morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-11
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I would first like to say that the owners of the Blueberry Patch are amazing. If you are in Hiawassee, spend the night and show some support! We woke up to fresh pancakes, homemade blueberry syrup, cheese biscuits, sausage patties, and eggs, the breakfast of champions! Mind you, this is all donation-based. What wonderful people!The night was spent cowboy camping, or out on the lawn in sleeping bags, minus the tent. We opted in since it was a perfect night, temperature wise. It felt kind of odd not to take a bed since I sleep on the ground every night, but well worth waking up to soaking wet sleeping bags from the dew!After breakfast we got dropped off at the library to catch up on emails, connect with family/friends, update journals and read the news. Turns out, the world is still full of crime, more murder-suicides, and the economy is still tanking, how refreshing. I am glad to be away from the awful daily news for a while, ignorance is bliss! The only bad news out here is hearing about upcoming bad weather or someone getting off the trail due to injury. The good news is, I got to talk to Darah today, my work friend, yay! I hear I haven't missed much in the world of advertising. I am no longer employed there since I am here, but still consider it my work, weird. Guess it still feels like I am just on vacation. We got back on the trail with too-heavy food bags after lunch and had a short day to the shelter. This unseasonably hot weather is a scorcher, it was up to almost 80 today! What happened to the colder weather we all were so prepared for? Not saying I want it to be 7 degrees again, but I would appreciate wearing the winter clothes I am lugging around and not carry dead weight! Is that too much for a girl to ask? Sheesh! I still expect a cold snap in the Smokies though, I hear it's always nasty trekking those mountains.Tomorrow is a big exciting day that I am really looking forward to. Click "next" to read all about it!And a BIG thank you to everyone who is signing my guestbook or sending emails! Your support and kind words are much appreciated and push me along on a tough day!
Date: 2009-03-12
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Drumroll please...Hello from North Carolina! Georgia, I would say I'm going to miss you, but that would be a big fat lie! One state down, 13 to go! I finally got to see the GA/NC border sign that I have seen in so many photographs, I kind of screamed for joy I was so happy. I had a few photos taken with the sign, then we moved on to the most photogaphed tree on the AT for lunch, the Keffer Oak, I believe. It is so gnarly, lots of lumpy windy weird branches protruding all over. It looks like it belongs in the Wizard of Oz, creepy but way cool. So another big milestone for us, and many more to come.North Carolina did not give us a break at all, as soon as we hit the border, it was up up up! Every switcback we hit, Rocket spun around to look at me and all we could do was double over in laughter at the insane climbing. Seriously, it was intense and I moved slower than I ever have before. Despite all that, we were the first to get in camp, so Groms and I built a fire, my first! Lots of hikers here tonight, some we have seen before, and some new faces to add to the mix. Everyone sat around the fire watching Grommet perform minor surgery on Hatchet's planet-size blisters, not much else to be entertained by out here. It was better than TV or a trashy magazine for sure.This morning's highlight was pancakes at the shelter. Two weekend hikers and a dog showed up after us yesterday. We got to talking and it turns out that Jeebus hiked with my friends Kurly and Swansons a few years ago, how cool and what a small world! So Jeebus made us some delicious pancakes that I gladly accepted, on top of my already consumed 3 pop tarts and mound of dried apricots. Gross. When I untuffed my sleeping bag earlier, I found a baby slug crushed on the outside of it. He must have gotten on it the other night when I slept on the lawn and was obviously trying to hitch a ride further up the trail. Too bad he didn't know it would be the ride that would kill him, poor fella!Today finally cooled down, much happier to not sweat so much. This is what I was expecting for all of March and some of April to be like, not 70 or 80! Crazy heat wave, stay away! (Some might think I am nuts.)Since my food bag has been so damn heavy, I have become an eating machine to get rid of weight. I made 2 dinners tonight since I had an extra, and ate until completion, it was a big task at hand! Now I am so hungry laying here wishing my food wasn't hung so far away. Amazing how fast hunger strikes out here, even after a huge meal! Stupid unruly appetite.Cold fingers mean time to stop. It's past my hiker bedtime anyway, 9 pm!
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

