morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-24
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: few clouds

Alright so first I'm going to answer a couple questions. I do have a camera with me but I am technologically challenged and can not update so I have to send my memory card home and have my mom upload them. Second, I stay in towns every couple days so am able to get on computers in libraries or hotels and update my journal. Thats all the questions I can think of so here's the blog.I decided to try and rearrange my backpack this morning by putting my sleeping bag tied to the bottom and putting my therma rest inside my pack. I took 2 steps and the sleeping bag fell out so I had to rearrange everything again. I was pretty mad like all day and just kinda wanted to be alone. The chaffing has not gotten any better probably actually worse. It looks so gross and every step is painful. But on a happier note we completed the Smokies today! I told DOC I wanted to hike alone so I waited a couple minutes after he left but like 10 minutes later he had stopped and I caught up with him. We leap frogged like 20 times and I just got even more pissed off each time. We got to a road and had to walk on it for like half a mile. When we went back into the woods it was uphill and really hot so I got ahead of DOC and there was no more leap frog. Not even a mile later it felt like a bee stung the bottom of my foot. I stopped and took my shoes off and have a blister on the bottom of my foot like on the ball between my big and second toe. I put on my chacos and hobbled to a creek with a sign that said the hostel was to the left. DOC caught up and we slowly made our way to the hostel. I wanted to scream the entire way but luckily it wasn't far. I got a package there and was sad because I didn't have any letters. I made some Ravioli for dinner, I used to eat that all the time back home it was so good! I ate so much I defiantly have the hiker hunger. As I was getting ready to go to bed I found a letter from my dad and got so excited I went back out to the campfire and talked to other hikers for a while! Finally I went to bed though and it felt so good to be on a matress instead of my thermarest.
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: light rain

I was one of the last ones up again today. I ate some poptarts but then when I went down to the kitchen area Honey Dew was making potatos and onions with toast so of course I had to have some. They were absolutely amazing and reminded me of a dish my little brother makes with potatos, onions, and hamburger meat. I would love some of that right now! It was very hard to leave but DOC and I knew we had to get to Hot Springs so I could get my phone fixed. I went over Snowbird Mountain and the wind was so strong I had to stop and brace myself a couple times or I would have been knocked over. DOC caught up around lunch time and it was still pretty windy I thought a tree was going to fall over for sure. He left before me and when I finally got up I went really slow. I did something I haven't done in a long time. I prayed. Outloud. I started crying but prayed for like 30 minutes. After I finished I decided I would talk to Pat. I started crying again and after a while I think he started crying too because it began to rain. On Max Patch the rain let up. It was gorgeous but still windy so I didn't stay up there to long. I thought I had passed the shelter but decided there was nothing to do but keep walking especially since it started raining again. Finally I saw the sign but it looked like the shelter was full. DOC and I found room to squeeze in but we were all packed in there like sardines. I played cards with Sunny, Evergreen, and Concord. Indiana Jones and DOC watched. When we finally all turned our lights out we started hearing the mice. They were all over the place and I knew it would be a long night.
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

Morning came too soon and I checked my bags to make sure no mice got their teeth in them. Thankfully, they didn't! It started raining before we even got out of our sleeping bags but let up pretty quick. The thought of a shower made it easier to start moving. The next shelter we came to was near the top of a mountain and the wind was so bad we had to hide against the wall. Sunny let me use his phone on Bluff Mountain and I got to talk to my mom. I called the other Sunny that hiked with us in 2002 as well and am anxious to see her again in Hot Springs. I talked to my mom some more and it put me in a really good mood. Every step still hurts but now it's my shoulder-neck area. And my shin. One pain just takes away another. At the last shelter before Hot Springs I ate all my food. I had 2 thin mints left but since I was going into town I gave one to Concord and the other to Bojangles. They stayed at the shelter and DOC and I went on to Elmers. The thought of a salad and a shower drove me on. We made it by 4:30 which I thought was awesome since we did 18 miles! As soon as we got there we saw the Smokey Mountain Diner and it had an AT sign on it so it was like the Diner was calling us to eat. I got my salad and a grilled cheese! We checked into Elmers and I took the best shower of my life! We walked over to the laundromat and DOC and Indiana played pool. When I went to switch mine to the dryer I put it in another washer on accident. One of the locals helped me out though. DOC, Indiana and I split a pizza and a 2 liter of Mtn Dew, we sat on the sidewalk in the middle of town as we ate. We couldn't finish it though. We went back to Elmers and Padre joined us to watch a movie. Nobody could decide but when I walked over and saw Death at a Funeral and only Padre had seen it, we had our movie. We laughed the whole time. We stayed up till probably 11 which is like passed hiker midnight. Tomorrow though I will hopefully get my phone fixed!
Date: 2009-03-27
From: Hot Springs

