morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Locust Grove Gap

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: clear sky

This morning started at 6:50am when I heard The One drop my retrieved food bag next to my tent. The sun was already shining on our campsite, warming the morning for us and reminding us that there was far to go. The One and CT Digger were going all the way to Fontana today, a hike of 18 miles. I knew that there was no way I would make Fontana until tomorrow but was eager to pack up and head out anyway.I left Locust Cove Gap at 7:50. Digger was looking at his watch and exclaiming over and over, "I will get out of here by 9, I will get out of here by 9".To put it nicely, the trail gave me a double serving of butt whoopin' today.I can picture the designers of this section of the trail laughing and saying, "Let's see them get up this"!.The trails went straight up the mountains; no meandering snake around and up, no, just up. I kept telling myself that if it was easy, everyone would be doing this. Today, it was not easy.I saw my 1st garder snake today. He seemed as interested in me as I was in him and did not slither away. I finally walked away from him.I also saw what I think was bloodroot and lots of blue and yellow violets.At 11:45 I stopped for lunch. I took out my z-rest pad, took off my boots and socks, and for the first time in almost 3 weeks cooked myself a dinner for lunch. I needed all of the help I could get and my thought was that a good meal would help me find some energy. I had eaten a Clif Bar for breakfast as usual and a Balance bar for snack and just couldn't find any "zip" in my step. The Brown Fork Gap Shelter was only about a half mile from me at this point, and I really wanted to go farther than that today. The shelter after that was another 6 miles and was only 1 mile from a road crossing (could be unsafe) so I decided to stay put for the night.I chose the only level tent site and pitched my Nomad Lite.I"m here with: Lady Bug, Bam Bam, Snoring Bear, Ted, and numerous others.Bam Bam had found Digger's filter at the shelter where he had stopped for lunch and carried it along hoping to return it. Few are as fast as Digger, so catching up was impossible
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Fontana Village

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 0.0

Why is it that when I'm given a pillow and blankets, I can't sleep?! I think the 2 glasses of iced tea for dinner last night may have been the culprit. I sometimes forget that everyone does not use decaffeinated tea bags.I was finally asleep somewhere around 2am and then wide awake at 5:30. There was lots to do so it didn't matter.I went to check out the breakfast buffet at 8 and found Scott and Tanglefoot already in the dining room. Steve joined us a short time later. Scott and tanglefoot were headed out into the rain today to tame the next great uphill climb. Both Steve and I were taking a rest day.After breakfast I spent an hour or so going through my food drop and bounce box. I gathered a number of small items that I won't be using again and sent them home to the cottage. I figured out my meals for the next 3.5 days and put them in my food bag. I was able to bounce enough dinners to Mountain Momma's that I won't have to buy anything but a couple of lunches and a half dozen energy bars when I get there. Oh, and I'l probably buy one of those infamous giant cheeseburgers too!I caught up on my e-mail, called home and my niece, Julia. Word has it that she carried the phone around all morning waiting for my call. During our talk, she asked me several times if I wanted them to come pick me up. A 5-6 month walk in the woods is a difficult thing for a 4 year old to understand. My sister Kim has the 12"x48" map and they talk about where I am and what I'm doing. Julia is concerned that I might get lost somewhere in the woods, but Kimmy assures her that I'm fine and have plenty of other hikers around in the event that I need help.The afternoon was spent resting my knees, getting a heavy dose of CNN News, and catching up my journal.I had dinner with: Turtle, OFF, Steve, Papa Tom, the Canadians, and a number of others. After returning to my room, I called my brother John to talk about the slight problem with my knee. He read my guest book entries to me from Trail Journals since I haven't been on a computer for 3 weeks. Thanks to all of you that have taken the time to write, I so appreciate the support.Tomorrow morning I will head back to the trail; I can't wait to get into the Smokies.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: NC Rt.28 @ Fontana Marina

