morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-10
From: Plum Orchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

One state down. Uneventful today, despite the fact that we crossed the Georgia/North Carolina border. We had a very mild night and slept awesome, due to the lack of shivering. Did have one down pour sometime late, but we were all cozy in the shelter so only the bear bags were soaked.We woke up at 6:30 am to a beautiful morning, if not a little wet and all took our time getting ready fo the day's hike. Almost fell hard on some slippery leaves and rocks twice today and a slew of colorful words could be heard. Not terribly difficult terrain, and the sun dried things up quickly. Stopped at Muscrat Creek Shelter for lunch and found a message from Tofurkey that she had thought we had gone on without her, when, in reality, we were behind her. Boomer's foot was giving him mucho grief today and over lunch he began to talk about hitching out ot town for a zero day.By the time we all met up at Standing Indian Shelter for the night, Boomer was still hangin in there. At the road crossing he had considered quitting for good, or at least taking a few days off, but he toughed it out and climbed the annoying .9 miles up to the shelter. we are all very happy to still have him with us. When we stroll into Franklin on Sunday, we are going to make a stay of it and zero there Monday so Boomer can heal up, and also Swansons has a tooth that is really aching and stopping him from chewing and a zero day will get him to a dentist. This will be helpful as well.So we are all in good shape, Tofurkey is at the next shelter. We are hoping to catch up with her eventually, and we have two (maybe three) in need of a doctor. Oh well, such is life. We are still walking, doing a 14 plus tomorrow-and my feet are still blister free!
Date: 2006-03-11
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

So, we found ourselves in Franklin a little bit early. Not a zero day, hiked 8 miles out, just not on the AT!As I said in my last entry, Swansons had been nursing a nasty toothache. Well, it got much worse yesterday and led him to a sleepless night of mucho pain. We knew right away in the morning it would be foolish to do a 15 mi. today and a 10 mi. tomorrow to get him into town. The possibility of an abscess rupturing was too high in our minds so he and I set out, retracing our steps back down Standing Indian to the forestry road 7 miles of crappy, feet hurting road, walking, we got a ride from a wonderful couple who took Swansons straight to the emergency room, and me to the Budget Inn to book me and the "wounded soldier" a room. What wonderful, friendly people there are in Franklin! The ER gave Swansons scripts for pain killers and antibiotics and a list of dentists to call. While I was booking the rooms, I ran into Achilles and Gumby, who had left us two days ago to finish Georgia before spring break was over.They hung with us for a while, while I asked around for a pharmacy. Found out it was quite a ways away--but luckily, Gumby and Achilles had a ride and they shuttled my butt out there so I could get the pain medications for Swansons.-and also bought us lunch! the people you encounter out here are amazing! Now, fed and showered, Swansons is happily watching TV on his pain meds. I am doing some laundry and chatting with some thruhikers who were ahead of us. The hard thing about all this is going to be the decision to a)walk out of here with our friends on Tuesday and start where they left off 23 miles up the trail from where we had to get off, or b) leave with them but get a ride back down the forestry road, leaving our friends, but making up those precious 23 miles we missed. Either way, we have to wait till Monday, it being Saturday, Swansons can't get an appointment until Monday morning. So, I guess we'll make the choice then. It will be tough to leave our buddies, but I don't like missing even that small portion of the trail.The long, lost Tofurkey popped up at the Budget Inn and what a wonderful reunion. Even though she had been gone only two days, we thought we'd be turkeyless forever. So, despite missing a portion of the trail today, (that we will make up) it was good times. Ron, the owner of the Budget Inn is an amazing guy who shuttles us hikers everywhere, going so far as to knock on our doors to make sure we don't need anything. Cheap thru-hiker rates, and he is bringing the limo around tonight to take the crazy hikers to the bowling alley. He even offered to take Swansons tooth out for him!! Said he could find enough hikers to hold him down and we could put some toilet paper in his back pockets in case of an accident. Like I said before, amazing people out here! But, I've only been here since our little trek this morning and I'm already itching to get back to hiking. Oh Well...Toothache emergencies.. hiking... towns....adventure!
Date: 2006-03-14
From: Franklin, North Carolina

