morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up this morning and put on my clean clothes. Mr. & Mrs Poteat from the Blueberry Patch cooked breakfast for us and we ate in their dining room. Eggs, pork sausage, pancakes, home-made blueberry syrup, oj and coffee. Gary Poteat got me back to the trail by 10:00 am, quite a late start for me. I understand that this is common when coming out of a trail town. I can't say enough about the hospitality I received from the Poteats.Georgia did not want to let me go today. The trail seemed to go upwards all day. At lunch we met 2 GATC trail maintainers. I spent a lot of time catching my breath. The day was beautiful, sunny, and mostly clear. There was a reward at the end of each climb, my last views of Georgia.I had someone ask me if I was having fun. I don't know the definition of fun. If it is defined as:Gnats flying around your face to the point where the only defense is to ignore them,Or to hike upwards, thinking that you are almost to the top, only to see the trail take another turn in the upward direction,Or to smell so bad, you can hardly stand yourself,Or to rise on mornings when you don't have access to a privy and dig a cat hole, bacause that is the first business of the day,Or to pack up a wet tent each morningOr to listen to the wind each night dancing in the treesOr to hear the thunder in the far off distanceOr to smell the the flora of the coming springOr to taste the sweetness of the earth in her spring watersOr to feel the wind in your hair Of to feel the sunshine on your face,Then yes, I'm having fun.It's all good
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Bly Ga[

To: Beech Gap Campsite
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Twelve miles today, quite an accomplishment for me. The day started off with the ascent of 500', what a way to start out my day. But I found power in my legs that I have not yet felt. The climb was tough, but i didn't need to catch my breath every 16 steps.I laughed when I came upon the Chunky Gal Trail. I hand't known that they had named a trail after me!Got to Standing Indian Mt. Shelter at 3:00 pm and needed to make the decision whether to go on or stay at the shelter. They have been talking about thunderstorms. It seems that the the gray clouds had been chasing me all day, so I decided to let them chase me for another 4.4 miles to Beech Gap camping area.I had time to put up my tent, cook, hang the bear bag, and bathe before that thunderstorm came. I'm hoping for just a changing weather kind of storm and no high winds. The concern of high winds is what helped me to make the decision to move on. They are also predicting lows in the 30's Saturday and Sunday night. I may get a ride into town, if I get far enough, to ride out the weather. Everyone is talking about snow in the Smokies. They are not that far away.It's only 7:30 pm, but I'm turning in to listen to some of my music and to rest up for tomorrow; my first big mountain. They actually have a blue blaze trail (not officially the AT) to take around it. I met the Pennsylvanian dutch Grandfather, who told me to get out my gloves and pack away my poles because I'm going to do some boulder scrambling.It's all good.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Beech Gap Campsite

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Short day today. After the thunder storms last night that lasted into the morning, I needed to take a short day and dry everything out. I had stopped at Carter Gap Shelter, just 3 miles down the trail and ate lunch. The wind was strong and the day cold, so I pushed on to Betty Creek Gap. The weather report has been of concern to me. The low tonight is forcasted at 38 degrees. Tomorrow is 34/49, Monday is 29/49. I've been in my set-up at 29 degrees. I should be good. Well see how tonight goes. I have the opportunity to get a ride into Franklin, NC.. I have to evaluate my food supply. I'm not going as fast as I anticipated. But I need to be patient with myself. After tomorrow's climp up Mt. Albert, it's 6 miles downhill.Much of the day today was spent walking through Rododendrons which form an archway above you. I tend to get into a zone and the miles fly by. I think of it as a meditiation, the mind is clear and stress-free.As the afternoon progressed, there came a path leading to the right, and I recognized it as a look-out. I was so surprised as the most beautiful scene was revealed to me. The vest so far. I sat and absorbed it all in for a great while. this is one of the reasons I'm here; to see the views that you just can't see while going 60 miles an hour.There are many camping here, the last spot with water before Albert; Springloaded, Sprite, Freckles, Papa Sarge, Top Shelf, Boone and the twins from Michigan Danger Snake and Time cop. Micor and her Dad went on over Albert today.I'm dried out and ready to eat supper. Then it's time to take inventory of my food pantry and then to bed. I need to clean up after some messy hikers. I'll carry the garbage to Winding Stair Gap. It's my good deed of the day.It's still all good.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick entry from Zeke's daughter-Zeke's pocketmail is on the fritz and will hopefully be getting fixed soon. Sadly, she lost all of her entries from 4/12 - 4/19 as she was not able to send them while she was in areas with Verizon as the local service. Hopefully we can get this problem resolved ASAP so you can be updated. In the meantime I will be posting photos from her memory card she sent home.She is doing well.Emily
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Wayah Bald new shelter

