morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-11
To: Last Day
Miles today: 0.0

It's my last day at work and my last day at home. This afternoon I start the journey which will eventually lead to Springer on Monday morning. This time delay could either be bad or good. Good because I will get to catch up on sleep lost due to packing. And repacking. And taking stuff out and then putting it right back in. Bad because I will have lots of time to do nothing but think.One of my fantastic kids brought me going away cake today. This was great because I did not have time to grab anything for lunch as I was packing before work today. I could have bought lunch, but now everytime I go to spend money I think about how many miles it will buy me on the trail. So cake it was.Four o' clock today. That's it. Last chance . The bus is rolling out. It's very odd to think that I'll actually be seeing everyone soon.
Date: 2005-03-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday was great, I finished the last few miles of Maryland. Now at the very least I can say that I've done a whole state. We stopped at the Devils Race Course shelter for lunch. I had slept here a few weeks ago. Low and behold, this shelter has a privy. Last time I never saw it and no one mentioned it. See, I need to learn to ask.Today is another story. I'm officially sick. Fever, congestion, no energy sick. And it's supposed to rain tomorrow for my start date. What a brilliant beginning. But I do mean to begin tomorrow no matter what.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mt shelter 
Miles today: 7.6

I zinc and vitamin c-ed my cold to death. Thank God it¢s been downgraded to the sniffles. My mom, her cousin and my brother hiked to the top of Springer with me. Very nice to have someone with me that first mile. At the very top we ran into Geronimo. Trailjournals strikes already. Once back to the car I ate cake, Pringles, and Kudos bars to fortify me for the day. I hiked alone for most of the time, which I like because then I can sing along with my music and there is no one to laugh. The weather became beautiful, even warm. Right before the shelter I ran into Geronimo who had found James. It was great to roll into the shelter with people. I decided to stay in the shelter out of pure laziness.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Hawk Mt Shelter

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

Traveling with James, Scholar, Break-a-leg, Mike, CuppaJoe. I'm the second slowest. It's not a good feeling to be the slowest one in my age group. I know it¢s not a big deal at all and nobody else cares, but still bothers me a little. Very cool to get into camp early and just hang out. Hanging food so the bears don't eat us. Not that we've seen any yet. But the mice did try to take ALL of my toilet paper to make a nest. Sometimes I walk like an old woman and my feet have blisters. Oh, and my custom insoles are too short for my feet. This is still the greatest trip.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Last night Break-a-leg rigged up tarps in front of the shelter. It was the first night I've been warm. It is something I will try to do many, many more times. The weather never cleared today. It was always foggy, sometimes raining, and cold. I'm sure we passed some great views today. Everyone else pulled into Woods Hole shelter but James, Mike, and I pushed over Blood Mt. It was all Mike's fault; he lured us with thoughts of warmth and sodas. It worked. We are staying the night at Blood Mountain Cabins. It was so worth it.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!! Thank you James for carrying green beads for us to wear today. They match perfectly with my red town dress. (it's okay, it weighs under 3 oz)I know, there is no need for a zero this early. But that didn't make waking up in a warm bed any less great. We timed the zero perfectly, the weather is cold and rainy/snowy. Always check the hiker box before you go grocery shopping. We didn't and had to donate lots of food. Mike has gotten the ultralight bug. He is now below 30 lbs with food and water. And he plans on losing more at the next town. James is now the proud owner of a new lighter pack with less stuff in it. I on the other hand bought a pillow and gained 7 oz. It was very cool to make dinner on a real stove that you didn't have to add fuel to or carry. We even made brownies. This trip is great but so is sleeping in a bed.
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a roller coaster. Quite literally I walked up and down mountains. But emotionally I went up and down too. The weather was clear and sunny. Cool but not too cold. You want to get back to the trail, but it's hard to leave town. This is part of the reason we didn't get started till 11:30 am. We stopped for lunch around 2:30. Eating tuna in the sun I got to sit with my shoes off and look at my sad feet. I think the boys were perturbed that we weren't making better time.It was music day, when everyone listens to his or her headphones. Right after lunch the trail when straight up. Of course, I quickly fell into last place. This is the downhill part of the feelings. I must admit I even cried. The boys totally ditched me. They were 'in the zone.' I don't mind hiking alone. I figure I'll be doing quite a bit of it. I just did not expect to today. Usually I can see the guys just ahead or they stop and wait for me. After that first hill I didn't see them till the shelter 3 hours later. I just wish they would have told me, and then I wouldn't have hurried to try to catch them. So I was feeling like the slowest horse out of the gates, my blisters hurt with every step when the ibuprofen wears off and I really don't want to lose my big toenail but I think I will, so I cried. Plus my blister band-aid stuck to my blister and I had to cut it off my foot. Not my proudest moment so far but it all just got to me. Then these two boys came along and asked me to take a break with them. I told them no, that I was trying to catch my friends. They answered, "Who, the I-pod twins?" That made me laugh all of the way to camp where the boys still don't understand why I was upset. I really hate being the slow one. I'm afraid that certain friends will get tired of going at my pace and then I won't get to hang out with them anymore.We are spending the nights in our tents (first time for me) with the same crew from before, Scholar, Break-a-leg, etc. Wyatt and Jake are a day ahead. We might try to catch them before the next town. Brrrrr, still cold at night. Tonight I'm sleeping in my clothes. You don't have to get cold putting on pjs or put on chilly stuff in the morning. And no kids, you can't do this at home!
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory
Miles today: 13.0

