morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-13
To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm here at Tony and Leona's house, and I must say the hospitality bestowed on I-ching and myself has been unbelievable! Thank you so much Tony, Leona and Olivia! Only 160 miles left to go! These next couple of days off will definetly give me the boost I need to finish this trail. I was sad to here that my uncle Larry passed away. I constantly keep him in my thoughts and prayers. I will definetly finish this trail for him, and the family. I will do my best to get some journals and pictures home soon. Thanks also to everyone in NC who donated to my my cause. New shoes, new poles, fuel, long underwear..... This trails almost over! Thank you for the southern hospitality!
Date: 2004-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello and welcome to John's trailjournal! Whether you're a family member, friend, or just checking out this site- you are welcome to see what I've been up to during my hike. I'll be adding journal entries along the way to show where I've been and to tell of my experiences. I'll be leaving in less than a week! I'll do my best to put photos up as well to make it a little more interesting. Feel free to write to me anytime through the guestbook, or email me.johnfleck1@yahoo.com
Date: 2004-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Why the AT?Why did I decide to quit my job and leave the comforts of home?Because being saying you're unemployed and living in the woods is such a great pick-up line.Nah, It just seemed like a cool thing to do. There are a lot of areas I've never been in the country that I would like to see. I just graduated from college and want to travel a bit, to see some things along the trail, and try a simpler way of life away from the busy Northern VA suburbs.I'm not an experienced hiker with thousands of miles on their shoes, or an outdoors freak, I'm just looking for a different experience to add to my life.
Date: 2004-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I plan to leave my home for the trail on April 5th, 2004 and hike north as far as I desire. I'm leaving the trip open-ended, with no real plans to make it all the way to Maine, just to have a good time... If things go sour, or I stop having fun, I'll figure out what to do from that point. That being said, I feel pretty laid back about the whole trip and I'm really looking forward to it.
Date: 2004-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello,Mr. Fleck will not be able to write in his journal today, he has asked me to write on his behalf. I am a nurse at Fairfax hospital where John was admitted early this morning. It seems he had a few cold ones last night to celebrate his last day of work and tripped down stairs on his way to bed. He was brought in by a friend soon after and diagnosed with a bruised spine and tailbone and a severe sprain in his ankle. X-rays are pending. His hike must be delayed for a few months to let the body heal. He is really down at the moment, he will be going home soon, please send him well wishes.Sincerely,Lirpa Loof
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Springer Mountain

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

A beautiful day with unseasonably good weather, full of sunshine and breathtaking views. Temps near 80 today, no rain to speak of. I really couldn't ask for a better first day for starting this journey. I may just sleep in the bag liner for tonight, hoping the weather holds until tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Gooch Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: light rain

I woke to gunfire last night. Around 9 pm, I heard the sound of automatic weapons.   Army Rangers often train in the area, and must have been training at night. The sound was odd to hear in the wilderness, the automatics echoing off the mountains. Tom and I hiked to Neels Gap by 5:30, sweating over the tough Blood Mountain climb. I climbed a boulder at the top and just lay on my back for a while watching the clouds change shapes. Soon thereafter, we began our climb down this difficult mountain. Historically, 20% of hikers drop out after Neels Gap. The hostel was full at Walasi-Yi so the owner drove us out to a cabin for the night. We also got a ride into Blairsville for an AYCE dinner, and I definitely got my fill. The weather held today, maybe it will continue tomorrow!
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Neels Gap

To: 1 mile N of Low Gap
Miles today: 12.0

Today was another hot, dry day with abundant sunshine. I'm getting sunburned on my arms and ears, and the back of my neck is hot as well. My legs would be burnt but they are becoming brown, not from a tan, but covered in trail dust. Today was beautiful from the start. I'm really getting an appetite- Yes I know I always have an appetite, but this morning I had a banana, a muffin, coffee, and a honey bun. And that's after a good three plates of food last night. Tom and I hiked in the sunshine for about 5 miles before getting low on water. I was nearly out (down to a gulp) when we realized there was no water for at least 5 miles. We saw Sleepy the Arab (sleeps in afternoons with a towel around his head) (whom we met at dinner last night) at Hogpen Gap - and he pointed out a stream down a blue blaze trail, so I went back and managed to find a slow running spring full of salamanders. I managed to fill a bottle of dirty, leaf-filled water from the spring (no salamanders though!) and walked back to the Gap. Tom and Sleepy were talking about the trip, which Sleepy has done twice already, and he was already having some knee problems. Tom and I left with the bottle of muckwater and headed off to the shelter, only 4.5 miles away, but tough without water. We made it to Low Gap, met Bearbait and Traildog, and Rooney, who is making quite a few alcohol stoves. We ate quickly, loaded up with water, and were so refreshed we decided to hike on a little further. On the way out, we saw Myst (computer geek) from dinner last night camping at Low Gap. Sleepy was also there; he was going to hitch into town, but couldn't find a ride, so toughed it out. I don't understand how he can hike with 50+ lbs after completing 2 thru's already! I'm actually hoping the weather will cool off a bit by tomorrow. There is a cool breeze on the ridge tonight, so it is likely.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: 1 mile N of Low Gap

