morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-05
From: Winding Stair Gap, Sapphire Inn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So the internet in small towns is very slow and most computers have a 15minute time limit. It takes me longer than 15minutes to type up one entry so I am going to mail home my journal and my dad will type and post my entries. I've been hiking through the Smokies and trying not to spend too much time/money in town. So in just a few days there will be 2 weeks worth of posts. I am also mailing my sd card home so there will be photos soon too. I am alive and well, enjoying my hike.
Date: 2013-04-06
From: Winding Stair Gap, Sapphire Inn

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

I and updating Indigo's Journal, as she has mailed the entries home. I being the Dad. Day 15 We got back to our hotel to finish packing and clean up. Lola, Scavenger + I had to mail boxes to Fontana. We walked some and a nice guy in a truck offered us a ride to the post office. We mailed our boxes fine and hopefully they'll make it to Fontana where we think there going. We walked down the street with our thumbs up and a guy stopped and let us aboard. He was drinking, smoking and driving. He and his wife were southbounders a few years back and got to Franklin and never left. What a character. The guy at the motel said there would be denatured alcohol for me and chuckwagon in the back of the shuttle. Well the shuttle was full of packs and hiking stuff. We hopped in the next shuttle and hoped we would catch up to the promised fuel. Luckily we did and we filled our containers. I headed on down the trail starting at 11:45 and soon it sure wasn't cold anymore. My hip started throbbing so I took it slow and took a break at Siler Bald Shelter. Soon after I started seeing piles of ice and my first thought was someone had dumped a cooler. The ice kept showing up along with it tons of mushy squishy black mud. The rain storm that started turned into an ice storm and knocked down a lot of trees and bushes. I made it to Siler bald where it was just largely a grassy field. Lola, Chuckwagon and Amazon were lying down resting so I joined them. Cannot say no to a sunny grassy spot. Chuckwagon had hurt his achilles and was hobbling along. We rested for a bit and went on. I met a Catahoular Australian Shepherd mix going the opposite way she was gorgeous. I kept going up top and was really looking for the paved car path and I turned the bend and saw surfer dude and a few others camping out so I joined them. I met 2 guys from Richmond Va. and setup my tent on a semi flat rooty spot. Dinner was good as I was just sitting there in pain I ate, filtered my water and just sat there. Someone made a fire and most people trotted off to see the sunset over the mountains. I was too tired/in pain and I needed to keep the fire company. Nicole and the husband stayed w/me around the fire til dark. I got in my bag and found whats called a light pouch in my tent. It held my head lamp up to light up my whole tent which was awesome. I didn't sleep very well and fot up at 7:15. No one else was up as I made bfast and took down my tent as people started waking up. Amazon let me use some Foxhot for my hips as they were already screaming. It helped a little bit and I was Ok for an hour and a half after I woke up.
Date: 2013-04-07
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring
Miles today: 8.5

Day 16 I made a good pace to the paved footpath to the Wayah Bald Tower. There was an old guy there who thought my hiking stick was really cool, so he took its picture. He was a Giants Bane's dad. I went up the tower and the signs pointed out the smokies. I can see the Smokies!I took several pictures all different directions. I called my parents just to chat, talk about gear and asked advice, that really picked up my spirits. I continued on the AT followed the same path as teh yellow blazed Bartram Trail. I came to a sign that said shelter left 1/4 mile so I went to the right. The trail was rather flat and had a lot of trees down. I saw yellow blazes on trees but no white blazes. I stopped and looked at my map texted my parents and told myself I'd go 15 more minuets. I stopped again this time more paranoid. I turned around and started backtracking, I was so upset with myself for going the wrong way. I met Surfer Dude coming my way and we turned and found the last white blaze, it was at the shelter sign. I t was just super misleading. I went on to the shelter to have lunch. I'd walked an extra hour or about 2 miles Argh!!!. I calmed down, it was OK ... it ain't about the miles it's all about the smiles!! I continued on to the next shelter and meant to just take a break, but I ended up staying. Some guys came in that had thru'ed before and they were starting a business Yetifoodoutfitters.com a food resupply system. Some dogs came into camp and I talked with their owners about dogs on the trail. I slept OK and got up around 7:00 made my oatmeal and hot chocolat andgot going all in under 2 hours!!
