morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-24
From: Hiawassee

To: Standing Indian
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I came into NC today...as soon as I crossed the line, it started raining...what a welcome home, thanks guys. I now sit on top of a legend. Standing Indian is known for a massive beast that indians would stand and look out for until lightning struck and killed the beast. Now, another beast roams the land. Me, and a bear. There are warnings all over the place about bears and how to be safe around them and secure yourself against them. Supposedly, the one on this mountain has lost its fear of humans. Bring it on, I say. This morning, I fought the rain for 3 hours. Tonight I'll fight a bear.I think it's hilarious the way people think they are safe when they are clearly not. I'm probably a good enough example. I keep the four-inch blade of my knife right beside me at all times, even when I sleep. How well will that honestly protect me? Ha. I read that one guy woke up to being straddled by a bear. Imagine if he had his knife. What do you do? It's much the same with airport security. 2 weeks ago, I ran my carry-on through the x-ray machine with shampoo and shower gel in it. That is what they were, but the reality is it could have been anything. My mother, on the other hand, was not allowed to carry a bottle of water through to take medication. Hypocrisy. My dad said he once saw a nun in her 70's in full habit getting patted down at the airport. Yeah, I feel real secure getting on planes hearing that. Before 9/11, our airport safety consisted of the 3 questions they ask you to keep you from blowing up the plane. Because you were obviously going to answer truthfully had you been planning an attack. George Carlin and Robin Williams have some funny remarks on the issue, check it out. But seriously, it's a complete joke the way government handles problems like this. Oh sure, hindsight is 20/20 now that the WTC buildings are gone. Much like our troops in Iraq. Thanks, George. If it weren't getting dark on top of this mountain, I could fill a book on this, but it'll have to wait. 20 miles of blue skies tomorrow. Sweet dreams.
Date: 2007-04-25
From: Standing Indian

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

The question I was asked most before I left was "Who are you going with?" or "Are you going alone?" And the answers to both of those questions was the same, "Yep, unless you're coming with me." or "Nobody." which would be immediately followed by, "So, you're going alone, then?" The answer is still yes. Although, for the last week, I haven't been truly alone until tonight. Tonight, I find myself a solo camper in the Rock Gap Shelter. So the subject of this entry can be only one thing, loneliness. What does it mean to be alone? Is it when there's noone around? Is it when you hear the wind blow? Is it when you hear your heart beat? Is it when you can think? Is it when time stands still? Maybe it's when you have nothing to do, noone to talk to, and everything around you means zero. Who is ever alone? Is it the single girl at the bar who flaunts herself because she feels she needs the attention? Is it the intellectual who spends all day at the library and speaks to noone. Is it the hermit on the side of a mountain living in a cave? Was it Jesus on the cross?There are times when we seem to find ourselves in perpetual states of loneliness. But how do we get there? It's not something we set out to do. We don't want to be there. Regardless, we end up in that same spot. Then, once we're there, it's hard to break free. It's increasingly difficult to have the courage to not just weather the storm, but to take control of it.Stand up, lonely girl. Be brave, shy boy. Come out, hermit. Climb down, Jesus. You're not alone, you're just lonely......Praying for some company tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Rock Gap

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Well, I got the company for which I was hoping. But not where I was hoping for it. It's been raining for close to 4 hours now with no sign of clearing up. I heard the forecast was for thunder, lightning, and possibly hail, but no sign of those yet, either. It's 12 1/2 miles to the next shelter, so none of the four of us want to risk running ridges in a lightning storm. Pretty good logic, I guess. Here's a logical equation for you:No rain=No painNo pain=No gainTherefore, Rain=SUCKSComing in out of the storm on the AT simply means getting out of falling rain. You are still very much in the storm. There is no heat vent to stand by, no towel to dry yourself off, and no hot apple cider waiting for you. You come in out of falling rain with sopping wet clothes, a sullen spirit, and a prayer of thanksgiving for the 3, count 'em 3, walls that comprise a shelter. You do nothing but tell yourself, "I brought this on myself, I asked for it, here it is." Every droplet that spatters on the tin roof of this 3-walled cave reminds you how challenging your ultimate goal is. The erratic rhythm of rain and wind create a symphony of sorrow. Everyone is silent. We're all thinking the same thing. We want to move on and be somewhere other than here. We want to do what we came here to do, hike the AT. Live the dream of a thru-hiker. But it would seem God has his own schedule, his own trail map of where we need to be and when. Yes sir, Lord. You got it, big guy in the sky. My time is your time. I pray that he sends lightning...elsewhere. Just outside, maybe 25 yards, there is a tree, or the remnants of a tree, rather. It's hollow trunk has been twisted and ripped apart and open by numerous lightning strikes. Doesn't inspire much confidence in this heart of mine. Picture it. Big, grass field...high on a mountain...3 large trees out in the open, one of which has already had multiple blasts pass through. You can't help it. You picture the worst scenario. Who wouldn't? As I walk, I often feel that I'm fighting the trail. Today, the trail fights back. But we're only in round one, many more to come. Ding.
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Siler Bald

