morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-02
From: (11) Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: (12) Lance Creek Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked 8 miles today to Gooch Mountain Shelter, where a large number of thru hikers were accumulating for lunch. I saw the cigar guy sitting by the fire ring. He had recently been given the trail name "Gunrunner" because he found a gun on the trail that a woman had dropped and ran it back up to her (her trail name was Packing Heat). It was ironic because everyone back home had asked him if he was taking a gun for protection and he told them no, and then he ends up hiking his second day with a one. I debated staying at Gooch Shelter with Gunrunner, but it was still only noon so I grabbed my pack and continued on with a hiker named "Ugly". Ugly had done half the trail the year before but dropped out from an injury. He got his name because of some colorful language he had used in front a group of ladies, who then told him he was an ugly person.I hiked another 8 miles to Lance Creek, where I found some hikers I knew and decided to make camp. I learned from one hiker, "Rat", that Slowpoke and Flyfeet had fallen behind. He also said that last night Slowpoke had been watching the fire and burning his extra clothes (socks and several pairs of pants) when a helicopter flew overhead and circled back. Slowpoke panicked when this happened, so he got on his knees and started scooping mud onto the fire and then he peed on it. The next morning they all had a laugh because he was covered in mud. "What happened to you Slowpoke"? I remember that Gunrunner had mentioned the helicopter as well, but he said that the helicopter was "the sound of freedom" and that it had "lulled him to sleep". (Gunrunner also says that he gains his strength from other people¢s misery while hiking, so I'm not too sure about him haha).Tonight looks to be fair weather, and I have set my hammock up on the ground as a bivy sack for extra warmth since the air won't be able to circulate underneath me. I shall be toasty.
Date: 2011-04-03
From: (12) Lance Creek Campsite

To: (13) Neel's Gap
Miles today: 8.0

Last night I finally received my trail name. My hammock was set up on the ground as a bivy sack for extra warmth, and I was sitting by the fire with Metric and Centrum, when Centrum (referring to my Hammock) asked, ¢what kind of animal is supposed to be in the trees, but goes down to the ground?¢. Metric answered first, ¢A Lemur!!¢ Everyone laughed and Metric was like, ¢No really, they climb down from the trees to take a crap...Look it up!¢ And so, because I am supposed to be in the trees but go to the ground (to sleep), I am Lemur. (Also we did look it up, and it is actually the three toed sloth that climbs down to take a crap¢¦but Lemur suits me better, and most people assume I got the name for being fast).Today¢s hike was a short one. I ran into Wolfpack and Metric at the top of Blood Mountain, one of the highest points on the AT as well as a brutal climb, and together we hiked back down. We arrived at Neel¢s Gap before noon, a total of 8 miles. Neel¢s gap is a thru hiker¢s one-stop-all. It contains a fully loaded (and overpriced) hiking outfitter, Hostel, and food. Because I hiked so much the past two days (risking injury this early on) I decided to play it safe and spend the day and night at the hostel. This turned out to be a good decision, because a lot of familiar faces rolled in, including: Ugly, Pocahontas, Bandit, Gunrunner, Flyfeet, Catylist, Choco, Trump, and more. While at Neel¢s gap I was able to rest, eat an entire pizza, and buy a food bag. The food bag purchase was a decision I made based on the story of a renegade bear that had eaten a bunch of hiker¢s food on the nearby mountain the night before, even with the hiker¢s throwing rocks at it. I met one of the hiker¢s, White Blaze, and he confirmed this to be true (all his food was eaten). Now that I have a food bag I can use my paracord to hang it from a tree branch; ten feet high and six feet from the base of the tree.That night in the bunks of the hostel (picture the sleeping quarters of a ship), the hiker veteran Choco was showing people what they could throw out of their packs for lighter weight. It was entertaining, and I got some food out of it.
Date: 2011-04-04
From: (13) Neel's Gap

To: (14) Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Gunrunner and I woke up at 6am today and were on the trail by daybreak. We had both agreed that hiking in the morning was better because it meant you wouldn¢t have to rush as much to get the same mileage, you would have more time at camp in the daylight, and it is cooler in the morning. We hiked at an easy pace, and were later joined by White Blaze. The three of us hiked 11 miles to Low Gap Shelter, where Gunrunner was hurting because of his high pack weight (too many cigars and a pharmacy¢s worth of painkiller) so he decided not to go any farther. I debated staying, but we had arrived before Noon so I knew I needed to push to the next shelter, another 7 miles. After eating lunch, I continued on. I will miss Gunrunner, his story of carrying the gun back to the woman has become trail folklore, and every hiker I meet has heard his story. The day grew very hot, and I was getting horribly sun burnt on my head and neck, so I put on my fleece balaclava to stop the sunburn. I looked like a man lost in the desert and the temperature only got worse.While walking, I learned from a day hiker that a thunderstorm was blowing in, so I pushed my pace and made it to the shelter by 5pm, a monstrous 18 miles on my fifth day. The shelter was full, so I set up my hammock. The thunderstorm is supposed to be fierce, with strong winds, so my hammock had better work!Quote of the day: I may be a Lemur, but I have the eye of the tiger.
Date: 2011-04-05
From: (14) Blue Mountain Shelter

