morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-21
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

We were able to hike across the bridge this morning, so no 2 mile re-route. I like that better, following the white blazes, although I would have hiked the blue blaze if necessary. Either that or head back south, and that wasn't gonna happen. Before heading into the Smokies, Ridgerunner Roger "Many Sleeps" Denton got some info from us and gave us pertinent info. He was a nice guy, and has thruhiked the AT. It's cool to meet other trail people.Hotdog's knee was really bothering him yesterday, but he gave it a go today, and is here at the shelter. He might take a couple of extra days to get to 441 and into Gatlinburg for some R&R and/or doctor visit. I'll see how he's doing tomorrow, and what his plan is. I don't mind hiking slow with him, if he wants me to, but I'm sure he'll take at least one zero day off, and I'm not ready to do that again yet. Unless something changes with me physically. I hope not. And I hope Hotdog gets along okay, and doesn't have any major damage to his knee.The highpoint for today (no pun intended) was a short hike on a side trail leading to the firetower on Shuckstack Mountain. The views from there were unbelievable! The climb up the tower, and then onto the roof was a little nerve-wracking, especially when the tower shakes as you climb the stairs. I'm not horribly afraid of heights, but I had a few moments of anxiety up there. The views of Fontana Dam and the Smokies were incredible though, and worth every step up the tower.The shelter here in the Smokies is a stone three-sided shelter that still has the chain link fence on the front. The park service has been removing the fence fronts on the shelters in recent years, but obviously not this one yet. There's also a fireplace in the shelter, and Slow Ride got the fire going. It's a good thing, because there are three Floridians here in the shelter tonight: myself, Tree and Swift Sandals. Also here are Hotdog, Yukon Rasputon, Smokey T and Alaska.I tried out a new sock/insole combination today. I had been wearing two pair of socks for quite a while, but I bought some insoles and today used them on top of the Vasque insoles, and one pair of socks. I don't think I got any blisters or hot spots today, so that's a good thing. My feet were a little sore today, toward the end of the day, but I'm not sure if it's due to footwear, or 10 miles of hiking. I'll see what happens tomorrow and try some more combos if I have to.I'm fortunate I don't have more aches and pains than I do. I've had no major injuries or problems, although blisters can become serious. Mine have almost completely healed, and I'll try to do better at preventing them. After all, my feet must carry me to Maine.
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Hotdog said his knee was feeling much better, and we headed out this morning, not sure how far we'd go. I didn't tell him, but I had decided to hike with him to Gatlinburg, even if it took an extra day or two. I like hiking with him, and wanted to make sure he was okay getting through this half of the Smokies. It's not that I thought he couldn't take care of himself, but I have the time.The first half of the hike today was quite nice. We hiked on trails shared by horses, and those trails are not as steep as trails for hikers only. Around lunchtime, Hotdog and I saw Slow Ride laying in the grass. The sun was out, so we decided to have lunch in the grass too, instead of the shelter. It was absolutely awesome, and if we weren't required to stay in shelters, it would've been wonderful to just stay there, and camp. But we moved on after lunch.Unfortunately for us, our trail became for hikers only, and that meant steeper. The scenery was different than usual. We crossed some grassy balds, and had some awesome views! The morning started foggy, but turned into a great day! I could see 360* from Rocky Top, looking back over the trail we'd just hiked, and back to Fontana Dam...just incredible!There are a bunch of us at the shelter tonight...all thruhikers! Ten in all, including all the same from last night, plus Rabbit and Afterburner. It's incredible...these hikers started much later than us (the 8th, the 12th) and are blowing by! It's cool to meet them, although I know I won't see most of them again. It's a good way to get caught up on trail news though, so the first 15 minutes are spent asking where so-and-so is and how far ahead or behind, and who dropped off the trail.Everyone out here has been very friendly, and I can see how a trail family is formed. I guess when a group of people share a common goal, they tend to respect each other and encourage each other. It's a cool feeling.
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Hotdog and I were the last to leave the shelter, around 8:45am, but that was fine with me. We were planning on a short day today, to leave just over 10 miles tomorrow into 441, the road to Gatlinburg. Most people were out of the shelter by 7:30 this morning, and their rumblings and packing and zipping and unzipping starting shortly after 6 made me justify staying in my bag a little longer.It was another beautiful day, which provided awesome views. Missing the views over mountains such as Wayah Bald and Cheoah Bald because of fog and rain is more than made up for by the views the last 2 days. The views have been just incredible! Today, we're at the shelter before 2pm, and spending the time relaxing in the sun, and talking to those passing by, or staying at the shelter. It is so awesome to sit and relax and enjoy the good weather.However, since Dog and I have been talking about "real" food (hope there's a Chili's in Gatlinburg), I am looking forward to tomorrow to head into town. Sometimes, headed into town, I don't have a craving for any specific town food, or for town food at all. Of course, I still partake in it. :-) This trip though, starting yesterday, the cravings have been strong.Tonight, at the shelter, are 5 thruhikers (Fixy, Trail Frog, John, and Dog and I) plus 6 guys on Spring Break. Dog and I had a good time watching them open cans of food and heat them over a struggling fire, while we boiled water on our alcohol stoves, ate dinner, and heated water for coffee or hot chocolate. They're young...and only out for 2 more nights, so they'll be okay. The Spring Breakers' conversation, as we bed down, is mostly on farts, partcularly one guy's rankness. Ahhhhh.. the good ol days! I,m not saying thruhikers don't fart--quite the contrary actually! I was told on Day 1 that farts and burps on the trail are allowed. Maybe that's what makes it seem like home.:-)
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Newfound Gap/US441