To: WCU
Miles today: 0.0

It was so hot last night. I thought I was going to die. And I forgot to take my pills so I woke up at like 3 in the morning and went to find them. DOC, Indiana Jones and I went to the Smokie Mtn Diner for some breakfast. We went to the post office and I got my package then we went on to the Outfitter where I got some lime green incredible hulk crocs! I'm almost mad at myself because I swore to myself I would never buy crocs but they are so much lighter than my chacos and easier to put on sore feet. Anyways I went and put my package on Elmers porch then went to find Sunny so she could drive me to Greenville so I could finally get my phone fixed!! It was a long drive but worth it. Apparently I broke the port where my charger goes in so that's why it said unauthorized charger when I tried to plug it in. So glad it's fixed though! We went back to Elmers and half my package was gone! I sat it right next to the hiker box so someone thought it was free to grab. Whenever I find that person! No it's cool I went to the Dollar General and got some more food. Probably too much but oh well. I went and hung out with Concord, Sunny and Bojangles while waiting for Sushi and Shaun to come pick me up. They got there around 6 and I was so happy to see them! I threw my stuff in their car and then we drove back to Sylva. I backtracked like 100 miles! It was so weird seeing the same town again. My mom packed me a whole bunch of spaghetti, like enough for at least 2 or 3 people but I ate it all. Then Sushi, Shaun and I got in the hot tub. It hurt so good! The guard girls got there at like midnight. I got teary eyed when I got to see them! We stayed up till probably like 2.
Date: 2009-03-28
From: WCU

To: WCU
Miles today: 0.0

I got to eat a continental breakfast at the hotel. I'm pretty sure I ate everyone under the table. We went Western Carolina University and me and Shaun sat and watched guards perform for 3 hours until LB finally performed! Their flags kept falling over in the background though because the fans were on. It distracted them but I thought they did excellent anyways. After they performed we all went to Ryans. The same one I ate at a week ago!!! Sushi, Shaun and I went back to the hotel after lunch and I did my laundry. We went back to the competition at 6 and there was so much drama it made me wish I was back on the trail. I got a text from Aaron though saying he was with Pogo and I got so excited! During awards everyone in all the guards had to go to the floor and it blew my mind how many people were in one spot because I've been in the woods for 3 weeks and I wasn't used to that many people! LB got 8th out of 9 and we decided not to stay for the rest of them. Courtney won a guard scholarship which we missed and I was so disappointed that we left so soon. We got some taco bell! Then I got to hang out with everyone till about 3 when I finally passed out.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: WCU

To: Tanyard Gap
Miles today: 5.9

I took a shower and then had to start saying goodbye to everyone. It was so sad I almost wanted to just ride the rest of the way home in Sushi's car. When I got back to Hot Springs though I went to the Cafe to see Sunny one last time but she wasn't getting there till 11. So I sat outside and while I was waiting Pogo came along! I was so excited! He now has this adorable puppy, Smoky, that followed him from Franklin to Gatlinburg. So Pogo adopted him. We talked for like 4 hours and other hikers came along and talked with us. Finally I decided I needed to get going because it was like 2 in the afternoon. I started hiking but after like a mile my calf hurt so bad I had to take a break. Pogo, Smoky and DOC caught me and I asked how they felt about only going 5 more miles and then hitching back to Hot Springs for another night. They didn't argue at all. We all split a cabin and I got another shower and did laundry again. DOC and I went to dinner with Sunny at the Iron Horse. It was so good I almost forgot about our laundry. I got there 15 minutes before they were closing! When we got back to the cabin my parents called and we kinda got in a fight. I felt like I ruined everyone elses night because the cabin got pretty depressing after that. We went to bed at like midnight.
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Tanyard Gap

