morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-10-31
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Halloween peeps! It's been a long, long day. Not mile wise, but because we got no sleep. One of the friendly weekend warriors, right beside me, snored loudly the entire night. I would kill for just one nights sleep like that. Well......I didn't, but I did repeatedly kick him quite hard. The kicking did nothing for the snoring except for changing the tone temporarily. It did give me slight satisfaction knowing that he would wake with bruises on his lower body! The "poor" dude must have been drinking last night to take that kind of abuse without waking. Needless to say we left before daybreak with the echo of snoring in the back ground. A short distance down the trail we encounter the largest blow down of our trip, on the side of a mountain. It left a huge crater where the roots pulled up. I decide to hike the high route around the hole. Flounder yells that the low side looks better. Of course she was right and I ended up down in the hole, muddy and struggling to get out. Just one of those days. On top of this T2 keeps catching us at our stops (snack/rest/lunch).   To be nice... not the type person we like to be around. At this point, I'm ready for a little break from the trail. Why is it that one day can go so awlfully wrong?Still, the hiking is nice but....very little color left in the trees except brown. Just a few isolated pockets of green trees down in the sheltered valleys below our overlooks today. Just before Davenport Gap, we decide to drop in to The Standing Bear Farm, hoping to get a coke and meet Curtis, the owner. With our luck, Curtis is away in Asheville trick-or-treating with his children but we do meet Fort Wayne Hiker Boy. Fellow sobo from you know where (started May 29). Super nice guy, shows us around. Hope we can hook-up with him when we return to the trail Nov. 9th. Reading the register at the hostel we see that Crunchy has called it quits with less than 250 miles to go. That takes courage! I did add a little cheer to the day by decorating the orange hunting vest wrapped around my backpack with a black marker. I drew spiders, webs, bats and ghosts. Oh, I also drew a large bullseye target on the back just for fun!   We cross a stream, go over a small mountain and find ourselves in the Great Smoky Mountains!   Just a short hike in the park up to Davenport Gap Shelter. We have it all to ourselves. This is our first experience sleeping behind "bars" (fenced-in shelter). The water is the poorest since we've stopped filtering back in VA. Also, no privy, just like most of TN.      21.8 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-01
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Finally a good nights sleep! No snorers and no mice ran over me! (Flounder had one). Just a few miles down the trail and it became so quiet. No sounds but nature....peaceful. Although we are on the trail in what seems to be wilderness, we often hear planes, cars mowers, and chainsaws in the distance. This was an enjoyable "change" that hasn't happened too much since leaving NH and Maine. A beautiful, cloudless day.   Here it is November, in the Smokies, over 6000 feet and it is so warm I am able to hike shirtless to entire day. Views were a little hazy but I guess that can be expected in the "Smokies". I didn't realize we would be hiking on such a narrow ridge line...neat.   A real nice view from the cliff area near Pecks Corner Shelter. We didn't see any people the entire day until arriving at the shelter!At the shelter we meet yet another new sobo, Cobol! He started May 19th and had hiked a bit with Ft. Wayne Hiker Boy. Nearing the end, he was just enjoying his solitude. He had no desire to finish with friends.....the trail is different for all of us. Two women were also at the shelter. One completing the "900 Mile Club" requiremenst for hiking all the trails in the Smokies!   Congratulatiions. Some tenters and two other weekend warriors but hopefully no snorers! We look for a tent site but the only flat ground we found was next to the privy. Bummer.   20 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-02
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: New Found Gap (cruise)
Miles today: 10.4

