morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Slept late, went through my box which I had shipped here. I have so much food here. I will pack some of it home and put the rest in the hiker box. Also I gave Nancy my fig newtons and twinkies. She and her husband love them. I have made arrangements for a shuttle to the bus and another bus ride home. During the afternoon two women hikers from Massachusetts, my age came in. They are going to be section hiking, from Springer to Fontana Dam. We were introducing ourselves, they are Mountain Mama and O.L.O.F.(Ruth and Fontaine sp?) Mountain Mama is Leif of TJ,mother, I was told. We went to supper at a local diner, and when we got back, Jane was there. We had quite a Massachusetts contingent. All the rooms were booked so Jane and I shared my room. Because there was no rooms, Danny had to go back to the Fontana Hilton Shelter. Jane and I talked and suggested we hike a section next year. It has been a fun hike, but I need too many breaks to keep it fun. One of the things that Jane and I did was to look for ramps(wild onions). We never did find them, but I could smell them. They are a gourmet food these days. I have had a blast, but am discouraged with my willingness to quit.
Date: 2006-05-15
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I have just received my trail journals and I am at home. I am trying toplan another section hike before I go back to work. I miss backpacking, and the through hiker social atmosphere. It was Mothers Day yesterday and I was glad I was home to enjoy it. It is my favorite thing in life, family get togethers. I will post pictures of the trail shortly.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Mass

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: clear sky

Drove from mass. While I was driving saw a dead deer on road, later one ran out across the road, but I slowed down & missed it. Found Amy's house Joyce came. Went to Cracker Barrel for supper. Dropped off at trail 6p.m. met Snickers and Pond water. Hiked to Dear Lick shelter 2 miles, 1hr met Tag-a-lag and Head-n-out. Shelter to myself. Left guide book in car will call Amy tomorrow.
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Rocky Mt Shelter
Miles today: 10.0

Arrived at 2:15 pm. Made good time despite the rocks 10 miles is enough for 1st full day out. At noon I got cell reception and contacted Amy and she is mailing my book to Boiling Springs Penn. Trail today was gradual down then moderate up until about 11am, then it was level or gradual down. Past 2 other shelters before getting here. I found trail magic at one shelter, a cooler was filled with ice and there was one last root beer for me. Weather is hot & muggy, drank lots of fluids, saw a bunny yesterday & today, chipmunks, squirrels & birds. Mountain Laurel is in blossom and I saw one lady slipper. The shelters are in pairs each one sleeps about 4 or 5. Ome place I stopped had a sign on the first shelter that said "snoring" and the other said "non snoring" I had to laugh. I was alone in a shelter last night, there was a boy and a girl in the shelter next to me, Head-N-Out and Tag a long, Snickers and Pond Water all slept in tent.I had a couple of breakfast bars and gaterade. and mashed potatoes with tuna so far today. The shelter is 3tenths of a mile off the trail and the spring is 1/4 mile beyond that, alot of extra hiking. There are 14 8th graders plus their guides camped down the slope from me. They are doing a 3 day hike-no rain today. Granite arrive 5:30 she lent me her book and I gave her some alcohol for her stove.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Damp, warm and muggy this morning,just warm and muggy in the afternoon. Planning to do 13 miles today. Granite is planning 23, she is almost out of food, has no fuel for her stove, and no lighter. The airport took these from her when she went home for a break. I left first, but she passed me after a while. We came together at the snack bar at Caledonia State Park, the sign indicated it would open at 11am, It was now 10am so we waited until 11 when a worker told her it was only open on weekends. She headed for a grocery store and I headed back to the trail, 3 miles upward I came to the most beautiful shelter I have ever seen, It was painted inside and out,it had a big covered porch a with picnic table, it had hanging planters of pansies with a live humming bird buzzing around. The stream was walled and had a garden bench next to it.Quarry gap shelter AAA. Alas it was too early to stop so I read the log and signed it,then moved on. Around 4pm I could hear thunder and it was coming closer and getting darker. Hustling this old body for another hour, I got to Birch Run Shelter before rain. 13 miles, best this year. I have eaten,had a cup of tea,cleaned myself and put clean clothes on. I had a problem with one of my poles,but I fixed it. The shelter has bunks, so no sleeping on the floor, which is nicely barnished, I set up my sleeping mat & bag and hung up other stuff. This is the life of a back packer. Butterflies, chipmunks and 1 centerpede. Mountain laurel all over the place.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Birch Run shelter

