morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center, US19

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Back to the Trail, and what a welcome. 6 miles uphill out of the Nantahala River gap. Some very bad news today. At Sassafrass Gap Shelter, I got my first news from Crusty, a note written in the register. Anonymous managed to get ahold of his family-- he'd been trying when I left NOC-- and his dad is sick. He's hitching home to Souix City. Also, Twoshoes came into NOC later that day, but without Homeless. I guess she got off the trail in Franklin.This majorly bummed me out for a big part of the day. Not just because of losing trailmates. I've known of enough people coming off the trail, but most of them didn't surprise me. I really thought these two could make it, and it makes me question my chances, I guess. Half of people intending to finish come off by Neel's Gap. Of those who go on, another half drop by Damascus. And by Katahdin, only one in ten will finish. I guess I knew all of this before I left. But I always applied it to myself, if I would make it. Now I think about how thin the company will become, how lonely I might feel, if my friends will make it.But not all is bad. Crusty also told me that Old Blue made it in to NOC, and the Jersey/Maine boys (Bliss, Salteen, Wicked Wizard, and Sunshine) bought him a pizza. Also, I found out that both Snacks and King Harvest are back hiking. Hope to see them soon.Tenting tonight at Locust Cove Gap with Bob, Mike, and Bob,(father and sons from Jersey), Chandler, and two section hikers, John and David.
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Started the day with grand aspirations. I was determined to catch Crusty and Twoshoes, who are about two days ahead. That didn't last too far past Stecoah Gap, when the trail started up, and up, and up. And the mountain I climbed didn't even merit a name in the handbook. Lunched with BobMikeBob, John, David and three spring-breakers from Cincy. The day's last five miles were quite tolerable, but not enough to urge me on. I figured out that, because of the placement of Fontana Dam and the first shelter of the Smokies, I will soon lose the half day that I'd gained on Crusty and Twoshoes. Ah, well. Met two more thru-hikers, Steve and Luke. Steve's from Chatanooga and is a reporter for the Times there, running a column on his hike. Luke is jolly, makes me laugh.Noodles and oatmeal for dinner tonight (in seperate pots).
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Cable Gap Shelter

