morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-03-10
From: Helen

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

So I slept like a baby at the hotel. last night I ate apples and baked beans I also got other goodies at the dollar store cheese and chocolate. Kathrine who I call Ninja and Andy ate at Mcdonalds, they seem to like the same things I feel a little left out. LIke taling about their favorite cerials. Joe hooked me up with his excess food which was awesome, thank you Joe. Now I feel like I have too much. We ate breakfast at the hotel, eggs sasages and muffins and milk and bisqutes. The news was on telling us of floods, tornados, and such. I was glad to head back to the woods.Once we got in our Taxi is started spitting. Once we got on the trail it was rain. I started as soon as we got dropped off, so I could get ahead a bit. For a little over an hour we all hiked together, then I fell behind. My fast pace is their slow pace. The rain turned icy. The the the freezing rain turned to snow. It was cool not wearing a bunch of raingear, but when I did take breaks I got really cold and it took forever to warm up again. Ninja gets annoyed that I don't seem cold,"oh that Pennsilvanian" I thinks it's funny. I made a little rhyme for you,I'm hoping you do not boo.I am really liking ,That I'm out here a hiking.On the 1st day I was giggly and happy,but that didn't stop the waether from being crappy.we all shelterd at Hawk,Andy in the corner, her didn't talk.On the 2nd day paul and I got lost,You guys were worried and a little crossed.I owe ya an apalagee i hope your not mad at me.Once we made it to Hogpen,we all knew Andy was our friend.Joe thanks for picking up my crocs,that really rocks.Cathrines as cute and funny as cupid,But she likes to call people stupid.lastly our good friend Andy,he liek cheese m&m's and candy. Thank you for all you've done,it's been a lot of fun.This may be a little sappy,But I'm hoping it made you happy.if it didn't and you thought it was lame,I still like you all the same.You are all so dear,I am extremly happy to be here.Well we are at deep gap shelter bluestick camealong. his pack is 50lbs when he started and its more now cuz his stuff is wet. The hike today was long 13 miles. This shelter is a two story, with a kind of doorway opening. Ninja made me some hot chocolate. and Joe is filling my water. It's real cold, I got my winter coat on, Thanks ma. There is nine of us now in the shelter. One guy hiked 23 miles! Something close to what I was thinking of doing. The are all cooking up dinner. All are thru-hikers except Joe. Ninja and Andy also made raps. Someone coverd the door opening with a tarp!!!!
Date: 2011-03-11
From: Low Gap

To: Hillawasee
Miles today: 3.0

We are in Town, Ninja and I stocked up on food, I'm pretty sure it's too much, mine weighs a ton. Andy has a mail drop here he is over flowing with food. And Ninja's mom is here and she brought us a bunch of amazing snacks. I spent like 50$ on cheese, trail mix stuff, tuna, rye bread, muffins, and milk chocolate. We are at the library.
Date: 2011-03-12
From: Hillawasee

To: Muskrat shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was painful. So my pack weighs the most ever! I climbed all day. It would have been nice if i had gotten an early start, but we got shuttled back at 8:30ish. We (Andy Kathrine & I) caterpillared a bit, like indian rows, but soon I was left in the dust. I passed the border all alone. I ate my lunch, amish swiss cheese and took a picture of the GA/NC sign and the knarly tree a bit further in Bly Gap. The bad part was I hurried myself to get to the border cuz i thought my group would be waiting for me . So I was half relieved they hadn't and half sad they hadn't. But man THAT mountain sure did climb. I beasted it, I conquired it, I am victorious. I kept telling myself "until I reach the top, I will not stop." Singing always helps. At muskrat shelter it's buzzing with hikers busy cooking early suppers. Everyones pretty chill Andy is reading in the corner.
Date: 2011-03-13
From: Muskrat shelter

