morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

16 tough miles to the NOC. While hiking we met Liz and Darron. Liz has a guitar and she plays us a song. She had a really pretty voice. Climbed Wisser Bald. Had beautiful 360 degree views. Got into the NOC just in time to get burgers and many glasses of sweet tea. Our waiter was a cool kid named Charles. That night we rented a room and Robin, a super cool lady, took us on a beer run. Liz played some songs. The place was packed with hikers past and present. We drank a lot of Pabst and met some really cool folks. We stayed in the little cabin. Later Bali Shag stumbled into the room claiming to have been abducted. I think it was all in his head.
Date: 2005-04-16
To: NOC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We packed up early. I snuck out and grabbed a shower before anyone got up. We went to the restaurant for breakfast. Afterwards we hung out on some benches for the remainder of the morning. Right as we were packing up, Robin, our hostess from the evening before, showed up to let us know she was going on a beer run. That settled it. Our first zero day. She told us we could hang out at the pub for the afternoon. While up there, Charles and Aaron showed up. Those are the guys that were playing tunes the night before. They were about to jam so I grabbed a guitar and a beer and spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon jamming at the NOC, looking out at the mountains. That night Liz and Aaron took us to a wedding reception for one of the raft guides. The party was at a bar called Across the Tracks and a great bluegrass outfit called The Sawmill Creek Porch Band played all night. Several other thru-hikers bought us some beers. That night we went back to the NOC. We met the founders of the NOC and helped them move some Banana Trees and a grill. They are one of the coolest couples I have ever met. We stayed at the NOC and slept on the deck.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: NOC

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We said our goodbyes to Robin and headed 10 miles to Cheoah Bald. The views up there were amazing. We spent a while talking to Striker and Shooter. They are an older couple that seem to invigorate all that meet them. Shooter is an English teacher and Striker is a retired professor turned professional musician. They have spent two terms in the Peace Corps in Paraguay. Striker was asking about my life and proposed the name Limbo as my Trailname. I think it is going to stick. Everyone watched the sun set over the Smoky Mountains and we stayed up for a campfire. It was a wonderful night.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Muskrat Creek?

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Hiked off of Cheoah Bald Today. It was a beautiful morning. Did 14 miles. Arrived at camp with everyone from the night before except smokey and camel. Slept out underneath the stars again. Some cool guys in camp tonight with a church group.It was a good, tough day.
Date: 2005-04-19
To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

Got up early and hit the trail after a couple of packets of oatmeal. It was the last bit of food I had and I was hungry in a half hour so we were gunning hard for the dam. When we rolled in , I hit the marina and found some grape Fanta and candy bars. One of the cans of soda took a header into the water and was lost. The shuttle took us to the village for a buck. We picked up our mail drop and loaded up then we tracked down some killer bacon cheeseburgers and gallons of sweet tea. We went up to B-man's room to hang out with other hikers for a while while we stealth showered downstairs in the resort sauna. I also washed all of my salt encrusted clothes in the bathroom. I ran down to the post office and sent home my scribblings so my mom could transcribe them. Thank you so much mom. You are doing a great job. By the time I got hooked back up with our crew, everyone had been pursuaded into staying for the night because Taxman had decided to go on a beer run. B-man, Super Trooper, Stovepipe, Sandy(Trent), Bali, Boose, UPS, Phoenix, Camel, And Smokey were all in attendance. So we had ourselves a nice little party. Later that night, we waited for everyone to crash abnd rolled out our bags on one of the back patios.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early so I didn't get caught stealth camping. Went down to the breakfast buffet and stuffed myself. We caught a ride to the marina from Phoenix and were hiking by 9:30. Hiked 12 miles into the smokies. The tops of the ridges were covered with a carpet of little white flowers. It was really pretty. The shelter tonight is packed with folks I'm not really diggin on. This is the first experience I have had where the trail pulls people a part. Last night a lot of friends were here and we have a bunch of friends at Fontana but these folks are all new. In the Smokis you have to stay in a shelter so we are all getting to know each other really well. I'm kind of having a bad night. Oh well, things have to get tough before they get better.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: light rain

I'm sitting on top of Siler's Bald. The sun just went down. Bali, Boose, Sandy(Trent) and I are all here. We are watching a double feature tonight. One half of the sky over Tennessee has a beautiful sunset going, the other, a raging thunder storm. Righteous. The hike was tough today and it rained toward the end but right as I got the the shelter the sun broke and I was able to dry everything. Had mashed potatos and bacon for dinner. The appetite is getting pretty severe. I eat a 650 calorie honey bun every morning and it barely carries me until 10:30. It was a very mental day for me. Probably my worst so far. But the time I'm sharing right now with these three friends is tops. Good Trail.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Siler Bald

