morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Day # 10An interesting night in the shelter. Re-Bob told us lots of stories about shelter mice and his experiences with them last year on the trail. Wizard pent lots of time giving advice to Potato Head about basic food and gear he should consider. Potato Head has a pair of shorts, Tevas and one shirt that's not cotton. He easts Snickers, Ramen, and Mac and Cheese. Really nice gue who has youth on his side. We all cooked on the floor of the shelter we would be sleeping in. With earplugs in, hearing aids out and sleeping bags cinched around our heads we attempted to get sleep. Potato Head had a nighmare and Montana calmed him back to sleep. Makoshika slept with her hood on but slept pretty well between us. We got up at 6am and no once could claim any serious mice incidents. It was still raining and 44 degrees. UGH. Great hot breakfast and we were off by 9am. The rain stopped but we hiked in a heavy mist over Bic Butt Mountain. The boulder scramble up Mount Albert was more challenging. Makoshika is like a monkey. Got into the shelter by 4pm, got tent up (it's warmer), dinner eaten and cleaned up by 7. Into the tent - it's raining again! Makoshika is studying, Montana is admiring his healing blisters and I'm really excited about how well we're doing and that we'll be in Franklin tomorrow to get our first maildrop, town food and warm rooms.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: moderate rain

Day # 11 (town stop)I am here at the laundry in Franklin as our clothes wash and our tent dries.Another rainy night in the tent and it turned to snow by 6:30am, which collapsed our tent as we ate a hot breakfast under the shelter.Hike in snow was breathtaking as it was wet and heavey so it stuck to everything - trees, rocks, flowers and the trail. Good terrain for a snow hike and the time/miles went quickly.At Winding Stair Gap we got a ride from the first car -from Richard, a very nice man in a station wagon who loves Montana fishing. How cool is that!The rain and snow is a major logistical challenge but we are psyched for it and doing well.Makoshika loved the snow hiking, it reminded us of our Yellowstone ski trip.We met "Footslogger" today, who we emailed from trail journals. A nice guy from Laramie, WY - he loves the Mountain West.All is well on the AT - cold, wet but...fun! We are doing what we love.- MontanaP.S. - Blisters are healed, books back on!Day #12Aaah - living in the lap of luxury. After getting all our clothes washed and dried (Montana is the man) and taking long showers, we ate like piggies at the Shoney's "all you can eat" buffet. Later treated Makoshika to Dairy Queen and watched TV and of course the weather channel.Walked into downtown Franklin with an empty backpack to the Post Office to pick up our mail drop box with our food and supplies for the next 6 days. Lots less food than the 12 days worth we started with - Makoshika was thrilled that she had lots of mail, too.Off to the library - what a great set up and we caught up on email and posted some journals and did homework.Montana looks like a new man with his new ahircut and fresh shave - courtesy of Amy Ashe at the Macon Barber Shop. Montana said they were great people and loves his youthful look!Stopped at the Outfitters and got a few items for colder than expected weather. Nice people - took our photo for their thru-hikers log.Ate too much at Pizza Hut then back to room to re-pack our packs in preparation for the trail tomorrow.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-12
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 14.6

Day #13Picked up at the Microtel by Fred Haller - volunteer transporter with the Nantahalla Hiking Club. What a great service and great guy. He dropped us back where we left the trail Thursday and on the trail before 9am. Fred's volunteer group built a wonderful bridge over the waterfall so we had to get his phot with Makoshika and I before we started.A perfect hiking day...blue sky, light breeze and sunny with temperatures in the 40's. Lots of ups today - very noticeable after being in town for a few days.We saw our first bald today - Siler Bald - with incredible views in all directions. Had to take a photo of Montana whose shaven head makes him look bald on top of The Bald!Later onto Wayan Bald and eventually decided to stealth camp rather than push on 1+ mile to Cold Spring Shelter. It's been a very long day and we decided to stop while our spirits were still high.Just heard an owl calling. So now time for bed. It's nice to back out here.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Burningtown Gap