To: Carter Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

We had a real nice day: weather, terrain, & company. i started 7:05 hiked downhill Andy and Cathrine joined up when i took a break. Then we hiked Standing Indian MT together, and mostly to the shelter, was a lot of fun talking. We whisled theme songs and talked about school, I learned about Andy's family. We've been pretty rough on Andy calling him anti-social and whatnot. he doesn't talk to people until he figuresout if he likes them and has somthing in common, or somthing to gain. So I called him shallow. But he fun. Cathrine I figured does enjoy me and doesn't feel tied down. I feel more part of the group. We've just been chatting.
Date: 2011-03-14
From: Carter Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossed the 100 mile mark, (there is no mark). It was a chill day. Except for Albert who was a beast! Andy and Kathrine would say a bitch. Albert was a .3 mile climb straight up. Last night was fun. we laughed a lot. This guy stayed with us teling us he snored. I was kinda rude, telling him "you can snore down there." (a platform under the shelter.) When he started talking about how insane it was for us kids to be hiking, I said "yeah we could get killed out here." Which shut him up unintentionably. Opps. But he started snoring just moments later. 5mins went by and I cracked up. In the dark, kathrine nudged me "Are YOU awake?" Then I laughed even harder. We told stories and had a blast. :D
Date: 2011-03-15
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Wayah Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Last night we were chanted to by a guy who ate a bunch of healthy junk. And Kathrine hates him for making her hang up her food bag "properly". We played 'never have I ever' So today we started in the rain together. About 2 miles in i took a break and they didn'twait for me. I got real pissed. The terrain was flat so I ran, pack bouncing and all. I cought up and scared kathrine, i had an evil pay back laugh. We hiked together till lunch break. Then it was uphill. I dropped my hat and some guy picked it up. "anyone loose a leparde print hat?" it was my 3rd lost and found. Kathrine was like this can not be happening, "whenever you loose somthing it always comes back. Oh and BTW when I was running the one time I slipped and ripped my pants, but I sewed them up just fine.
Date: 2011-03-16
From: Wayah Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

I got up real early six O'clock, didn't wake anyone, but all was good until Andy was lying on my sleeping pad. The climb went fine they caught up with me by lunch. Then I got real bad cramps, Like terrible. we had a nice veiw. Then all was mostly downhill for six miles. I was suffering. I took an IB profin which helped we were going to stay at a shelter a mile from the Noc but, I got a note telling me my buddies had ran ahead, hungry for town food. So I went the extra mile. A bit confused, hurt for being left behind, and dead tired. i found the place we were staying at, got a key and a towel and a lecture. Then i picked up my massive mail drop for 28 miles. but I teared up when I found a mango and other amazing goodies, my family had put in. Plus notes. Took a wonderful shower. oh got an extra mail drop with awesome goodies ate cottencandy and just took a strole and anded some to Danny. Him lamalegs and David decided to just camp in the woods, a mile in. I made a monzeralla pepperoni wrap, microwaved. yeah man. I bandaged up my toes for the first time just haven't taken the time to see the damage, now their cute with hello kitty bandages.
Date: 2011-03-17
From: NOC

To: Cheoaha bald
Miles today: 8.0

We are at cheoaha bald. its our Hawk Mountan crew and the minstrels, they are painting their yucalalis. i got a rippen fire going, I was chopping wood all afternoon its st Patricks day, and we have an awesome veiw. The Hike out of the NOC was insane. It'd be easier to curse about ot, and would serve the mountian justice, but I'll do my best to describe the montrocity. it was 8 miles upmountain. There was no down hill. and flat was rare. it was as if the trail were an obstical corse. there were a dozen fallen logs i had to stradle and one i sqeezed under. There were rockbeds, and the trail went up, up, up. diffrent forms of up, lundge up, the tiptoe up, the my calfs are killing up, the huff and puff up. All with a newly refilled pack, sweat dripping from my face. So mny times i knew I was at the top only to find more mountain before me to conquire. Once more the blazes stopped, all that uphill and I didn't know if i was on the correct trail!!!!!!Its wonderful in camp a whole veriety of food, cool breeze, roaring fire. Good times.
Date: 2011-03-18
From: Cheoaha bald

