morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm sitting at the Wood's Hole shelter enjoying a most awesome sunset. The sun is brilliant orange against the abundant purple and blue of the mountains. It's been a tough day for me - physically and emotionally. Caroline and I hit the trail at 9 a.m. We hiked to Woody Gap where her car was and took a little drive to get M&Ms and TP (I use tons, it seems). Then she dropped me off and we said farewell. Alone, uphill, for a long time. I came across Pirate, 20 Questions, Erin, Amanda and Indiana Slim at a nice overlook; I took a picture but moved on rather quickly. I didn't rest because I knew I had a long way to go to reach the shelter. I hiked for four hours non-stop and pulled in to the shelter around 5. That was tough. My feet are the most tired that they have been up until this point. Another freaky thing was that I could smell smoke - like a forest fire during most of my hike today. It was unnerving because I couldn't even tell where it was coming from, especially because my direction kept changing. I was VERY happy to get to the shelter. One thing became abundantly clear to me today as I hiked in 70 degree weather - I NEED a short sleeved shirt. I'll get one tomorrow at Neel's Gap and try to get my shoe fixed. Talked to Momma today. She's still very worried about my trip. Wish there was a way to ease her mind.
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Baggs Creek Campground
Miles today: 0.0

We summitted Blood Mountain today around 10 or 10:30. there was an incredible view; you could see only wilderness for miles and miles. I took a breathtaking picture only to realize that the views improved the more I traveled the top of the mountain. The shelter at Blood Mtn. was very cool, too. It would be a great place to hike in with a group for an overnight trip. Tonight is my first night in a campground. We're staying about 4 miles outside of Neel's Gap. It has also given me my first opportunity to hang my bear bag - all the shelters have cables on a pully system. Mine's not quite high enough though and Last Minute is trying to name me "squirel bag."I've hiked with Sprout most of the day; she's a good companion. We don't feel obliged to "stay together" instead we meet up at an established location along the way. Stopping at Walassie-Yi was a treat. It was nice to feel a little pampered and pee somewhere that flushed. I bought a t-shirt and a pair of camp shoes. They put some rubber cement on my shoe seam to fix it - and covered all that with some duck tape; it's not the asthetically pleasing option, but hopefully it will keep the rain out. The alcohol stove that I made has been giving me problems - rather - it's been leaking fuel and burning whatever it is set on - namely the shelter picnic tables. I let the guy at the center take a look - we re-assembled it with the seams inside, then he put some foil and muffler goo. We'll see it works. That's it for today. Still great weather - how long will this hold out?
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Baggs Creek Campground

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My toughest day yet. Sprout and I looked at the databook yesterday and decided if we hike 14 today and 13 tomorrow that we'd only have 5 miles into Haiwassee the following day. The first seven miles today were incredible; I was on a high like no other. I just sang, whistled and enjoyed the day. I stopped for lunch at the low gap shelter and there was a great water source. I was happy to see it because I had hiked at least three miles without any water at all. It was another hot day and I was thirsty! After lunch my hiking momentum was slowed. I was really tuckered out by the time I reached Chattahoochie Gap. There were two miles to go from there. I pulled out my little radio - found a station - danced for a little while, then threw that sucker in a side pouch where I could still hear it - and hiked on. It was just what I needed to get me through those last two rocky miles. I was totally beat when I arrived. Eating helped me feel some better. I hung my bear bag more successfully today. I'll wake up about 5:30 am to get breakfast and hit the trail again. Today it threatened rain most of the day. It held off and drizzled only a little as I entered camp. This morning hiking the ridges with a rain cloud on my right shoulder and the sun shining on my left was a really neat experience.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Addis Gap Campground
Miles today: 0.0