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

I have been dozing in and out of consciousness the last 2 hours to the soundtrack of my favorite movie, Amelie, and some Radiohead. Today was our longest day yet, 12.5 miles. Although it was all gradual and gentle ups and downs, I am thoroughly and completely exhausted. It wasn't even a long day either, 6.5 hours of hiking. I think it is the awful weather getting to me. It has been raining and chilly alllllll day, sort of sad and demoralizing, but nothing a good night's sleep can't fix! Like I said yesterday, North Carolina is not giving us any breaks! It was pretty neat walking through rhododendron tunnels (my favorite) in the rain though, it's how I imagine a rain forest to be like. No pretty birds out singing today like in a rain forest, they were smarter than us silly hikers to come out in this weather. Groms and I were together all day, Loon and Rocket were soaring ahead, and Egg was behind us taking it easy with her sore knee. Since it was so crappy out, we all managed a short break together in the morning, but never saw each other again until camp. This was a first, so it was a relatively quiet day. We always meet for every break and lunch. Lots of other hikers poured in after us though. Due to rain and fog, no views of anything, sadly. I think today was my first photoless day, feels weird!Got to camp and threw up the tent right away to get out of the rain, I was thinking all day about my dry cozy warm clothes. Dinner was shortly after. My new creation is ramen and instant mashed potatoes, goooood and filling, and cheap! Don't tell anyone about my top-secret gourmet recipe, I will sell it to a top chef some day! I cleaned up and hung my food, and was even too tired and lazy to brush my teeth, first time I opted out on my dental hygiene, don't tell my dentist! I'm keeping my chilly willy fingers crossed that I wake up to sunny skies tomorrow, buuuut, I have a feeling that isn't happening. One and a half days until my next town stop, shower, laundry and a bed! Oh, and I think pizza and ice cream too, hooray!Time to shut my eyes and rest my sore body again for another crazy day on the AT! Good night North Carolina, please be nicer tomorrow.
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light intensity drizzle

This morning was a complete fiasco. Due to the pouring rain, we tag-teamed breaking down our tents, one at a time. Once the shelter cleared out, each tent was brought in to be shaken off and packed up, all 5 of them.Well, we were going to hike to Rock Gap Shelter for the night, but after hiking a lot of the day in a downpour and cold wind, no views and dense fog, a group decision was made to push on to Franklin and take a zero tomorrow. Loon and her fantastical ideas! It didn't take any convincing on my part, there was nothing more appealing than getting out of the cold rain and into clean dry clothes, even though it meant a 16-mile day. Normally a stunt like that wouldn't have happened so soon in the game, but town was waiting. I said I would hike 30 miles to get to town and be warm and dry! So I am happy to be here clean, warm, and in a bed, but my feet and calves would disagree. They fought me, but I won this battle.So we called Ron Haven for a shuttle, and while we waited in the cold rain we sang songs and learned about Loon's stealthy dance moves. Awesome. Once we were whisked off to Franklin, we went over and grabbed dinner with Gone Walkabout and Can-do. Dinner was completely amazing, cinnamon butter is life-changing and I wish I had more of it in my life! The South knows how to eat!Tomorrow we will zero here. I look forward to a lazy morning before chores begin and keep me busy. Our first day off in over 2 weeks of hiking, it feels damn good! Time to rest my pissy feet and legs, night Franklin!
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Franklin, NC