To: Natahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: clear sky

Journal Entry Lost, but this is what I remember.Food and shower in mind. Downhill all day, just a great day in general.Hiking with Roots, we seem to make a good hiking team. She has been a wealth of knowledge for me.The hike to the NOC goes from an elevation of 4000' to 1700'. A few miles into the hike I came to what is called "the jump down". I had been concerned about this part of the trail, as I had heard stories of the steep and immediate drop, requiring you to either take off your pack, or slide down on your butt. The view was breathtaking. I began the decent by sitting on a rock, taking in the view, catching my breath and then eating a bag of Tear and Share M&M's, although I didn't share. As with most my fears, the jaunt down was not as bad as imagined, but I still stand at some of the parts of the trail, scratch my head and ask myself "They want me to do what?".Today is a low mileage day that goes through town, referred to as a nero day. Hiking is just a small part of the day, yet the entire day isn't spent in town.We arrived at the NOC at noon and after getting a place to lay our heads for the night immediately headed for the resturaunt. A 1/2 pound burger was on my plate.The Natahala is on the Natahala river and caters to kayakers,rafters and hikers as the trail goes right through the place.I showered, did laundry, dropped some money at the outfitter and ate dinner. I also mailed some of my drop box to the Hike Inn in Fontana, as I am not able to carry 8 days of food yet. I spent much time talking to my family while sitting by the river. Soaked my feet in the icy cold water, heaven.Talking to my family fills my heart with enough love to get me through to the next town when we can catch up on our lives.I go to bed happy, clean, dry and warm.Life is good.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Natahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafrass gap
Miles today: 6.9

"Today was the hardest day so far". This was my entry in the shelter register.Went downhill all day yesterday, meaning today we would climb back up that which we decented yesterday. Going to town is always downhill, when your pack is at it's lightest. Coming out of town, after stocking up your pack to last until the next town, when your pack is at it's heaviest, is always up. Something is not right with this picture. Yet we fall for it every time.I spoke of the Jump down, guess what, today we jumped up. I have never climbed uphill all day. Every part of my body ached. The day was filled with "false summits", meaning you thought you were getting to the top only to find that the trail turned and continued in an upward direction.I got to camp, dropped my pack and just rested trying to recover from the day.And after a few hours of putting up my tent, cooking supper and hanging my food, the recovery has started and once again, life is good.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Sassafrass gap