My legs are achy from hiking big miles yesterday and today. Tomorrow in Hiawassee will be much appreciated. We traveled about 13 miles today and it was cold. The sun was shining but the wind was very brisk. I kept my t-shirt and a long sleeved shirt on most of the day. Sprout and I traveled most of the day with Cadence. Not only does she have a neat trail name but she's a great person to talk to and hike with. It was nice to talk to her because it reminded me to slow down, take my hike at my pace and appreciate everything around me. Recently, I've been leading a pack that consists of Sprout, Last Minute and myself. I tend to hike faster - but maybe sometimes I'm even pushing myself too hard. Last minute, Sprout and I are planning to get up at 5 and hit the trail at 6 to make it to the road crossing at Dick's Creek Gap by about 9. Clean clothes, shower, needed items from town are just a day away!
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Addis Gap Campground

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 5.0

Yes! I'm a clean girl! I've showered and feel so much better. I think a day in the town is just what I needed. We got to the hostel around 10, took showers, ate lunch, then hitched in to Hiawassee for groceries, to pick up mail drops, and pick up other items. I was hoping to find an outfitter so I can buy an esbit stove; my alcohol is still blowing fire out the side. I'll ditch it while i'm here and get a new one in Franklin. I'm still hiking with Sprout and will borrow hers (and purchase the fuel for it) to use until we get to Franklin (in about 4 days).The things that I've gotten in town that I'm most proud of - yogurt and stamped envelopes. I'll send some letters soon. If you are a friend and want one, please know that I don't have any addresses with me (how that happend I'm not sure), so e-mail me your address to leannalj@yahoo.com. The hike this morning was fun. We awoke in a thick fog, hiked a HUGE mountain. I thought it would be easier to do this morning than last night when I was so tired; either way I guess it is a difficult climb. The neatest thing was walking through rhododenren tunnels thick with fog; it was like walking in a fairy tale. Absolutely amazing way to start the day. About 3 miles down the trail, I met Gazer from Clearwater, FL. We had a great time talking about plants, hiking and trail names. It was fun. So now for the interactive part of my trail journal - it's name the hiker time!By now, you've figered out that most people who hike the trail have trail names. It's ususally an identifing trait, based on something they've said, or one they've picked themselves. Seeing as I still don't have one, I'm asking you, my readers, to vote for my trail name. How's this for reality entertainment? Anyway, here are some options, with attribution and/or explanation. Please vote only once by posting a message to my guest book. Write-in's are welcome. All entries must be submitted by April 8. Sunshine - given by Chave for my cheerfullnessFirefly / Lightning bug - suggested by Bridget and Caroline - please indicate preferenceTang - proffered by Last Minute when I emptied tons of his tang into my Nalgene for a quick suger fix this morningSunny Disposition - self Fortune - my sister, TracyHappy Hiker - CarolineBy the way - I gave caroline a trailname on the day she left. We had such great weather while she was here that I called her my good luck charm. Now her name is Lucky Charm! See how it works. Looking forward to my new name. -leanna
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm getting cosy and warm in my tent right now; it's my first really cold night - maybe temps in the mid-thrities. It's rainy, windy and foggy; what a combination. I almost got lost in the thick fog when I trekked down to get some water at the stream. First I couldn't find the stream because of the fog, then I couldn't find the trail. My headlamp lighting was dispersed so much because of the fog that I got really disoriented. Luckily, the trail is a big clear path and once I found it, it was just one foot in front of the other back to our camping area. Hiked more with Gazer this morning. He told me about environmental architecture, stuff like putting prarie land on instead of an asphalt roof on the top of a factory. How cool is that? We also talked about the war and other social, politial things. Actually, I did a lot of questions asking, he did a lot of talking. When we finally got to the top of settled this evening, he said he was sorry for talking my ear off. I didn't mind, he was the one who was winding himself going up the mountain. All I had to do was keep the questions rolling and enjoy the plethora of ideas that he threw out. It was nice, and it didn't make the hike feel so long. The hike was an easy 8 miles today. My left ankle started bothering me, stopped and put an ace bandage on. It didn't help too much, but it did give me a blister. Today's hike was neat because at one point I was in a new forest of pines and I turned a curve of the path and ended up surrounded by rhododendren. It was newt for me to realize how varried the flora is from one small section of the forest to another. I crossed my first state line today, from GA in to NC. I actually missed it the first time because Icouldn't figure out why I hadn't yet hit it and was too busy checking the databook - practically in front of the sign! Staying at the Blueberry Patch Hostel was VERY refreshing. I'd have a hard time describing the transformation that took place for me at breakfast this morning. All of the sudden I was ready for the trail again, thirsty for nature and secure in the knowledge of God's presence during my journey. It felt so nice. They're doing great work.
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Whoa! Has it been a day! After camping in thick fog and rain last night, we awoke to SNOW! My tent didn't hold up too well against the weight of the snow, and it sunk down on top of me for a large part of the early morning. All the more reason to get up and get going early. We traveled three miles to the first shelter - Muskrat Creek Shelter - and had a second breakfast with hot drinks. Then we were off again to the next shelter, Standing Indian, and rolled in here about 3:30 or so. It was neat to walk with everyone (Gazer, Sprout, Last Minute, Genesis, Matt, and Cody); it brought back memories of hiking witht the Girl Scouts. We stuck together because of the snow. Initially we were the only ones to have traversed the trail, but after the first shelter others had blazed the trail for us. Through out the day I couldn't help but think that eventually we would walk out of the snow, like walking out of the young pine forest the day before. But no such luck. The sun came out every once in a while, just enough to warm us a bit so we felt our hands and feet. Flash surprised us all with a wonderful snowman on the trail. It was amazing to turn this corner and see a five foot five snowman in the middle of the trail. Now that's trail magic on a icky day of hiking. It really lifted my spirits. Around 4 p.m., after eating dinner, the snow started falling again. I've crawled in to my sleeping bag early just to keep warm. I boiled water in my nalgene and stuck it in the foot of my bag. Later I'll bust open my last set of hand warmers to keep my feet warm. I've decided to share Last Minute's two man tent instead of stay in the shelter with the wind and driving snow. We're debating whether to hike to Betty Creek Gap tomorrow to camp or hike out the Forest Service Road to hitch in to Franklin. I am totally astounded that it is snowing again. It's just about to drive me off this mountain. At least I'm not in danger of loosing any extrimities, yet. :)
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

