morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-09-21
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: broken clouds

This morning the weather is better, so I decided to hike from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream Campground and then if the weather was good I would climb Katahdin tomorrow just in case the weather was too bad when my family and friends get here. I was still not feeling well, but I called a taxi and went to Abol Bridge and hiked to Katahdin Stream Campground. I was feeling so bad that on the way I decided to go back into Millinocket that afternoon and wait for my family and friends to go up Katahdin with me. It was mostly cloudy today and the same was forecast for Thursday and rain forecast for Friday. Saturday was forecast to be cool, clear and breezy.
Date: 2005-09-24
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Weather today, cool, clear and breezy. We got up this morning at 3:30 and left for the park at 4:30 a.m. We arrived at the park at 4:50 only to wait in line of about 25 cars ahead of us. Around 5:15 the line started to move and we moved past the barrier gates only then to wait until around 7:00 a.m. to get checked in at the ranger station. We finally left Katahdin Stream Campground for Baxter Peak at 7:40. The going was very slow since my family and friends were not used to this type of hiking. But they all did very well and we arrived at Baxter Peak at 2:30 without incident. It was a beautiful day. Just wish I had been feeling better so I could have enjoyed it to the fullest. We got back to Katahdin Stream Campground at 8:30 p.m. after dark. I had taken my head light just in case that happened, and it was a good thing I did. There were five of us and one light. Needless to say the going was extremely slow. We all got back down safe and sound. (yahoo) The A.T. hike is finished and I am happy to be back home.
Date: 2005-01-19
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

I have decide to give the AT another try this year. Most of my family and friends say I am crazy about starting over they all suggest I should start where I got off last year. I want to complete a thru hike and it is so much fun so why not.I have switched out some gear from last year, hopfeully I will get my gear added to the journal soon. I have decided to start March 1st 5 weeks earlier then last year.
Date: 2005-02-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Seamed sealed my tarp today, I am useing the Sixmoon designs Lunar solo tartent.I also went through all my clothes I would be taking for my hike and found out the belt on my pants is broken. So I will probally get new one since the zip off legs are a different color then the tops (the tops faded quite a bit). I bought a sony disk man to help me on those lonely days and have been filling some disk up with plenty of songs. I also ordered a Digital camera to take this year, I was not happy with the disposable camera's I used last year most of the pictures did not turn out good. TWENTY days to go.
Date: 2005-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I stayed at the Hiker Hostel most of the day went to the store to get some last minute things and I am ready. The Hiker Hostel is a full house 17 people and I don't remember everyone's name I will try to get pictures in the morning. Everyone is anxious to get going in the morning. The weather is suppose to be in the low 20's at night for most of the week so I am sure it will be tuff to get out of the sleeping bag in the morning's. I am hiking the 1st week with John (fat backfireman) I met at the hiker hostel last year. Josh and Lee have been great here at the Hiker Hostel and Oldman is here again this year helping them. Going to bed to get some sleep for the big start tomarrow.
Date: 2005-03-01
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: broken clouds

Full Hiker Hostel last night so there was a big breakfast for all. Josh drove us to Springer mountain and by 8:30 am, snow and 24 degrees I was off. Great day of walking snowed most of the day, walked with Kamikaze, Fatback, Danger Pea, Gravity, Sassy, and shadow on and off all day. Arrived at Hawk Mountain Shelter by 1:30 and decided to stay the high of the day was 32 degree's. The people I walked with most of the day decided to all stay in the shelter and huddle because it was suppose to go down to 15 degree's tonight. By 6 pm there were at least 40 people in the shelter or tenting on Hawk mountain, and a few people have dogs. Trail names are already getting started kamikaze has a new name called Spoonie Love. I hope I stay warm in my 20 degree sleeping bag.Stick
Date: 2005-03-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