To: (15) Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night was wicked. The wind was rocking my hammock at 45 degree angles, and the rain poured. I have no idea how the stakes for my rain fly stayed grounded! Several other hikers ended up getting soaked, and one had to flee for the porch of the shelter after his tent fly blew off. Amazingly, I stayed dry and warm, despite having slept in nothing but my boxers. When I awoke this morning there was snow on the ground, and I had to put on everything I owned to stay warm, which is funny considering I was hiking shirtless the day before. My shoes were soaked, but because they are running shoes they dried quickly while I was hiking. I hiked all morning without seeing any other hikers. Water was coming out of the mountain everywhere thanks to the rain, so I saved weight by carrying less water. I have given up on filtering my water. The springs are literally bubbling out from the rocks, so they ought to be clean. Either way, I just don¢t care anymore. I still use the filter on suspicious water sources, but am planning to drop this extra weight soon for something lighter. I also look forward to dropping my extra winter clothes and the insulation for my hammock. Altogether I will save several pounds, which will allow me to hike faster and reduce my chance of injury. A lot of other thru hikers are still carrying 40lbs of gear, which I think is crazy. Weight is everything out here, and if the trail has shown me anything, it is that you can get by with incredibly little. Dropping weight in the right areas will set a hiker up for success, and I hope the others learn this soon.Around midday I ran into the section hikers, Centrum, Rat, Mule, and Metric, as well as Wolfpack. I had caught up with them because they had weathered out the storm in the town of Helen, and they told me that if I could make it through last night in a hammock I could make it through anything.I was the second person to reach Deep Gap Shelter, after a math teacher named Daytripper, for a total of 15.6 miles. I was still shaken up over last night¢s weather, so I decided to take a top bunk in the shelter.
Date: 2011-04-07
From: (16) Muskrat Creek Shleter

To: (17) Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

Today I made a push with the North Carolina section hikers towards Franklin. I wasn¢t planning on going the entire way with them, but I did hike most of it. That afternoon I went up the steepest climb of the trip with Rat and then said goodbye when I reached the shelter (19.3 miles). I will miss Rat, Mule, Metric, and Centrum. They started at Hawk Mountain with me and are a terrific group of guys, but their section hike is over. I had a fire that night in their honor, because ¢It ain¢t camping without a fire¢.I am spending tonight with Boy Scout, Green Hat, and Tin cup. Boy Scout¢s stove flamed up and he caught the bandana he was wearing on fire, which I thought was hilarious. The bandana is no longer usable.
Date: 2011-04-08
From: (17) Big Spring Shelter

To: (18) Silver Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

We all woke early this morning and headed out together at dawn. The terrain was mostly flat, and other then some stream crossings and downed trees the going was easy. The sky was threatening rain, so most of the guys are planning on spending the night in town. I do not think I will join them, because that will mean a measly 9 mile day. The lure of a hot shower and electricity is still there, and often wins over more hikers than few, but I know it is a luxury I can do without. Until my phone dies, I will attempt to avoid paying for residence.I decided to thumb it into the town of Franklin today, largely because of a hiking outfitter where I would be able to resupply. I was picked up by two ladies in a Volkswagen who I can only describe as free spirits. They sped down the highway while explaining to me that they were running late for an appointment, and when the 18 wheeler in front of us was going to slow they crossed the double line on a turn to pass him. Once in town I thanked them both and went into the outfitters. It had everything I could ever want, and I knew right away that I was going to spend too much. I ended up getting some matches, refilling my stove alcohol, buying a new pair of hiking poles (my borrowed ones were rubbing the skin off my hands and no longer collapsed), and lastly a water bottle with a filter on the end so that when you drink you are simultaneously filtering the water (saves loads of time and is light). I am very pleased with all of my purchases.After the outfitter I headed over to the library, where I got a guest pass for the computer and am currently typing this. I am not sure what I will do with the rest of the day, but I plan on getting some food and then hitch hiking back to the trail. It is only 2, so I should still be able to get in some good miles. The downside to this is it is supposed to rain, and the next shelter will likely be full, unless everyone behind me has decided to take a town day.
Date: 2011-04-09
From: (19) Wesser Bald Shelter

