morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Springer Mountain, Georgia

To: Stealth Site, between Horse and Cooper Gaps
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a glorious and wonderful day! Springer Mountain was beautiful, crystal clear and freezing cold! Great views. We started with the usual signing the register and taking the obligatory photos on the summit. The journey northbound is beginning; five million steps to Katahdin, the Holy Land. Walking the trail after not hiking for a while can be a very humbling experience. The lessons learned in previos years pop back into my head with machine gun intensity. It's a lot like riding a bicycle. It's hard to forget the basics. It does take a little getting use to setting tarps up again. Thank God that it didn't rain on us. Mother Nature is being sweet to us. Cool hiking temperatures. I am too tired to write much. For the first time I did actually see the army guys practicing war games in the woods in this section. I heard machine guns going off and while I was dropping the kids off at the pool in a three sided privy an army helicopter decided to take a closer look at me. There is something joyous about cranking a deuce and having people wave to you. We spent the night comfortable warm and relaxed listening to a little NPR classical and Bob Dylan.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Stealth Site, between Horse and Cooper Gaps

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 14.3

Walked into Jarrard Gap today. Long Day; hiked long and far (for the beginning). Very pleasant day though. It started with a short walk from our mountain top stealth spot relatively downhill to Cooper Gap where we bummed water from a government Water tank. Yes it is for those soldiers playing in the woods. BUT hell, I pay taxes... Freighttrain was down in the gap waiting for us. He took our packs and we slacked 8.4 miles to Woody Gap. Frieghty was gonna get us sandwiches and sodas. I can't remember waliking... I remember vivid dreams of my mouth and a foot long sandwich. Food fantasies are in full flight. We arrived at the gap and freighty told me he didn't get the sandwiches. I wanted to kill and eat him. I walk up to his van and there are two huge pizzas and two cases (CASES) of soda waiting. Now, for the first time in my life, I wanted to have sex with a man. Freighttrain is one cool dude. I need to publicly thank him for driving down to Indiannapolis to pick us up. A true friend and angel. Well, angel might not be the best description... perhaps Good Garden Gnome gone Bad might better described that lad. You could be the purist white blazer on planet earth. You could have hiked all the way from Springer to Abol Bridge without missing a single blaze. Then you see Freighttrains red van and somehow in the next minutes you are heading to Siberia to trek across something or another. I love him. But lets get back to the hike. After wolfing those pizzas down and guzzling 40 sodas (BURP) we headed into the woods to Jarrard Gap. We did meet Loon (he thru hiked 50 million times) and Eastwind. We stopped atop Big Cedar Mountain for photos. What beautiful sights! Got to the gap... felt great... ate three Ramen noodles and a large Mac-n-Cheese and went to sleep... Life is GOOD!
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Test Your Knees Gap (Tesnatee Gap)
Miles today: 11.0

Before I talk about the dust bowl I want to thank Trailjournals for having me again. The super cool folks that run this site are awesome and are angels in their own right. Blessings unto thee!Woke up to a dust bowl wind storm. The half of my face that was exposed to the wind was jet black with caked on dirt, yes even my teeth. I was smiling in my sleep! It was a little cold in the AM too. Drank hot cocoa ate the usual oatmeal (wall paper paste in a little pouch). Hiking is the best way to warm yourself. Got to Blood Mountain early. What a fantastic climb to the 4461 foot summit. Some years ago a bunch of indians massacred each other here. They say the mountain turned red with blood... hence the name. Jim Morrison could of wrote some lyrics here. Blood Mountain shelter is haunted... SPOOKY. Freighttrain and Go Slow both claimed to have heard moans and cries after spending a night in the shelter... Almost ran down the mountain to Neels Gap, home of Walasi Yi. Heaven on Earth for us wretched hikers. Showers, Maildrops, hot food and friendship. Kind folks. I ate so so much. Yogied some oreos off a newbee, Garcia. The rest of the walk to Tesnatee Gap was wonderful and glorious. Many beautiful views. Oh, we met two young power hikers named Simon and Kyle. While walking the conversation soon turned to food sex talk. Met Freighty at tesnatee, drove to Helen and ate Prime Rib and had cocktails. To Lisa's folks... don't worry she is in good hands... Life is sweet!
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Test Your Knees Gap (Tesnatee Gap)

