morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: moderate rain

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Little bit of rain, but OK hiking - no Adirondack streams running underfoot. Arch problem in foot feels better with Superfeet insoles to cushion the constant pounding on my ill-prepared feet. Sending 16 pounds of gear home, pack down to 40#, has to help also. Needed the stop in Neels Gap!!
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Took in a pint of Ben & Jerry's yesterday; good eats. Great day for a "hike in the woods." Still with Clint who has taken on the trail name "Make My Day." Also, with Wolfwind, Hey Bob (from about 10 miles from my home in Upstate NY), and Johnny & Duffy. Lunch break at Blue Mountain and finishing up at Unicoi Gap. Pizza and an AT lager (a.k.a. Guinness) [hey, there is no one to card me on the trail!] for supper tonight. Life on the trail is good!
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Unicoi Gap Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Ups and downs today but certainly not PUDS - three peaks over 4,000 feet elevation in 1 day ( first Rocky 4,017 followed by 4,430 foot high Tray and lastly Kelly Knob @ 4,276' ). No wonder the feet are a little sore! Called Dad from top of the Knob while eating lunch. Hey Bob behind us but about 6 or 8 of us slotted to stake claim at Deep Gap Shelter tonight. Really short day tomorrow; only 2 miles of AT to Dicks Creek Gap but then couple of road miles to civilization at metropolis of Hiawassee. Will mail paper journals home to reflect authentic Dwight transcripts!
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

Hey Y'all it's the real Dwight here signing in from the lovely Towns County Library in good ol' Hiawassee Georgia. It's been a spectacular trip so far even though my dad's descriptions make it seem a little plain. You'll get all those details you crave when he gets my journal entries and the first roll of film from the trail. Here at the library with me are: Johnny, Duffy, Smokey Mountain Red, Clint (Quiet Guy), Ben. Clint and I are splitting a room at the Holiday Inn Express, (AYCE Breakfast included!!) Before we came over to the library we hit up Daniel's Steakhouse for the AYCE lunch buffet, Damn good fried chicken. This mornings hike wasn't too bad, we were pretty motivated by the thought of AYCE meals that weren't rehydrated. When we got to Dick's Creek Gap, it took us about an hour and a half of trying to hitch before we just gave up and called the Holiday Inn Express for a shuttle to pick up the 6 of us waiting to get into town. This afternoon looks like a nice lazy afternoon of college basketball and drinking a few brews, and of course the halftime 20 min soak in the hotel jacuzzi. So until you hear from me again, enjoy Springer fever reading my TrailJournal, and I'll see you on the Trail.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Hiawassee, GA

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Holiday Inn Express in Hiawassee was just what was needed. Besides shower and decent bed, able to snag some much needed provisions. After sending the overly weighty and volumunous bear cannister home, needed good stuff sack ($20)to hoist up the bear sack nightly [actually did this in Neels Gap]. Also, resupplied food to tune of $30. It cost $10 to catch shuttle back the 11 miles to the trail from town. Mom and Dad concerned about bug season since I sent my 5.5 pound 2-man tent home and kept just the tarp. Don't they realize the lean-tos and shelters are all open to bugs?
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Bly Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Bly Gap was first night in NC; actually only 0.2 miles above the Ga/NC border so officially left the 80 miles of Georgia AT behind. Today was smoother sailing until Standing Indian Mountain at 5,498 ft (taller than the Adirondack's biggy Mt. Marcy which I backpacked over last summer). Still the AT trails are much nicer than those in the Adirondacks where you learn the real meaning of the 3 R's - roots, rocks & ruts! After crossing Standing Indian we journied another 6 miles to Carter Gap Shelter. Six of us over night in shelter including John&Duffy and Hey Bob. Clint (aka Quiet Man) has left us and picked up his pace as he has a more ambitious shedule than I.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Wallace Gap (Rainbow Springs Campground)
Miles today: 12.8