Nero today! My Dad and a friend, Bruce, will meet us at 1:00pm at New Found Gap. Pretty good nights sleep...no mice nor snorers! We leave in fog/clouds but quickly climb above it. Limited views until we get to the Charlie Bunion area. Less hazy today and definately cooler. It feels like weather is moving in. Glad we'll be off the trail as it moves through! A side trail leads up to a rocky outcropping over looking the valley and gives us a view of Charlie's Bunion close by. The white blazes look like they go both ways at Charlie's Bunion loop trail so we opt for the scenic/ difficult route. Watch your step or "goodbye Luey". Sweet! his would make a great day hike with spectacular viewpoint from New Found Gap! The trail thus far in the Smokies has been primarily on the narrow ridge-line 2'-8' wide with steep drop-offs to each side. This makes the hiking "exciting" as the wind tries to blow us off!About 1.5 miles from NF Gap we meet my dad and Bruce sitting on a log resting with sweat dripping form their brows... even in the cool weather! A great reunion! They hiked up a bit to meet us. Although the trail was fairly nice (grade and smooth) they did ascend nearly 500 feet in elevation. That is no small feet for Florida flatlanders! We puttered down not tring to rush them. We noticed at other times on the trail how agonizingly slow non-hikers are. We are not in a hurry it's just that the pace is soooo different. Watching them hike in front of us is scary. I guess we are just stonger and have adapted to the trail. I mean, our ankles and stabilization muscles really shine. We also know where to place our steps for good purchase while they constantly slip or stumble. Just an interesting obsevation. The parking lot hits like a brick!!! It's like Disney World down there!   A number of folks ask questions about our hike and many are in awe that we are thru-hiking from Maine. My dad and Bruce chime in that they are through-hiking too! Of course thy meant they are finished hiking.....period! It was funny!I don't want to bore you with the rest of the day which involved eating and driving to a point south of Atlanta. I will say that our butts were KILLING us! We haven't sat that long for months! If you haven't been following, we are off to a planned, 3-day, family cruise for my parents aniverary. We'll be back on the trail the morning of the 9th.   10.4 miles today.   Less than 205 miles to go.
Date: 2004-11-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Howdy all, As planned we are off the trail for my parents anniversary party-cruise. We will be back on the trail the morn. of the 9th. We are currently at Newfound Gap in the middle of the Smokies. We only have 203.8 miles to go. We plan to group up with some friends for the finish. Hopefully....Tink, Voice, Loot, King David, Shredder, Focus and maybe Steady, Fin, Spork, Tortise, Laz, Ft. Wayne Hiker Boy. Maybe even several more! I'm sure I have fogotten some names with my bad head! Should be a great/fun finish. Of course we're praying for good weather! I will be helping Moc update the journal. It is complete... just have to get it on-line for y'all!
Date: 2004-11-09
From: New Found Gap (cruise)

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Again, don't want to bore you all with our "mini vacation" from the trail. It involved a lot of driving, eating, and visiting with family. The cruise was wonderful. Besides visiting with all the family on the ship, we got to visit with some of Flounder's Bahamian family when we stop in Nassau. We spent one day on Coco Cay and I snorkeled with all the nieces/nephews and my cousin Kathy. Our entire time off the trail was enjoyable even though it felt somewhat rushed. We had frogotten what our property and Punta Gorda looked like after the hurricane. What a mess. I guess a lot has been cleaned up in the area but it still looks bad and slum-like. I estimated at least 75% of the homes in our developement still have blue tarps on their roofs. Not enough roofers or shingles to go around.My parents get us to the trail at NF Gap around 11:30 am. Thank you both so much. We love you. We were saying good-bye when a big white jeep with orange "TENNESSEE" lettering along each side of the hood pulls up next to us in the only empty spot in the lot. We all about died! There is only one jeep like it and it belongs to Wildcat '04. He is well known as a hiker and trail angel, especially in these parts! He said it was a fluke he saw us as he was up to do some magic for the Dysfuncional Family. We are puzzeled because we just spoke to Loot, who was at the Standing Bear Hostel, and they won't be passing thru here 'til tomorrow. What do we know???   He offers to slack us to Indian Gap (2 miles) where he plans to meet the DF.   At Indian Gap, Wildcat has a "picnic" laid out for us and the DF (hope they show?). We felt guilty eating too much as we have just been thoroughly spoiled on the cruise ship but we couldn't resist the homemade white chocolate macadamia cookies. Thanks Becky...they're our favorite! We talked about an hour then hit the trail. Thanks Wildcat. Nice easy hiking today. Good to be broken back in slowly! Even with the seemingly good trail our feet really ache/hurt.   Hard to believe how cold it is here, when we were laying on the beach soaking in the rays and snorkeling just two days ago. Great views from Clingman's Dome (highest point on the AT @ 6643'). There is a handicap assessible tower at the peak. Later we catch a nice sunset on Siler Bald. Some week-long hikers from Chicago, Bill and Mike, have a fire blazing at the shelter when we arrive. We soak the warmth in while visiting with them. We can hear coyote howling nearby. Nice to be back!   12.5 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-10
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Quite chilly this morning. Bill, our shelter mate, made a fire to help get everyone moving. It worked well enough and we were soon on the trail at 8:15. Low to mid 30's. Beautiful sunrise but other than that views were scarce 'til we hit Thunderhead Mountain and Rocky Top. Later we hiked over several grassy and treed "balds". They were just beautiful. We got several messages from Voice and Tink today in the registers. They appear to be about 1-1/2 days ahead. We'll catch them eventually! Nice sunset walking to the shelter but the cold is settling in again. I'm thinking fire tonight then I see smoke coming out of the chimney as we approach the shelter. Sweet! Tortoise is there and has a roaring fire going. He is a flip-flopper from Alaska. It's good to see him again. He has a lot of info. and we catch up on many sobo's hiking near us. A sect. hiker name Llyod is also here at the shelter as well. It is real cold tonight and the wind is howling. We finally have to put the fire out because the wind is blowing the smoke down the chimney now and into the shelter. My fingers feel frozen and I'm having a hard time writing. It's going to be hard to get going in the morning. The sky is clear and the stars are brilliant.....and they said it was going to rain tonight!!! 17.2 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-11
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