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

Came in town this morning, with the intention of resupplying/ showering/ laundry-ing. "Town" is a funny thing to call it really. It's a resort. Kinda like in Dirty Dancing. They even have a dance instructor, Dominic. But it's the off season, and it's empty except for thru-hikers. In town already: Snacks, Noll, Puff-Puff, Gator. Maybe some others. And it wasn't long before Steve and Luke start thinking about how much a room would cost, split three ways.About then,the mail arrived, with my resupply in it (just in time-- thanks, Ben!) and as I packed up, I realized that I had no hiking poles. Extra bad since my hiking poles are also my tent poles. The shuttle took me out to the trailhead, where I found them, crossed right where I had left them, on the steps by the road.Picked up Sunshine from the Dam on the way back. He has had enough and is getting off the trail. He also had little info about Homeless and why she came off. (Homeless, where are you? Come section-hike with us in PA!) Ate cheeseburger, salad, pears and cottage cheese for lunch, Ice cream and two sodas for snack, catfish, asparagus, baked potato, lemonade, coffee for dinner. So, not the shelter tonight, no. Hotel room with Steve and Luke. But because I found chlorine drops at the outfitter here, I will not be going to Gatlinburg. This means 1) I will be at least one day closer to Crusty and Twoshoes, who are going to Gatlinburg. 2) I will not have a shower for a week. 3) I will be carrying a lot of weight-- 6-7 days of food. And tomorrow looks like it's all uphill. Tomorrow, the Smokies!Also today: met Don and Kevin, father and son duo. Kevin (son) is going home tomorrow, finishing his section hike. Snacks takes off on Thursday from here, back to Indiana.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Breakfasted at the hotel and left Fontana Dam with Luke and Steve around nine. Started at the road (NC28) and hiked up to the dam. It's the highest dam east of the Mississippi, at 480 feet. It felt at least a half mile long. Shortly thereafter, we hiked up the road that led to the entrance of the Great Smoky Mountains. Of the next 11 miles, it felt like at least nine were uphill. At first, Steve and Luke waited for me. That never lasts long, though, especially when they have to stop every quarter mile or so. But by lunchtime, I was feeling better. We caught up with BobMikeBob, and I met the "eh"-team, Lara and Celsius, from Canada. When we were about four miles from shelter, we started reaching real altitudes again. It got misty and the foggy and then you just couldn't see. I think I hike best in gloomy weather, because I started cruising. I arrived to the shelter to meet Steve, Old Blue and Chandler. Everyone else (the Eh-team, Luke, BobMikeBob, Patch, Gator, Knuckles, Sn! appy and Puff-Puff) made it in well also.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Leisurely hike today. Crossed Spence Field, which was a big patch of Grass on top of a mountain. It was like other balds, but bigger and prettier. It was late in the morning, and the sun came out warm on my face and back. Stopped for lunch of jerky and saltine crumbs. Old Blue came in just then, and I convinced him to push on to the next shelter. I met a ranger on the other side of Spence afield, and he pointed to a peak inqthe distance. That was where I was going. As I looked, I saw three figures climb the peak. I supposed it was BobMikeBob, who were ahead of me. A half hour later, I was there too, on top of Rocky Top. An amazing view. I took four frames across the horizon. Mountains all around, and there was Spence Field down below. I pushed on and found Chandler at the top of the next tough climb, having a cigarette and recharging. Took a break, and pushed on again. My legs have been feeling better. Arriving at the shelter was great. It was early, maybe three, and there were the boys: Luke, BobMikeBob sprawled on the lawn in the sun, and Steve on the roof of the shelter, trying to get a good shot of the scene. (Steve works for a newspaper in Chattanooga and is doing a story about thru-hiking. Thus, he's always with the camera at hand, sometimes going so far as to hide in the rhododendron and jump out at us, so he can get a 'candid' shot. It is very funny when he does this.) At any rate, it was a great welcome. Luke said something about me always having a smile on my face. I flopped down beside them. Chandler was not far behind. Good hike. Great company. Good day.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we climbed Clingman's Dome, the highest mountain on the Trail. And we did it at the ninth mile of the day. In the morning, the weather was pleasant and nice. As we gained altitude, though, the wind picked up. At one point, I was in an open part of a ridge, no trees to shield the gusts, and was hit with one strong enough to knock me onto one foot. But I put my head down, and kept on stepping. At times like these, I imagine myself the Little Engine that Could: "I think I can, I think I can..." A bit further on, though, things turned somber. A southbound hiker told me there'd been a plane crash on the AT on Clingman's. The trail was still open, but we should push on through. So I didn't summit. There were Search and Rescue Team trucks all over the road up there. A bit down the trail, we were passed by a groups of rangers, etc., and a woman, coming the opposite direction. Farther on, the rescue team wheeling a body bag up the way. Farther on, caution tape. I didn't look i! nto the woods beyond. It was a single-engined plane, I am told, and he was 42. The woman was his wife. Had one two-year-old and one on the way. As far as hiking, my feet and legs are good. I am completely filthy, and it's still days until a shower. Tomorrow morning, we'll break 200, and then we'll push on to do fifteen.I never thought I'd see a body bag on the trail.
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light snow

If yesterday's color was green, then today's was white. Woke this morning to 6-8 inches of snow on the ground. We evaluated the situation and decided to get the hell out of there. We went out in groups, except for Chandler, who's up earlier than all of us. I went with Steve (now Notes), with BobMikeBob behind and the Eh-Team behind them. It took three and a half hours to get five miles to the next shelter. But it was damn cold up there, and the next shelter was at lower elevation. So, perhaps against better judgement, we continued on 7.7 miles-- this time maintaining a lot closer distance to one another.Despite the slow-going, the snow was beautiful, balanced inches thick on twig branches. I was chomping mouthfuls of snow all day off of leaves-- hydration that I didn't have to carry on my back. Besides, my waterbottle was frozen shut.We did 12.9 in all, and it was at least a foot deep when we arrived here at Cosby Knob. Most of my clothes are wet, I can't find my capilenes, my fingertips are numbing and we just had to pack tighter to fit some spring breakers from Michigan. But who's complaining? A tummy full of couscous and a tootsie roll, a warm sleeping bag, what more could on ask? (Let me think... heat, a flush toilet, clean clothes, clean body, food with instructions more complicated that "just add water" and the list goes on...)
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm, Green Corner Road
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