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Solid day of hiking with only 1 hump (Albert Mountain). So much for Clint's picked up pace as we caught up with him today - Clint (a.k.a. initially Make-My-Day but now referred to as Quiet Guy! ). Also hiking and hanging with Rumbler from Pittsburg. Took side trip into Franklin and dinner at Shoneys AYCE! Begging Dad for 1-man MSR Hubba tent before the Smokeys which we've heard are getting hammered with snow and only limited through hiker space in shelters without reservations. A year-and-a-half in preparation and still not!
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Wallace Gap (Rainbow Springs Campground)

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

DAD Journaling as Dwight:QuietGuy is back in Franklin NC awaiting fiance so I'm going it alone up to Siler Bald. It's going to be really COLD tonight so only going as far as Siler as next shelter is another 13 miles beyond that. Since I sent my "weighty" 2-person tent home, I can't afford to miss out on a shelter. I did coherse dad into the MSR Hubba tent - it's waiting for me at NOC.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Single digits last night - FREEZING!!! 6 miles to Wayah Bald (5,342') then another 6 miles to Cold Spring shelter. Really need that tent; out in this cold could be deadly.MOM'S Note:Hmm Dad's trying to justify calling NOC and holding the last available MSR Hubba tent for Dwight's arrival. All it took is being told one available and a dozen hikers in the store just after opening. Dwight has at least two days before reaching NOC. Glad he's paying the cell bill too.
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outfitters Center (a.k.a. NOC)
Miles today: 11.5

DAD Journaling as Dwight:2 weeks of hiking today and I'm on schedule (for now!!). Have been averaging nearly 10 miles a day. Made it to NOC to pick up the MSR Hubba tent dad secured via phone; set tent up in the dining hall to test it out ( kinda! ). It's going to work great...Legs sore - lots of down today! Will likely take a zero-day tomorrow and take in the SU basketball game (sweet 16 vs. 'bama). Can't arrive at Fontana Dam Sunday or late Sat. since I've got mail drop waiting for me at USPO there. Can't think of a better reason for a zero-day than SU basketball - win or lose!Have been hiking with "Sundance" for 2 or 3 days (roots unknown!). Also with "Ashtray" who aquired his name picking up butts from the trail and nightly burning them in the fire. Told dad that I slept in the same site (as opposed to sleeping with) as infamous "Grace" at Siler Bald Monday night. He's intrigued by her journal which frankly I haven't even seen! Dad tells me that mom turned him on to it! I figure just the mere mention of Grace's name should increase my number of journal views by 10,000! She only started out a week ahead of me and has surpassed 50,000 hits - most amusing journal on TJ.com! Until next call......
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Nantahala Outfitters Center (a.k.a. NOC)

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

DAD Journaling as Dwight:Shuttled over to Bryson City. 3-way split of hotel room cheaper than bunking at NOC (and more luxurious!!). Have TV so can take in SU - 'bama sweet 16 game. Ate like kings (piggish). Last night Chinesse buffet AYCE of course! With Sundance and Marzipan; lots of AT lager to recharge batteries.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Grassy Gap

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 5.0

Called Dad from top of Cheoah Bald (5062'). Brutally hot (just wait for summer!) and brutal up from NOC (1740'). Will leave about 11 miles for Sunday to reach Fontana where my drop box resides in the USPO. Dad tells me its loaded with Girl Scout cookies - can't wait!Correction: Syracuse and his new cohort, Sundance, decided the view was so good they put their heads down and 4 hours later awoke to decide it was too far to the next shelter to continue. So instead of 11 miles for Sunday, they had a LONG HAUL to Fontana!
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Fontana Dam / Inn
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

While refreshing, the nap at Cheoah Bald ended up costing Sundance and I wicked revenge. Having to get to Fontana today, we pushed on all day, 19.5 miles to the road and since late in day, another 2 mile jaunt into town. Did get the last room in the inn (hey, it beats the manger!) and slipped through the buffet minutes before it shut down for the night. Slight blister on top of foot; not surprising for 12 hours on the trail but nothing that an hour and a 1/2 soak in the tub won't cure (at least in my head or until the first mile tomorrow). The bounce box Dad sent down better be worth it!!
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Fontana Inn

