morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-05-14
To: Tray Mountain Shelter, GA
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Well, I lost my flashlight. I loved that flashlight/headlamp. The Petzl Tikka. I'll make sure to give Walasi-Yi a call from Hiawassee to see if I left it there. No flashlight means no journal after dark last night. That's why I missed an entry from yesterday. I'll definitely give an update from yesterday.Yesterday was a short day. I was with the crew - Jenna (TFT), Lunchbox, Butter, and Tim. We stayed at the Low Gap Shelter which happened to have quite a lot of wear on it since I last saw it eight years ago. There was really only one killer climb coming out of Tesnate gap. We passed Hogpen gap which was one of my favorite retreats with the Boy Scouts back in Junior High School (Troop 764). Overall, it was one of our easiest days. Not too bad. Well, actually it was great.As for today, it was also great. It looked like it was going to rain earlier, but we lucked out. We (the Crew) made our way through Chattahoochee gap, over Blue Mountain and Rocky Mountains, to Tray Mountain Shelter. I'll take a picture... I'm sitting at one of my favorite places - the rock outcropping near the Tray mountain shelter. Elevation is over 4000 feet. Tomorrow, we're heading into Hiawassee for resupply. I'm sure Mom and Max are anxious to hear from me. Resupply, dish washing, cloths washing, and showering are in order.POEM, MAY 14MOUNTAIN SONGBIRDPatiently wating   Through winter, March, April.Beauty arriving   With the warm season.Song singing   from a Knobstone knoll.To heare along a Blue Ridge.Mountain Songbirds weaving   beauty straight into my soul.Singing songs so bold.____________________________________________________POEM, MAY 15STICKITY STICKToday I came upon a walking stick.I said to myself:"Now that's a good pick!"Over mountain, hollow, and dell.The burning in my legs   was hotter than hell.So with my stick, I took to the path.15 miles more...      Another day without a bath.After the last rocky climbIn my stick hand,      was a blister left behind.INDIANA BEN_________
Date: 2003-05-16
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter, GA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today seemed somewhat like a "zero" day. A zero is a day when you don't achieve any trail mileage. Today was only 4.5. It wasn't a total zero. Earlier in the day, Q-tip and I chilled in the Hiawassee DQ. We ended up catching a hitch from a nice woman and her husband. She ran a walking tour company which operated all over the world. I gave her my e-mail address at trailjournals.com. Maybe she will sign my guest book. Hiawassee was a nice treat. I think we ended up doing it the right way. We hiked in during the morning, stayed overnight, and hit the trail again the next day.By the way, Q-Tip is the new trail name for Tim Craig. His address is:Tim Craig302 Water StreetChardon, OH 44024e-mail: tim_craig90@hotmail.comNow that I have that down, I can contact him at a later date.POEM, MAY 16TREEWALKERSWe rode on our legsMost of the afternoonWe walked an intrepid pathAs we climbed rocks we spokeThe leaves bear witness to our closeness.Water fueled our sweat.Junk fueled our strength. - But words fueled our minds.We spoke of things others didn'tWe spoke freelyWe achieved what othersin the REAL world are tooaffraid to find....As we fueled our ride under the canopy.
Date: 2003-05-17
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After yesterday's short hike, Butter, Q-tip and myself hiked 12 miles to Standing Indian Shelter. Today we made it into North Carolina. Once we got past the GA/NC state line we saw the old scrub oak tree which appears in many Appalachian Trail books.It looked kind of like a Bonsai. The day started off and finished wet. This was really the first wet day we have had yet. We picked up some rain before Hiawassee, but we were marching into town so it didn't matter as much.This evening was a lot of fun. Butter took about 30 minutes to hang his bear bag. *I also took a picture of this moment. This evening I played Butter and Q-tip in Echere again. This time I played with a guy named Burger who is from Georgia. Together he and I made up Team Georgia (even though I am from Indiana). The game was Team Georgia vs. Team Cleveland, and Team Georgia won. Thus, effectively destroying the pride and dominanace of Team Cleveland in the game of Euchre.I think North Carolina is going to be cooler than I thought. I'm glad I got my sleeping bag. The poem today has been inspired by the big Euchre win.MAY 17 POEM:(a very bad but gratifying poem)THE WINNERSTwo by twoRound the table we satTwo teams were readyAnd the kitty was stackedThe first team has never lostThe second team was coldAfter a few roundsTeam two discovered they wereIn the barn. Wow!!After the next roundTeam two were the winnersTeam one, from Cleveland,Went Down
Date: 2003-05-18
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: light rain

