morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-01-28
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Well this morning, Bono slept in and I woke up first. We decided to head down to Mountain Momma's Kuntry Store and Kitchen to get our packages and be on our way. If she was open. I called from Fontana and asked if she was open and she did tell me that she was closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Today of course is a Tuesday.    After we hiked the easy .9 miles down to the gap and the easier 1.25 miles down to her place, we saw a "CLOSED" sign out on the front screen door. So I used pocketmail to send/recieve email and Bono & I sat and munched. As we discussed our plans, I saw someone out of the corner of my eye. Slowly he hobbled toward us but I dare not make eye contact first. Then as he yells out in a THICK Georgia accent "I have been lookin for yall all over the place!" Instantly I knew who it was- our buddy Wrong Way from the first day in the Smokies. He had a rough time through the Smokies and has been recouping here and waiting for his replacement gear- namely better boots.   They are in the next day mail and SHOULD be here tomm. We shall see.   Anyhow, we hung around MM's until 630, when she pulled up in her caddie. She was not happy to see Bono and I and that set the mood for the rest of our encounter with her. Eventually she did open up and give us our boxes and offered us a campsite for $15! Outrageous and that did not include showers or laundry.   So Bono and I decided to walk back up to the shelter we stayed at last night. When we arrived here after dark, it eas beginning to rain and I found 2 other guys in the shelter: O man and Erin.   O man started out as a thru hiker on the same day I did and after 30 miles decided it was not for him. So as his buddy, Happy, hikes north he is hitching from trail town to trail town, meeting Happy as he goes.   We'll probably run into him soon he says. Probably in Hot Springs.   Erin, the other guy, is a painter and is out here looking for inspiration. Late night tonight, we are still up talking and it is 130.
Date: 2003-01-29
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: moderate rain

      RAIN!   Today we woke to drizzling skies and that set the mood for today.      Bono and I woke up and cruised down to MM's by 11. There standing on the front steps was Wrong Way with a smile on his face from ear to ear- he got his boots today!   That means he can go hiking with us today. We headed out of there about 1130 and made it back to the trail by about 1215.   That is where the rain really started. It still has not stopped.       WE mossied down the trail at a leisurly pace. Bono, Wrong Way, and I trudged in a three man parade through the woods up to hte top of Snowbird Mountain. We got there through a dense fog. AS we walked across the bald summit, the visability was maybe 50 ft. I was soaking wet from wearing a poncho and using hiking poles. The poncho left my arms exposed and my fleece wicked the cool water up to my torso. Today, by far, was mentally the hardest day for me. Rain, Rain go away!   I think Bono put it best when he said that he "prefers 10* and snowing vs. 37* and rain. As we use to say on the trail crew "Today was prime hypothermia weather." But this is just one more obstacle that I will have to learn to deal with. I went through the same process with the snow. I will overcome.         It was nice to have a third person around today. Wrong Way has an incredible resolve about him. The Smokies wooped him, but all he wants to do is get back out there and hike.   I have no doubt in my mind that he will get to Damascus. He continues to push himself. And I admire him for that.      We rolled into the shelter about 615- just as it began to get really dark. Someone was kind enough to make a nice wood pile inside the shelter. So here sits a big pile of dry wood in this soaked area of woods. But we will not make a fire tonight.   Because we are out of the stone shelters in the Smokies (which have stone fireplaces within them), the fire ring is outside in the rain. So we will leave the wood here for another hiker to use.          Tomm we have 13 miles to do so a decent start is in order. When there is not a full moon, I prefer to hike more during the day so I do not have to waste the batteries in my headlamp.         Starting yesturday the weather has changed a little. Aince it is warmer, our saturated boots do not freeze in the morning and we can stand to be outside of our sleeping bags for longer periods of time. For the first time in about 10 days we walked across trail that was not covered in SNOW! It is pleasant to see the trail and the forest floor in a different "light". Even though today was tough, I am still enjoying myself and wish nothing more than to be out here.