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 5.2

Hung around town until the USPO opened to get my supplies from my bounce box. Sundance booked out of town early. What a change in the weather - 80 degrees yesterday and blowy, snowy today. Quite a change - these are the Smokies! 3,000 foot hump right out of town; only made it 5.2 miles as morning spent rearranging bounce box provisions, packing up what I wanted and sending the rest on to Hot Springs (should I ever make it there!). Got started too late to make it to a shelter so put up the tent and hunkered down to rest. AT life is goooooood!.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

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

Great news all - I made it to Maine!!!Aprils Fool!! if you believe that!!Tommorrow (Friday) should cross Clingmans Dome, which at 6,643' is highest point on AT! Camping tonight at Double Spring Gap Shelter (el. 5,507') after slow 7 mile day through a foot of snow! Ten miles tomorrow (Friday) puts us into Newfound Gap and we're planning on hitching into Gatlinburg for shower and warmth!!
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: light rain

Trudged through a foot-and-a-half of snow over Clingmans Dome, THE PEAK on the AT and then slid down to Newfound Gap where we hitched a ride into town. At the Days Inn, Room 217, along with Coy, Tarzan, and Goldfish. We saw nothing today except the snow blowing in our faces! I've yet to see a view from the Smokies and I've supposedly been in them since Monday. Anyway, the weather is supposed to break Sunday morning and be warm again so I'm taking another ZERO DAY in Gatlinburg Saturday and warm these cold and weary bones.Oh yeh; I broke the news to dad about my missing glasses. It was freezing cold, they were fogging up, so I put them on my shoulder straps. Next thing I know, they're gone. So if anyone finds a pair of glasses on the trail between Spence Field and Derrick Knob Shelter, please sign into my log or send them to my next mail drop or send them home or do something to simmer dad no!! He's so materialistic; what's $200 for eyesight? It's only been 4 months since I fell asleep on the couch and the dog ate the last pair. He's always yelling at me, "you have no appreciation for THINGS OF VALUE!" Out here, my gear is what I value most! I'll do without the specs for awhile!!
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Well, whether or not we wanted to take a ZERO day, it didn't matter! Mother nature made up her mind that the 40 or so thru-hikers in Gatlinburg today were here to stay. The road up to Newfound Gap was closed. Still snow but forecast for 40 degrees and no snow tomorrow (Sunday). Moved from Days Inn to Gran Priz. Dinner and NCAA b'ball at Smokie Mountain Brewery; good stuff!
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Dad transcribing for Dwight (a.k.a. Syracuse):Heard from Dwight at 9:40 AM Sunday (Palm Sunday at that!). "Praise the Lord!" he was at Trinity Episcopal in Gatlinburg awaiting services. Since I know he wasn't prepared, I wonder what his Sunday Best looked like... was it the orange poly with the black shorts (AND NO UNDERWEAR) or his fashionable black fleece. Either way, hope the month of "odour d'AT" has been scoured away! I could see him sitting in his own pew if you catch my drift (or his!).Anyway, that raises a question in my mind...why would Dwight be up and at church when there is no one pushing his buttons to get up and go? Could it be that he's found religion? After all, he's in the South and them Baptist sure are full of it. Then it could be that he's maturing ..... OK, OK forget that one, let's not be ridiculous! Then, it's a girl - GOT IT! He's going to services with some trail princess (or would that make her a goddess?)and he's trying to impress her. I guess I'm puzzled as to his motives, however, one week from Easter and attending church while on the trail is admirable for any reason. Way to go, Dwight! (Your whole Grace Episcopal Church Baldwinsville congregation is praying for you!)Dwight did go on to say that they probably won't get on the trail until about 1 or so. He didn't say if the road to Newfound Gap is open, but he indicated that the Smokie's weather was still acting up but they've kind of out-stayed their welcome in Gatlinburg for now. No wonder with 40 or more thru hikers in town for 2 nights, but I guess they're used to it.Should we hear more from Dwight tonight, we'll post again. He says that due to weather, he'll be checkin in nightly so we'll be journaling.....Later that same day based on 8:30 PM call - Dwight and others "got out of town" (kindof). Along with Trunks, Bama, Marzipan, Sundance and Clint, Dwight and crew slogged through snow and ice a whopping 3 miles to the first shelter out of Newfound Gap. Dwight insists that he wasn't dragged to church by some female or to pray for the return of his misplaced glasses. He did happen into some divine form of trail magic as the rector, Father Livermore, treated Dwight to lunch at the Texas Roadhouse; they probably don't get that many Episcopalian hikers! He's aiming for Hot Springs (about 67 miles ahead) by Friday; I'd swear they space these "trail towns" every 70 miles or so just to snag the thur-hikers. We'll find Dwight a nice Episcopal Church in Hot Springs for Easter Sunday!
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

