morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-17
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Could not have had a better day to start. I slept awful last night, maybe 4 hours. The weather was maybe the most perfect hiking weather possible : 60's, breezy and sunny. Everyone seemed scared to death of the approach trail but it wasn't too bad at all! Had a pack weight of 43 lbs including 2lts of water and 4-5 days of food. The weigh-in ladies say that that's a good weight, which made me happy. So, everything is holding up great. Hiked with my Pops to Frosty Mtn., so I had a nice sendoff.My feet hard holding up nicely too. Only snag today was my stove - it was too damn windy for it, so I ate cold couscous cause the sun was going down. That sucked, but, now I know what to do. A million more things I want to say about it's hard to write laying down like this. Short day in nice weather tomorrow.. should be great. Damn FREEZING out!
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.2

Last night sucked. Wind whipped all night and a fog rolled in, which froze to everything. The tent wasn't pitched tight, and whipped all night long. At abpit 1am the pegs came loose and the whole tent fell on me, which was like getting a snowball in the face, since the whole inside was frozen. If I slept 3 hours it was alot. But--The day was perfect, again. Only 7 miles of easy trail. I need a ligher pack, I've decided. Met a guy named Charles who reads the journal and offered local help from here to Fontana - thanks Charles! Met about 20 other great people today too.. the shelter area was packed. Had a really, really great time - everything you hear about people on the AT is true - they're great. Former thru-hikers come out to see the new ones off. Told scary stories - 14 days of rain, cutting off shoes to help with blisters, etc. They tell us the next mountain will kick our asses, and, that it's going to rain for the next few days. I've been lucky so far, now it's time for some more realistic AT days!
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Campsite near Woody Gap
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: broken clouds

Walked 11 miles today in an attempt to not walk 11 tomorrow in the rain, so I had to stay in a campsite between shelters. Found a great one. No rain yet, and it's a beautiful night. Got a fire going and it's perfect. My AT appitite kicked in instantaniously - I was so hungry I was shaking. Will be eating a whole lot more starting tomorow. Today was the first 'real' climb - Sasafrass Mtn. Not so tough Tomorrow we'll have a few doozies as well. Body is holding up well but I'm feeling it today. The rain that's coming should sober me up after all these good times I'm having.The people out here are amazing. Even though I'm out here by myself tomight I know that people are expecting me at the shelter tomorrow and know I'm out here - feels nice to have them close by.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Campsite near Woody Gap

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: snow

Slept on my own last night - was great. Fell asleep out right next to my fire. Then it started to rain, and it has yet to stop. It's cold, windy, and pouring out. I am one of the lucky ones who got a spot in the shelter. About 20 - 25 people are tenting. People are sleeping *everywhere* - under tables, on tables, on the ground.. all over. We're jammed in. It's maybe the worst weather you can get - 20 mph winds, pouring rain, and just above freezing. Today was probably the toughest yet. Neels' Gap tomorrow, which means hot food, new gear, warm bed, and phone calls. That's gonna be *nice*. Holding up still, but gettin tired. Need to look at my pack weight and diet.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Neels Gap (Goose Creek Cabins)
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Awesome day. Slept in the shelter in the pouring rate - had 12 people in a 7 person shelter. One snored *all* night long, so I barely slept. But it was a short day into Neel's Gap, up and down Blood Mtn (spooky). Neel's Gap is great - they go through your gear to find extra crap and things that can be replaced. Spent a lot of $ but chopped off 6 lbs from my pack.Decided to spend the night in a cabin with a bed and a shower. Here with Zenna, Tyson, Daphne, Jesse, and Matt. Tom, Katie, and Dave (the chainsaw snorer) are here in another cabin near by. Went to dinner with Mala, Jesse, Buckaroo and Pacemaker.. very nice couple from VA. Everyone has been great so far - Mala has been a huge help with everything, from rides, advice, know-how -- you name it. 1000 other things to talk about but I'm wiped out - Amazing how little downtime there is. I might take a zero day in Hiawasee. So far, I'm really, really happy with everything. Only issues I've got so far are that my feet are geting sore, and I still can't sleep like I'd like to be. Hopefully those will work themself out soon!
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Neels Gap (Goose Creek Cabins)

