morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

best day in the smokies thus far .... staying in the double springs shelter with snowbunny, hairball, mello yellow, mama mello, tito, tree trunks, ktr, blueline, boots, and poppy. tito is spoiling us tonight with dinner treats --- roasted (fried) potatoes, penne, and now pizza made from scratch. gooooodness!we hiked a short distance today about 7 1/2 miles --- we gained elevation, but it was gentle. we arrived at the shelter around 1pm, so, it's been a nice afternoon of relaxation and laughter. last night we had a great treat of ktr telling us the ed skalanski story. what a great bedtime story!we've been lucky with the weather so far. rumor has it that it's suppose to clear up. we've worried about the storm predictions and temps., for fear of having another snow storm. we pop over clingman's tomorrow it's just a few miles away, up. after clingman's, the profile looks easier than the first half of the smokies.my socks are drying near the fire. i was really smart and walked through some soppy muddy grass in my socks and campshoes. oops.a southbounder passed through earlier --- tony -- he started the trail back in september. wow.boots and blueline are getting up in the we hours to get to clingman's by sunrise. i'll go too if hairball wakes me up. and then i'll have to wake up ktr. it probably won't be hard to get up then, since no one really sleeps well and we go to bed so early to begin with. stay tuned ....
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

today was a mix, and a very looong day. we did get up at 4am for sunrise from the clingman's dome observation deck. i must first add that the petzl tikka plus SUCKS for night hiking.it was a sleepless night anyways with the snore-a-thon in the shelter. the view was certainly worth the early wake up. it was the first clear view since entering the smokies 4 days ago.the miles were gentle today. we're tenting above the icewater springs shelter.so, the hike --- the trees are different now. lots of evergreens, it's nice to walk in the shade of trees. newfound gap was a disappointment --- tons of tourists and confusion. it was good to see people out enjoying this beautiful day. i passed an older gentleman on the way up to the shelter --- he walked with a shuffle, and clearly enjoyed walking the miles up the mountain for a view. he was pretty cool.it was just a long day, but felt like two separate days. i walked the morning w/ktr, snowbunny & hairball, the afternoon w/ktr, then the last few miles solo. time to think when walking alone.funny thing, still haven't seen a park ranger or ridgerunner in the smokies. it's just strange.
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

i don't really know what day this is. i think day 5. socks is snoring. i'm sleeping next to socks (if/when i fall asleep). tired.sleeping in the tricorner shelter. i think it's all downhill from here.mr. crumbles showed up on the trail today got scolded by the ridgerunner. walked some today with tree trunks --- i really enjoyed his company. we had lunch on top of a stone wall with great views. walked some by myself. then, walked w/ mr. crumbles.when walking alone, i really found my rhythm. it's slow, but consistent. i've enjoyed the smokies so much more with the clear weather. past bedtime.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

i don't know where i am. somewhere in a wonderful limbo between the smokies and standing bear. mr. crumbles and i couldn't stand the thought of spending another night in a dark, damp, icky shelter with an all night snore-a-thon. i was accused of snoring last night. i don't snore. i'm such a hopeless sleeper that i'd wake myself with snoring. enough about that.mr. crumbles's alter ego, pusher, pushed my ass i don't know how many miles today ---- close to 18 miles. he brought me a neoprene knee thingy from the big city that made the knee pain disappear. it was a good day as far as the views, weather, and aches & pains. we're camping on an exotic island, surrounded by a split stream. we were headed to standing bear, but got suckered by the prospect of a good nights' sleep, w/o having to pay for a campsite.ktr went on to standing bear, and snowbunny & hairball are at the last shelter in the smokies tonight. we made our goodbye's to mello yello and mom-mello --- they made the smokies extra special, and i thank them for their sharing and company.tomorrow, onto the hostel to get my maidrop, and then begins the adventure to hot springs.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Standing Bear

