morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Amicalola Falls Trail Head

To: Stover Creek Shelter
Miles today: 2.5
Weather: broken clouds

They say a journey of 2171.0 miles starts with a single step. Today I took that step and it felt great. We got to the trail head at 9:15 am, registered, and dressed for the 34 degree F temperature. My official pack weight on the Amicalola Scale was 35 lbs even. Most weighed in at 40 lbs or more with the heaviest 82 lbs. It was great to hike on dirt, leaves, roots, and rocks instead of ice and/or snow. Highlander II and I started together but he was out of sight before I knew it, saying he would see me at the top of Springer Mountain (8.8 miles later) where the AT officially starts. When I reached the summit, Highlander II had moved on but had left a Coke with a note. I enjoyed the celebratory Coke at the official start of the AT. Thanks, Highlander II. I hiked on to Stover Creek Shelter where I am spending the night with Highlander II, Kathy the Grandmother, Lost in the Woods, KT, and Odyssey. Daily miles: 8.8 to trail head plus 2.5 to Stover Creek Shelter.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

   It was cold last night. The 20 degree bag was just marginal. I was up at 6:00 am, had breakfast, and was hiking at 7:00. Caught up with "Walkabout" and hiked with him for about an hour until Highlander II passed us while we were taking a rest. Then I moved on. Passed a number of hikers with "big" backpacks and they were resting halfway up Sassafrass Mountain. Reached Gooch Mountain Shelter at 2:30 pm. A group of 4 were leaving. Highlander II was there, had dinner, and hiked on a few more miles. I stayed. Odyssey, KT, and Lost in the Woods spent the night here, too.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Slaughter Gap
Miles today: 12.7

   Last night was a noisy night in the shelter - "Of mice and men". A Frenchman who spoke almost no English was also in the shelter and his alarm clock went off at 6 am. He uses butane in his stove and had not yet been able to find any. Got off hiking at 7:15. Met some interesting people today: TV2 or Turtle Version 2 who thru hiked in 1997; Cheap Suit who was wearing a dress shirt with his tie and - oh, yes - a cheap suit. He immediately knew what Trog meant. I also ran into Walkabout early. Spot, who is thru hiking for the third time ('97 & '98), has given me some good tips. And Old Man Chaucer - he is wearing custom-made liners. We are camping on the approach to Blood Mountain with Neels Gap on the other side. Am writing this in my tent with the flashlight. It is 7:40 pm and time to turn off the light.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Slaughter Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a long day: up at 6 am, ate, broke camp, and was hiking at 7:15. Over Blood Mountain and down 1300 ft to Neels Gap to shower, do laundry, and get supplies (1 Lipton dinner, 2 PopTarts, and a carabineer to help hang my food bag. We left at 12:30 with the intent of going 7 miles to Hogpen Gap, get water, and then tent. We arrived there at 5:00 pm but could not find water, so hiked another 4 miles to Low Gap Shelter, arriving at 7:30 pm. Cooked dinner under the lights, set up the tent, and am writing this inside the tent at 9:00 pm. By the way, many thanks to Spot who taught me how to hang a bear bag and also how to make a wood stove for backpacking. Also hiked again with Walkabout. He trained for 1.5-2 years by doing 10,000 steps a day.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

   Another long day: up at 6:15 am, packed tent, ate, and was off at 7:30 am. Hiked a bit with WalkAbout again, then moved on. Had lunch at Blue Mountain Shelter. Hiked on through some light rain to the Cheese Factory Camp Site at 4:30 pm. Spot, Potato Head, Cuba Libre (she trained by doing 60 min of spinning 3x/week), and Dave (doesn't have a trail name yet) were there. I couldn't stop thinking about the cheeseburger Troop 605 of Cornelia were providing at Tray Gap 1.0 mile farther on the trail. I stopped and really enjoyed the 2 cheeseburgers with the works, potato chips, 2 bowls of vegetable soup, and 5 glasses of iced tea. This is what is called "Trail Magic" and those that provide it are called "Trail Angels". Thank you, Mike C. and the rest of your adult helpers and youth scouts and non-scouts. I am in the shelter with "DirtNap" and 4 men from Birmington, Alabama who are doing another section.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap/Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

