morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-04
From: Tray Mtn Shelter 4,200'

To: Plumorchard Gap (3,550') GA
Miles today: 14.9

Just tipped over my pot, while on the burning stove, saved it though but the stove tipped making it very dangerous. Looks like I will be all alone tonight in this beautiful shelter with 2 lofts. It was helicoptered in by the army rangers.A lot of ups and downs on the hills today it was about 15 miles I think. I quit early today, there was a lot of sunlight left. I might have to get a watch to better figure out how much daylight I have. This is officially the farthest I have ever gone on a backpacking trip 70.9 miles from Springer, not to mention an extra 8.5 from also hiking the approach trail.I didn't go to town today. Basically because I have enough food to get me to the next town, Franklin, N.C. Today was beautiful again. Clear skies, sunny even warm during the day. I miss home today, especially being at this shelter all alone. I'm having a good time, but wondering if I will want to do this everyday for the next 5 months. Paladin and Train are fading behind me as I quicken my pace and Scarecrow seems to stay at least a half day ahead of me. I think I'm going to have to find new companions to be around if I wish to complete this adventure.alone (hopefully only for a day)
Date: 2005-03-05
From: Plumorchard Gap (3,550')

To: Carter Gap (4,640') NC
Miles today: 19.8

I hiked basically 20 miles today, which for some odd reason is a big thing in the backpacking community. A 20 miler shows that you can go all day I guess. Well I got up early, headed out and then it started rainin some and hailing and a dense fog. By lunch time it cleared up. I crossed the GA/NC line today, I was pretty excited. I did some pretty big climbing in the morning and then it got a lot easier, relatively in the afternoon. I checked the registers along the way to see if I would meet up with anyone.When I got to Carter Gap Scarecrow was there building a fire. The first fire on my journey, it lifts the spirits. This shelter is old, does not match my guidebook, but there is a sign saying Carter Gap. I've got a feeling when we head out tomorrow there will be the "real" shelter just ahead, but Scarecrow was already at this one, which will work fine and I had no need to go in search of another one. His guidebook says there is a hostel for us up ahead tomorrow, but mine which is the same one doesn't mention it. We will check it out anyways, rumor has it that the author "Wingfoot" doesn't always include all the hostels and businesses from year to year for unkown reasons.Getting homesick, long journey ahead. Question for tomorrow: What is my Journey? does it end before Maine? do I have the need to hike the entire trail?Goodnight, Shorts :-)
Date: 2005-03-06
From: Carter Gap

To: Franklin NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Sunday 3/6/2005So my journey, it has nothing to do with the Appalachian Trail or backpacking. My journey is about me finding life goals, and a life focus. This is partly a journey to find the physical limits of my body, and solidify my faith and spirituality.So I'm at the Franklin Motel tonight with Scarecrow and have eaten lots of pizza, so this particular journal is hopefully better written and I include everything. We hiked out of Carter Gap Shelter today, and 50 feet up the trail was a brand new shelter, Whoops! I slept horrible last night by the way. So me and Scarecrow headed out together and we hiked together all day. We summited Albert Mtn. great view. We ran into Ladyhawk who lives around here (she was at the first 2 shelters I stayed at) she told us the hostel we had planned to go to was closed down. So me and Scarecrow tried to decide what to do, because I needed a food resupply. So initially Scarecrow was going to share his food with me and we were going to push on to my next resupply, two days away. So we came to this shelter (Rock Gap) about midday. Well we had only done 13 miles that day and I decided I wouldn't sit still. So I started repacking my stuff, so I could continue on and hitch a ride to Franklin, NC, and get my own food sleep in a bed, etc. Scarecrow decided to come along also. On our hike to the road, I ran into my first Trail Magic, sodas being chilled in a stream and a bucket full of candy, this gave us a great boost. We got to the road and within 20 minutes hitched a ride from a nice man who took us to the Franklin Motel. The lady gave us a list of local hikers who would give us a ride back to the trail, how cool is that. I talked to my parents, let them know I am OK. Alright I'm getting longwinded and I've covered most of the stuff that happened today.Maybe tomorrow I will expand on what my journey is about as I continue to find out myself.Shorts
Date: 2005-03-07
From: Franklin NC