To: Icewater Springs Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

As usual, I woke up and checked my watch and it was....6:30 this morning. I almost always wake up and check my watch to find it's between 6:25 and 6:30am. Perhaps that explains why I also start yawning at about 6pm. :-)I walked to a pancake house for breakfast this morning, and just after I'd ordered, Fixy walked in asking for a table for one. I invited him to joint me for breakfast, and he did. He's staying in Gatlinburg tonight too, but because he hikes so much farther than I do, he'll probably catch and maybe pass me tomorrow. It was nice to sit and talk to him. He's done a lot of hiking, including thruhiking the PCT, and has a lot of advice in the stories he tells. I hope he doesn't get too far ahead where I won't see him again.After breakfast, I went back to the hotel, packed some things up, changed out of the nice cotton sweats and back into the synthetic hiking clothing, clipped my nails and waited for Hotdog to call. We planned to go grocery shopping, hit fast food for lunch then head back to the trail. At the grocery store, we saw Fixy shopping, and he said he walked there, since the trolley didn't go that far. We gave him a ride back to the hotel.We went to McDonald's for lunch, and as I was waiting for my food, it seemed everyone was in a hurry. A customer asked her husband "What's taking so long?" The employees were scrambling around, taking orders and putting them together hurriedly. I was thinking that everyone should just relax. It's not that important that I get my food RIGHT NOW.   It just struck me as a frenzy and one that was totally unnecessary.After lunch, we went back to the trail at Newfound Gap, and who should we see??? Lite Shoe!!!! We yelled at her and hopped out of the truck to greet our long lost friend! It was so good to see her! She was with other thruhikers, and Mrs. Hotdog turned, once again, into Trail Angel, handing out sodas, crackers, cookies, etc. I met Fly By Night and Smooth Navigator after not seeing them since Hiawassee! I also met thruhikers PopPop, Looky Lu, Seattle, Homerun, and Livewire. Lite Shoe had been telling all of them she was trying to catch up to Wench and Hotdog, and they finally got to meet us! Shoe and a few others got an Angel lift to Gatlinburg from Mrs.Hotdog, and will probably catch up to us tomorrow night. It was great seeing Shoe again! She seems to be doing well, but complained of heel soreness after about 6 miles. She keeps plodding on though.There are 13 in the shelter tonight, and 4 tenting nearby. All but 5 are thruhikers, including 2 southbounders who started in Maine in September, Snowman and Windchill, from England They biked across Canada, kayaked the Missouri, and are hiking the AT to raise money to fight cancer. What an awesome adventure for them! There are a few of their friends hiking with them through the Smokies. Check out their website at www.NorthAmericanChallenge.com.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Cammerer Trail Junction
Miles today: 10.5

The day started out foggy, but no rain. As usual, Hotdog and I were two of the last to leave the shelter, with Yukon, Smokey T and Jan leaving shortly before, and Smooth Navigator and Fly By Night leaving shortly after. Lite Shoe, Hotdog and I hiked together today. The fog eventually burned off, and the trail provided us with a flat spot in the sun for our morning break. It was too great to pass up!We stopped for lunch at Cosby Knob shelter, and at some point, coming or going, so did Dindee and Lance, Yukon and Smokey T, and Smooth Navigator and Fly By Night. I think most from last night's shelter were headed to Davenport Gap Shelter tonight, but Yukon and PopPop talked so highly of the Lookout at Mt. Cammerer, that we headed there after lunch. I am SO glad that we decided to do this! 360* of views--gorgeous views! The building is a former fire lookout, built of stone and wood in 1939. It's not an "official" shelter, but Yukon, Smokey T, Lite Shoe, Hotdog and I think it's just perfect!The wind is ripping around this building, and it sounds awesome! I could see city lights below, and was happy to view them from afar. This lookout is octagon shaped, with windows all the way around. It reminds me of a lighthouse, and climbing the rocks to get to it added to that feeling.Earlier, I sat on some rocks nearby, looking at the mountains to the east, and wondered why I was afforded these views. Why am I allowed to take this adventure, and see all of these magnificent things, things I cannot describe in words or do justice in pictures? I wondered what my purpose in life is. Not my "job" or "career", but my Ultimate Destination. I know that I cannot know this, at this point, and I just keep the faith that one day, I'll realize it.I also thought of those that have passed before me, and thanked them for the views. The clouds were casting sunbeams to the mountains below, and I thought "That's Ted." A few minutes later, Hotdog spoke those same words out loud. I wish Ted were here, but know in my heart he is a part of every day.I realize I am very fortunate to be out here doing this, and I am happy here. As we were sitting down today, taking a break, Lite Shoe said "I am truly happy doing this." I can't agree more. The whole experience has been, so far, unbelievably grand.
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Waterville School Road

