morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-02-29
From: Myrtle Beach, SC

To: Springer Mtn, GA
Miles today: 0.2

Getting to the start of the Appalachian Trail was more difficult than I thought. Well Liz and I flew down to Myrtle Beach so MJ could drive us to the start of the trail in Georgia. The ride up was crazy. it took us 7 hours to get there. We left South Carolina around 9:30am and didn't get to the Mt. till 6pm. An hour of it was on these scary dirt road up to the start of the trail. After I said my goodbyes I headed off up the trail. Just as I was about to start hiking up to the top of the Mtn. it started to rain. As the car drove out of site I began to cry. I knew I was on my own from now on. I cried almost all the way up to Springer Mtn. After I got up there I calmed my nerves and looked at the view, it was beautiful. I took a few pictures and sign the registry book, then went to camp. It was late so I camped right there on the mtn with other hikers. I pitched a tent in the rain and got ready for bed. By this time it was already 8:00pm and I wasn't really tired. The ground was cold and my boots were muddy. I called Liz one last time before bed to let her know I was alright. After that I went to sleep almost immediately but didn't sleep well through the night. I'll start my hike tomorrow.A little back storyMJ's kids Rosemary and JJ came with us to the trail, on the way up the Mtn. it was so whindy that Rosemary throw-up, twice. JJ was also getting car sick but the curves stopped just in time. What an adventure it was. I think we scarred the kids for life they are never going to want to go to Georgia again. But even with everything it was nice that I got to see them and they got to tell their "Uncle Pickle" goodbye.
Date: 2008-03-01
From: Springer Mtn Shelter

To: Gooch Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I hardly slept last night. I was up every few hours. It railed all through out the night and it was a cold 36 degrees. I got up about 6:30am and took down the tent, hung out and ate a pop tart. I started on the trail at 8:00am and hiked to stover creek to have a mid morning snack. I meet a hiker there. He was just packing up to leave so I talked to him for awhile. I didn't catch his name. Then I went to Hawk Mtn to have lunch and refill my water bottle. Meet another hiker there, can't remember his name.(revised: It turned out to be Bad Humus before he got his trail name). He found bullets, they were blank rounds, but he was very excited. He said that Army Rangers do training in the area and they must of dropped them. Then I headed to Gooch Mtn Shelter. Now I would have to say that I was not prepared for how steep the mountains are. There were a couple of times when I thought I was going to hurl. But after 3 hours I made it to the shelter, no hurling, only to find that there weren't any camp sites left and the shelter was full. Well I made do with a sloped area and set up my tent. I made some dinner, chicken teriyaki and rice, it was good and chatted with a hiker named Loafy. All in all it wasn't a bad day.
Date: 2008-03-02
From: Gooch Mtn Shelter

To: Blood Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Never ever pitch a tent on a slope. I was sliding down the hill all night. I sleep very little and I¢m beginning to wonder if I¢ll ever sleep though the night. I got up at 6:30, had pop tarts for breakfast , packed up my stuff and started up the trail. My plan was to stop at Wood Hole Shelter, but when I got there I still had a lot of daylight left so I pushed on up to Blood Mtn. Shelter. I heard that Blood Mtn was tough but I didn¢t think so. I stopped at Slaughter Creek campsite to pick up water. It was a pour excuse for a water hole, but I managed. At the top, I ate some food, took some pictures of the sunset, dropped the kids off at the mountain (first time on the trail) and settled in for bed. I put my tyvek ground cloth in the window opening to keep out the wind. I took a picture you have to see it.
Date: 2008-03-03
From: Blood Mtn Shelter