To: Hikers Inn (hostel?)
Miles today: 12.4

Well, the forecasters were right. We all scrambled at 4:30 am to get our "bear bags" off the cables in the rain. We fitfully tried to go back to sleep while the rain beat on the tin roof and reminded us of what is in store for us today. Yuk! It's bitter cold and still raining when we got out of our bags at 7:00 am. Tortoise is out first. Flounder helps Llyod get his poncho on. We worry for him as everything he has and wears is cotton. We'll bring up the rear and have our space blanket ready! We were thinking to catch a hot shower and do some laundry in Fontana Village but after rethinking that plan do to the weather, a stop is in order. Not a great day for views but as we come out of the Smokies down into Fontana Valley, we see colors appear in some of the trees. Just in small pockets but it's better than no leaves at all or just brown ones. Unexpectedly, we meet a couple of new sobo's. A father/son combo, Comfortably Numb and Rabbit. Nice folks. They started their hike on the 4th of July. Nearing Fontana we come across a backpack with no owner in site. It does not belong to Llyod or Tortoise (we have seen no sign of them since this morning). We assume the person is taking a potty break and just move on by. Further down the trail a girl hiking up the trail asks if we saw a pack. Apparently a friend of hers took off hiking yesterday and just had enough climbing out of Fontana. He dropped his pack and hiked out. She was going to recover his pack.At the Fontana Dam visitor center we make arrangements to stay at the Hiker Inn w/ Jeff and Nancy. When Jeff picks us up at the marina, Tortoise is with him! Jeff informs us that the Village is basically closed other than the hostel and Tortoise confirms it. Jeff and Nancy have their own "mini" museum of Indian artifacts which they have found over many years (hobby). It is very interesting. We talk with them a long time while Nancy throws our laundry in. Then she drops the three of us off at a Mexican restaurant and later some groceries. Super nice people. It is so nice to be in a nice dry/warm place like this when the weather is so yuk. Only 12.4 miles today but we'll take it and be happy.
Date: 2004-11-12
From: NC 28 (Fontana Dam Marina)