To: Burningtown Gap NC
Miles today: 14.6

Monday 3/7/05Woody Sap picked us up at the Franklin Motel and dropped us off back on the AT. Yesterday Scarecrow and I were attached at the hip while hiking, which was a cool change of pace. But today we were going to just meet up at the Cold Spring shelter, 15 miles. So my first day out of town I was depressed and hiked slow. I was also very hungry, surprising considering the large amount of food I ate the day before in town. So I hiked slow and thought about quitting and such. When I say quitting I really mean stopping at Harpers Ferry instead of Maine. So a quick change of of topic: My Journey, The AT. is just a vehicle for me to have time for focusing my life for my future. OK, so I was depressed, then the rain threatened, so I sped up. I still had 6 miles to go. I caught Scarecrow taking a break, and we started to haul to the shelter.   Then we met these two guys, one was from Ohio and the other was from Israel, they were Winter Southbounders, now thats crazy. We talked to them for a little while, they had been out for 6 months. It takes a special person to even think about a winter southbound, not mentioning actually completing one. So they said there was a trail magic tent a mile farther.So we went a mile and came upone this 20 foot tall dome tent. Long story short, no one there, rains, we wait, Trail Angel, Bill shows up. Hes been setting up for 2 days. Guess where he lives? yeah thats right, you guessed it, Texas. For the past 3 years he comes here for 2 weeks and feeds thruhikers. Talk about trail magic. So he feeds us hot dogs, and Jiffy Pop and snacks and heat. He's letting us spend the night here, Dome leaks, but word is college spring beak and shelters packed. I half jokingly propose night hiking in the rain, but apparently Scarecrow doesn't like the idea, too bad, would have been a good story to tell.A couple of college kids are here, their tent broke. Anyways I'm in awe the Trail Magic from Bill, no longer depressed and wanna hike in the rain, but not alone. And Bill has hot cinnamon buns for breakfast, I hear. My pad is getting wet, maybe there will be more to tell tomorrow, did I mention its RAINING a lot.Shorts
Date: 2005-03-09
From: N.O.C. Nantahala River, NC

To: Zero Day, RELAXIN
Miles today: 0.0

3/9/05 WednesdayAHHH a zero day how relaxing, met a new thru hiker today, Alan, he started a day after us, neat guy, I will likely see him again, farther down the trail. Its midday right now but I am writing this journal right before I put a box in the mail to send to my parents. I am swapping sleeping pads and sending the one I had home. The new sleeping pad is my dad¢s, its longer and will keep me warmer at night, although it is 5 oz heavier. I will likely swap sleeping pads again when spring hits and change from thermarest (the kind that I use now) to a ridgerest which is lighter. I packed up 8 days of food and it¢s heavy. I¢m carrying even more food per day now, because my hungry hiker appetite has begun, and I could eat all day long. I have also gotten some drink mixes and a drinking tube to increase my water consumption. There is a backpacker outfitter here, and I looked all around and didn¢t find one thing I needed for my trip, which is very cool because it means I already have everything I need. Sorry if the last statement was confusing, bottom line: I am fully prepared and have everything I need. So I hate it when I glance at the stuff I see I have written in my journal. I see I have written sentences, fragmented phrases, drifting thoughts all sorts of things I don¢t like to see in my writing. So I apologize if you get confused while reading. Life is good, I¢m so hungry, BURGERS, dinner is hours away. My knee is loving the day off and feeling much better, not to mention the awesome clean clothes, and hot showers. That¢s it for now, gotta go mail this package. Oh Yeah the snow and hiking yesterday, I wanted to be SKIING so bad, especially with Jeff and Dennis and all the people I ski with back home, ha-ha how random was that, good times.RELAXIN
Date: 2005-03-10
From: Zero Day, RELAXIN

To: Brown Fork Gap, 3720'
Miles today: 16.1

Had a late night last night. Stayed up watching this river guide instructor in training, free climbing the closed high ropes course in the middle of the night, then he yanked a couple hundred bucks worth of rock climbing gear (out of his truck) and climbed all over the place, anyways kept me up late.So I woke up late, and so on. We had breakfast at the rivers end restaurant, french toast, not very good. Then we started off, high climbing, up and down, tiring stuff. We got a late start and took some ridiculously long breaks for a change of pace to make sure I was still having fun. 16 miles, and I got in just at dark. Met a new thruhiker, T-Rex. ate slept, actually am writing this journal the day after this supposedly the hardest part, piece of cake, right.I've got 8 days worth of food and am going striaight through the Smokies.HUNGRY
Date: 2005-03-11
From: Brown Fork Gap, 3720'