To:  Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: broken clouds

I didn¢t sleep well again, first time in a shelter and there are mice. They ran across my bag a few times in the night. I don¢t think I'll get use to that. The tyvek in the window whipped all night and it was loud. I used my ear plugs to drown out the sound. I did meet two other hikers, fester and kanati. We swapped stories before bed. I got up a little before 7:00, made cream of wheat for breakfast and left for Neels Gap by 8:15. At Neels Gap I had them go though my pack and tell me thing I don¢t need. I sent home about four pound of gear and bought more food and much need camp shoes. I also took care of my blister on my feet and left for Low Gap Shelter at 11:30. I made pretty good time to Low Gap and only struggled at Raven Cliff. I was a little tired and out of water. A lot of the water holes were dried up. I got to Low gap at 4:00 and on the way I pass 18 hikers, so I decide to press on to Blue Mtn because Low gap was going to be packed. About halfway there I regretted going on but it was too late. I started talking to myself and even cursing myself, but I did make it and I was glad. There were 4 hikers in the shelter, Trail foot, Snow Bird, Catfish, and Shoulda Coulda. They were really nice and let me squeeze in the shelter. I cooked up some food, hung up my bear bag, and got ready for bed. Its going to rain tonight and I¢m glad I¢m in the shelter tonight.
Date: 2008-03-04
From:  Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: moderate rain

The mice weren¢t so bad, but it was warm and I was half out of the sleeping bag for most of the night. It started to rain around 6:00am, had a pop tart for breakfast again and started packing it up. Trail foot and Snow Bird were going to take it easy. I wasn¢t looking forward to walking in the rain but you got to do it. I got to Tray Mtn. and the wind was blowing the rain up into my hood and when the wind gust I had to hold on to the trees to keep from getting blown over. At some point Trail Foot, Catfish, and Use-to Coulda caught up to me and we hiked the rest of the way to Tray Mtn Shelter. When we got there the shelter was facing in the rain so we took a lunch break. I was thinking of setting up camp there but it wasn¢t a good shelter so I pressed on. By the time I left the other hikers already gone ahead. When I started off the rain picked up and I heard thunder. About a 30 minutes later it stopped and I caught up to Catfish and Use-to Coulda. I kept on hiking as fast as I could to Deep gap and made it there by 6:00pm, hung up all my wet clothes and set up the bed. I had some rice meal I can¢t remember what flavor. By then Catfish and Use-to, rolled in looking tired and glad to be at the shelter. Its going to be a cold night, I hope I stay warm tonight.
Date: 2008-03-05
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Cloud 9 Hiawassee
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

I was freezing last night. I think I¢m going to get a warmer bag because it going to get cold in the next few days. It got down to 25 degrees and all my wet clothes were stiff as a board. I had a pop tart, called Cloud 9 (A Trout Farm) for a pick up and left at 9:15. I got up to US 76 parking area at 10:30. I was driven to Cloud 9 by the owner Fran. He was originally from Whales but his accent sounded a little Australian. We got to cloud nine and Crutch showed me around and set me up in a bunkhouse. I did some laundry and took a shower. That shower was great, 5 days of grim down the drain. Some hikers and I were shuttled to town, I had Hardee¢s and went to the grocery store for a resupply. When we got back Fran offered to smoke a trout for me as long as I caught it. So I fish in the Pond and caught 7 trout, and yes I ate a smoked trout for dinner and it was good. I had to call up Mountain Crossing at Neels Gap to order a warmer sleeping bag and have it dropped off at Cloud 9 today. I got it around 7:00pm and I was happy. Well I¢m going to eat some Ben and Jerry¢s Vermonty Python ice cream and head to bed. Goodnight.
Date: 2008-03-06
From: Cloud 9 Hiawassee