Date: 2003-01-30
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

      Well today started later than I had intended. I woke up about 830 but Bono did not want to walk in the rain. So around 10 we rose and started packing.   At noon, we headed out.       About 6 miles into the day, we came across the Max Patch- a supposedly incredible place when there are clear skys.   When we arrived, a cloud of thick, dense fog covered the mountain. It was neat to walk across this bald, walking from trail marker to trail marker.   The visability was about 30 ft on top and the wind was to little to matter. Eiry feeling on top almost.      We kept walking.   Onward to the shelter!   Tonight Wrong Way scared me. He was slipping into first stage hypothermia.   Not good! I knew we only had about 3/4 of a mile to the shelter so I tried my best to keep him alert, warm and walking on his own will. At that point in the day I dont think I could have carried both of our packs. He was cold, damp, losing his senses, and "just wanted to stop, put down his bag, just go to sleep." I'm glad that I was hiking with him- if he would have done that I cant imagine what would have happened. As we got close to the shelter, I could see someones candle casting a ray of light through the dense fog like a lighthouse on the Maine coast.   I belted out on the top of my lungs "HIKER IN THE SHELTER!" I got a questioning reply "YEAH?!?" Then I knew we were very close and that made me feel better. Soon we arrived at the shelter and I helped Wrong Way out of his boots and gaitors and got him into his sleeping bag to warm up.       Well the person in the shelter turned out to be none other than Grizzly Adam. He and another guy have been trying to meet up with Bono for awhile now. "Grizz" as Bono has been calling him, has been at this shelter since 3. We did not get in until 7-ish. Grizz had come in on one of the roads that crosses the trail and at that crossing had left some treats that Peter (another trail angel from Ashville, NC). Trail Magic! Got to love it. We devoured the snacks before we ever got close to the shelter. Thanks Peter!      Tomm we now have 15 miles to do because we did noy go as far as we had planned (due to Wrong Way's condition). I plan on getting an early start and seeing hoe fast I can get there. Grizz is going to hike with Bono and then when they get to his truck, Bono will stay at his place tomm night. I plan on staying at the Sunnybank Inn.   Well Wrong Way is finally coming back to his good ole self and so to bed I go.
Date: 2003-01-31
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC 
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

   An early start today and a fast pace got me into Hot Springs around 1. I started at 730 and walked the 15 miles to town. That puts my pace at about 2.5 miles an hour and I was feeling GREAT!   I think I could have walked 5 easily and made it a 20 mile day, but I need to stop and dry my boots.    I got to Hot Springs and picked up my drop boxes. Mom did a great job putting them together- Thanks Mom!    Around 230 a grey truck pulls up to the Sunnybank Inn (where I was sitting) and Bono and Grizz pop out. Grizz offered to put me up for the night at his place! So I tossed my pack in the truck and about after 30 minutes of driving we arrived at his house. We showered and started our stinky laundry. And then we drove into Ashville to hit the Pizza Hut. We ordered and shoveled down the 2 extra large New Yorker Pizzas. I was stuffed. I do not think I could have put away another bite.    After we had filled our stomachs, Grizz drove us to his buddy's house to use their internet. After poking around for awhile we were off to the grocery store to pick up some more food. Then it was back to Grizz's place. We sat and digested all that pizza and watched a movie "The Edge".   It is late and I am getting tired.   So on to the couch I go to crash for the night. Thanks Grizz for hooking us up!