To: Pinegrove Furnace St. Park
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

9.6 miles by 1:30 pm, Iron Master Mansion doesn't open until 5, hung out at general store, many thru hikers coming in for the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. This is approximate half way point on the trail and if you can eat a half gallon of ice cream you are a success. Sandman ate a pint, Don Quixote was all ready not feeling well after furnace,skipped it and went for a walk. Dead bear & cosmic punk & orange man all ate the 1/2 gallon. I went for a cheese burger & fries & soda & cappuchino. we all signed in at 5pm and I was the only one in the womens dorm. Hot shower-good!! Sandman had bought some hotdogs & rolls and shared them. The men went upstairs to watch a movie, Clint Eastwood. Donna, the manager and I hung out and I did my laundry and helped with the hostels laundry-went to bed at 10pm up at 7am cooked pancakes, packed up and out by around 8:30.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Pinegrove Furnace Park

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: overcast clouds

15.6 miles by 6:30pmNice day clear comfortable for most of the day. Much of first half was almost level and some of it was an old railroad bed. Was alone most of the day. "Delicious" and I passed each other on & off. Another fellow that is a birdwatcher kept turning up. He and I haven't figured out how he passes me without seeing each other. I stopped for lunch at James Fry shelter. "Delicious" showed up,and also this guy that is some kind of shuttle service operator,he was at the mansion hanging out yesterday, we chatted and I moved on. He said his knees didn't feel too good, Then the day got nasty, At the tops of the next 3 mountains were chimneys & castles of rock boulders and the trail climbed in and around and through. It was like a maze, there was a perfectly fine forest, but no, we had to do it the hard way,with a pack on and over the rocks. It really slowed me down. I was trying for a long day. The shelters aren't placed really well for my liking, I finally finished the last of the castles of rock and it was 2 more miles to the shelter and a storm came in fast, in minutes it was a downpour I put on my rain jacket, but my rain pants were buried too deep in the pack,everything would have been soaked if I searched for them, so I started running in the pouring rain,my shoes filled with water, my shorts & undies soaked. The shelter trail finally appeared and I got in just as the rain slowed, I changed into dry clothes, cooked supper, Dead bear got water for me.Here tonight are Dead Bear, Delicious, Orange man, Bushwacker and the Birdman.(he identified 50 species of birds today.) Rain has stopped, but my shorts will not be dry in the morning. Into Boiling springs tomorrow to go to get my hiking book, I hope.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Rte 11 footbridge
Miles today: 11.9