It rained off and on last night and, at times, the wind really howled. Woke at 6:15 am, packed, ate a Pop Tart, donned rain gear, and was out of there at 7:15 in a downpour. At least I was able to stay in the shelter so all my gear was dry to start. Hiked in the rain (sometimes very heavy), thunder, and lightning for about 3 hours. (It's what I would call heat lightning in New England during the summer.) Then it cleared gradually and by noon when we reached Deep Gap Shelter it had completely cleared and the sun was out. We thank the great weatherman in the sky for all the fine weather we have been having these first 6 days. The folks who had tented last night dried their gear out. We moved on and reached Dicks Creek Gap at about 2:30 and were treated with two more doses of Trail Magic. "Lightfoot" (2000) had cold soda, fruit, and fresh thick-cut sourdough bread for all through-hikers. Spot and White Lightning were already there and our whole group arrived within the next 30 min. Thankyou, Lightfoot. Wendy, another Trail Angel, was also there with her big van. She was supporting her daughter, Heather, in her quest to hike from the Florida Keys to Quebec, Canada. We had actually met her daughter hiking southward this afternoon because she "wanted some variety". Her daughter was leaving sandwich bags of candy as she hiked (Trail Magic). Wendy then offered to take us into Hiawassee, 11 miles west. She ended up getting 8 takers, a new record for her van. I am sharing a room with Ole Man Chaucer (of Canterbury Tales). Five others are sharing another room. "Potato Head" (because he is from Idaho) elected to stealth camp. We all had a great AYCE dinner at Daniel's Steakhouse - a great deal for only $6.95. Other trail names: "Nimo", named by her boyfriend, in Latin means "no name"; "Deysman", named by his girlfriend, for "Devin Elizabeth Yard's Man"; "Ooga", short for Chatanooga, TN, where he lives. On birds: have heard many, many pileated woodpeckers, and have heard barn owls on at least 3 nights. Have seen ravens, Carolina chickadees, phoebes, Eastern Towhees, and - of course - cardinals. On flowers: have seen deep maroon trillium, bloodroot, purple violets, and yellow violets.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Dicks Creek Gap/Hiawassee Inn

To: Muskrat Creek
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Partly cloudy/windy - nice hiking weather. The highlight first - this was "Yeah #4 Day". We left GA and entered NC at 2:50 this afternoon. (Yeah #1 was starting at Amicalola Falls; Yeah #2 was starting the AT on Springer Mountain, and Yeah #3 was passing through Neels Gap.) We got up at 6:15 am which immediately became 7:15 when we remembered to spring forward. Took another shower, paked, went to the local convenience store for coffee and a sausage biscuit. The motel had to shuttle 16 hikers to the trailhead and did not start until 10-11. Ole Man Chaucer and I decided to hitch and got a ride in 20 min from an 80 year-old construction worker in his very old pickup truck. Very nice people in GA. Also their trails are in excellent shape and well-maintained. At the trailhead met Cuba Libra and Joanne (Willow) who were going to spend the day/night at the Blueberry Patch Hostel and were waiting. Ole Man Chaucer started hiking and I did not see him again. I had a gourmet lunch of P.B. and Ritz crackers at the Plum Orchard Gap Shelter and then moved on. At 2:50 I crossed into NC - there was a crowd of hikers and a photographer taking video for a documentary. North Carolina welcomed us with a climb over a 4700 ft mountain. Other trail names: "Sniper", because his Gortex is camo; "EZ-does-it" (this is his third straight AT hike); "Stargazer"
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Muskrat Creek

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Light rain, mist, fog, cloudy, 55-63 degrees. Last night it rained, even poured at times. My tent got a little wet due to water splashing under the fly. Awoke at 7:15 and got going; it was lightly raining and very foggy. Had lunch at Standing Indian Shelter with Pack Mule (1999), his wife, Cross Country (1999), and their dog, Pocket Rocket. All three of them also did the Pacific Crest Trail in 2002. They shared their tea and some almonds. They are only going to NOC this year. The weather cleared a little this afternoon and warmed to 63 degrees. Saw some more yellow violets and some mayflowers. The NC mountains have bright white new blazes on the trail - nice job, NC. Now Highlander II, Spot, and Chaucer are all ahead of me as they should be. Arrived at Carter Gap Shelter - which was full - set up camp, tried to dry things out. Cooked dinner with Ez-does-it, Wind Talker (she never stops talking), and Dave (no trail name yet).
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Carter Gap