To: Hawk's Roost
Miles today: 10.2

camping tonight at hawk-something or other. we paused at the last shelter, it was tiny and packed. several tents pitched down the hill. though it was late in the day, we decided to keep walking and camp, since we'd have to tent anyways.the climb from standing bear was tough -- that's the way it is when you've sat around a bit and resupplied.it's thundering and lightning now. i just want to sleep and stay dry. my hiking clothes are in my bag with me ... hoping they'll dry out some. weather like this makes a hiker want to do big miles to get to town. not sure how far the weather will drive me tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Hawk's Roost

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

sleeping in the walnut mtn. shelter tonight. it's TINY! let me tell you a trail rumor. it started at the last shelter ... "i don't think the walnut shelter is there. the sign says the next shelter is 11.something miles away ... " and "IF it is there, it's probably full, because so-and-so's are ahead of us, and ...."well, the shelter IS here. it IS full (six of us). and so-and-so's must have hiked on. so, i got some crochet time in this evening. hey mom, thanks for the yarn, and can you next time make the little balls bigger so i don't have to change colors so frequently? and speaking of bigger, the dinners are super yummy! but the portions need to be bigger too because i get super-hungry we eat like hobbits out here, with first and second dinners, and sometimes a third. we crossed max patch today --- storm clouds were chasing me, but the sun managed a cameo appearance before the mist and fog blew in. the downpour held off until after i made it to the shelter. (thank goodness) today's rain was cold. nasty stuff. mr. crumbles made us a nice fire too. it's been great for warming the soul, and drying misc. hiker socks.it's dark now. hiker midnight.tomorrow is a long haul to town. i can't wait to bathe!
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

i'm clean. i'm exhausted. this is my first rest since fontana. i took a long shower and washed away the dirt/stink, and whatever energy i had left.my cheeks are burning. it's either the booze or sun i got today. we walked 13ish miles today --- it didn't feel like it timewise, but footwise, ARF! the last downhill was steep and hard --- the ground was hard, compact. the feet are extra tired, but the rest of the body is okay. some parts hurt, regardless. the hurt sometimes stays in one place, or moves around during the day, sometimes it multiplies. they say, "no pain, no rain, no maine". i have two out of three thus far. not badit's extra special good to be in hot springs. i've never had such a fever for town! and hot springs is very hiker friendly. we'll zero here tomorrow, which means chores of resupply, laundry, internet, and ....but, for now, just sleep.oh, last night was my best sleep on the trail yet --- pouring rain with the security of staying dry, (and the rain was soooo loud, the splater on the tin roof muffled out the softer snoring    sweet shelter.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

happy anniversary to me! a month ago today i hiked the approach trail, and now i'm 268 miles up the a.t.   i've come almost twice the distance as last season.i've really enjoyed zero'ing in hot springs. conundrum (a.k.a. mr. crumbles) and i stayed 2 nights at the bridge st. inn, the cafe is downstairs. our room is on the side that faces the creek, so we have wonderful water noises all night. the owner of this establishment is a former thru-hiker, yogi master. and, he was a trail angel to us. it was fun talking to him about trail life and the up coming terrain. hot springs is a wonderful little town. it's very hiker friendly --- even the woman at the post office asked if there were any hikers behind me before she closed. the only negative experience was at the smokey mtn. diner, ... our waitress seemed to resent us and sent out parts of our order as if they were courses.the outfitter store seems to be the center of hiker assembly --- the store's door stays open all day with the constant flow, and hikers sem to spend more time socializing and catching up vs. resupply and chores. the outfitter also offers 20 minutes of free internet use. i never made it to the library to use the internet there.my eyes are burning, so time to sleep i have a whopping 10 or 11 miles to walk tomorrow, and the yogi master has promissed those first miles will be a bitch oh! had a lovely evening out at a cabin with draggin' and julie, hairball, snowbunny, snowman, and icicle (sp?) can't spell tonight ....i ruined mr.crumbles --- he has a new toy, a creature from _where the wild things are_ it's blue and has toe nails, and horns. shit! it's midnight!
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

