morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Silar Bald

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Awesome sunset and sunrise from summit of Silar Bald. Myst camped with me we talked about our lives and reasons for hiking. He is trying to find himself after spending several years taking care of his mother who died recently of cancer. He had to quit his job to care for her. Now he is on the trail before he goes back to work.There was a group of hikers camped lower on the mountain that came up to watch the sunset with us. As they started back toward their tents one of the girls screamed. There was a very large black bear crossing the field a short distance from their campsite.Left camp at 7 AM to stop at Wayah Gap picnic area. Had a long breakfast, even cooked some food. Listened to car talk on my way to Wayah Bald. I was hoping to see the trail angel Apple again but he was not around. Saturday morning and tons of people on Wayah Bald. There is a road that brings people close to the summit. So many up there did not hike. Katie, a pretty blond group leader from Gainesville FL, asked me some questions about filtering water and using iodine tablets. Their filter was not working and the iodine tablets had gotten wet. I lubricated her filter for her using the only petroleum based product I was carrying, Preparation H. The pump seemed to have more suction but I'm not sure it is fixed. So I gave her a partial bottle of iodine tablets to cover her if necessary. She is a sophomore in college planning on studying nursing and outdoor topics. She would love to be a ski bum for a year or two. Katie was a delight to talk with. She introduced me to her co-leader, Jorda, another nice girl. I regretted having to hike on without spending more time with them.Dennis and Lois Miller are section hiking the AT. She took some photos with her digital camera of me and will e-mail them to Sue. She also has some suggestions for places to stay during trail days when Sue comes down to visit me on the trail in Damascus.   I did not see Julie and Bill today. I am afraid I will never see them again. It was a long lonely hike into camp. No one else in the shelter. But, Lois and Dennis are camped on the ridge nearby. They invited me to watch the sunset and drink hot chocolate. Dennis topped it off with a spot of bourbon.Had my best trail dinner so far this hike. Regan's dehydrated veggie mix with potato soup. I put it all in the same pot first the veggies until the water was boiling then I added the soup mix. Topped that off with some huge croutons. Tasted great. Good night everyone.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

I met Goosebump today. She caught me taking a break about 2 miles before NOC. She is completing a thru hike she began with her husband last year. Their south bound hike was interrupted by cold weather. As the winter wore on she developed asthma that worsened as the temperature dropped. Her husband Mark picked up a job as a podiatrist and cannot finish his hike. She decided to flip flop to complete her hike heading north instead of the southbound adventure they started last July. She just needs to make it to Virginia where they stopped in December. Goosebump wears a skirt - and no underwear. She is really fast at pit stops. She has peared down her pack to 25 lbs with food and water. We are staying in the dorm style Base Camp for the night.    I left camp at 7:30 this morning. Stopped for an hour on Wesser Bald tower and again for lunch break at the Wesser Bald Shelter, where I met Fred. Fred is tall and thin with very small pack. He is full of energy, about 20 years old. Fred only stopped for a couple of minutes then hurried on his way to NOC.   I continued to walk north taking frequent breaks until Goosebump caught up with me. It was a very sunny day with little protection from the sun since the trees at higher elevations have no leaves. As I moved down hill it got greener. Tons of violets in bloom and ferns are starting to unravel from fiddle heads. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-19
From: NOC

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I planned to have a late start today after breakfast. After a wonderful vegetable hash brown, Goosebump talked me into waiting until lunch. At lunch she decided to raft on the river that flows through NOC. After a little work she talked me into joining her. It was great and a good rest for my feet which have been throbbing at night. We paddle our own Ducky's 8 miles down the river with many class one and class two rapids ending in a very tricky class 3 rapid. Just before the class 3 water fall is a pull out where you can decide whether to run the rapids or chicken out by leaving the boat and walking. I tricked Goose bump into skipping the pull out and just paddle through the rapids. I made it through just fine. But, Goosebump tipped over and was trapped under her raft for a few seconds. I'll get some trail miles in tomorrow. Mostly up hill.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-20
From: NOC

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 8.2

Another wonderful breakfast at River's End restaraunt. I had the "very vegitable hash brown delight" again. Goosebump had two breakfeasts. I put it all on visa card and got cash from the two hikers eating with me. Fred is 18 and fro Florida. His mom grew up in Coventry CT where I lived with my family over 30 years. Goosebump called her husband last night. He was rather evasive because he thought we were hiking yesterday and knows something about what may happen to us a Cable Gap Shelter. We may have messed up someone's plans bychanging ours.We stopped at a campsite for midmorning snack then again for lunch at a wonderful over look called "Jump Off". We coould see down to Natahala Gorge.We had dinner at Sassafras Mountain Shelter with Nanna K, Little Fish, her friends Heather and Whit, Mosey, Meloney & Murphy the Dog, and a man I never met before. Goosebump and I hiked up to Cheoah Bald to camp and watch the Sunset. B Dub joined us for the evening sunset and some hiker's TV. We watched the lights come on in the nearby towns and villages making up our own stories about what was going on.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-21
To: Broken Pocket Mail device
Miles today: 0.0