Very cold morning 19 degree's very hard to get going and hard to eat while shivering. Out of the shelter by 8:20 very slow going most of the morning. The wind was blowing very hard all day. I don't remember these Georgia hills being so tough. Danger Pea, Gravity, Sci Fi, Spoonie love and myself have decided to push for woody gap so we can sleep in a hostel tonight it is suppose to be another cold one. The walk today was good just rough not being in shape. The last 4 miles to woody gap was very tough for me because, I didn't get much sleep because it was so cold. There was 7 of us at woody gap wanting to go to the hostel so Sci-Fi and I hitched to the hostel to get the rest a ride by the time we got there Lee had already left to go check woody gap to see if anyone was there so I got a quick shower and felt much better. There were a few others at the hostel also so we all ordered 8 pizza's for dinner what a good feast. I have met so many people in the first two days and its hard to remember everyone's name but I will get better at that.Stick
Date: 2005-03-03
From: Woody Gap

To: Neels gap
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I got a 9 am start very windy morning. I felt good and had a great pace going, hiked alone all day met Gravity, Danger, Rocky, and Cat toy on Blood mountain which had excellent views. Had to buy resupplies at Neel's Gap since my package didn't arrive. I also tried to buy a fleece bag liner at the store but they were out. Stayed at the Hostel at the gap which was full and I met many people but so many names run together. I got a Zrest sleeping pad out of the Hiker Gear box hopefully that with my thermarest will keep me a little warmer. They keep numbers on Thru hikers that come through the store I was number hiker 79.Stick
Date: 2005-03-04
From: Neels gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Not a Great night sleep at the Hostel everyone tossing, turning and snoring. I was up and ready to go by 8 just had to wait for the store to open to get a few things I forgot so I was on the trail by 8:30. Great day for hiking temps in the 50's, Sci-Fi and I walked with each other most of the day. Sci-Fi is a 20 year old kid from Indiana. Today was the hardest day by fay all with all the ups and downs. Sci-Fi and I were at the shelter by 3pm and decided to call it a day. 7 of us are sleeping in the shelter Danger pea, Gravity, Sci-fi, Spoonie love, Cat toy, Rocky and myself 6 others are tenting only name i got was Old Yeller. Gravity is sick with food poisoning he believes, there has been quite a few sick people out here. Suppose to be in the 20's tonight hopefully I get a good night sleep.
Date: 2005-03-05
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

There was a mouse in someone's pack last night I kept hearing it but I never could find him. Cold night high 20's with rain during the night. I was up and out of the shelter by 8 am very quick walk today with it raining off and on. Blue Mountain Shelter was very cold and windy and 1/2 full by 12:30 pm. Gravity, Danger Pea, Rocky, Cats toy, Spoonie,Scifi, and I decided to go to the town of Helen because it was suppose to be another night in the teens. What a town candy and Fudge everywhere there is even a wedding chapel here. Out of the 7 of us we split 2 rooms for 16 bucks a piece. Barbecue for dinner and off to bed after the laundry is done, I hardly slept a wink last night.
Date: 2005-03-06
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: scattered clouds

On the trail at 9:15 the hitch out of town was easy. High in the 50's today with some very tough mountains, 1st there was Tray Mountain then there was Kelley knob at the end of the day. My left knee hurt most of the day 1st pain I have had on this trip. I arrived at the shelter as it was getting dark SciFi was there already and Spoonie came in soon after me. In my sleeping bag by 7:30 going to try to get some sleep, I haven't had a good night sleep yet.
Date: 2005-03-07
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dick Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I didn't get much sleep last night my feet and legs were in some minor pain so it was hard to get comfortable. It was a short day we all need the rest Rocky, Cat toy, Scifi, Spoonie, And I split a room at the Holiday Inn in Hiawassee for 13 bucks a piece. I did some shopping and mailed a few things home that I didn't want to carry anymore. The Holiday inn has a hot tub which I made sure it was put to use. Many hikers at the inn tonight it is suppose to be snow and very cold the rest of the week.
Date: 2005-03-08
From: Dick Creek Gap