Today was a great day. Trail magic twice! It made up for there being a hole in my thermarest. Just a little hole so it slowly deflates while I sleep. No help for it for another few days. My blue foam sitting pad from Wal-Mart is now priceless for keeping me warm. There were sodas and snacks at lunch. We are all camping tonight except for James. His camping hammock does not keep him warm enough. He had to go on to the shelter with Wyatt and Jake. We stayed with the CHEESEBURGERS!!   Crash Bang, Smokey Girl, and Azimuth made us lots of food. I ate a cheeseburger, 2 hot dogs, a cheese sandwich, an ear of corn, veggies, chips, cookies and black cherry soda. The blisters hurt. I haven't taken off my socks because I don't want to see how bad they are. But I feel like today I finally made good time hiking. I was not the last one to arrive in camp. Our first night without James. It's funny how quickly you lose what day it is. I am always surprised when I find out. A shuttle driver said that he thought about taking a day off, but that hikers don't know what day it is. They would be standing out there wondering why he was late. Oh so true.
Date: 2005-03-20
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Early this morning I decided that I needed to change my boots. They are eating my feet alive. Several toenails are on their way out. I thought I might have problems with my pack or my knees, or that it would just be too hard. I never thought that it would be my feet that would fall apart. As my other boots were heading north today I decided to, once again, run into town. I left at 7 am telling everyone that I would see them the next day. I started and never stopped. When I stopped for lunch at a shelter with notorious mice, who should show up but Wyatt and Jake. Turns out James had talked them into going into town to watch basketball. Then I ran into Scholar, she was going in too! Everything changes so fast. Yes, I know, another zero already. This will change I promise. I went from having to go into town by myself to sharing a hotel room with four other people. A former thru-hiker brought me into town. When he found out how bad my feet were he offered to drive me all the way to Franklin to get new shoes. People are amazing. This includes my mother. She drove 10 hours out of her way to bring me the shoes that do not eat my feet. My feet will be thanking her forever. It was a night of Shoney's and TV. Thank you to all of kids who signed my book. I save entries so I can read some each night.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Cheese Factory

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter 
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Two big firsts today. I finished my first state today! We crossed from Georgia into North Carolina. No falls in Georgia!Scholar was not lying when she said that NC does not believe in switchbacks. Immediately after crossing the state line we went up. And directly up. Kelly Knob was longer but this nameless bump was the worst thing yet.It was also my first day hiking in the cold rain for several hours. Cold Rain. Cold Rain. For hours. The good news is that when your feet become completely wet your sore toes and blisters no longer hurt. For a week we have been hanging our food on special cables away from the shelter. Tonight there are so many of us, Jake is sleeping on the picnic table directly under the food. The table is 5 ft. Jake is 6 ft. This is the shelter version of Shel Silverstein's "Too many kids in this tub."
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter 