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Alright, so the plan was top push through the Smokies without hittng Gatlinburg but the weather had different plans for us today. We hike up to Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the AT, and it was a bust. There were absolutely no views. There was no soda machine(although I don't if that was valid information from the start). There were a million young kids on a field trip going nuts the whole time. And then it started to rain. We started to move. We were going to eat at the next shelter. When I got to the side trail I hiked the .5 down to find Trent wasn't there(neither was the stove or the water purification). I was kind of bummed and hiked back to the trail where I found Boose and Bali. At that moment the skies started to dump on us. We started hiking and by 4:00 with no lunch we caught Trent at Newfound Gap. There were a ton of tourists that were pretty excited to meet thru-hikers. It got kind of strange in a way. People seem intrigued but scared. They want your picture but don't pose with you. Kind of wierd. Anyhoo, the decision was made we caught a ride and I am now warm and dry in a great hiker hoster called the Grand Prix motel. They have internet and laundry and only charged 4 of us $35 for a room with a porch that opens to a wooded view. Sweet Deal. Going to hit the AYCE(all you can eat) buffet at Shoney's. Might take a zero tommorrow because my ankles are really sore for some reason and it was getting pretty toung today. The temperature is also supposed to drop into the twenties tommorrow when this cold front comes through. People are talking snow at the higher elevations. Even if we do get back on the trail tommorrow, we'll be dried out and hopefully bust all the way to Hot Springs during our next leg.I'm going for a hot shower and some food now, maybe some beers later. Take care everyone.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So we decided to hang out for a day and take care of some business in town. We awoke to a freezing drizzle outside. The forecast for the day didn't look like it was going to get any better. After hanging out in the lobby and washing down several Krispie Kreme doughnuts with some hot coffee we went out to the grocery store. The Food City was stocked and I was able to get little boards to file down the calluses on my feet. I think that they are causing the stinging that I am getting later during the long hiking days. I also picked up some new insoles. My old ones are already as thin a tissue paper where my heel and toes make impact. I think this should get me back up to speed. We also resupplied so we can hike through to Hot Springs. Picked up sandwich stuff and a "make you own" six pack to sip on while watching some basketball back at the room. Everything is dried and resupplied and we are waiting to get going tommorrow.I also tried to find this guitar store that is apparently no longer in buisiness. I miss playing a lot. We talked to some folks that we play with from Columbus on the phone yesterday and it sounds like everyone is jamming together. If you guys have a chance try to get a quick n' dirty recording and send it to me so I can hear what you guys are doing.I've got to let some other folks use the computer so I will talk to you all soon. Peace, Love, and spicy Thai noodles.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning and got my stuff ready to go. When I got to the lobby the news was that the road into the mountains was closed down due to ice and would be closed for a while. Many people ended up staying for yet another day day to lack of a better choice. The forest service cannot use salt to open the roads because ofthe stress on the environment so we'll have to wait for it to melt. You can see some of the first ridges in the distance and they are completely white. Hopefully tommorrow we'll be able to get going again.
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Newfound Gap

To: Tri-Corner Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up early this morninh and the sun was out. Grabbed some doughnuts from the lobby and got ready to go. Decided to hitch and a nice couple from Indiananpolis picked us up and took us to the gap. By the time we got there the temperature in the van read36 degrees. We got going despite the freezing temps and it was easy to see why the roads had been closed. The day was sunny and clear and all of the mountain tops were covered. It made you feel like you were in the Rockies. As the day proggressed the snow melted and it got really slushy. By the time we got to the shelter my feet were wet and frozen. The shelter was full so we had to camp on the snow at over 4500 feet. Not fun when it is thiat cold. It was a tough day, fun for snowballs but the coldest we have dealt with yet. Getting in my sleeping bag early. Good night.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Tri-Corner Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up and crawled out of the ice channel that I slept in all night. It wasn't more than 2o degrees when I got up and it was threatening to rain on top of the cold and the wind was blowing. Putting on my boots was tough because they were frozen solid. I just started hiking so they would warm up. Ended up hiking at a good pace despite the conditions. After lunch, we dropped below the snow. Set up camp at Davenport Gap but a ranger asked us to leave so we hike out of the Smokies to this cool little stealth site. Had a bath in the creek and then a fire. Tings are good once again. It is amazing how a day can go from frozen boots to a mountian stream bath.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Davenport Gap

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 0.0

I'm Hanging out at this sweet place right off the trail in the mountains called Standing Bear Farms. Curtis, the guy who owns the place is about as cool of a cat as you could meet. He built the place himself. He listens to some good music. He is even letting me take some on my iPod. He just offered me a strawberry that has been soaking in moonshine. That stuff will have you breathing fire. Curtis can also really pick a guitar. He does his own recording with a setup much like the one I use. People never cease to amaze me out here. We have some big miles left to hike today so I need to hit the trail. It would be easy to hang out in a place like this. Going to hit Max Patch later today. It is a huge bald. Take care everyone and sorry this entry is so scattered but I'm going off the top of my head. Anyhow, I'll talk to you all soon. Good Trail.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Davenport Gap

