morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-29
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

I got up this morning and still felt out of it. I first decided to take a zero. Then I got up and ate 2 pop tarts (are you reading this Sponge?) and felt a little better. So I packed up, took the key back and decided to get breakfast. Just as I went in it started to rain. Third Times a Charm joined me and finished, then Swampfoot joined me and then Bowleg showed up and joined me. I finally started to feel better. I think I needed food. I started to head out and a few other hikers showed up (Kiwi, Bluebelle, Tree, Flint, and Jubilee). I said hello and headed up the trail. It's a big climb out of the NOC but it felt good. We got our first rain which was nice and cool for the climb. It stopped for awhile (once I was soaked) and then started to pour just before I got to the shelter. I decided it was a good place to stay. Sauce was there relaxing and several others showed up later. The third solo woman I have met showed up...Kristin (later to become Lost) from Armonk, NY. I made up my mind to take it easy to Fontana Dam since I have a package there. I could have pushed hard to make it in time on Saturday morning. I feel so relaxed to take my time now that I have made the decision. It felt so good to be dry. We (Sauce, Swampfoot, Bowleg and Bono, Sublime, Bocephus, Third Time, and Kristin) had fun in the shelter and still had a nice fire even though everything was wet. I hear the weather is suppose to turn cold in time for the Smokies.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes, this was another short day. I felt good and planned to do a few more miles, but I was under the influence of trail magic! It was a nice walk up Cheoah Bald as it was above the clouds (you would have liked it Jack). Then I was in and out of the clouds for awhile. I started feeling hungry only about 1.5 hours after starting so I stopped and had a bar. Not long after that I started feeling hungry again. I guess that hunger was really starting to kick in. I started thinking wouldn't it be great if there was some trail magic at the next road crossing to help before making the next big climb. As I started coming down the switchbacks to the road I could see a couple of trailers and an umbrella. Could it be??? Then I saw Kristin and Swampfoot and knew it must be! What a great set up. They had a wash station, then a grill with some hot dogs all made, salad, sodas, snacks...it was great! This was all thanks to Bare Bear and Jellybean. They said they were going to have a spaghetti dinner that evening and pancakes for breakfast. Since I already knew I had extra time because of my mail drop in Fontana, I decided to stay for the night (even though I got there about noon). Everyone who had stayed at the shelter last night arrived and made the same decision. It was just too good to pass up. We all set up our tents out of the way and had a great evening with our hosts. I look forward to "paying it forward" next year!
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam NC 28
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had been dreading the climb out of Stecoah Gap hearing that it was pretty steep. I guess 2 low mileage days and the trail magic helped because the climb was behind me in no time at all. Suddenly I was at Cable Gap Shelter and there was still lots of day left. A few of us ended up taking a 1.5 hour lunch break with the boots off. When I got to the NC28 crossing Breadless, Swampfoot and Sauce were waiting for me to see if I wanted to go in for dinner at the Lodge. I had planned to head to the "Fontana Hilton" (a large shelter) but figured I may as well go in with them. Breadless had hoped to pick up a package but ended up having to wait for the PO on Monday the same as me. So, the 4 of us got a room and had dinner. It was good, but expensive. I had a steak and saved half to take as a dinner on the trail. There aren't a lot of options for getting meals at the resort. Not everything is open yet for the season. When we got back to our room, boy did it stink!
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Fontana Dam NC 28

To: Fontana Dam NC 28
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is my first zero. It isn't my first choice in places to take a zero. I really felt like getting going. Although it did rain today so I suppose it was nice not to have to deal with wet stuff. It was a boring day of laundry and walking back and forth up and down the hill to the store and the outfitter and the hotel. Sauce and Swampfoot went on since they didn't need to wait for the PO to open. Bowleg, Bono, Chico, and Scooby showed up in the early afternoon. Bowleg had to wait for Bono to be picked up since he needed to go to the kennel while we go through the Smokies :-( Bono is a very good dog...a black lab. He's nice to have around. I am called his "Auntie M". There seems to be a Wizard of Oz theme going on. Bowleg is always whistling a tune from it. Scooby was working on finishing up sections he didn't get last year due to injury and was having leg problems so he was just waiting for a ride. So Chico, Breadless, Bowleg and I shared a room for the night. It helps cut down on costs. I'm anxious to get back on the trail, I feel a bit like a prisoner here. Although, I am dreading the heavy pack. I am planning to go through the Smokies without a resupply. This will be the heaviest my pack has ever been.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Fontana Dam NC 28