Wow, that was a way to start off week 2. Started it off with a bang!! Today, we hiked our first 20+ mile day. Our original plan was to hike 19.6 to a shelter, but we decided to hike an extra 3.5 to get to the road to Franklin. I'm still happily hanging around with Lunchbox, TFT, Butter, and Q-tip. We stay at the Microtel tonight.The hike went well today. The Southern Nantahalas are surprisingly easy. They are a lot easier than any of GA. It's still raining, and I heard it's supposed to rain even more - maybe for another week. I heard this from a section hiker named Weasle who was staying at the Microtel. The best point of the day was climbing up steep Albert Mountain to sit on top and catch a few rays of sun through the clouds.
Date: 2003-05-19
To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is going to be a short little entry. I'm sitting at the Franklin library now in North Carolina. Me and the crew (TFT, Lunchbox, Tim(Q-tip),and Butter) hiked a 23.5 miler yesterday to make it into Franklin for today. The Southern Nantahalas are supprisingly easy. There are a number of journals I plan on updating about four days down the line at Fontana Dam. It's been beautiful around here. It's been pretty wet as well. Ben
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Franklin, NC

To: Wayah Bald Campsite, NC
Miles today: 10.5

We pretty much staid in Franklin until the afternoon. Then we walked 10.5 up and over Wayah Bald. Wayah Bald was neat, but it was cloudy because of rain. Here in North Carolina, there are very few natural balds left. In fact, they had to mow the grass on top of Wayah in order to preserve the view. It's not until the northern Nantahals and Smokeys until we come across natural balds.There was an old-timer from the Natahala Hiking Club who ended giving us a ride up to Winding Stair Gap where we reconnected with the trail. His name was Jack, and he sure was a nice guy. He doubted that we would make it up to Wayah Bald this day, but our perserverance and light packs allowed us to make it.
Date: 2003-05-20
From: Wayah Bald Campsite