To: Carter Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Today was an awesome day. Even with still wet boots my feet felt so much better. Not a whole lot happens while hiking. You go up, you go down. Sometimes you have someone to talk to; sometimes you think crazy thoughts on your own. If you are lucky James will sing to you. It was sunny enough that I could hike in shorts. This was even better because my pants were still dripping in the morning.Storms are much crazier when you are in a shelter in the mountains. In the middle of the night a boom of thunder shook the whole shelter. I think the actual boards under me vibrated. It wasn't just a clap either, it seemed to rumble forever. But I was safely smooshed in between two people so I was not worried. It was also one of my warmest nights yet because of this.Everyone is spreading out more and more. Daniel (the senator) is a day ahead. Traction, who started the mid-march home page, is like 100 miles ahead. Crazy boy. Scholar, Break-a-Leg, and CuppaJoe are a day behind. Jake and Raz did a short day to meet some friends. I am very happy to still be hanging out with Mike (maybe Freeze-Dried) and James. Most of the time Wyatt is with us too. But tonight he's in the shelter with an infamous snorer while we are tenting. James is sleeping with Mike and I get the packs. I know for sure that they are not going to stink up my tent, at least not yet.Things I have learned- Go with the lightest stuff. You¢re probably going to buy it at Neels Gap anyways. This means Ti pot, spork, tarp tent or ultra light one man, drops not a filter, chuck the nalgene it ways too much when empty (unless you put hot water in it to warm up your sleeping bag then chuck it after the Smokeys), get rid of the lid to your pack-it makes it lighter and easier to get to your stuff. Buy a Pocketmail. Mole Foam is way better than just mole skin. I like having the profile maps. Some people don't want to see the ups, I want to know what I've done and what's ahead. Hoping for no rain tonight.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: Carter Gap Shelter 

To: Franklin
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I knew that Mike was going to town when this morning he mentioned he 'might' push on. He was as good as gone. I knew that I was going to Franklin half way up Albert Mountain. It was a steep climb but so much fun. The view at the top made every step worthwhile. Even though we started at a chilly 35 degrees it was a warm and beautiful day. Sometimes it is so hard to get going when it is so cold. But wonderful magic by Barry and Teri made for a great lunch. I don't know if I would have made it to Franklin today without it.Tenting worked out nicely, especially when James helped us take down the tents. Mike's with him still in it. Mine at least just had some stuff in it. I'm very proud of how far I made it today. I made great time, kind of had to get into town with the boys. I always feel like we are running for town. I am staying the night with James, Mike, and Wyatt. But there are many hikers in town. We did not win the hitching game so we got a local hotel to shuttle us. The owner is great but the actual place is shady. No hot water for showers yet, very important when you have stinking hikers. At first I thought the no deodorant thing would bother me, but know I don't even think about it. Do not take this trip unless you like dirt: on you, on your hands when you eat, everywhere. You learn to not even notice it.We shouldn't really be in town again so soon but we deserve it after pushing hard and besides...basketball is on, so the boys are always up for town.
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Franklin

To: Cold Spring Shelter 
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

About 16 miles and the doctor all in one day. It is so hard to get out of town. Lori (the best trail angel ever) thought my toes looked possibly infected. She wanted to drill a hole in my toenail, I settled for a trip to the Emergency Room. The boys went to the post office while I went to the Doctor. James valiantly hung out with me in case they had to amputate my foot and I needed to hold someone's hand. The doctor was not worried at all. He threw me a prescription for antibiotics and told me not to wear the other boots. Done and done. Went to Wal-Mart for the medicine and more mole foam. Freeze-dried ate food at the snack bar at Wal-Mart. Bad idea. Then off to McDonalds for more food. We didn't hit the trail till 11 am. Since it was 16 miles till our shelter for the night it was our first night hike. Yes, my headlamp is light. Yes, the battery lasts forever. Yes, it is blue. Yes, it is not as good as everyone else¢s. It's great for around camp but not so good for night hiking. Hmmmm...maybe something to work on. And of course when you show up 8:30 pm everyone is already asleep. Wyatt (Mouth of the South) and I slept at everyone¢s head while James and Freeze-Dried cuddled in the tent again. James has a tent now. We are just waiting for a dry night to seamseal it. That might be the hotel in Fontana.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Cold Spring Shelter 

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 11.4

Happy Easter!!My first warm night. Now the sleeping bag is great. The mice were loving on Mouth last night. They were nice enough to leave a half eaten acorn in my pack. Again hiking in the fog with what James calls Sucker Holes. These are moments when you get blue sky and warm sun. You stop and pull things out to dry. Then the clouds quickly close in and laugh at you. We made it to the Nantahala Outdoor Center early afternoon. Mountain Man (of the old Side Track Cafe) took us into town to the Western Sizzlin for another all you can eat. I now eat the skin on fried chicken I am so hungry. If you know me, you know this is a huge change. We are semi-illegally tenting by the river in the rain to repent for spending money on a hotel room in almost every town we've passed. It's funny; I wasn't planning on stopping in any of these towns. Very quickly you don't want to carry one more ounce of food than you have to. I actually ate some of my own food at trail magic to get rid of the weight. The pillow may go too. It's been a love-hate thing so far. I love it at night; hate it uphill.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: N.O.C.