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was *rough*. My feet are really giving me trouble, and I'm thinking about getting new boots. All of the crew was way past me but I had to stop about a mile after Neel's Gap, and spend almost 2 hours there doctoring my feet. My baby tow is absolutly huge with blisters. Popped them all, put some moleskin and ducttape and kept walking.Now, everyone was planning a 10 mile day, and I had gone about 2 1/2 or 3 miles only. So I *hauled ass* to Low Gap, and almost passed out. The sun was set so I cooked my food in my tent and went to sleep grumpy. It's also FREEZING cold - in the 20's.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Easy day, but my feel are still throbbing. Got here *very* early, about 1 pm, so we just killed time hanging out and eating extra food. It was me, Pete, Zena, Tyson, Jesse, New Matt and Original Matt. Tom and Katie and Buckaroo and Peacemaker were around for a bit but we might be a little much for them. We're trying to do a 12er tomorrow so that Sat night we can get into Hiawassee which has a hotel with a hottub! My feet will love that. So right now I'm at 3970' and it's snowing steadily...Even though this has been great, it's been hard. The thing about it are the extremes of experience -- there are times when things are perfect - a perfect sunset, finding this group that I'm in, a good pace - things that put a smile on your face 1000 times bigger than I've had in a long time. But the bad times are pretty tough. I've already been more sore, more tired, more code, and more hungry than I can remember being. In 7 days of hiking we're had wind, frost, rain, sun (I'm sunburnt), snow, sleet, fog.. everything. Even between now and 7 days ago so much has changed. Hard to describe -- I just hope my feet get better. Maybe a zero day in town.Forgot one thing - this morning out of Neel's Gap there was about a mile of 'Hoar's Frost', which is frost from fog. It was a solid blue sky but the trees were encased in frost - really beautiful. The wind blew and it shook the frost out of the trees, like snow.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Hardest day today, but also the best. Woke up and there was about an inch of snow on everything, and it was very foggy. I was the first one out (couldn't sleep AGAIN) and had an entire white, foggy, frost covered forest to myself. It was really something else. Throughout the whole day, we switched from low, east facing mountain faces that were sunny and had rhine (sp?) frost on all of the branches. Then we'd cross to the other side, and the wind was whipping, everything was solid white, and the sun was barely making it through.Feet were awful today though .. by Tray Mtn Shelter I couldn't walk. I sat for a while and did the duct-tape-fluffy-moleskin trick to get through the next 5 miles. The next 5 miles became 8 miles because of bad camping spots, so I went on to the shelter. Feet held up well after that, and it became a 15 mile day! It was almost dark when I got in .. had just enough time to get dinner in.Something that I've learned about this .. it's doesn't make much sense to say Thruhiking is 'fun', I don't think. Parts are fun, but mostly, it's not really what you'd normally consider fun. But today coming off of Tray Mountain I was pretty distraught.. my feet hurt to the point where I could barely walk, I was freezing, every extremity was numb, and I was exhausted from the hike up from 3100 to 4900 in only a few miles. But I came around a bend and saw a view of the mountains ahead. Everying on one side was a crystaline white. The sky was dark grey, and the sun poked through in big strips onto the trees. The trees on the sun side had no frost, so it was 1/2 perfect white and 1/2 perfect brown. It was something that if someone saw on a poster or on TV you might get a 'Wow..' but that's about it. But when you're hurting as bad as I was and you realize you just climbed 60 miles to see something like that, I can't explain what a difference it makes. It was one of the most beautiful things I'd ever seen, only because of what it took to see it. So that's not something that you can really describe as 'fun', but.. it's definitely something.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee (Dicks Creek Gap)
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: broken clouds