To: (19-2) Reason for Hiking
Miles today: 0.0

I have often asked the other thru hikers what made them decide to hike the trail. Many answer that they always wanted to, others say that they were inspired after reading Bryson's "A walk in the woods". Some lost their jobs and needed something to do, some, like the hippies I met, want to "trip out" in the woods, to not have to work, or they can¢t escape their past. Responses such as these have made me question why I am out here. Why am I thru hiking? I thought about this while I walked today, and I think I have the answer, or rather, answers.I am doing this for adventure. I am doing this to challenge myself. And I am doing this just so I can say that I did. To add my name to that elite list of people who have done the entire thing.I know why I am here. I will finish. And nothing is going to stop me.
Date: 2011-04-11
From: (20) Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: (21) Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I started another lovely day by hiking backwards! Having been delirious the night before, I thought I had entered camp on the left, when really it was the right. I hiked Jacob's Ladder for the second time, about two miles. Then I noticed the sun and thought, "huh, the sun is rising in the west, that's a new one...¢ About the same time I saw Trail Gatherer hiking towards me, and i realized my mistake. Furious, I turned and had to hike Jacob's Ladder for the third time in two days!After passing the shelter and leaving Jacob's Ladder behind me, water became plentiful again. I arrived at Fontana around 3, and decided to resupply before entering The Great Smoky Mountains. I hitched into Fontana village and did my shopping. The store i was at had a long country style porch with rocking chairs, Wi-Fi, and power outlets, so i spent most of the afternoon there talking with other hikers and eating (always eating). That night I went to the Fontana Dam Shelter, also known as the "Fontana Hilton" because it holds 23 and has nearby showers, making it a five star hotel by AT standards. The shelter was packed with hikers celebrating the footsteps of the Smokies.
Date: 2011-04-12
From: (21) Fontana Dam Shelter

To: (22) Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: moderate rain

Many of the hikers decided to take a zero at the Fontana Hilton, but not I. Across the lake towered the dark and foreboding Smokies, and i wanted nothing more than to get my hands dirty.Fontana Dam is the gateway into the Smoky Mountains. On the other side of the lake the AT climbs to elevations of over 6,000 feet, which for me would mean hiking back into winter (with most of my cold weather gear sent home).As I crossed the dam towards the Smokies, I was reminded of "The Lord of the Rings" and the entrance to Mordor. This thought was reinforced when as soon as i had crossed the dam it began to rain. I put on my wet gear and began my ascent. I hiked upwards for what seemed hours on an endless switchback, and the higher I went the harder it rained and colder it became. I remember looking at a nearby mountain and seeing that I was about halfway up, and then looking back some time later and still being only half way up. My visibility was greatly reduced as I hiked into a cloud. The storm picked up. High winds blasted me with rain and froze me to the bone. Shelter was at the 11 miles mark, and i had to hike without any rests, because if i stopped i was certain to get hypothermia. I dropped my poles countless times because i could no longer hold them, and my body felt rigid. The higher i climbed the more these conditions worsened. I cursed the storm at first, then laughed at my situation, and then went back to being angry, and then eventually my mind went as numb as my body. When i rolled into the Shelter there were already several hikers there, who had done a zero mile day because of the storm and (get this) tornado warnings! I resorted to stay at this first shelter, despite having only hiked 11.3 miles.Soaked to the bone, I stripped my clothes and jumped into my sleeping bag until I warmed up. Throughout the afternoon more hikers reached the shelter. It turned out that the zeros at the Fontana Shelter had all changed their minds (it had been shorts and t-shirt weather at the lower elevation), and soon the place was full of familiar faces, including Bubbles, Arrow, White Blaze, Hooker, Helm, and others. The shelter was fitted for 12 hikers; we fit 23 during that icy rain and punishing night. Wet clothes and packs hung from everything and anything. People slept in the rafters and the dirt, against the fireplace...anywhere dry enough to survive. I had been tossed from the oven into the freezer. I hated the freezer.
Date: 2011-04-13
From: (22) Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: (23) Double Springs Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

The Great Smokies are a beautiful and one of a kind place to hike. That being said, I pulled a large day to get the heck out of them!It didn't rain today, but was still cold with the occasional wind. I found myself panting very hard, and remembered reading that a large amount of ozone layer in the Smokies makes breathing difficult. So add that to the list of miseries.The open areas of the Smokies are full of small white flowers and green grass. When a tree falls down, it is engulfed by green moss. The sights at 5,000 plus feet are terrific, and I found myself looking down on the distant mountain ranges. The terrain was either muddy or rocky.I stopped at Double Springs Shelter (19.1 miles), just outside of Clingman's Dome (the highest point of the AT). Gradually some faces from the last shelter arrived, and everyone cooked supper in the grassy meadow. I talked to Helm and learned that he had hiked this far just to get away from the tranny at the last shelter. He had slept beside "her" on the top bunk shelf and "she" kept rolling into him. I understood completely (trail tranny is the largest "woman" in the world, complete with size 12 feet and balding head). I also learned that Helm was on the trail for the next 30 days. He had quit his well-paying job as a financial consultant two weeks before, was now hiking, and after his 30 days was leaving to teach English in china. The kid is crazy!We all spent the last hours of daylight collecting dry wood and lighting a fire in the Shelter's Chimney, which kept us toasty.
Date: 2011-04-15
From: (23) Double Springs Gap Shelter