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Day #14Interesting to wake up in the middle of a field with our tent the only tent in sight. What an incredible sunrise as we prepared hot granola and oatmeal, coffee and cocoa.Today's miles were either hard ups or steep rocky decents. We hit our destination by 4:30 and set up our tent alongside a bubbling stream.Montana and Makoshika hiked up the observation tower atop Wesser Bald and got their photo taken.At lunch we met a man 78 years young out hiking for a week. He was from Wayne, PA! What a healthy, young looking 78. He's hiked about 500 miles of the trail - says at 78 he doubts he will ever do the whole trail but wishes he would have. He affirmed our efforts to go for a dream.Mortin has become a staple twice daily for my knees. Montana's blisters appear to be healed. We're eating well, sleeping well and feeling pretty good. Also saw our 1st snake, lizard and frog today.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-14
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.9

Day #15Good team work this morning getting started. We like an early start (at least Montana and I do) but it was still dark at 6:30 and 5 people were sleeping in their bags (no tent, no shelter)nearby.Arrived at Nuntahalla Outdoor Center (NOC) by 9am and enjoyed warm bathrooms, fresh fruit and a quick re-supply on fuel.LOTS of up in to the sun - we are getting tanned faces and hands. Montana and Makoshika carried additional water up to the bald. So we can camp with a view.The views are incredible and despite no water source nor privy - there are lots of people coming to camp.Makoshika pulled her mat out onto the balkd and studied and is now napping at 4:30pm.To date, we've been out 2 wks, hiked just under 150 miles (including the approach trail) and are feeling good.Lots of fun sharing the sunset with all the campers out on the lookout ledge.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #16Our longest days yet - fortunately the toughest ups were done before lunch.What a great morning - Montana and I saw the moon set at 6:25am. An incredible red ball against a dark blue sky. Later around 7am one of our campmates called up to us to check out the red ball rising sun. Cheoah Bald is a site with a view!!We were on the trail before 5am. Another beautiful day.Makoshika really struggled on the one hard up; THEAT was rattled by a descending boulder field again - but the team did well today.In to camp by 5pm. Site by a running stream - a really loud group by the shelter below but nice folks.I hear a tent and sleeping bag calling my name...- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

Day #17Short day today - got into town (well actually here to the shelter) around 11:45. Coach and I hitched into Fontana Dam (the town) and picked up our maildrop and I took my Spanish test. After getting back, I got to take a shower at the visitors' center and washed out some of the grimy clothes. Came back to find that Pushing Up Daisies and Bumpkin had left trail magic for all of the hikers - lots of food! After all of our real chores were done, I got to sit around and talk with Nemo, Lion King, "Peeps", Sven and others which was really fun. It was there that I started to really feel that I was a part of the group. My Mom and Montana were up in the shelter so it was just me and the gang. The moonrise tonight was breathtaking - this brignt orange ball that kept rising in the sky...sheer beauty.-Makoshika
Date: 2003-04-17
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Day #18Wow, it's 3pm and we've been sitting here in the shlter for a half hour now! And boy did we get here at the right time - it really started to downpour right after we got in. The Smokies really aren't that bad. I was really nervbous about hiking them for some reason, but even the 3000 foot climb in the beginning of the day was easy compared to some of the climbs we've done before. On our way up the trail, the local Ridgerunner stopped us and asked us the general info: where we're planning on staying etc. But then he asked us our ages because of some survey or something, and when I told him that I am 14, he said that I'm the youngest hiker out this year. That's pretty cool - a little disconcerting at times, kind of like a lot of pressure, but whatever.Later...so it kept on raining! We ended up sleeping 19(+?) people in this shelter which normally only sleeps 12 - ah, the power of squishing! Nemo, T-Bird and Coach (Montana) build us a great fire and helped people purify their water from our 54 gallon jug (which Coach filled). But this all is so much fun - the people, the common goal - it's all so great!- Makoshika
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Day #19Mouse Report - Last night I felt two mice skittle across my bag and I'm still here to tell the story. Actually slept well with the other 18 hikers in the shelter.Rain stopped early a.m. and the three of us were on the trail by 8:15.A hearty hiking day - up to Rocky Top where we ate lunch, then on to Thunderhead Mountain (5400 ft.). A partly cloudy to majorly misty day.The Smokies are definitely Smoky looking. No privies however so the pooping in the woods becomes a key competency to master. Hikers are pretty cool about playing all of this down. Just another task of the day.Spending a little more time getting to know hikers and why they're here and what they do in the other world. It's really fun to be around people who are trying to achieve a common goal.Makoshika is hitting her stride being a part of the hiker community. She's really growing.Montana fixed our stove - ate a great dinner and thinking of Clingman's Done tomorrow.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

