morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-08
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap (Holiday Inn)
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Early start, but a long feeling day, lots of ups and downs. My knee really took a pounding. They aren¢t holding up well since I broke my hiking pole. Only a 6 mile day, but it felt like 20, my left knee just won¢t support me as it should, so I have to be really careful how I step. Lots of steep ups today, followed by long downs. I can do the ups slow, but the downs hammer at my swollen left knee (I¢ll get it checked it in Hiawassee). I fell way behind Bearkat, Wench, Early Riser and Denmark, but finally arrived at Dicks Creek Gap (I finally finished the hike I was trying to do in 2001!). As I hiked into the parking lot, I was greeted with a soda and a ride to town (Trail Angels are great!). I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express, went back to Neels Gap to get my broken Leki pole fixed, then went to the hospital to get my knee looked at. This is a tiny hospital, kind of a band-aid stop. They looked at my knee, told me it was swollen, drained it, and gave me a steroid shot. (Don¢t go here if you are really hurt¢¦). Then I went to the drugstore and bought a 2nd neoprene knee brace. I¢ll protect them both for now.
Date: 2003-03-09
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee (Holiday Inn)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I took a zero day today. It was a scheduled one, but I really needed it. Iced my knee, took it easy, started taking Celebrex and Tylenol. Had a relaxing Italian lunch, shopped for food to get me to Franklin and relaxed in my hotel room. More to follow tomorrow, I¢ll see how my knee holds up.I created a bounce box. Shipped extra supplies home. Tried to cut back on my pack weight. (Not much luck yet). Off to Bed at midnight after re-packing. Life is Good.
Date: 2003-03-10
From: Holiday Inn Express

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Walked to the post office and sent gear home, and bounced gear ahead. Took 20 min. to hitch a ride to Dicks Creek Gap. Hitched alone most of the day. Saw Mama Liptons and Flatlander at lunchtime. I ate at the Plumorchard Gap Shelter, then hiked alone to the Muskrat Creek Shelter for the night. I am alone in the shelter, others are tenting nearby (must have heard I snore¢¦.). It was a long, steep, lonely tiring day. I don¢t like hiking alone yet, I need to see people once in a while. I finished Georgia!!! One state down, 13 to go!!! Very cool, I called people and told them. This first goal is a biggie¢¦ makes me feel like I finally accomplished something. My knee is doing ok, it gives me a twinge now and again, but is MUCH better that it was. My back gave me some trouble today, I had spasms in my lower back and a little sciatica down the butt. After warming it up with hot pepper rub, it seemed to relax a bit. I don¢t notice it now. Wench, Bearkat, Denmark (Duchess) and Early Riser are about a day, maybe less ahead. Too dangerous to my health to think about catching up, so I won¢t worry about it. If I was meant to catch up, I will. Off to bed early, Life is Good. (Did I mention that sleeping in an empty shelter is creepy?).
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Have I mentioned the views? AWESOME !! Ted, I hope God gave you the answers you wanted, but I figured he did¢¦ He¢s pretty awesome, based on the beauty I see here! I¢ve seen row, after row, after row, of mountains, Galax, Smilax, mountain laurel, enough rhododendron to take over the world¢¦ every mountain and ridge, seems to be filled with it! I walk for hours with the mountains on both sides of me, birds singing to me, streams gurgling at me. AWESOME !!Well today was my longest day yet. I left the shelter early this morning (well, 8:15 is early for me! J ), and the trail seemed to be fairly easy for miles, I made good miles. Even the 1,200 foot climb up Standing Indian Mountain wasn¢t too bad, lots of graded switchbacks. (Did I mention that finishing GA was cool?, Yup, I figured I did, but sitting half in GA and half in NC was cool too.). Making the 12.5 miles to Carter Gap shelter was easy, I almost went farther, but sense took over. I hiked alone again today, seeing a few people now and again, but had another day alone with my thoughts. I¢m starting to get used to it now. I spend the day listening to nature more, the wind, the water, the trees and birds¢¦relaxing. Then I daydream, about life, death, how it is not always fair. So we need to live life, not just watch it go by, because you may get recruited for the angel choir before all the things in life you put off, get completed¢¦ Something to think about¢¦ So here I sit at the shelter, looking at mountains, the sun shining, a breeze blowing, writing in my journal. I feel good. Life is good.Well, I¢m back¢¦ It¢s 6:55PM, how the hell am I supposed to go to sleep this early? 12 hours in my bag means I will have to pee 3 times !! What a drag (especially since I just found out this is a bear sanctuary¢¦). Nothing like sleeping alone in a 3 sided shelter in a bear sanctuary. Not that I sleep anyway, I seem to toss and turn and wake up every 12 hour or hour, all night. I seem to sleep a little better in my tent ( I don¢t have to worry about mice running across my face there). Maybe I will read all my guide book pages ¢til I fall asleep¢¦ Night all!
Date: 2003-03-12
From: Carter Gap Shelter