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

I awoke at 12:30 to the wind howling in the woods. I figured that a weather change is on the way. at 3am the rain began to fall. No thunder, just a strady rain. My alarm went off at 6:30 and it was still raining. I decided to stay in my bag until 8am. While lying there, I planned how I would pack up all my gear and take it to the shelter. Then I would take my tent down in the rain. The plan was effective, although in the shelter I needed to repack my bag as I put the food on the bottom.The day was spent hiking in the rain until around noon. Special attention needs to be taken when hiking in the rain as rocks and logs can turn as slick as ice. Even knowing this, on the way down to Stecoah Gap, while crossing a rock out cropping, I stepped on some moss and went tumbling. Thoughts soar through your noggin, mostly if this will be the end of your hike. I understand that a young lady broke her arm on the approach tail, ending her attempt. I try not to think of that, but every step taken in the woods is a big event. One step closer to the big ascent of Katadin, the ultimate goal.Anyways, I laid there sprawled accross the rockbed, and as I have taught my grandchildren, I was quiet, gathering up my calmness, slowly taking inventory of my extremities ensuring that all were in place and operating efficently. Getting up from the ground with a 30 pound pack is not one of the most graceful acts, but with some grunting and groaning Imanaged. The moral of the story though, is that my hiking poles were my saving grace. They allowed me to slow the fall and redirect the contact area with the rocks. I also think my gurdian angel is working overtime.Roots has teamed up with her sweetie. I was jealous, but I miss my sweetie so much. But I keep thinking that it's all going well so it's meant to be. I'm walking home.Soon after Stecoah Gap came Sweetwater Gap and then a climb of 700 feet in 1/2 mile. That was a "You want me to do what?" moment. Straight up, no switchbacks, I was the closest to crying or having a temper tantrum than I had ever been.I had roots take a picture of me after that day so I could remember that I can survive anything. In bed sleeping by 7pm.Life is good.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Note- Her pocketmail is still down and I'm trying to get it to work. The last few days were typed in by myself off of the pocketmail screen. I apologize in advance for any mispellings and odd sentences. It's not fun to read off a 1.5 inch screen and re-type her entries. But, I know you all have been waiting so patiently.Thanks, EmilyTotal trip miles 163.9I arose early knowing that I had big miles to do. Out of camp at 0800, which is good for me.Today is Sunday and I am walking in the most beautiful cathedral of all. On Sunday, I try to dwellon the wonders of the world and give thanks to my mother the earth and my father the sun. So much beauty surrounded me today. From the great giant boulders brought by the glaciers and arranged in such unique placements and the wildflowers and birds. I need to be taught the songs of the birds, so I may know who is with me in the woods. I can hear them but their form eludes me.I came a 100 yard area loaded with trilliums, my favorite wildflower. I tend to talk to myself a lot. But when I came upon this special flower bed, it was as if I ran into a slew of long lost friends. I greeted each one, commenting on their beauty. Some were wide open, some were just beginning. I started naming each one, Terrence, tracey, tetrice and so on, until I had to drag myself away knowing the miles I had to go.The day was easy, I'll have to define easy at a later date, however when I got to High Tops, I was wondering how many high tops there would be. North Carolina is simply trying to get me to hone in on my uphill skills.The later part of the day was spent in deep descent. Too much of a good thing is not always good. my knees ached and my feet screamed in pain, a learning process, I'm sure.I arrived at the marina for the Fontana Dam. New for us this year is the AT Crossing Reception Center. A building with restrooms and a Soda machine. I miss the excessive use of toilet paper. When on the trail you only have so much. Run out and you get to use leaves. The more paper you use, the deeper the hole you need to dig. Anyway, flush toilets trip my trigger. They also had hot water and soap, I'm lovin it. The pop machine however, was out of order so I needed to tend to my thirst that was screaming for a coke.The last 1.1 mile was torment for mt feet. It's at the time when I just have to gather the strength from somewhere, because the only way I'm getting where I'm going is with thise feet.The Fontana shelter is a beauty that sleeps 20 people. I expected it to be packed. Not so, but this is where I mt Pollywog, one of the most precious people Iv'e met so far. 62 years young, just coming back after being off the trail for 10 days coping with a flu bug. we clicked right off the bat. We talked the night away and i'll miss her spunky attitude. I'll see her up on the trail.Went to bet being a better person for knowing her.Life surely is good.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Fontana Dam