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Were at a little mice infested shelter my buddies are creeped out, kinda funny. They didn't want to sleep on the edges, where the mice ran about. One mouse touched me when I was trying to sleep so I reoriented my position. The direction Andy had already assumed. Andy and I talked about ghosts parents and awkard moments , fun times. Until he ditched me. Had a steep climb up jacobs ladder, I had to take multiple rests. Like okay take 10 breaths, okay now you see that tree, get there then take 10 more breaths. until I got to the top. 3 dudes were on my tail couldn't shake em' They were saying I was really speedy, but really if I'm "speedy" for them they are extremely slow. They were boasting about their fast pace, but I was like hold a minute you have hight milalege not hight speeds. That had done a 21 mile day yesterday. They also retrieved my crocs that fell. They had a bunch more miles to go. The one guy stayed behind at the shelter and let me paint. All night I could hear the mice running about and sqeeking. I so wanted to smash one with my boot, like I read in a book. But I just never got to, In the morning I found a mousetrap and put some of my cheese on it, and guess what? I got one!!!!! And freeked out Kathrine hahaI told darth vader he could snore down thereinstead his air mattress was hard to bear.I bursted out in laughtergot tears from giggles a little after.The climb out of NOC was foul but,how does it measure from 1 to Albert.We got traditions now you see,they will be with us as long as can be.We sing indiana Jones,when crossing streams and hopping stones.We document this quest, by the way,of telling raps every friday.@ 12 they like to clap,@ blueberry, donkeys do I slap.You can never go wrong with Andy,He like all diffretn kinds of candy.I made Andy rice and a chair.he said yes, but he doesn't care.When I finally get to shelter I completely crash,For kathrine it's a breeze and she picks up trash.She has Mac & cheese for dinner,For me anything I choose it a winner.I've had a fun time,I'm just trying not to whine,Just don't like being left behind.
Date: 2011-03-19
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Village Resort
Miles today: 6.0

We are just chilling, Had a superb lunch 1st time I ate out on the trail, had a honey mustard sandwich, (Which neither Kathrine or Andy like honey mustard) a cup of soup, and an amazing dessert, chocolate volcano cake with icecream. Took the shower I've beencraving for the last two days. organised food, I have a ton of pepperoni, nut mixture, but I <3 chocolate!!!!! i have these chocolate morsals that have blueberry in the middle, we all agree are better then M&M and that's a big deal! Gingersnap is sharing a room with the hawk Mountain crew. We watched Charlies Angels, We had instant oatmeal for supper, got water out of the hot water maker for tea, ingenuity at it best, also good for rice, hot chocolate, ect. had a see how many pushups you can do in an elevator before the door opens challenge. I still think I'll go swimming and see what the moon does once in 20 yrs. Hotel bed yippee.
Date: 2011-03-20
From: Fontana Village Resort

To: Fontana hilton shelter
Miles today: 0.5
Weather: broken clouds

I had more instant oatmeal for breakfast. I tried calling home, with Andy's phone, cuz i didn't have service, no luck, but it was bad timing i figured 9:30 that's when church starts. I was worried that my license was sent in the mail, and that I couldn't find it. Later in town when I did have service, I found out it hadn't ever been sent, I also got to talk to my youngest brother Isaac, which made me happy. He asked if I saw a bear. Katherine's family came, which was really cool, we were so spoiled, got our tummies full of Chinese, got clean garments. we ran around town to find, stuff like power bars, marshmallow fluff. I got apples and a flower hair piece to celebrate the first of spring. The Hilton is nice I guess, there was a bit of an over exaggeration of excitement. People praising this place, made it sound like a mansion, it does have showers, but that are a 3-4 minute walk, to were the bathrooms are, and I already had a shower. I guess after staying at a resort I got soft. It's a two story and I'm on the top. Me and Andy got a ride with Kathrine's parents to the dam to pick up registration papers to hike in the smokes. It's the biggest dam on the east coast. yay We had a campfire, I helped snap sticks. And I guess I'm getting famous for making fires, cuz the guy making it, told me twice, that "I heard your an excellent fire maker" There was so much food that other people brought, cold pizza, cheese, blueberries, and strawberries. I didn't even tough my own mountain of food. I did warm up a slice of pizza on the fire, kinda worked, and was an improvement none the less.
Date: 2011-03-21
From: Fontana hilton shelter

To: Russel Field Gap shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: few clouds