To: Zero Day -- Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

The highlight of today was meeting the legendary Miss Janet! Tomorrow we are going to her hostel for breakfast, more quality time with the ultimate diva! She totally rocks, I wish I had tons more time to talk with her. And her dog was a nice little addition to the day too, I miss my dog a lot, so it feels really nice to have another dog to hug in the meantime!Another exciting highlight, seeing the Tag Team that we have been missing! It was really great to see their smiling faces. Hopefully, we will share a camp site tomorrow night and get to talk more.This zero day really wasn't a restful day, lots of running around, resupply, cleaning up and sorting of wet dirty gear, and quality computer time. I was hoping for a nap and TV, that didn't happen! I need a zero after a zero to do nothing, but in time that will come when it is really needed! I had the chance to talk to Stride today. She may come out on Thursday to meet us, and her good friend will probably be hosting us for the night. Amazing trail magic from someone I never even met! The trail is truly an amazing community, thanks Stride! I am so amazed at how perfect strangers bend over backwards to lend a hiker a hand. We really hope you will come hike with us when you get the chance, though! We are looking forward to meeting your friends!Tomorrow is a nice short 5-mile day out of town, looking forward to getting dirty and smelly all over again! Oh, and the dirt never seems to go away, even with repeated washing. Oh well. Here's hoping for sunny skies and stellar views.2 weeks and over 100 miles down. Go team!
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Zero Day in Franklin

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

An easy breezy day out of town today with full packs. The amazing Ron Haven shuttled us to the trail head and shared his hilarious stories with us on the way. The nursing home one is a keeper, thanks Ron!Breakfast with Miss Janet was at 8, so we walked over (silly non-trail miles). My first real home-cooked southern meal that included biscuits and gravy, I was a virgin to this meal. She whipped up a sun-dried tomato gravy for the vegetarians, it was totally calorifically amazing. I wish I could make such a heavenly meal, then again I will have no business eating that when I get home. The question Miss Janet had us all answer was, if we could choose anyone to hike with, dead or alive, fictional, historical, anyone, who would it be. I live to laugh and be entertained (just like you, Mom!) so I said maybe George Carlin, or any insane comic that would have me doubled over. Kevin James's stand up is pretty funny, maybe him? Tonight the shelter and tent spots are overflowing. It was pouring out, so we all crowded into the small shelter, drank some wine and laughed at some silly hiker stories. I think this has been my most fun night at a shelter so far, lots of cool folks in for the night. I think some of the big crowd has caught up to us, Andy, who has yet to be trail named, was super excited to catch up and hike with us ladies. He has been reading out posts in shelter registers the last 2 weeks. Oh, happy 2 weeks of hiking to us! It feels like it's been so much longer though, it all seems like one big long day. The hike over Siler Bald was a little dissappointing, no views at all! Rain rain go away, and you too, fog! Many more balds to come, one of them better behave and let us have a good view, or else.Tonight Groms and I switched iPods, I have been jamming out to some Johnny Cash and Matisyahu. I need to learn the words to Johnny Cash so we can include that in one of our obnoxious sing-alongs while we hike. Lately it has been all horrid 90's reject songs. I am not up on the southern jams, I am working on it though.Finally I got to a post office and sent home my memory card of photos, so sooner rather than later they will be up for your viewing pleasure. No more harassment over this please! And thanks to Jonathan who is doing the dirty job for me! Later! I need to learn some lyrics, important stuff.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Happy St. Paddy's day, and happy birthday Crust! I wore my green shorts and lime green sneakers for the occasion, well, that's my only choice anyway, so it worked out. Hooray for trail magic #2! Apple, a trail angel and trail maintainer had the big dome tent set up, and inside was hot dogs, chewy Chips Ahoy and cherry Cokes. I initially passed on the coke since the smell and taste of artificial cherry makes me gag, but I was craving a sweet drink, so I sucked it up, it wasn't so bad. The 2 hot dogs and cookies rocked my world though, Grommet's stomach would disagree. The most exciting part of being in the magical dome was watching Egg, a vegetarian, squeeze a hot dog down her gullet in 30 seconds, it was awesome! Hiking lowers your standards out here, and a lot is subject to change.Today Groms and I hiked with General for a while, someone new to us. We saw him last night but didn't get a chance to talk. Nice guy. We went back up passed Siler Bald and got a good view of it this time around, it was so pretty.Next up was lunch at Wayah Bald, and probably the most beautiful day so far. Everyone was up there when we arrived, just lingering around soaking in the views and resting. Best lunch spot, and a perfectly clear and sunny day. I sprawled out on the ground in the sun and shut my eyes for a little. I should have known better that someone would do something to me, there is now a video of Grommet bending down and shoving her smelly pit in my face. Classy, but I deserved it for a stunt I pulled on her yesterday. Tonight's game was bear-bagging, what a freakin disaster. Grommet unsuccesfully launched her little rock bag over the branch a few times, then I had an awful attempt. She finally got it over, too bad it is now wound all around the branch and uselessly hanging all tangled up. The loss of a good carabiner too, what a sad sad night here in Southern Appalachia. Hopefully we can fix it in the morning when it is sunny!Off to the NOC tomorow, then hopefully a zero day white water rafting if weather permits on Thursday. Should be a crazy fun way to zero, I hope the water isn't too cold, it is March still! Hello hypothermia (I hope we can rent wet suits?!).
Date: 2009-03-18
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