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 24.4

Still in Franklin. It is Tuesday, but it was a damn productive day. We took two zero days as we wandered around town trying to find a dentist or a pair of plyers to rip out Swanson's tooth. Finally , yesterday morning, we got a hold of one and they took him right in. Good thing too, there was a bunch of hikers getting all too excited about a good blood and gore fest in our hotel room. So he had himself a root canal and we all felt like dancing that it was finally better. Swansons didn't have a "look"e like someone was stabbing him with a hot poker anymore! We celebrated the right way with lots of beers and lots of thru hikers milling all about. Kaptain taught us a crazy game called speed quarters and things got a little loopy. But, somehow, we still got to bed before 10:00PM. We all had long days to prepare for. The rest of the group took off this morning for a 15 miler, and Swansons and I got a ride from the wonderful owner of the Budget Inn, Ron, all the way back to Deep Gap where we had last left off. We planned to do a 24.4 mile slack pack (meaning not with all of our gear, but just some food, and water, and clothes). Ron dropped us off at 7:20am and picked us back up at Winding Stair Gap at 5:15pm. I think by the end of the day, we were very happy that we did not skip this section, just to stay with our friends. It was one of the prettiest days yet. And the hiking was relatively easy. We climbed Standing Indian Mountain then cruised all the way to Big Butt Mountain where you hike along its cliffs and the view is amazing! After Big Butt we climbed Albert Mountain, which was very steep and kicked our butts, even without heavy packs, but luckily it was a short climb and a great reward at the end. The view was really breathtaking and the fire tower was awesome.I am so happy that we didn't bail on this section. After 20 miles, Crutch was waiting at Rock Gap with sodas and he called Ron for us and told us he'd pick us up at 5:15 PM. It was 4:00PM then. So we had an hour and 15 minutes to make 3.8 miles, and we did it in an hour and 5 minutes. We were moving those last miles. Rod said he ought to get us trophies for how fast we kicked out tht day, but I think it was about right for slack packing. Ron was just a nice guy like that. So it was a great day-nice easy ups and downs and the kind where you really feel the climb was worth it, because of the views you get.But, now, back in Franklin, showered and just had the best Mexican I've every had, we are dead freakin tired. The first shuttle leaves at 7:00AM and it is 10:00PM--way past bed time. Tomorrow we set out and over our first Bald! And we are on a mission to catch up with the rest of the pack by Fontana Dam this weekend. We'll see. It could happen. Just, very excited, and feel alot better now tht Swansons is cool and we have made up the section we missed.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We hadn't planned staying at the hostel for the night. We were sure that we would hike on to at least the tent site about 3 miles away. But when you come down off the mountain and are greeted by an outdoor shop, a restaurant and a beautiful river right on the trail, your feet and body begin to plot against your mind's decision to eat and hike on. Then, when you add in a couple of cool hikers that you met the day before, things just become pretty damn irresistable.This morning, we took our time getting up and actually slept in until 8AM!It was too cold to actually relax and eat breakfast but we tried our best, sitting and dipping granola bars into peanut butter. It was a good thing we packed up and got out when we did because soon after, we began to see snowflakes all around us. Those sweet little snowflakes soon turned into little balls of freezing rain, and the pack covers went on. 4 miles went quickly with the rain pushing us along and as quickly as we had cranked out the 4 miles, the rain was gone and the sun was fighting its way through.Swansons and I have begun playing games to pass some of the harder miles along. Twenty questions takes the cake, and makes time fly when the terrain is tough. though we cheat and use way more than twenty questions!Had some amazing views again today. That does seem to be North Carolina's specialty. Went down the side of a mountain so steep we were turning corners on cliffs and feeling like we were dropping off the face of the earth!I forgot to mention in my journal yesterday, and today I was reminded once again, but day hikers seem to see us thru hikers as part of the main attraction on the trail. They are so kind and sweet to us, but they step aside and stare like "Oh honey, it really does smell horribly, quick take a picture before we frighten them away!" It is good fun, and most of them are great people, just curious.But, anyway, we strolled into the NOC at about 2PM (The Nantahala Outdoor Center) and headed straight for the first restaurant we saw. We were soon joined by Sparrow, Overflow and Steve and we all devoured soda and burgers like starving children. Overflow was the one who convinced us to stay. She didn't have to say much, just that she had the whole hostel to herself---so we had to keep her company, of course.The food was awesome, and the outfitter shop was even better. Bought myself a new pair of lower cut socks, my other pair went missing in Franklin. How do socks manage that so often?We showered and got our rooms in the hostel (we are being pampered but my bed has mouse poop in it so I am considering that this is basically sleeping in a shelter with a door!) Then is was back for more buffets for dinner, two hours after lunch. We are so spoiled, despite the long hikes--we have a 17 mile day for tomorrow--so we need all the burgers and soda we can get. I feel like I'm at sleep away camp at the moment. I know it won't stay that way, especially with the Smokies only 4 short days away.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The word of the day is up. Our motto for today is "hike up and hike up some more..it is good for you and this is not an understatement.." The NOC is nestled comfortably at a mere 1,740 feet. Starting from there this morning, we climbed up to 4,750 feet in a short 3 mile span. The rest of the 16 miles went 98% up and 2% down. But, we got an amazing view at Cheoah Bald. We felt on top of the world and could see over plenty of mountain tops, ones that we have climbed, no less. It was breathtaking but only for a few minutes...because well, there was more climbing to be done. Imagine that. We lucked out on the weather though, and had probably upper 60's throughout most of the day. It was beautiful and when I wasn't panting my way up the mountains, I was enjoying the sun and fluffy white clouds.One valuable lesson I did learn today, though, was that I need to start drinking more water during the day. I get so zoned in on the hiking at times that I forget to drink and probably only drink 1 liter throughout the day. Not good. Especially with lots of climbing and being sunburned. I started to feel the effects of dehydration this afternoon. My legs just felt like mush going up those hills. So, lesson learned. Kurly needs to get a bit smarter and drink lots of water!!!I talked all day about how when we got to the shelter I was going to chug down my gatorade mix---but, when we got in, the temperature was dropping and the craving went from electrolytes to hot chocolate!! It was the best hot chocolate I have ever tasted!!   Thanks Gumby and Achilles for leaving that with us!! that leaves the gatorade for tomorrow.We are pulling 12 miles into Fontana Dam to pick up our first mail drop and probably spend the night. Maybe celebrate St. Patty's Day, a day late?   That would be nice. We are still behind the rest of our friends, Boomer, Sunshine, Kaptain, Pinky and Tofurkey,oh and Lockjaw. We miss them. But we are not worried about it, we will catch them when we catch them.Tonight, the shelter is full and Swansons and I are tenting it-Probably better with the cold anyway. Hopefully not so many ups tomorrow, but either way, it wil be a great hike.Oh,and my new, thin adrenaline socks are awesome--helping my feet stay blister free so far--two weeks in!
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Brown Fork Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was an incredible day. It's funny how you can have such a cold and lonely night and just hope that things will get better--when--all of a sudden everything turns upside down and you feel on top of the world.It was a cold morning and we packed up quickly to get moving and get warm. But, once we got going, the legs felt great and the miles went by like nothing. We stopped for lunch at Cable Gap Shelter and read some register entries from our long lost group. They were expecting to catch up with us last night.   But Swansons and I didn't overdo the miles and were content to stay the night here at Fontana Village. We were glad we decided on that. As soon as we strolled down to the general store a group of about 20 hikers were milling about and calling out our names. It was a bunch of kids we had been hiking with on and off. It was nice to see some familiar faces---Jazzy pants, Milk dud, Casino, Little Brother, No worries, train, Bear, Snake, Ajax and a bunch of others, plus Swansons and I got a bunch of beer and hung out in the part all afternoon. It was one of those moments in time, those sweet moments that you will never forget. A bunch of crazy thru hikers, in a park with beer. It couldn't have been better!But the hike was great too. There was a decent climb that gave us an amazing view of the dam and the lake. It was awesome to be that high above something so big. We cruised through the hike, questioning whose family members would fit what animals in the wild. I decided that Swansons is most like a yellow lab. Still haven't seen one ounce of wildlife, but we have heard, what we believe are foxes? Maybe coyotes? The bees made their first appearances today. So now, we are entering bug season......yippee..So tomorrow, we will be entering the Great Smokey National Park, home of an estimated 1600 black bears and about 100 AT thru hikers every week or so...are the odds against us?   Just gotta remember to hang our food and keep the snickers bars out of your pockets when you turn in for the night. Rumor has it, they are also home to wild boar, so it should make for an interesting week. We are pumped as usual...ready for anything!!
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: snow