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Well, the rain starts up again around 3:00am. Rain, rain, rain! We come up with a wonderful idea... to slack 14 miles and come back to this nice dry place. We run the plan by Tortoise. He's game so Jeff drops us off at Stecoah Gap around 8:30. He hike in rain or heavy wet fog all day with near zero views. I feel bad we are missing so much, as far as views, but when you have nearly 2,200 miles to cover you can't dilly dally around to much (unless you don't mind freezing temps). Although the trail is soft and slick in a few places, it is not too steep - thankfully. About 1/2 way is we pass Numb and Rabbit who are pushing on from Fontana Village hostel and near the end of our day we pass Loot. We catch up on a few things and agree to meet at the Hike Inn tonight.While waiting for our ride, Tortoise treats us the some drinks (Powerade) from the Marina. Thanks. Later at Hike Inn we talk with Nancy some more while waiting for Loot to clean up. Then, it's to town for a Chinese buffet. Tortoise eats like 10 lbs. of snowcrab legs! I had my fair share and then some too. They made no money on the two of us! We all had a good time. After that we got a few groceries and head back "home" We bs with Jeff and Nancy some more and play their porch game of trying to hook this ring, hanging on a string, to a peg. We all eventually get it and are overjoyed until Nancy tells us she has hooked it 9 times in a row! We really enjoyed our stay here and all the company. 14 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-13
From: Stecoah Gap

To: US 19 Wesser, NC (NOC)
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

 Jeff from Hike Inn drops us off at Stecoah gap. Heavy fog and mist hang in the air. Cool but comfortable, we climb Cheoah Bald (a very small bald). Views this morning are of cloud filled valleys. Sorta of reminds us of our summit day on Katahdin. It is fun hiking with Loot again. We see a few sobo section hikers. The same ones we saw yesterday while slaking. From Swim Bald we basically have a 6.5 mile down hill hike on nicely graded trail to NOC. Flounder, Loot, Tortoise and I have the famous Wesser Burger and fries at the restaurant while we watch a few kayakers brave the cold water and cool weather. Afterwards we walk over to the outfitter to look around before heading out on the trail again. To our surprise Meredith, who works there, informs us that Tink and Voice were still in town (Bryson City) with her and her husband Ross '98. Some of Voice's friends are also staying with them (including Ice Cold '04 nobo). Meredith invites us to stay with them and surprise Tink and Voice. We were torn on what to do. It's not like we didn't want to see Tink and Voice but these diversions always make for late starts the next day. We thought we were still at least a day behind. They must have taken two zeros? We would have to sleep outside because their house was full already. Tortoise decides to push on to the next shelter less than a mile from NOC. The rest of us decide we're not really in a hurry to get anywhere so opt to go with Meredith. Our reunion with our friends seemed a bit awkward, but Leo showed us the love. Of course I have treats for him that I had been toting since New Found Gap! That dog is just special. Anyway, I think there were just too many people there. They all seemed like good friends already with each other, including Voice and Tink and we didn't feel like we were part of the "group"... although all were friendly. Tink scolded Loot, check that....she reamed him for something he said as joke.... but it hurt her and understandingly so. Loot apologized but the damage was already done and the whole situation put a damper on the little party ostracizing Loot and us somewhat from the group. I sensed that we would never be a close group again and it saddened me. Voice was trying to arrange a slack with Ice Cold but we weren't included and felt, well.... a little hurt. Flounder, Loot and I put up a tarp out on the porch and call it a night, while the others are inside watching Fahrenheit 911. (sorry if this sounds like a soap opera but the "end of the trail" blues are hitting hard now) We didn't feel compelled to watch it and we were tired. We're hoping to get an early start tomorrow...riding into work (NOC) with someone. We were going to sleep cowboy style but the dew was settling and there was no flat ground to pitch a tent.....except where the dog did his "business"! Only 13.7 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-14
From: US 19 Wesser, NC (NOC)