Date: 2013-04-08
From: Cold Spring

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 17 I made it to rocky bald and took the side trail up to the bald. It was steep and a shear rock face but it was so worth it. One of the best views yet! I continued on in the hot sun up to Wesser Bald. There was a small tower which was real nice. Giants Banet and several others were there the previous night. I mixed some propel powder in my water for some electrolytes. It was pretty hot and I realized the odd bumps on my ears were blisters from sunburn!! Owie!! I passed Wisser Bald Shelter and continued ridge walking. I was tired and hot so I found a grassy spot and took a nap. It was warm breezy and no bugs, so glorious! I got in the shelter and there were just 2 older guys. The shelter was fairly old and slanted. The guys were super nice giving me some of there leftover food. They were section hiking and one of the guys did not like his protein bars. YAA trail magic!! They were talking about good home cooking homemade mac and cheese. They lived in Tenn. and man I wish I could visit for some good food. Nicole and Jeff came up and chatted which was nice. I felt rather exhausted but I was in good company. The plan was to hike to NOC for breakfast! So neither of the old guys snored and it was way less cold so I sleep fine. I woke up at 7:30 and just had a protein bar.
Date: 2013-04-10
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap mile 153.9
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 19I pondered that note for an hour hoping I'd get to call my Mom at lunch for advice. I got to Cheoah Bald which had a really nice view. It was pretty windy so I got going quickly. I got some more water at the next spring then headed on. My platypus with the hose doesn't let me know how much water I have ldgt. I was pretty close to running out going uphill so I prayed there'rd be water at Ste Coah Gap. I got to the gap and there used to be trail magic of water and p.b. I sat for awhile eating lunch. An old guy drove up in his pickup truck and offer us hikers some coca cola. I've avoided soda for 100 days now and for some reason I accepted a coke. It was alright the sugar caffeine and chemicals gave me a small tummy ache. I changed into shorts and trekked on up the mountain. There was something on the map called Jacobs Ladder and no one was to sure what it meant. We'll find out soon enough, it was a part of trail that was straight up, no stairs or switch backs. I got to the top and there was no view, phooey. I continued on to Brown Fork Shelter for a snack and some propel. Surfer Dude, Jolly rancher, Hawaii and others were there for the night. I wanted to go on but I didn't want a 12.7 mile day the next day. At the shelter was my first time watching someone roll a joint, many people smoke out here, but I just cannot stand the smell. I continued on 3 more miles to Cody Gap as the sun was behind a smoky haze I flew through those miles and arrived with plenty of daylight left. I set up my tent pretty close to the trail and went down to get water, I chatted awhile with Nicole and Jeff. I lugged my water back up to my tent to cook dinner of Ramon noodles chicken and some left over flavor packet from another meal as I am allergic to the MSG in the Ramon flavor packet. I talked to my sister as I was sitting around the campfire which was real nice. I slept alright in my tent and got up around 7 for some oatmeal and chocolate. There was a guy here named Tex but he was not from Texas even though everyone assumed he was.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Cody Gap mile 153.9

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 20I am pretty sure the map was wrong as it took me only 70 min. to do supposedly 3.3 miles. I didn't think I was that fast. I stopped at Cable Gap Shelter for a second breakfast and ended up taking an hour break. I pushed on as it was getting hotter. I thought the ups would never end. I was wheezing a little bit going up in the heat so I slowed way down. I'd filled up at the shelter so I thought I was good on water. I was pounding downhill to Fontana Dam and taking a little break to sip water every 30 min. Probability less than an hour to go. I ran out of water though. OK no biggy I'll be in town soon enough. But I stopped sweating and my head gets super hot and I started feeling funny so I just dropped my pack and sat there. Several people passed and I said Hi, Hawaii approached and asked if I was OK, she sat with me and gave me some water and an extra bandana, she had. That was real nice of her. After about 15 min. we continued on and realized we'd stopped 5 min. before the road. Oh well But I was just in time to catch the $3 shuttle to Fontana Village.I arrived at the general store and immediately bought a Gatorade and M & M cookie ice cream sandwich.I thoroughly enjoyed drinking and eating. I got a lady to drive me up to the lodge to get both my mail drops. The one from home was in a diaper box. I took both back to the general store and started unpacking. Everyone was gathering at the store to resupply and do laundry. It took me awhile to figure out my food and to get my laundry done. Before I knew it was 5:00 and the place was closing. I line dried my clothes so I grabbed those off the rail and stuffed them in a grocery bag and grabbed my pack and box and caught the last shuttle to the shelter. I set up my spot in the shelter which holds about 20 and had about 10. I wondered around eating food people had to much of. Like a hot dog in a piece of bread followed by a powdered mini donut. It felt nice seeing the hiking ahead of me. There was fire going and because were in town beer was accessible. I forgot how funny drunk people can be. I went to bed at 10:00 laughing to myself that the people were hiking the next day, a few were going to take a zero day including me. It was rather hot and muggy in the shelter so I didn't sleep that great, I made myself sleep in till 7:30 then got up and made oatmeal.
