morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-03-27
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)

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

So, today we climbed. But, before we get to that, I can disclose to you my first mental meltdown. It wasn't really that dramatic, but it happened nonetheless. Because my parents' tend to add to my pack weight (more food, gear, treats, etc.) -- which they did when we were in Franklin -- and I had to purchase the new sleeping pad, AND I had the looming climb in front of me... I decided I NEEDED a pack shake down, immediately. Of course, the only things I could really eliminate were things that I probably needed. However, I eliminated them anyways. I am really great about only keeping things with me that I use on a regular basis. I have very few clothes and very few luxury items in comparison to others. Even my guide books and journals are merely pages torn out of a book. But, my mother worries constantly about the quantity of food I am consuming and I honestly carry two to three times the food weight of other hikers, PER DAY. Now, I love it while I am hiking because I am constantly thinking about what I am going to consume next, but the weight change per day is so drastic that it can become daunting. SO, I gathered up what few things I figured I could live without, hoping it eliminated at least the pound of weight I added when I upgraded my sleeping system. And, I was ecstatic to find out that the gear and box weighed 3.2 pounds! Of course, as I did make my climb out of NOC I realized that my parents would need to return almost all of it back to me at Gatlinburg. Oh well, whatever it takes to mentally get me through the day. And, I did make the climb today. Most of my aches and pains (including the pinched nerve)had subsided with the mattress change so I had to commit to my purchase. Sauerkraut and I got to talking and several miles passed without more than a passing comment to our ascent. But, the last few miles did become tedious and the miles caught up pretty quickly. I felt amazing! and with the looming climb now behind us I really did begin feeling confident about the next week (all of which contain challenging climbs). I had an intense debate with August tonight and it was refreshing, yet revealing. I believe that the grand notions of changing the world through the power of mass movements detracts from the value of individual relationships. We change each other with every interaction and the personal connections we have are those that have the greatest and deepest impact. The individual relationships we have are more often the vehicles of inspiration, motivation, and change. But, what do I know? I am just one individual.
Date: 2008-03-28
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light rain

Today was a wonderfully long day. I spent most of it chatting with Sauerkraut so although my body could feel the miles adding up, my mind was occupied with girl talk rather than mile counting. We kept waiting on Poppins and August who were taking it a little slower today; however, the biting wind had us moving on ahead prematurely despite our attempts to stay together. Our goal was to make our way to Brown Fork Shelter. Though, we arrived to find the shelter occupied by a boy scout troop and Butters sitting rather forlornly on a log. I was very excited to have caught up to Butters (he had camped last night further past the Shelter) and Kota was trailing behind Poppins and August. There was definitely not enough room for the six of us in the shelter so Sauerkraut and I decided that the best thing would be to move on to the next campsite and knock out a few more miles of tomorrow's hike into Fontana Dam. We left a message with the Boy Scouts to give to the rest of the group and the three of us continued down the trail. I was what I would call "fatigued" and the last 0.8 miles seemed quite endless. Yet, it felt so good to finally push my body towards its limits. I really do love even the most grueling of miles. A few years ago, putting so much stress on my body would have resulted in a long recovery process -- pushing myself physically simply meant that I broke down my body without the capacity to build it back up. Today, after a couple tough days I could feel my body getting stronger rather than weaker and I am so very thankful. Kota, Poppins, and August never made it to our camp, but we hope to meet up with them tomorrow when we get into Fontana Dam! My thoughts for today really lingered on some things that I began to toss around in my head yesterday. In summary, I feel that being bitter and resentful is a personal choice that only hurts the individual that fails to relinquish those feelings. So, like on the trail, you just gotta keep going -- and I am doing that in more ways than one. Today has been a beautiful day!
Date: 2008-03-29
From: Cody Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Climbing down to Fontana Dam was great. The hike was definitely not easy because I am a little worn down by the tough couple days we have had, but the miles passed quickly enough. Sauerkraut and I were really looking forward to the zero day we had planned for tomorrow... but how quickly things would change! We made our way to the Fontana Marina and set our sights on obtaining a meal. This required us to get a ride into the Fontana Village Resort and after only about 2 seconds of mulling over our options we made our way to the road to get a hitch into town (I only do this in hiking towns and with more than one person! It is very common out here on the trail given that we are usually miles out of town and have little desire to walk to our destination after a long day on the trail). Sauerkraut's father, Little Fox, had previously been hiking and left the trail in Franklin to tend to work and sick family. Sauerkraut knew how difficult it was for him to make the trips up the trail to visit so she had resigned herself to the fact that she would have to wait until she reached Maine to see her father again. As we were standing on the side of the road I set my sights on a car pulling up into the Marina parking lot because locals are usually our best opportunities for a ride. And, as if the stars and the moon all aligned themselves just so, the person from the car spoke out to us. He looked so strangely familiar. It was Little Fox himself and it took a minute for me to recognize him (he was clean and shaven!). Little Fox had made his way up to Fontana Dam because he was worried about Sauerkraut and spent a whole day making sure our packages were moved to the hotel and reserving a room so she could get a good nights sleep! He was simply leaving a note at the Fontana Marina for Sauerkraut before he was going to head home. The timing could not have been more perfect! Had we not hiked to Cody Gap last night, had we hiked slower, had we already gotten a hitch into town, had we started walking (like Sauerkraut wanted to do!)... so many different variables and we hit the right combination. These are the types of trail magic that make the trip just a little more memorable :0) So, instead of staying at a shelter we were able to take recidence in a hotel room and get a good shower, food, and washed our clothes (oh, and we didn't have to get a hitch into town after all). Today was a wonderful day! But, our plans of a zero tomorrow have also changed. The Fontana Dam is closing on Monday for repairs so unless we want to take a 2+ mile detour to the bottom of the Dam and back up we have have to leave tomorrow and head into the Smokies without the rest we anticipated! I can't believe we are about to climb from 1,800 feet to over 6,600 feet (the highest point in the AT: Clingman's Dome) in just a few days time. I can't believe we made it to the Great Smoky Mountains :0)
Date: 2008-03-30
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 7.0