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

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAN (Lite Shoe) !!!!Had a crappy night's sleep, tossed and turned all night. I finally gave up and started breakfast at 6:30, hit the trail around 7:30. I¢m hydrated, I had to pee 4 times last night. Well, the first 4-5 miles today were easy, I hiked them singing and talking to myself (yes, another day hiking by myself). Then I got to Albert Mountain ( I thought), then I got to Albert Mountain again¢¦then I really got to Albert Mountain (Oh My God!!). That is not a trail, its just white paint blazed on the side of a cliff. Albert Mountain kicked my ass, I rested before I started it (the real one), then I rested near the top (after tons of steps and boulder scrambling) then I rested up on the lookout tower on top (great views, but hazy). My knees are stiff and sore from all the climbs, and to many miles a day (Celebrex, Tylenol, steroid shot = too many miles). Lookout tower sign: ¢maximum capacity 2¢¢¦ very reassuring¢¦ The rest of the afternoon (after I called POG and told her Albert Mountain sucks!), I did slower, easier miles, to try and be nice to my knees. I rolled into Rock Gap shelter around 3pm and relaxed, ate and journaled. Slow Ride was there and two college kids on break from Florida. I hear Bearkat and wench went into town today, but I¢m not pushing it, tomorrow is soon enough. I¢ll just hang my food on the bear cables and relax awhile. Big deal of the day = passed the 100 mile mark !!The second largest poplar tree in the USA is around 12 mile from here, going to check it our in the morning, Then hike 3.5 miles and hitch to town. 10 people at the shelter now, full house, more fun for the mice. 3 of us are laying on the our sleeping bags talking about food¢¦(Beer, salads with everything on them, loads of ranch dressing, cheeseburgers¢¦ anything but pasta). More tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-13
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Just a quick hello to all from Franklin. Injured knee early, drained & got a steroid shot & going strong. More later when journal is transcribed. Hotdog.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Got up early (6:30) to a drizzle, started hiking around 7:30. Hiked a 12 mile to see the biggest poplar tree east of the Mississippi. I set my pack and poles against it and looked up¢¦ and there was ¢Russ¢ carved in the tree (I was meant to go there). A big old tree. Hiked on to route 64 (Franklin) hitched into town and saw Duchess (Denmark) and Early Riser and Healed. They said Bearkat and wench were at the Microtel hotel, so I finally caught up. I showered and we went to the Shoneys all you can eat bar, then to the Verizon store for Internet access and the outfitter for fuel and food. Made a few calls and relaxed for a couple of hours (the knee is still tender). I¢m trying to organize my pack better, and maybe lighten it a bit. My hotel room is covered with everything in my pack, there has to be something here I don¢t need¢¦ It should take 3 days to get to NOC, so I will save weight on food. Maybe send home my town shirt and my scotch container (I need to empty it first). The more I send home, the closer to the edge I will be. I need to be ready for anything (Ice, rain, cold, snow, and all of the above together), but do it as light as possible. Now that I am not hiking alone, it will be easier. Feels good to be back with Bearkat and Wench., those wacky kids¢¦ It¢s like being with a traveling circus, feels like home, in a dysfunctional kind of way. Northward we go! Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-14
From: Franklin, NC