To: Fontana Dam 
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Friday Got in late, went to bed late, got up late, etc. Hungry, hiked 12 miles from brownfork to Fontana "Hilton", sweet shelter, caught up with Eric, we're gonna start the Smokeys tomorrow, the three of us, Scarecrow, Eric, and I. There's a guy talkin up a strom, but I forgot his name. I want home cooking, and chinese buffet.Everyone seems to try and warn us about the Smokey's, its North Carolina, how bad could it be? I'm slowing down my hiking, don't know why exactly. I'm really lazy with my picture taking, I don't even look through the view finder, just snap pictures.I'm getting cold, gonna get in my sleeping bag - Good night - BUFFET
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Fontana Dam 

To: Russell Field Shelter, Smokies, 4360'
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Signed in at the visitor center and slowly started our hike. Crossed the Fontana Dam, very cool. Then the three of us started off, a steep ascent most of the morning, but it was easier than the previous couple of days. E (Eric) seems to walk a very similar pace and we hiked together all day. Saw Cordump some (need to send him a picture). Took a couple of breaks, not too many, it was a beautiful day, wore a t-shirt while hiking, a couople of pretty views. At lunch time we found a book and a half eaten P.B. jar. It was awesome, I had a small taste to make sure it was safe first, it was fine in my professional opinion. So we continued on. I blanked out today and followed footsteps in the snow right off the Appalachian Trail. Took me a minute to realize why I was running into branches, there were only one set of footprints, and no white blazes. I turned around and luckiy had not wandered too far off the trail. So during our walk we had crazy thoughts of 20+ mile days over the Smokeys to get in and out of Gatlinburg in one morning for a breakfast buffet. Then we got to Russel Field Shelter, TRAIL MAGIC, a campfire going going in the fireplace in the shelter, oreos, oranges, summer sausage, cheese, fresh baked ginger bread, it was beautiful. The Angel thruhiked last year and is doing the PCT this April. Nice man & his wife. This is the weekend, a # of people in the shelter tonight. Yeah so it was warm and there was mud and inches of snow slush. My gaiters and Vasque Trail Runners didn't cut it, I think the gore-tex shoes leak, anyhow, nice fire got to dry out the shoes which had puddles of water in them. Anyways the Trail Magic lifted our spirits so we want to do the crazy hiking and hitching into Gatlinburg for the Shoneys breakfast buffet.Great day especially because it was an almost miserable day. Full Tummy makes a happy hiker.A.T. Culture Rocks - goodnight
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Russell Field Shelter, Smokies, 4360'

To: Silers Bald Shelter, Smokies, 5460'
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

3/13/05 Full Shelter, Russell Field Shelter to Silers Bald Shelter. Another beautiful day. I wore a T-shirt comfortably. We got up kinda late and off to a slow start, then took a sweet siesta on this vista. Then we had only done like 4 or 5 miles and had like 10 or 12 left to go and it was already like 1 o¢clock. Anyways it was a rough afternoon, hiking through like a foot of slush and mud, soaked feet. There was a puddle of water in my shoes, rough hiking. There are a lot of people here tonight, full shelter, Oh yeah, Alan and Bayley passed us today, we caught up to them at the shelter. It rained some; we finished off that Peanut Butter we found. Lots of stuff happened today, but I¢m tired of writing and they¢re all talking about food. Mom dehydrated from left-over dinners is the best and those homemade GORP bars are delicious, (smile from transcriber, Mom), anyways I¢m tired maybe tomorrow will be a short day and Ill tell you about everything.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Silers Bald Shelter, Smokies, 5460'