Waking up in a bed was great! I was still pretty tired when I got up but there were so many things to do before checking out and I really was excited about getting back out on the trail -- crossing Fontana Dam today! I took tons of photos at the Dam and we officially entered the Smoky Mountain National Park. Butters (who stayed with us) headed out ahead because he is trying to make it to Clingman's Dome by April 1 -- his birthday! Sauerkraut and I are not quite rested up enough to attempt the mileage today, but we will catch up with him again soon. The hike today was very, very slow. The climb was definitely more gradual than coming out of NOC, but it went on forever. I can still feel the soreness in my calves from our last climb!! I was also mentally not prepared because I was ready to zero today and instead we are moving along. I know that in the long run it will all work out, but I can definitely feel the drain today. I think we could have pushed on to the shelter (another 5+ miles); however, Sauerkraut and I decided to get a good nights rest at the Birch Spring Gap Campsite (our third night camping!!) so we can take on the hike tomorrow with a little more energy :0) At the campsite we were joined by Pinecone, Bananas, V8, Auntie Mame, and Patrick who were great company! And, surprisingly the number of girls at the campsite outnumbered the guys until late in the evening. I think I will sleep like a baby tonight!! It is really exciting to finally be conquering the Smoky Mountains after all the hype and tall tales. I know the weather can be pretty brutal up here (I have been caught in it before!!), so we will just keep on keeping on and hope that we can at least get one sunny day to take in the views. The views today were pretty cool, we were even able to climb a rickety fire tower to take it all in. Yet, the Smoky Mountains lived up to their name today and our view was cut short by the clouds. Until tomorrow...
Date: 2008-03-31
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Accomplishment of the day: I now have less than 2000 miles to go until I make it to Katahdin, Maine. The Smoky Mountains are beautiful, but I wouldn't know -- it has been rainy/cloudy almost all day. A little chilly as well, but still a great day! My body desperately needs some rest, I can feel the soreness in my calves from the continuous back to back climbs over the last week. I was up last night because I could hear the wild boars up on the ridgeline and I refused to get out of the tent to use the bathroom. They make this awful territorial sound and I figured that it just wasn't the time to test out my luck -- I would rather my bladder burst than have my heals bitten (that is what they go for!). Because the Dam was closing it forced a lot of thru hikers to press on from Fontana Dam at the same time. Between the closest two sites (a campsite and a shelter) there were over 40 people. We caught up to Butters at one of the shelters and the three of us pressed on another 3+ miles to the next shelter. I really felt like I would have been better off crawling :0) And, I was crushed to get there to find it full! It was going to rain all night and our tent was already soaked from last night's rain. Thankfully, Sauerkraut and I don't take up much room and we were able to find a spot inside the shelter with the fire going and everything. With patience, everything will work out. I have yet to have a bad day -- tough day, but not a bad day. I am so thankful. Some of the new people I met at our full shelter: Poker, Bearpaw & Windjammer (it was his birthday), Comatose, Rambo, and Hungry. And some of the old: Leaping Turtle, Pops, Wingfeet, Brush Strokes, Auntie Mame, V8, Bananas, Blake, and Barley & Rain. I am SURE I forgot people but I will meet them later on down the trail and have a better opportunity to introduce them. Till tomorrow..
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