To: Campsite North of Wayah Bald
Miles today: 10.5

Left the Microtel hotel and went to Mailboxes Etc., sent more gear home. Got a shuttle to the trail from a local hiking club and we were hiking by 9:15. It was a tough day, lots of ups to climb¢¦ Ended the day in fog and a drizzle, by climbing over Wayah bald (5,342¢) and tenting. It rained all evening and night, but we managed to build a campfire anyway Thanks to Boy Scout training). Note: I am still not sure if I like my Nomad Lite Tent. Not matter how I pitch it things get wet. I may buy a new tent if I can¢t work the bugs out of this one(so far I have added two more guy lines and stakes). All of the other gear seems to be ok, so far, except my sleep pad (I¢m just not comfortable, ever). It may be due to the fact that I hurt all over every night, so I am never comfortable. As for my knee, well it¢s still there. I¢m still taking Celebrex and Tylenol, and it still is not happy. It aches on up and down sections and flies like the wind on level parts. But it seems to feel better after I warm it up for 3 to 4 miles. It will be ok; we are doing 8 to 10 mile days, at a reasonable pace. Well, goodnight to all from my soggy tent, hopefully I will find a better way to rig it before I get mad and burn it. Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-15
From: Campsite North of Wayah Bald

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Got up late and started hiking in the rain. Bag is a bit wet, we will sleep at the shelter tonight. First set of hills (800¢ elevation gain in 1.4 miles) nearly killed me, I only ate a cereal bar for breakfast (never do this, fuel up good in the morning !!). The same type hill after lunch was easier. We hiked all day in the mist/fog/rain. Not too heavy, mainly drizzle. It¢s fun being cold, wet, hot, tired, in alternate moments.I had a moment today where I actually said, ¢What the hell am I doing out here?¢ But I knew the answer¢¦ Just what I want and need to be doing at this point in my life. Hiking is alternate parts hard, easy, killer and nice. There are some parts of the first 128 miles I wouldn¢t wish on anyone. Sections that just beat me in to the ground and spit me out. Legs that felt like I had 50 lbs. Extra on them, humidity and sweat dripping off me, so tired I couldn¢t pick my feet and stumbled over everything. I felt that way this morning, and then we arrived at a shelter to trail magic: Cans of cold Coke and a bag of candy bars. After a rest, lunch, Coke, candy all was right with the world again. That¢s how it is on the trail¢¦No matter how bad things get, they will get better, you just have to wait. Another fall today, a gentle slide on my ass variety. Wench enjoyed it immensely, especially since I had just said ¢I better slow down, I¢m going too fast.¢.At Wasser Bald fire tower, Bearkat, took pictures of Wench and I holding the flag (backwards ¢ oops!). Over the edge of the tower and then we all fot pictures of the 3 of us holding it at the bottom. Think pea soup ¢ fog and mist were just broiling up the mountain, it was pretty cool.Early into the shelter (2:30). We had snacks as we relaxed, followed by dinner. Almost had bad incident after dinner as I heated up water for coffee. I picked the pot up with a wet bandana and burned my finger on the handle. Of course I jerked my hand back and splashed water on my face. So I have minor burns on my finger and my lip and face, nothing but an irritation. Now I sit here journaling in the shelter, we get into NOC tomorrow, and should be in the Smoky Mountains next week (Fontana Dam by 3/19). Looks like a few days of rain, so we will go shelter to shelter, taking it easy. It¢s going by so fast, already 128 miles down, and the Smokies are right around the corner. They seemed so far away when we started. Well, off to bed, it¢s 7pm and dark (and we don¢t have a TV), more tomorrow. Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Finally had a good night¢s sleep. It rained hard all night, but the shelter was dry. Only 4 of us there (Wench, Bearkat, Hotdog, and Slow Ride). Something prodded me in the night and my first thought was ¢it¢s a bear¢ and I ducked my head into my sleeping bag. But it was Slow Ride, bumping me because I was snoring. Note to self: Taco beef causes gas, Bearkat, and Wench agree. The rain let up and we started hiking today in the mist, kind of eerie, people appearing and disappearing in the fog. At one point, we were in between layers, fogs below us, clouds above us, but clear at our level, very cool! All in all, a decent day of hiking (except for a killer section of downhill with big steps, rocks, roots and wet, slippery leaves¢¦many falls by all today). We arrived at NOC in Wesser at about 12 noon today, met 2 friend¢s of Wenches that came to visit us (Bob and Joyce Falkins). They were very polite about jour stench; they even ate lunch with us¢¦ and bought it too! Good people. We did laundry, re-supplied at the outfitter and relaxed all afternoon (at dinner time, we remembered that everything was closed and we had no dinner). Wench looked exceptionally cute in her fetching yellow rain gear (especially with the pant legs rolled up to the knees¢¦..oh baby!). Bearkat skipped around in his grandpa slippers and I did the granny Clampett role in my hiking boots with no socks and shorts. We are staying in a hostel, basically 2 bunks in a 10 by 10 room, so my snoring will echo nicely tonight. Knees: doing ok, but the left one is swollen some. Ankles: right one is getting turned a lot, but doing ok (stiff for a bit when I stop hiking).Ted¢s Flag: I am still carrying it, I¢ve had it since Franklin. The American flag tag team is still proudly heading north. So far, every white blaze is accounted for, the hike is pure, more to follow tomorrow. Life is good. P.S. Hiked 134.1 miles, so far! Wahoo!!
Date: 2003-03-17
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night the University of Wisconsin bike team came into the common area of the hostel and cooked dinner for 40+. They had ridden 75 hilly miles and were still full of energy. After they finished eating, they gave us their leftovers (pasta and vegetables...very good!!). After phone calls, food sorting and a potty run it was off to bed. This morning, we got a nice easy restful start (9:15), and started the long climb up to Sassafras Shelter (long 3000 foot climb, mostly in the rain, with a few grueling climbs, straight up the mountain). Tomorrow is a harder day, a steeper climb at the end of the day. Today was tough, but not as bad as some, exhausting, but not demoralizing. The Sassafras Shelter isn¢t full, we have 2 dogs and 10 people in here. It¢s a 2 level, brand new shelter. Very cool. Got here early and chilled out. Passed the 140 mile mark today. 9 miles more tomorrow and 13 the next day, then I will relax at the Hike Inn. Amazing, Fontana Dam is 2 days, then the Smokies and another big climb. Well enough for now, knees and ankles are ok. Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early today, got started at about 8:15. Mostly climbing, but not too bad until we passed Stecoah Gap. No views today, we again walked in fog and humidity. Trail magic at Stecoah Gap: water and snacks in a bag. Note: I forgot to thank Dale America for his trail magic back Tesnatee Gap in GA. I missed it, but heard how great his trail magic was HOTDOGS!! Thanks Dale!We ate lunch at Stecoah Gap and while we were there our friends from the University of Wisconsin Bike Team rode in and said hello (the people we met at the NOC). Their web site is www.uwcycling.com, their VP is Nick. Great people!!!!! I wish I had their energy (and their age).The hike from Stecoah Gap to Brown Fork Shelter was tough, lots of ups and downs, but one 600 foot one that was about a 60 ¢ 70 degree climb¢¦ ouch. Got to the shelter at 1:45 and decided to stay (the next shelter is another 6 miles). Relaxed, ate and journaled. Tomorrow will be a long day, 13 miles to Fontana, then a relaxing night at Hike Inn. Maybe an off day after that at the Fontana ¢Hilton¢ (a big shelter). We¢ll see how we feel tomorrow. Big goal reached today! We crossed the 150 mile barrier on the AT. Soon the Smokies will be done and we will be in Hot Springs (only about 120 miles to go), our first trail town (the trail runs down main street). Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 13.0