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I got my package at the PO (thanks TMax). Between that and what I still had left over, I had enough to go 6 days (more than enough!). Ugh, my pack is so heavy! I got dropped off at NC28 and walked to Fontana Dam. It's kind of strange to walk across the dam. There were some nice views and I stopped for a few pictures. When I got across the dam and saw the sign for entering the Smokies, I wanted a picture with me and the sign but nobody was around. So, I set the camera up with the timer, but it was far away. I had to run with that heavy pack to get to the sign in time...ugh...but I got a picture. Then started the steady climb. It was a beautiful day with white puffy clouds and blue sky. There were lots of places where the ground was completely covered with little flowers. It was so pretty. Bowleg had started at the dam but ended up taking a wrong turn on the trail and so had a frustrating start to the day. He told me he had a dream about Bono being taken away in the bike like in the wizard of oz, but instead of the witch it was the guy from the kennel and Auntie M was running after him trying to get him back. I saw Bluebelle and Tree, Hikerchick and Bluemeanie, Lumpy, Billy Goat and ? (forgot his name), Yorkie, and Beatbox through the day. They must have all stayed at Mollies Ridge Shelter though. Chillout, Bowleg, and I were at Russell Field and Breadless had gone on to Spence. At one point when Bowleg and I were hiking together, we witnessed a tree falling in the woods. Trust me, it did make a sound! It was pretty impressive. There was a group of 7 teenage boys from a church in Indiana staying at the shelter. They seemed like nice kids. We started talking about trail names and I ended up helping 5 of them come up with trail names. I was pretty beat. I don't think I want to carry this heavy of a pack again.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up with a sore throat this morning. I figured I wouldn't make it very far, but I pushed on. There were a lot of ups today, but best of all was there were a lot of great views! Rocky Top was the best view of the day. It was better than Thunderhead, the higher of the 2 peaks. There was a dark cloud as I approached the summit of Thunderhead...I was hoping not to get thunder on Thunderhead! It ended up passing over. The whole day was really beautiful. I took a long break at Derrick Knob Shelter. It seemed like a lot of ups and downs to get to Silers Bald Shelter, but once I got there I knew it was only another 1.7 miles to the next shelter so I kept going. Breadless and Bowleg had already gone on. Just before the shelter I saw 3 deer. They saw me but just ignored me. Soon after I was at the shelter, 2 of them wandered down and were very close. Everyone got good pictures. I went to make my dinner and realized the foil pack of oysters had leaked over everything. All that oil...yuck. So I added the oysters to my lipton dinner and it made it really good. It was just a mess in my food bag now. Bocephus showed up for the night and a SOBO hiker named Superstar. She had to get off the trail last fall so she is working on finishing up what she has left. There were 5 other hikers who were non-thru hikers, just enjoying the Smokies during the holiday week. They said we're going to get a storm tonight and then turn cold tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-04
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm still not feeling well. My throat hurts, I'm stuffed up and I'm starting to feel it in my ears. I was considering going into Gatlinburg to take a day to try and get better. Last night we did indeed get a whopper of a storm. Lots of wind, thunder, lightening, heavy rain and hail. By the time I got up though, it was just a misty rain. It was hard to get going. It was pretty foggy mist for the morning with no views on Clingman's Dome. I still walked to the bottom of the tower for the obligatory picture :-). Every now and then the sun would poke through and then finally came out in the afternoon. I took a short break at Indian Gap and checked the miles, only 4.7 to the next shelter and 1.7 was down to the gap...downhill, right? Ha. They like to fool you like that. It wasn't that bad, just didn't expect any uphill there. When I walked into Newfound Gap, Papa Smurf, Flame, and Big Red (2002 thru-hikers) had some trail magic set up. They had some burgers, chips, soda and cookies for us. It was the perfect boost to make the final 3 mile climb to the shelter. Once there it was already getting cold and windy. It was going to be a cold night! There were some nice views from the shelter.
Date: 2007-04-05
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