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A little less rain today. We stayed about 0.8 miles from the NOC. Somehow, I still managed to get dehydrated with all the rain. It was OK, though. I think because I am a little overweight I tend to sweat quite a lot.I thought maybe I would write some background info. on some of my hiking buddies. I'm hiking with Two Fleece Turd(Jenna), Q-Tip (Tim Craig), Butter (Jerid), and Lunchbox (Lucas). TFT and Lunchbox are a married couple from east Tennessee. They both graduated recently and were both varsity atheletes at their college. Two Fleece Turd (TFT) got her trail name because she started off on the AT with TWO fleeces and not just one. Additionally, her old nickname with Lucas is Turd - hence, Two Fleece Turd. Lunchbox (Lucas) got his name because he put on 30 pounds of fat before the trip on the AT. Lunchbox used to play college basketball at a little college in Tennessee. Both Q-tip and Butter are from Ohio where they are currently residing in Cleveland. Hence, they make up Team Cleveland. (By the way, there is also a Team Michigan on the trail that we are trying to catch up to.) Q-tip has already done the southern half of the AT. He's 22 and works as a landscaper. Q-tip got his name because he as fuzzy hair that resemebles the end of a Q-tip when he puts on a bandana. I would say that Q-tip is the hiking stud of our group. He can easily hike 20 milers and he's made most of his own gear. Butter is the youngest at age 20. He attends Case Western Reserve in Cleveland. He's an aspiring politician. Fortunately, he is very liberal and pretty smart. Butter got his name because on his first day on the trail he spilled massive amounts of butter on himself and his 57+ lb. pack.
Date: 2003-05-21
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was a little bit of marshmellow and also a little bit of grit. We started off making it into town from the Rufus Morgan Shelter. The NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center) was pretty marshmellow. We ended up eating breakfast AND lunch. Q-tip staid and waited with me as I waited to see if my Petzl headlamp came in from Walasi-Yi. It did!!! No more little flashlight I bought at the dollar store in Hiawassee. The NOC was nice. Especially, since it was pouring down rain. Q-tip and I ended up leaving the NOC around 4:30 and headed up to the top of Swim Bald. This has been the longest climb so far on our trip. Though, I feel like I am starting to get in better shape. On our hike up, Q-tip and I were able to check out some great views of the rainstorm lifting off of the Nantahalas. I took a couple of good pictures of this moment. I must say that it was nice having a short day today.POEM, MAY 21(inspired by both Robert Frost and the AT)BY THE POPLAR TREEBy the poplar treeDown where the thistle growsStirs the memories of my childhoodReminding me of summers pastAnd friends that have come and goneAnd of the changing seasonsWhere once there was a shrubStands a mighty treeGrown strong with age and timeAnd knarled by the windsBy the poplar treeDown where the thistle growsWon't you come with me
Date: 2003-05-22
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Hilton, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm actually writing this entry on May 23. The reason being that I night hiked last night for about 6.5 miles to reach Fontana Dam. Night hiking turned out to be fairly interesting. I lucked out that I did not manage to fall down once! However, earlier in the day, I took a nasty fall and landed on my ankle. No serious problems, though. I've discovered that my Nike Trail Runners do not grip slime covered rocks at all. I may have to look at different options for shoes up in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is supposed to be very rocky.Well, I feel like I've been able to accomplish something. I've made it to Fontana. Fontana is wehre Bill Bryson and his friend ended up leaving the trail - slackers. The weather has finally gotten better. We had about five days of wet in the Nantahalas. It's nice to get a break.Hopefuly, Mom's received the film and Georgia AT map by now. Maybe she will scan them and put them on trailjournals.comBy the way, I ended shelling out big bucks for Leki hiking poles while visiting Franklin, NC. As Q-tip says.. these are "Big Things". They are a GREAT investment well worth the money. They should also last a long time. They are great at saving my knees going down these steep hills.I love the trail. Even when it rains.
Date: 2003-05-23
From: Fontana Dam Hilton

To: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam Area, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Yep, today is my first official zero day since being on the trail. I'm about three days behind schedule which does not worry me that much at this point. It turns out that this southern section of the trail is fairly tough, but I feel good about the progress that I've made.One of the main concerns for a thru-hiker during a zero day is eating. As a matter of fact, when I finish typing this entry from the library I will head over to the All You Can Eat (AYCE) pizza buffet. Eating is the inspiration for today's poem. I have personally decided to try to make a point of not writing too many poems about eating. However, this one's got to come out early on the trip.POEM, MAY 23HUNGRY HUNGRY HIPPOSHungry Hungry HipposFEEDING FEEDING FEEDINGEATING EATING EATING EATINGGORGING GORGING GORGING GORGINGGLUTTONS GLUTTONS GLUTTONS GLUTTONS GLUTTONSI'm a hungry hungry hippo. Show me the buffet.GO NOW.
Date: 2003-05-24
From: Hike Inn, Fontana Dam Area, NC

