morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Roanoke, VA

To: Seattle, WA
Miles today: 0.0

In the morning, my luggage checked again, I went to the Delta check-in. They scanned my boarding pass, said that for some reason the computer didn't recognize it, but just go walk over and get on the small jet on the tarmac. I climbed aboard, stowed my carry on, and then a woman said I was in her seat. I showed her my ticket, and she said I was on the wrong plane! Delta had put me on a plane bound for Atlanta, GA! It was only caught because the flight was full. Otherwise I would have been bound for the start of the AT, all over again. I wondered if this was a sign I should go back on trail?Many radio calls later I was let back into the terminal, just in time to board an identical looking jet at the same gate, parked just opposite the Atlanta jet, this one bound for Detroit. The brief flight was smooth and after a two hour layover I was on a full flight bound for Seattle, stuck in a center seat. At least the flight safety intro was entertaining and the attendant told us we were free to keep the seat cushion as a souvenir in the event of a water landing. I hate flying and was happy we landed in Seattle half and hour ahead of schedule!Finally back in Seattle, Suzanne gave me a ride back to my apartment. This was the first time I'd been home in two months, the longest I'd ever been away. My home had been on my back the entire time, or a membrane of canvas strung between aluminum poles. I sat on my couch and stared out the window. I imagined what Cerveza and my new friends were doing, three hours ahead of me in time and a thousand miles away in distance, on the AT. They were probably stopping somewhere to setup camp and cook an instant dinner on a tiny campstove. I drove to the grocery store, stopping for take-out on the way back. As they were getting ready for bed on a Thermarest and a sleeping bag I was climbing into my bed with real pillows.I missed everyone and everything about it. I went to sleep and dreamed about the Appalachian Trail, hoping the whole thing hadn't all just been a dream all along.
Date: 2010-09-23
From: Seattle, WA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

From well before I departed for the At the plan was that I'd hike as far as Pearisburg, VA and return to hike through all of Maine and summit Katahdin. Even the best laid plans fall through. My friends are all in Maine now, finishing up their journey, and I'm watching from back in Seattle. It's been a rough summer watching from afar and having a long awaited return snatched away. I am happy for them, all of them, I just wish I could have been there.But even with everything I lost out there, the time I spent on the AT was the best of my life and there's nowhere else I'd rather be. It also cemented my love of distance hiking. I will be back to thru-hike the AT, after I thru-hike the PCT in 2012. I had been thinking about the PCT for many years and after this experience I know I want to do it.In the grand scheme, over many years of course, I would love to hike all the long distance trails in the US. Next year I plan the John Muir Trail and will again apply for Wonderland Trail permits.This is the end of my journal for the Appalachian Trail in 2010.
Date: 2010-07-06
To: Appalachian Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I started hiking from Katahdin with my boyfriend, Quickstep on June 21, 2010. I was suppose to only do the 100-mile wilderness, which I completed and then went back home assuming I was done hiking until I caught up with him again in New Hampshire. Well scratch that plan...I am now planning on catching up with Quickstep in Gorham, NH and hiking the rest of the trail. I know I will have to go back and make up from Monson to Gorham part later but for now I think NH to Georgia is a good start! I can't wait to get going...I've already gotten a taste of what it's like so I think I'm pretty well prepared. I will be with Quickstep the whole way so I'm happy about that because I was deeply missing him before..I'm glad I have the opportunity to hike the trail and even better to be hiking with someone who I love. I start next Thursday(July 15, 2010) Wish me luck!!
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

First day out, met a lot of interesting people, like Roni and Roger, deaf hikers. Roger is additionally mostly blind. They taught me to spell my name in ASL, which I practiced the rest of the day. I hear they are still on the trail, as of June. Go guys! Also met KrispyKritter, Mountain Camel, Bear and Lady Aqua, Mr. Smee, Alex, Clothesline, Options and Full Tilt Boogie... lots of great folks I still want to keep track of. The shelter area was VERY crowded. I think there were at least 20 tents & hammocks set up, and the shelter itself was full.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Big Cedar Mtn
Miles today: 13.3

Sassafrass Mtn was not all that bad. Stop yer whining. There was a little wildfire there the day before, and the fire crews were out to monitor for hot spots. It looked like a perfect little fire, clearing out litter and a few downed trees, not much killing of anything at all. Gooch, the lunch stop, was full of boyscouts. Whoa. Those kids can really take up space. Hearing on kid, who was about as ignorant as they come, play the knowitall to the rest was a hilarious send-up of beginning thru-hiker behavior witnessed the night before at Hawk Mtn. I love that sort of thing.Stayed at Preacher Rock with Sweettea and her hubby. They had with them a chihuahua, Taco, and a 6-week old puppy, Cotton. I wanted to steal Cotton. What a fantastic dog. But too young for the trail, still not clear on things like cliffs.
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Big Cedar Mtn