To: Stealth Spot near Chattahoochee Gap
Miles today: 10.0

Wow... Woke up early. Slept slightly uncomfortably at an angle at a road crossing. Big windy night. Woke up cold and dreaming of a hot "real" breakfast. It did not take much to convince both Lisa and Freighty of the merits of going to Huddle House in Helen for hot food. Yes friends, Western Omelets, Cheese Grits and Bacon. This is roughing it in the woods ASWAH style. Drove back to Hogpen Gap and slacked sobo to Tesnatee Gap. Said a sad goodbye to our trail devil, Freighty. Returned to the woods and bumped into Captain Keef and Squirrel Trail (a couple from Montana). I power hiked to Low Gap Shelter passing about twenty hikers along the way. I waited at the shelter for Lisa for about 15 minutes. Considering she never really has backpacked she is doing an awesome job. Hats off to her. I sat in the warm glow of the sun talking with Steve and Garcia. We cooked up a combo of Lipton Chicken noodles and Alfredo noodles while Lisa fetched water. Chit chatted for a while then hiked on. This section is so easy and pleasant to walk. Found a beautiful stealth spot slightly off the trail and built a roaring fire ate super cheesy mac and cheese and slept well. We were low on water. It is amazing how your mind works when you are low on water. It makes you feel as though you are slowly dehydrating in a hot desert. Lisa did wake me up in the middle of the night thinking wild dogs were near. It sounded like an owl to me and I went back to sleep. SNORE...zzzzz
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Stealth Spot near Chattahoochee Gap

To: Helen, Georgia (Bavaria in the South)
Miles today: 5.0

Woke up slightly parched. While packing Bear passed us. Bear the thru hiker from Denver not Bear the MAN EATING KILLER ANIMAL who like to eat fat hikers from Chi town. We walked to near Blue Mountain Shelter to where there is a wonderful water source. Mountain Water tastes better than that chemicalized crap you drink in the real world. And when you are thirtsy it even tastes better. I guzzled so much water I thought I was gonna pop."Rise this morning, Smile with the sunOh I'm blessed another day has begunEverything in life has it's purposeFind it's reason in due season..."~ Ziggy MarleyWe met Spot, another thru hiker who has done it a million times. Signed the register at the shelter and cruised down to Unicoi Gap for Alpine Bavaria, Georgia Stylee. Checked into the super 8 then went straight to Huddle House. Side note: as stated in 2000, it is all the people that support us u thrikers, i mean thru hikers that are the angels. You who reads our meaningless words, our families who put up with our crazy dreams even when they don't understand the call... the people that do random acts of kindness along the way. Bleesings to all of you... we could not be out here without you!The folks in and around Helen are the best. The motel manager gave us a reduced rate, Jason the coold dude at the outfitter was super nice to us, the lady athe fudge shop who gave Lisa an extra half pound of fudge just because. I think it centers around the fact that when one is in search of their dreams the soul of the world helps facilitate it. Good I can't spell anymore... Well, you all know what I mean. If you don't understand please go and buy The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. Next to the Little Prince by Saint Exupery it is the bomb.At the HUddle House we ate ourselves silly. I had a Chicken Fried Steak Sandwich, Chicken Fingers and a salad. We washed, did laundry and headed to the outfitters. Jason, a sobo '02 hiker who works there picked us up and drove us to his shop then back to the motel. Ended up eating dinner at one of the German themed restaurants in town. Went back to the motel, drank wine and ... oh that's private.I love LIFE, ASWAH
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Helen, Georgia (Bavaria in the South)