Cold!!! I got up to go to the bathroom about 5:30 AM and could feel icy snow hitting me. I knew it was going to be a shorter day today so I stayed in my sleeping bag for awhile. Plus I was still feeling pretty bad. When I finally went out it was really pretty. All the trees were covered with ice and snow. It was definitely cold and hard to get started. Today there were so many spectacular views! The snow and ice made everything really pretty. There were many times where I would be walking on a spine of land with views on both sides. Walter, you really are going to have to come back to the Smokies for some views! It would go back and forth from windy, snowy, cold, to a more protected area. Sometimes chunks of icy snow would blow down and hit me...once down my back...cold! It was a much easier walk today and the best views so far in the Smokies. I think the lowest elevation was around 5200'and the highest was about 6400'. I'm thankful for the shelters here since it is so cold and they have tarps up to block the wind. It looks like one more day in the Smokies and on to Davenport Gap Shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-06
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Green Corner Rd
Miles today: 18.1

Impressed? Don't be...it was easy terrain, and I had motivation. It was cold again this morning (23 at 8:00) but not quite as windy as yesterday. I still feel pretty sick. The plan for today was to get to Davenport Gap Shelter and then nero tomorrow. It was a nice day for hiking. There were still some nice views walking out of the Smokies. The mountain tops were popping out of the clouds. It was kind of like the Monroe hike in November for those of you who were there or saw Sponges's video. I took some pictures but I doubt they cold possibly do it justice. I took my time and got to the shelter about 4:15. Chillout had gone on to Standing Bear and I knew a few others were there too. Bowleg went there to get Bono back. It was another 3.4 miles but it would mean a bunk in a room with a wood stove. So after about 3 min, I decided to move on. Since I felt so sick, I thought it would be good to be warm. It was a good decision. I got a hot shower (no heat in the room, but nice hot shower), got laundry done and then put a temp entry on here to let everyone know I was okay. My phone didn't have service, but they had dial-up access. I decided I would take a zero tomorrow to try to get better, and it was suppose to be really cold.
Date: 2007-04-07
From: Green Corner Rd

To: Green Corner Rd
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up feeling worse. I can tell it is a sinus infection - my jaws hurt and my head ached. I talked to Curtis (owner of Standing Bear) and he said someone could pick up a prescription for me if I could get it in time. I went to work with calls and finally had success. I took some time with the dial-up access and got some journal entries updated. This place has several buildings and works on the honor system. There is a kitchen, a shower room, a privy, a resupply room, a laundry/phone/internet room and then a bunk house. Whenever you get something you write it on an envelope with the price and then just add it up and pay before you leave. We woke up to snow on the ground and it snowed a little more in the morning, but then it cleared up and warmed up some in the afternoon. Once I got my medicine around 2, I crawled into my sleeping bag and stayed there for most of the day. A few other hikers came in so we had more than a full house. Tree played guitar and we sang songs and then Finnegan played the fiddle. It was a lot of fun and I didn't even have to get out of bed.
Date: 2007-04-08
From: Green Corner Rd

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

I woke up feeling a little better and felt like I really needed to get back on the trail. I knew it was suppose to be cold so I decided on a short day just to the next shelter since it was at a fairly low elevation. Several of us had the same plan so we had a good group there for the night. We all slept in our tents though to stay warmer. We had a nice fire (we usually do when Bocephus is there). Today I went over Snowbird Mtn which has beautiful views looking back at the Smokies. Swampfoot happened to be there when I was so he took a picture of me up there. I don't have a lot of pics with me in them since I'm usually hiking alone. I did finally fill a memory card so I'll send that when I get to Hot Springs. Back to the fire...we usually talk trail talk...what we saw, how hard it was, how hungry we are or what we ate or whatever. Tonight we got on the discussion of what you use if you run out of TP. There were several suggestions (leaves, pine cones, rocks,etc.) but then Yorkie says "just pass the squirrel". I laugh a lot on the trail but that really had me in stitches.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Kale Gap
Miles today: 13.8

It didn't get quite as cold as I thought it would...it was up to 34 in my tent by about 7:15. It is hard to get going when it is cold (for me anyway). I didn't leave until about 9:30. I was hoping for it to warm up by the time I got to Max Patch. On the way to the summit a couple stopped and handed out some Easter candy (malt balls..yum). Wow! What a view from the top of Max Patch! I couldn't pick one thing to take a picture of so I did a 360 video. Today's hike was very diverse in the terrain. Max Patch is a like a big open field. Then on the other side you walk through a big rhododendron tunnel that is really cool. Then another little sunny, warm field where some of us stopped for lunch and then back to the open woods. There was a lot of mud today after the snow melt. Walnut Mtn Shelter was at a fairly high elevation and seemed windy so Bluebelle, Tree, and I decided to go down to Kale Gap. There were a couple of nice tent spots down there. I am looking forward to getting to Hot Springs tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-10
From: Kale Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