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

Light rain last night. Packed up a wet tent again and was on the trail at 8:45 am. We were in the clouds (like fog) again and there was a light drizzle. Had lunch at the Big Spring Shelter with "McGyver" and "Nobody". Then hiked 5 more miles, most of the time in the pouring rain, to the Rock Gap Shelter, to put in for the night. Casey and "Axel Rose" are spending the night here also. The temperature here was close to 55 degrees all day. The last two days the trail has been going through tunnels of Rhododendrons. It will be spectacular when they are in bloom. Highlander II spent last night in this shelter. He is now a full day ahead. Today I passed the 100 mile mark. It is 6:30 pm and time for bed.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Campsite after Wayah Bald
Miles today: 14.3

It poured last night. Glad I was in a shelter. It stopped raining when I got up at 7:15. Ate, packed, was hiking at 8:40 am. It was 48 degrees, heavy fog and mist. It stayed that way most of the day. Only got to 55 degrees, but was quite cold. Planned to camp on top of a mountain but pushed on when told to expect below-freezing and snow tonight. It was a long day by 7:00 when I arrived at the next campsite at a lower elevation with alot (approximately 12) of hikers camped here. Set up tent, cooked dinner, and hung bear bag - all in the rain. Writing this in the tent with some difficulty because the cold has taken the strength from my fingers. It is 8:50 pm and time to turn in.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Campsite after Wayah Bald

To: Nantahala River
Miles today: 16.8

I'm writing this in the River's End Restaurant, sitting down at a table where it is warm. It is 7:00 pm. Food just arrived. They are quick. [Now it is Fri at 7:00, waiting in line behing Two Dog Night for laundry.] Back to Day 11. It rained, sometimes pouring, last night. By morning it had turned to snow and there was an inch of snow on the ground and the tent. It was very cold, to the point where the fingers had no strength. Hiked out at 9:00 am. It snowed or rained, depending on elevation, most of the day. Had lunch at Cold Spring Shelter; it was 30 degrees F. Hiked to Wasser Bald Shelter - no one there. It was cold and looked like snow, so I hiked on to Nantahala, arriving at 6:40 pm. Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)was closed. Got a spot in a bunkhouse for the night. They sold me a bunk but when I got there all 8 were taken. I was glad to have a warm spot. Gretchen loaned me her Therma rest and it was a pretty comfortable night. Ater dinner, got back from shower and the lights were out - hence, writing this morning.
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Nantahala River

