morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-03-17
From: Dick's Creek

To: Campsite
Miles today: 1.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the hotel about 11 am and went to get my haircut, I think it turned out reasonably well. Got lunch at Subway and then dad and I headed to the trail. After eating and saying goodbye I headed north but my knee began to hurt almost immediately so I only ended up going a little over a mile to a campsite on the top of a ridge. I set up the tent and collected some firewood in case I decided to make a fire later. No one else was in camp and I was bored so I also whittled a button from a piece of plastic from my toothbrush to replace one that fell off of my shirt. This worked surprisingly well. Curtis showed up about five and another guy named Grasshopper around 6. We all ended up huddled under Grasshopper's tarp (he's and ultralite hiker type guy, no tent, just a tarp) talking for several hours, trying to stay warm, and makin hot cocoa as the temps were dropping rapidly. Knee bothers me still so I'm gonna take some Vitamin I now and hope it feels better in the morning. It's 28 degrees as I write this at about 9:30 so it's gonna get cold tonight...
Date: 2007-03-18
From: Campsite

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Great hiking today although pretty chilly all day long. However, as long as you kept hiking you stayed warm. Crossed my first state line today which was very exciting and so far North Carolina is fantastic. This is primarily because the trail magic was phenomenal today. About a mile from Standin' Indian Shelter I was filtering some water and could swear I heard the sound of Johnny Cash floating through the woods. Thinking I must be going crazy I ignored it but sure enough as I continued hiking the sound got clearer and at a road crossing I saw a truck with 4 other people standing around. At the truck Pedro and Patio offered me chips, dip, cookies, GORP, beer, soda, and whiskey if desired. And it didn't stop there. Once at the shelter more trail magic. Rin Tin Tin, a 2004 thru-hiker was up there with more beer cooking bratwurst and pork chops for 10 or so hikers. Fantastic end to the day sitting around a camp fire eating real meat and listening to Ziplock play his guitar. Great Day.
Date: 2007-03-19
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Knee definately was bothering me pretty much all day today, probably because I cut back on my dosage of Ibuprofen as my supply is starting to run low. The last 2-3 miles were extremely painful which was exacerbated my the fact that there was a ridiculously steep climb that necessitated using hands to pull ones self up. However, the view from the top of this climb was outstanding and well worth it. I may stay in Franklin tomorrow if my knee still hurts as badly tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-20
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Wine Spring Campsite
Miles today: 17.3

nee felt better again today so that was good and I ended up going over 17 miles. Then again, I did take my last five Ibuprofen and a couple Tylenol as well so I wasn't feeling much. I'm screwed tomorrown if the knee still hurts as ibuprofen is now gone. Two more trail magic stops today. The first was a wonderful old lady who goes by the trail name Granny Fanny who had beer and soda and later an older couple with a variety of goodies including chips and soda. Granny attempted a thru but didnt make it all the way. On a down side I have developed mome kind of nasty itchy rash on my hands, very distracting and not pleasant to hike with. Temps have warmed up to the mid and low 60's again.
Date: 2007-03-21
From: Wine Spring Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: broken clouds

Knee bothered me almost immediately today even after 3 tylenol which didnt seem to do anything at all. Luckily after 4 miles or so there was more trail magic, this time in the form of a space ship. Actually, it was a guy fom Texas named Apple who had set up an Everest base camp tent that was essentially a giant dome that made a room that was probably 30 ft in diameter. Inside he fed us cookies, hot dogs, and soda. While resting here and talking Grasshopper, who had gone into Franklin yesterday and had been MIA since, showed up with pain killers I had asked him to buy. After taking two Naproxin (Aleve) I was able to hike much more comfortably. Curtis (Bowser is his trail name from now on) left the space ship early so Grasshopper and I hiked together for the rest of the day to the Wesser Bald Shelter. We will hit the NOC tomorrow.
Date: 2007-03-22
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Locust Cove Gap Campsite
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Really feel good tonight! Although today was extremely tiring and consisted of my first real MUDS (Mindless Ups and Downs) it was also extremely fulfilling. In 16 miles I accumulated almost 8000 ft of vertical change. Started with a drop of 3500 ft into the NOC where there was a cool outfitter store and an even cooler restaurant where I purchased a delicious burger and fries. The climb back out consisted of ultimately 4000 ft of altitude gaind with many ups and downs along the way. However, about a mile up the climb I ran into trail crew and decided to stay to help them out for awhile to try to give a little back to the trail I am hiking. Great group of people led by a wonderful guy named Hopeful. It felt great to work with them and they offered me a room and a shower for the night i exchange for my time but I wanted to keep moving so I continued my climb about 3 or so when they started to pack up their tools. Today was absolutely exhausting but at the same time it was completely fulfilling. As I came into camp just as the sun was setting I felt great about the day despite the soreness and being tired... this trail is truly a magical place where you don't seem to accomplish much by society's standards but it makes you feel content just to walk and maybe help some friendly people move some rocks.
Date: 2007-03-23
From: Locust Cove Gap Campsite

