morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I took an very easy day to hike. I hiked to stover creek shelter and ate a snikers and some water. After the break I hit the trail come across to exhausted men started chatting and found that I was going back to springer. So I had to turn around , I must of lost a little under an hour. Last night there was a day hiker, Larry. Who came to camp at 8pm. I was asleep. THis morning he gave me a cup of chili,, which I'm saving for a day Idon't want to cook. Today is the day for my trail name, it's Lucky! Because well I have bad luck but a good attitude to laugh about it and keep going on.
Date: 2003-04-27
To: NONE
Miles today: 0.0

I've decided to take a day off today. My left knee is very sore and my body is tired. Bit I still have alot to keep me busy. I have to make plans to pick up more mail droops. Clean some gear and tent seal my tent and food bag. Last night I hung my whole pack with my food bag inside it. A mouse found its way into the bag around the obsticles of the bear cables. The little fury guy ate at least four holes in my food bag. Attacked the gorp and a "cheese and cracker" snake. I'm in the process of ducttaping my food bag a little piece on each side of the wholes and I'm going to tent seal around the tape. I hope this works. I tried my dehydrated eggs for breakfast NOT GOOD!!!but I will carry them for Emergency food until my next mail dropone of the 'Trail Antz' sisters sugguested that I put it with my Mac and Cheese to add protein. I think that maybe a possibility as well.7:04pm The day was nice I feel like I've been busy I found another food drop at a Camp Ground in Tenn. THis should help keep my pack weight down and a showered body.I'm over and out!ButtercupPS My campsite has a bunch of buttercups in front of it :)
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 0.0

7:10 am I didn't sleep much last night. My tent played a fun house for mice. THose little furry rodents where running around my tent, over my6 pack, even up th netting of the tent and across the pole.I didn't shut my pack tightly, because if the animals want to get in they will chew a little hole. I could hear them playing on my pack an alls I could do was prey please don't chew. There was a point about 2am where I was going to check my bag. But I decided against it, because what would I do with the mouse if I saw it. There is no chance that I'm ready to touch it yet!!7:31pmMade it to chees factory camp area. I thought I was going to be alone. THen Bob from mass came in after I ate and hung my bag.The hanging of the bear bag was kind of challanging becasue I really didn't know the best wat to hangit. So I decided to put it over a branch on one tree, but tie it high on another. Well see if it works.The campsite has a veiw of the mountains, I can't wait to see at sunrise. I hope its not cloudy. So I can get a good view.I'm going to bed early so hoopefully I can sleep with out any rodent attacts. I hope I see the sunrise. ~ Peace, Buttercup
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs
Miles today: 0.7

Hiked a whooping 0.7 miles stayed at Rainbow springs campground. Today was a nice mellow day. I set up my tent, took a nice warm shower with alot of scrubbing, but now I;m nice and clean. I washedd my clothes, and even checked my email. This place was very friendly. I'm camping next to a couple from Florida who are celebrating there 28th aniversary tomorrow. THey set up th back of there SUV into a bed, Its really great to see people still having so much fun and enjoying life. I hope I have there spirits in 30 years. I'm definitly glad I took my day off here. Now I'm going to relax by the stream.Buttercup!
Date: 2003-05-05
From: 10 miles

To: Natahala
Miles today: 0.0

Made it to Nantahala Outdoor Center in the pooring rain and thunder. My feet were cold and soaked but I had the best hike ever. I made good time and was just at peace. I met up with wolferine, Lonlet, Laughing bird, Jerry and his freind.We went out to see a movie was a nice break then we just chilled out had deep conversation and wine. "The reason why we are sad is because we are selfish."~Jerry At Section hiker
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I entered the smokies Yahoo!!!!   I started my day of hiking late due to having to go get my first maildrop out of fontana Dam. Now I am resuplied and 10 pounds more in my pack. I felt the weight of my food today on mu four mile climb straigt up. It was rough. THere was a fire tower on the first peak that I opted not to go up due to the hot and humid weather and mu lack of water. I'm glad I decidded against it because I would of ran out of the water. Everyone is telling me it was a great view but i'm sure I'll be back to see it. I saw Fugiboots today. He went ahead 1 Shelter. Wolverine is here. But there is probably a dozen of new faces to me. I even named a thru hiker with a trail name. He was going by Steve (his name) but he has had bad luck with fire and his stove so they were going to call him Fire Marshall. Then thrird degree (but he only go burned 2nd Degree, so I suggested Singed. I think he's going with that. I really didn't want to leave the campfire tonight but its 10pm dark and I just head 2 hard days. I hope it doesn't stay hot and humid. I think I would rather have the rain. Last night I met Papa John in the SHelter. He is now missing, we think he took a wrong bule blaze trail. I hope he turned back to the campsite. I'm worried for him. I hope he will be alright. Buttercup singning out! GOODNIGHT
Date: 2003-05-09
From: 10 miles