To: Icewater Spring Shelter, 5920', Smoky Mtns.
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I think today is the 14th not positive though. So I got up late, again. But I was still the first one on the trail from our shelter. E and I hiked together all morning. Beautiful day and just cool enough to keep the snow from getting too slushy, but my shoes were cold and wet from yesterdays hike, there¢s nothing worse than putting on cold wet shoes.By the way I took some advice from my dad, and lengthened my hiking poles, my knee has been feeling a lot better and I haven¢t taken ibuprofen for a couple of days. So anyways we hiked up in the Smokeys above the clouds, it¢s so pretty and the weather is great. E and I hung out at Clingmans dome observation tower till the rest of the thruhikers arrived, Bayley, Alan and Scarecrow. Once Scarecrow arrived he announced he hated his pack, the same one I have, which I love. He hated and was going into Gatlinburg for a new one, and trying to hitch in + out the same day and make it to the shelter. He offered me free lunch if I came with him, so I agreed. Then I practically raced down 7 miles from Clingman¢s dome to Newfound gap to hitch in. By the time we got there it was late, probably 2 o 3, I tried to hitch a ride for 5 or 10 mins. Then I realized it was going to be hard to get us both in and out in the same day and hike 3 miles to the next shelter, so I left scarecrow to hitching in on his own. Bayley, or is it Bailey, showed up at the gap. Alan¢s parents were at the gap meeting up with him and Bailey mentioned there was pizza in Alan¢s mom¢s car. So I waited around to see what would happen, and sure enough, 15 minutes later I had pizza and all sorts of food in my mouth. We ate, then Bailey and I headed up to Icewater Shelter. It¢s above 6,000 feet. It was another 14 or 15 mile day from Silers Gap Shelter, good stuff. 14 or 15 mile days are just the right pace at the moment. We rolled in just about dark and I brought up the rest of the pizza for E. Scarecrow hasn¢t made it here yet, I hope he gets here tonight. There are two new thruhikers here haven¢t had the time to meet them, one of them is named Ross, maybe I¢ll meet them tomorrow. You¢ll have to ask to see the pictures of my pants (look under the photo link) they are in sorry shape, they were flimsy to start with but they got a lot more use than I had planned because I have been wearing them a lot to keep my knee warm instead of just in the rain like I had planned, so far it has only rained while I have been inside a shelter, it pored and hailed some last night. Getting cold, tired hand,---yum pizza
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Icewater Spring Shelter, 5920', Smoky Mtns.

To: Tri-Corner Knob, 5920' Smoky Mtns.
Miles today: 12.6

Scarecrow showed u last night in the dark with 20 pieces of KFC for the people in the shelter and he brought me a jar of peanut butter, how awesome. So I woke up the next day with a bright orange glow in my face, I think I had just missed a beautiful sunrise, it was bright out, but I continued to sleep. I think we only did 12 -13 miles today. I eventually got up, laid my frozen shoes and socks in the sun, hoping they would melt and dry, they didn¢t. I decided to make some hot chocolate this morning since I was carrying it around and had plenty of extra fuel, by now everyone had left except for Scarecrow. So I got back in my sleeping bag, had my hot chocolate and continued my lazy morning.I finished packing up and putting on my frozen shoes about the time Scarecrow got up. I started hiking and it was another beautiful clear day in the Smokies, a bit cooler though, so there was ice and I fell once, but at least my shoes couldn¢t get more wet because it was all ice.I hiked really slow in the morning, at this point in the trip pace doesn¢t matter. I¢m going to get to the next destination no matter what, it might be 2 o¢clock in the afternoon when I get to the shelter or I might hike in with a headlamp, the beauty of it is that it doesn¢t matter. Anyways, Scarecrow caught up with me while I was having lunch, cheese and summer sausage. We had a little talk about our differing hiking schedules and patterns, so we have a healthy hiking friendship, but we might start to part ways after we get through the Smokies tomorrow, he has been a good friend these last 2 weeks.Speaking of two¢s, I¢ve gone over 200 miles already, I am officially 10% complete, ha what a joke, this is one long footpath.Only thruhikers here tonight at Tricorner shelter are myself, Scarecrow, E, Bayely, Ross and Cat. Ross and Cat just started up again a few days ago after waiting out some of the rough weather the Smokies had just before we got here, they were helicoptering out college spring breakers and everything apparently.Well big day tomorrow trying to go 20 miles to get out of the Smokies and into standing bear hostel.Goodnight.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Tri-Corner Knob, 5920' Smoky Mtns.