To: Unicoi Gap, Hiawassee
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today I showed good judgment for once. We left camp about 8:30 this morning because I was slow getting stuff done. The weather was cool this morning, and we began to stroll along the gentle forest road. This went on for a few miles, then the hills went from gentle to more steep. We went over a rocky mile or two very slowly up to Blue Mt. Shelter for lunch. I realized I was low on food and would have to hustle to the next stop. I then realized I'd have to do another 10-12 miles of very tough trail. I hustled down the trail, Tom following, and got a nosebleed. I saw Rooney getting water and he said he'd had one too and had gone through a half roll of toilet paper getting it to stop. It was most likely from the dry conditions and the ever-present trail dust. and luckily stopped soon thereafter. We got down to Unicoi Gap around 1:30, and checked out our feet, which were pretty beat up. We made the decision to come into town, got a quick hitch, and got into Hiawassee. I grabbed a burger and a coke, a shower, and am going to let the feet heal. I thought back to last year, when I was faced with the same decision, in the same place, to push on or not. My feet were in worse shape then and I decided to push on, and had two miserable days. I think by resting a little I will be more comfortable in the future.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

A quick day on and off the trail. Tom and I woke up and had a huge buffet breakfast at the Georgia Mountain Restaurant. It was quiet until about 8 when the church crowd came in. Before we left, a man stood up and said a prayer, which made me think of my own family, and this being my first Easter away from them. We got a ride to Unicoi Gap from the motel manager, who is 80 years old. She told us stories about the area and her past jobs, and seems very happy there. We started walking from Unicoi Gap around 9:30 and stopped for lunch at Tray Mt. Shelter, then pushed on most of the day, stopping just for short water breaks. The weather was cool and moist, with spectacular foggy views of clouds and fog draped over the mountains like cotton. We didn't get any rain until the last hour, and this probably helped to get a hitch around 5 pm. The woman who picked us up was mountain biking and said she had fallen twice. She must've had a rough day because there was a can of Icehouse in the cupholder, I just hoped that was the only one. The day went by quickly because we slackpacked, leaving most of our gear at the motel and carrying just a lunch and some water. As soon as we got back, we hustled to Daniel's steakhouse for the buffet, and I definitely crushed it.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Dicks Creek Gap, Hiawassee, GA

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter- tenting
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

This morning Tom had some errands to run, so I took my time getting up. We walked to the laundry so I could dry the clothes I washed in the motel sink, then to the Dairy Queen so I could get some breakfast--a footlong chili cheese dog with mustard. Yeah it sounds nasty- but it was sooo tasty. We tried to hitch a ride to the trail in front of the DQ, and I saw someone point that was driving by. I turned and this girl was honking and waving to us. She had just dropped off a friend at work and was kind enough to give us a lift. She said she was driving a friend all night to Jacksonville and didn't mind. We got to the trail a little before noon and hiked in 50-degree weather with fog and drizzle. Its the type of weather where you're hot and steamy one minute then shivering the next. We hiked right into Plumorchard Gap shelter, a monster capable of holding 20 people. It was actually quite full with lazy hikers in their sleeping bags trying to stay out of the rain. I had a hot meal there of Ramen noodles with beef Jerky thrown in (thanks, Aunt Joan!) and then marched on down the trail. After a couple of hours in the foggy drizzle, we came across a pipe in a tree with a sign for the N.C. state line! 5 minutes later we came to Bly Gap--with the weird tree and took pictures to celebrate our first state crossing. It was getting cold at this point, but the mountains of N. Carolina were happy to warm us up with the steepest climbs so far. I would be lying if I said we were going at a 2mph pace. Around 6:30 we came to Muskrat Creek Shelter, decided to stay the night, set up tents, ate as much as possible (just to lighten the packs, of course) and then called it a night, just before the sun went down.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter- tenting