To: Birch Spring Gap Campsite
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I awakened in my room at the Fontana Village at 6:10am to a loud clap of thunder. It began to pour and continued for several hours. I had to wait for the Outfitters to open before I could leave, then wait for the Post Office which didn't open until 10. The shuttle picked me up at the general Store at 10:30 and we were off to the trailhead. The ride down was much different than the ride in a day and a half before. There was a profusion of color from the red buds and dogwoods growing along the sides of Rt. 28.Before departing I changed into a short sleeved shirt as the sun had come out and the temperature risen into the high 60s.When I arrived at the campsite that afternoon, I realized that because of my late start, there was no way I was going to make it to my original destination of Mollies Ridge Shelter, another five and a half miles, by dark. By evening's end there were 2 thru-hikers and 7 section hikers at the site. We made a fire and cooked our dinners around it enjoying the good company at the end of the day.I slept well, but could not journal in the middle of the night because I couldn't find my Black Diamond head lamp. I think it was left back at Fontana Village. The Hotel room was like a dungeon and there was no lamp by the phone, so I had used the head lamp to make calls. I'm sure that's where it is. I'll call when I get to Gatlinburg and have them send it to me. Bummer.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Birch Spring Gap Campsite

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

The clocks were turned forward last night, so instead of waking up before 6, I awakened just after 7. I packed up, ate a Clif bar and headed out onto the trail at 8:15. I was wearing my fleece and gloves because it was so cold, but warmed up quickly on the first climb out of the campsite.Lunch at Mollies Ridge Shelter was crackers, cheese and some of Smith's Meats jerky. Gosh, did it taste good after walking for 3 hours. When I arrived at the shelter I met Bill and John. John was doing a 50 mile hike to earn a badge for Scouts. They headed South soon after I arrived. During my break I was joined by Idaho and Shocked and Awed.Next stop was Russell Field Shelter for a quick break and snack. It was too early in the day to stop for good so we pushed on to Spence Field Shelter a short 2.9 miles away. Thunderstorms were predicted for the late afternoon so we were moving along at a good clip, especially when we heard thunder a mile and a half from the shelter. Some rain drops started to fall so Shocked and Awed and I stopped and put on rain jackets and pack covers. In no time we were at the shelter, dropped our bags, and gathered dry firewood to take advantage of the fireplace that is in this beautiful stone shelter.I collected and treated water from the spring, set up my stove for dinner and started to write my journal while I waited for the water to be ready to use.The skies opened, drenching everything in sight and the wind whipped the plastic on the front of the shelter. It is not supposed to finish until late tomorrow morning. I'm glad that I treated 4 liters of water instead of my usual 2-3.It should be a noisy night in the shelter, wind, rain, flapping plastic and snorers, but I'm happy to be inside and out of the weather after a long day.In this shelter with me are Shocked and Awed, Idaho, Jebadiah, Steve, and 3 others whom I don't know.I would like to say a special thank you to my feet and legs for the last 2 days. They came through like champions on the 10 mile uphill. I'll take 800mg of ibuprofen tonight and they won't complain again until tomorrow.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: light rain