To: Standing Bear Farm, MP237.3
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

19 mile day, easiest 19 miles I've ever gone, got up at 6 Am Probably got here by 2 o3 PM this place is drenched with character, I won¢t even try to explain it, maybe I¢ll snap some pictures. Curtis piled us in the van and took us to the gas station, great guy. About a dozen of us here, a couple of sorry looking thruhikers, at least I think they are thru-hikers, three of them, college age. Anyways Scarecrow, E and I hiked together to get here. Ross also made the hike here. Yes there is another thruhiker here and his name is Ross, he¢s actually from Barnstable, Cape Cod. Talked to the parents today, I¢m gonna meet them in two days at Hot Springs, NC. Well it¢s a full bunkhouse and I¢m going to sleep. Ahh never mind I¢ll tell you more about today. We hiked in the middle of a cold rain cloud all day, no views or anything. We got our of the smokeys today, it¢s a big relief, we are now going to stay in lower elevations ¢most¢ of the time and I am no longer as worried about snow. It only gets easier from here they say. My shoes are by the fire and with any luck I¢ll have a my first dry socks and shoes in a couple of days.Well goodnight for real this time.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Standing Bear Farm, MP237.3

To: Old Roaring Fork (3630')
Miles today: 18.5

Happy St. Patrick¢s DayE woke us up at the crack of dawn so we could get in 20 miles today so we could get into Hot Springs at a decent hour the next day. I don¢t like getting up that early, I need to remember that I¢m kinda on vacation and don¢t need to get up that early. I hiked slow today and ate snow, oh-yeah it snowed last night and kinda kept snowing the rest of the day. Oh yeah and yesterday we walked along this stream and when we crossed it I almost fell in, luckily I fell on top of a rock. So today I hiked slow and by myself in the cold snow, walked by some supposedly cool things like Max¢s Patch but I couldn¢t see them I the snowy fog. My legs didn¢t seem to want to move until I folded and searched my bag for extra food even though I had already eaten more than I usually do. So I found extra packets of strawberry preserves and dried ham. Immediately my legs got some life back in them and I finished the day 2 miles shorter than planned, Scarecrow stopped here and stayed because apparently the one we planned on staying at is a dump. E is probably there wondering where we are.I dropped one of my hiking poles today. I had them under my arm while snacking on the ham, apparently I dropped one and spent probably 45 minutes back tracking trying to find it. Oh well. Going into Hot Springs tomorrow, my parents will be there and lots of FOOD. There is always more to write but I can¢t think of it when I¢m writing, Good night
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Old Roaring Fork (3630')

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Took me half and hour to put on my frozen shoes, then I headed out into the winter wonderland, beautiful day, I hiked along and snapped some photos, my shoes quickly warmed up and it turned into a pleasant day. As I hiked I dropped in elevation and all the snow disappeared. I was soon hiking in my normal shorts and T-shirt. I descended a relaxing 14.5 miles into Hot Spings NC. Around the final switchback was my dad waiting for me. We went to the bottom of the hill and I met with my mom. I was very glad to see them, not to mention they had lots of food. Apparently there was a funny story about a note they left for me on a sign, but it had Ross written on it, and the other thruhiker named Ross picked it up. So I sat there with my parents for awhile and gorged on homemade candy bars or something (congo bars). So from there they took me back to the cabin they had rented, and I got a HOT shower and put on my ¢normal¢ clothes from home and wear my leather flip flops, ahhhh, not to mention have a couple of grilled cheese sandwiches. Then the coolest person in the world showed up, yeah Lauren drove out from college to hang out with me in Hot Springs for the weekend, while I was coming through, do I have the coolest friends or what? So I hung out at the cabin most of the rest of the day and told stories about the trail and what not, basically chilled and downloaded all the pictures off my camera. There¢s a couple of cool ones, hopefully they will get uploaded soon. Then we had dinner, mmmhhh, and whole mild, I think I drank a half a gallon while chomping down some Cincinnati chili, yeah I kinda got to feeling not so good afterwards and had to sit down for awhile.So I crashed the night in a real bed, and slept okay, not great but better than I do on the trail