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

The sleep in a real bed, with sheets and PILLOWS and a QUILT, was just wonderful! Despite going to bed much later than usual, I woke up just after 6am, and actually got up then. What's happened to me??? Other than having to go to the privy, I mean. I did some emailing and phoning before everyone else got up, shopped at Standing Bear's resupply, and got ready to head out. Hotdog and I had decided to move north this morning, while Jan took a zero day. Iguana and Sonic weren't sure what they were going to do. Iguana's sister, Michelle, and a friend showed up late last night, and they hadn't made a plan for the next few days. I hope to see them again soon.The weather forecast called for rain today, and possible snow tomorrow night in the mountains. When we hit the trail, around 9:30, there wasn't any rain, but shortly after, it started. Neither one of us put on raingear, as the temperature wasn't too low. It rained, drizzled, and was foggy all day. We had 3000 feet of climb today, over several miles. It was steady, but not too steep. Before we dropped into Deep Gap and the shelter area, about 1500 feet down from Snowbird Mountain, we stopped for a snack. I felt weak today, and a little dizzy, but felt much better after the snack.Today it was my turn to be the clutz and have the impeccable timing. As we were descending on the wet, leaf-covered trail, Hotdog mentioned that he wished blazes were required to be perpendicular to sea level. A tree with a blaze was leaning about 30* downhill and I replied "Yeah, it almost makes me fall off the mountain." On my next step, my left foot slipped forward causing me to lean backwards. Then it caught, tossing me forward onto my right knee. I was laughing so hard, I couldn't get up. Hotdog was cracking up too and still trying to ask if I was okay. We were crying, it was so funny. Once I got up, I had to stop walking for fear I'd fall while laughing. I said "Stop laughing! This is supposed to be difficult, not funny!" It didn't help either one of us.When we got to the shelter, Jason, Gohper, and Mosey were already here. The shelter is pretty small, but the five of us have plenty of room. Two section hikers showed up later, and we offered them shelter space but they said they'd rather tent. If it were nicer weather, I probably would've tented, but I prefer the shelter when it's rainy. The temperature feels like it's dropped considerably since the sun went down. I hope I don't freeze tonight. Or tomorrow. Or any night, for that matter. Although, I'd like to hike in snow. I think that would be awesome! Perhaps I get my chance tomorrow...
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter 

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Well...We left the comforts of the last shelter to brave "the elements". I was ready to go. After all, I'd hiked in colder temps than the 20 it was this morning, and so what if there was 16" of snow, right? Ha! The day just plain wore me out.Hotdog and I were almost the last to leave, but that's nothing new. At first, the scenery was just so awesome, I didn't care about all of the extra work. The rhododendrons were bowed to the ground, heavy with snow.   The pines drooped downward. We had to duck under lower than usual limbs, sometimes clearing the branches of their snow in the process.Even though 6 people had gone ahead of us, the snow was still deep enough that I had to high-step. I wore my zip-off pants, my usual hiking shirt, and my rain jacket with my ball cap under the hood. I was plenty warm, when moving, even though the snow made my pants wet from the shoe-tops to above the knee. When we stopped, I'd start getting chilly. Then we'd take off again and I'd warm up plenty.The highlight of the day was crossing Max Patch, a grassy bald. Grassy when there's no snow I mean. The wind was ripping, the snow blowing, stinging my face. The trail cut by hikers ahead of us was covered in some places. Hotdog offered to go first when the drifts reached my thighs. I still "fell in" sometimes. I didn't even take pictures from up there because I didn't want to take my pack off. Hotdog did though, and said I could have copies.Once we got down the mountain, out of the wind, we stopped for a break. We both remarked how crazy it was crossing the top. But that's where the AT went, so we did too.It seemed like the 5 miles beyond Max Patch to the shelter took forever. My feet were hurting, my legs tired, and my shoes were soaked. I was ready to be at the shelter and into dry clothes. Just then, the path cut in the snow split into two paths: one continuing north on the AT, and one to the shelter. Relief! I was anxious to see if it was full or not, and it was not.There were only 4 others there when we arrived, and two more have shown up since then. The skies have cleared, so I expect tonight to be colder than last night. I hope not too much colder though! We'd heard temps should be up to highs in the 60s tomorrow, but I don't know if that'll happen or not.I'm not looking forward to putting on frozen boots in the morning. Or getting up to go potty, or, at this point, getting out of my bag at all! I'll worry about those things in the morning.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: few clouds