At 7:30 everyone started moving in the crowded shelter like ants in a hill.Steve was celebrating his 20th birthday, so when he left to use the privy, I put a Q Tip into a candy bar, lit it, and when he returned we all sang Happy Birthday.At 8:30 I hit the trail with Steve and Shocked and Awed. Within 3 minutes Steve's 20 year old legs carried him up and away from me.We started across the Rockytop Bald, an exposed area where I was blown off the trail several times by the 45-50 mph winds. It's a beautiful grassy area with lots of large rocks and probably breath taking views, if it hadn't been for the thick fog enveloping us. We were in the clouds, and it was amazing to see them blow around and past us.I was wearing my R-1 Flash shirt, med. wt. long john pants and my raingear which kept me toasty warm as long as I kept moving. Lunch was eaten at the first shelter we came to, Derrick Knob. It was 1:00 and we had only gone a little over 5 miles.I made the decision to stay where I was for the night. It was a difficult day for me. I think that I was just plain tired. I hadn't slept well in the shelter last night due to the noise from the horrendous storm that had gone through all night. The winds sounded like a freight train and the plastic that hangs over the front of the shelter to keep us warm (and it did a great job) flapped continuously. Add to that 2 snorers and you have a real lively night.First order of business after arriving was to get lots of wet firewood and attempt to make a fire with it. Then I ate a lunch of cheddar cheese and crackers.Throughout the afternoon the shelter filled with cold, wet, tired hikers; so many that there were a dozen tents outside also.Joining me tonight are: Window, Pete and Pete, Circuit Rider, Noah and Cheryl, Sherlock, Shocked and Awed, several section hikers and numerous others.I made myself a dinner of mashed potatoes, gravy, and sun dried tomatoes. Delicious. Maybe later I'll make tea.I've taken my ibuprofen, vitamin, and benadryl so I plan on getting a great night's sleep. I'll need it because tomorrow is a 13 mile day. If I don't get to Gatlinburg by the day after tomorrow, I will be out of food.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

There are lots of hikers at the motel drying out from days of rain on the trail: Sassafras and Cricket, The Petes, Steve, Dirty Frank, Shocked and Awed, Bob, Marie and Chris, Window and some others. The ones that came in today said that it was horrible on the mountain last night. Water poured down the chimneys of the fireplaces, and there was no drying out. I felt good about our decision to get off the trail yesterday.My laundry is done, my food re-supplied, 4 more post cards sent, phone calls made, e-mails sent, and hopefully by morning my pack will finally be dry.My journal is up-to-date, my tummy full and I'm hitting the sheets. Tomorrow morning after a quick stop at the Happy Hiker Outfitter, 8 of us will head back onto the mountain. Temperatures are expected to be in the 20s with a snowfall of 2-4 inches. At least it won't be raining.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I awakened at 7:30 this morning to pouring rain. Rats. After a good, hot shower I dressed for the trail and began packing up my pack. The plan was to meet up with 6 other hikers at The Happy Hiker Outfitters at 9 when they opened, get a few last minute supplies, and then Dale, out shuttler, would pick us up there to take us to the mountain.As I was stuffing my sleeping bag into the pack, a storm warning for the higher elevations came on the Weather Channel. I stopped what I was doing, listened to the weather report, then headed to the lobby to hopefully find some other hikers to see what they wanted to do. My gut feeling was to stay put today.One of the motel employees is a paramedic for the local fire and rescue so he called the Park Rangers to get an opinion. The Ranger said he couldn't tell us not to go, but if we were going--go now--because they were going to close the road to the mountain. That sealed it for me! One more night at the Grand Prix for $22.00.I headed over to the outfitters for my fuel, went to Shoney's for their buffet, then back to the hotel for phone calls to friends and family so that they didn't see a weather report and worry about me.In only 2 days I have become a lobby rat at the hotel. There is always someone to talk to whether it's an employee of the motel or other hikers.During one of my "coffee breaks" I found out that 6 day hikers had gone out yesterday and not returned by last night. Rangers had gone out on foot, but the weather was too severe for the chopper to go up. Around lunch time 2 of the hikers were found. Later in the afternoon the others were found; hypothermic but ok.I felt good about my decision to stay put today. Rich, If you're still keeping score that makes 4 days on the trail, 3 off.If the road is open in the morning, we all expect to go out. They say there will be 12" of snow in the mountains by then. There's a 30% chance of rain tomorrow, then 4 days of sun and 70 degrees.I'm tired of these zero days and anxious to get moving again!
Date: 2003-04-11
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning I jumped in the shower at 7am, eager to get back on the trail. I dressed, packed my backpack and went to the lobby for an update on the condition of the road to the mountain.Well, the road was still closed and they had suspended all plowing on the parkway because it was still snowing so hard that as soon as they plowed north and turned around to plow south, the area already attended to was again covered in snow. So here I was, all dressed up and nowhere to go.I went over to The Happy Hiker with Shocked and Awed, Steve, and Turtleto get a waterproof sleeve for my pocketmail and just kill time. My pocketmail device had gotten damp when last on the trail and I didn't want to chance anything happening to it.We then returned to the motel to get our rooms for another night. I had to pay $27.85 instead of the $22.85 I'd been paying due to the weekend. The people at the hotel are now like family to us, we've been here so long. They give us weather updates, road condition updates, and ideas for where to eat. Dale, the local shuttler has had to deal with us making plans to get out and then canceling them for several days now, always with a smile on his face.One of the things that keeps me sane while I wait is reading the e-mails sent to my pocketmail. One new internet friend, Karen Reilly from Boston, has sent me several inspirational poems. This one is from an author by the name of Karen Monk. I wasn't familiar with her work, but will be once I return home...........The earth owns me, for I have borrowed the matter from which I'm made from her sticks and grasses and clouds.Someday she will reclaim this form as she reclaims the fallen tree in the hemlock grove.I know too, all that is powerful and holy is here.....breath and wind, stone and sky, trees and life. Here is God, the great I Am.If I flee this moment or fill it with fear and anxiety, I dishonor it and miss a sweet touch of eternity.I will linger in this place for some timeless time, repeating the prayer, feeling the solid earth beneath my back and breathing the gentle incense of the woods.By Karen Monk from Spirit Walk1994Peace and Love~Journey
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Davenport Gap