Last night's bear bagging games continued this morning. Words couldn't describe the ridiculous chain of events and how funny it ended up being. Today was the first time I regret not filming the atrocity for your viewing pleasure. So what we tried to accomplish was freeing Grommet's bear cord from the tree limbs with my cord. Basically, we ended up in a broken branch, the wrong one I should add, both our bear cords fell victim to the hungry tree, the loss of a good carabiner, and 2 nasty falls, one by me, one by Groms. All this happened before 8 am, I am sure we pissed everyone else off since we were laughing like school kids.We climbed the Wesser Bald fire tower to eat lunch and rest. Amazing 360 degree views and a clear sunny day. Up there was us, Andy, L train, the 2 spring break hikers from Alabama, Flame thrower, Smurfette, then Squeak and WD-40 came up for a few. After lunch we moved on to the most insane descent down to the NOC. My knees normally are ok, not today, they killed going 7 miles (mostly) straight down! What the hell was that all about?! It was crazy, and tiring. All I could think about was getting a pint of Ben and Jerries, I settled for peanut butter cup pie instead.Every hiker here gathered in the restaurant for dinner, I think there were 15 or 17 of us. We caught up with our favorite team, the Tag Team! Tagless hugged me since my mom signed their guestbook telling them to hug me for her, cute. We always seem to catch them in town, but never on the trail. Maybe we'll hike the Smokies with them, I hope. I gorged on a 10" pizza. It filled the void, but nothing compares to NY/NJ pizza!Tomorrow is a luxurious day of rafting on the Nantahala River, resupplying, and spending the night in a cabin. Oh, and replacing my beloved head lamp that I apparently donated somewhere on the trail. Amber, Strides good friend will be hosting us 5, we're super excited about it! The south sure has been good to us.More on tomorrow, well, tomorrow! Way past hiker midnight, good night NOC.
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Zero Day -- Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hiking is hard, period. We went white water rafting on the Nantahala River for a zero day of fun. Why would I want to give up this life any time soon? Don't freak, Mom, the rapids were sissy rapids! It was so much fun, we bought a disposable waterproof camera and already had the photos put on CD, pics to come at some point. Smiley, the happiest hiker ever, guided us most of the way since he is very experienced in this water stuff, he did great! Along with riding down the river, our real guide gave us some history and tidbits on things we were passing along the way. The Nantahala River started many years ago as a stream. Crazy to think it was so small and trickling, and now is one of the most "fished" rivers in the country. Cool. I am loving seeing places I wouldn't normally visit on a regular trip or vacation, and experiencing how the locals live.Egg decided to hike out today, so we are Egg-less, sadly, but will meet in a few days to head into the Smokies.We miss the incredible edible Egg already! The most generous trail magic was granted to the 4 of us today. Stride, who we never met, had her friend Amber pick us up from the NOC, take us into town and let us get all our chores done, took us to dinner (which we were not allowed to pay for, crazy!) and we are now staying in a cabin on her work campus. Does it get any better than this? The generosity of perfect strangers is mind blowing, this would never happen at home. Ridic. Talk about paying it forward. Thank you so much Stride and Amber, you guys rock! Such a fun day that I don't want to end, but tomorrow the hiking has to continue. The climb out of the NOC will be slow-going and tough, but it is only 7 miles of straight up. Not so bad, eh? I hope there are switchbacks! Oy!Crisis averted. I was so upset that I thought I donated my head lamp to the AT, but I unrolled my rain jacket and there it was! (Uh, how the hell did it get in there?) I yelled out "no effing way," I swore it was left behind at a water source! Yay, my beloved has found its way back in the safety of my possession, I can rest comfortably now, ahhhh.Time for bed, this is by far the latest I have been awake out here, 11:30 pm, yikes! Normally at home I would just be getting to bed. Peace.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Zero Day -- Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