hot springs has been good. very relaxing and super hiker friendly! the feet are fine too. i get back on the trail saturday morning/afternoon. i plan on 5 nights and 6 days to erwin. ktr left today, but will zero for a few days in/near erwin. he has ants in his pants.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

tired cupcake. didn't leave hot springs until after noon, which is late for planning 11ish miles today. it was hard leaving. it was hard walking away from mr. crumbles. thank goodness the day was beautiful. as i climbed out of hot springs, i kept glancing back, watching the town shrink, and i could still see mr. crumble's truck on the bridge. i had a nice day of walking, at my pace. most of the day was very nice. i didn't like how the trail crossed forest service roads often. it made me feel like i hadn't traveled far and increased the likelihood of encountering yahooooos. hmmm....tonight, i'm tenting beside the spring mtn. shelter. the shelter is full, and there are 6 tents.tomorrow is a looooong day. it's almost dark now, so it's acceptable to hit the sack.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

in my bag, in the jerry cabin shelter. beat. loooong day, but beautiful. the trail went over a wonderfully rocky ridgeline today. the blue blaze below was the original trail. i was going to tent tonight, but was too tired to mess with all that.i think i'm getting sick. sometimes it's hard to decipher between allergies and illness, but something is not right. so, it's only 8pm and as soon as i finish this, i'm going to sleep.gear notes: i switched sleeping bags. my mtn.hardwear bag weighed 6 oz more than they advertised it as. i didn't have time to return it before setting out. it will get returned after i'm off trail. it's replacement is a western mountaineering ultralite. i have more faith in its loft, pertex, and prefer the left zip. my headlamp will eventually be returned too, but in the meantime, i'm using mr. crumble's zipka. i took the baskets off my leki poles and put on rubber tips. the baskets would get tangled with brush, and the tips collected leaves. now i don't go "click click click" all day. i washed my puffy jacket in hot springs --- not because of the dirt, but all the food i'd dropped on it.okay, that's all for tonight! great views, pretty trail, good laughs, and now rest.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

tired. do you recognize a theme? the plan for today was a sweet, short 12 miles. wingnut book said there was a campsite beside a water source there.i got to the spot and there was enough space for a hubba. i could camp there, but i'd end up camping alone. no way! i'm too chicken for that, i HEAR things in the night. wingnut said the next shelter was about 2 miles north. liar.i ran into some section sobo's and they said the shelter was more like 4 miles away. to quote bryson, "are you shittin' me?!" i kicked it into high gear and rolled into camp by 5pm. i can't seem to drink enough water tonight either.this shelter and surrounding area is full. i think it's called hogback ridge shelter. lots of tents from a big group of section hikers. the sun is low, but the foodbag is hung, and i'm ready for bed.it was a great day of hiking, but when i'm ready for it to be over, i'm ready. it's a headgame.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

sleeping in the bald mtn. shelter tonight. today was hot, but gentle miles. lots of pretty flowers scattered like a dusting of snow. we took a long break on top of the bald ---- great views all around. there was quite a gathering up there ... socks, low gear & jake break, butterfly moon, sunshine, hairball & the bunny, draggin', tree trunks, and some nice section hikers that took our picture for us. we chowed on snacks and got sunburned. after that, it was a short mile+ to the shelter. we debated on staying here, but a short day was such a treat, the shelter was empty, and it had a good water source and privy. there was some thunder and a big black cloud with some sprinkles, but it moved on and the sunset was stunning. i know it will rain again on the trail, but these fog-free and rain-free days have been so nice.tomorrow will be a short day too, then an even shorter day as we go into erwin. i need to pick up a maildrop there, and resupply on water treatment, fuel, sanitizer, etc.tonight's entertainment was watching hairball try to throw his bear line. it was hopeless, and my cheeks hurt from laughing. the rock kept flying of the end, once it got stuck way up high in the tree in litle branches, and i think it almost hit him a couple of times. there were more snippets, too many to describe. they finally hung their food from the line tree trunks and i are sharing.oh, gear report: part a of aqua mira runs out way before part b. so, i'm out of part a, and am dependent on my hiking buddies to keep me hydrated. it sucks. i like having my s%#t together, which i don't. live and learn.i did get some crochet in this evening. i'm working on a hat. it's just something to do --- though i should be planning my next __ miles. time for bed!
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