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Slept pretty good in the bunkhouse and they had nice foam padding on the bunks. I got up at 6:00am collected my gear and went into the common room. I ate left over cous cous and Ben and Jerry's ice cream. Then I planned the next few days hike while I waited for the next shuttle to the trail. After I was dropped off at the trail I headed to Plum Orchard Gap, were I had trail mix for lunch. Todd and Fester stopped by and we talked for a while and then we went to Bly Gap for water. I crossed into North Carolina! I got there at 3:00 pm but there water source was non existent so I decide to go to Muskrat Creek for water. When I got there Bad Humus and Kanati were there. I said hello and headed for the creek to refill my water for dinner. I ate Southwest rice and chicken noodle soup. Then Todd and Fester showed up and joined the fun. Later we attempted to hang our bear bags, but failed miserably. They ended up only being 5 feet off the ground. A bear didn't even need to climb a tree to get our food. After that we started a fire in the fire pit and sat around telling stories. I really had a lot of fun with these guys. I think we'll be hiking together for the next couple of days. Info:Todd is 22 yrs oldFester is 23 yrs oldBad Humus is 22 yrs oldKanati is 61 yrs old and our team name is Deutschmark. Its a long story
Date: 2008-03-07
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Slept OK, I was a little warm in the night and sleep halfway out of my bag. It started to rain around 4:00am. It wasn't suppose to start until noon, disappointing. I sleep until 8:30am, it was chilly out and I didn't want to get up. I ate pop tarts and pack trail mix and a power bar for lunch. I left around 10:00am, Todd and Bad Humus caught up shortly. It was a fairly easy start until we hit a raging stream because of the rain. It was a little difficult to get over but we made it without falling in. I took a picture. I followed Todd and Bad Humus and they kept a good pace and we made it to Carter Gap shelter by 3:00pm. Fester and Kanati shortly followed. There was 4 other hikers there at the shelter already. We found a platform under the shelter for overflow hikers. Team Deuschmark decide this was where we were going to sleep. I ate twice tonight, I think I getting my hiker appetite. Tonight we slept under the shelter, we're calling it the basement. These guys have a great sense of humor and we laugh like school girls some times. This laughing is burning all my calories. Goodnight.
Date: 2008-03-08
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin Budget Inn
Miles today: 15.9

I woke up in the middle of the night and it was cold. The rain turned to snow and there was a dusting by the time I got up in the morning. I almost forgot that I was under the shelter and nearly hit my head when I sat up. I need to describe how big it was in the basement. It was 3 feet height by 7 feet long by 12 foot wide and we fit all 5 of use in there tight. It was 31 degrees when we start packing up. (pop-tarts for breakfast 450 calories). By the time we left it was down to 29 degrees. We decide that Franklin would be the best bet. This way we could get out of the snow and get warm. The hike wasn't bad at all until we got to Rock Gap. It was a monster climb, like going up stairs for a mile. It was hard to stay warm the temp got down at one point to 19 degrees. It hard to keep the blood flowing in the finger even with gloves on. But we made it to the road and got a ride into town by Ron Haven the owner of Budget Inn. Mr. Haven was a thur-hiker once and now owns a couple of hotel in Franklin and he's really nice to hikers that come through. Once we got to the hotel I took a quick shower and Mr. Haven drove a bunch of us hikers in a school bus to the grocery store. I got a lot of junk food and Krisy Kreme Donuts. I'm going to eat those for breakfast tomorrow. NO POP-TARTS. After we got back. Team Deutschmark grabbed a cab and went to a All You Can Eat (AYCE) Chinese Buffet. I had 3 plate full and two sweet teas and I was almost stuffed. Then we went to Walmart. I got some alchol swabs for my blister, which by the way, ever time I get one under control another pops up. Now I have 1 one each little toe, 1 on the one next to the big toe and 1 on each heel. I'm going to take a zero day in Franklin to let my feet and muscles rest. Goodnight all.
Date: 2008-03-09
From: Franklin Budget Inn

To: Franklin Budget Inn
Miles today: 0.0

I slept all through the night. Best sleep since I've been on the trail. I had Krisy Kreme donuts and chocolate milk for breakfast. Nice change from pop-tarts. Since it is a zero day, I lounged around, did some laundry, and watched "Turner and Hooch" and "Better Off Dead". Good Movies. Fester decided to take a zero and stay in the same room with me. At 3:00pm we took a shuttle to the outfitter and I stopped at Arby's and got 2 Beef N Cheddar's a large curly fry and large sweet tea. The rest of the day I hung out had Dominoes pizza for dinner, then stuff my pack and got ready for tomorrow. It was really nice to have a zero day, I feel a lot better and I'm ready to get back on the trail. Weather report says it going to be nice until Friday. I'm going to take advantage of it.
Date: 2008-03-10
From: Franklin Winding Stair Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