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I entered the Great Smokey Mountains National Park. It started out nice. I woke up in a bed at the Hike Inn. Jeff and Nancy do a good job taking care of hikers. I'll have to send them a picture of me when I finish my hike. We god out kinda late this morning from Fontana Dam. The hike up from the Dam was fairly hard core. We climbed about 3.5 miles until we reached the fire tower. The tower was great. I took a couple of pictures from up top. The Great Smokey Mountains Park is pretty nice. The trail is well graded and fairly easy in places. It was a great day. Around 1 in the afternoon, I got split up from TFT, LB, QT, and Butter. So, I ended up taking a little 30 minute nap. Weather was great.After the nap, I cruised over to Russell Field Shelter. Critter and his woman were there. There were also a couple of families hanging out. Yep, it is Memorial Day weekend here in the Smokeys and there are many section and day hikers out. Actually, I kind of like talking to some of these guys. Most are day hikers. There are a few section hikers. All are like me - trying to have fun in the backcountry. Hope the bears don't get me. There are cages on the shelter entrances to prevent the bears from coming in while the hikers are sleeping.
Date: 2003-05-25
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter, TN
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a tough day. We came up Rockytop early in the morning and finished the afternoon by climbing Clingman's Dome. Clingman's is the highest point on the AT at just over 6500 feet. It was interesting to see the mountains change from broadleaf trees to evergreen pines. At times, it was almost felt like being in Canada.No bears yet. Each shelter on the AT has a shelter journal where hikers can enter their names and anything they want. I read in a journal where one guy came across 3 bears on the trail in one day. No one in our group has seen any wildlife except when Lunchbox saw a deer. One group saw a friendly fox at one of the shelters. It's amazing how habituated the wildlife is in the Smokey's Park, but it is nice to see how nature really is like when it is preserved. It's also nice to see that nature and man can live together is harmony.Tonight was crowded at the shelter. There were over 21 at and around the shelter. I lucked out and got a spot inside. This shelter had a bear cage on the outside. It felt like we were sleeping in a jail cell. Lunchbox and Jenna ended up taking a ride down to Gatlinburg and did not join us at Mount Collins Shelter. They missed out when everyone pulled the Troutman up 20 feet on the bear cables. Bear cables are basically these high-tensile steel lines that are tied between trees. They have several pully line systems which allow you to pull your food up to the top of the lines high enough from the ground so that the bears cannot get your food. Anyhow, we pulled Troutman up. I missed out on the photo opportunity, but it was great none-the-less.
Date: 2003-05-26
From: Mt. Collins Shelter, TN

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: light rain

Today was short after our 20 miles yesterday. Yep, I went to Gatlinburg, TN. If you don't know what Gatlinburg is like, it's basically one of the biggest tourist traps in the US. Dolly Wood is just down the road from Gatlinburg. It's just like Niagra Falls or a beefed up version of Nashville, Indiana. It was hillarious to see all the tourists. I stopped into the Smokey Mountains Brewery with about 8 other thru-hikers. It was "Big Things". I had a 33.8 ounce Cherokee Red Ale which was a great, fresh house brew. I also ate most of a large greasy pizza. MmmmmmmmmmTonight, I'm staying at Icewate Spring Shelter after catching a hitch back to the trail from Gatlinburg. I just couldn't stay the night in Gatlinburg. Rumor has it that fairys roam the town of Gatlinburg casting spells on thru-hikers which makes them quit the trail. I've lost my hiking group of Butter, Q-tip, TFT, and Lunchbox. I'm wondering if they will catch up.
Date: 2003-05-27
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was mostly cloudy and wet. There wasn't any rain but plenty of water was coming off the trees. Mainly, it was condensation forming on the trees from the clouds that were passing over the mountain tops. This morning, like most mornings in the Smokeys, I've started out hiking around 6000 feet elevation. I've been hiking mainly by myself lately. I did meet up with Q-tip for a couple of miles before pulling into Tricorner shelter. Q-tip staid behind and I kept on for another 8 miles or so to Cosby Knob Shelter. Fortunately, the fog cleared in the afternoon. Cosby Knob shelter is located at about 4500 feet whcih makes it noticeably warmer than Tricorner shelter which I passed earlier in the day. At Cosby Knob I met up with with Old Greybeard, Nomad, and Santa as well as some section hikers. I got to sleep next to Santa in the Smokeys. Santa works as a Santa clause so he had a big grey beard and everything. He was having a good hike. It was great.
Date: 2003-05-28
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Standing Bear Hostel was excellent. It has been the best overnight stay yet. When I finish the trial, I'll try to remember to send Curtis a picture. I heard back at the Hike Inn earlier in the trip that the Federal Government will probably close Standing Bear. I don't know for sure why, but I figure Curtis proabably doesn't pay his taxes. The going rate for Hostels on the trail seems to be about $15 for a bunk, shower, and laundry. Curtis ended up giving me and several other thru-hikers 2 rides to a truck stop for food. So, I figure that this was a fairly good deal. It amazed me how a little community like the one I'm staying at at Standing Bear could spring up around a few backwoods exits off of Interstate 40. Well, the Smokey Mountains Park is done. It was fun while it lasted. I'd definitely go back despite the crowds.
Date: 2003-05-29
From: Standing Bear Hostel