Sleet, rain and mud. Mud, sleet and rain, and wind! Freezing cold. Ok, so we had this weather coming to us. First time hikin in such wacky weather. When we got to the visitor center on the dam it ws slightly drizzling. As we began to climb Shuckstack Mountain, it began pouring. The rain jacket was on, despite how damn suffocating it was. And as we got higher, the freezing rain kicked in, and the wind picked up.   Smokey's thermometer read 37 degrees and we only had more to climb. By the time we were 3 miles from the shelter our paints were soaked through and I had lost all motor skills in my left hand despite the gloves! I couldn't even unclip my pack. I had no strength in my dominant hand. It was the coldest I've hiked in yet. I was so glad that we had taken that light day yesterday. My cold seems to have died down and I actually enjoyed the hike today. When it's so cold, drips of rain water are freezing to the bill of your hood, so it isn't exactly fun to stop and take breaks, so every once in a while, Swansons and I would stop, fish a candy bar out of our packs and hike on, quickly.Everywhere around us, icicles were forming on the branches and leaves and as the wind picked up,, giant chunks of ice began dropping from every direction.Last mile before the shelter, my shoes lost the battle to the puddles and mud and my feet were squishing and soaked as we climbed the last pain in the butt hill to the shelter. When that stone building loomed in the fog, I thought I was going to break out running! What a wonderful sight it was! An hour later, there were about 12 thru hikers linedup in sleeping bags, tucked tightly away. Wet and muddy clothes hanging from the ceiling, and a nice little fire going in the shelter fireplace. Hope our socks and gloves don't burn up! Nobody is moving from their sleeping bag. Milk Dud and Monk have a little radio playing and we'are all just trying to make the most of dinner. We have a tarp hangin over the opening held down by rocks and logs which is doing a nice job of keeping us warm. Last temperature check st 2:30PM it was 37 degrees in here and 30 degrees out there. God only knows how cold it will get tonight...so, welcome to the great Smoky Mountain National Park everyone!!It actually feels good to get a days backpacking in against the crazy elements of mother nature. We were too spoiled by the sun.It is 6:45pm. Hope the bears are as huddled up somewhere as we are, because the bear cables outside are frozen solid.   I doubt they are wanderin' around too much tonight, what with giant icicles dropping everywhere! Oh..and Happy Spring! We know how to bring it in right! Early bed tonight, trying for bigger miles tomorrow if mother nature will be so kind as to let us hike a little further.   Nice and freakin warm in my sleeping bag and I love this hike!
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Gatlinburg