The temperature last night dropped a little and there were some complaints of the cold. I was nice and snug. Delicious is not feeling well and was staying in bed. Birdman was staying to birdwatch. Bushwacker was out early then Dead Bear and Orangeman left together. I was packing up and found the sarong that Dead Bear wears sometimes. It had dropped off his bunk and on to the floor where I was set up. A man wearing a skirt or sarong is not as rare as you might think, on the trail. A few minutes later Orangeman came back to retrieve his water bottle, and took the sarong, back to Dead Bear. (The "Dead" as in Grateful"). The day was bright and breezy and comfortable as I climbed to Center Point Knob and descended into Boiling Springs, through fields of corn and wheat. At this point the trail crosses 14 miles through a valley to the next ridge. It is flat and easy, but there is no camping and very little in the way of accomodations. The town was quite pretty as I walked by a pond in middle of town with crystal clear water and ducks and swans with babies, and big trout you could see in the water. Next I stopped at the ATC headquarters and dropped my pack. Orangeman and Dead Bear were there as was Da bear. Then I went to the post office and finally got my hiking book which had been mailed to general delivery. Now I could hike with some knowledge of the trail ahead. Although I hiked the first 55 miles with no problems. Then I headed to J. C. CountryTime Cafe and ate an egg sandwich with english miffin, 2 chocolate milks, one orange juice and a rasberry strudel. the owner brought over the guest book, and after signing I looked back at who else had been there recently. This morning almost every one I met since the first night had signed in at the cafe. Even Head-N-Out and Tagalong from the first night. So everyone is only 1/2 day ahead of me, so my speed is holding up. This is not a race, but I would like to think that I am keeping a reasonable pace. Back at ATC Dead Bear lent me his cell to call home. my phone couldn't get reception. So I was in town at least a couple of hours, then headed down the road where I immediately missed the turn off into the woods. I walked at least 1/2 mile before a nice lady stopped her car and told me I was going the wrong way and indicated where the turn was.Town folk are great. A little later as I was walking by some more farm fields, GearGal came up behind me and we walked together. She was day hiking. When I came to the footbridge over Rt 11 we split as her car was about a mile ahead. We must have walked 3 hurs together and talked about all kinds of things. She is doing sections of the AT also. 1/2 mile down the highway was a Super 8 with hiker rates. I got my laundry done and there was a great diner across the street. The 18 miles from Alex Kennedy shelter and the Darlington shelter has no camping and I can't do 18 miles today. I might try for 17.6 tomorrow and get into Duncannon and the Doyle hotel. Hopefully Dead Bear will be there,as I owe him a beer.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Rte 11 footbridge

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

My feet are killing me. This was my longest day ever.I got started at 8:30 am going through miles of farmland. Some of it was along a river. Bright and sunny and getting warm. I met Sleeper along the way, he was headed to Duncannon also, but he was much faster than me. I climbed 700 ft out of the valley. The terrain was very rocky all the rest of the way. My feet took a beating. In the valley I saw a dead fawn in the middle of the trail. Sad I got to Duncannon at 6:45pm and arrived at the hotel to the cheers of my hiker friends who were eating supper and enjoying this highlight of their trip. They insisted I sit right down and have a beer, before I even checked in or showered. I ate and had two beers. The waitress also checked me into my room. This hotel is one of the old Anhauser Busch hotels, it has run into hard times but is a mecca to thruhikers. I headed to my room on the fourth floor, that is where they put the hikers. I have a nice view from my window, which is nicely covered with a sheet. The ceilings must be 12 feet high. Clean but shabby chic. I hear laughter down the hall and I check it out. A female hiker who will remain nameless in this report and some other hikers are all partying. Apparently she has been here a few days and raising some hell. When it was found out that she was only 20 yrs old she was asked to leave the bar and almost kicked out of the hotel. So she is in seclusion in her room and the partying goes on. I stopped and said hello and headed down stairs for a beer and then called it a night. I am not up to partying with the kids. I am taking a zero tomorrow, meaning no hiking miles, and doing errands and recuperating my feet.
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Duncannon

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I went to breakfast at Goodies across the street from the hotel. Very good breakfast, of omlet, coffee, toast, juice. I did my laundry again, everything gets smelly fast. Most of yesterdays hikers headed out. New hikers came in today and some I had met before. Delicious came in and Birdman. Then Tofurkey, Kid, Yahtzee, Biz,Louis, Curly and Sweet Tea. Curly had a spider bite on her foot, and went to the hospital to check it out. They treated her foot and confirmed she had a Brouwn Recluse spider bite, which is a very bad spider. The good news is she got treatment early and is going to be fine. I think she took some extra time off because the antibiotics and medications she was taking took a lot out of her. This is what I heard through the hiker grapevine, later. Seven of us took the shuttle to the market for supplies. I rested in my room after that and read. At supper I had the catfish, which was very good. 3 big pieces. I am going to read for a while and then bedtime. Then out to the woods tomorrow. Probably to Peters Mt shelter. About 10.5 miles. I don't want a long day for a while.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Duncannon