To: Neel's Gap/Blood Mtn Cabins
Miles today: 9.6

Ran into Mosey (met at Gooch the day before?) at Woods Hole Shelter trail. It was dumping rain, and we'd both decided not to go the looong mile down and back to the shelter. Something about rain makes you want to push on. We got to Blood Mountain shelter at about the same time. People were all huddled in the back room making hot lunch. Nobody wanted to move. It was not far down to Neels, so I decided I'd get off the mountain instead of trying to sleep in a room with rain blowing sideways 3/4 of the way across. Would have been nice to have shudders. Oh well. Rain gear completely failed on the way down. Trees were whipping around, looking like a weak tree could just tear out. I could tell it was a beautiful area, but I really couldn't see anything. I dragged into the hostel a bit hypothermic, only my torso still warmish under my giant yellow wool sweater, which I think had about a quart of water in it. Ended up staying with Full Tilt and Options. There's more to the story, so I might update this entry later.
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Neel's Gap/Blood Mtn Cabins

To: Baggs Creek Gap
Miles today: 4.2

Had spent a few days back in Charlotte letting a nasty under the heel blister heal up a bit. Didn't get to the trail until late afternoon, so I took the first inviting camp site, a place with a ripped off sign where someone had written "500lb bear here. Do not camp." Ha ha. That was probably the bear that found better pickings at Blood Mtn Sheltera few days earlier and had been destroying stuff at Slaughter Creek Campsite too.Met Cotton (a young guy with knee issues and too much cotton gear) and Just Tim, a nice older guy (well, older than me!) who habitually hangs his entire pack in the trees out of the way of bears. Whew! He made fun of my food bag, which must have weighed 20lbs. LOL.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Baggs Creek Gap

To: Poplar Stamp Gap
Miles today: 8.0

First met Moped. Good story behind his name, but not mine to tell. He shares my love of cool tech and making your own gear. Next morning, we came across a smallish copperhead snake at a spring we wanted to access. Doh! Of course, we all immediately pulled out cameras and clicked away.
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Cheese Factory Site

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: few clouds

Caught up with Full Tilt and Options again, which was great. I got to check out Options' very cool hammock setup, which is from Warbonnet. Wow. That's the stuff. Supper expensive, but really well designed and executed. At this point, the bad knee is really cutting into my days. Screwed it up the first day out of Neels Gap, favoring a half-healed blister and using trekking poles incorrectly. Bad Lisa. Read instructions!
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: few clouds

Dragged into Hiawassee feeling very reluctant to bend my right knee at all. Plus, Creepy Guy had been following and was apparently obviously staring angrily at my back when I refused to pay all attention to him. Options, a US Martial, felt he wasn't dangerous at the moment, but could become so. He followed me around in Hiawassee the next day, and that tore it. I decided to skip ahead a few miles to lose him. Stayed at Mull's Inn, which had seen better days, perhaps back in the 70's. Not a great deal for $50/night.
Date: 2010-04-18
To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Hiked with Vegan Freehiker out of Winding Stair Gap. Met Giraffe Stomach for the first time here. What a great guy, although his kids have NO idea how much he does for them. Amusing but ingrateful little beasts. Also here was Gravy and Kentucky. They are a little intimidating, but really pretty good guys when you get to know them. I met them first time at Neels Gap as I was headed North. They asked if I'd gotten new boots. I said, "No, just cleaned these up. They've got 80 miles on them already." Ha ha ha. That IS a new pair of boots!
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

The descent into Nantahala Outdoors Center is really hellish when your knee has gone off. I don't remember much of that day other than nice flowers and limping into the convenience store just at 5pm, buying a beer and a bunk. The beer was Gaelic Ale, $5 for a 22oz, and the bunk was $20. And get this, they didn't have any towels left, nor would they give me a discount. Stinkers.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

In spite of NOC being kinda lame, I stayed because I was a) lamed, and b) having a good time. Goldilocks and I hitched to Bryson and bought dinner for eight. She and I feed a WHOLE bunch of people at the hikers kitchen in NOC. Really enjoyed that. Seen at NOC: Goldilocks, Yahtzee (first meeting), Lady Slipper, Serendipity (?), Clothesline, Alex, Wanderer, Giraffe Stomach and more good people.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: NOC

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

My longest day at that point. Knee didn't complain much, but I knew better than to push. Did that stop me? Apparently not. The climb just past Stecoah Gap had me swearing at the trail designers. Whose idea is it that steep ridgelines are best ascended RIGHT UP THE EDGE. Really, it's cute to follow state lines, but get a grip. Met Wallflower and Kcuf Llenroc for the first time, I think. Nice kids. Wallflower pulled into camp late, fell down and kissed the dirt, got up with a big muddy smear on his cheek, and messily guzzled a cheap fizzy beer. I liked him immediately.
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: few clouds