another nice day of hiking, including a freezing cold foot soak.we've leap frogged with a nice group of section hikers from florida --- they hike a section of the trail each year, and camped last night on top of big bald with crazy 50mph winds (well, that's what they said). and someone with a squall tarptent survived the ordeal i walked mostly with tree trunks, and sometimes draggin', bearbait, hairball, and snow bunny.i'm brain dead. going into erwin early tomorrow. plan on dinner & a movie. bedtime.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Erwin, Tennessee

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 0.0

zero'ing in erwin today. sick. got a perscription.town rumor is linux consumed 34 to 36 slices of pizza at the pizza 'ayce'. i didn't notice a belly on him though.mr. crumbles and i are sharing a room with the nasties (snowbunny and hairball). the room reeks of feet and farts i imagine most hiker rooms smell as good. i think ole ktr will crash on our floor tonight. tree trunks headed out earlier today. i hope we catch up with him by damascus. draggin' hadn't decided yet if he was venturing out into the woods on this crazy weather day.the jury is still out on whether or not we'll hike out tomorrow if it's 35* and raining.stay tuned
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Erwin, Tennessee

To: shelby, nc
Miles today: 0.0

zero'ing, once again, at home with mom cupcake. i dragged mr. crumbles, hairball, snowbunny, and ktr along as well. as we drove away from erwin, we ran into rain, and some mixed stuff with sleet. --- yet again, confirming the good decision to abandon hiking into hypothermia hell. i heard a hiker say the other day, "we hike in rain, we camp in rain, but we don't START in rain", especially COLD rain. rain which becomes snow at elevation. BRRRR!further down the road, the skies cleared, with big puffy clouds, blue skies, and a definite wind. we'll hang here until monday morning. then, we'll hike out with the bottle neck of hikers waiting out the pending winter storm. weather wussies, we are    proud! (a.k.a. SMART)   it is nice to be home, where all is comfortable.we stopped in hot springs, nc, along the way, where 'trail fest' is underway. we went primarily for the outfitter, with some business to attend --- hairball wanted to try on packs and shoes, and everyone else is always interested in browsing at gear. i managed to find a new sleep pad --- it's by 'exped' --- it's primarily an air mattress --- but, OH MY GOD! , it's SOOOOO comfortable! i can sleep on my side with this thing   it's only rated down to 50*F, but who cares!!!!!by the way, the holiday inn express in erwin was packed with hikers --- so, if anyone is looking for their thru-hiker, that's a good place to check.i look forward to sleeping in a non-public bed tonight!
Date: 2005-04-24
From: shelby, nc

To: the hot tub
Miles today: 0.0

a beautiful day in shelby. the weather report for erwin is 32* and snow. bet it sucks to be up in the mountains, crowded into a shelter, with temps. far colder. yep. glad to be here. we're even going to an all you can eat spaghetti lunch at my parent's church this afternoon.ktr, of course, is still "hungry as a hostage" (as hairball would say), and stayed up 'til the wee hours working his way through the kitchen as a giant mouse with opposable thumbs.the agenda for this visit is relaxation. oh, and to go through the pack again and see what other wt. i can get rid of. i seem to have mastered the art of increasing pack wt. "oh, i want this, and this!"
Date: 2005-04-26
From: shelby, nc