Spent the day in Hiawassee, takin it easy. Mala found us again (how??) so it was nice to see him again. We hitched a ride from Dick's Creek Gap - a pickup truck let us climb into the back. There were 5 of us, 5 packs, a cooler, and a dead turkey that the guy just shot, laying across the back. Was about 15 minutes of us freezing in 55 mph wind trying not to fall out of the truck or smush the guy's turkey. Talked to Mala about my feet - he made me feel much better. Said that Sundowners require a hellish breakin period but when they're broken in, you get 5000+ miles out of them. Something sounds very tough and manly about breaking in leather boots regardless of the pain involved, but that's probably also very stupid. I'll just have to doctor my feet daily until until either they or my boots adjust. Mala had plenty of stories about feet worse than mine (hamburger feet) that found a compromise with their boots and made it through. I'm just going to tough it out for now.Ahhh hotel sleep tonight with the St. Paddy's Day crew. Town days rock!
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Hiawassee (Dicks Creek Gap)

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Hard to leave town, but it was perfect hiking weather. We figured today would be the day that our gang split up, but I was able to make it the mailes to the shelter. Foot problems persisting - almost unwalkable by the time we got to the shelter. Was a beautiful but extremely steep walk.Oh yeah, just remembered - we made it to North Carolina! Our first state line, very exciting!Well, it's late (too much campfire fun) and it's freezing out.. coldest night yet!
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Good day but looong. I decided to go au naturale with my feet - no duct tape or moleskin or anything, and it worked out well. I've got two new blisters, but, I'm a blister pro by now. The old ones are drying up nicely. Damn boots!Had our highest climb today - 5500'. Wasn't too bad, though, all switchbacks. Coming down, though, we passed through these perfect rhododendron tunnels - white on the floors from the snow, green walls and ceiling, and blue sky shining through above that. Beautiful. Weather was perfect again, but last night it was down in the teens. Shivered most of the night - one guy relit the fire at about 3am and stayed there till dawn.Sleeping in my tent on leaves under a rhododendron tree tonight - very nice.I'll probably loose the gang tomorrow - going to miss though guys. Everyone's got trail names now - Dangerzone, Little Spot, Hawkeye, Knock Knock, and Kilgore Trout. Kilgore Trout is me .. we were talking about Kurt Vonnegut and figured that Kilgore Trout would make a good name. Most people earn a name by saying or doing something stupid.. how have I not done that yet? Anyways, I do kind of feel like a burden to the gang sometimes because they have to wait for me (I'm the slowest, suprise suprise). I also think I'm going to start camping more on my own. Thse shelters are a lot of fun but really I'm in the woods to get away and be alone - haven't had much of that.PS - Huge thanks to our group's Trail Guardian Angel, Mala, who seems to find us and watch out for us whereever we are. He's made a big difference for us on this hike - Thanks Mala!
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a rainy start but we broke 100 miles today! We rock! We also got to climb Albert Mountain, which we were told is a little taste of what the Whites are like the *whole time*. It was pretty damn steep - you get a big rock pile and have to stop and stare at it for a minute to figure out where your feet and hands should go. On the top, though, the weather cleared and there was a fire tower there - that was some view. We were up at about 5200'. Beautiful.On the way up Fishin' Fred, Flatbread, and Gatorade were making pancakes for everyone! Now *that* was a nice suprise. Nothing like unexpected pancakes on a rainy morning to cheer you up. Thanks guys!Tonight will be the last night of our gang - Jesse (Hawkeye) and I will be spending tomorrow night in Franklin while Little Spot, Knock Knock and Dangerzone hike on. It's sad to split up with the gang that you started with but I also think that we're all starting to feel more independent now, and want to start doing our own thing. We've all got different goals and different speeds, and now that we've all helped eachother get over that initial bump, I think we're ready to head out on our own. I hope I bump in to them later, though.. Will be a nice reunion.
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC (Winding Stair Gap)
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Short day into town.. getting a hotel room with Hawkeye, pretty much just to rest my feet a bit. Got to road and Mala was cooking breakfast for everyone ! Bacon and eggs ! Thanks Mala! Someone also threw a whole box of Capri Sun into a stream for hikers that past.. it's really amazing the things people do around here to support the hikers.. I have to say it makes a *huge* difference knowing that there are folks about there looking out for you who care about what you're doing.Hopefully I'll get a nice hotel sleep tonight.. that'll be niiiice.Also, I'm sorry that I haven't written back to many people personally but thanks to everyones sending emails and signing the guestbook. I definitely look foward to getting to a computer so I can read up on what everyone's written. For those of you that have my phone number I still have voicemail, so, words of wisdom and drunk dailing is always appreciated Ate 1/2 a pizza, 1/2 rack of ribs, some pulled pork, fried somethingorother for an appetizer, and some coleslaw and beans today. mmmm towns ROCK! (yes Mom I had some vegatables too....
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Franklin, NC (Winding Stair Gap)