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

The forecast is snow---snow from 8:00 tonight to 4:00 tomorrow afternoon. Our first real snow out here. Kind of exciting, kind of scary, since the ridge runner tells us temps are going sub zero tonight.Despite the incoming weather, today was beautiful. We wake up early and hit the pancake house for breakfast and I can safely say I have never had so much food at breakfast--2 eggs, 2 sausage patties, half a plate of home fries, and a full stack (3) of blueberry pancakes. Swansons and I each ordered that and had it finished in less than two minute. Not a crumb left. Our waitress then asked us if we were thru hikers- wonder if it was the food we ate or the smell? I have to say that I wasn't even completely full afterwards. But it did the trick.Caught and easy hitch from town with a wonderful family. The mother helped us load our packs into the car as she explained to us how we didn't look like murderers. I think that was a compliment??Her 1st grader son entertained us thoroughly during the ride with his vast wisdom on everything. He was a riot, and a breath of fresh air, as it has been a while since we've spoken kid language.When we were dropped back off at Newfound Gap, the ridge runner greeted us and told us the bad news. Sub zero temps and 8 inches of snow tonight. Basically he said, get your butts up that mountain and don't get wet or its going to suck. So we kind of hauled through the ten miles today. We walked the ridge almost the entire time which was both good and bad. Good because the views were beyond incredible, almost movie like. They sometimes made you stop dead in your tracks, but bad because ice was in abundance and slipping and sliding was not fun when you were on the edge of a cliff.We were tiptoeing at points carefully, planning every step. After my five falls yesterday, I knew I had to watch it-I didn't have my helmet on! HaHa! Swansons fell victim to the ice today, as did his trekking pole which snapped in half, so he went down to a 3 legged creature.Some parts took us longer to navigate-some areas down right felt impossible, and made us nervous, but it was still a gorgous hike. All part of the adventure! The Smokies are awesome, but I can't wait to leave them and their icy slides behind. So, I am warm in my sleeping bag now, watching the light innocent snow fall from the shelter, enjoying our first AT snow fall now before it becomes not so innocent tomorrow when we have to hike our way through it!One more night in the Smokies. I'll celebrate with frozen pop tarts in the morning!
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light snow

Winter Wonderland....Its great to look at and even better to hike 13 miles in. Snow takes some getting used to, especially when it varies from 2 inches to 5 inches and is still coming down on you all day. Keeps you from falling on the ice through, thats for sure. Traction! And the temperature didn't go above 28 degrees all day. Oh, the Smokies!!We woke up this morning to the sounds of pouring water through the shelter lofts. I fought with my sleeping bag as thoughts of mass leakage and wet clothes went through my head. I thought we were all doomed to hypothermia for the day. When I found the hole out of my sleeping bag, I switched on my head lamp and saw water pouring down from the top bunk. Snake's (who was above us), platypus bag was leaking town onto Pebbles. We got her awake in time to save her stuff. That was 6am-what a wonderful alarm clock!We woke up to a world covered in snow and some very excited hikers from Alabama. But it wasn't as cold as we thought, though the temperature dropped through the day.As you can imagine, we did not stop for breaks often, barely even stopped to snap a few pictures, and draw figures in the snow for the hikers behind us.There were no views to speak of, snow covered everything. But, what we did see was amazing.Now, we are curled up in our bags, trying desperately to stay warm as the temps keep dropping. The snow has not stopped and has instead picked up. But, we have a nice view from our bags. And, it's freakin' cold! We may be in for our coldest night yet! It's 6 o'clock, I've eaten dinner, hot chocolate and a snickers bar along with two benadryl. I am ready for the long night. I am going to bed.