It's the last day of March and hopefully the last day of snow that I'll see on my trip. It's been an ok day today. Awoke around 7 and had a very hard time getting out of my sleeping bag to face the cold. It snowed through the night. Homer (our resident New Yorker) said we've gotten about six or seven inches of snow so far. The worst part of this morning was putting on my FROZEN boots. Yes, frozen boots. I'd heard that it could happen, I just never thought it could happen to me. I had to grunt, pull and tug to get them on this morning. The most effective way to get a frozen pair of boots on is to stand up into them...just force your foot right on in. Tonight, I will sleep with them in a grocery bag in the foot of my sleeping bag. No more frozen boots for me. We managed to motivate to hike today instead of taking the forest service road out to the main highway and out to Franklin. By 9:30 we were on the trail. It wasn't too tough a hike, many had gone before us and the trail was well worn. When we stopped hiking today all my socks were wet. I couldn't see wearing wet socks around camp. Genesis lent me a pair; how sweet. Note to self: put on wet socks in the morning if necessary to preserve dry socks for the evening. One more lesson learned. Continued boot saga: they're still comfortable - no blisters to speak of. They are however no longer waterproof. The gortex bootie just isn't keeping water and melting snow off my feet. Once they are stitched together in Franklin, I will put a more solid, non-breathable treatment on them. Only 12 miles out tomorrow to see Jenny in Franklin. I'm really looking forward to it!
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap / Fraklin, NC
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