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

Posted my Day 11 journal to the transcriber today, so if anything repeats, forgive me. Got up at 7 am to get in line for laundry. "Two Dog Night" (she was cold on one of her first nights out, so she had her two dogs crawl into her sleeping bag to keep warm) was in front of me and gave me a second bag of soap that she didn't need. "Suds" (she makes soap as a business)gave me the remains of her diaper cleaner. Thanks to both of you - the combo worked great. Made some phone calls, got food supplies, and had an early lunch. [Just missed breakfast which closed at 11 am.] Started hiking at noon. It was misting, overcast, clear, sunny, foggy... now the wind is howling. Glad I am on the leeward side of the ridge. In places the trail was narrow and the mud on the trail was like grease - very, very slippery. The hike today was up and down, but mostly up. We started at 1740 ft and ended up at nearly 4500 ft. When I got to the shelter at 4:30 it was full, full. Holds 16, but 20 had squeezed in. At least 6 more arrived after me. It was 38 degrees F at 6:00 pm - another cold night. The last two days I saw beautiful white trillium with jet black centers, white starflowers, what looked like wild white bleeding hearts, and a yellow flower like a violet but with a different kind of leaves. Also the wild dogwoods are starting to bloom and the striped and red maples are beginning to leaf out. It is now 8:00 pm and time to pack it in.
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Another long day. Last night was cold in the tent. Ended up with everything on, including the Gortex rain jacket and pants which I added at 11:00 pm. By morning it had warmed noticable. Got up at 7:15 am with the sun shining; the wind had died down. Packed up, ate, and was off at 8:15. At about noon I got to NC 143 and a pair of Trail Angels, "The Flintstones 2002" (a couple who hiked from Springer to Damascus, less most of the Smokies). I had a donut, an apple, a coke, and a bottle of water. Thank you, Flintstones. I stopped at Brown Fork Gap Shelter for a break and to sign the register. Met Echo there who started Feb. 18th but has had some problems. He is still plugging away. I decided to push on to Cable Gap Shelter, where I arrived at 5:45 pm, making it a 15.2 mile day. Tomorrow will be shorter since I only plan to go to Fontana Dam. I am tenting again. On plants and flowers: saw wild cherry, wild strawberries, wild geraniums and red root in bloom; also, white trillium with yellow center. On Trail Names: "Coyote", "Run-Away" (she is 18, 5'0", finished high school a semester early, and is solo hiking), "Boilerplate" (it came to him in a dream and has something to do with the end of Terminator II).
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a great tenting night with the tent pitched 4 feet from the edge of a gurgling stream (the shelter water source). It was a nice serenade to fall asleep to. This morning, up at 7:00 am, hiking at 7:40, eating my Pop Tarts breakfast while hiking. The hike started out with a 900 ft climb. Then some ups and downs, finally ending at Fontana Dam after a 2000 ft descent. Caught a shuttle into Fontana Village for a buck, registered to stay at The Fontana Resort Hotel for $25 that would go for $100-150 in a city of close suburbs. An AYCE breakfast, then to ship this journal back, together with the first 2 (of 41) maps of the AT which are all done. Then come the Great Smokey Mountains with a 2500 ft climb to the Mollie Ridge Shelter. Had dinner with "Master Gator" (he is a Florida Gators fan who spent 25 years in the Navy). He did not train at all for the AT since last October, but hiked up to the 20,000 ft Base Camp for Mt. Everest. He says the AT is harder.
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: few clouds

Today is the beginning of Week 3. Up at 6:30 am, walked a quarter mile down the hill to check out, walked back up to the Inn to have AYCE breakfast, finished packing, walked down the other side of the hill to the post office, mailed some stuff, caught a shuttle ride 2 mi back to the AT and started hiking at 10:00. Crossed Fontana Dam and entered Great Smokey Mountain Park. Went mostly up 2500 ft to the top of Shuckstuck Mountain in the next 3 hours. Then it was ups and downs ending the day 3000 ft higher than we started. Reached Mollies Ridge Shelter and decided to tent for the softer ground and bug-free sleeping. Yes, there were plenty of black flies when we cooked dinner of Ramen with added rice and topped off with a whole box of instant Jello butterscotch pudding. The weather was clear, the temperature reached 84 degrees F at one point in the afternoon, and the hiking conditions were perfect. At one section of The Smokeys there was a carpet on the forest floor of these small, 5-petal, white flowers with various shades of pink veins in the petals radiating from the center. They are called "Spring Beauties". By the way, all those who were going to sleep in the shelter have moved out because of MICE. Some more names: "Sherpa" (carries his wife's stuff), "Otter" (his wife - several days ago she slipped on a muddy trail, fell and slid down in the mud like an otter). "Mr. Magoo" (he lost his glasses earlier in the trip and could not see to even write a check without them), "Viking" (a second one, he comes from Norway), "Molasses" (she is a slow hiker), "Many Sleeps" (for the time he hiked the AT southbound).
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Another long day, but a great hiking day - mostly sunny with temps between 55 and 74. I started hiking at 7:45 am and reached Silers Bald Shelter at 7:45 pm, with stops along the way at 3 shelters to sign the registers, have lunch, and have dinner. All above 4500 ft with several peaks above 5500 ft. We saw a deer at the edge of our campsite this morning when we were packing up, and saw two in the woods this evening when we were getting water. I saw deer signs in three places on the trail and several hikers saw two bear cubs (but not the mother). All our food is hung on the food hoist cables and 8 of us are tenting or sleeping under the stars. We don't expect the bears to be any problem. Also flushed a ruffled grouse while hiking and yesterday actually saw a pileated woodpecker after hearing hundreds of them in the woods. The pileated woodpecker is really magestic-looking when it is clinging to a tree with its red head with the red crest. I had a nice conversation with Jim W. (he lets the "kids" call him Mr. Magoo - see previous day's journal) who is a 60-year old retired truck driver whith 1 1/2 discs removed from his back. He is hiking as far as he can by June 19th when he has another commitment. Good luck, Jim.
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another long day. Started at 8:00 at an elevation of 5400 ft and went over Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT (6643 ft) and several other 6000 plus mountains, ending up at Icewater Spring Shelter where I again pitched a tent. Hopefully the rain we expect tomorrow will hold off until after all the gear gets packed up. This spot is just over the summit of Mt. LeConte and I am now sitting at an elevation of 6020 ft. The weather today was partly sunny with the temperature ranging from 54 to 64 degrees. I have now hiked 206.8 miles of the AT and today spent part of it in Tennessee. Now the trail will hug the TN/NC border, meandering back and forth between states. I climbed the 50 ft Clingman's Dome Tower with "Blaze" and "Face", a couple from Columbus, OH, and later had lunch with them on the trail.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