Date: 2003-02-01
From: Hot Springs, NC 

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well this morning I was woken up to find Grizz making us pancakes. It was about 815 and Grizz said we needed to leave around 9 so he could get to work. So I scrambled some eggs and then scrambled to get all my stuff together. We droppedBono off at church and I went to the Sunnybank Inn. As we pulled up Wrong Way comes strolling down the sidewalk with pack and all. It turns out he didn¢t make the 15 miles yesterday and stopped at the shelter that was about 3 miles before town. His foot looks pretty bad and feels worse. Well I went on to the Inn and unloaded my stuff. Then I went down to the outfitter to use their Internet. I think I want to purchase and carry a camcorder to capture some of the memories from this trip. So I was doing some research. I poked around for a couple of hours and then I went to the payphone and called home.   I was glad to hear that all is well and that a lot of people are following my journal. Even one of my little cousins' classes (hi Jesse) is following my journal.   I am surprised at how many hits my journal has already- over 18000!      Soon I will be sending home some pieces of gear. Among them will be my GPS(the shelter waypoints from Maptech are wrong), my snowshoes, and a few other odds and ends.        I gave my sled to Grizz. He does a lot of winter stuff and I think that the snow has dissipated enough to the point where I wont needed. Plus it was a pain to carry when I could not use it.           Back at the Inn, Oman shows up again. We talked for a while and he says there is one other fast moving hiker behind us- Paul, a twenty something of Scottish decent. Paul started on the 8th of January and is supposedly a day or two behind. If he comes through, I will probably take off with him, as I am ready to start putting away some bigger mile days.   Today marks the end of my first month out on the trail!   YAHHOOO!   I am having the time of my life and cannot believe how fast my time out here is going.   I will continue to walk Northward on the great Appalachian National Scenic Trailway until I am no longer having fun- and guess what, I don¢t think that is going to happen any time soon.        Tonight, Oman and I went to the Smokey Mountain Diner and ate. Good, Cheap FOOD in BIG quantities- what every hiker wishes for.   Then we came back and watched a couple of movies with Wrong Way. He is soaking his nasty looking toe in Epson Salt trying to rid it of infection.   I suggested that he go down to the medical center tomm.   He agreed that it would be a good idea.        What a nice way to spend my last day of my first month on the trail- At Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn.
Date: 2003-02-02
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well this morning I was woken up to find Grizz making us pancakes. It was about 815 and Grizz said we needed to leave around 9 so he could get to work. So I scrambled some eggs and then scrambled to get all my stuff together. We droppedBono off at church and I went to the Sunnybank Inn. As we pulled up Wrong Way comes strolling down the sidewalk with pack and all. It turns out he didn¢t make the 15 miles yesterday and stopped at the shelter that was about 3 miles before town. His foot looks pretty bad and feels worse. Well I went on to the Inn and unloaded my stuff. Then I went down to the outfitter to use their Internet. I think I want to purchase and carry a camcorder to capture some of the memories from this trip. So I was doing some research. I poked around for a couple of hours and then I went to the payphone and called home.   I was glad to hear that all is well and that a lot of people are following my journal. Even one of my little cousins' classes (hi Jesse) is following my journal.   I am surprised at how many hits my journal has already- over 18000!      Soon I will be sending home some pieces of gear. Among them will be my GPS(the shelter waypoints from Maptech are wrong), my snowshoes, and a few other odds and ends.        I gave my sled to Grizz. He does a lot of winter stuff and I think that the snow has dissipated enough to the point where I wont needed. Plus it was a pain to carry when I could not use it.           Back at the Inn, Oman shows up again. We talked for a while and he says there is one other fast moving hiker behind us- Paul, a twenty something of Scottish decent. Paul started on the 8th of January and is supposedly a day or two behind. If he comes through, I will probably take off with him, as I am ready to start putting away some bigger mile days.   Today marks the end of my first month out on the trail!   YAHHOOO!   I am having the time of my life and cannot believe how fast my time out here is going.   I will continue to walk Northward on the great Appalachian National Scenic Trailway until I am no longer having fun- and guess what, I don¢t think that is going to happen any time soon.        Tonight, Oman and I went to the Smokey Mountain Diner and ate. Good, Cheap FOOD in BIG quantities- what every hiker wishes for.   Then we came back and watched a couple of movies with Wrong Way. He is soaking his nasty looking toe in Epson Salt trying to rid it of infection.   I suggested that he go down to the medical center tomm.   He agreed that it would be a good idea.        What a nice way to spend my last day of my first month on the trail- At Elmer¢s Sunnybank Inn.