This is a note from Sue, Art's wife, to those of you who are wondering why you haven't heard from Art since the 14th. He broke the screen on his pocket mail device but a new one is one it's way to catch up with him on the 21st or 22nd. He's doing very well but as of a couple of days ago was still a day behind those he started with. He took a "0" day at NOC and went white water rafting. I'll have his journal up to date ASAP.ThanksSue
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Cheoah Bald

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

Another remarkable day. Up at dawn, hiking by 7:30 AM, Goosebump was kind to me by hiking at my speed even though she was expecting a surprise at the shelter 14 miles down the trail. We made several stops for views, snacks, water, flowers, and lunch at Brown Fork Shelter.I spotted a small black bear cub on the trail which quickly scurried off into the woods. Goosebump never saw the bear. We arrived at a road that is .9 mles from the shelter. Goosebump suggested the truck parked near the road belonged to her friend Stumpknocker who hiked with her on the south bound leg of her trip. She was very patient with me when I changed my socks for the 4th time today. We made it to the shelter in record time. Sure enough, Stumpknocker was sitting on the floor of the shelter with a large orange for each of us. He asked me how I knew Jan Liteshoe. As I began to explain Jan came out from behind the shelter carrying 4 boxes of fried chiken. Cokes where distributed all around, bisquits and then apple pie and chocolate cake with large toppings of whipped cream. There was lots of reminising of past times around the campfire. Some hot chocolate with Bailey's Bristol Creme and wonderful friendship topped off the evening. I set up my hammock for the first time this hike! I replaced the rainfly that comes with the Hennessey Hammock with a 10X12 silnylon tarp. It is way bigger than I need but it should come in handy.Jan and Stumpknocker are great trail friends. It is ironic that Goosebump and I should meet and have this connection through friends. I was unaware that Jan and Stumpknocker were romantically involved.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Fontana dam