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

We are up early. It feels like it's nearly freezing but our coconut custard pie we bought last light isn't frozen and it's what for breakfast! Yum, yum. No too much time to visit this morning because Scott, who works at NOC and is our ride to the trail and he has to be at work by 9 am. We said a quick goodbye to Tink but Voice was nowhere to be found. They slept cowboy style and their bags were soaked from the frost and dew. I don't understand their thinking since I know the ground was wet when they went out side last night. Regardless, they were making no effort to get out early. We planned to meet them at Wayah Bald but with the start they were going to get, we were doubting we would see them :-(   We are so close to the finish that we can almost plan the day we summit. Collectively, many sobo's in the area plan to finish on the Nov. 21 or 22nd. Tink and Voice are saying now that they would rather finish on a quieter note. We can see their reasoning and have dealt with those issues already and they have run full circle. We do want to finish among friends, our hiking companions. Maybe we will see them again on the trail, if not, maybe at trail days next year?   Scott get us to NOC at 9 am. We talk to him about mountain biking. We'll have to get up here and ride with Ross '98 and him. Hiking was nice but it was a bit cool, especially on the shaded side of the mountains. Over the first ridge, the colors on the trees disappeared again. Now we are back to brown or no leaves at all. The lack of vegetation and leaves does open up some more views though.   We don't know if Voice and Tink's slack every came to be and I guess it doesn't matter.   It was only going to get them 7 miles to Tellico Gap. Near Lick Log Gap we meet up with Tortoise again. He has already set up his tent.   We planned to push on to Wayah Bald a couple of miles further. We said good bye to Tortoise. He doesn't plan to finish before Nov. 29th. He's a super friendly and kind. His wife is a very good marathon runner. Up at Wayah Bald we are treated with a most spectacular sunset. We soak it all in from the tower. Although it would be an awesome place to spend the night, it is just plain bloody cold. The three of us decide to night hike to Siler Bald Shelter with the hope of getting out of the wind and into a warmer area. 1.5 hours. later we are at the shelter and it was worth it. Tomorrow, with our mail drop in Franklin, we plan to do just 12-13 miles to Big Spring gap Shelter. 23.5 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-15
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

Hot chocolate for the first time on this trip. It certainly was cold enough for it this morning. We pack up and get out before Loot agreeing to meet up this evening at the shelter. Loot is not going into town and so promises to have a rip roaring fire going when we get there. Nice smooth trail to Rt. 64 and a quick hitch to the Ingles grocery store. We opt not to go into town for fear of not getting an easy ride back to the trail. We just call to forward our package back home. Since we only have 9 miles to the shelter, we decide to surprise Loot by toting out some heavy food. 18 hotdogs and buns and all the ingredients for s'mores! We can hardly wait! We don't even get back out to the road and a vehicle stops to pick us up. A woman named Maria (webehiking.com) offers us a ride. She offers hiking adventure treks on the AT and some other surrounding trails near Franklin. They are geared mainly toward women and she provides all the equipment and food etc. Top notch equipment too...light weight, even treking poles and all. Great for people who are unsure on wether they want to fork out all the bucks for something they may not like or if they have just a small amount of time to hike. She is super nice and very knowledgeable. We enjoy our ride with her. The trail is super smooth and well graded. We make good time and enjoy the afternoon. As promised, Loot has a blazing fire going. We shower him with the news of our food purchase and we all like our lips in anticipation! Party tonight! These are the first hotdogs of the trip too. Flounder eats 4, me 6, and Loot eats 8 and they are followed down with many s'mores. We are fat and happy! We refrain from singing campfire songs and telling scarry stories and just absorb the warmth of the fire. We are all somewhat mellowed by the fact that we have just passed the "less than 100 miles to go" point. 12.8 miles today.
Date: 2004-11-16
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: broken clouds

Another nice fire this morning and some good hot chocolate using left-over marshmallows from last night! We climbed Albert Mountain first thing. There is a beautiful camping spot at the summit.   just off the AT (short side trail). Nice view also. Of course we didn't camp there, we always seem to miss the best spots.   I guess you really have to do your homework to hit the good spots every night or you have to hike the trail more than once. Since I have never been one for homewok I can only dream about hiking this trail again..... can't I? Nice cool day and another good view from Standing Indian. At Muskrat Creek Shelter, Loot and I collect a ton of fire wood and we make a big "honkin'" fire. We camp with Grizzly (sobo '01), who is doing a short nobo hike. Loot tells him about the girls from the dysfunctional family (behind us) and how he went back and tried to hurry them up. He asks Grizzly to use his imagination and tell them something to get them moving to ensure a finish on Nov. 22. Of course these words are to incriminate Loot only. We chime in that he will first meet Tink and that she is not part of the Dysfunctional Family (now calling themselves the Spice Girls). We told him not to use his imagination on her as Loot and her have already had an "issue". It will be interesting to see how quickly the girls catch up and I'm glad I'm not Loot when they do! 19.3 miles today.