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

Clingman's DomeDay #20(FROM MAKOSHIKA'S JOURNAL) Wow, I'm getting lazy with this journaling thing these days! Yesterday was another uphill kind of day hiking-wise. Stayed at the Derrick Knob Shelter last night with pretty much the same crew as was at Mollies Ridge. Nemo found a semi-deflated purple rubber ball underneath the shelter and her, Claude and I kicked it around for awhile. Last night was so much fun because Nemo built a great fired in the fire ring (with the wood-gathering help of Jenn, Claude, John, and I) and we all stayed up talking around it. I really felt like a part of the group then.Today we woke up at the crack of dawn and were out of the camp by 7:45, which is pretty amazing for us! The hiking today wasn't all that bad - a longer day was when we were ascending Clingman's Done around one-ish. I have to say all of the hype surrounding the Dome is really overrated. All it is is a wimpy paved "tower" and supposedly there are restrooms a half mile from there, but c'mon, who's gonna hike an extra 1/2 mile for indoor plumbing? Certainly not me! And there weren't even vending machines!! Arg! The goal is to do about 15 miles tomorrow, let's see if we can pull it off!- Makoshika(FROM THEAT'S JOURNAL) Up at 6am to cook in the early morning mist by the light of the moon and our headlamps. The Smokies have been interesting. Very cool hiking on a nice pine-tree lined trail. A mostly sunny, warm day.Our appetites are really beginning to increase.   What seemed like a huge breakfast now wears off in a couple of hours. We actually look forward to our mid-morning power bar breaks. We're thinking about cooking our bigger meal at lunch to give us more energy in the afternoon. It's fun to experiment with such simple things but with the amount of miles we hike and weight we carry, we recognize the value of good food.A big day - we ascended Clingman's Dome - the hight point on the trail at 6,643'. Ouite a climb to a cool observation deck where we posed for a photo.Back in the tent tonight. The caged shelters are interesting. Tons of clothes hung all over, gear everywhere and LOTS of snoring. We are the early risers so we enjoy the solitude of the tent.Big 15 miles tomorrow - Easter Sunday. Feeling accomplished, tired and gald to have a privy near-by.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

Day #21Everybody was up early to get a jump on a long day.Great day - the best views yet on many of the ups and downs. Lots of rocks but I'm getting better with them.Montana is grieveing the loss of his Ex-Officio hiking undies. Unbelievable as he is so discreet with shedding them in his bag at night. Staying in shelters can get crazy as there are lots of socks and undies and they're dark. Well he decided to bring up his lost drawers this morning and it's confirmed - they're about 30 miles south of here. Poor Montana - lost his shorts on the AT!! T-Bird and Namo teased Montana by offering him a torn up old pair of tidy whities on a stick when we arrived at the shelter today.Met lots of people today - people were really a-plenty at Newfound Gap today. Met "Tweety," a thru hiker from 2002 who offered hikers sodas, beers and food. Met a family from Israel, visitor from Sweden and a couple from France. Took our photo at Tennessee/NC border. Got a photo of our friends from France, too.Our appetites are huge. Montana had his frist food fantasy today - pizza. Makoshika continues to talk about Grammies Mac & Cheese at least three time a day. I want Lebanon Bologna and Cheese.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: moderate rain