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up pretty early but we didn't really get moving till like 10. We went to the post office and got a hitch back up to Tanyard Gap. We hiked to the first shelter and then stopped for lunch. Smoky started a new game. He would bring mice that he caught to Pogo who would then throw them on the roof. He caught 3 in like 30 minutes. Finally we hiked on. Pogo went ahead and DOC asked if he could hike to Erwin with us. I had to say no because I'm trying to get away from home and him hiking with me is making that kindof impossible. So he said he'd go to a hostel for the night and let us get ahead. I finally found Pogo and we sat for like 10 minutes when DOC came. I went on while they sat and talked for awhile. It was only 2 more miles to the next shelter. All of it uphill. I waited at the shelter for at least 30 minutes or longer and snacked until they finally got there. I ate so much while waiting that I didn't even feel like cooking dinner. I met Sawman, he made a fire but I was so tired I just crawled into my sleeping bag. Smoky was such a pain that Pogo had to go set his tent up after it was dark.
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I think we started hiking at like 10 this morning which was better than yesterday. I hiked with Pogo until we got to the overlooks. Then I went on ahead, DOC and Pogo weren't far behind though and Smoky ran up a blue blaze to another overlook so I followed him and secretly got behind DOC and Pogo. It was beautiful though. I went slowly for the next 3 miles over an exposed ridge. It was really pretty but I thought it was going to rain and started getting scared because I was all alone. Luckily it didn't though and I made it to the shelter where they were confused because they thought I was ahead. I ate some lunch and then DOC left. A family of like 7 came and Pogo convinced me to stay at that shelter. We finished hiking at 1:30 today. It almost drove me crazy but it felt so good to just relax. We built a fire in the shelter and a whole bunch of other hikers kept showing up. They either had to keep hiking or pitch their tent though because there was no room. I made turkey and stuffing which my mom's boss dehydrated for me. It was absolutely delicious! Pogo gave me a shin massage. (He gave me one at the cabin too but I forgot to mention that.) It helps so much and my shins and calves feel so much better. I really think I like Pogo. A lot.
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Pogo agreed we'd do a bigger day today since we didn't even do 7 yesterday. He hiked with me all day long! Smoky ran ahead of us and we were starting to get worried but we figured if he wasn't at the next shelter 6 miles up is when we should really start to worry. Sure enough he had hiked with Sawman and was waiting there. We didn't stop for long though. I just ate a couple of peanut m&ms and then we were off. The sky started clearing up and we passed some old fallen down houses. It was so cool and weird at the same time. We passed a waterfall and got more water when all of a sudden I realized I left my fleece at the last shelter! We had already gone at least 4 miles though so I hoped someone would bring it with them. We kept hiking, mainly climbing and felt like we had gone 15 miles but the shelter was nowhere in sight. We dragged for like another hour hoping it'd be around the next bend. Even Smoky was exhausted and finally when we saw the sign I got excited again. We were the first ones there and all I did was sit. I felt so lazy because Pogo went and got more water, firewood, and made dinner while I just sat. Sawman was the next to get there with...my jacket!!! A lot of other people hiked on so there was only 4 of us in the shelter. We had an awesome campfire! I went to the privy and was reminded of the movie the Hills Have Eyes. I don't know who's seen it but I got pretty freaked out about someone crawling out of it. Smoky had come out there with me though so it wasn't too bad. Finally we all went to bed and Smoky slept in the shelter with us. He was really good last night so hopefully he'll be exhausted and sleep well tonight too.
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 2.4

Pogo was almost out of dog food so we decided to get a ride to town from Sam's Gap which wasn't too far. I'm so glad we did because I think I twisted my ankle. It hurt so bad I was near tears the whole way. Pogo offered to carry my pack but I'm too stubborn and wouldn't let him. At the road John Smith was waiting for a shuttle so Pogo and I shared with him. We stopped at McDonalds and I just shared some fries. I almost fell asleep the rest of the ride to Uncle Johnnys. When we got there though we saw Hardcore so he shared a cabin with us. We went to lunch at a pizza buffet and Spaceship ate 38 slices of pizza! I had a salad and 4 slices. We got showers and did laundry. I'm really retarded though because Spaceship moved our laundry to the dryer and when I went in to see if it was done I thought he had put it back in another washer so I moved it again. Hardcore and Pogo started getting mad at me for taking so long but at least I was doing it for them! Anyways it finally got mostly dry and they got to put on clean clothes. For dinner they drove us to Azteca and Pogo and I had a sudo first date! It was just the two of us and he bought my dinner. I'll have to get a picture of him up here soon so everyone can see how cute he is! Anyways we came back and sat by the campfire for a little while then I went inside and watched Edward Scissorhands! I talked to my mom and told her I can't/don't want to finish in only 5 months. I want to enjoy my trip and if I'm running 15 miles every day there is no way I am going to have fun. Her and dad talked about it and said it would be alright if I start college a semester late! So now I have no real deadline except Katahdin closing for the winter which I don't think is until October so I have plenty of time!!!! I'm so excited!
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Sams Gap

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 0.0

We slept in until 11. It was so great! Even after I woke up I just sat around. I snacked on crackers while everyone else went to lunch and I watched A Time To Kill (based on the best book ever!!!!) I didn't do anything until dinner time and then I went to Azteca again. We ate with all the hikers this time. I think there was at least 10 of us. After we ate I went and got a foot long sub for later! We had a campfire when we got back to Uncle Johnnys and I gave half the sub to Catchup and then another half of my half to DOC. It was kinda depressing because I only got a quarter of what I paid for but I wasn't too hungry and hikers share everything so it's all good.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Sams Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