To: Painter Branch Campsite
Miles today: 4.7

When the motel lobby opened at 8am I was ready for our shuttler to take us to Clingmans Dome Road to continue our Appalachian Trail adventure.There were 2 of us going back to Clingmans and 4 going to Newfoud Gap to pick up where they left off.The day was sunny, cold in the higher elevations, and the going tough due to the 14" of snow. The winds were gusting to 40 mph on the mountain but we didn't want to spend another day in Gatlinburg.First stop--Newfound Gap to leave off Turtle, Flow and 2 others. There was ice everywhere and it was slippery to walk. We said our goodbyes, wished them a safe trip and jumped back into Dale's car for the short ride to Clingmans Dome Road. As we made the right turn onto the road our hearts sank. The gate was across the road with a sign that read: CLINGMANS DOME ROAD CLOSED!Back to the Motel we went, to call the Ranger station and then decide what to do.The Rangers informed us that there had been a rock slide in addition to numerous trees down on the road and couldn't promise that it would be open anytime soon. ARGHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!Shocked and Awed and I decided to hire Dale to drive us the 30 miles to Davenport Gap, skipping the second half of the Smokies for now. We didn't want to spend another day in Gatlinburg waiting for the road to open.Dale drove us to Mountain Moma's Country Store where I picked up my bounce box and then back to Davenport Gap where I sorted through it, giving Dale some food and things to take back for the hiker box at the motel. I hadn't planned on being at Davenport gap with a full pack of food! The most difficult thing was telling the girl behind the counter that when my next box arrived on Monday, she could open it and give it to any hikers nearby. My friend Karen from Boston had sent me (last minute, before a trip to Houston) a box of brownies, fruit and veggies, and Indian food. Loosing this box was a painful experience for me! I'm so sorry Karen that it worked out like this. Thank goodness Sven didn't make it.We went from Davenport Gap to Painter Branch Campsite, a mere 4.7 miles, but it worked out good considering the late start that we had. The campsite was on an island surrounded by quick flowing streams. A nice fire helped to keep the chill at bay.Earlier in the day I had fallen into a stream trying to catch my hiking pole that had slipped away from me while crossing, and soaked my left foot. Shocked and Awed went in with his right foot and was actually the one that caught the pole on it's way downstream.Because of my wet socks and boots, I got a blister on my heel and about a mile from the nightly stop I had to take off my boots and walk the rest of the way in my Waldies plastic clogs. This blister was the worst one yet!By 8:30pm I was more than ready to hit the feathers, I'd deal with the blister in the morning.
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Painter Branch Campsite