To: Dick Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero Day much snow and a very cold wind this morning so we all decided on a zero day. I slept much of the day away. I have been walking with the same bunch now since the 1st and it a really nice group Sci-fi a 20 year old guy from Indiana he is doing the trail as part as a college project, Gravity and Danger Pea a married couple from Colorado, They tried to do the trail in 2001 and made it half way so they are trying it again like myself, Rocky and Cat Toy 2 Canadian girls trying to do as much of the trail before school starts or the funds run out, Spoonie Love another Canadian girl she wanted to do something big for her 30th birthday so she is trying the trail.
Date: 2005-03-09
From: Dick Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Very cold day I am happy to be out of Georgia and into North Carolina. So cold today I froze just stopping to get a quick lunch. I am at the shelter and have already ate and in my sleeping bag by 4:30 pm. Sci-Fi's Thermometer says 28 degree's it's going to be a cold night.
Date: 2005-03-11
From: Rock Gap

To: Wayah Gap
Miles today: 10.0

A few people came to town with me yesterday because it was a little cold for them also, there are 7 of us we split 2 rooms and are doing some slack packing while it gets a little warmer. I am not able to eat much at all I shouldn't have tried hiking today. I had NO energy at all and it snowed most of the afternoon. Sorry The entries are short but I don't have much of a urge do write much.
Date: 2005-03-12
From: Wayah Gap

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

Ok I am still sick and I haven't learned my lesson I went for a quick hike today 4 miles, but today was a great day it hit 70 today and I couldn't sit in a hotel room all day with it that nice out. I hope I can return to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2005-03-13
From: Deep Gap

To: Carter Gap shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

I am back to trying to hike normal again. I am still a little sick but it has moved all to my head, I am real stuffy. Flying Turtle, Spoonie, Humpty Dumpty and myself walked the 4 mile blue blaze trail back to the AT. Rocky, Cat Toy, and SciFi were going to slack pack the next 18 miles so they will be ahead of us. Started on the AT around 9:30 am and we were on standing Indian Mountain by 10:30. We had excellent views, it was a great day for hiking temps in the 60's. We arrived at Carter Gap Shelter by 3:00 pm and I was beat. I was hoping it wouldn't get too cold since I was still a little sick. In the shelter there is Humpty Dumpty, Flying Turtle, Ken, Data, and myself. Skeeter Feeder and Spoonie are using hammocks. It's starting to rain so I am taking some medicine and going to bed.
Date: 2005-03-14
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

I slept okay last night it rained most of the night. We were up and moving by 7:00 am. I felt the best I have in 4 days. I still have a slight cough and stuffy head. What a lame day I felt great but the hike today was done in the clouds. You could only see 15 feet in front of you. So I am back in Franklin at the Haven Budget inn. Ron the owner has been great shuttling all us hikers everywhere we want to go, definitely worth staying at if stopping in Franklin. With me being sick I have fallen behind in my schedule a little. I Am behind some friends that I have been hiking with since the start. I hope to catch back up but if not I wish all the luck to Gravity, Danger Pea, SciFi, Rocky and Cat Toy. Miss Janet was in town today. Got to talk to her for a little. She runs a hostel in Erwin where I hope to be in a few weeks.
Date: 2005-03-15
From: Wayah Bald

To: rufus morgan
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and ready to go by 6:30 am. Ron the Budget Inn owner took us up to Wayah Bald so we could start our day. It was a cold morning and I wasn't feeling all that good so the day turned into a long day. I arrived at the shelter at 5 pm. I am trying to eat some Lipton's chicken and rice then I am going to sleep. This hike has not been going very good so far. I am tired of being sick.
Date: 2005-03-16
From: rufus morgan

To: NOC
Miles today: 0.7
Weather: light rain

Humpty Dumpty woke everyone up by 6:30 am so we could get to the town of Wesser NC for an early breakfast. I have decided to take the day off in a hostel to try to get better. It is supposed to rain/snow the next 2 days so I might be here for a few days. Humpty Dumpty, Flying Turtle and Spoonie went on. This is not the way this hike is supposed to go. I am tired of being sick.
Date: 2005-03-17
From: NOC

To: Brown fork Gap
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light snow

Left the cabin at 7:15 am. I walked in rain/snow all day and I did not see a single person. I arrived at Brown Fork shelter. I feel better but it was a long day with a lot of ups. I caught up to Gravity, Danger, Spoonie, Flying Turtle, and Humpy Dumpty. I have heard SciFi is off the trail for a few days because he is sick. Got my 1st blister today. Just a small one. I am going to push for Fontana tomorrow.
Date: 2005-03-18
From: Brown fork Gap