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I forgot yesterday I hitched a ride on a Lawnmower for about 1 mile up hill coming back from the post office. It was great.Today, was such a sweat day. The sun was out, not to humid and there were views, I stopped at spence field and just layed back in the grass and enjoyed the sun, thefield, and the mountains.I just thought of how I'm here on the AT and loving it. THere is alot of people here for different reasons. I really don't have a reason that I know of why I'm here. I just had a feeling one day telling me to do the trail this year. SO I listened to my heart and I'm here. As I'm watching the clouds dancing about me I just asked why am I here. I just had this relaxed felling after that. I don't really know if there is reason, but I am confortable with my self and being out in the woods. I am appreciating everthing that is going on around me. Today I saw deer ar the shelter. Just grazing away not even caring we are here. Is this how things are supposed ot be. I wonder, I'm glad to slow down the fast pace of the world and living so basic. YOu learn how to cope with the small stuff because you just don't have a choice. I wish everyone can learn to simplify and be one.
Date: 2003-05-11
From: 10 miles

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.5

HAPPY MOTHER"S DAYToday I hiked 16.5 miles and wouldn't you know it started to rain as I was 20 yards on the trail. My Luck. I was totally unprepared for it. I hiked the highest point of the AT today Clinemans Dome. It was super windy, raining, and I could swear I saw some snow flakes, I could bearly stand up. THere was not a good view. So I decided to take the sidewalk down to the bathroom and warm up for an hour. GOd I never knew that I would be happy to hang out in the Lady's Room. But it paid off, the sky cleared up enought for a half decent view. Thank you GOD!! I also saw a snail that was about 3-4 inches long with a shell the size of a pingpong ball. I can honestly say that was the biggest land snail I ever saw. It is cold tonight but the mice are still running around. I saw a white tailed deer as I went to the privy tonight but still no bears. Maybe tomorrow.
Date: 2003-06-07
From: Damascus, Va

To: 10 miles
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up this morning with an headache from a night of great dining and too much kareoke. What a great time I had last night, sort of sang the YMCA (sorry, laughing bird I know I broke the no singing rule), I also danced. We had a table of about 15+ thru-hikers BearBait, Nova, Yogi, Magic Rat, Curly Dan, Slide Show Bob, Singe, Dandilion, Johnny Lama, Paddler, Paddlers and Lama's Mom, and a new hiker. Bear Bait ended up going back to Huston to let her knee recover, and Paddler is off to an swollen foot. I'm really hope that they can rejoin the trail up north. Time to eat!!!!
Date: 2003-06-08
From: Damascus, Va