Day #22Shared the shelter with about 10 people - one whose name is "Night Fright". Holding true to his name about 10pm he began screaming and everyone assumed a bear mauling was occurring. Weird. He woke two more times.Big thunderstorm from 6am - 9am. We hiked in rain for a few hours but it was pretty bearable. Skies cleared by 2:30 and another day of beautiful views.Spent lots of time talking today. Makoshika led us through her dream of a trip to Europe - someday. Montana described his ideas of our home in Montana. In between - we continued to describe our food fantasies as we're always ready for food.Tomorrow we're leaving the Smokies - much sooner than we thought. They are beautiful and now blooming beautiful floweres and buds on trees.I enjoy the routines of the day - getting the food down, measuring out the mini-filters full of coffee and doing dishes. The body is challenged frequently but the mind and heart is peaceful and free.Makoshika is studying Spanish and the weather is clear, breezy and cool. It will be a cold night but we have warm, dry clothes and bags.- THEAT
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Ground Hog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

Day #23 (FROM THEAT's JOURNAL)Biggest mileage date to date. We left the Smokies around noon time. Entered Cherokee National Forest which hovers between TN and NC.Beautiful green trees and a great mine-waterfall crossing - perfect for a photo of Montana and THEAT.Today was really hard. A very long up after lunch go me - needed an extra stop for water, Power Bar and moral support. I feel low on fuel - especially in the afternoon.A bizarre stretch took us over a clear cut field with a large, huge FAA tower atop the mountain.We pushed very, very hard and made extra miles to get here. We're really ready for our zero days in Hot Springs. It's been 7 days since we showered - many more since our clothes were laundered.What do I like most about what we're doing? I'd say the freedom of carrying all that we need on our backs. That's pretty cool.What's hardest? Sweating then getting chilled when we stop, then putting those clothes on in the morning.Spring is so beautiful out here.- THEAT(FROM MAKOSHIKA's JOURNAL) "We Smoked the Smokies"Wow - we're 3 days ahead of schedule now. Today was our biggest day yet with 17.6 miles! Actually we made really good time because we only left around 8:10 and stopped at Standing Bear to resupply, yet we still got in at 6pm. Standing Bear was pretty cool - the owners, Curtis and Maria, bought the land and property from an older family and Curtis used the existing structures and fixed them up to makes things like the bunkhouse and the hostel. Ye he also added things like a privy, cooking area, showers, etc. It was a most successful stop if I jmay say so. Nemo, Jenn and T-Bird decided to stay there for the night while we went on the extra 7 miles to th is shelter. Oh, and you know what the big news of the day is?!! We're out of the Smokies!! We "smoked the Smokies" (as Coach would say!) in 5-1/2 days! Wahoo!And for all of the worrying I did over them, they really weren't that bad! Actually, I found that the hiking was a lot easier and well-graded and there were so many pretty views. Well, it's time for bed - Hot Springs in 2 or 3 days!- Makoshika
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: Big Rock Spring
Miles today: 17.1

Day #24 Stealth CampingWow- two seventeen mile days in a row - that's pretty amazing! We were thinking about hiking for a little longer today, but when we found water here, we just decided to stay. That means we have a 4-1/2 - 5 hr. hiking day tomorrow until we hit Hot Springs. After that...a ZERO DAY!! I really like our system with how we arrive into the town we're staying in early in the day and then we have that day to do most of our errands which leaves the next day (the zero day) totally free and relaxing. It's so nice to camp on our own tonight - I'm kind of weary of the shelters for awhile. It's not that the people aren't nice for the most part; it's just that after so long, I get sick of all of the gear talk and all of the talk about mileage.Wow, I can't wait to get to PA so I can eat lots of my Grammie's Macaroni & Cheese - that's probably what I crave the most out here! Hehe!- Makoshika
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Big Rock Spring