Date: 2003-02-03
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn

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

Got a later start than I had intended today. It seems as though Hot Springs has some sort of magnetic draw to it. I could stay here for a long, long time.    I woke up about 930 and took a long, hot shower and about 1045 I departed from Elmers' Sunnybank Inn. Elmer is a swell guy and his hostel is top notch.      I walked up to Bluff Mountain Outfitters and shipped my busted (the straps broke off) poles back to REI. When all was said and done it was about 1230. I said goodbye to Wrong Way because I will not see him again. He will be holed up in Hot Springs for at least 3 more nights due to his nearly infected toe. Today he is going to the medical center here in town to get it checked out. I enjoyed his presence and Wish him luck on his hiking endeavors.   I started walking about 100 and shortly there after, I stopped to talk to two day hikers (Hill Billy Goat and Slider). I chatted with them for 20 minutes and then I finally got moving. The weather was gorgeous today- in the 60s and sunny and no wind. I hiked in shorts and no shirt today; I even broke a sweat! By the end of the day I was 11 miles further down the trail and back with my hiking partner Bono.   I caught him about 3/4 of a mile before the shelter. I saw him and his blue jacket ahead of me so I decided to play a little trick on him and get him back for a SMALL portion of the trick he played on me. I crept up as fast and as quietly as I could. When I was about 50 ft behind him I belted out at the top of my lungs "YAHOOOOOO!!"   He jumped and looked with a fearful look on his face. When he realized it was me a smile came about.    We stopped and chatted for awhile and then mossied on into the shelter about430.   Rain has been predicted for tonight and this shelter looks suspiciously old and leaky. I hope it keeps us dry. Also the sleeping platform is short- my feet touch in the back and my head overhangs in the front. Well it¢s about 930 and I am pretty tired. To the sack I go.
Date: 2003-02-04
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start this morning, again. 1130.   It rained pretty hard for about 6 hours last night. I woke up several times but the shelter kept us plenty dry.   Today I felt like I was moving in slooooowwwww mooootion. It took over two hours to push the first 3.7 miles down to a sizable road.   About a mile and a half on the other side of the road, I realized that I had dropped my poncho somewhere along the way. So I dropped my pack and began trail running South to find my lost item of gear. About 100 yards from the road, I spotted my blue silnylon poncho in its grey mesh stuff sack. Whew- I would have been up a creek if I had lost it. So I turned around and re-ran the 1.5 miles back to my pack. All in all it added about 3 miles to my day. Oh well stuff like that happens some times and it could have been much worse. Out here you got to roll with the punches.   As the day progressed, the skies became clearer and the sun poked through more and more. We arrived at the shelter around five. The is another shelter just 6.7 miles from here and I contemplated going on (as was my original plan this morning,) but I decided to stop with Bono for the evening. Because it was still nice and sunny, I started gathering wood for a fire while Bono retrieved us some water.   We had a nice fire tonight. It really started roaring just as the sun faded over the distant mountains. As we sat next to the fire, warming our feet, I melted a large hole in my outer pair of smart wool socks- I guess I got a little too close. Nice night tonight. I hope tomm I feel a bit better. I would like to put away some decent mileage and get into Erwin. It looks like either 12 or 21 miles tomm if I wish to stay at a shelter. We will see how the day goes. I like to be flexible out here as it allows for me to enjoy my time more thoroughly. It has been said many times and I will repeat it many more through out this trip "It's not the destination, it's about the journey."