Descent into Fontana was hellish painful. I think I cried and swore for the last three miles. When I got there, it turned out that the Connecticut crew (Clothesline, Alex, all them) were splitting a cabin at Fontana Village. I declined to join in, mostly based on the LARGE amount of beer they intended to drink. I heard later that they did indeed stay up until crazy hours. I insulted Clothesline (I think he may have held a grudge on that one, oops) and sat on the porch having a beer with Giggles and Goldilocks. All in all, not a bad evening.
Date: 2010-04-25
From: The Hike Inn

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Another zero day... Well, Dad arrived in the morning and drove me around to try to find a knee brace. Nothing worthwhile was found, but I decided to try to keep hiking anyway. Dad and Teena dropped me off back at the Hilton at about 4pm. The new crew of denizens was not nearly as copacetic as the previous set. We had Red Baron, a dirty old drunk who could not be controlled, Screamer, a strange but basically good person, Buttons, a very cute gal who appears to be 16, and some of the Connecticut crew. Red Baron came close to getting beat up by some of the guys because of his behavior towards some of the gals. We should have called the cops and had him thrown in the drunk tank.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Hiked up out of Fontana Dam. Met Timex, who got her name for taking a real licking on the trail a few years ago. Bad fall. Also caught up with Warrior and Itchy Balls. I'd met Warrior earlier, when he was instrumental in saving all of us from getting busted for drinking beer at the Fontana Hilton.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took a zero- the blister was back, in a big way, infected. Bear helped me out with some medicine (great to EMTs on the trail!). It was naasty outside all day, blowing sleet, rain, snow, hail, etc., sideways without cease. We had about 25 people in the shelter, and kept the sad little fire going all night. I was very cold that night, as I'd traded out my winter bag for a three-season already. Oops.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Day started very poorly, feeling completely hobbled by the blister. I stopped at Russel Field Shelter to perform minor surgery. Sure enough, the infection had moved INSIDE my foot. Green is not a color you want to see inside your skin. It was under pressure and felt tons better as soon as I had it cleaned out. Creepily, the hole inside the blister was perfectly circular, I think indicating that the bacteria had eaten the flesh. Ewww! I cleaned it very very well and added the antibiotic creme I had. What a relief. The rest of the day was great, hiking with Downhill.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: clear sky

Kind of a long day for me at this point, I was quite tired at the end. However, the area around Clingman's Dome was the first really beautiful landscape (to me) and felt like home. I'd love to do this section again and again. Hiked with Downhill again. First time I met Moss, I think. She pulled in at dusk. Also, Hemi and 151 agreed to grab a bottle of Bulleit for me down in Gatlinburg, and I was to wait for them at Icewater that next night. Hemi also has a great story behind his name, again not for me to explain.
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

Well, the boys didn't show up. I think the Gatlinburg vortex sucked them in, which I would have given a 40% chance of happening even as I gave them some cash the night before. I wasn't peeved or anything, I figured they'd catch me in the next few days or they'd drink it. I considered it a bit of trail magic for them if they did that. LOL. Red Baron showed up and was trying to get close to me all afternoon at the shelter. He'd already touched me three times, twice after I told him no. I had my pepper spray in my pocket. It's not the bears that we all worry about, it's the pigs. A lovely guy I'd met earlier (Mollies?), Nimblefoot, showed up and I suspect my relief was obvious. He decided to stay. Another guy, Rooster, arrived wearing a safety orange NRA hat. Interesting choice in a National Park where hunting is not allowed. Anyway, he makes these cute whittled roosters, and even carries a little paint for decoration. He also believes that the East Coast coyote population, which probably didn't exist before the 60s, are actually feral dogs and should be hunted out. I don't think I made much progress explaining to him why that's not so.Nevin was also there, and I had a good time talking to him. I think I first met him at Mollies when he pulled in right at the peak of the storm. The shelter was so full that he had to sleep on the bench in front of the sleep area.
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Stormy day. Intended to stay at Tri-Corner, but I was the only one there, and there were new bear warning signs all over the place. Not very inviting! I was elated by the weather and enjoying the hike immensely, so I pushed on. It was probably my best day of hiking for the whole trip.I got into the shelter at 7:30, just as everyone was finishing up their dinners. I became designated finisher of leftovers. Fine by me!Knee felt okay, better than it had all week.
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Blew my knee out bad on the descent to Standing Bear. Did the last three miles crying and swearing. But, I did like Curtis at the Bear, who has a stock of rude jokes and stories. You do have to remember that it's his place, and his family is there. Misbehavior that bothers his family is NOT allowed. Knee so bad that I decided to leave the trail to let it heal for a week. The boys hadn't caught up to me, so I figured they'd hear and drink the bourbon at the Bear. However, I forgot to tell someone to tell them...
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: few clouds