To: (25) Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After having breakfast at McDonalds, I hitched back to the AT and the Smoky Mountains with some photographers. A big storm was supposed to hit that afternoon, with 60-70mph winds. Having barely survived the last storm, I hiked like a madman. The wind grew fierce while i hiked, nearly knocking me over in some instances. The trees were getting ravaged by the wind, and some were leaning so far that their roots were ripping from the ground. At one point I took out my camera and videotaped a final goodbye to my family should i not survive (for fun, its retarded).I hiked and hiked but the rain never came, so i kept going. I ended up doing 23.3 miles that day; catching up to people who hadn't even stopped in town! When i reached the shelter it was getting dark and i could tell the storm was about to start. Coincidentally, "the final countdown" by Europe was playing on my iPod as i raced the weather. There was a good fire going when i entered the shelter (yay), and shortly after the storm hit. I had dodged and outran it the entire day, and was able to go to bed that night bone dry. Only 8 miles of Smokies remained.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: (26) Roaring Fork Shelter

To: (27) Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

I hiked the remaining distance to Hot Springs, NC. Hot Springs is the first town on the AT that the trail actually goes through, running right down the main street. About halfway there, the tendon in my left foot started to hurt, so i had to sit on the side of the trail. It never did get better, and i ended up limping some 6 miles. Apparently my marathon day had done me in. When i got to Hot Springs the library was closed, which was the only thing i needed from town besides Heet antifreeze for my alcohol stove. I went to a hostel to try and spend the night, but they were full, and the other places were too expensive. In the end (after exploring the town, which i was not impressed by after Gatlinburg) I hiked farther down the AT to find a place to camp for free. I spotted some huge rock cliffs, maybe two or three hundred feet over the town, and climbed up the side of them. I hung my hammock between two trees growing out of a large shelf in the cliffs, and spent the night with an amazing view of the town. I watched as one by one the lights of Hot Springs went out. (Then I lit a nice little fire and burnt two pairs of socks, which had large holes in them. I now have 1 pair left) I now sit in Hot Spring's Library. This morning i went to the outfitters and bought some athletic tape for my ankle, which hurts very badly. I also checked for low cut socks, but they did not have my size.I am not sure how to go about dealing with my injury, but i do not think i will stay in Hot Springs. It lacks fast food and there is very little to do besides climb the cliffs, which has only hurt my ankle more. I think i will get a sub for lunch, maybe a cold cut (the foot long, i ain't watching my figure). Then I guess I¢ll give hiking a try, keep it down to an easy 15 miles a day or something and see what happens. Hope i don't get side lined in the woods but who knows!
Date: 2011-04-18
From: (27) Hot Springs, NC

To: (28) Spring Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 11.0

I now sit in Hot Spring's Library. This morning i went to the outfitters and bought some athletic tape for my ankle, which hurts very badly. I also checked for low cut socks, but they did not have my size.I am not sure how to go about dealing with my injury, but i do not think i will stay in Hot Springs. It lacks fast food and there is very little to do besides climb the cliffs, which has only hurt my ankle more. I think i will get a sub for lunch, maybe a cold cut (the foot long, i ain't watching my figure). Then I guess I¢ll give hiking a try, keep it down to an easy 15 miles a day or something and see what happens. Hope i don't get side lined in the woods but who knows!After eating my sub i hiked till 7 on my hurt ankle for a total of 11 miles. While i am clearly injured, I have not been sidelined. I can put weight on it, and only feel pain if I over extend it. Tomorrow I will wrap it tight to prevent this and continue to hike.The shelter I reached is surrounded by a small tent city. I guess everyone within a 20 mile range congested when they hit Hot Springs, because the trail coming out of town is now packed. Despite the numbers, I only know Green Hat. I hike too fast for my own good, and every day is full of new faces. This often grows tiresome. It is funny how you can be completely surrounded by people yet still be alone. Someday I'll find a group who hikes my pace, but for now, bedtime in my hammock (which i like a little more now that it is warming up!)Note: If you have been keeping up with my trail journals please go to journal (24) Gatlinburg, TN. I had accidently skipped posting this journal and I would like you all to go back and read it.