It's Monday in the rest of the world, it's freezing here in hiker world.Woke in the morning to even more snow. We scooted in tight last night, to accomodate the late-arriving Michiganders. I suppose it was warmer, but it just felt tighter. I slept with my Nalgene bottle, to keep it from freezing, just to find it almost empty in the morning. It seems that bottles don't just freeze shut: they can also freeze open, ice chunks preventing them from closing all the way. So I estimate some 750 mL leaked into my down bag last night. Miraculously, besides slightly chilly toes, I slept warmly. I have newfound faith in that sleeping bag.The boots were the great challenge of the morning. Imagine trying to fit your feet inside of ice cubes. They were completely rigid. Striker (Bob Sr. of BobMikeBob) warmed my boots over his Whisperlite until I could squeeze my feet in. Breaking camp was slow today, mostly because it was so crowded. I doubled the breakfast portions, figuring I'd need the calories in the snow. Notes and I started out after nine.The uphills-- slow and arduous. But the downhills were like skiing. You could fly. If you slipped, the snow padded the footfall. No achy knees today. It was like hiking on pillows.Once we hit lower altitudes, snow began to melt and fall from the trees. The path became muddy, and my boots began to slosh. Stopped for a break at Davenport Gap Shelter before we all headed into our last mile of the Smokies.We were headed only about two and a half more miles to a hostel, but with only a half mile to go, I had to stop to get out of rain gear. And after taking my wet boots off, I couldn't bring myself to put them back on. So a half mile more in my Waldy's. Now we're all at the Standing Bear Farm. Clothes are dry, body's clean, though still no flush toilets. We'll be in Hot Springs in three days, and I intend to spend a good hour soaking in the springs. I also intend to eat a lot.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Standing Bear Farm, Green Corner Road

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Sat around during the morning at Standing Bear Farm. The owners, Curtis and Maria, couldn't have been more accomodating. They were stocked full of camp food (the pantry was close to empty by the time we left), as well as frozen pizzas, sandwiches. They made runs into town for camp fuel for us. Very nice people. One by one, we dragged ourselves out though, until it was just me and Notes. Had a leisurely hike that afternoon with Notes, and were joined by Lara from the Eh-Team. The snow was melting, so the trail wet, and the waterproofing on my boots gave out. Snowbird Mountain was still covered with snow, but it was so warm, we were all in shorts and tees.Arrived at Groundhog Creek Shelter to find it full, and who was there but Crusty! Spent a little while catching up on the weeks events. A little later, Wicked Wizard and Bliss rolled in. So good to see old faces! Also found out that AKA accidentally grabbed the long johns I had been missing. He'll leave them for me at a shelter up the way.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Bluff Mountain
Miles today: 15.5

Woke early with all the early-risers in the shelter. Tried to sleep more, couldn't. Got up, poked around a lot, and still was hiking by 7:45. Beee-yootiful weather. Golden-sunny, warm. Water sources were full from the snowmelt. I walked alone through the morning, until I came to Max Patch, when I was joined by two stray dogs. Sat awhile, continued up the patch and found Notes, Josh (formerly Chef, now String Bean), Wicked Wizard and Bliss lazing out in the sun, having lunch, joking around, burning the day away. BobMikeBob joined. Great view, perfect weather, new sunburn. Moved reluctantly along with Notes, String Bean. We decided to push on past the shelters, so we could be in Hot Springs early the next day. There's a hostel there called Elmer's, and it's supposed to be one of the best on the Trail. The thing with Hot Springs, though, is that it is easy to get stuck, and so many people stay more than one night, making Elmer's hard to get into. Notes, Stringbean and I camped just past Bluff Mountain at a slightly-more-sloped-than-I-would-wish site. Had a fire, stayed up talking, made a pot of tea. I enjoy these boys' company very much.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Bluff Mountain