Cold walking, but thaw is imminent (like as soon as I'm out of the Smokies)! Managed to keep hands warm, feet dry and sleeping bag available. Weather can be threatening but as long as company is good, our eyes are ever forward. Who knows, trail magic could lie around the next bend!
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Finally getting out of winter that I really thought I'd left behind in Syracuse, New York ( just south of the Artic Circle ). I should have known when driving south to Amicola and crossing gaint snow flakes at Newfound Gap on March 9th, that the snow was following me!!! Don't anyone reading this journal entry ever let any of my fellow hikers know this or I'll be hiking solo for the next 5 months. Hiked about 6 miles this morning. We switched into shorts and short sleeves today after lunch; we're down to about 3,000 feet elevation. We're stopping about 3 miles from the eastern border of the Smokies. Couple of hard days and I'll be in Hot Springs for the weekend!
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Glorious day - 70 and sunny @ last! At the famous Standing Bear Farm which is mentioned in more Trail Journals than nearly any other spot (with the obvious exception of Miss Janet's!). Made it here from Davenport Gap by noon so we're officially out of the Smokies; what an adventure! It's so darn early in the day, I can't see stopping here ceptin (that's Tennessee talk) they got an internet connection and bunks (and no snow)!!Still hiking with HeyBob, Quiet Guy (a.k.a. Clint), Trunk, Coy, and Goldfish. Life on the trail is good.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Max Patch Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Easy to see why Standing Bear Farm has the outstanding reputation for hiker-friendly it has. Despite knowing that Hot Springs awaited us for the weekend, couldn't bear to leave. Good venue, good AT tales, good company!! After spending all afternoon and evening at Standing Bear, made for awfully long day on Thursday to Max Patch.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Max Patch Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Wicked windy last night. Pole on new tent bent -OOPS!! Hope dad doesn't go nuclear on me like he did about the missing glasses. I'll get the old "you have no respect for things of value speach." Hopefully I can get it replaced at the next outfitters; that why I went with MSR brand so no questions asked.Nothing like a trail town (did I mention that they're all separated by 70 miles) to spend a weekend in that drives a hiker to accomplish great feats! After 14 on Thurday, humped 20 today to get to food, bed, shower, laundry, pub, etc. Oh yes, then there is the bounce box and drop box from home also necessary to get us from Hot Springs thru the week, 70 miles or so to the next trail town (Erwin, TN) for next weekends extravaganza. Isn't thru-hiking great; it's like a 9 to 5 job, except that it's more like 7 to 3 and weekends are off! Well that's the way this hiker is looking at it!!!
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Is it TRAIL MAGIC or a DIVINE MIRACLE? I really did pray for the return of my glasses and sure enough, sitting in a pub Friday evening in walks a hiker, sees my Syracuse hat and says, saw your journal entry and HAVE YOUR GLASSES! "No way, I say!" but he pulls them out. Left lens gone and slightly bent but otherwise OK considering the circumstances under which they were lost. Can't wait to tell dad!With the usual cast of characters including Quiet Guy (a.k.a. MakeMyDay or Clint), HeyBob, and Sundance. At Baltimore Jacks, another AT legend. Zeroing today as I did put in 5 hard days of work and everyone is entitled to a day off now and then!
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