To: Peter's Mt Shelter
Miles today: 11.9

The walk out of town was 2 miles of road and the bridge over the Susquehanna River. Then up the ridge to Peters Mt. After one section of big rocks the trail was pretty good. Kid was on the trail with me. I caught her at Table Rock, a spot with a wonderful view. We sat and just enjoyed it for a while. Peter's Mt. shelter was gorgeous. But the spring is down 293 steps. Snapper arrived then ERock. He is upstairs and we 3 girls are down stairs. Kid got a nice campfire going while I brought in wood. I had fun today and the weather was good.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Peter's Mt Shelter

To: Clarks Valley
Miles today: 7.0

I didn't get on the trail until 8:45am. I was 2nd to leave, but Snapper came up behind me after a mile or so. ERock didn't come by until about 6 1/2 miles, while I was taking a break. He was not happy about sleeping late and getting on the trail late. After he got water at the river in Clarks Valley he left to get to Raush Gap Shelter which was still another 11 miles. That was my plan too. After soaking my feet, eating a Cliff bar and resting, I headed up the mountain. In a short while it got really dark and it was thundering and the wind got very strong. It must have been 50 miles an hour. I didn't want to get caught out in a bad rain storm so I found a camp spot and pitched my tarp, after inspecting the trees around me, to make sure there weren't any dead ones that were going to fall on me. As I got under cover the rain came down. It cleared after a while, but I decided to stay. Its now 6 p.m. and I am cooking Ramen. I still hear occasional thunder. I'll read for a while and tomorrow we'll see.
Date: 2007-03-30
To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Old Gray Mare is getting ready to go on the trail again.I will be driving down with Jane and Melinda, two section hikers from Massachusetts that I met last year on the trail. We have since gone to Maine toLittle Lyford Camps and hiked the Gulf Hagas, last fall. What a wonderful trip.On May 14 we will drive to Hot Springs and leave the car there and take a shuttle to Fontana Dam. We will hike the Smokies back to Hot Springs. Jane and Melinda will then drive back to Mass. I will stay and visit with daughter Deb,who will be coming down to participate in the experience without actually having to put on a backpack, God forbid! She and I will hang out for a couple of days and visit the hot springs, and local pub, etc. I will rest and refresh my body and then continue north until I feel like enough is enough. Maybe try to get to Damascus V. I know the girls at Curves and the Staff at Foxborough High School will be following along with my adventures and hardships and new friends I meet on the trail. I know I will be thinking of all of them.I will update you as the time grows closer.
Date: 2007-05-03
To: Update
Miles today: 0.0

I am down to 11 days before we head south to start this season's hike. I have put in my maildrops. This will give friends and family an outline of where I will be and when.I believe I have everything. I will mail my resupply boxes today. I have been e-mailing Jane and Melinda on final details. They will pick me upearly May 14. I do not live near them, so they will have about an hour's drive,south, thankfully, before they get to Plainville.Debbie, my daughter, is excited about meeting me in Hot Springs. She will be just what I need at that point in the trip. I will reenergize and rest, and she will help me keep my head in the game. I want to thank all of Debbie's friendsat Foxboro High School, where she works, for their support, and "gifts". I now have enough tissue paper to clean all the butts from Fontana Dam to Damascus, Virginia. I will probably update once more before I leave. Old Gray Mare.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Plainville

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It's 5:30 am and I am waiting for Jane and Melinda to get here. We are headed for the Duckett Inn tonight and Fontana Dam tomorrow. I got about an hours sleeplast night. Watched Survivor, poor Yau-man. to friends and family stay well until I see you again. You gals at Curves, watch your target heart rates.
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Hot Springs