To: fontana dam 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Cold night. I ate breakfast in my sleeping bag. A youth group got to the shelter late and set up tents so it was a little noisy. Didn't get to bed until 10 pm. I felt good. Still have a cough, my left knee gave me some problems today. It hurt to bend it. SciFi caught up to us today. Good to see he wasn't off long. The 7 of us are going to split a cabin in Fontana Dam.
Date: 2005-03-19
From: fontana dam 

To: fontana dam 
Miles today: 1.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Taking an easy day for the sore feet and cold. Basically a zero day. Fontana Dam is not a good place to stay. We rented a cabin for the 7 of us and it was a dump for $140 a night. Hot water didn't work, TV (cable) didn't work. There were wasps in one of the bedrooms. The toaster didn't work, and the couch was broke.
Date: 2005-03-20
From: fontana dam 

To: russel Field shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Beautiful day for hiking. SciFi, Flying Turtle and I went up the Shuck Stack fire tower and had lunch. I am feeling good but I still have a cough. Full shelter here at Russel Field. Two spring breakers and the rest thru hikers. So far the Smokies are great.
Date: 2005-03-21
From: russel Field shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up today and something great happened...I wasn't sick anymore! So after being sick for 10 days and struggling with hiking I enjoyed myself today. I believe the section I did today is the toughest part in the Smokies alot of ups and downs. The weather so far is great but it is supposed to rain tomorrow. We are going to head into Gatlinburg to celebrate two birthdays - Spoonie and Flying Turtles. Humpty Dumpty is having some issues with his legs. He is going to go see a doctor in Gatlinburg. I hope he doesn't have to leave the trail he always keeps people entertained with his stories. There are a lot of college kids on spring break so far most of all the shelters are full. I am going to get up and try to make Clingmans Dome for sunrise if its not raining.
Date: 2005-03-22
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: GatlinBurg
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Very windy and rainy day. No view off of Clingmen's Dome. I fell three times in the ice and snow. Spoonie and I are hitching into Gatlinburg to catch SciFi and dry off. It took about 30 minutes to get a hitch. Good thing because it was starting to get real cold.
Date: 2005-03-24
From: GatlinBurg

To: pecks corner shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day for hiking. I got great pictures from Charlie's Bunion. The shelter is a 1/2 mile off the trail but many people made the extra 1/2 mile trek because we have a full shelter tonight. I am surprised at what great weather the Smokies are having for it still being March.
Date: 2005-03-25
From: pecks corner shelter

To: cosby knob shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

I started the day in a bad mood but by lunch I was doing much better. It was a beautiful day. SciFi wanted me to do 7 more miles but my feet were hurting so I stayed at the shelter. There is a full moon tonight and it is rather warm for March. I am starting to cough again. I hope my cold isn't coming back.
Date: 2005-03-27
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Old Raoring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.5

What a day mostly up hill. Just as I got to May Patch (a bald with a 360 degree view) the clouds covered everything so I had no view but someone left some trail magic at the summit (PBR). The new shelter is not finished yet so I pushed on to the old shelter and I arrived just as the rain started. This is my first night without any of the March 1st people that I starthed with.
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Old Raoring Fork Shelter

To: walnut mtn.Shelter
Miles today: 1.8
Weather: light rain

My Cold is back so I didnt want to hike in the rain, so Spoonie and I stayed in Walnut Mnt shelter for a very short day. It snowed during the night and it got very chilly. We spent 21 hours in the shelter.
Date: 2005-03-30
From: hot springs, nc

To: Pond Campsite
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: clear sky

Just A quick update I am in Hot Springs now. The Libary is closed today so I have a quick minute at the outfitter. I Have a cold again but still doing good, I hope to have some journal entry's entered in the next week. I am still hiking with Gravity, Danger Pea, Spoonie,, SciFi, And flying turtle.We comboy camped under the stars after a late start out of Hot Springs. I am carrying dayquil, nyquil, and lots of halls trying to break my cough and cold up.
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Pond Campsite