"everything I say is right" Andy This is the day I started the smokes, it's the 1st day of spring, I got my flower and started out in the moonlight, with Andy. Ate an apple for breakfast. We had a fast pace, crossing the dam was fun but soon my calves aka bundles of muscles were cramping. I tried stretching, but they were tight like rubber bands. Then my shins started to shriek in spasms of pain, then my foot fell asleep. we were going up hill by then and I was dripping sweat. I had taken my glasses of because they had fogged up. So i decided I'd take a break. Andy went on. I stretched out a bit, and went my own pace, and magically my legs stopped revolting and I was back on track. Though my back did give me a ton of aches and pains, most likely cuz the gobs of food. I got so much food not all my stuff fits, so I ad to leave clothes behind, my two massive liter water bottles, and my down booties. Kathrine played leapfrog, most the day first passing me telling me we can eat lunch together. Had lunch later, catching up to her, then leaving before her. Later she passed me profusely complaining that she lost her sunscreen. Which I helped her out, but she doesn't like asking people for help, she'd rather complain and have people offer. Then I saw her again at mollies shelter for second lunch. I hiked a bit with Lizard and Thinmint. I can go their pace when going downhill, cuz Lizards has hurt knees. I love my new camel back, I did run out of water though. Kathrine filled up my water at the shelter. Had a good night had some quenoa with peperoni and parsley. I gave a bunch of my pepperoni to bluesky. Good thing too cuz it's heavy, I have so much and if I eat too much it gives me heartburn, and other uncomfortable feelings.
Date: 2011-03-22
From: Russel Field Gap shelter

To: Double Stream Shelter
Miles today: 16.4

I got started alone early, Hiked with Andy most the day on and off. Had lots of ups and downs with wonderful views. I ran down the hills and there was a group that would stop and let me pass when we got to a downhill. My pace was good, I was proud and half surprised. Had good rest stops at the shelters. The shelter here has a privy, which is a BIG DEAL, after not having one yesterday. Made my 3rd state Tennessee.
Date: 2011-03-23
From: Double Stream Shelter

To: Ice Water Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Was a bit lazy this morning, but still first one out. I hiked 2 miles to Clingmans Dome. Mouse was the only person I who passed me, he was looking for a bathroom at the summit. I went up the tower twice once with Andy and passed Kathrine going down. She was frightened when the wind blew, guess she doesn't like heights. The hike downhill, wasn't as downhill as I was expecting. The woods was shaded with evergreens a there were massive downed trees, with the roots all pulled up. There were log stumps in the middle of the trail, I guess for when it gets muddy. There were piles of snow every once in a while. I met Travis and hiked with him through Newfound Gap, there were mounds of tourists snapping pictures and being noisy. But I liked it, they would come over and ask, "So where did you start from?" Some didn't know much about the trail at all they though it started in Texas or something. I saw Andy being questioned by some people and called him over. Travis gave me his Gorp. Then we had a gradual climb and chatted, Travis had traveled some so we talked about Salamanca, Spain. And discussed him being in Grad school and how it's prolonging reality. We hit the 200mile mark. It predicted to rain/thunderstorm/hail/damaging winds/tornadoes. Travis wanted to make a fire so we made on in the fireplace inside the shelter. Just like a little cottage home. I got Travis to tell the Minstrels "your beards are coming along nicely" Before they could catch him. POINT! (they have pretty patchy beards)They gathered some wood all of them, Andy, Travis, the Minstrels. Was nice I'm not used to people helping me make a fire. The minstrels made some tea for us. And Travis made me and Andy some couscous. There is a Father and son group, and the dad told us how he wrestled a Canadian Bear in a bar at 19 years of age. Kathrine sent us a text that she was staying in Gatlinburg.
Date: 2011-03-24
From: Ice Water Shelter

To: Cosby Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got out at 7 "on the dot" For my 20 mile day. Ended at 4:04. It was beautiful. I walked in the dark and saw the sunrise. I walked on the ridge, the wind became ice biting cold. Kathrine had a 23 mile day. Andy Passed me early on. I didn't see him till I got to the shelter. I saw the minstrels (Bluesky, Disco, and six string) alot, passed them all day. I took only one break the whole day and they took like 5 so leapfrog once again. I met Giggle who is now the 2nd person from PA that I met on the trail. I was hoping to met him since I saw his name at the Blueberry patch, and saw he was a Pennsylvanian. I hate stopping to pee, and I hate that my Hose on my camel back freezes. My feet hurt, it was a long day. But I'm gaining speed and endurance. Once I finally stopped tossing and turning and went to the privy, the privy seat was icy.
Date: 2011-03-25
From: Cosby Shelter