To: Stealth Spot near Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Short ass kicking day. We left town so overloaded with food (pound of fudge, peanut butter and jelly, bagels, pepperoni, cheese etc.) Oh wait, Jason picked us up drove us to Alice's Restaurant, ate breakfast, then headed to the trailhead. Respect and Hats off to Jason... Walked very slowly all day. Got to Tray Mountain shelter and there were a million gnats biting us. Yikes! Ate a roastbeef sandwich, met up with Easy Does It, another repeat offender, and hiked on down the trail. Set up at a sweet spot. Built a small fire to keep the bugs away and went to sleep. It rained for literally thirty seconds.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Stealth Spot near Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up got out of bed dragged a combed across my head... Went for walk down a white blazed trail to Addis Gap. There I was confronted by a series of multi colored signs promising tons of food if I took a short half mile blue blaze to Paradise, well Paradise MOO stylee. God Bless THAT WOMAN! she had a spread that would make a manager of s Shoney's proud I stuffed my face with seafood chowder, tune salad, eggs and cheese. Yummy. Sat there for a while with Eastwind and Loon and Mike glorying in the repast. What kick ass trail magic. She comes to the woods for one week every year to fed us wretches. What a heart! After the feeding frenzy we hiked over Kelly's Knob to Deep Gap Shelter. Met Chris and Dawn from Oregon. I gave Eastwind some codeine. He hurt his knee and was having trouble walking. He was trying to get to Hiawassee to heal it. Loon helped carry some of his weight. Trail side love. Got to Hiawassee ate at Daniels and slept. Showers feel good.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Hiawassee

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: light rain

Obviously we did NOT do a 40 mile day. I have been having trouble writing every single night. I have been so tired that I just can't write. So be patient all three of my readers. I will write more and more. I am sitting in the library in Franklin dreaming of eating and I am tiring of typing so a short update. We left Hiawassee and hiked to Muskrat Creek Shelter. Camped a ledge overlooking a valley. Had the most amazing sunset shine thru our front door to our tarp. Burnt Orange to Fiery Red. Life in its simplest forms is so awe inspiring and amazing. And to share it with the one you love more than life is truly amazing. Hiked the next day to Betty Creek Gap. Had much bliss time on Standing INdian Mountain. Bulit a huge fire and chilled in the night. Woke up and flew into Franklin for our first HERO day. Relaxed and ate like GODS.More later...ASWAH
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Franklin, NC

To: Stealth Spot past Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: light rain

Charles, a member of the local hiking club gae us a ride back to the trailhead at 8am. Chris, Dawn, Lisa and myself piled into his truck for the ride up to Winding Stair Gap. God bless the local clubs, they do fantastic selfless work on the trails and help us Northbound fools. We climbed the gradual ascent thru Swinging Lick Gap, Panther Gap, past Siler Bald, Wayah Gap, Wine Spring to Wayah Bald. By the time we reached the outhouses, just before the tower, the temperature had dropped. We ate our chicken salad bagels in the sheltered doorway of the outhouse. Great sandwich: mix shelf stable cooked chicken breast mixed with individual packets of Ranch dressing and slp from McDonalds. Spread generously over a honey wheat bagel and voila. Lunch is served. While walking I came up with an idea for a story I am going to pitch to Backpacker Magazine. We walked thru the cold and rain into the cold with hail to cold with light snow. We set the tarp up with a concern for keeping dry. We cooked chicken noodle soup & beef stew with cheddar sausages. With our bellies full and our hunger sated we slipped into the world of dreams. Another blessed day with Mother Nature.Sometime during the night I awoke having to pee like the proverbial race horse. Oh to get out of my toasty warm sleeping bag sucks. Our tarp was weighted down by snow. SNOW! Fun for some...I woke Lisa up to help knock snow off...Yawn Yawn, brrr, brrr...nighty night...
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Stealth Spot past Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Woke up very suddenly in the early am. Knew it was gonna be cold walk into NOC. Our goal in Franklin was to get here in two days and 2 days we shall. Woke up to low 30's and about an inch of snow. Lisa and I decided to forgo our hoped breakfast of bagels with English Cheddar CHeese and shelf stable bacon. I had the idea to toast the bagels over our coke can stove. Then thinly slice the extra sharp cheese and spread over the warm bagels. Then top it off with reheated bacon. This probably sounds like a lame breakfast to you all -- but out here n the wood it is pimpin'. Most folks eat oatmeal every damned day. It was so cold we decided to pack quickly, break camp and head to Tellico Gap and eat there. The 3.8 mile waslk was absolutely gorgeous: The rhododendrons were weighted down with snow creating a winter wonderland of sights. It is very hard to be mad in this weather. When we got to Tellico Gap we ate candy bars and decided to hike on to NOC and all it's amenities. Climbed to Wesser BAld 4,627 feet. Had spectacular views at Jumpup Lookout (4,000 feet). This section of the trail is wonderful. Got to NOC, got a cabin, ate lunch, did laundry, showered and hung out. Very peaceful and relaxing.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: NOC