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: few clouds

I don't know if it was because I was still tired from yesterday's workout or because I didnt eat a real dinner last night or what but today I was absolutely drained. Every step was forced as I had no energy all day. In the morning I felt a kinda good I guess and I actually wrote a poem in my head as I hiked but by the time the afternoon came around I was just dragging. Finally, got the the Fontana marina about 6 pm and managed to hitch a ride into the Village in the back of pick truck full of Latinos. They were very nice and I actually talked top them about my trip for 5 minutes or so but they drove like maniacs through the winding roads. Anyway, today was the first day I truly did not enjoy hiking which was obviously unpleasant but the dinner I ordered from the Fontana Lodge - chopped sirloin, baked potato, ceasar salad, and a slice of chocolate cake defnately lifted my spirits. Cost about $33 but considering that it was three courses, in a very pleasant and nice decor, was absolutely delicious, and included two draft beers it was actually quite reasonable. Took shuttle for $2 back to the Fontana shelter and hit the sack about 9.
Date: 2007-03-24
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Took my first zero day today which was actually very enjoyable. Manged to resupply in the Village which was expensive cause its a resort town so can't help that.   Spent most of the day sittin on the porch of the general store drinking beer and talking with a variety of other hikers. Dug up some ramps (wild onions) on the hike back to the shelter and put them into a lipon side dish, very tasty.
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Fontana Hilton

To: The Smokies
Miles today: 0.0

Finally getting out of Fontana about noon now. Completely forgot to mention that I go my trail name a few days ago. I was somehow telling about my jery rigged shelter up on Tray Mt. and about my whittled button and someone said, "Your a regular MacGyver, aren't you." And so my name is now MacGyver which oddly enough is what my roommates used to call me too back in college but I definately like it... onward to the Smokies!
Date: 2007-03-25
From: Fontana Marina

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

Spent all morning updating the journal at the Fontana Outfitters before finally hitching a ride back to the trail with a nice family who is on vacation from Florida. As I updated the journals today I was very rushed as I needed to get some miles done today and also other people needed the computer so I don't feel like I did justice on all the days, oh well.    As I said, it was about 1:30 when Grasshopper and I finally started putting in some mileage which started by crossing the Fontana Dam which is the tallest dam in the eastern US at 430 ft. After hiking up a road after the dam for a mile or so I realized that I had never filled out a backcountry camping permit which is necessary in order to stay over night in the Smokies. After considering going without it and risking the $200 fine I thought I better go back and get the permit. Luckily for me a TVA police officer was patrolling up the road and agreed to give me a ride back to the dam. After filling out the permit the Officer Wasserman was kind enough to offer me a ride back to the trail head as well. Even the police turn into trail angels.   The climb up into the Smokies was rumored to be brutal but didn't turn out to be all that bad except for the fact that the weather was so stinking hot. My watch thermometer read 96 degrees at the base which means that it was actually about 90 which is uncomfortable to climb even small grades with any pack, much less a flreshly resupplied (read heavy) one.    Got a couple great views though and met a couple nice section hikers at the shelter who were offering Lemon Drops (vodka shots) to anyone who wanted them.
Date: 2007-03-26
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got started at the usual 9:30 or so today despite a plan to start around 8 or even earlier in order to hike in the cool of the morning and siesta during the highest temps of the day. This was actually a voluntary failure because the temperature had dropped probably about 30 degrees and I could see from in the shelter that it was very overcast so I figured that it would not be as hot and it wasn't as it only got up to the mid 70's. Felt great to be hiking today as the sun came out around 11 and there was several nice views. Spent most of the day alone, only seeing people at the typical spots - shelters and water sources.    Grasshopper and I had the same destination but he unfortunately lost his glasses and decided to turn back to look for them late in the day when he realized they were gone. This meant 2.5 miles back to the last shelter and several more tomorrow slack-packing (not wearing a pack). Hopefully we'll meet back up in a few days.    I finally got to the shelter about 7:45, which is late since it gets dark shortly after 8. I had to cook in the dark but no other problems. Flower Lady is here, I've been heard about her several times as she is supposed to be extremely nice and earned her trail name from giving little kids flowers from her greenhouse back home. Fence Man is also here and is the only one I've met before, he's a nice guy but seems to be struggling on the trail - he has a very heavy pack.
Date: 2007-03-27
From: Siler's Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