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's 9:48 a.m. and my stomach is still bothering me. It is very crampy and nauses. It has been bothering me for the past 3 days, but last night it really kick my butt. I first thought it was bad food or water, then dehydration because I am no bringing more the 2 liters a day which I will work on. But now we are calling it the Erwin Flu, because it is affection other thru-hikers. I think I'm going to take another zero day and just push down alot of fluids. I just want to curl up in a ball and fall asleep. Maybe I will bring my sleeping pad to the park and buy a gallon of water and sleep in the green grass of the park and take in this sunshine. To top it off Papa-John came in last night, at first I stuck up for him but I can not do that much longer. I found out he has been writing some very impolite things in the journals, and tries to catch up to me and laughing bird. I wish this boy would learn some respect and manners. It is a wounder that he has survived this long on the trail, in the fact that no one on the trail as kicked his butt. I guess the trail brings a higher tolerance levels, because off the trail I don't think anyone could be as tolerant that we are around him. I feel bad for thinking this way, I try to be a very positive person. Maybe I'm just tired and my stomach cramps are making me grumpy. I wish I had a hotwater bottle right now. But for now I'm going to push the fluids, take a nap, hopefully say good-bye to the Mainer "Paddler", and maybe hit the trail if a miricle happens an I feel better. Good-morning and Good-night at the same time. Buttercup
Date: 2003-07-01
From: Dailsville, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I was sitting outside of a coffee shop with Tic-Tac, Monk, Tucker, and Rodent when a lady came up and started to talk to us. She has offered to let us stay at here house for the night due to some severe storms. We all sat and thought about it while we were shopping at the outfitters. The offer sounded good, but we were unsure on if whe should get some miles in. She called the outfitters and cancelled the offer due to an migrane headache, then called again to reopen the offer. We decided to go. The trail angel's name was Shari. We went to her house, which had a wounderful warm touch to it. When we went in someone noticed the scent, and said how good it was to smell a house. I really never noticed the warm scent that houses have, this one was very floral. Shari and her husband John made us hamburgers and corn on the grill, and topped it off with cheese cake. Wow, what a wonderful trail magic. Just to see it get better, internet, pool-table, shower, breakfast, and lunch. It felt really amazing that someone out there would give us these things that are part of daily living to others. The boys really enjoyed this act of kindness. They were amazed that a stranger would offer them in there house and be so lovely. I know that it touched my heart, but for the boys it was a really new expierence, and I know that they could not believe a stranger would help them out. We stayed dry for the storm. It was an amazing day. I met a wounderful lady and saw the appreciation in four young guys, that made my heart smile. I hope Shari and John the best and thank you for everything.love,buttercup
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

Tody I woke up to a great breakfast, scrambled eggs, bagels with cream cheese, juice, and bananas. I could not believe Shari made all of the food by 6:30. I ended up going to a doctores office visit with her, which felt nice to be in a car and just talk. She then brought me to the post office, and CVS to pick up some pictures. I was disapointed in the pictures, but that was okay because I have the memories. When Shari brought us back to town, she treated us to a dinner at the "Three Pigs" a BBQ resturaut that served the best BBQ pork sandwich I ever had. We said our good-byes and I don't ever think I will forget the kindness and joy she brought us. We hiked 10 miles to Wilson Creek Shelter. Tonight we had a full shelter Monk, Tucker, Tic-Tac, Rodent, Roddie, Shamus, Aaron, and a new character Q-tip who came in later. The weather was rain from a tropical storm. The guys are talking about doing a 20+day tomorrow. I will probally lose them. Good Night,Buttercup
Date: 2003-07-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.0

Today I hiked 21 miles, YIPPEE!!! The weather called for showers but they never came. Though my boots are still soaked from yesterdays rain. Today I developed at least 3 blistersand discovered afeter 730 miles my Smart Wool sockes developed holes in the heels. Now I'm down to one pair of usable socks.This shelter is nice and big. There were alot of section hikers staying tonight. Tomorrow Tic-Tac, Monk, Q-tip, and Tucker are planning on hiking in 26 miles to get into a town for the Fourth of July. Am I up to the challange? I don't know. Getting the miles in will be great, but with blistery feet it might just be calling for a moleskin Feast. Goodnight, now I get to sleep in a shelter full of hot young guys.   Who says the AT is tough? Okay, but sleeping here tonight is a deffinate bonus, great veiws.Peace,Buttercup
Date: 2003-07-23
From: Harpers Ferry

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I got my picture infront of the ATC headquarters. Now I'm officially in there hiker photo album #722! I have the same excitment as I did in the beganning of the trail. But now it is I've hiked 1,000 miles!!! With no blue blazes or yellow blazing. I feel so proud of myself. I made it into the four digits. I think I'm going to head out of town tomorrow. I will see. I get to hang around laughing bird, paddler, singe, and johnny lama should be getting in town soon. I picked up my mail packages today, and there were 3 packages. I was expection 2, but the third was from my old co-workers at Grove Hill Urology. They sent me all kinds of high energy bars, which is great because they are a little out of my budget to get for daily use. But I love the spunk they put in my steps. Thank-you guys. I also recieved an Email from one of my trail angles Shari. She is such a giving sole. Bless you, Shari. Well, there is an Ice Cream Shoppe shouting out my name right now. It is a must go.the very excited to be at the mental half-way point,buttercup
Date: 2003-08-12
From: 501 shelter