To: Letter From Jan Leitschuh
Miles today: 0.0

I got this today from Jan Leitschuh and thought you all might get a kick out of it. Without his PocketMail there hasn't been much activity here. He should have his new one up and running in 3-4 days. SueHey there,You probably know this already, but I ran into your husband just south of Fontana. Stumpknocker and I brought in some fried chicken, biscuits and apple pie for Goosebump and Art and whoever else around them could beat them to the chicken box.We all camped together that evening, and in the morning i hiked on with them while Stumpknocker hiked back to the truck, shuttled it around and walked in the Fontana end. We dropped them at the Inn there, after a stop in town to resupply and pizza up.I was grateful to return a little bit of the cheer you two offered me last year.Art looks in good health and good spirits, cracking his usual bad puns and passing gas with impunity. You're going to have to recivilize him.I have no doubt that he will walk all the way home, and then up to Katahdin.until today, I couldn't find the card Art gave me with your address, but just now I unzipped the pocket of my freshly washed fleece and - here it was. Good cards! Ha!Hope you're well, Art was bragging on your costume contract and research. Sounds like a creative, fun gig.Best,Jan
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke about 7 AM with Jan and Stumpknocker offering us more trail magic, sticky buns and hot chocolate. They have been wonderful. We took our time eating and breaking camp to enjoy the company. Jan walked with us to Fontana while Stumpknocker went back to his truck to move it to the other trail head. The walk from Cable Gap Shelter to the Fontana Marina was littered with wild flowers of every imaginable color. Jan could identify most of them. I recognized some but fell far short of Jan's knowledge. Most of the trees down lower are covered with leaves. Some of the blossuming trees have already gone by but many are in full bloom. Even some azelias are showing their stuff. But we can look up high on the mountains to still see brown where early spring still prevails. About 1 mile from the marina Stumpknocker came walking up the trail with his pack on his back. He stopped put his pack down then offered us each a coke and some fresh roasted peanuts. More Magic. Finally we headed down to his truck where Goosebump and I filled out the permits for hiking in the Smokies. She will likely speed up from here and leave me in her dust.Stumpknocker and Jan brought us to Fontana Village to register. The dining room was not open for lunch so we drove to Hiker Inn where Goosebump picked up a mail drop then went to Robbinsville for pizza. We returned to Fontana too late for me to get my mail drop from th post office. I will have to make time tomorrow before I hike. I would love to continue hiking with Goosebump but this mail delay probably means it won't happen. I don't mean to get in her way. She is a sweetheart. We've had some un times and good conversation.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Fontana dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Very slow start today. The post office opened at 8:30 AM but we went to the AYCE buffet breakfast first. Nanna K, Mosey, Tina, Heather and Whit, Goosebump and I did the best to clean them out of food. We then headed to the post office to pick up my mail drop and to mail stuff home or bounce it forward. I decided to ditch the huge fannypack I've been wearing backwards below my pack. I redistributed its contents and shipped a couple items from it home along with the pack.With the maildrop we needed to repack our backpacks and get more fuel from the outfitter before we could take the shuttle back to the trail. We finally started hiking around 12:30 PM. We crossed Fontana Dam and headed into the Great Smokey Mountains National Park.What a tough haul up, up, up!! We stopped at Shuckstack Mt fire tower to climb up and take in the 360 views. Goosebump was a little concerned about her skirt so I went up first and down last. We took a few pictures from the tower, of course. We made it to the first campsite around 4 PM where we ate lunch then headed onward and upward. Higher into the Smokies, we did the last 5 miles in 2.5 hours arriving at Mollies Rige at sunset. Along the way we found a huge field of flower pink spring beauties and tons of forget-me-nots. In the Smokies hikers must camp at designated areas only. And if the shelter is not full we must use the shelter. A ridge runner was at the shelter and expected a group of section hikers so asked us to tent. I set up my hammock and Goosebump set up her light weight tarptent. It was difficult to prepare dinner since it was dark. We could see lights from a large town or city to the west, probably Gattlinburgh or Pigeon Cove.I am relaxed now in my hammock with sore feet and tired body listening to NPR on the radio. Tomorrow could be a big mileage day.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Derrick Nob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Didn't make it to Siler's Bald Shelter as planned. Too tired, too hot, too many ups. The view from Rocky Top was impressive. Flowers are in abundance all along to trail. Forget-me-nots border the trail everywhere. There is a 5 peddled white flower with pink veins - I think they are spring beauties - very tiny blossoms. I discovered I left my water bottle on top of Rocky Top Mountain when I stopped for a break. I've been having trouble eating all the food I prepare. Last night I managed to give away half my dinner. Today, I pawned off some of the dehydrated veggies from Regan before I cooked them. A hiker picked up my water bottle and carried it empty to the shelter for me. Impulse ate a stick of butter at Russell Field Shelter. It was given to him by some weekend hikers. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Cold today with threat of rain all day. Up by 6:30 AM, I was walking before 7:30. I didn't see another hiker until after 10 AM. Goosebump passed me around 11:30 AM just before Double Spring Shelter. We both stopped there for lunch with section hiker Casey. We were contemplating a 21 mile day. Goosebump and Casey made it to Clingman's Dome 1/4 hr ahead of me. I stopped to talk to some day hikers (NY Hiking Club) and several people at Clingman's Dome before heading down toward Mt Collin's Shelter.I found Goosebump sitting beside the trail a few minutes from the summit. She was not feeling well. Tired, dehydrated, nauseated, grumpy - she was toying with my suggestion of going to Gatlinburg to avoid the predicted rain storms. She is having a tough day.We made it to Newfound Gap around 7:00 PM. I yogied a ride from a wonderful couple in an RV. They were very interested in our hike and excited to be able to help us. We checked in to the Grand Prix Motel, a hiker priced place to stay with laundry facilities and close to food and supplies. Bill and Julie are here and two joung women, Libby and Megan (Burnie). Pokey showed up looking for Bill and Julie. He was at the party in Tray Gap back on Easter Eve.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Gatlinburgh

To: Gatlinburgh
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It rained all day today. Good day to zero. Half the hikers are in town. Goosebump and I went to a nice breakfast joint and found Bear and Radio Flyer eating. They have been hiking with Ladybug. During breakfast Ladybug came in excited to see me. She got off the trail earlier to visit the hospital. She has a scorpion bite on her butt. I got to feel her butt - hard from damaged flesh. Did a little shopping, lunch food, stuff sack for my food bag Made plans with some hikers to meet for dinner. The pool area of the hotel is being spruced up for a baptism tonight. Ladybug has arranged a shuttle back to the trail for 7 AM tomorrow.Hilarious time during dinner at the Texas Steakhouse. Ladybug, Bear, Radio Flyer, Bernie, RatPack, Goosebump and I told stories of our adventures so far on the trail. Bernie and RatPack are two young women - 25&26- who met on the internet. RatPack has a stress fracture in her foot. The doctor told her she may be able to hike in one week. She is in good spirits. She was afraid it would be worse.Ladybug wanted her picture taken while riding on a saddled saw horse. She told us a funny story about how she broke a green ketchup bottle on the floor of the convenience store.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tricorner Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Very cold, snow flurries, windy, great views from the ridge. Met Grandma La-La and Quilter hiking north. Welch Nomad was in Ice Water Shelter at 10:30 AM still trying to pack her bag for today's hike. She has been on the trail for 6 weeks already as opposed to my 3 weeks. The NY hikers walked fast by us again today. They are going so fast I don't know how they have time to enjoy their hiking.We walked past Peck's Corner Shelter for another 5.5 miles to Tricorner Shelter. It is so cold here. My feet and hands are freezing. Can't write more.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Tricorner shelter