What a day. I don't even know how to begin to tell you my epic tale :0) Let me begin by summarizing my accomplishments in the 24 hour period of time that began at 10:00am 4/1: aside from having less than 2000 miles; I have now hiked over 200 miles of the AT; I have climbed the highest peak of the AT (Clingman's Dome) AND been there for the sunrise; I had my first official night hike and post dinner hike; the most mileage in a 24 hour stretch; my worst night's sleep; another hike in a thunderstorm; AND -- the kicker: two BEAUTIFUL days in the Smokies (which says a lot given the reputed weather at our heights). So, now I will start from the beginning. We got up like any average day and packed up camp and headed out to the trail. We were in the clouds so the views were limited and mostly consisted of cool white backgrounds on the top the infamous Rocky Top and subsequently, Thunderhead. I am sure the views are amazing, I just wouldn't be able to tell you about them. However, just around noon, the clouds took their leave and it just kept getting better from there. I was feeling great today. We (Butters, Sauerkraut, and myself) made it to the first shelter for lunch with not much of a sweat and only 5.5 miles to go until we made it to our "possible" stopping destination. Well, for the first time in a long while I just really felt good so I pushed on in front of the other two. It felt good to push myself as hard as I could for a handful of miles of good uphill climbs. I don't remember much except focusing on my pace and hoping my poor feet held out :0) I made it to our destination in record time, but I was definetely exhausted. When Sauerkraut and Butters showed up we decided that we should just settle in for the night instead of going the extra 1.7 miles to the next shelter. So, we got comfortable and cooked dinner and we were just enjoying our nightly cup of hot cocoa when we decided that it was necessary to get Butters to Clingman's Dome for his birthday -- which just so happened to be TODAY. So, we packed up camp at 7 o'clock at night and made our way out. Figures that a thunderstorm came rolling in literally minutes after we made our departure. The craziness of our attempt brought tons of laughter. I just couldn't stop! So, we hiked in the pouring rain for 1.7 miles and I couldn't stop smiling. We made it to Double Spring Gap Shelter in a little over 30 minutes and met up with Dirt, Sampson, Beat Box, Rock Steady, Truckin', Hungry, and 3 Cats who were all staying the night. They were pretty surprised to see us coming up in the rain. Soon we figured out that a few of them wanted to catch Clingman's Dome for the sunrise. And, even though it wouldn't get Butters there on his birthday, it seemed like a pretty darn good idea. We had heard that the weather was supposed to clear up by morning so we decided that if the stars were out at 5:00 am we would venture out on the night (morning) hike... so we settled in to catch just a few hours of sleep before our adventure would continue... in my next entry.
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Mount Collins Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: clear sky

...so 5:00 am came around and there were stars in the sky!! I had really JUST fallen asleep because I had mice climbing on me and scurring past my head all night -- so I was temporarily reluctant to get up. BUT, the chance of a sunrise on Clingman's Dome which has, on average, just 40 days a year of clear views... just couldn't pass it up, no matter how exhausted I was. Even Butters had to be nudged a little to get out of his sleeping bag. But, soon enough we were on our way! Only 3 some odd miles to get to the top -- but, it was all uphill (funny how that always works out). I failed to eat breakfast so the climb and the miles we put in from the day before and the lack of sleep wore down on my fast... but, the looming sunrise kept me going as fast as I possibly could up the mountains. I stopped to take pictures along the way and made it to Clingman's in time to take some pretty spectacular photos of the sunrise. Every step was worth it! Soon (maybe my Friday the 11th of April), I will be able to post the pictures!! So, now, still exhausted but with a HUGE smile on my face, we had to make it 4 more miles to the next shelter. We reached the shelter just before 10:00 am making it an over 20.0 mile day (including the hike to the shelter and the side trail to and from Clingman's Dome) in just 24 hours. So, we rewarded ourselves (since it was another BEAUTIFUL day) with some sunbathing and an afternoon of card games... oh, and eating all the food we had because we were going to Gatlingburg in the morning! So, although it seemed a lot like a zero day -- we had still worn down the soles of our shoes a little more -- it was the most rewarding day on the trail by far!! Dirt and Truckin' are heading in with us tomorrow to Gatlinburg for some R&R (rest and relaxation!). I cannot wait. And, although Dirt is a previous '06 thru hiker, you wouldn't know it by the fact that he got lost on his way up to Clingman's this morning... but, no worries, he has a good excuse for it (uh huh). And Truckin' is really cool, as well -- check out his trail journal! Ok, the day was awesome and I just don't think I can belabor the point any more. Onward to Gatlinburg in the morning and my parents' come up on Friday. I am more than anxious to see them! This trip ROCKS!
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Today I made my way to Gatlinburg and my first real zero day in a looooong while. Mentally, I am prepared to regroup. Physically, I just need some time to rest up and get some good food in me. Butters headed out before I got out of my sleeping bag. I figure he isn't going to stop in Gatlinburg and we are going to have to play a catch up game for a few weeks before we see him again. So, Sauerkraut, Truckin', Dirt, and I all made the quick trek to the gap. Even after resting all day, I could tell how worn out I was. But, I had two wonderful days to look forward to and my parents' coming up in the morning! I wish I could say something interesting about today -- but, really we just did the usual: food (first), outfitter store, hotel room and shower, laundry... and then we wondered around the town in search of twinkies and ice cream. Sounds pretty normal to me :0) I had great company and I was glad to get so much done so that tomorrow I can just spend time with my family! Oh, and I think the mileage for today should reflect the additional three miles or so we walked to do our laundry; that map was very deceptive. Back to my game of Rummy -- no worries Dirt, I won't tell them how horrible you are, yet.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlingburg, TN)