To: Campsite just beyond Max Patch
Miles today: 11.8

Let's just say that it was a long day!Many up hills wreaked havoc on my new blister and I had to remove my boots and hike in my Waldies.We started at 8am, had lunch at Groundhog Creek Campsite and moved on to Max Patch. It was a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for crossing the bald. We hiked over and into the woods to stay at a campsite just off the hill.A good fire and hot dinner helped my spirits and we were later joined by Red and Trail Name Pending, who slept out under the stars.I was in my tent early to journal and to remove all of the tape from my feet. I had gotten another blister from wearing my Waldies. Yikes, I really didn't' need this!After this long day I was more than ready to settle in for the night.
Date: 2003-04-14
From: Campsite past Max Patch

To: Deer Park Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Shocked and Awed was the first one up this morning. I laid in my tent and watched the sun rise over the neighboring mountain. The sky was a beautiful shade of pink. When I had dressed and packed up the contents of my tent and popped out my head, Red had already started his day too. Trail Name Pending was up last and packed up in no time due to sleeping out under the stars. We talked about the coyotes that we had heard during the night. It sounded like they were close enough to touch, but were probably a hundred feet away.We started off at 8:10am. Red and Trail Name Pending quickly left us in the dust and were going to do 20 miles today.The trail today between Max Patch and Deer Park Mt. Shelter is one of my favorite stretches so far. The woods are coming alive with bloodroot, violets, birdfoot violets, little flowers that look like miniature orchids, something that looks like a cluster of bells and many others. I also saw 5 deer today running along the ridge; what a treat! There were many stream crossings some with interesting bridges and steps.We stopped for lunch at Walnut Mt. Shelter and I sat among the spring beauties and ate crackers, cheddar and beef jerky. After an hour we headed north toward Deer Park Mt. Shelter, never expecting to get all the way there, but to camp somewhere a few miles before.Not able to find suitable campsites, we hiked all the way in to the shelter, which means only about 3 miles to Hot Springs tomorrow morning.Joining me in the shelter is Dunkey and tented are Slug and Janet from Boston, Humble Harmon, and Shocked and Awed.I'm writing my journal entry and listening to the mice run all over the metal roof of the shelter. I hope it wasn't a mistake sleeping in the shelter instead of putting up my tent. I was just so tired and my feet ached so badly that I took the easy way out tonight. We'll see what happens.
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Spring Mt. Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

"There is a destiny that makes us brothers, none goes his way alone.All that we send into the lives of others, comes back into our own."I became angry today for the first time in 5 weeks.A ferocious storm was due by late afternoon, and I was pleased that the rain held off until 2 hours before my destination for the night.As we approached Jerry Cabin Shelter at 5pm, the decision was being made by the shelter inhabitants that there was "no room at the inn". I walked in, put my pole down and said hi to the few that I recognized. Most didn't make eye contact because they knew what weather was coming tonight and what they were sending us out into. No-one offered a dry space. The shelter was "full", everyone cooking their dinners on stoves set up on the sleeping platform. I was directed to a tent site "Over there", and found that one tent would fit on it, so I told Shocked and Awed to take it and as I went behind the shelter to find another, out of the "widow makers" that were towering all around us, someone called out from the shelter that one more would fit in on the platform and the other could asleep in the mud in front of it. I said no thanks and continued on my search.I found a small space, just the size of my Nomad Lite tent, under a stand of rhododendrons. I made camp quickly, cooked a dinner of shepherds pie from Backpacker's Pantry right in front of my tent and ate it from inside my sleeping bag.By 7pm I was ready to settle in for what was to be the most miserable night that I've spent on the AT.The wind sounded like a freight train racing through the trees over my head. The sky opened and sent buckets of rain down on my tiny temporary home under the rhodos. When I did sleep it was fitful and in between naps I mopped the screens and floor on the windward side of the tent.I was angry, sad and lonely for the first time on the trail, and the anger lasted well into the next day.