I woke up to frozen boots. I knew last night I should've put them somewhere warmer than the shelter floor, but for some reason, I didn't. I was lucky though, they weren't frozen solid, just had a nice ice coating on the outside. They were still flexible, which was good. The wet leather adds pounds to my feet. I knew my boots were still soaked this morning, but with what I walked through today, it wouldn't have mattered.Once again, Hotdog and I were last to leave the shelter, although we were 1/2 hour sooner than yesterday. We knew we had 2 good climbs for the day. Neither was that steep and the snow seemed to be packed in a little bit which would seem like less work. But it wasn't. For each step up the mountain, I slid back 2-3". It was very frustrating to see all that energy wasted in pushing the snow down, instead of pushing my body up. I was aggravated, but finally told myself and the mountain that the mountain would not beat me. I would win. I did. After the second good climb, we stopped for lunch.The sun was shining, and despite several inches of snow still on the ground, we found dry spots near a big tree. We had a long downhill, and spent most of it sliding downhill instead of walking, but at least it provided comic relief, and it was nice to see the slides going in our favor instead of against. Our morale had improved drastically, especially with each fall, and the snowball fight. Our drop in elevation meant less snow which at first translated to a quite wet and sloshy trail. We just slogged on down. Eventually, parts of the trail were dry, and I didn't even realize it until I noticed a small patch of snow amongst leaves, rather than the vice versa of the last two days. It turned into a beautiful day!The toll of the morning's struggle and the soaked, heavy feet was wearing on me, and, once again, I was more than ready for the shelter when we came upon it. Two section hikers are here, tenting, and AKA and Cheddar, plus 2 other thruhikers have since arrived.The day started out so frustrating, but ended with more beautiful scenery, especially the streams cascading down the mountain through snow covered rocks. The problems of the snow are nearly forgotten because of the beautiful afternoon. The AT seems to take care of me, mentally, by providing something positive that overshadows all previous negatives. It's amazing how that happens, but I like it.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: moderate rain

It poured last night. Luckily it was after dinner, but before "the last pee", so I had to hold it for a little bit, and try not to fall asleep. That way I wouldn't have to get up in the middle of the night to go. The rain let up sometime shortly after dark, probably 8ish, maybe 8:30. I put on my headlamp and headed for the privy. I was startled when two red dots were looking at me from just off the trail. I turned toward them, and saw a bunny. He didn't seem to care that I was passing by. On the way back from the privy, something slithered away from the trail as I passed. It was a frog. Or a toad. I don't know the difference. The bunny was still there too. And still didn't care that I was.The rain stopped before too long, and I was glad that the morning would be dry. Unfortunately, around 5am the rain returned, along with lightening and thunder. I wasn't so concerned about the rain, but I wasn't too fond of climbing to the top of a mountain and hiking along a ridgeline with lightening around. Once again, God smiled and the booming quit. By the time we were ready to leave, the rain had too, for the most part. We had some light rain after, but just enough to cool us on the uphills.I hiked in my fancy pants until lunchtime, but not the fancy jacket. (Fancy pants are my yellow rainpants.) I don't know why I did that. At lunch, I put my legs back on my zip-offs and packed away the fancy pants. The sun came out after lunch, and it made for a good day.We hiked across some meadows, across rocks, across boulders, and on the more familiar rooty dirt trail. At one point we came upon a small grassy clearing. I turned to the left. "Oh, wow!"   There was a wonderful view of the houses and farms below. It was different than most of our views of mountains. This was fairly flat, with mountains only visible way out in the distance. Just beautiful. Hotdog and I took our packs off and took a 20 minute break. That's why I hike. Just awesome.I was thinking about the critter I saw yesterday. Maybe it was a porcupine. Or a fox. I guess I can say it was whatever makes the best story.The mileage was pretty good today, and still we were in the shelter by 4pm. I think eventually, once my feet start doing better, I won't stop that early, especially now that the time changes. Another thruhiker here just reminded me of that. I had forgotten all about time change. I also don't ever know what day of the week it is, unless I look at my watch. That seems like a good thing, unless I have mail at the Post Office and it's Sunday. Otherwise, it's just another day on the trail.