To: Phyllip's Canyon Spring
Miles today: 19.7

WOW! Today NO RAIN! Partially sunny with a breeze. Great day for hiking. The trail was a river 8 inches deep in some areas, fallowed by an rocky area, then becoming very friendly.Early on in the hike I seen Rodent at a stop on some rocks, at first I thought a great veiw overlooking the area. Then, I noticed he was facing the wrong way. Instead it was a rattlesnake, so of coarse I thought of a great photo oppertunity, but unfortanitly Rodent rufused to pick up the snake and pose for the camera. So I just took the boring picture of the snake on the rocks. I also saw an turtle, and another snake.I had pizza yesterday, which made me very gassy today. I just thought I would throw that in. No, there is a story. So I thought I had to make a bowel movement in the Penn. State Game Land. I dropped my pack, walked 50 yards, and dug my poop-hole. So as I'm hoovering over this hole I hear nose. 'Hunters' I thought. So as I'm trying to go quickly, finding out I'm just full of air loudly, I spot a black snake slithering inches away from me. Crossing the deer trail. This snake was over 4 feet long, next to my naked butt. I lost all uges to finish my business at that moment. I just stood still and watched this reptile climb a tree right infront of me into a woodpeckers hole. Great so now I can't shit or stand by a tree wondering 'what is really inside that tree'. The rest of the day I didn't go to the bathroom or get to close to any trees.I was planning on hiking into Port Clinton today. I would of not ariived until 8ish tonight. But as I'm walking down the trail, I noticed a tent. It was Rodent. I was really knid of happy to see that he didn't hike into town. This way I would just camp out in the woods and save money. Town is 3 miles away. I can make that in the morning. Im hoping there will be a payphone really close to the trail. There is a shelter with an showerr at 19 miles tomorrow. I would lite to think I would push on out of town, but i don't think I will be that strong. Well, I'm going to retire now in my hammock.Happy Trails to ALL!buttercup
Date: 2003-08-23
To: Cat Rocks
Miles today: 17.0

Its 8:30 on a Sat. night and where am I? In an sleeping bag getting ready to fall a sleep. What a way to spend my first night n New York. Yes that was New York I'm in the land of the Yankees! On a rock under the stars. Overlooking lakes, ridges, and I-93. Stars are above me as clear as can be. God this is beautiful.Beautiful weather, in the day with blue skys, and a cool breeze, 80's YEAH! Tonight about 60 digrees now with a cool breeze. Just me and the Rock.The hike today was great, lots of rock scrambls, a lot ridgeline walking, and little amount of miquitos. I had a Raven scare the crap out of me today. I was on a rock scramble probaly a 5.4 and the bird just scraim at the top of it's lungs and shot out of a cave. I'm shocked that I didn't fall off the cliff or die of an har attact. Alls I could do was laugh. I also saw a huge black bear today. I sant to it for a little while as it watched me curiously, then he took off in the woods. I didn't get picture of it.Well it's dark, I'm tired, and I wnt to shut off my headlamp so I can enjoy th stars. Layinghere on te cliff makes me miss climbing. This looks like it would be a kickass spot, buthe anchors would be tough.Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,Buttercup
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Graymore Friary