To: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am one lucky girl :0) My parents made the drive up to Gatlinburg on my mother's birthday to see me! (I tempted my mother to come up with the lures of a mega scrapbook store in the area). And, as always, it was so great to see them. Poor Sauerkraut had to meet the family for the first time and spend approximately 24 hours in our presence... but, no worries, she is recovering nicely :0) We didn't spend much time in the hotel room during the day. We watched Leatherheads, did some shopping and ate lots of delicious food. Having such a great support at home really does change the realm of this adventure. To know that at the end of my journey, whether it is in Maine or elsewhere, that I get to return home to such an amazing family enables me to truly take away from this experience everything that I can. I do miss them -- even more than I missed them when I left for West Point because our relationship has changed. They are a part of my every day life when I am home. But, I also know that this is where I am supposed to be at this very moment and I have to begin to find my own way again. Yet, they are the ones who have given me the strength and the courage to make it this far and to make it through the past few years. They have been there when the times have been bad and I hope and pray that they know how much I want to share my experiences with them now that the times are so truly great. Dad, you have always been my inspiration. Mom, you will always be my rock -- even if I do blame everything on you :0)
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Newfound Gap (Gatlinburg, TN)

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

So much for all that rest I accumulated... I am tired again! I have found out that when I am in town I resume my scatter-brained antics. Like my father said, I really would lose my head. However, out on the trail, everything has a place and if I am not carrying it or wearing it then it doesn't exist in my world. I am compulsive about the order in which I pack my gear, get up in the morning, get ready for the evening. It is so simple. When I come out into the "real world" I feel overwhelmed. I now have to find a place for extra clothing, new supplies, computers and television, etc. It just doesn't all fit! My point to all this... I "lost" my credit card/ID/money for the duration of my parents visit. At least until I went to pack up my bag again and found it sitting exactly in the pouch it should have been in all along. So, the crisis was over -- we didn't have to go searching all of Gatlinburg for where I misplaced my plastic bag of goodies -- and we headed off for the trail! It was really hard to see my parents go this time knowing that they wouldn't be back in a few weeks. (I do get to see them in May for a wedding). But, Sauerkraut and I quickly refocused on the task at hand and it included... hiking. Figures :0) We made it to the first shelter (Rosemary, you remember this one: Icewater Spring Shelter) and found Dirt and Truckin' lounging around. We decided with so many thru hikers coming up behind us that it would be better if we made our way on to the next shelter even though it was pretty late in the evening (for me, anyways). So, we waited for the two to pack up and we headed out of camp for an additional 6+ miles. The only part of this plan that backfired on us was that rain came... but, worse than that, it snuck up on us! It just felt like moisture in the air (we were walking in clouds anyways) and by the time we realized it was a full rain, I was already soaked and found the usefulness of my umbrella to be quite obsolete. Figures :0) It was quite chilly, as well. But, coming into camp and getting into dry clothes really turned things around. Now, I have to mentally prepare for the 16 miler tomorrow that Dirt and Truckin' want to attempt. Too fast, too soon? We'll see!