To: Carter Gap Shelter- new
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Cold, Soggy, Wet. These words described last night perfectly. I woke up several times to find my sleeping bag getting progressively wetter. I put on my remaining dry clothes and we left camp just before 10. The hike continued through the fog, we stopped for a hot lunch at Standing Indian shelter, then moved it quickly to Carter Gap. I was so cold at this point, I decided to call it a day--it was only 4:30 Temps today didn't get over 50- it was 37 degrees at 6 pm. I'm warm now in my sleeping bag. Happy trails!
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Carter Gap Shelter (New)

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 12.4

I woke to see dawn break though the light in the shelter and the ground, trees, benches, all covered in white. We ended up getting an inch or two of snow during the night. There were four of us at the shelter, Tom and I, along with April and Bonespur. It seems I was the only one who got any sleep, I did so by wearing all my clothes to bed and putting my face into the hood of the sleeping bag. I packed everything from inside my bag, ate some pop tarts, then got out of camp very quickly. We hiked non-stop to Wallace Gap. Albert Mt., a very tough climb, was the middle of the hike and required some bouldering on very steep & icy rock. This mountain peaks at about 5500 feet; and on the top of the mountain there was an observation tower. I was about to climb to see what I could when the wind picked up, blowing snow off the icy steps, and sending the whole tower into a pendulum-like shake. Imagine a 60-foot firepole covered with ice. I took one look, said "no thanks," and headed down to lower elevation. The temperature at the top was a cool 28 degrees. We got our first taste of trail magic today at Wallace Gap, where I was shocked to see a guy in a white van come out and offer a ride to his motel in Franklin and a ride back in the morning. The rate was cheap, and he also shuttled hikers around the town in the afternoon to the laundry, outfitters, whatever you want. Upon arriving at the hotel I could see how he was doing so well in his business. The whole place was full with hikers! I didnt' see one person who didn't come off the trail. Many of the people there enjoyed it so much they decided to take a zero day. Thanks, Ron, at the Haven Motel!
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Wallace Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

A quick day- Tom and I caught the morning shuttle out of the motel to Rock Gap, where we took the blue blaze trail to see the huge Wasilik poplar tree, which is a spectacular tree, the biggest I have ever seen. We then hiked our to winding stair gap, only spending a couple hours on the trail today, caught the afternoon shuttle back into town and will rest up the rest of the day.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: few clouds

Ron from Haven's motel shuttled me and a few others to the gap to get started on the trail around 9:30. Tom was waiting for a package and got an earlier shuttle hiking southbound slackpacking from Tellico Gap. I ran into him around the 8 mile mark, a couple miles from Wayah Bald. The tower there was specacular, as was the one on Wesser Bald. A very clear day- temps in the 70's. I will have lunch at the NOC tomorrow- hopefully Tom will catch up with me there. I'm staying in a Shelter with B-Dub and Robby- they both were at the Haven 2 nights ago. Pheonix is cooking now with his friend.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 13.8

Another hot day with temps in the upper 80's in Wesser-NOC. A very long steep climb out of NOC (Nantahala Outdoor Center)- a 3300 ft elevation gain in 8 miles. I'm sleeping at over 5000 ft tonight, its breezy and chilly. I hung out most of the day in NOC, and had lunch with stickman (AT '98), Mr. T (she has a titanium hip, Flint, Swan, and Puck Finn, then soaked the feet in the river to cool off and watched the kayakers and rafters float by. The sunset was absolutely a treat tonight, Tomorrow should be another great day.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Cheoah Bald

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

A hot shower at the end of a 20 mile, 90 degree day was a treat. The dam has shower facilities and the shelter nearby has electricity, running water, flush toilets, so it was dubbed the "Fontana Hilton". Today I met party girl, and saw Amy and Jason- who I've seen for the 3rd straight day.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollie's Ridge 
Miles today: 11.3

Woke up early, but hung around this morning. I raided the hiker box at the shelter (the only one I've seen at ta shelter) for lots of ramen and other goodies. I chilled out eating some Gorp Jason and Amy gave me for breakfast, then walked to the dam for a 9am shuttle to fontana village, a resort town. I resupplied with 5 days fo food- ( I dont actually measure anything- just buy what I want and hope it lasts!) I had a huge AYCE breakfast- I ran out of food at dinner, last night. I left fontana village around with 1 with Steve (Poco y Poco) and Party girl and hiked to the shelter and tented nearby. The Smokies are beautiful! Today I walked through a field of wildflowers of white and violet that looked like a gentle dusting of snow. I hiked all day with Poco and Party girl- who had to take 6 days off at the NOC because of swollen ankles-but is feeling better, met some nice folks at the shelter today.At camp tonight:A boy scout to a female backpacker: "Are you looking for a man?"
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Mollie's Ridge 