Dad dropped me off back at the Bear, and I got out of there around nine am. I had forgotten my boots there, and the puppy, Tiger, had chewed on my insoles in the meantime. Oh well, still functional, just a little textured here and there. Snowbird Mtn has an odd looking FAA radio installation. And there is no free ice cream there. Took a short day, although I wanted to go more, I could feel the knee was really not okay on downhills. The brace I got was helping, but the knee still hurt.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

LOVED Elmer's place. I could live there and be his gardener. I was a little shy of him the first day, but after he agreed I could work for stay and I spent twice the time I needed to working, he warmed up. Sent me out to the garden. I kept working because I was having fun!
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Hot Springs

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

Hot Springs is certainly a good place for a zero. Gorged on Klondike Bars (thanks for sponsoring that, Steve L.!) and visited the hot springs. Also met a great thru hiker from earlier years, Sunshine (?) who now works at the Iron Horse. She did the hike in dresses with her makeup. Love it!
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Hot Springs

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a ride from Offkilter to Damascus for Trail Days, after much wrangling and running around town. Then, all of a sudden, a second rides show up. Turns out Radar had rented a car, and I was all set to ride with Krazy's Krew since one of their people decided not to go, but then Offkilter pulls over and yells for me to get in!!! How could I say no, when I'd been telling those guys I wanted a ride for the last two days?Tented at Tent City, somehow ending up just right next to Riff Raff and the fire circle. No sleep for me! I pulled up stakes and moved to Lazy Fox Inn at 5am, as Nevin had recommended to me the night before. It was great to see so many of the people I missed from the trail, all those folks I was slower or faster than.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Good night and morning at the Lazy Fox by the river. The hiker parade was great fun, as were the outfitters booths. Spent a little money, less than $20 on new gear. Didn't spend a cent for food or shelter. Hung out with Warrior, Itchy, Pappi, Yahzee and Nevin over at The Place. Rooster was around too. Went off to Tent City to see the scene, but it was less crazed than the night before. Probably for the best. Hung out with them for the morning too, until the 'rents showed up to hang out and take me back to Hot Springs.
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Damascus

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

Back into the Hot Springs vortex!Parents dropped me off in the late afternoon. I decided I needed to do laundry, so I hung out in the laundromat for a bit. Met Cotton (the girl) and had a nice conversation with her. She'd just decided to keep hiking, and trying to figure out her money situation. Laundry took so long, and it was raining, so I decided to try to find a cheap place to stay in town. Talked to the Colonel about a room - he suggested I ask Radar if he'd split his room above the Rock something or other Tavern. Met Gypsy and some of her folks for the first time. Radar came in, agreed to split a room, but was going to check with the desk first to be sure it was okay, no extra charge. They didn't care. Unfortunately, it was live music that night, so I didn't get to sleep until very very late.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: moderate rain

Met up with Dlancer and Dragonfly again. Papa Smurf too. Dlancer was hiking on a busted ankle, but seemed determined. Since the Smokies, and being forced to use the shelters by policy, I've felt pretty comfortable with them. Much simpler than finding a decent site and setting up a tent.
Date: 2010-05-26
From: stream, mi 400

To: Dennis Cove/Kincora
Miles today: 12.8

Stopping at Kincora is NOT optional, so don't get all lazy or cop an attitude. Just go, and pay your damn way. Bob is all that. He taught Chuck Norris to be awesome. Daniel Boone borrowed his ax from Bob. I'm just say'n.
Date: 2010-06-04
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Lower mile day, but good to get in early enough to order food. I wasn't as into my pizza as I expected. Stomach issues? Puck and Roam also had stomach problems around then. Bad water, bad food? I don't think the three of us were purifying water. Not sure.
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Trents Grocery

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: mist

What a lovely place! Lots of people I know staying at the bunkhouse, but we opt for the fancy fancy house rooms. Twitch, Wanderer, Nimblefoot, Dirty 30, Hotwing, Hemi, more...I'd certainly stay here again.
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Pearisburg/Church Hostel

To: Rice Field
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: light rain

Didn't get out of town until noon. We saw the storm coming, had shelter enough to don raincovers... did we? No. My boots were wet for three days after this soaking, and it took just minutes. Of course, it continued to rain all the way to the shelter, but you can't get any wetter than wet, so only the first 15 minutes made any difference. Still, somehow it was a fun day of hiking.Radar found a camera in the shelter. By looking at the pictures, we determined that the owner was a guy with a dog named Delta who'd stayed at Woods Hole. We were going to call Neville and see if she remembered him.
Date: 2010-06-14
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Stopped at the Captain's house for a soda. Too bad to miss him! It was only a few miles past the last shelter, so we could have stayed the night on his lawn or screened porch. Still, the zip line was a ton of fun. Radar, Nimblefoot, LB and I all hung around for about an hour. Good times.