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Day 20I caught up in my journal after breakfast which took awhile. I have been killing pens, both mine died so I had to use precious shelter pens which then died too! I borrowed someones and it died to, I eventually got one that works. I called the shuttle at 11:15 and went up to wait with my box so it was pretty cool. I waited for over 20 mins and this guy in a car pulled up to check the view. He comes walking over and asks me if I want a ride to town. It was a quick decision to check out the guy to see if he was creepy or not. I accepted and followed him to his car and waited as he cleaned the front seat. He said he had cancer on his face and had some sort of bandage glue on his face. He was section hiking and trying to sleep in his car every night. I was thankful for the ride so I did not question his story. I tried to update my blog, check mail and do pictures, but the computer was real slow. Around 1:00pm I went to try and find some food.There is a restaurant in the lodge served lunch. I went to mail my package first as the post office closed at 3:45. I headed back to the restaurant to get myself a nice large chicken quesadilla. Noodles and Nut came along and I joined their table, I really did not want to eat alone. Soon Stickler, Icarus, Thor and Happy Grumpy came along. I finished up and went back down the hill to get me a pint of moose tracks ice cream. Mmm! I caught a shuttle back to the shelter and a lot more people showed up. Catfish and Hot sauce bought me birthday cupcakes (it is my birthday) which was super awesome. They were vanilla with pink, green and orange icing, it was delicious! They also brought me smaller cupcakes to share with my friends. The shelter was full that night and the forecast was for storms, it rained hard thundered and lightened a lot but quit by daylight. Many of us were awoken up by someone smoking in the shelter icky yuk!! I tried to get out early but did not get going until 9.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 22The walk to dam was nice and sunny. The views goin down the dam were awesome and the foggy haze lifting just made it all the more perfect. I took my time taking pictures once I got on the dam. It was surreal I'd walked this dam before on a spring bread, but here I am thru hiking. As I looked out on the water I though how much better can this get? I love mountains and water and the 2 of them together is just breath taking. Once I got past the dam I searched for the spot to drop my permit for the GSMNP. It was about a mile til I found it. I am legally in the park now. I climbed and climbed up and up. I don't like long ups. I found a nice sunny spot for lunch and I rested a whole hour. My shoulders hips and back hurt. Mother and Faith passed me and we all stopped half way at Birch Spring campsite. I rested another hour. I needed to get going if I were going to make it to Mollies Ridge. I climbed and cried and climbed and cried. It was hard to start after taking a full zero day. Argh! Would I ever make it up this mountain? Just as I was about to plop down and rest I saw the shelter and I walked in and took my time setting up my bed as I was too tired and frustrated to be friendly. It was actually chilly but I made a soupy dinner of Alfredo broccoli noodles There was a fire outside the shelter and one inside.Most of the shelters in the Smokies are fairly nice with fire places inside. I huddled to the fire inside next to Catfish and her Savie.(sp?) I slept real good and woke up at 7:30 oatmeal and hot chocolate.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 23It looked like a nice day and there were lots of tiny flowers everywhere. Most were white but some were a very faint pink. I made good time till I came to a grass field where Cinderella and Nightingale were laying . I joined them for lunch but they soon went on leaving me to enjoy the sun by myself. I stretched out leaning on my backpack. I'm pretty sure I fell asleep for about 20 min. Nicole, Jeff, Berkley, Amazon, Chuckwagon, Lola and Whiskey all came by eventually I get up and join them at Spence Field shelter as I need water. As I walk towards the shelter 6 horses pass me. I soon learn they are maintenance volunteers so they are good horse tracks. Seeing horses makes me giddy and I bounce gleefully down the trail. Lola, Chuckwagon, Amazon and I all continue down the trail together taking our time we stop on top of Rocky Top, (good ole Rocky Top, Rocky Top Tennessee...) for some pictures and rest and YES this is the mountain from the song. We chat with some day hikers, and continue together leapfrogging as I go fast downhill and slow uphill and they the opposite. We start spreading out as the ups and downs get tougher. We're mostly hiking on a ridge so it's usually short up and downs. I stop for a banana chips and peanut butter break they'll give me energy. The map shows just 2 more miles that gives me hope but the trail gets super steep and soon I'm at the point of tears again. I've found that singing worship songs gives me a bit more strength so I start singing to myself of course as I crest the hill I see that glorious shelter. I make chicken Alfredo with chicken and it's the first time my noodles fully cooked. We all sit around the fire chatting watching the sunset and wondering what city lights we keep seeing. The nest day looks to be a big day 13 + miles so we all plan to get up and out early. My alarm does not go off so I am up at 7:20. I cook some watery oatmeal and hot chocolate and get going at 9:00. For some reason I left filtering water for in the morning which is not jun as it's much colder.