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: snow

The coolest thing happened today. It was raining. Not pouring and not too cold. It kept me cool on a day with nothing but uphill miles. So it was raining and then two steps later it turned to big beautiful snowflakes. Just like that, snow. It was a good day to only do 7 miles. The river was beautiful but when you climb down it means you have to climb back up into the mountains. I was doing fine until I stepped on my own toe. They are doing a million times better but not when a boot comes hard on it. I fell behind due to the throbbing pain. Then I made it an awesome 80's day and happily made it to the top. I wish that there was a sign that said "This is the Top." You go down, you go up, you never know till the best sign ever appears, "Shelter .1 mi". It's very early to stop but it's too cold and wet to be anywhere but my sleeping bag. Today I mastered the snot rocket. I actually am carrying tissues for some odd reason, but they are in my pack so I might as well not have them. Thank you mom for the great pointers, I never could have blown such perfect snot rockets without them.
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Twice today we had a "hmmm, how do I get around that?" The first time we were able to bushwhack around. The second time I had to take off my pack, throw it over the trunk, then scramble through the dirt underneath. Two hard uphills, one of which was so bad I feel it deserves a name. The geographers seem to disagree. Maybe they should climb it, and then I am positive they could think up some creative name. As non-adults may read this I will keep my suggestions to myself. The weather was perfect for hiking: sunny and warm. It was however a cold night. I went from actually having my sleeping bag unzipped the night before to sleeping in my coat and rain pants. I slept on the top loft of the shelter and was paranoid I was going to fall off. Someday I will sleep for several hours uninterrupted, it has to eventually happen. I think I sleep better in my tent, but I also sleep later and have to take it down. That seriously interferes with getting an early start. On most days we are on the trail by 8 am. But Nu-B is always first. Somehow he is packed and ready to go by the time I get back from the privy. We met this crazy fast girl who showed up around lunch. She had started from the NOC that morning. We started from there the day before. I wish that I had gotten her name, but I do know that she runs triathlon. When I pulled into the shelter, absolutely done for the day, she was pushing on 3 more miles to a campsite. I'm pretty sure we will never see her again.Tonight I was trying to make creamed corn. I've got the corn rehydrated and powdered milk, creamers, cream cheese and splenda to play with. It may take a few more miles to perfect the recipe. Off to cook bacon as an appetizer.Food update- creamed corn needs a thickener. I wasn't willing to give up the cream cheese. James says that it was basically corn with butter and milk, but good for where we are. I am now up to 4 poptarts for breakfast. At home I used to eat one. I also cleaned the extra bacon grease out of my lid with a bagel. Then ate the bagel. This is coming from the girl who used to not eat the fatty parts of bacon.Wyatt (now officially Mouth of the South), Vision Quest, and I are braving the shelter. Mike and Red are in their tent and James is trying his out for the first time. Some couple is down the hill because she is petrified of mice.I miss those friends who are behind me now. But I know that if I do take an extra day off or slow up friendly faces will be waiting.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Fontana

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

From here on I¢m just going to shorten everyone¢s name ¢ FD Freeze-Dried (Mike), CP Captain Patagonia (James), Mouth Mouth of the South (Wyatt)I've gone back and tried to put in most of the missing journals. Not all are filled out and I'm sure I've forgotten many wonderful people and great things that happened. Without my pocketmail (STILL!!!) I'm doing my best.Six days of food is officially going to kill me. Today was all uphill and rainy. I finally had to stop every so often, throw my pack down, and sit on it. I, of course stopped the last time right around the corner from the shelter. Always the way it works. I make it there and find out that CP and FD have moved on to the next shelter. They arrived much earlier than me and felt it was too soon in the day to stop. I told Mouth I was going one more shelter and that was it, I didn¢t care where anyone else was. (There were three in a row that were each about two miles apart) CP and FD were at the next one along with a seemingly large youth group from Michigan. There were really only five kids but there were constantly coming and going so it was hard to keep track. It was hard not to let the thru-hiker snobbery kick in. CP and FD tented up the hill because the shelter was ¢full¢. One of my personal goals have been met. I made it all of the way to the top of the scary Shuckstack fire tower. The wind was blowing a little bit but not as bad as last fall. I think the only reason I made it up was because I couldn¢t see anything. You could barely even see the trees around the tower. This way I had no idea how high up I was. The clouds blocked an amazing view but at the same time helped me out. Thank you to Mouth for waiting for since you knew what a big deal it was for me.