A day of hiking entirely above a mile high. Started at 8:15 am, overcast, 54 degrees, at 6000 ft. Did ridge walking where some places were only the width of my hiking pole, with steep drops of hundreds of feet, at times on both sides. The saving grace for me is that both sides have brush or trees so they are not "exposed", i.e. you can't see the drop because it is partially hidden by the vegetation. By 10:00 the wind started howling and it rained with big drops for short periods. The temperature dropped to 48. By 1:00 I reached the turn to Peaks Corner Shelter and walked the 0.5 miles to the shelter for lunch. Had lunch, walked the 0.5 miles back to the trail and on to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. By 2:00 it started raining and, by 4:30 when I reached the shelter, it was pouring. The shelter was full but my friends made room for me. Run Away is on one side and "42" is on the other. This shelter officially sleeps 12; "Foxie" counts 22. At least we should be warm.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Tri Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It poured last night and was I glad there was room in the shelter when I arrived. "Foxy" slept on the dirt floor which was pools of water when morning arrived, drenching her sleeping mat and bag a little. Five tents had to be pitched by the hikers who arrived later - not many good spots. "White Lightning" ended up with his in the middle of a storm stream. He was wringing water out of his sleeping bag this morning. My hike started at 8:00 am, 6000 ft elevation, 48 degrees, in a light rain, overcast and fog/clouds. The trails were streams of runoff in places from the night before. The only option was to slog through it. As the day went on, the rain stopped. It got lighter, the streams dried up, leaving only mud to slog through it. Today had ups and downs as usual, but was mostly down, ending in Davenport Gap at 1975 ft, a drop of over 4000 ft. We will see how the knees did tomorrow. Decided to go to Mountain Mamma's Hostel for her huge cheeseburger and blueberry pie with ice cream. It was good! I am bunking here with "Coyote", "Run Away", and "Farmer". It is 9:00 and I am waiting to put my laundry in. Today I put the Smokey Mountains behind me.
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Davenport Gap

To: Max Patch Summit
Miles today: 16.0

Had breakfast at Mtn. Mamma's and then she took us back to the trail and we were hiking at 9:00 am. Coyote, Run Away, and I hiked together the whole day, ending up on the Max Patch Summit at 7:10. There was alot of up elevation today starting at 1975 ft and ending at 4629 ft with the usual ups and downs in between. It was a perfect day for hiking. We had lunch at Groundhog Creek Shelter and met "Gazelle" (hikes very fast, like a gazelle), "Dottie" (took early retirement, lost 60 pounds, sold her house, and is hiking the trail), "Dirty Harry" (is a forest ranger/fire fighter who looks and talks like Clint Eastwood), "Indiana Slim" (comes from the Tipton County, IN, the flattest county in the state). Saw Jack-in-the-Pulpit, wild blue iris, and a real neat red flower they call Fire Pink. Looks like rain tonight. We will see.