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Emily, Please send this message to all. Once again, having technical difficulties.I just got out of the Smokies this afternoon. I'm at a Hiker Hostel with 1.00/15 minute service.I will be in Hot Springs soaking in 3 days. I will be taking a day off. I estimated that I would be in the Smokies 5-8 days.   Only took 6. I finally can say that I am a strong hiker. 18 miles today.I will be sinding my journals to Emily when I get to Hot Springs, until then, keep the mail coming. When I can get to the Internet, I get to read them.I miss everyone so much. I am at Standing Bear Farm today. This place has everything I need, shower, laundry done the old fashion way (wringer). Sleeping on the top bunk tonight.I love everyone of you and miss you so much.I'm walking fast on my way home to you all.Arose this morning to the sunrise over the Smokies. Hey you guys, I'M IN THE SMOKIES! I'm still pinching myself.Jeff came this morning to shuttle me to the Inn. My mail drop arrived from the NOC, so all is good. The day has been spent recreating journals that I some how deleted from my Pocketmail. Don't know how I did it, but I erased everything from the memory.I finally got my tent dried out and whahed my utensils until they were really, really clean. I am nursing a blister on my heel. Just getting ready to conquer the Smokies.On that note, when Jeff was bringing us in this morning, he touched on the point tha thte most difficult terrain that the south has to offer us, is past us. He stated that we have achieved a great accomplishment. That hit me, and it hit me with a great sense of pride. I've somehow pulled through this untattered, in one piece, inspired, and ready to go forth and conquer! And this just pleases the livving daylights out of me.The next challenge will be getting through the weather that the Smokies has to offer me. They say not to send your cold weather gear home before the Smokies. I have not. the weather report predicts fair weather through Friday. I need to get past Clingman's dome @ 6600' to get past any bad weather.I'm up for the challenge.Wildlife seen so far:wild turkeypeleated woodpeckerwhite tail deetbaby snakesquirrelmolemouse eek!cardinalwrenbuzzardLife is good!
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Hike Inn

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

The climb up Shuckstack Mt was not as difficult as I thought. Although taking the Blue Blaze up to the Fire tower busted my Butt. Stepping into the Smokies is like stepping into another world. Everything seems different. As son as I got on the trail, I saw 4 deer eating the grass by the trail. the miles went slow today. Perhaps abecause my bag had 6 days fo food, and yesterday was a zero day.Hiked with Spirit and Wing ding from prince Edward Island, Canada most of the day. We were all having a tough day.Met up with Roots and her sweetie, Spirit, Wing ding, Powder river, the New Hampshire boys, Buzzard, 2 Ridge Runners and many others.A Ridge Runner is a person that works in the Smokies, walking the trails, checking on visitors, making sure that everyone has their pack country permits and living according to the rules of the Smokies.The Smokies is a very regulated area. You must sleep in a shelter. There are 4 places reserved nightly in each shelter for thru-hikers. If those are full, you may wait to see if a reservation is a no-show and sleep in that space. If that person shows up, you must vacate the shelter, no matter what time it is and set your tent up near the shelter. There were 3 reserved spaces open when I arrived. At 7:00 pm, I took one of the spots and no one show up.Life is good!
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derricks Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Less than 2,000 miles to go! Another tough day. Don't let anyone tell you that the Smokies are easier. It's all tough! The morning was great. Because there are no leaves on the trees yet, the views are many and beautiful.The afternoon was warm, in the 80's, but a nice breeze kept me cool.The trail has been staying in the 5,000' range. After lunch, I sant Rocky Top Tennesee at the top of Rocky Top Mt @ 5440'. Actually, I was the last to aget to the top and received a round of applause from Stick, Spirit and Wing Ding. The older ones arrived before this young one.A mile further down the trail, we arrived @ Thunderhead Peak @ 5527' the highest i have been so far. I let out a Woo Hoo and continued on, as that is what we do out here.The rest of the days walk was a challenge for me. Lost of false summits, in fact, when I got to the sigh announcing 1.0 mile to the shelter, as the trail ascended, I told myself that it was the last "up" of the day and ended up being a liar. O fcourse, the last climb of the day is usually the deal breaker. I walked into camp and Spirit announced that he was just about to come looking for me.Met up with Pollywog at the shelter. We will walk together tomorrow, 7 miles. Also camping with Stick, Powder River, and the 3 New hampshire Dudes.Life is good!
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Derricks Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