Date: 2003-02-05
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

   Today started great! I woke up about 930 to the sun blazing in my eyes, had a quick breakfast, pulled on my dry boots, and hit the trail about1015. Bono was just rolling out of his bag. He said he did not feel great and told me to go on. So I did.   The sun was out when I woke and continued to shine all day. The temperature was a balmy 30*. Perfect for walking. I can stand to wear a shirt without sweating and I do not have to wear gloves or my thick hat. It is a pleasant and welcome change from the snowy and rainy days that I have had over the past couple of weeks.   I arrived at this shelter about 1 o'clock with strong intentions of walking the next 5.9 miles to Flint Mountain Shelter.   For some unknown reason, I decided that I would wait for Bono to show up and then walk to the next shelter with him. So I decided to do a little maintaining while I basked in the sun. I cleaned out the shelter and the fire ring (5 lbs of trash including cans, glass bottles, and even a rusted out frying pan!), gathered some firewood for someone else to use, and raked up some leaves to place in the container for the moldering privy. And then I waited. I read the entire shelter register front to back and added my own long winded entry. I could not help but laugh aloud as I read some of the entries.   Apparently the mice here are plentiful and crazy.   About 3 o'clock, I began to worry about my hiking buddy, Bono. Even if he had a late start, he should have arrived by now. I tried yelling his name at the top of my lungs and listening for a reply, but none ever came.      Did he slip on the ice and break something? Did he get sick and was not able to walk from the last shelter to here? Where is he?   All sorts of scenarios were running through my head... I hope he is ok!   So about 315, I started walking south. About a mile and a half down, I still had not seen him. So I came back to the shelter and waited. I left him a note in the register, letting him know that I was worried and just as I was about to push on to the next shelter, what did I see, my friend Bono walking through the woods towards me. He said that he did not feel so hot and so we decided to stay here tonight... with the crazed mice.   Bono has been carrying a couple of mousetraps since Fontana Dam (Thanks Bushwhack!), just for this purpose- to defend our food bags against the circus like creatures. Tonight we put them to good use. We caught one before dark (in most shelters, they don¢t start moving until after dark) and we will see how many more we can get before the nights' end. I hope they don¢t keep me up all night.   Because we did not push on today, we will have to stay out at least two more nights before Erwin. It is about 40 miles and unless I am having some wonderful days, I don¢t think I am going to be there on Friday night. Well early to bed tonight- its only 700, but I am done with everything because of the short day today.
Date: 2003-02-06
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Devil's Fork Gap-Miss Janet's Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

      Well today started early and cold. I woke up to an inch of new snow at 830. I layed in my bag until about 915 and then I began to pack my stuff. 14 planned miles today and I want to get to the next shelter by dark. This calls for an 1100 start. Bono and I both get out of the shelter by 1050.      Boy, it was windy today, 20 mph winds with higher gusts of 30mph.   Bono and I cruised into the first shelter, Flint Mt, by 2. We discussed our plans and took a break. Bono and I, both were low on food, he was still not feeling 100% and we, at that point, were 2.7 miles from a road. We figured the road had to go somewhere and that we could hitch out there and get more food.      Down the AT, to the road we went.   As we got close we could see blacktop and vehicles. To make a long, not so interesting story short, we got a hitch with an amatuer photographer and his wife. They dropped us and our gear at the Erwin Burrito and were off. Bono ate there and then we walked down to the Food Lion to buy some more food. I called Miss Janet from there to ask if we would have access to the kitchen- I did not want a repeat of Gatlinburg! She said sure and let us know that she would be right over to pick us up.   Many times, I have heard people refer to her as the "The Queen of the Trail". SO far so good. Soon enough a lady pokes her head around the corner and calls us each by name. Sure enough it was the famous Miss Janet. She said it usually is not too dificult to pick thru hikers out in a crowd. We check out and loaded our groceries into the big, gray "Shaggin Wagon"- the 15 passanger van that Miss Janet uses to Shuttle everyone around in. And we are off to the hostel.      This hostel is different (And better in my opinion) that most. It is just a house with a couple of bunks built in to two of the bedrooms. Miss Janet lets you use anything- showers, internet, laundry, kitchen, and the TV and VCR.   This place is very laid back and "homey".      We unloaded our groceries, took long hot showers, and ate speghetti- a lot of it. We chatted with Miss Janet and her two girls (Autumn and Katlin). Then we watched "O Brother Where Aret Thou" and now we are hitting the soft mattresses in the bunk room.       I did not expect the day to end like this. In fact, I figured that we had two more trail nights before we would arrive here. I like how unpredictable this trail is. Everything can change in such little time. It keeps variety in this trip and you know what they say: "Variety is the spice of life." How true.