To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.0

I woke up this morning and went to the 7:15 mass at the frier. The curch bells woke me up at 7:00, so I was in a rush. It was funny I was getting dressed running down the street, just like my old school days.After mass when I arived back at the baseball field (that is where the hikers tent),Bear Bait and Curly Dan were up. We all had breakfast and went back to sleep. I had a nightmare which is pretty uncommon for me. In my dream I woke up, got out of my hammock and collapsed. I was laying on the ground and none of the hikers noticed me. My vision was blurred and I didn't have the energy to call for help. I just lied there usless. Feeling scared, I though I was dying. Then a loud fog horn woke me up. I was never so glad to find out I was in my hammock. I really never thought I feared death, after that dream I"m going to have to reconsider that.By the time I gathered my belongings and hit the trail it was 2:00 in the afternoon. I'm not all that bothered by my late start because I was tired and felt I needed the rest. Bear Bait and Curly Dand deciced to take a zero day and wait for Boomhouser who is MIA (missing in action). He was last seen hitching into town and no word of him since. Everyone (Nova, Sing, Slideshow, Curly Dan, BearBait, and myself)is worried about him. I don't mean to sound like an heartless yankee, I so wonder where he is, but he is a grown man and is capable of taking care of his own. I wish I was able to see him, because I owe him a huge appoligy. I guess fate takes its course. cowboys and indians.I think I hiked 17 miles, I will figure out the calculations tomorrow. Today hiking was pretty easy. The hills in NY are short so they don't kick butt to bad. I stopped on a big flat rock at 5 o'clock to cook my dinner, because I was planning to night hike. my food situation is lower then I would like it to be. It's to the pointI was considering eating dogfood out of the hiker box. I'm going to try to make it to Connecticut befor a resupply. I'm going to be pushing luck a bit.I did end up hiking until 10:15 then I dec ided to put up my hammock. I was considering to cowboy camp under the stars on one of the mountains. It was gourgious up there. You could see Mars beaming through the sky, a big bright red light. Yes, Mars is at the closest point to the earth that it will be in my life time. Well, that is granted I don't live as long as Mose did. But due to high humidity,and clouds to the west it feels like a chance of showers, so I opted not to stay up ther, and pushed for my last mile. I hope the crew hears or runs into Boomhouser. I hope he's not stuck in a worm hole.
Date: 2003-08-29
To: Kent, Connecticut
Miles today: 23.7

Wow, I really didn't sleep that well last night. I didn't realize that I sat my tent way to close to the trail. And there would be a group of teens marching by to the hill top. I think it was the Mars lookout crew. But as soon as I would start to doze I was awaken. Then that finally ended, but I just couldn't fall a sleep.    I started my hike at 7:30ish, hiked to a flat rock and made a breakfast. My food supply is very low at this point. So I only had 3 grannola bars for a snacks to last me all day, not enough. But I thought my exciment for hiking into my home state would counterbalance the situation. It did up until the last 3 miles. My pace dropped severally to a little over a mile per hour. The last three miles were the hardest miles of the trip for me so far. I BONKED! Exhausted and hungry, I had to find it in my body physically to left my legs on each rock and move on. The inclines were killing me, as I strugled and legs were trembling while I was just saying to myself "Please, make it. Please, make it. Don't callapse now, just have to make it to the road." I was never so happy to hear the sound of a car go by. "I'm close, Thank you God, I'm close to the road."    When I finally arrived at the road three hours behind schedule, I found a rock with a note under it. "BUTTERCUP" it read. Yes, I have a ride home! So I picked it up and read it. It was from Mom and Dad. They gave Fuzzy and Snuffles a ride into Kent, and wanted me to wait right there. Alls I could do is think of food....I had a little over a dollar in my pack, and I needed calaries!!! I just wanted to hitch and by whatever I could with a buck, but I decided to wait. So I put my pack down and leaned on it. Exahusted I just kept falling in a snooze as I waited.   Finally my Mom's car comes around with Snuffles in the front seat. My poor Mom comes and gives me a hug in excitement to see me, and I'm struggling to stand but I really didn't want to show it. So off in the car we go with my dirty hand in a huge bag of M&Ms, stuffing them in my mouth as fast as I could, just happy to have food.    In Kent, we hung out with Fuzzy and Snuffles. Ate half pound hamburgers, and just caught up. Fuzzy and Snuffles were now going southbound so I really was not expecting them to be in town. But it worked out well, they took the worry out of my parents for me being 3 hours late, and insured them that the hiker comunity was a safe great atmosphere. Thank you Fuzzy and Snuffles for giving my parents the comfort.   I drove home. The first time I drove in over four months. It felt wierd, I definatly didn't speed, but I did go over my 2.5mph pace. I stopped to see my sister Lillian and her family. When I got to the door little Samantha runs and yells "Auntie Debbie!" pause, "You cut your hair! Why did you cut your hair?" She is so cute and little William just came running and gave me a big boy hug squeezing me hard waiting to be spun around. It was nice, definiatly worth the 3 mile death march earlier in the day.