I climbed to the top of the AT world today and saw all of nothing.    Started my day earlier today around 8:15 and climbed through several interesting fauna zones.   Started out in a bald which is basically and area where nothing except grasses grow, no one really knows why these areas exist, they are just barren hilltops. I then went through a fairly standard forest area and as I ascended on into a forest dominated by Douglas Fir and Spruce trees where everything is covered in mosses. As I climbed it became more and more overcast and hazy until by the time I reached the Summit of Clingman's Dome at 6641 ft (the highest point on the AT) I was basically walking through a cloud bank. Of course, I could see nothing from the top except a wall of white.    While eating lunch at the summit, hoping the clouds might clear, I met a nice older lady named Signage. For the rest of the day as we descended I leapfrogged with her which turned out quite advantageously for me as she had a friend meet her at the only road crossing in the Smokies. This friend also happened to be a Trail Angel who gave me a tangerine, orange juice, chocolate, oreos, chocolate, an apple, and various other goodies. Got to the shelter shortly later around 7.
Date: 2007-03-28
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Did my first day over 20 miles today however the trail was so nice that it doesn't seem like it should hardly count. In the morning, after passing through a short section of evergreen trees where there was actually a large block of ice in the middle of the trail, I was on a basically flat ridgeline for about 7 miles. These should have been fast easy mile but there was breathtaking view after breathtaking view the whole way so I stopped frequently for pictures and just to admire. Even after getting off of that ridge the trail continued to have a very forgiving grade. This was mostly because this section of the trail is open to horses so it needs to be easy for them. There was a mild thunderstorm in the afternoon from about 3:00 to 6:00 but it never rained that hard and the lightning was mostly far away. My pack stayed dry but my supposedly waterproof/breathable jacket is turning out to be neither.   Got to the shelter about 6:30 and ate pretty much everything left in my food bag as resupply is tomorrow. Also ate a bunch of cookies that another hiker was giving away. I've decided I need to pack less GORP (Good Ol' Raisins and Peanuts) and more cookies and candy...
Date: 2007-03-29
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Left the shelter at 8:15 and almost all day was down hill. Another couple of nice views but mostly just forest walking. Rained on and off again all day but nothing major, although it did get annoying constantly putting on and taking off my rain jacket. As I descended from the Smokies the change in elevation became apparent as flowers and trees were definately more in bloom here than in the higher altitudes.   Got to the hostel about 3 and got a shower and did laundry. It's a very nicce set-up here. $15 gets you a cot in the bunk-house, a load of laundry, and a shower. There is also a fairly complete resupply store on the premises but his prices a quite high so I think I'll just get a day or two here and get a longer resupply in Hot Springs, about 30 trail miles away.
Date: 2007-03-30
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.6

After updating my journal yesterday afternoon I spent the rest of the day relaxing, talking, reading, and playing guitar. We ordered pizza for dinner and drank a few beers as well. Curtis, the guy who runs the hostel, is a great person who genuinely seems to care about the comfort of the hikers who stay with him, he's also hilariously funny to talk with. Late in the evening I mentioned mostly as a joke that I wanted to try some moonshine while I was down in the south and Curtis looks at me then walks away. About a minute later he returned holding a 20 oz Dasani water bottle and hands it to me. I unscrewed the cap the smell it and it has a definite liquor smell to but is unlike any liquor I've had before. After I took a sip Curtis informed me that it was moonshine which a guy up the road makes. It was very smooth and actually tasted quite good despite the fact that "It's the low grade stuff, only about 140 proof." The five or so of us passed the bottle around several times until finally people started heading off to bed. As I made to leave, Curtis said, "Don't you want that moonshine? I gave you the bottle, you better take it." I wasn't going to argue.Slept very soundly that night but woke up without feeling any repercussions from lasts nights activities thankfully. Was packed up and ready to leave by 9:30 but I ended up having to wait around till 2:30 when the UPS delivery truck finally showed up with the package of maps for the next section of trail. Left the hostel around 2 and hiked 13.6 miles up to the summit of Max Patch Bald although I did not arrive until 8:30, well after dark. Talked to a guy who was up there just camping for the night with his girlfriend and then set up my own tent and cooked dinner, looking forward to morning as there could be a very nice sunrise.
Date: 2007-03-31
From: Max Patch