I thought the climb out of the NOC would be really hard, the elevation profile is worth crap! Sometimes it lies. It was pretty nice actually. However, I am pooped. Hiking after a zero day is so exhausting, and I feel like I am moving at a snail's pace!We got dropped back off this morning at the NOC by Strong. First was a McDonald's stop for breakfast, naturally. I had 2 pop tarts before leaving, then 3 pancakes, 2 hash browns and an OJ, ahhhhh so calorifically delicious. I haven't eaten fast food more than twice in the last 2 years before hiking, I need to slow down with this unhealthy garbage again. So we scarfed it down, hopped out and loafed around the NOC on some benches until we felt like picking it up and hiking. Eventually we stopped slacking and hiked. It was a nice clear day and not too warm. Oh, we got tattooed today, some real bad-ass neck ink, temporary of course. I think we look pretty scary, I would be afraid of us for sure. Too tired to write any more, I am throwing in the towel and calling it a night. It is still light out and I am going to bed, what!?
Date: 2009-03-21
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap Campsite
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Uhh, what happened to all those convenient switchbacks? NC was so cruel for a little while, I did not like her evil ways of leading us straight up a mountain. It was the hardest stretch yet, and I think a snail could have hiked it faster than me, seriously. I have to say though, I feel much stronger than I did 3 weeks ago, and stop less on these insane climbs, so I am pretty excited. All is right in the world of hiking. I am super beat though, today we hiked a few miles passed the shelter to make tomorrow a shorter day to Fontana, so it was around 13 miles.We snacked at Cheoah Bald, such great views, too bad we didn't camp there last night instead of the loud shelter. I slept like a champ though, all 12 hours of it! I think that's why I yawned my way through the day, too much sleep, double what I get at home. That's the thing about hiking, walking all day is exhausting and requires a lot of rest, I look forward to crawling into my cozy sleeping bag at the end of each day and passing out. Here tonight is us 4, Leafy, Radio Freq, Yukon Rasputan, and another hiker whose name I forgot. He is doing 20 mile days, we'll probably never see him after tonight, nice guy though. Tomorrow we head into Fontana Dam for the night before heading into the Smokies on Monday. I am really excited and a little nervous. They are a little intimidating, and the climb up Shuckstack Mountain looks really scary and intense! It will be fine though, just like every other day out here, sometimes harder than others but at the end of the day, feeling accomplished and tired. Yay for Shuckstack.Today I was hoping for trail magic at Stecoah Gap since it is Saturday. Grommet and I were talking on our way down, I said "hey Grom, imagine there was magic in the gap?" She said "oohhh yeah, that would be great if someone was there with McDonalds fries" and my reply was "shit, I'd be really happy if someone brought a toilet and sink with running water."I miss those things when a privy is so bad I refuse to use it and my ass cheeks protest the use of such horrors. I hope I don't regret sending my poo shovel home! Time for some rest. Good night NC, you beat on me hard today, but I don't hate you.