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke and left camp around 8:15 AM. I hiked alone through the day, but look who showed up to camp- Poco and party girl. I was walking earlier today and heard some rustling in the bushes along the trail- I went to see what it was- something scowled at me and then ran down the hill. Later, they told me they heard coyotes during the night.This morning I stopped for a drink at Russel Field shelter. Right before I got there I heard a bunch of noise and people talking- I thought people were just getting out of camp late, so I sat down on a stump for a second. Just as I sat down 6 rangers and trail workers came up on horseback. They tied their horses up and squatted next to me- I thought I was in trouble. Then the questioning started. I was relieved when they asked me questions about my trip and I gave them the usual answers "5 to 6 months", "15 to 20 miles a day", "no I'm not carrying a gun" "Yes I will eat that".   They gathered around in a half circle like a group of kids at story time. I broke out of there fairly quickly so I wouldnt' be held up for the next hour.One of the rangers: "How much waayyyt ya carryin'? 80 paands?I shake my head no.Ranger: "40 paands?" I look at his green John Deere hat, suprised that he hasn't seen hundreds of other hikers in the area. br>Me: "It's lighter than that horse"
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Mice were plentiful in the shelter last night until party girl showed up and started talking. She ate a pop tart, and dropped a huge chunk to the floor of the shelter. A minute later it was gone, feeding some happy mice. There was fencing in front of the shelter, the same kind that is in a baseball backstop, and something kept hitting it, making the sound of an oven timer that had us laughing uncontrollably. We left camp around 7:15, climbed Siler's Bald, then began a beautiful descent into a pine forest. It smelled wonderful as we walked on to the highest point on the AT, Clingman's Dome. We reached the summit, climbed the tower and looked at the 360 degree views. We didn't stay long becauseof the 45 degree temps and windy gusts. We continued on to newfound gap, where we were greeted by the sound of a dozen motorcycles and say a busy road crossing, the only one in the park. We saw Garcia there, famous for his loud snoring, and named for his resemblance to the Grateful Dead singer. He stood up from where he was lying down to greet us, and went to hug party girl, and fell after doing so. He was having back problems on the trail and we thought he was hurt. He then got up and offered us a beer, and could barely walk to go get it. He brought each of us back one, and one can had a hole in it, so he stumbled around trying to spray all of us. It was one of the funniest things I have ever seen. He offered us a ride to town which we declined and hitched in the back of a truck into the town of gatlinburg, just in time for happy hour at the microbrewery and a steak dinner.I was exhausted on the walk back and bought groceries and laid in bed. It was around 7 o' clock when I laid down, and party girl decided to call all her friends and was on the phone til like 11. Steve (poco) and I turned off all the lights hoping she would get the picture but then she laid out everything on her bed- saying she then had to organize everything. I couldn't sleep and got frustrated, and jumped onto her bed and rolled around, knocking everything onto the floor, and said "Now you're organized" Everyone was laughing and it definitely brought some cheer into the moment. She then realized we were fed up- and was trying to be nice by buying a 6 pack and popcorn and was upset we didnt' want to party. Steve pulls out the beers and downs them, turns on a movie and pops the popcorn and says very sarcastic like "yeah lets party". Well our party lasted about 15 minutes, long enough for us to watch the $90 million Tennessee powerball and lose, where steve bought tickets for us, and then we fell asleep.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Got back to the trail @ 1:30 today, after leaving the all-too-touristy town of Gatlinburg. Lots of ridgewalking today, just beautiful and cool. I especially enjoyed the Charles Bunion rocks, doing a little climbing out on the side trail. Party Girl's ankles are still bothering her and was hiking slow, so Poco and I took her food and clothes so we could hike faster. Chamelion was at the shelter tonight playing classical guitar, and we had smores for desert over the campfire.
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

I was one of the last ones out of camp at the full shelter last night, got on the trail about 900. Very easy trail today, mostly flat and downhill, but rocky. Temps cool @ 60. I left party girl and poco at teh Cosby Know shelter, she was crying walking down from pain in her ankle and frustration. I decided to push on, she had help from Southernman as well to make sure she makes it to the road tomorrow. I should be the first one to greet her in Hot Springs, where she will hitch. I can hear traffic from the road as I am writing this, I'm about a mile from Davenport gap, the road at the end of the smokies. Good night.