To: Mt. Cammerer
Miles today: 10.5

I vowed today not to hike hard enough to sweat. The hike was mostly downhill and it was cool and windy. After one hour of hiking I found a grassy area just after Old Black Mt. I dropped my pack, got out ground cloth, took off my boots then napped, ate, listened to NPR for 2 hours. Lots of hikers passed me before I finally got to my feet and joined Ladybug for a few hours. We stopped often to take in the fantastic views. Stopped at Cosby Knob Shelter for dinner then headed to the Observation Tower on Mt Cammerer. It was all up hill. I sweat bullets but made it to summit by 6 PM. Had a nice tuna lunch then watched a great sunset followed by the most remarkable light show of the trip. We could see thousands of lights on interstate 40 and towns to the north and west. Pigeon Cove and Gatlinburgh to the west and hundreds of small towns and villages began to show themselves as it got darker. An absolutely amazing light show. I know that I came out here to see the natural world but I must admit the combination of nature and man can be breath taking.Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Mt Cammerer Observation Hut

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, today was an emotional roller coaster day. I changed my hiking plans because Ladybug promised me some slackpacking when her husband Bruce met us at Davenport Gap. She then decided to meet him at Mt Mama's because she made it to Davenport Gap about an hour ahead of time. So I walked down to Mt Mama's had a burger and was told there was not enough room for me and my plan to do a mail drop pickup at Standing Indian would not fit in their plans. I was very depressed. I could have picked up my mail drop and made some miles had I not walked down 1.5 miles off trail and bought a burger I really didn't want. I was feeling pretty bad for myself as I trudged out of Davenport Gap saying to myself things like "wait till we get to NH and see who get's leftout of trail magic." Spitefull, I know but I was upset.   A few minutes down the trail I found Julie and Bill beside a beautiful stream getting water. That changed my mood. They continued on at Standing Bear resisting my offer to buy them sodas. Standing Bear is rustic but filled with hikers of all ages and various physical conditions. Rat Pack (Libby) is recovering from a stress fracture - hoping to get back on the trail in a week. I hope she heals quickly, she is such a nice girl. Quilter has possible stress fracture/achillee's tendonitis and knee injury. A girl from Ireland has possible achilee's tendonitis and is headed to Ashville tomorrow to visit doctors. Ponderer is a retired southbound hiker who greeted me with "you don't remember me but we met at the PA Ruck in January. You are responsible for my successful hike when you said I should continue my plans to start in Northern VA despite discouraging reactions from others at the ruck." Well, things are looking up. I found my replacement Pocketmail device in the maildrop and a hiker who helped me transfer the data between the old device and the new. Now I am happy. I would not have been able to slackpack anyway.   Cooked myself some Cha Cha Chilli and had some hot chocolate. Accepted an offer of pizza from another hiker and a couple of beers. Now I have a couple of weeks of journals to transcribe to the pocketmail device. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: a camping spot along the trail
Miles today: 16.5

Curtis, the owner of Standing Bear, said the weather called for rainshowers and T-storms but it was just cloudy all day. Quilter has quit her hike due to injuries and the female member of an Irish couple has headed into Asheville today to see what is wrong with her foot. I hope she doesn't have to drop out. She and her hiking partner are very pleasant.   I started up the trail round 8 am with Gramma La La and Denise. I quickly out distanced them on the uphill sections. I was getting hungry around 11 AM and saw a group of hikers eating in a clearing so I joined them. It was a family group doing their annual hike up Max Patch. Turned out the first shelter of the day was just around the corner. So I went to the shelter and ate more food and tried to do something about the rash I am growing between my legs. I tried wearing all different combinations of pants and underwear including none but the rash keeps getting worse. I'm hoping a nights rest and some anti-fungal cream help.   Eventually I summated Max Patch but I was totally alone. Once I reached lower elevation I came across Julie and Bill at a pretty little campsite. I hiked on for another mile or so before setting up my hammock beside the trail. Getting too tired to continue. Night all. Life Is Good!! "Gabby" aka Art Cloutman