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: clear sky

Short but nice day - weather was perfect. Spent most of the day walking around Franking trying to figure out the best way to get back to the trail without sticking my thumb in the air right in the middle of town. Finally one of Ron's friends (Ron of Sapphire / Budget Inn fame) game me a ride. Damn nice people ¢ I didn¢t know that there are still places in this country where people could be that nice. Learned on thing on this trail at least ¢ that when I get back I should try to be as helpful as the people that have been helpful to me. It can make a huge difference.   Tonight was a perfect night ¢ only 4 of us here ¢ me, Nacho, Transcriber, and Chris (no trailname for Chris yet). They were a quiet bunch so it was a nice peaceful night. Sleeping in the shelter since it¢s just with Nacho and he says he doesn¢t snore (he says!) I had Cajun rice for dinner ¢ hope I don¢t gas him out of here! Beautiful shelter, by the way.
Date: 2006-03-31
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Creepy Campsite
Miles today: 14.6

Long, uneventful day. Tried something new today and I think it was helpful ¢ took 3 longish breaks with my boots off. Was about to make almost 15 miles by 5pm with about 2500 ft elevation change ¢ not bad! Feet still hurt, but I think that¢s going to be the way it¢s going to be. I¢ve heard so many worse stories than mine that make me realize that (relatively speaking) I¢ve got it good.Spending the night in a creepy campsite ¢ lots of strange noises. I think now that it¢s getting warmer more creatures are stirring. Bugs are definitely stirring ¢ been wacking mosquitoes left and right.And check this out ¢ I¢ve got poison_____, not sure if it¢s ivy or sumac or oak but it¢s dangerously close to some ¢sensitive areas¢. Isn¢t that awesome?!NOC tomorrow ¢ maybe I¢ll buy new boots and kick these foot mangling %$#$!#s to the curb.Just starting raining outside and my sleeping bag STINKS!
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Creepy Campsite