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: moderate rain

Rained today so I did a short day so my cough wouldn't get worse. I slept most of the afternoon thanks to Nyquil. I let Spoonie, Flying Turtle, and Scifi know I might go home tomorrow for a few weeks to get over being sick.
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little LAurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I woke up still feeling sick so I ate breakfast and let everyone know I have decided to go home for a few weeks to get over this cold, everyone said there goodbye's and I got a few email addresses and decided to start walking back towards the road then I turned and yelled APRIL FOOLS. I fooled everyone that was at the shelter and we all had a good laugh. I did however decide to go back to Hot Springs and visit the doctor. Flying Turtle and Spoonine came with me so they could go eat a good breakfast. The doc says I have a regular cold mixed with allergy's, not much he could do for me. So I went and bought allergy medicine and and more halls and we hitch back to the trail. We still got some miles done so it wasn't to bad of a day. In the afternoon after we got to the Shelter it started to rain. At the shelter tonight we have Flying Turtle, Spoonie, Kitty litter, LoKi, Whitey, 2 section hikers, and myself.
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Little LAurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: snow

Went to sleep to the sound of rain and woke up with snow on the ground. Flying Turtle, Spoonie and I were the last to leave the shelter at 10:30. It was still snowing when we left but as we walked the flakes got bigger and bigger and the wind blew harder' By the time we arrived at the shelter there was about 6 inches of snow on the ground. The shelter was a mess the wind had blown snow into it all day so we had to clean it out and set Spoonie's tarp across the front to try to stop the wind from blowing more snow in. Since the trail was difficult to find in the blizzard condition's we decided to stay. I told Spoonie to change out of her wet clothes as soon as we got there since she was cold already, but she didn't listen and decided to cook. When Spoonie finally changed and got into her sleeping bag she shivered for a good 30 minutes and still could not get warm so Flying turtle and I laid in our sleeping bags and laid on top of her to get her warm took about 30 minutes. A elderly man named Spiderman came in a little later and he was glad we were there so he didn't spend the cold night alone. The wind still was blowing snow in all night and my sleeping bag got a little wet but I was nice and warm.
Date: 2005-04-03
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Delvil fork Gap
Miles today: 8.7

What a cold night with more snow total of about 8 inches. Spiderman was the first to leave the shelter so he had to find the whiteblazes that marked the trail with 8 inches of snow on the ground and snow drifts knee high in some places. When we left the shelter 2 hours later we had a good set of foot prints to follow and he only got turned around 1 time, we caught him around lunch and took over finding the trail that led us to the next shelter. It was a long slow day that took us a little over 4 hours to go 6 miles. Spoonie, FT, and I decided since it was a slow day we would just try to get to Erwin today for more food and to get dry. we hiked three more miles for a road and hitched to Erwin and got a room at the Holiday Inn express. Ahh the comforts of a hotel fresh laundry, bed, Tv, and Ice Cream.
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Delvil fork Gap

To: Campsite
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

Spoonie, FT, and I had the free breakfast and we were hitching back to the trail by 9:30. It took us two hitches to get back to the trail but only 45 minutes, Spoonie is good luck with the hitches but she is a women and they usually have a easier time getting a ride. Today was more of a uphill battle in the snow and I lost, for every step forward it felt you took a half a step back. The trail was very slushy and still had some high snow drifts. Tonight we found a dry spot to camp, this will be the 1st night this year I am using my tent. I want to thank everyone that has signed the quest book and sent me email of support. I don't get to use the internet much but I am reading them when I get a chance. My cold is gone the allergy medicine seems to be helping alot, I still have a slight cough but other then that I am well and having fun. I found out some friends ahead of me have left the trail I wish them the best of luck. Off to bed with the traffic from I-81 in the distance.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Campsite

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: few clouds

Long day up over Big Bald, there is still snow on the trail. A quick day into Erwin tomorrow and to Miss Janet's Hostel. I should have mentioned when I was at the doctors the other day they weighed me and I am down 15 pounds from when I started, I need to eat more.