Tomorrow we will hit the 200 mile marker, Woo Hoo!I awoke @ 6:30am. Spirit was already up. Wing ding get out of bed and askes himm "Are you crazy!". spirit replies, "The old guys always get up first, because we're slower." I lay in my sleeping bag giggling. They are going on to Clingman's dome and Spirit kept trying to find reasons to convince me to come with them. There are flush toilets, tourists, maybe trail magic, maybe Coke! He was getting desperate when he tried the Coke line. I'm listening to my body and taking a short day. Pollywog would love for me to join her in her 8 mile/day and she would be wonderful company, but I must get to Kataydin by September, I must push on.The shelter tonight is first class. The water is really easy to get, where as uou usually have to walk way downhill to get it, and my facorite "uphill" to get back. We have a bear cable, although all shelters and campsites have bear cables. We have a mouldering privy, where the last two shelters had a shovel. That that aint a pretty thing. You take the shovel and try to find a spot to dig your cathole, where no one else has. And you also have to walk around the "land mines" that other carless visitors have been.We also have a cyclone fince in the front of our shelter to protect us from the frightful bears that we have seen hide nor hair of; but that is a good thing.Took lots of pictures today. Just a beautiful hike. for the last 3 days, I have been dancing with Tennesee and North Carolina. See, I was so tired, I had fortotten to mention that. I've gotten to another state!Arrived at the shelter @ 3:00pm, early. I took advantage of the close watersource and washed my filthy clothes. Going into tourist location tomorrow @ Clingman's. Want to look good!Happy birthday, daddy. I love you!Life is good
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Started out early. Broke camp @ 7:45. big day. Going up Clingman's dome today. The dat started out cloudy, with the threat of rain. I put my pack cover on, just in case. I did however have a chat with God last night, asking for no rain today. I would love to get past Clingman's dome, before hitting weather. The fog came in thick on the way up to Clingman. At the shelter, we were discussing the days climb up, and a young dude said that it was suppose toa be wasy. Easy is a relative term, mostly an opinion.The trail entered an evergreen forest, thick with moss, humidity, green and cool, awesome. It was an awesome morning hiking. You could see the clounds moving through the trees. I met two gentlemen who told me that the top of mt Cuckley, @6500' was near. I referred to them as my heros for the day. The trail leveled for 30 minuttes, until the final spurt up Clingman's dome. I got better pictures from the parking lot, than from the Dome.I spoke to my grandaughter, Kirsta, on the cell for a few minutes and at the end of the conversation she said, "I love you Nanny, see you tomorrow". Those babies are so often my saving grace, making me smile and saying things that charge me up and get me going.I bid farewell to my friend Pollywog @ Clingmans Dome. That is one of the "head games" up here on the AT.. You find someone who you really enjoy, but no tow hiker's agendas are the same. So you break away and sometimes you catch up with them, and sometimes not. You can't get hung up on it. there are many more people to meet along the way.The shelters are spaced 3/7 miles frim each other, which makes the daily miles more difficult. I didn't want to walk just 6 miles today, so I ended up wasling almost 14. Although today I felt strong on the uphills. I dn't know where it came from, but I'll take it. I arrived in Newfound Gap @ 4:00, still 3 miles from the shelter. I stopped to snack and was approached by many, asking about my trip. Some can't believe it and some say how proud they are of me. I took my 20 minutes of fame and moved on. Had I referred to my Topo map, I may have only done the 6 miles today. I had already climbed 1m000' to Clingmans, then climbed another rugged 900' to this camp site. Arrived @ 7:00. The family in the shelter carried in a bunch of food that they didn't want to carry out, so I had 4 hot dogs and string cheese for dinner. My belly is happy tonight.Life is good!