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

Round 2-same location.Since writing the previous entry, I started and finished reading the entirety of a 300 page Kurt Vonnegut novel. Thanks Stealth and Picnic. I still sit nestled high in the NC mountains waiting for this overzealous rainstorm to blow over. Although, I am now stuck here for certain with Stealth, Picnic, Flash, Green King, and three women whom I can only recall the name of one, Ida. Strange it is how diverse the trail is, yet how harmoniously it conducts itself. Next to me is a British man who thru-hiked in '95, an Ohio man who thru-hiked in '01, 2 college grads from Chicago much in the same boat as me, and 3 women, one each from Arizona, Texas, and NC. For a shelter that holds 8, we have a full house. How great it is. So many people, so little space, so much togetherness. Ding.
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Siler Bald

To: Wesser Bald
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What makes a sunset so beautiful? What gives it that enormous power to capture our hearts and dazzle our eyes? What makes it seem to last forever, but also be gone so quick? It's just colors, really. Actually, it's just sunlight being filtered through various layers of ozone. But that's not fascinating. It's only fascinating because it's something we don't stop to appreciate it very often.We go through the routine of our lives forgetting about much of the world spinning around us. We admire sunsets only because we don't have them on the schedule and they seem rare and far between eachother. I've been on the trail for 9 days now. I've seen 9 sunrises and 9 sunsets. The funny thing about sunsets is that is happens everyday at nearly the same time it happened the day before. Each one may be different, but that is just like people. We're all different, but you see people everyday, so you're used to it. There are many things, objects, people, places, animals, plants, ideas, and memories that are just as beautiful, just as glorious. We all have moments that seem unforgettable to us, while a bystander would just as well become a bypasser of that same moment. A mother watching her children play in the park. A teacher realizing that her students are listening and learning. A policeman that saved a life and didn't make it on the evening news. The dew falling off the rhododendron leaves in the morning mist. A dragonfly chasing around its mate. A flower blooming in springtime. A full moon, a solar eclipse. Whatever your passion leads you to can have the same beauty as a sunset.For me, though, sunsets are the end-all, be-all. I have seen a few and hope to see many more in this life. I also hope that others can behold what beauty lies in front of their own eyes and stop looking for the faults, the cracks, the "ugly". Life is short, love the one you have.Hiking back up to see a sunset on the top of Wesser tonight. Maybe you'll be looking the same direction, goodnight.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Wesser Bald

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Yesterday was a day full of superlatives--Longest day. Most miles. Toughest hike. Highest grade hill. Best nap ever. I didn't get here till sunset last night, and being without a flashlight, I am writing this as the sun rises this morning. My longest day so far, and my feet can definitely tell it. From Wesser Bald to Brown Fork Gap is 21 miles, including a 2400 foot drop into Nantahala Gorge and a 3000 foot climb out of Nantahala Gorge. And that's only 12 miles of it. The other 9 includes a hike onto Cheoah Bald at over 5000 ft and then a descent to 3100 only to climb back up, at the end of a very long day, a roughly graded 40% hill for about a mile or so. I threw a lot of numers in there. What it amounts to is an insanely taxing day hike.My knees started locking up and my feet felt like dinosaur bones, just barely holding together through means of small dowels. Every muscle I have is thankful for a short 12 miler into town today. 6 days since my last shower and laundry. Can't wait. No really, I'm rolling out of here around 7:00 to get there. Slept fairly well for the first time last night. Made it to about 3:00 before realizing that setting up a tent on a downhill means that you will find yourself in a fetal position at the bottom of your tent and have to crawl back up to stretch out. Every time I woke up after that, the wind screamed at me. I felt like I was back on Grandfather Mtn. with Jenni. The weather is rugged and so is the terrain.I'll be heading into the Smokies tomorrow. I hear you can get up to 20 inches of snow. Let's hope not. Either way, I still picked up a toboggan and gloves at NOC as well as blueberry pancakes and a sausage, egg, and cheese croissant. Probably wouldn't have made it this far without it. Until next time, peace be with you.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spence Field
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