To: Sweetwater Gap
Miles today: 14.6

Had breakfast at the River's End Restaurant with Lisa and Mountain Mike. Mountain Mike just popped in and surprised us. Ate a breakfast of 3 eggs, bacon, sausage and toast. We talked about feats past, played with Pumpkin the wonder dog. It was such a beautiful day. To get in the mood of my moment, throw Dark Star from Fillmore 1974 on and lay in the celestrial darkness of the cool starry night, incense and candles. The dark starry void of my life. Side note: Dan Boni -- I've been thinking about you all day. Today would hae been your day out here in AT land."Dark star crashes..."We started out of NOC around 9:30. Headed thru Wright Gap, Grassy Gap, Swim Bald -- lots of up -- seven miles of up -- seven miles of gradula up with a few ass-kickers. We walked most of the way with Trucker, a chick from Mississippi. Stopped many a time for safety consultations. The crystal clear blue skies and warm temps were awesome. It made me feel alive. Stopped at Cheoah Bald and watched the world spin around me. Earlier we sat and watched birds effortlessly gliding thru the air. So grateful! Everyone should walk up to Cheoah Blad (5,062') at least once in life. It is so worth it. EARTH WIND STARS...The walk down to Stecoah Gap (about 5 miles) kicked my butt. Four times I wiped out and fell in the mud. We got to Stecoah Gap. Filled out water bladders (3l each) and decided to walk on down the trail. We got to Sweetwater Gap, set the tarp, built a fire, ate Garden Fettucine with Pink Salmon, had coffee and cocoa. Crawled in our bags -- star gazed...This is the sweet time of day. Relaxing. All tasks done. Watching the embers of the fire fade...crawl into bed. Cool winds. Sleep.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Sweetwater Gap

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

163.5 miles so far! My body aches but does that feel good. We hiked 14.4 miles today to Fontana Dam. The mouth of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Woke up to a beautiful sunrise out my side of the tarp. Cooked bagels, English Cheddar and bacon sandwiches. Had a cup of mojo while Lisa (now Day Tripper) freaked out about daddy long legs in our tarp. Just as we packed up Trucker cruised by. Climbed out of Sweetwater Gap.Lisa is adjusting to a whole new world out here. Sometimes I have to remember that she really hasn't ever hiked much. As a rookie she is totally kicking ass.The climb out Sweetwater Gap was tough -- BUT not as tough as 2000, 2001. I do like the 2 tiny switchbacks on the top. Down to Brown Fork Gap Shelter, Brown Fork Gap, Hogback Gap and stopped at Cody Gap with Trucker. We got water and I offered a little advice to both of them. The trials and tribulations of u-thriking. We stopped at Cable Gap Shelter for mac-n-cheese. Met Swiss Miss (not Swiss Miss ;'00). Hiked on up out of Cable Gap. Lisa flew up out of the Gap at warp speed. I had a hard time keeping up.Got to Fontana Dam. Nancy picked us up. Headed to Hike Inn. Mtn Mike met us and we went to Yummi Yummi Chinese Buffet in Bryson City. Ate like pigs. I ate so many crab legs I thought I would pop.Good night from the AT.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

They had a room available so we decided to relax. I had a fantastic day playing cards (speed and Gin) with Lisa... We got BBQ pork sandwiches and root beer around 2:00. For dinner I cooked Artichokes "I Love Lisa" (stuffed with grilled portabellas, shrimp and tomatoes topped with a tangerine sauce), Rib Eye Steaks, Potatoes and Asparagus. Nancy and Jeff opened a homemade wine called "Trail Mix" If you pass this point be sure and stay with them. They rock! They are the kindest people you could ever meet. A pure pleasure to be in their company.Nighty Night!
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