It's been a barrel of laughs here at the Haven Motel. Gazer, Last Minute, Flash, Sprout and I are splitting a double. The guys have managed to get all their agenda items accomplished in town today and will hit the trail again tomorrow. Sprout and I have not; most likely we will take a zero day tomorrow. It's been an eventful day. Got up around 6 and hit the trail around 7. It was my first experience putting on cold, wet socks. Ugh! Then I had to slip my feet in to my wet boots. I had to start hiking immediately just to keep my feet warm and comfortable. We hiked up Albert Mountain first thing. We had heard horror stories about the difficulties of hiking it, including rock scrambles. I loved every minute of it. It was an intense hike, challenging and tons of fun. And, there were rewarding views once we got to the top. I ran out of film though and couldn't document it. We hit the next shelter and continued down the road where we were to meet Jenny. We arrived around 2:30. The guys had already hitched in to town. We were going to wait it out until 4. Around 4:30 when Jenny hadn't arrived, I started getting worried. I thought maybe she had car trouble or gotten stuck in traffic. I tried using my cell phone, but to no avail. I couldn't get reception in the gap. At five, with the sun sinking, Sprout and I decided it was best to hitch in to town and call Jenny and/or her Aunt Ronnie. There was a man dropping off some other hikers coming from town around 5:20, so he happily took us to the Haven Motel where our friends were staying. I called Jenny from the Motel pay phone. She had to go to court in Chatennugha for a ticket that evening and had arranged for Aunt Ronnie to pick us up at 5:30. Oops! We had no clue. Jenny had left me a message on my phone, but naturally I couldn't check it without service. So, we made arrangements to meet Jenny and Aunt Ronnie the next day. Tonight, we'd bunk with the guys. More about Franklin and the wonderful Masseys (our hostesses) to come!
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Silar Bald Shelter