It's springtime in the Smokies. There were some tough climbs today, but the huge fields of wildflowers with hordes of bees buzzing like the constant noise of a manufacturing plant made them go by seemingly quick. 16 some odd miles and I was done by 3:00. I learned something about myself today that I was previously unaware of as I walked through these droves of flora and insectum, if that's a word. Extremely hairy arms and legs act as a natural insect repellant. The thick forest of follicles made it nearly impossible for me to get stung.The shelter here at Spence Field is picturesque, to say the least. Just one problem...there's a sign here that says Fontana is only 8.9 miles down this blue-blaze trail. Funny, I sweat I just did 16 from Fontana on the AT. That's one thing that quickly becoming more and more apparent. The AT zigzags in ways that make no sense, crisscrossing over mountains in random directions simply running itself across all the highest peaks. Someone asked me yesterday, "You know there are roads that go to Maine, now?" Yeah, I know. "You know comments like that are liable to put you in jeopardy, right?" If I wanted to do it the easy way, there's a plan that flies into Bangor. The AT does not take the easy way out. It meanders to let you meander. Wonder while you wander. That is by far my favorite thing to do. So far, the trail lives up to expectations, thank you sir.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Spence Field

To: Mt. Collins
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

So many things to write about today! But they're all little, so just roll with it. Last night, I had some extra fuel, so I decided to build me a little fire. The only issue was that there's no firewood except for the scattered half-broken trees around the shelter. Fortune Cookie started taking some limbs off the trees and I went looking for larger specimens. I found a fantastic one that had been almost snapped in half, but was lodged in another tree. I wanted this one. I started shimmying up this limb that was centered over a downslope, effectively getting myself farther and farther from the ground. Now 15 feet off the ground, hanging like the monkey I am, I'm swinging hard to bring this bad boy down. Snap....Crack....Thud. I had resumed my place on the ground in an instant landing flat on my back. Luckily, though, a briar patch broke my fall, and the broken limb I had was the one that caused my fall.        Later last night, I find myself waking to one of the worst bloody noses of my life. What caused it? Delayed reaction from the fall? The elevation? A leprechaun kicked me in the face during the night? Whatever it was, I didn't enjoy waking up to it.        A couple of big milestones came up yesterday and today and tomorrow. I passed the "2000 miles to go" mark last night, the 200 mile mark today, the 10% mark tomorrow. Not to mention, I summited the highest point on the AT, Clingman's Dome, before making it here tonight. Clingman's is 6643 ft. above sea level, a mere 41 ft. short Mt. Mitchell, the highest point in the east. A common expression for thur-hikers, "it's all downhill from here", has made itself known today. In truth, it is a net downhill, which provides much less satisfaction.        The hike up Clingman's was tough, but relatively easy to take with change in the environment and scenery on the way up. I saw my first pine trees since I left my house. Many of them had been blown over with the winter storm 2 weeks ago, but had been recently cut and cleared from the path. As I walked through the groves, the smell of the pines was invigorating and far better than any automobile air freshener could hope to be. I breathed it in every second I could for the 2.5 mile trek up to the dome. At the top, I found myself slightly annoyed by the tourists, but the views of the Smokies and the rest of the Appalachian range from the observation tower was worth it. I was incredibly irked by the tourists who complained about having to walk 1/2 a mile from the parking lot to the tower and then complained about the grade of the ramp to the top of the tower. Are you kidding me? Why don't you take a walk down the trail marked AT? Give me a break. 20 miles today, 20 miles tomorrow. Rock and roll, baby.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Tri-Corner Knob

