no faster without my pack, and it took me a full eight hours to hike 16 miles. The rain stopped just as I got into town. I dragged my soaking wet self up to the Gelinas Inn and got in the shower. That hot water felt so good. I wrung out my wet clothes and hung them to dry. I found some newspaper and stuffed my boots, hoping to dry them out some. I went to supper with Magoo and Veej. On the way down, we ran into Ersa Minor and invited her to go with us. When we left the restaurant the rain was just beginning to fall again. Then as soon as we got back to our room, the rain turned into a torrent. We scavenged through Magoo's food bag, since he was through hiking, and then said our goodnights. I can only hope for dry weather tomorrow.Total miles 16.6
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Start Rausch Gap ShelterDestination William Penn ShelterI was shocked to wake up and find out I could still walk. I had gotten up during the night and rather than turning my headlamp on and waking the others, on the way back to my tent, I tried to find my way in the dark. I stumbled around trying to feel my way back to my tent. When I finally realized I was on an incline and not headed back to my tent I switched on my light. About that time I dislodged a boulder with my toe and bit my lip to keep from yelling out. I finally turned the lamp on having to shine it this way and that before I could find my tent. I cannot ever remember a day of hiking in which my feet hurt so badly. No matter how I stepped it was painful. Yesterdays miles really took a toll on my feet. I put the last of my duct tape on the worst of the blisters and for the first half of the day hobbled up and down the trail. I came up on Swan and Ursa Minor taking a break for lunch. Ursa has decided to hike in her camp shoes for awhile to hopefully dry out her blisters. Up the trail she went, moving somewhat faster than before and definitely faster than me. I sat down at the next clearing and took off my boots. I tied then onto the back of my pack, grabbed my campshoes, which are just glorified flip flops and away I went. How wonderful it felt not to be in horrific pain with every step. Of course when I would stub a rock with my toe, it would be pretty painful, but that only lasted a few steps. How far could I hike in these things, I wonder? Thankfully most of the remaining trail today was fairly grassy with just a few! Rocky places thrown in for good measure. It was the brambles that kept grabbing my arms and leaving scratches that was difficult to deal with. Swan and Ursa Minor are going to the next shelter after I stop. I hate to lose good hiking company, but I know even if I had four more miles left in me this afternoon, there¢s no way I could do fifteen miler tomorrow.   By four o clock I have my tent set up, supper is finished and I have finished a cup of hot chocolate. I have hung my food bag up, and a clothesline to dry my sooks, bandana and gloves out. The 700 feet down to the creek was not very steep at all. I filled my bottles so now I have enough water for breakfast in the morning. I figure tomorrow my feet will be sore and stone bruised, but at least I got here today. The shortage of water keeps a person from just setting up camp anywhere along the trail. Believe you me, I would have made camp yesterday after about ten miles. Tomorrow there is a shelter just 4 miles from here. I know, at least I hope I know, that I can do at least 4 miles tomorrow. But for today, my hike is over and I can relax and swat bugs until it is dark enough to go to bed. I have finished reading the book I have been reading for two weeks now. I will leave it in the shelter tomorrow for someone else to enjoy.Total miles 13.3
Date: 2004-07-13
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Start 501 ShelterDestination Eagles Nest Shelter I listened to the rain hitting the sunroof off and on all night. One of the hikers was up and packing at 5:30. I rolled over and tried to go back to sleep. One by one the hikers woke up and started stirring around. I fixed some breakfast, packed and was on the trail by 7:30. It was overcast with a light grey mist covering the woods. The rain that clung to the trees would drop down just enough to cool me off. It was wonderful walking through the woods that early. The birds were singing and everything had that fresh smell after being washed by the rain, everything except me that is. The sky stayed cloudy all day long but no more rain fell. A few times the sun peeked through the clouds. In places the trail was like a miniature river as the runoff flowed down the mountain. For some reason the day passed really fast. Maybe the short day yesterday rejuvenated my spirits as well as my body. I was at the shelter by early evening. I set up my tent and hoped it would dry out. Then finally the sun came out and within an hour my tent was almost dry. There are some south bounders in the shelter tonight and one of them has a small guitar. I listen to a young woman sing Me and Bobby McKee. The birds are backing her up with their own tunes. These are the times that I will remember long after this hike is over. Not how long and hard the climbs were or how steep and rocky the descents were, but the evenings in the shelters, where people of all ages, all cultures come together as one body. The trail binds us together and for now that is enough.Total miles 15.1
Date: 2004-07-22
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Glen Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: haze

Start Mohican CenterDestination Glen Anderson Shelter It was still cool when I started hiking this morning. It makes such a difference to have a light pack. All I am carrying is my food for today, my camp shoes, water filter, water bottles, and headlamp and rain gear. It may be my imagination, but I do believe that the trail is just a wee bit less rocky today. Most of the trail is along the ridge of Rattlesnake Mountain. There are just a few trees to shade the trail, so it is hot as I hike along. Luckily I do not see but a small oak snake sunning himself on the rocks. I cannot bring myself to hike 2 miles down to see Buttermilk Falls. I stop at a shady place for lunch. I take off my shoes and socks and let my boots and feet cool down. While I am eating, I pick a wood tick from my leg before he has a chance to make a meal off of me. The extra cushion on my toe seems to help and before I know it I am at Gypsy¢s Tavern, where our things have been left. I order a hamburger and onion rings for my supper and drink four glasses of water, followed by a Birch Root Beer. By this time the rest of the hikers have come in and we are watching the weather forecast.Thunderstorms for tonight, and tomorrow. I consider staying in town at a local motel. I am not sure I can hike another 3.6 miles up to the next shelter. After a meal and a rest, I convince myself to hike out of town. It¢s another 90 minutes to the shelter. As I pass a fire tower I contemplate camping there for the night, but lack of flat places force me to hike on. I get my tent set up before dark, and put my food bag in the bear box that is here. There is a large metal box with a lock on it that is supposed to be bear proof. There are bags of fresh cookies, drink mixes and first aid supplies in the box for thru hikers. Cookies and water will be my desert for tonight. The wind picks up and I am certain it is going to rain at any time. The mosquitoes are out in droves. I am glad to be in my tent and safe from being their evening meal. The privy here is a vault toilet with two pieces of lattice to shield it. So if you have to use it, you have to look over at it to see if it is available. But you don't want to look too long; less someone think you are intruding on their privacy! What little privacy there is! Total miles 20.9