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My first night in a shelter. We're at Cold Springs Shelter, about 12 miles from Silar Bald. Hopeful came to rouse Sprout and I this morning for a communal breakfast. What a treat it was. Indiana Slim was there; he contributed eggs. Hopeful had hot cocoa for everyone and craisins. Yum! It was really the right start for the day especially considering how difficult it was for me to get out of be. The fog was just setting in as the sun rose over us this morning. After breakfast we pushed on to Silar Bald which was too foggy to see anything from and five miles later we hit Wayah Bald, also too foggy to see anything. I did see my first grouse though and that was cool. I figured out how I could remember its name - it was pecking around on the ground for food near where we were sitting having lunch (kind of like a mouse would do), and birds aren't ususally on the ground like this one was - so ground mouse - contracted it's grouse. While we were lunching it started raining. That didn't do too much for my spirits, but my boots stayed dry! In fact it only rained a little before letting up. I counted my blessings that it wasn't snowing. Now that we've finished dinner the rain has started to pick up and pitter-patter more on the tin roof. There's a slew of us in the tiny shelter here tonight: Hopeful, myself, Sprout, Llama, Apple Chillin', Granite, Gray Ghost and Indiana Slim. Wonder how I'll do sleeping in the shelter?
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Settling down in the Rufus Morgan Shelter about two miles outside of Wesser, NC where the Nantahala Outdoor Center is located. Tomorrow we'll go in for a fresh cup of coffee. This morning started out a bit on the wet side. It stormed all morning long from about 2 am until 9 am. Then it cleared up and turned out to be a beautiful day, with highs at least in the upper 60s. The early part of my hike was great. I felt on top of the world. Walking on the trail meant sometimes stepping in water that had puddled up, but my feet still stayed relatively dry. I had a brief early lunch at Tellico Gap, then hiked up to Wesser Bald. Great views from the tower even if it wasn't much of a bald. Sprout, Hopeful and I hiked together most of the day. Leaving Jumpup Lookout and down a switchback where the sideslope on the right was pretty steep, my right foot slipped off the side of the trail. The rest of me followed. My pack pulling me down further. Luckily there was a rhododendren there and my left leg caught the base of it. My right elbow was stuck in a limb and my left hand was clutching the earth for all I was worth. Hopeful heard me stumble, dropped his poles and came running, nearly falling himself. When he got to me, I had him take my poles so that I could utilize my hands. As it was, I was fairly disabled by having them attached at my wrists. I was then able to pull myself up from the tree. It was something. I know it scared Hopeful. It scared me too. I did get a little dirt burn on my left thigh but other than that nothing was harmed. I've never fallen off the trail before - never even thought it was possible. The rest of the hike was mainly downhill. It was tough for me. My knees ached. It turned me in to a bit of a sourpus this afternoon. I was just ready to get to camp. Part of the lesson I learned was that I'd much rather hike in the morning and early in the afternoon than hike into the early evening. Hopeful did point out that not having everything go our way all the time is also part of the process that we are meant to experience. After getting in to camp and deciding to stay in the shelter again, drinking some water and eating some M&Ms I felt much better. We shared a communal dinner of pesto mashed potatoes with chicken and brocolli, bread and football pudding. It was great. Now I'm stuffed. Dining with friends (not just near friends) makes all the difference in the world. I wrote in the Wesser Bald Shelter register yesterday that after a zero day in Franklin, I felt like a city girl in the woods yesterday. Today, I feel like a hiker again.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Sassafrass Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I¢m pretty sure this is the earliest I¢ve been in my sleeping bag since the snow. Hiked from Rufus Morgan Shelter this morning to Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) where we got some hot coffee and ate our oatmeal by the river. We probably arrived around 8:30 this morning but we managed to linger there until at least 1 p.m. I got an extra meal from Hopeful¢s maildrop; that will see me through to Fontana Dam. We (Hopeful, Sprout and I) shared a pint of Ben & Jerry¢s ice cream and it gave us energy to hike the remainder of the day. We also got to meet Ox, a good friend of Hopeful¢s, who must have been taking a break from the tons of trail magic he had been distributing all week. The sun was great down at NOC. It had warmed up so much that I was just wearing my t-shirt and skirt. We had heard such bad things about the climb out of NOC from Cadence, but I didn¢t really think it was all that bad. Along the way I met Tom from Atlanta who was section hiking southbound. He¢s another one I¢m hiking for though ¢ one who isn¢t doing the whole thing because of commitments and responsibilities. NOW IS THE PERFECT TIME TO BE DOING THIS. As I walked a couple more miles the rain started, first as drizzle, then more and more. I took out my pack cover and rain coat and up a couple of snacks in my top pocket for easy access. I had one granola bar at Grassy Gap (about 3 miles in) then hiked on as the rain came down harder. It came in fits and spurts ¢ lasting five and ten minute intervals. I went over some rocky areas. Still Climbing. Then it really kicked in! Lots of Rain!! And HAIL! Then Thunder and Lightning as I approached Swimming Bald!!! By now, I was far ahead of Sprout and Hopeful. But I was so anxious to get to the Sassafrass Gap Shelter and wondering if I had passed it. Do I wait for them to confirm I haven¢t passed my blue blaze to the shelter? Do I keep going to push through the storm? Go? Stay? I finally pushed forward and pulled in to the shelter around 4:30. I got in and I was totally soaked ¢ first from the sweat from the big climb, then from the rain. I had to put on dry clothes immediately. I could tell as soon as I got to the shelter that I¢d be in a bad situation if I didn¢t get warm and dry quickly. There are at least 23 people in Sassafrass Shelter. I¢m lucky that I¢ve got a place ¢ even if it is narrow space at people¢s feet. Sprout and Hopeful also have a place inside tonight. Hopeful took a nasty spill coming down the muddy hill to the shelter. He came in really dazed and disoriented, clutching his arm. We gave him some hot drinks and made sure he got out of his wet clothes fast. I really hope he recovers soon. Conclusion for the day: I¢d much rather do endless ups like today than do the dirty downs of yesterday.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Sassafrass Shelter

To: Brown Fork Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Did an easy 9 miles today from Sassafrass Shelter. I had a nice realization today in a rhododendren grove ¢ as I often do ¢ that the forest that I am currently in the midst of is like those recreated in zoos and botanical gardens that people across the world pay to see. I¢m seeing the most special kind of ecosystem and I walk by fairly unaffected. It made me step back and appreciate more fully what wonderful things I¢m passing by. Down to Steccoah Gap today. Then up Cheaoah Bald. Then down to Brown Fork Shelter. Met and had hot drinks with Dottie and Taskmaster at the shelter tonight. They¢re nice folks. My right knee that was bothering me going down in to NOC gave me a tad bit of trouble today too. I was glad to pull in to camp tonight. I know I need to do more stretching.