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Woke early and I was hiking at seven. Those Hot Springs were calling! Arrived in town around eleven, went straight to Elmer's, where Stringbean and I are sharing a room. Ate four pieces of fried chicken, fried okra, mac n' cheese, cornbread, beans at the Smoky Mountain Diner, and spent the rest of the day between the laundry, outfitter, and hostel. After dinner, we went to the Paddler's Pub for some beers, where we raninto some hikers I'd not seen in a while, and some I'd only heard about. Heard some crazy stories about the hikers who were stuck behind us in the snow in the Smokies. A lot of these guys had just pulled 20-plus-mile days to get into Hot Springs. Drank some good beer, stumbled home with Bliss, slept deep. I must add here that this place rocks! Elmer's is a huge old house, built in the 1860's. Elmer came to work here as a thru-hiker, and when the owners' children didn't want the farm, they turned it over to Elmer. There's also an organic farm, where hikers can work for stay, and all the guys who live and work here permanently are thru-hikers that came and stayed, or returned. Breakfast and dinner are vegetarian gourmet, served family-style and are sooo good. There's an extensive library, a music room, porches on all sides of the house, gardens and a big lawn... I'm in hiker heaven. The town itself is pretty sweet too. Very hiker friendly. AT stickers on the business windows, the outfitters are knowledgeable and don't try to rip you off. They don't seem to mind all of us laying on their lawns, wandering their streets. So frendly, welcoming.Tomorrow, we're hitting the Hot Springs for a good soak. Besides that, I plan on tweaking some tent adjustments, whiddling down gear, eating until I am full (it's been a while) and resting. It will be my first real zero day.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Hot Springs

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"Afoot and light-hearted I taketothe open road,Healthy, free, the world before me,The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortuneHenceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,Strong and content I travel the open road.The earth, that is sufficient,I do not want the constellations any nearer,I know they are very well where they are,I kow they suffice for those who belong to them.(Still here I carry my old delicious burdens,I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go,I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them,I am fill'd with them, and I will fill them in return.)...Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons,It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth."-Walt Whitman, Song of the Open Road
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Hot Springs

To: Campsite
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: light rain

Woke this morning not early enough--we were up late last night. Breakfasted with Kool-Aid Luke; finished off the fabled "skillet" at the Smoky Mountain Diner. Back to Elmer's, checked out. Stringbean and I left late-- stopping at the outfitter, then at a nice lawn on the way out of town. We shared the last beers from the night before, plus fish sandwiches brought in by Notes' dad from Knoxville, and a mango. Hiked out straight up over the French Broad River. It was an easy eight. Came across the site not far past a firetower, and were joined by Notes and his dad, Chameleon, Josh and Chris, who I'd not met before. Had a fire, slept in my tent.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Campsite