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up well rested. A light drizzle had fallen over night but it looked like it was going to clear. We made coffee and Bali and Boose rolled by from Davenport SHelter. We hung out for a while and then headed to Standing Bear Farms. The hike on the way there was really pretty. The course followed this steream as it cut its way down the mountain making these awesome waterfalls. Standin Bear was built by its owner, Curtis. It was tucked in the hills right off of the trail. He has hiker resupply, internet, and a pizza oven to cook DiGiorno pizzas in. We discussed home recording techniques over strawberries soaked in moonshine. I also hung out with his buddy Snapper for a while. Curtis built log cabins for all of the bunk houses and put in a wood burning stove. One cabin was on a bridge over a trout stream that ran throug his property. Stayed at a crowded camp on an old mountain road called Brown Gap.
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Brown Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to a sunny start. CLimbed to the top of Max Patch and spread out all of my gear to dry. We made some coffee and chilled out with the 360 degree views. Started moving when the clouds rolled in. Right down the trail we stumbled upon some people that were conducting a Llama hike of the bald. They were taking a lunch break. They invited us to stay and eat. We had some killer deli sandwiches, chips, and vegetables. Then they busted out the ice cream and brownies on us. We said thanks and then headed down the road in the drizzle. We hiked for a while and the rain got pretty bad. Trent and I stopped and I built a fire to try and convince everyone to hunker down but Boose rallied us and we decided to hike on. Once we got cranking we ended up going all of the way to Hot Springs, 24 miles from where we started. Rolled into the pub at 9:00 and they kept the kitchen open and made us some of the best cheeseburgers and fries I ever tasted. Washed it down with the soothest beverage the Rockies could offer. We grabbed some beers to go and set up at a little campground. It was a crazy, swinging day.
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Spent the day in Hot Springs. Scored a sweet place with all of the dudes I am hiking with called the Cody House. Woke up and checked out of the campground we slept in during a heavy rain. The guy who worked there was about as slow as they come and he had us standing in the rain while I watched him repeatedly enter the wrong credit info and get mad at the computer for not working. It was a scam. Anyway the rest of our time in the town was great. Wayne was a great help at the outfitter. They also have an organic coffee from Sumatra that is a great way to start your day. After that, we hit the diner and I ate a order of french toast, 2 eggs, deluxe hashbrowns, a side of bacon, and coffee. The rest of the day was devoted to chilling out. In the evening, we bought some charcoal since our pad had a grill and we hosted a little cookout. Had plenty of beer and cheeseburgers for some hikers that rolled into town. The trail was the sidewalk in the front of the house so this required little more than an attentive nose on the hiker's part. Katie Martin arrived in the evening and we had a little hiker party. She also brought along our guitars which was some sweet trail magic. Thanks Katie.
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took another zero today. I know this doesn't look good but I assure you we are not lacking motivation because of the hiker party, it really is ugly out and everyone feels burnt from the long miles into town. It ended up being a good idea since it had poured since 4:00 and is anticipated not to stop until the morning.      Katie hung around and we made a killer spaghetti dinner. Some of the guys rented the Crocodile Hunter movie and Bad Boys. I fell asleep immediately after dinner while every watched the movies. Takin' after the old man.
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Spring Shelter

To: Forest Road
Miles today: 14.0

Woke up after some good rest. We hiked 14 miles. Stopped for lunch at Jerry's cabin. Built in 1968. You do the math. The appetite is really starting to rock. It doesn't matter how much I eat, I am always hungry. I am having a little pain in the feet because of boot tightness. Going to sleep, big day tommorrow.
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Forest Road

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 21.5

It was a great day on the AT. Started off freezing cold but bright and sunny and stayed that way all day. Hiked hard miles to Sam's Gap where we learned of a cafe and a party at the Smokey Bowls farm .5 down the road. We went to check it out and met Glenn. He's a Deadhead that is trying to start a commune. He made us pancakes and coffee while we hung out in his back yard with his two little boys. After lunch we hike up to Big Bald. It was amazing. Hiked on until dusk at Whispering Gap, made a campfire and talked. It'll be a cold one tonight.
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Whistling Gap