A Fantabulistic Day! We took pictures with Speak Up at the sign marking the entrance to the Smokies. Then started the four mile climb to Shuckstack Firetower. It is so nice going thru the Smokiesin clear, warm weather. Got to the firetower and climbed it's rickety steps. The most amazing views waited for us up at the top. We watched birds soaring overhead. We watched Spring climbed up the sides of nearby mountains. Amazing! It gives a profound respect for nature.The rest of the walk up to Russell Field Shelter was unbelieveable! Beautiful Flowers I called Lisa's Eyes were everywhere. They were blue rimmed with brilliant yellow centers. We passed a section of white flowers, millions of white flowers, with thick purple lines and green pinstripes. They were unbelieveable. My mother would have died to see this spot. In my two other trips thru the park I never saw these flowers. Even though we were tired and beat, the flowers kept cheering us on! We stopped at Mollie's Ridge Shelter long enough to get eaten by bugs and moved on. We bumped into Excellent Half Moon and a German dude named Sauerkraut. Both good spirited and positive!
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Long day of hiking.... still don't have the power... soon come. I felt so under-energized all day. It seems I need to re-learn that a fed Aswah is a happy Aswah. No food = no energy which than equals a sluggish day. We left Russell Field Shelter long after everyone else. Got to the beautiful area around Spence Field Shelter, took pictures and marvelled at the awesome beauty. Hiked up to Rocky Top; excellent views; chit chatted with Swiss MIss for twenty minutes; ate Pecan Chocolate Chip Sandies and hiked onto to Thunderhead Mountain (5,527')... Playing like a wave upon the sand... Stopped at Beechnut Gap for water and a short breather. Got to Derrick Knob Shelter in the early afternoon. Stopped for an hour, ate, got water, talked with Southern Boy, Half Moon and Wild Man. Walked 5.7 miles to Siler Bald Shelter thru a part of the trail that holds special meaning to me. Back in 1994 I was hit by an 18 wheeler on my 1973 Moto Guzzi El Dorado Motorcycle. THe truck merged over from the left lane and hit me in the right lane. I did ten cartwheels over half a mile. To make a long stort short, I almost died. Hit and Run. And from June of 1994 to March of 2000 I had a strong desire to kill that guy. In 2000, when I passed thru this part I felt a strong vision of peace with the unknown trucker and forgave him in my heart. From that moment I stopped hating him and felt peace and love. So, every time I walk thru I feel a very peaceful presence.We arrived at Siler Bald Shelter around 6:00. We decided to stop and cap here. The problem is this is a helter that hikers share space with horseback riders. And horses crap. And crap attracts flies. And sleeping in crap and flies is not my idea of a wilderness experience. I think they ought to enlarge areas where horses and humans co-exist. After all, the rider should be able to pursue his hobby too. But the rangers need to better organize the shelter areas. They should provide more tenting spots. So to get on with the day. Too many craps and flies so we hiked on to the next shelter. The 1.7 miles went up Siler's Bald. Down some and across on swag. I could hear Half Moon's jolly laugh up ahead. Day Tripper and I walked thru the most beautiful deep orange-purple sunset ever. Portions were hidden behind Silers Bald as we crossed over the strait. So beautiful. We got to Double Spring Gap Shelter (5,507') by dusk. Tired but satisfied the day was done. Said our hellos to Sauerkraut, Half Moon, Chris, Dawn and their friend. We also met up with the infamous Jimmy Deane. We were supposed to meet him in teh am. We chit-chatted, had dinner, hung our bear bags and slipped off into the land of the sandman. On our way we saw the glowing eyes of a deer ten feet away in the woods. When my head lamp caught site of those glowing eyes I thought it was the black bear rumored to be in this area. He steals packs from hikers. Borther He, hiker and ridge runner, had told me about him in 2001.
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

We started rather late. Day Tripper and I just laid in our tarp listening to NPR. Love listening to the radio out here. Finally got our butts down to Jimmy, aka Rebel with a Cause. We had the most enjoyable walk up to Clingman's Dome - 6,643', the highest point on the AT...what a beautimus day! I never fully realized how fortunate I was to know this kind gentleman. Sidenote: Check out the register at TriCorner Knob Shelter. I left you a nice note. So the three of us hiked on in extremely light, short sprinkles. Over Mount Love, over Mount Collins (5900'). We took many breaks. Had many great conversations. Heard many interesting songs. At Mt Collins Shelter, Rebel started to recount a tale of chilled wine and finger sandwiches. Mysterious trail magic. Gatlinburg popped into my head. So we rolled towards Indian Gap then Newfound Gap. We hopped in his super car and cruised down to the big G. Great Mushroom, Bacon, Swiss burger and salad and micro Porter at the Smoky Mtn Brewery. Damn I love beer. I love food. Bellies loaded we wandered to SMoky Mtn Confectionary for candy. A few cocktails, haunted houses and laundry.Sleep.