It was about 30 when I got up. The first part of the hike today was to climb Bluff Mtn. There were some views through the trees but nothing like the last couple of days. The hike wasn't too bad, always a few more ups than you think. It started warming up. I took a good break at Deer Park Shelter and took care of a hot spot. Everyone was in a hurry to get into town to try and get a room at Elmer's. As you walk down into town you see it for awhile since there are switchbacks and it seems to take forever to get down there. Then the AT symbol is painted on the road and embedded in the sidewalk. The trail goes right through the center of town. Breadless and I walked into town and got the last 2 beds at Elmer's. They were in the "annex", a room above the garage. I was happy to have a bed and be in town. I had 2 packages when I arrived. Barb sent some great homemade oatmeal raisin cookies and had them packaged so I could give some away. Everyone enjoyed them and I still have some to take with me...thanks Barb! Tamas sent me a nice lightweight magazine with short stories (sci-fi). I started one but will save it for the trail. He also sent some chocolate. I had some and saved the rest for the trail...I love Cadbury...thanks Tamas!
Date: 2007-04-11
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a cold night in the annex but I get to move into the house today. I had always planned to zero here to take advantage of the "healing waters". The town is very quaint and the people are really friendly. I used the morning to take care of resupply, etc. and then made an appointment for the baths and a 30 min massage. The baths were outside and pretty private (which is good since I don't have a bathing suit). It was windy, cold, and misty rain but it was fine in the bath. I hope it helps my foot. The massage felt great but was too short.   I had a nice relaxing day. Then I had the best meal at Elmer's! Sunny made a fabulous dinner for us. If anyone stays here I highly recommend signing up for the meals! I spent the rest of the evening updating my journal. My plan is to start hiking around 11 tomorrow. More cold and snow is in the forecast.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up and did one last update in my journal and then took a shower. What a luxury! We had a great breakfast and I slowly got my stuff ready to go. Elmer's is a great place, it's hard to leave, but it was a nice day and I was looking forward to getting back on the trail. I took off right at 11:00 just as I figured. It was strange walking down the main street and being on the trail. Then you walk along the river for a bit and then start the usual climb out of town. It seems to be pretty standard...resupply, a heavy pack, and then climb out of town. It was very pretty. I was only planning for an 11 mile day to the first shelter so I didn't worry too much about time. When I got to Rich Mountain I decided to take the spur trail up to the tower. It had great views. There was a road to the top so there was a lot of broken glass. I took some pictures. Then I plugged on and the shelter was right on the trail. There weren't a lot of great tent sites so I'm at a bit of an angle tonight. I wanted to stay in the tent since it was suppose to be cold. I took some Theraflu so it should help me sleep. Also here at the shelter are Bluebelle, Tree, Father Christmas, Dog's Life, Crankbait, Buckles, Thunder, Tobasco, Donny Q and Boat Drinks.
Date: 2007-04-13
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

I was actually the first person on the trail from the shelter this morning. It was about 8:30 and almost 31 degrees. I was thinking of doing a really big day but the terrain wasn't what I expected. When I got to Allen Gap there was a sign for trail magic. I almost went but figured it would delay me at least an hour, I wasn't hungry, and it was such a nice hiking day so I passed. Although it did hail for about 15 minutes around 10:00. So, I trudged up the big climb. I stopped a few times to take care of layers (on, off, etc.). Then I stopped at Laurel Spring Shelter for some lunch. Looking at the profile on the map, it looked like there would be some easy ridge walking ahead - boy was I wrong! As I got closer to Blackstack Cliffs, there was a sign for an alternate trail in bad weather with a warning of exposed trail. Hmmm. The trail became very rocky and slow going. There were lots of ups and downs and over and around. It really slowed me down and seemed to go on forever. Then I was on a kind of rock spine and the views were incredible! It was a lot of fun with some narrow spots that were a little difficult with the big pack. There were tons (literally, I'm sure) of stone steps.   Someone did a lot of trail work. It just kept going and going. I knew I wouldn't go further than the 15 miles so I just enjoyed. I got to the shelter about 4:45, set up my tent, pumped water, and was about to cook dinner when it started to rain. So I brought my stuff into the shelter and took down my tent. Once my dinner was cooked, Father Christmas showed up. Once I was done with everything, Donny Q and Boat Drinks turned up. I'm not sure if anyone else will make it tonight. The forecast is for rain tomorrow. I wouldn't mind if it were warmer, but it will be a cold rain.