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 24It was super windy out but that was supposed to get better. I hadn't slept that well nor did I get out early so I wasn't too sure I'd go 14 miles over Clingmans dome. Ii would like to spend time up there and play so I didn't want to be to tired. I still hadn't made up my mind as the others passed me once I got to Silers bald shelter it had grown more windy and cold. I had lunch and decided that I was only going 7 more miles because I didn't like the wind. Whiskey had accidentally peed on herself, the wind blew it on her. She, Chuckwagon and Berkley decided to go the 14 miles. I lingered some more at the shelter till Cinderella and Nighting gale showed up. We left together and I met this guy at the top of Silers Bald who had a nice Nikon DSLR. I asked him about it and how he dept it on so we chatted for a bit about cameras, and how I wish I could carry my nice Nikon. I t was super duper windy as I headed down the mountain. I could hear it ripping through the trees. The trees got shorter and shorter and hemlocks started showing up. One the other side of the ridge it was calm with just the sound of rushing wind crossing to the other side of the ridge. Would practically blow me off my feet. I arrived at the shelter by 3 and set up my bed. I had a snack of banana chips and chocolate P.B.. I just sat there for awhile leaning against the shelter ladder watching people arrive all shivery. I took a 45 min nap all snuggled in my bag knowing I would have to get up to make dinner or go to the privy, but enjoying it nonetheless. I woke up and caught up in my journal for almost 2 hours, then it was time to cook dinner. I reluctantly crawled out of my bag and cooked dinner outside under The tarp under the overhang. It was cold and rainy by this time. I hurried through dinner as fast as I could so I could get back to my warm sleeping bag. I woke and it was super foggy but not as windy. I got going pretty quick as I was headed up Clingmans Dome.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Icewater Shelter

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 27(Note from transcriber: I tried to update using a Kindle with the keyboard and 3g, it is doable but very hard to do. If successful the Kindle was going to Indigo.)It was super foggy as I headed out. I came to the sign for Charlies Bunion that said closely watch children or rock climbing is dangerous. I took several steps over rocks but decided it was way to foggy to see anything so it wasn't worth it. I hiked on through the fir trees alternating between cool moist air under the trees and the sun firing its pokers at me while I walked through grass. I passed by Pecks Corner Shelter for lunch as it is a whole half mile off the trail. I look for a good log or rock to eat lunch on and I come to Eagle Rocks. It was perfect!There were rocks with a grassy vee in the middle just right for a one sized person to nap in. And of course this was in the sunshine on top of a mountain. I chilled here for well over an hour eating some protein bars and propel. Several guys passed by and looked way jealous of my nap spot. I take a few pictures and head on down the trail. I'm feeling really good because of my nap and it was just a very chill day. I get to the shelter and there's several guys there and Laces (Nicole) and Jeff (Brook Trout) the couple didn't look to happy as there were no good camping spots. The water ran right thru camp, down the trail to the cables and privy. There was one grassy area right next to the privy and bear cables and a spot behind the shelter but there was a smelly dead fox. Laces and Brook Trout eventually found a spot closer to the trail. Amazon and Berkeley showed up and Amazon took the spot next to the privy and cables while Berkeley dreaded to stay in the shelter. The guys that were already in the shelter were Misery, green Blaze and White Russian. They were waiting on their buddy Shady who they were thinking was gonna show up around midnight. Shady ended up coming in just after most of us had dinner and he brought in McDonald's burgers, Red Stag and cigarettes and his friends were ecstatic but outside, Shady was crying. Apparently he'd had a rough time that day. It's interesting to see how the trail affects people, sometimes making grown men cry. At about 9pm Bass Shows up, he had forgot his water filter at this shelter and hiked back 7 miles in the dark to get it. He did a 20 mile day that day so he ended up doing around 34, 14 without his pack. Wowee! He had a couple shots and some of the guys at the shelter gave him some food and he took off again. I started to sprinkle a little bit in the morning, but soon turned to just fog. We were all doing the same mileage that day so that was pretty neat to hopefully be at the nest shelter with the same people. The guys usually did high miles and were not with the same people 2 days in a row.