To: Erwin
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hiked into town in the middle of a whole bunch of sunshine. Covered our distance by 1:00 in the afternoon. Went to Miss Janet's but she was all full so we went down the street to the diner and got stuffed. Had a burger and a fish sandwich I almost couldn't finish, almost. We went back to the hostel and Miss Janet was there. She is super nice and took us to the grocery and to the hotel. They have a hot tub here so I am going to go soak it up, or sleaze it up, whichever you prefer. We were offered a chance to slackpack tommorrow but I'm not sure if we want to. Slackpacking is when someone holds your gear and shuttles you up the trail and you hike south back to where you gear is, then in the morning they take you back up the trail and you move on. Sounds a little like cheating to me. Plus I like knowing that if I find a nice spot I can make it home for the night. Anyway, we'll see what tommorrow brings. Hot tubs is callin'.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Erwin

To: unmarked campsite
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up early at the Holiday Inn Express and hit the continental breakfast as hard as possible. Hung around the room for a while and watched "Dave" and packed up. We grabbed a burger from the A&W on our way out of town. Thumbed it down the road and some guy stopped for us. We got on the trail around 1:00. A little way up the trail a train was stopped. Next thing I know everyone is chucking their gear and slipping underneath the train. No one died and we got the last person underneath the train a good minute before it started rolling again. Another shining moment. Hiked until around 4:30 where we came across a nice spot. Decided to stop after 10 miles because we were in no rush. Damascus should be easy to reach by next weekend for trail days, other than that it's just a walk in the woods. Shagwell, Boose, Camel, Smokey, Sandy, and I all hung around and had a big ole' campfire.
Date: 2005-05-06
From: unmarked campsite

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 15.0

Woke up and made coffee while hanging around a fire and warming up though the temps have been a lot warmer lately. Started hikingaround 9:00. The weather was sunny and cool. Hiked 15 to Greasy Creek Gap. When we arrived we walked a mile down to the Greasy Creek Friendly(rather than hostel) and scored a pint of Cherry Garcia ice cream and a turkey sandwich. Afterwards, we came back up here to our camp and bedded down for the night. Getting ready for a big day over 6000 feet in the Roan Highlands.
Date: 2005-05-07
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hit the Roan mountains with a 2500 foot elevation gain in a little under 3 miles. It was a killer climb but the weather was perfect. After lunch on top, we hit some trail magic at Carver's Gap. Fix It and his family were grilling burgers for hungry hikers. We ate lunch number two and decided to push on to Overmountain Shelter. The shelter was supposed to be cool because of the view and because it is actually and old barn converted to a shelter. On the hike ther over some beautiful balds we found out that there was supposed to be a hiker party at the shelter provided by Krispie and his buds from Appalachian State University. Upon arrival we found everything to be true. There were burgers, dogs, and a keg of Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer. The Dream. A hiking day that ends with someone handing you a cold one. We all sat and looked at one of the most sprawling views that a shelter has offered so far. Everyone boogied until the keg was cashed. Good Trail.
Date: 2005-05-08
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountaineer Falls
Miles today: 17.0

Hiked a solid 17 after waking up and eating a hamburger at overmountain. The hike was amazing but it really kicked my butt. The remainder of the Roan Highlands was beautiful. Towards the end of the day we saw Jones falls and hiked along a really pretty little creek. We are camping at Mountaineer falls. The camp has quite a slope to it but I'm so tired I could sleep anywhere. We are Pushing to Kincora tommorrow.
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Mountaineer Falls

To: Laurel Falls Lodge
Miles today: 16.0

Hiked 16 by 2:00 in the afternoon to get into Kincora but it was already packed so we went down the street to the Laurel Falls Lodge. The place is great. They have a full service hostel for 6 bucks a night. A little more expensive than Kincora but you are allowed to have a beer here. No offense but it kind of bugs me to pay to stay somewhere and have a lot of rules laid on you. I like pizza and beer after hiking, why does everyone get so bent out of shape just for mentioning it? The folks here at LFL also took us into town and wouldn't let us give them gas money. They are good people here.
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Laurel Falls Lodge

To: Laurel Falls Lodge
Miles today: 0.0

Did our first slack pack today. Only 10 miles but it was over some tough terrain and it rained pretty hard. Since we were heading toward hot showers and dry gear we spent our day getting muddy and playing around in Laurel Falls. The rhododendron are starting to bloom and it looks like a tropical rainforest at these lower elevations.Got back here and ate some hamburgers and chilled out. Tommorrow we will start at Wautuga Lake. That leaves us a little over 40 miles to Damascus and Trai Days. Rodge and Katie are coming out to visit so it will be a good time. People have told us that these miles are some of the easiest on th trail and we should be able to do it in 2 days. Either way we'll be in by Friday morning so if you don't have anything going on this weekend you should come out for what I gather is going to be quite a spectacle.Well, I'm sorry these entries are so short and boring but I'll try to give some richer detail when I have more time. I've got to get my gear together cause we are about to head out. Take care all and I'll try to get in touch from Damascus. Peace, Love, and Hiker Funk.