It was a goodnight. I went to the post office to send my stove home. I bought a new stove at the outfitter yesterday. I caught the 930am shuttle and started the trail at 1000am. I felt pretty good and stopped for lunch at Siler Bald. I had a "Kanati special", its peanut butter, honey, raisins, and wheat bread, smashed flat. I saw use-to Coulda and Catfish there. Shoulda was taking a nap and Catfish was taking pictures of the bald. I pressed on, and at Wayah Bald I took Pictures of the tower and its view. About a mile before cold spring shelter I saw my first trail magic and trail angel. He had a big tent and he was serving hot dogs, cookies and orange soda. I enjoyed that, it was nice to sit and rest my knee for awhile. It started hurting on the down hill from Wayah Bald. After that I felt refreshed and headed to Wesser Bald. The terrain wasn't bad but going down the hills are killing my knees. But i made it to Wesser at 800pm, made a quick dinner and hit the sack.
Date: 2008-03-11
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept ok. It was a little cold. I got up at 830am, had pop-tarts and a kit-kat for breakfast. i hit the trail at 915am. Down hills are still giving me a problem. I made it to Nantahala Outdoor Center in Wesser, NC. and bought a knee brace and some gaiters. I've been getting debris in my shoes, I hope these gaiters help. (Me,Liz,MJ,Jackie and friends went white water rafting down the Nantahala River many year back and it was really cold water.) Fester and I ate at the restaurant, we both had the Italian Sub with a salad. it was real good. We decided to push to sassafras. it was a monster of a climb. We hiked for 3 hours uphill, I thought I was going to die. We finally mad it to sassafras, I cooked up some bow tie surprise. I bought it and can"t remember what it was, and two Kanati specials and a Oreo cakester. I was really hungry. I sat and talked with a bunch of other hikers. They go to school somewhere in North Carolina. Then I got ready for bed. That knee brace did help a little today. Next time I have a zero day I'm going to tell you guys some stories that I haven't had a chance to tell you. Until then you just have to wait.
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Temp: 65Slept well, it was a little chilly this morning. Fester and I stayed in the shelter with some college students on spring break. They were UNC Tar-heels. They are going back on Friday. They sang a song last night i wish i got it on video. I left there at 930am, my knees were a little stiff, but after a few miles i was ok. Maybe i need to stretch more in the mornings. i stopped at Cheobald to shed a layer of clothes and take some pictures. I saw a metal box with a registry in it. Kanati and Bad humus signed it. they were there the day before. Sooner or later I'll catch up to them. I made it to brown fork at 230pm got some water and pushed on to cable gap. I got to cable at 500pm and immediately took off my shoes and nursed my blisters. I noticed i got a new blister on my left foot. I'll just add it to my collection. I'm up to seven now. Then I collected some firewood and started a fire. About this time Fester comes rolling in. He had dropped his hat and had to hike back to find it. luckily a couple we meet a few days earlier, Spock and Twiggy, were behind him and picked up the hat so he didn't have to hike all the way back. Rice and tuna tonight. It looks like it just Fester and I in the shelter tonight.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Cable Gap Shelter 

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

Temp: 63Sleep, who needs sleep. It wasn't too cold this morning. I had a kit-kat and a power bar for breakfast. We got to the dam at noon and called for a shuttle to Fontana village. We got some snack food for lunch and got a ride back to the dam. There were showers at the dam so I got to take a shower. It felt really nice to be clean. After that I got a Mr. Pibb from the soda machine. I got some pictures of the dam and then headed to Fontana Hilton Shelter. It's the best looking shelter I've seen on the trail so far. We meet a hiker name Start. He was waiting for his friends to catch up. A little later the UNC crew showed up. They planned on staying at the shelter tonight before heading home. so we hung out and told stories around the fire all night. This time I got them singing on video. We stayed up after 1000pm, that's late. UNC CrewWhiskersLorivoiceChristmasDanielPappy
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Fontana Hilton