To: Jarry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today marks two milestone-- 1) my first calendar month on the Trail, and 2) the beginning of my fifth week (subtracting 3 days for Grant and Kylee's wedding). The second doesn't seem so significant, except that before I came out here, I promised myself that I would give it a minimum of four weeks. I figured that stubbornness alone could carry me that far. So, today is the first day I can quit.I am not quitting.The morning was normal. My legs are feeling stronger and stronger, and we were making mad time in the morning.Passed Little Laurel Shelter, and it was looking like rain. Pressed on. A few miles out, we came across two words spelled out in pebbles and sticks on the trail: FOOD, BEER and an arrow pointing left. We followed their direction to find a truck parked up the way. Firefly, Chunky and Stickyfingers were headed the other way. Fantastic trailmagic: Saltshaker, who hikes in '98 or '99 had a grill fired up on the bed of his truck: burgers in their grease, sauteed onions, soda, milk, juice, beer, snickers, chips... the list goes on and on. Had a beer, burger, but just as we had started when the sky opened up. There was this huge flash of white-blue light, out of nowhere, and then the loudest crash I have ever heard. Lightning had struck a tower some thirty yards up the hill, at the summit above us. Scared the s**t out of us. A downpour followed, which turned into hail. Saltshaker packed up quick, managed to pour us cups of coffee and stuff our pockets with snickers, bananas and cokes to bring to other hikers.Made it into the next shelter not long after, meeting up with, um, everyone. Lots of people. Packed shelter, full lawn. I tented, and Stringbean, after a failed attempt with a tarp he'd picked up in Hot Springs, ended up under the picnic table. Great to see everyone. Lots of laughs, smiles.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Jarry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Rough day from first light. The rain would have been alright last night. But the wind ended up being too much. It blew rain up under the rainfly of my tent, where it collected on the mosquito netting and then dripped down inside. I woke up with little puddles all over, and I had just sent my packtowel home in Hot Springs. Used my tights instead to sop it up. Out late from camp. There were some climbs today. With Stringbean behind me, I was pushing harder. He is a lot stronger hiker than me, but wants to take it easy. So, I kick my ass, sweat pouring down me, glasses fogged, and Stringbean just hops along behind. Ah, well. Towards the end of the day, I was having it rough. My ankle rolled, and then I just lost steam. Plenty of calories, I just didn't want to walk anymore. I turned around halfway up a climb. Stringbean just smiled, told me it wasn't much farther. I sucked it up and a mile later, we were at the shelter. Stringbean has been a great partner these days. Erwin the day after tomorrow!
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

My first twenty, but I'm feeling ragged. Hiked out with Stringbean, Bliss, and Wicked, but having three behind me was a bit too much pressure. Took a break in a grassy knoll, and not long after, I stopped for water and lost the boys. It was kinda nice, actually. Not that I don't adore my recent hiking partner, but it was nice to meander, to have space to think a little. Thought about Mom, and it made me happy.Crossed Big Bald mid-day. We were supposed to meet there for lunch, but once I got there, I knew I wasn't stopping. It was an enormous bald ('big' was an understatement), with a single, thin brown path cutting across. Visibility was minimal: I could barely see the white-blazed stakes ahead for the fog. The wind was so harsh that I couldn't tell if it was wet or just really, really, freakin' cold. My arms and legs were bright red, so I dared not stop. And it lasted for-eh-ver. At the other side, I hit the trees again, and not long after, I found the shelter and the lunch crew. Ate fast to not chill, and Stringbean and I hit the trail again together. Because of the weather, there was no doubt at this point that we were shooting for the shelter, another eleven miles on. Some five miles farther on, we arrived at Spivey Gap, Bliss having caught up and the wind having subsided. Ankles were holding up, blisters okay, we decided that if the shelter was full, we'd push on to town-- that would put us to 27.And the last five were a bear. Ankle acted up, the other foot started feeling hot.We arrived to the shelter with two hours of daylight left. There was one spot left in the shelter, and we almost split up. But that would put us a day apart, and we'd have to play catch-up. So with some squishing and some relocation, we managed to fit everyone. Stringbean was almost on the ground again, but Firefly gave up his place. And Lady Walksalot rolled in late, having hitched into Sams Gap that morning to a restaurant and bringing us back biscuits! She was my hero for the day.Slept well, except I hear I kicked one of the White brothers in the head. Whoops.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Hiked in this morning without breakfast. Were intending to go to Miss Janet's but ended up with Uncle Johnny when he came out to welcome us. AYCE at Pizza Plus. Burned the afternoon watching Caddyshack, stoking the woodfire stove, drinking beer and figuring out food for the next three days. Dinner at Erwin Burrito where we ran into the crowd from Miss Janet's. For the evening? More beer, Wayne's World and Beverly Hills Cop. Full house and the coming days look like snow and rain. Some are taking zero days here, but Stringbean wants to push on. 46 miles to Boone, where he went to school, where his friends wait with a keg and party. But that puts us on Roan Mountain, over 6000 feet, with lots of snow. We'll see how it goes. We hope to do it in three days.