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Did my 15 before noon, so pushed on a few more. For the most part, I'm glad I did. I ran into a couple of reporters at Davenport Gap just as I exited the Smokies. They took my picture, asked some questions, fed me doughnuts and coca-cola. Good stuff. Also ran into a park ranger who showed me the pink lady-slippers that I saw in all the wildflowers of the Great Smokies. Then my day hit a low. I stopped to get a drink and take a picture of a beautiful waterfall that was created by a split log jammed in between two rocks. I set the camera down on a nearby rock and went to stick my head under the water for a minute and wet my beard. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a squirrel coming out of a tree but thought nothing of it. Why should I, it's a squirrel. The next thing I know, that demonic rodent jumped up on the rock and pushed my camera into the water just downstream of the waterfall. Oooooo, if I had a weapon on me, Mother Nature would find herself one squirrel short in her family tree. Cursing my life for the next mile and a half, I wind up at Standing Bear Farm, a hostel. Tons of people here and all of them having a blast. Beer, frisbee, campfire, and my first touch of a guitar since home. Ended up being a good pick-me-up from the recent let-me-down. One of the more amazing things about this place is the honor system. You get there, take whatever you want, write it down, then put the money in an envelope and stick it in a drop box. No questions asked. I hate to think how many undeserving hikers rip them off. Back to the fun.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Roaring Fork
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A strom approaches. The thunder echoes off the mountain ridges in volumes like the announcer at a football stadium. Kabooom...booom...boom...oom. Closer now. Finally, the thunder and lightning the weather "experts" called for a week ago. No rain yet. It didn't look bad from the top of Max Patch, but I'm glad I didn't stay for the sunset. Speaking of, what an incredible view from the top of a bald with 130 some cleared acres. In any direction, I can see where I've been and where my travels have yet to lead me. To the south, the Great Smokies. To the west, the Cherokee National Forest. To the east, the Pisgahs, including Mt. Mitchell. And then there's north, the one direction that remains true, the one direction I know I need to go, the one direction I can't see my destination. I know it's Maine and Mt. Katahdin and I can see myself there. The bigger picture, however, the much greater North for me is still cloaked in darkness, still shadowed in doubt, shrouded in mystery...an unanswered question. No man is an island, says Donne. I feel the truth and the power behind it now. Islands have something on which to stand, something on which to base themselves. ME, I am actively trying to stay afloat, treading water in a sea of questions. I reach the surface and gasp for answers, but they only come in minute amounts, just enough to hold me over until I can climb my way back to the surface once more. Eventually, I will find the footing and stop struggling for those answers that weigh on me.The rain has now come and gone, and the sun has continued to shine throughout. The storm is over outside. But what about inside?
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Roaring Fork

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Into Hot Springs at 2:30. Pretty easy 18 and I'm glad to be here. It rained progressively harder as I got closer to town. These town visits are like trips to the mainland for islanders. You wander the paradise for days and would love to stay and immerse yourself in that sweet island culture, but at some point, you need to resupply, rejuice, reconnect with the mainstream.Mainstream Hot Springs consists of one main road and a few side streets. But with only 600 residents, you don't need much, I guess. The one street has your grocer that's more like a convenience store, your Dollar General a.k.a. Wal-Mart, an outfitter, several motels and restaurants, and your long-time locals that give the town its "twang". I quickly discovered that there's a blugrass festival here this weekend and no hope of getting a room, but I ran into the owner of a local tea and gift shop who was kind enough to let me tent in her backyard. I also ran into several hikers that I met on top of Max Patch before the storm. We ended up at the Paddler's Pub for awhile before sneaking down the railroad tracks and through the bushes to catch the best part of the concert. Phenomenal music and there were more people gathered in front of the stage by the fiver than live in the village, the township of Hot Springs. What a great night. My first zero tomorrow should be equally great. Just the sound of the word, "zero", is like the sounds of silence. It puts me at ease and it puts me to sleep. Goodnight.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Sunday. Church Day. ZERO day. I wake up for the first time on my day off by dogs barking and fighting with eachother, the second time by the constant train traffic, and the third time by a rooster crowing for about 2 hours. I thought roosters stopped at one. Oh no, my friend. On my day off, this rooster was off his hinges, bringing in the new day for far too long. 1 moon pie, some gummi worms, an energy drink, and still no shower since last Sunday, I was ready for some me time. But first, Jesus time. I strolled into the local Presbyterian church whose pastor welcomed me with open arms, although if "bad" had a smell, I'm sure I wreaked of it. Not a very good sermon, though, on Phoebe the deacon, but I did enjoy listening to the children sing in front of everyone, and by everyone, I mean all 18 members of the congregation minus the 6 children. I'm glad I went because I scored a room for tonight at a place that supposedly had no vacancy, the Sunnybank Inn. It's a Victorian style house built in 1840 and passed down over the years to a gentleman by the name of Elmer Hall. Wonderful person, but a little tight stringed on the rules. He has two people working for him--Sunny, the chef, and Gabriel, a would-be thru-hiker that was injured and has been squatting at the Inn for a month.I had nothing to do today but R & R. All day long, running into hikers and chillin'. So good for the mental game, a very strategic move on my part. I pat myself on the back. Walked around town, talked to locals, played frisbee, and even ended up in THE hot springs. I feel restored, energized for another solid few days of hiking. Staying at the Sunnybank, I ate so much food, more than I have in a long time. All the usual junk food during the middle of the day, but the vegetarian meal at the inn was unforgettable. A spicy vegetable soup, a fresh salad with a homemade peanut dressing, fried polenta topped with black beans corn, and finished off with salsa, cheese, and onions. Then, for dessert, I consumed more than my fair share of the best cheesecake I've ever tasted. Unreal. For all you living this trail vicariously through me, you're missing out on this one. Well, I'm full and I'm happy. Can't ask for too much more. Rest easy.