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Jane and Melinda and I left Plainville at 6:30am Monday and arrived at Hot Springs around 9:30 Pm. We ate at Wendy's for supper. It was poor. The Duckett House was waiting for us. We had tea and cookies and a shower and went to bed around 11. Up at 5am. I got about an hours sleep.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter.
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Up at 5 am, and picked up by shuttle at 6 am. Dropped off car at trailhhead andheaded for Fontana Dam. Arrived and started hiking at 9:30am. We were already tired, as we had not had a decent nights' sleep in 3 days. Long day and very hard on me. Let me say now, what I imagine it will be like, and carrying my not prepared body uphill for 11 miles, is ugly. Jane and Melinda doing better than me. I was dizzy and dragging. Took several breaks. Beautiful views. Sawbear scat many times and wild pig scat. Wild pigs was not something I thought much about, previously. Apparently there are a ton of them here. As I fell further behind my pals, they would send messages of encouragment to me from hikers headed my way, and I would send messages forward with hikers passing me. I was having a terrible start to my journey. When I arrived Jane and Melinda had made a hot meal for me. Are they great or what? I had a muscle spasm around my ribs which was uncomfortable for a minute. I got water set up my sleeping bag and gratefully laid down. There were several hikers and a ranger there. One of the hikers was a young man who had injured himself with an ax. Apparently he brought an ax to chop wood, and in the process, the log hehad his foot on moved. This brought his knee into the swing of the ax. He badly injured himself and was bandaged up and had his leg raised on a chair belonging to Ranger Dan. Jane and Melinda being nurses helped make sure everything that can be done. We climbed into bed about 9PM. I was miserable.During the evening Ranger Dan shot a wild pig. He (Ranger Dan, not the pig) hasnight vision goggles and a gun to save us from bears and pigs.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter.

To: Mollies Ridge shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

We packed up and started out about 8:30am. I hadn't gone 1/2 a mile and my legs were shaking. Yesterday beat me pretty badly. I told J and M to go on. They were headed for Derrick Knob and it is supposed to be a tough section. I was never going to be able to keep up, even close. I am not as prepared as I believed, Iguess I am not 40 anymore. Not to worry, journey is still a go.I stayed at the shelter for the day. I watched as they brought horses up from8 miles down the side trail, to carry the injured fellow out. Then I slept all day long. More hikers came in. Ranger Dan went down to a campsite 3 miles back and was helping drive problem bears off. I didn't realize the bear problem was as big as it is, here in the Smokies. Also it poured rain most of the day. I was better off where I was.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Mollies Ridge shelter

To: Cades Cove
Miles today: 3.3

After reviewing my options, now that I feel a little better, I have decided that I can't catch up to my friends. I am going to hike some and go to Cades Cove and get a shuttle to Gatlinburg. Jane and Melinda will arrive, hopefully, tomorrow. It is a beautiful day, still lots of scat on the trail. Went 3.3 on the AT and came to Russell Field shelter. Rested and then started down the sidetrail which comes out in 5.5 miles at Cades Cove. Beautiful walk next to stream with moss and cascades and bubbling and murmuring of the water. I had lunch in the picnic area, which was immaculate. Then I walked to the ranger station and got the number of a shuttle. All Park Taxi, Cheryl was her name, picked me up after an hour. I just laid out in the sun drinking powerade. She suggested the Grand Prix Hotel which is hiker friendly, has laundry facilitiesand internet and is intown. Left message for Jane on her cell and called hubby.Had dinner. Slept fairly well, still a little sore.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Cades Cove

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Around 1:30 went to the hotel office and Melinda was there looking for me. Sheblew out her knee yesterday and got a hitch from Clingmans Dome today. She went to get her resupply box and found my note. She is at the hotel across the street, not knowing about this hotel, and not getting cell service in the mountains and never receiving my messages. Jane and a new girl are coming in tonight. Melinda's husband is on his way down from Mass. to get her. Deb, I am still on track to meet you. Tell Russ you read this.