Foggy day, rained 3 to 4 hours before we started hiking. Ling day, my knees were ok, until we started the LONG downhill. My left knee started to ache and by the time we were done, it was swollen again. 3 dogs, (a Dad and 2 kids) followed us all the way down the mountain (tripping us as often as they could). Got a soda and used the bathroom at the Fontana Marina (a real heated bathroom, with running water¢¦now that¢s living!). Finished up our hike at the Fontana Dam Visitors Center, called a shuttle to get us to our destinations (Bearkat stopped at the marina), Wench to Fontana Village, Hotdog to the Hike Inn. Took a shower, did laundry, got a ride to Robbinsville, to eat, shop and hit an ATM (Good people at the Hike Inn). Made some calls, organized my food and gear and hit the sheets (had my own room with a private bath and kitchenette). Knee was still sore, couldn¢t walk on it much, rest will help. Day after tomorrow the Smokies!! Sweet! Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-20
From: Hike Inn

To: Fontana Hilton Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Relaxed and packed all morning, laying around my room. Took a bath for 45 minutes to soak my legs, knees and feet. Calgon¢¦.take me away! Then I got a shuttle to Fontana Village and sat around the general store drinking coffee and eating Danish (2). Met up with Crumb Snatcher, Slow Ride, Wench and others, sat and talked until the shuttle came to take us to the shelter by the dam (Fontana Hilton). With nothing else to do, Wench and I sat around and ate some more. Note: There may be a 2 mile re-route of the AT in place now by the dam. It is closed to auto traffic, and may also be closed to hikers. Traffic due to the fact that the war started. The re-route adds 2 miles on to the AT. A steep freaking downhill, a river crossing below the dam, and a steep freaking uphill to get back to the other side of the dam. Thanks, George W. couldn¢t you have waited 96 hours to start the war? Would have saved up 2 miles. So for now we sit around, waiting to eat again (we do this a lot). Walked down to the dam, so far it is open to hikers, no re-route being used yet. Wench and I walked across it and took pictures by the ¢Smokey Mountains¢ Sign.My knee still feels bad, I can walk on it, but it doesn¢t fell right. Do I take another day off? Do I just grin and bear it until I get to Gatlinburg and another hospital? Damn, I hate injuries that are sometimes bad, sometimes ok. All I can do is wait and see how it feels tomorrow. I¢m stubborn and stupid, so I will probably go (I took extra pills and used Biofreeze on it, so hopefully that will help). Bearkat left the trail and I like hiking with Wench, we do the same distances and have similar attitudes about hiking. Doing the Smokies alone does not sound like fun, so I hope I can go tomorrow. Good night for now, Life is good.
Date: 2003-03-21
From: Fontana Hilton Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

It was an uneventful night in the Fontana Hilton Shelter. Great big shelter probably fits 30+ people. My knee felt good this morning, so I pushed on into the Smokies. It was a long pull up the mountains until we reached Shuckstack Mountain. Took a side trip to the top of the mountain and climbed the old fire tower. Scary, but exhilarating to be up in the tower and to climb onto it¢s roof. Great View! Wench was braver then I, she stood on the roof I laid down on it. (Low railing). Later we ate lunch at Birch Spring Gap, and then pushed on. Feels weird to be in the Smokies, it hardly seems like we have been out here long enough to be here already. The good weather gave us great views all along the trail. It felt really good to be able to hike across the dam instead of using the ¢National Security¢ by-pass. Ok, back to the current situation. My left knee finally got worse; it hurt the 2+ miles into the shelter. I can only walk on it uphill, everything else hurts. So it may take me an extra day or two to get to Newfound Gap, in the middle of Smokies (and then a hospital in Gatlinburg). I think I can do the next 36 miles in 5 days, and I think I can stretch my food that far if I have to. That is, if I can even walk on it, tomorrow morning will tell. I know some smarty is sitting out there going, ¢why not hike back 1 day?¢. Always one of you in the bunch...NO I refuse to hike backwards¢¦ and it¢s all steep down hills (hurts). So tonight I am at Mollies Ridge Shelter with Swift Sandals, Tree, Alaska, Smokey T, Yukon and Wench. This shelter is old and has a bear fence in place (strange). Note: Met a ridge runner this morning his name was Roger Denton ¢Many Steps¢, he talked to us as we were about to cross Fontana Dam, nice guy. Well, that¢s all for now, we will see what shape I am in tomorrow, and decide how far I can make it. Life is good.