EASTER SUNDAY. My folks had E-mailed me the location of the Episcopal Church in nearby Mars Hill but that's nearly 10 miles away so decided to stay local. Clint and I ventured over the the local Southern Baptist Church it being Easter Sunday and all. What an experience!! I did thank God for the return of my glasses even if they weren't "safe" in their return.After church we hung out at Sundance's parents rented cabin. They drove in to check-in with their trail-weary son on his AT venture and I'm glad they did. The cottage is first rate with jacquzzi on porch which just had to be used.As for Saturday night's venue, I highly recommend Highland Brewing's Oatmeal Porter out of Ashville. Right up their with AT lager (a.k.a. Guiness). Slight rain today but nothing massive; good day for another zero as it is a holiday and all. It'll be tough going back to work tomorrow, but at least this job doesn't suck!! Aimming to do 15 miles or so to Jerry Cabin Shelter, but this is the AT and there is no set schedule - you know que sera sera, whatever will be, will be!!! Life is good and approaching great!!
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Allen Gap

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

This is getting more like a job with each passing day. I'm becoming a minimalist - slackpacking isn't sounding so sinful, hitching over sections of the trail isn't blasphemy, and just relaxing in the splendor of the experience of it is all that really matters!
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dwight called last evening from just outside Erwin from MakeMyDay's grandfather's house. Sundance, Dwight and Quiet Guy (aka Clint aka MakeMyDay) are resting their weary soles ( or is it souls ) in preparation for heading back out today (Friday). They were treated some great homemade peach wine and Dwight even tells me one is coming up my way (he must want something!). I no sooner hand up from his call than he calls back to say he needs another deposit of money into his account! Guess dad knows his boy!!! I told him his mother found a 6-month old paycheck for $200 that we had to convince his employer to allow us to deposit. That should cover him for another trail town or two!! Maybe a year of college would have been cheaper than 6-months on the AT.P.S. I also shared with Dwight that his recovered glasses (thank goodness for answered prayers since I don't believe this trail magic thing ) would cost $45 for a new lens. He of course told me not to worry about it (but I always worry about "things of value" since SOMEONE HAS TOO!!). I'm sorry, this is becoming Dad's journal rather than Dwight's!
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Erwin, TN

To: Iron Mountain Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Last night we camped out in Grandpa's yard. We sort of brided our way in with an 18-pack of Coor's Light; seems that Clint's grand pappy has a thing for the silver bullet! OK, OK. Clint's grandpa drove us 20 miles north out to Iron Mountain Gap and Sundance, MakeMyDay (Clint) and I hiked it back ( sans pack ) to spend the night in Erwin at the Red Roof Inn. On the trail from 10 AM to 5 PM; lots easier without the 40# monkey on our backs. We also took in Kill Bill 2 at the local thee-A-tree after strapping on the feed bags at Ryans AYCE buffet.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Dropped off at Iron Mountain Gap and put in easy 6 miles to shelter. The overall AT experience has overtaken the thrill of logging each and every foot step. Whether I'm hiking north bound or south bound, hauling my 40# monkey on my back, or commenting one way or another about the weather, I'm hiking in good company and we enjoy one another's company: Sundance, MakeMyDay, HeyBob, and Syracuse - that's the AT experience.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: US 19E Roan Mountain, TN

To: Hampton, TN ( Kinkora Hostel )
Miles today: 28.8

Slacking it from US 19E @ Roan Mountain to Hampton, TN where we're camped out at the majestic Kinkora Hostel. At $4 per day, pretty reasonable not to mention such amenities as flushing toilets, full sized matresses, roofs without holes overhead, etc. Weather, like my legs, are holding up!