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

As hoped for, the sunrise from the top of Max Patch was spectacular so it ended up being a blessing that I had to stick around at the hostel yesterday otherwise I would have been at a shelter. Hit the trail by 7:15 and caught up to Snack Break at the shelter 1.5 miles beyond Max Patch where I ate breakfast. Just as she was leaving two other hikers, Pink Panther and Tundra, showed up. They are a couple from Anchorage, Alaska. Unfortunately, it seems that Pink Panther is feeling quite sick and is also very home sick, she complained alot about the trail and the poor comparisons it has with the scenery in Alaska, although I think she may just be upset from being sick. Hopefully she won't end up going home as I don't want to see anyone leave ans so far, none of the people I've gotten to know have left.    Hiked a total of 19.8 miles and got into Hot Springs, NC around 6:30. So far my experiences in this town have been great. Town seems to consist of a diner, post office, two hostels, a small grocery store, and an outfitter. Tonight I'm staying at the Duckett house, the smaller of the two hostels which is actually a B+B with bunkhouse/hostel over a barn. It's not the nicest but it will do I suppose. The other hostel, The Sunnybank, is absolutely incredible. The building is an old Victorian house which, upon entering, is like a museum. The owner, Elmer Hall was a comparative religion professor at Duke and also spent a number of years in Asia traveling and working with the Peace Corps. As a result he collected many Asian antiques which decorate the house along with many other pieces of Victorian era antique furniture that fit the decor of the house. I am going to try to get a room there tomorrow night as Hot Springs seems like a great place to take a zero day.
Date: 2007-04-01
From: Hot Springs, NC

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

A room opened up at the Sunnybank so I moved my stuff into a private room there instead of the bunkhouse at the Duckett House. The owner of the Duckett House was nice enough to allow me to work off my stay instead of paying money and only made me weed and mulch a small 8 by 10 foot garden which only took an hour or so. A large portion of the rest of the day seemed to be taken up by eating with breaks in between which were spent in the porch or the music room (complete with 2 guitars, a banjo, fiddle, and piano) of the Sunnybank. For lunch I ate at the diner and had a huge portion of beef tips with gravy on rice with a side of fried okra. This was followed by appla pie a la mode. Dinner was served at the Sunnybank as Elmer and his assistant, Sunny, are very accomplished vegetarian chefs (he used to run a vegetarian restaurant in Durham). Dinner was excellent and began with a potato soup, followed by the best salad I've ever eaten with a home made dressing, the main course was some kind of slightly spicy Mexican/Indian bean and rice dish, and dessert was Key lime pie. I literally ate so much food at dinner that I felt ill for an hour afterwards and had to just lay on a couch upstairs but this was not that bad either because Elmer allows hikers to use his large personal library which is upstairs. The Sunnybank is truly a great place, I wish I had the time and money to stay a few more days but I am also anxoius to get back out on the trail again tomorrow.
Date: 2007-04-02
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke up at 8 to do laundry and a quick resupply at the grocery store. Also went to the outfitter where I ended up buying a hydration bladder to replace the Gatorade bottles I've been carrying, this will hopefully be a little more convenient and will also increase my water capacity significantly which I've been worrying about once it gets hot. Ate breakfast at the diner again where they again served me a giant skillet of eggs, sausage, and home fries. I learned my lesson from yesterday though and didn't eat more than I thought prudent and took a to go box for the rest.Several other hikers and I decided to visit the hot springs before leaving town and it was quite relaxing to sit in the hot water, although the jets in the tub did not work for some reason. We asked the lady at the desk for a partial refund to which she replied, "We sell water, jets are a bonus." Oh well. There was a fairly steep climb up out of Hot Springs when we finally got on the trail around 1 but it leveled off after climbing 1100 ft or so. At the shelter Grasshopper and I were chased off by the mice who were exceptionally tenacious for some reason. We were cooking on the picnic table and a mouse showed up right on the table, sitting in the shelter there was one who would just watch us just out of reach. Enough being enough we decided to set up tents a short distance away.
Date: 2007-04-03
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: broken clouds

Very nice morning without any dew on the tent fly which is always nice. After four miles we came across a sign that advertised trail magic that would be worth the extra quater mile walk up a road to get to it. We took the bait and walked up to a large house where we were greeted by several hikers who were just leaving and who said, "I hope you're hungry." We were and we were not disappointed by the magic either. The owners of the house, who thru-hiked in 2004, go by Hercules and FAL (Free At Last). As I showed up about 10:30 I got both breakfast and lunch starting out with 2 waffles (real Belgian waffles, not eggos or anything), followed by pulled pork sandwiches, and strawberry bannana pie. This was exceptional trail magic and I ended up staying for two hours. Finally hiked on to Jerry Cabin Shelter where the Goats (a group of three girls - Sarah, Amy, and Chelsea - who just graduated college and are hiking together), Ninja, Papa Hawk, and Lindsey (who is P-Hawk's daughter) had already filled up the shelter.Well the library is about to close so I need to rap it up, I'll catch up this journal someday. I am in Damascus, Virginia right now. Pictures will be coming soon as well.