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Great sunrise enjoyed by the 3 of us at our unofficial campsite while eating breakfast this a.m.Boy are we efficient when we need to be. Breakfast cooked, packs packed, tent down, pooped in a hole (TMI??) and on the trail by 7:30 a.m.Arrived in Hot Springs by noon and learned that rooms are tight. Got a beautiful room in a small bed & breakfast above the Bridge Street Inn. We strip out of our grimy clothes and Montana heads to the Laundrymat while the ladies plan to shower. Montana knocks on the door... small problem- NO WATER IN TOWN. Seems they were doing an upgrade and no water for a few hours. Montana goes to the Post Office and delivers our maildrop and he's back to the washer duty. Later... having showered with lavender soap followed by a soak in a claw-foot tub- life is as good as it gets.Makoshika really enjoys the mail she gets from her family. Grammy sent a timely clipping from the Phila. Inquirer on "Elmers"- a hotel right up the street in Hot Springs. Appreciates the wipes and magazine and candy from Dad & Donna.We are eating EVERYTHING and drinking tons of water. Looking forward to a good evening of phone calls, a little TV and lots of sleep in a bed.Beakfast downstairs in the a.m. Mmmmmmmmmm. THEAT
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Bridge Street Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Slept pretty well. There is a train that goes by periodically and a rooster that wakes you in the early morning.It's raining outside and we're not hiking in it. Good timing.Today is my 44th birthday. Can't think of a better way to celebrate a birthday. Montana played "Happy Birthday" to me on his clay pocket flute and Makoshika sent me a beautiful card which I received in the maildrop.Nice relaxing day. Great breakfast at this place, lunch at the diner and fabulous dinner here at the Inn, tonight. Glad to reconnect with family. Looking forward to getting back out tomorrow.THEAT
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Bridge Street Inn

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

It was hard hiking out of Hot Springs today. Not only was all of the hiking uphill (with the exception of two small sections) but we were full of rich food and burdened with heavy packs. I had an emotional melt-down about an hour into the day- I was so physically challenged by the hiking that I just started to lose it. It's not a fun feeling when you have fleeting thoughts of wanting to quit. However, I quickly got over that and had a pretty good rest of the day.We got into camp around 4:15 and I got to work on some homework and do some chores. Now we're sitting in the tent listening to the rain hit the outer layer. Sometimes it pours, other times it is just a sprinkle.Makoshika
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Last night was my very best nights sleep on the trail. No earplugs and great sleeping until 5:45. Back on the trail before 8 am. It was hard to adjust to a full pack, long ups, and direct sun. Lots of water, lots of breaks, and here we are.The trail is empty- apparently many hikers still enjoying life in Hot Springs. Only two others (plus a dog) at this shelter.Warmer weather on the way. It's good for our tent. Lots of "Odyssey" and discussion on the trail. Makoshika is doing well with all of her school-work.THEAT
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

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

We passed the 300 mile mark today! Passed a rock pile in the shape of "300" and had to take a photo of Makoshika revelling in her accomplishment.Saw a beautiful sky and grazing area where we had to walk over wooden stiles- constructed to keep livestock inside the fenced areas.Ate lunch at a cemetary for two- a 99 and 90 year-old couple. It was interesting to imagine their lives. Later we passed what must have been their home. Fallen down. We could make out a baby mattress and cooking area.Weather is sunny, warm, and appears to be changing. Eating cheese, tortillas with peanut butter, pretzels, and dehydrated bananas for lunch. Breakfast coffee is the best. We eat 5 packets of oatmeal, 1/3 of a pound of granola, powdered milk and dried fruit. Makoshika finishes with hot cocoa. Thankfully we still look forward to all of our food. Nemo, Cornbread, and J-Rock arrived followed by T-Bird. Nice campfire time with Ma, Paw, all of the above, plus Wrong-Way and Ribbit.THEAT