To: shelby, nc
Miles today: 0.0

ktr and i are heading back to erwin tomorrow. yesterday, mr. crumbles and i drove hairball and snowbunny back. there was snow in the high hills, and on the sides of the highway, but scholar had slackpacked that afternoon and reported the trail was free of snow and slush. she also reported that by the time we/they hit roan mtn, the snow will have melted from the rain. the R word. rats!crumbles and i stopped in asheville on the way back, had a snack at the 'laughing seed' restaurant, i visited 'earth guild' and bought some yarn, and then we drove on home to shelby.ktr was out with my dad --- they'd gone to a quiznos sub grand opening, which means they were chowing down on a free all-you-can-eat.we never really intended to hang out here that long, but it's been good to rest and get over this funk/cold/cough. at the spaghetti lunch on sunday, i learned that my mom and a family friend had had the same thing a week or so ago. that was a relief to know, so i didn't have to think ktr and i had ingested some mouse poop in a shelter and were terminal.hikers can be pretty nasty.i got an email from tree trunks, he and draggin' had stayed at the greasy creek hostel, and were getting back out on the trail this morning. we had such a great week+ of fantastic weather, it's kind of hard to suck it up now and face the rain. i guess the good news is that the temps. are warmer.hey, agent scarlett --- i got 4 hanks of 'gems merino wool' at earthguild. two of a mossy green, one of a spring green, and one coral/rose. i'm going to make the sideways knitted hat from a past issue of interweave -- the pattern is on the website in the 'free pattern' section, but you have to log in as a subscriber. i'll email you the password later! no, i don't have time to knit. but, i had a great time walking around the store touching everything.so, tomorrow night, i get to sleep on my new air mattress. i got this mattress from the outfitter in hot springs. it was so comfortable --- i can sleep on my side with this thing because it's 3 1/2" thick! i was tempted too by a down pillow, but i should probably stop increasing my pack wt.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: shelby, nc

To: grocery store, dinner, then bed
Miles today: 0.0

same day, same outfit. normally, on the trail, i would say, "same shirt, different day".ktr is here with me at 'camp cupcake', or the gossett hostel as he calls it. he's updating his journal. it's certainly great reading, so i recommend checking out 'kick the rocks'. yes, stop right now and go read!tomorrow, i think we will both do the 4-something miles out of erwin. then, i don't know. i think our mileage will change. ktr plans on hiking into traildays, i'm thinking i will be north of damascus and will have to hitch back (hey, mello yello, i hope you're reading so, i'm looking at the prospect of losing my hiking partner. ktr, i just wanted to tell you that you have been a dream hiking partner, though i know you have more miles in your legs, you kept days short so i/we could develop our trail legs slowly, hopefully avoiding injury and major pains.thanks a million for the miles we've hiked thus far. you're a trail angel.things change on the trail. somethings are routine, but things move forward. what's next? i may catch up with tree trunks and the 'nasties'. we may hike more together. some may decide it's time to bump up their mileage. some may get off the trail here and there for weddings, illness, etc. i feel like there's some changes coming. instead of my partner saying, "hey, what do you think about 12.2 to ____ shelter, then the next day 15, then a short day of 7.5 miles ....." , it's going to be me having to plan, decide, think. it's okay. i can't be scarlett forever. it is my hike, so i should take some responsibility with it. things change. groups change. maybe it's time for more challenges. maybe i will catch up to trail friends. maybe not. this is why i hike. it's about change, challenges, uncertainty. it's okay. i enjoy it/this.someone made the comment recently that i wrote often that i'm tired. well, of course. you hike however many miles per day, lugging a heavy pack, up and down mountains, and see if your ass isn't whipped at the end of the day! it's fun it really is. i am lucky. i could be sitting in an office, running my tail all over a restaurant chasing dollars, dealing with a number of things. instead, things are simpler --- it is a routine, but each day brings new views, new people, new lots of things. and the phone doesn't ring. and the bills don't come.