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

Tonight, it's going to be crowded. I'm at the shelter with Old Greybeard, Nomad, Smurf, Jeff, Wolfman, Q-tip, Butter, Rodent, and Windwalker. It looks like Smurf is going to be sleeping on the floor of the shelter tonight. I'm feeling pretty good today, but it was a fairly short day again. Q-tip, Butter, and I plan on taking it somewhat easy through this stretch while Lunchbox and TFT catch up. I passed Paul the Jabermouth "Jaber". It looks like he's taking a zero down at Standing Bear today.
Date: 2003-06-01
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

It's been a while since I've updated my journal. I'll have to go back and add some entries. Last night and yesterday afternoon I hiked about 19 miles out of Hot Springs. Many of the guys I've been hiking with cannot seem to make it out of town. In fact, Jaber had to turn around after going only six miles on the trail. Yesterday, I saw my first bear! It was a cub - probably a year old. It started hauling ass when it saw me. Not much news today. Tomorrow should be a big day at 18.8 miles.
Date: 2003-06-02
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today started out wet. I left this morning with Tootsie Pop (ie Windwalker) around 8 AM. When we left, it wasn't raining, but the weather quickly changed to a steady downpour. We stopped at the first shelter at around 12:30 after climbing 1500 feet. I left Windwalker behind at the shelter and walked the rest of the day by myself. After another series of big climbs, I made my way to the top of Big Bald. It was the best view I've had since beginning the trail. It featured 360 degree views of the Tenn/NC stretch of the AT. I snapped a nice picture of myself holding my hiking poles in the air. I hope it comes out alright. It will look good on trailjournals.com Well, it's about my bedtime, and it's started raining again as I sit here inside my comfy shelter. I feel like no rain can bother me now that I've made it through the days of rain in the Nantahallas.JUNE 2, 2003 POEMBRUINBehind the forest's curtain He liesfeeding on the nuts and berries the forest providesHe is great in his ways about the forest floorAll forest creatures squirm as He approaches.Great and mighty is His lifeBoundless is his range - to Him at least.Then as I walk in His worldThe forest quakes and mighty Bruin runs in fear.... If only He knew His powerover me and my kind.
Date: 2003-06-03
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

Today's hike was not too hard. In fact, most of it was a well graded downhill into Erwin. There were a few surprise bumps here and there but nothing too bad. Getting into Erwin was kind of nice. I was planning to stay at Miss Janets hostel. When I arrived at the Noolichucky River in Erwin I stopped at a hostel called Uncle Johny's. Uncle Johnny ended up giving me a $2 shuttle ride to Miss Janets. It was strange because evidently Johnny and Janet did not get along too well. It was a classic example of small town competition. Oh well.I had some bad news in town today. TFT and Lunchbox will be leaving the trail. I had so much fun hiking with the all the way up from Georgia through the Smokies. I think that the trail was wearing a little bit on them, and after all, they were newlyweds.
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

The last two nights I've been at Miss Janet's hostel in Erwin, TN. Yesterday, I took a zero day in Erwin and met up with Max. Today was Max's first day with me on the trail. We left from Erwin this morning around 11AM. Miss Janet gave us rides to the grocery then finally to the trail. There are so many things to tell about my stay in Erwin that I will not have enough paper to write it all down. First off, Miss Janet really is great. I got rides, advice, breakfast, left Max's car at TN19E, movies, warm bed, laundry, shower, and internet for only $15 per night. At Miss Janet's I had the chance to meet up with Mule, Moose, Q-tip, Butter, Smurf, Troutman, Nomad, and a few other cats. Miss Janet's was really crowded. I slept on the couch both nights. Other than Miss Janet's, I did most of my usual town things in Erwin.   Today's hike was great. Max and I hiked together all day long. The first neet spot we crossed is a nice bald called the Beauty Spot. It was from here that Max had the chance to first see Roan Mtn. After the Beauty Spot we began our long climb up Mt. Unaka. Like the Smokies, Mt. Unaka also had a lush pine forest on top. It was an enchanted forest. Today was definitely one of the best so far.
Date: 2003-06-07
To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Max hurt his knee coming down Mount Unaka yesterday. We camped out at Cherry Mountain shelter last night. This morning when we awoke, it was pouring down rain. Max and I humped three miles in the rain to Iron Mountain Gap and hitched a ride back down to Miss Janets in Erwin. I hope Max will be OK.