To: Ground Hog Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

I started off later than normal, close to 8. Andy left with me. It was suppose to be downhill, but there was definitely some up, and my legs put the breaks on, and told me "hold up, this isn't what we were expecting" Some how I stayed up with Andy since he was snapping pictures at the beautifully ice scenery, and distant mountains clothed in clouds. After miles of downhill, there were blooming flowers, I gawked at them, for some time. Kathrine passed and we sang a couple songs from her ipod. I met trail repair men using a chainsaw to remove a tree from the trail. while I was walking up the one guy goes "stop right there" in an intense voice, like I could die. was kinda weird. They were friendly. Next I got to a road, and was stumped, "where's the trail?" ......there was a lady standing next to her car, she slowly made her way over, and asked if I had seen Mouse. I told he i met him on Climgmans dome. And she told us how lucky we were with the weather, which was true. She pointed where the I was to go, along the road across a bridge, and there was my group. We followed the trail under the freeway, and up stairs then up steep hills, and over streams, I was hiking alone one the uphill hit but, found Standing bear shelter. I got a quart of milk an icecream banjo. and a chocolate oatmeal cookie the last one I saved for later. Andy gave me some of his hot chocolate mix. I left after I downed the quart of milk. I was talking to the guy there and he said there was to be 80% chance of rain. Going up the mountain I met more tail maintainers. They said that it was to rain the next three days. It was a lot of up hill, once I knew I was close I was worried, "what if I can't find the shelter", 'What if there's a scary man" So i sang some and ran some. Once I got to the the shelter, it was empty. The shelter was a 6 person and the floor was slanted. I made a fire cooked my meal made hot chocolate and ate my oatmeal cookie that I had been thinking about since I had bought it.
Date: 2011-03-26
From: Ground Hog Shelter

To: Roaring fork shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up, alone... Survived. oh yeah. I took my time packing up. it drizzled some while I was hiking. I came to some road, and there was a tent set up, .....trail magic? I wasn't sure If I was to just walk right up, so I slowly got to know this man Apple, he's real nice, made me coffee, and had a bunch of calorie filled foods. I decided not to hike a 20 some day to get to Hot Springs, but chill with Apple. I hung out for two or so hours waiting for my group. I helped him decide to make a fire, roasted some honey buns, delish. Tasted like they just came out of the oven, plus a bit burnt on the bottom.Apple was delighted, with the idea. And I made one for Brownie and one for Andy. I was happy to see him. There was a couple on a weekend hike, and I told them to tell the minstrels their breads where coming along nicely. I left when Andy did, and told everyone I met to tell the minstrels, their beards were coming along nicly, cuz I competitive and all that. I ate a lot 2 large 700 calorie honey buns plus a small one and chips and oreos, ect. made a great lunch!! AMAZINGNext was Max patch bald. I hunkered down and wrote my rap with a 360degree veiw of mountains, as I sat on a big grassy mound. Then Brownie showed up. I invited him to roll down the hill. He was interested, so we found a spot. He went a short ways and got real dizzy. I was like I'm going down the WHOLE way. Well it all was going well until, I hit thorns and scratched up my face, was a bit bloody, I though for a second about quieting, then was like I got this till I hit some more patches and my legs got all scratched up. So I walked back up and changed pants, cuz that was just not comfy. I asked Brownie "does that count? I didn't make it the whole way." "you thought you'd make it the whole way?" he says. "uh yeah" Later on I found out I got 2 out of 3 possible points for the "your beards are coming along nicely" game. Happens two of the people came at the same time. oh well. 3 POINTS in all! I had a woeful time making a fire, I even used two candles, I forgot I even had. I guess that's what happens when wood is wet. It would die then jump back to life then die again. Andy said if I needed to I could use his stove, but finally I had enough fire to cook. But it died before i could get my pot on for hot chocolate. So I went in my sleeping bag and journaled and wrote. When Blue Skys announces he has extra hot water, I say I'll take it. Haha hot chocolate after all. I poured in the water, and hot cocoa, then stirred it, there was something solid in my hot chocolate, I fished out a chocolate covered lighter. ugh. Well the others thought it was comical. Peach = Kathrine she was named at standing Bear hostel, really Sky peach, but whatever, anyhow peach has been having trouble with her water filter, well it's broken so she's been using my drops. I had a hard time sleeping, next to this guy that snored, and It poured during the night, and apparently I did get some sleep cuz i missed the thunder and lightning.