We were going to wake up for the breakfast shuttle at 8 this morning but when I woke up at 7:55 I decided it wasn't worth it and laid in bed for another hour. I had to get up at 9 though because we were going to take a shuttle back to Sam's Gap and slackpack for the day. We ran into a lot of people mostly day hikers and a couple of groups out for the weekend. We went across Big Bald and Big Stamp. It was so pretty! I think the best view so far! I have pictures but don't know how to upload them so yall will have to wait. My ankle started hurting again. I'm glad I'm not carrying anything today because that would have made it 10 times worse. We met Smiley and One Stick at the shelter and then hiked on to Spivey Gap where my parents were waiting for us. They took us back to Uncle Johnny's and we took showers then they brought us to dinner at Outback! It was like an hour wait so they let me and Pogo take the car to Walmart right up the street. It was so weird to drive after only like 4 weeks! We walked around Walmart and just kinda followed the aisles it was weird to actually have to look for where we were going because we are used to just following the trail. Anyways we got what we needed and I drove back to Outback. When we finally got seated and got to eat, the food was amazing! I had a steak! After dinner my parents took us back to Uncle Johnny's and we made another campfire. I didn't stay up late though my allergies have really started bothering me and I think it's because of Smoky our dog...
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

My parents brought us breakfast from their hotels continental breakfast! Sausage biscuits and cinnamon rolls! We left for another day of slackpacking at 10:30. I said bye to my parents but me and Pogo didn't make it very far. I started crying and Pogo had to go back to the road to get a hitch and find a shelter for Smoky. I was really scared all day hiking because I did not think Pogo would wait for me at Uncle Johnny's. I ran into a couple from Florida who kinda brightened my spirits though. They were really sweet and took my picture to email to my parents. I didn't meet anyone else all day. I got to the shelter and ate a couple cookies but didn't stay long because it was really lonely. It was really hot on top of the ridge but the hiking was really easy so I was moving pretty fast. I got back to Uncle Johnny's before 4pm and Pogo was still there! He and Smoky had to walk the road the whole way back. I was even glad to see Smoky even though he chewed through half my bags. We missed the dinner shuttle so we called in delivery for a salad and pizza. It wasn't too great though but we made a campfire and at like midnight we cooked turkey and stuffing in the cabin then went to bed.
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Erwin

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Smoky threw up last night. So we got new sheets and washed the comforter. We didn't wake up till really late so it was time for the lunch shuttle by the time we had actually gotten up. We went back to the Pizza Plus and I had another salad and more pizza! When we got back Pogo got a shuttle to take Smoky to a pound. It was really sad and depressing. The cabin felt empty and lonely. So I went to the hostel and watched Lord of the Rings the Fellowship. By the time that was over it was almost dark so I went back to the cabin to look for Pogo. Instead I found Brickyard. I was starting to get hungry because we skipped the dinner shuttle so I tried to make hummus. I now know that I do not like hummus. It started raining which turned into sleet. Then later it turned into snow. Brickyard is sharing the cabin with us tonight. Pogo finally came in really late. Apparently he took a really long shower. Then I went to bed.
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Erwin

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

One month ago today I summited Springer Mountain!!!! I set my alarm last night for 7:30 but forgot to make sure it was on am...luckily Brickyard woke up pretty early and for the first time since we got there we got to go on the breakfast shuttle. Only because the weather was bad and they had to move the shuttle back an hour and a half. We went to JD's Market and I got gravy biscuits and a ham biscuit. It was good and really cheap. There was probably 10 of us hikers there and we sat at a little bar. We took up all the seats. It snowed off and on all day. When we got back to the cabin I took a shower but it was so freezing outside I just stood under the hot water for like an hour. We laid around the cabin most of the day but went on the dinner run. I got my sub! I ate a whole footlong by myself! While we were in Subway there was like a blizard going on outside. Snow was coming really hard and I was glad to be staying in town not on top of a mountain. There's been a stomach flu going around and 3 people have thrown up already. On the van ride back my ribs started cramping. I went to the cabin and laid down. My head started hurting and I got really dizzy. My eyes were burning and I thought I was getting the bug. I went into the bathroom and then sat in there with a hot rag on my face for a long time. When I went back to the cabin Pogo was making me hot tea. Then he went and toasted a pb&j for me on the wood stove in the hostel. He took really good care of me and found me some tylenol pm which knocked me out really fast.