To: The Hike Inn at Fontana
Miles today: 0.0

Temp: 50's I got up and made some cous cous with raisins and some hot chocolate. The UNC Crew cooked eggs and offered me some. I just put it in with my cous cous and had a great breakfast. Then Fester and I said goodbye and headed for the dam to be picked up by the hike inn. On the way to the inn we stopped to pick up lunch at a mom and pop place. I got a couple of cans of chef boyardee and some junk food. It really hit the spot. Then I just lounged around until 500pm. After i was done lounging, all the hikers staying here met at the reception area to get a ride to town. I saw Catfish and Useta coulda. I thought his name was shoulda coulda but its Useta coulda. I made a mental note, and now a physical one. We all when to a mexican restaurant. I had Fajitas Vaquero, it came out sizzling. It had shrimp, beef, chicken, and all the usual fajitas fillers. After that we when to Ingles grocery store. I picked up some foot care products and ziplock freezer bags. Quarts and pints if anyone would like to know. I cook all of my dehydrated food in freezer bags. Just boil water add it to the freezer bag with the food and a little olive oil,wait 20 minutes, WALLA. some times I add pouches of chicken or tuna for protein. Well thats enough for cooking class. I promised you some story on one of my previous entries, well I'm not going to get to it so you'll have to wait some more. sorry. Cool and rainy tomorrow. Next stop Smoky Mountains.
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spencer Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

Great sleep at the inn. We when left there at 1000am, took the shuttle to Fontana Dam. Fester and I got over the dam and realized we forgot to drop off our back country permits for the Smoky's. We had to go back to the visitors center to drop it off. The climb up the Smoky's wasn't to bad. A little ways up I stopped to take off my jacket. When I put my pack on I had my back to the trail and when i turned around real quick and startled a dear. I stood very still, he look at me for a few seconds then continue to eat something on the ground. I was able to get my camera out and take a few pictures. I was as close as 5 feet at one point. Then i thanked him for his time and went off up the mountain. At 1130am it started to rain and it rained all day and through the night. I stopped at Mollies Ridge Shelter for lunch. The trail runner said the shelters were all going to be full and we may have to tent. Well i pushed off in the rain to Spencer Shelter. When i got there only one guy was there. I grabbed a spot in the shelter and hoped no one else showed. A little while later Fester showed up then a thru hiker name Chris. He started the same day as us. He said he has been trying to catch us for awhile. That was it for the rest of the night, just us four. It got cold and foggy, i almost got lost going to hang my bear bag. You could barely see 5 feet in front of you. That's it I'm going to bed.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Spencer Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Temp: 32I got up this morning and none of the stuff I hung up last night is dry. Shoes were still soaked and when i put them on they soaked my socks. I knew then this was going to be a long day. Fester and I left at the same time, but Fester stopped to tape up some hot spots, I continued on. coming down thunderhead Mtn I broke one of my rules, never step on a wet log. As soon as i did it I knew i made a mistake. I flew down the hill and did a face plant right in the leaves and mud. My pack had slide right over my head and I had a hard time getting up with a 40 lb. pack over my head. But I mustered up every ounce of strength and got to my knee. After that I was able to get my pack back down on my back. I accessed the damage, the only think that hurt was my pride. Then I was off down the trail, a little more cautiously. There wasn't much to see on the trail it was foggy. The rain froze on the trees and I spent most of the day getting pelted by icicles. I got to Derrick Knob Shelter and had some lunch. a trail runner said that now they are reserving 4 spots for the thru hikers. First come first serve. Trail runners take care of the shelter and the trail. If there is a downed tree on the trail they're out there with a saw removing it. I thanked him for his services and headed off to Double Springs Shelter. At Siler Bald I caught up to Chris. He's a early riser, he left way before Fester and I. I hiked the rest of the way to Double Springs with Chris (aka. early riser. When we got there, three guys on spring break from the university of Milwaukee, were already there. I grabbed a spot in the shelter and made some dinner while the other guys built a fire in the shelter's fireplace. It's suppose to get down in the 20's tonight a fire would be nice. The shelter is going to be packed tonight. I counted 13 including me. I'll be thinking warm thoughts tonight.