To: NOC
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Perfect, perfect day today. Started out a bit rough - stormed all night but the tent help up. Didn't get much sleep because of the noise and the paranoia about my bag getting wet. Rain stopped just before dawn so it was humid and foggy, but pretty dry getting packed.Only 9 miles today but after that fog rolled out they were a beautiful 9 miles. The birds, trees, and bugs all figure out it was spring today. It was in the 70¢s with big clouds and a cool breeze ¢ perfect. And the trail was straight (I mean straight) down with ridges on either side, and you could see for miles. Was the most beautiful day yet. And (I hesitate to say anything, but..) the feet held up pretty well considering out steep it all was.Spending the night in a bunkhouse at the NOC. This place is awesome. Big party tonight until 9 (hiker¢s midnight) so I¢m looking forward to that. Writing this now as the sun goes down, soaking my feet in the river .. perfect day.
Date: 2006-04-02
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice night last night, but today was rough. For dinner yesterday the Outdoor Ed. program of Texas A&M was staying at the NOC and invited a few of us hikers to eat with them - really nice folks. Then we kinda snuck into a party for a race that was going on that day - they had beer and a few of the guys from the race snuck a few over us - *that* tasted good. Liz from the NOC was playing some guitar and let us pass it around a bit. Got to bed a bit late and a bit drunk but it was fun.Up early today and started hiking the famous climb-out-of-the-NOC, which is famous for a reason. 3000' straight up. Was a tough climb - started very hot but then it started to rain. Got to the shelter and was just planning on taking a break but Pacemaker and Buckaroo were here, and the rain was heavy. Was having a really rough day so I decided to make it a short one.Saw my first snake today - 5' black one. Almost poked it with my pole by mistake, poor guy.For whatever reason today was a completely deflating day. I know now what people mean when they say "The trail wasn't what I expected it to be." I spend so much time making miles and so little time enjoying it that it gets pretty stressful. You're in the wods but you're rarely still and silent. Maybe I'm trying too hard, but I'm worried that I won't be able to make up the miles later. I don't want to get to the end only to realize that I walked 2000+ miles and missed all of it. Very down today.
Date: 2006-04-03
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Must better day today. Tough sleeping last night because of some fantastic thunderstorms (not too mention the mice). Finally get a shelter with no snorers (Buckaroo, Pacemaker, True Grit & Howdy) but it didn't make any difference because of the rain on the tin roof and the thunder so loud that it shook the shelter. Got up and watched the lightening for a while ¢ beautiful. Some boy scouts were up on the bald a mile from here ¢ they seemed grumpy but they¢re lucky they didn¢t get fried up there.Long, tough climb after Stacoah Gap ¢ a ¢bootlicker¢ someone called it because your boots are practically in your face. But, did 15 today ¢ longest yet. Feet held up for 12 or so but ached pretty bad toward the end. Today was the first day I cooked a lunch and it make a huge difference with my energy level. Might start doing that every day. My food amounts and break schedule are things that still need tuning now that my feet are starting to behave. Poison ____ is drying up too, but I might have a spot of it on my foot.Crowded shelter tonight.. let¢s see if I can name everyone ¢ Wild Bill, Bravefriend, Creaky Bones, True Grit, Howdy, Pacemaker & Buck, Arm Sleeves and Krazy (with Bailey the dog), Ribbit, Triscut, and Longhorn. That everybody?
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Cable Gap Shelter

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

Short day into Fontana Dam. Is Fontana Village open?? Everything here seems to be under construction. The resturant seemed suprised to have patrons. Got a room by myself - first night alone since I started! Zanne was here and said that I'd see everyone again tomorrow - excellect! Not looking forward to the Smokys because of the shelter rules - have to stay in them unless they're full. Full shelters, unless it's absolutely pouring, are miserable. You ahve to spoon strangers just to fit.   Lots of new faces toda. I find myself sticking to the older folks than to the younger crowd. Guess I've always done that though.
Date: 2006-04-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Few big items today - first, of course, the Smokys! Second, had a reunion with the 3/18 crew - good to see those guys again. Third - I *think* we've crossed into Tenn. There aren't any signs but the ridge of the Smokys is the border and the AT runs along that ridge, so, we must be here! Last - broke 2000 mile mark! We now have less than 2000 miles to go. Not too shabby!I was kind of dreading the Smokys - figured they'd be jsut like the Nantahalas except with lots of rules for bears, and crowded shelters, but the woods here are completely different. We had another perfect day for hiking, a relatively short, flat day, so we could take our time. The woods here seem a bit older and quieter -- the blowdowns are covered in moss, and instead of just brown dead leaves on the floor there's green grass and white flowers everywhere between the trees. Wonder what makes such a difference between the woods in only a few miles?Sleeping in a packed shelter tonight - this will suck.
Date: 2006-04-06
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Yup, last night sucked. I feel like after a night in a shelter everone hates everyone else that stayed there. THAT guy snored all night long. THAT girl kicked and punched me all night long, etc. Tenting tonight - don't care how many people are in the shelter.Started really early today, basically because I was going out of my mind staring at the shelter ceiling. Wanted to eat breakfast on Rockytop TN (where there ain't no smoggy smoke and their ain't no telephone bills) to watch the fog burn off. Bad idea to climb Rockytop with no breakfast but it was beautiful up there.Clouds started to roll in and dropped drizzle on us, but no real rain. Was a short but exhausting day today - whoever says the Smokeys are flat are liars! Was up and down 1000's of feet, real foot busters. Got a beauty of a blood blister - God bless day hikers with their huge First Aid kits to help us lightweighters out. So many people here tonight - about 30.Real food and bed and family tomorrow!