morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Hog Pen Gap

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: moderate rain

It was very foggy this morning. It rained. It rained. It rained some more. So, we were soaked when we arrived at Low Gap Shelter. We decided to stay since Chuck¢s tent leaked the last time it rained. The shelter filled up quickly. A bunch of kids who had hiked the trail before filled the afternoon talking about each other¢s mishaps. Several others stopped to eat lunch and moved on down the trail to set up camp. Met ¢Chilly¢ and a brother/sister as well as Vocal, Cotton, and Dandylion. Bisbee is filthy. He is soaking wet and then rolled around in the black powder under the shelter. I tried to set up the hammock in the shelter, but I ended up in a hiker¢s lap, so I went back out into the rain. I didn¢t do a good job and the wind blew the tarp over and I got wet. It was raining too hard to get out and fix it so I just slept the way it was. Only I guess it was lopsided as well. My butt kept falling through the opening. That was cold! I had good cell service though, so I called all my family and told them all about the trail as they listened to the thunder, rain, and wind beating against the hammock. We¢re still doing it!
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Woke up after a rainy windy night. I didn't do a very good job hanging the hammock and my sleeping bag got a little wet, but I stayed warm! I'm very happy to be getting along with my summer bag, but it is a little chilly! Bisbee was very happy when he finally found a pathway through the shelter to Chuck's sleeping bag. The poor dog was so dirty when he went to bed. This morning he looks great. Chuck's sleeping bag is another story! We packed up our gear and headed out early. Made it to Blue Mountain Shelter and cooked lunch. We snuck in before the rain started again and then made a run for Unicoi Gap when it cleared up. I hung out all my gear to dry at the gap and then we ran into the town of Helen, GA for dinner. Helen is a cute little bavarian resort town, but not exactly hiker friendly. The Chatahoochie River is very muddy and running a little high, but it's more a tubing river than a kayaking river. We ate at the Pizza Pub and returned to the gap. Chuck's knee's a little sore! But we're still doing it!
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Blue Ridge Swag
Miles today: 8.9

Sun's out, Gear's dry, it's a glorious day to be on the trail. It's uphill again. Alway's its uphill or downhill, but today there was supposed to be a 3 mile stretch of easy trail. I don't remember it. I think they lie! The mileages always seem longer, the water is always farther down the hill, the ups are higher, the downs are lower. They lie, They lie. By the time we got to Tray Mountain, Chuck's knee was shooting pain up into his hip. We tried to get a ride out at the road near the Cheeze Factory, but no luck. Chuck is stubborn. He kept going. He is one tough guy! So, we kept going! By the time we got to Blue Ridge Swag, it was getting dark. We set up camp and even made a fire. It was a wonderful fire, cheery despite the gloom settling over us as we knew it might be our last night. Bisbee slept on my poncho under the hammock. He barked once to scare some predator away, we have no idea what! But, it's nice to know he's doing his job. I'm doing it one more day!
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Blue Ridge Swag

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Sad day! Chuck's knee is still hurting. He know's he can't keep going. I don't want to go alone. It just wouldn't be the same. I think we'll have to give it up! I have mixed feelings. I want to keep going, but we came here to have fun. It's no fun when you're hurting. We put a lot of work and money into this. It's a great dissappointment! I may be back, I may even finish this year. But for tonight, I'm off the trail. I'm at the Hiawassee Inn, a great place with a wonderful environment for hikers. Ron fed us chilli, ham sandwiches, and apple pie. We washed our clothes and hung out in front with the other walking wounded. Good luck Taz, Chipmunk, Dandylion, Fancy Pants, Kate and all those who have passed us by. Take care of each other out there! I'm done doing it for now!
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Spent the day lounging around at the Hiawassee Inn, affectionately called the "Hiawassee Hospital for the walking wounded". Sunshine made some lasagne and we enjoyed vegetables and dip hanging out in front of the hostel. Graceful is the sister of the brother/sister pair we saw at Low Gap Shelter. She's going to use my spare pepsi stove and head out again tomorrow. I am itching to get back on the trail. I checked the post office but my mail drop is not here! I didn't expect that! It's been way over two weeks! So, I'll check tomorrow. I have lots of other food, so it's no big deal, but it's kind of a waste of money. I may not even mail the rest of the drops! I've sent one to Franklin and I placed one at Mountain Mamma's, but I'll just make do now, I think. I have decided to keep going. I have to thank Finch for his encouragement and the other hikers here at the Hiawassee Inn. It will not be the same without my uncle, but I am going to do it!Happy trails,
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well, what to do, what to do. You know it's hard to leave without my uncle. He is such a great buddy! We had so much fun planning for this and making our stoves and all. I just don't think it is going to be the same. I think he has no choice. His knee is just too painful, but I have no reason not to continue. My feet are in great shape, my pack feels light, I have everything I need. I just can't quit! So, after I got my mail from the post office, I took Chuck to his car at Mountain Mamma's. I stopped and got my mail from Franklin on the way. I'm not going to mail any more drops. I'm behind schedule and I can keep the truck shuttled up along the way. We ate at Mountain Mamma's (You have to decode the sign) It's definately a Kuntry Store! Chuck's car started, so he is off to Kentucky. I'll sure miss you, Chuck! Back at Hiawassee Inn, Ron let me park the truck and I visited with Seico and Sunshine. They convinced me to stay the trail, instead of slack packing it. I am going to do it anyway!Happy trails,
Date: 2005-04-13
From: Hiawassee Inn

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

I am on the trail again, though it's not the same. I hopped in the shuttle from the Hiawasse Inn and headed up the trail from Dick's Creek Gap. I wasn't on the trail 10 minutes and I ran across a whole bunch of day hikers with a guide. Most of them had to be 65 or better. Bisbee was the star of their whole hike. They loved him. As I weaved my way through them, a man said "Let the hiker by", his wife, I assume, wanted to know what they were? Strollers? She asked him. I wanted to say, that they would smell the difference as I went by, but I didn't! They were obviously enjoying the good weather and having a great day. I continued on up the trail. The trail is always up. How that is, I don't know. But it is always up! Andrew and Diana caught up to me with their husky "Vedder". He is a hyper dog and Bisbee ended up playing the female role quite a bit! The husky didn't even get the right end sometimes. It was hillarious. I ran into Low Gear again. He's still truckin! Just before I crossed the line into North Carolina, It started to rain. I opened my pack to find out I'd left my poncho behind. I put my rain jacket on and kept pushing. I hiked with Roadie to the shelter in pouring down rain. It was full. Overfull! I huddled in a corner and waited. Not sure I wanted to do. The thought crossed my mind to keep hiking. There was a 13 year old kid who was huddled in the corner in a sleeping bag. I had seen a pack back oh about 2 miles, and a man hiking southbound in a poncho. Yes, he was going back for the pack. He said he had to hurry and get the kid to the shelter. He must have been freezing. There was a map in a pipe at the border too! That seemed strange. It was a strange day. So anyway, I finally pushed some stuff around on the table and cooked dinner for Bisbee and myself. I put on all the dry clothes I had and curled up in my sleeping bag at the foot of all the others in the shelter. I didn't sleep. With no pad, it was too uncomfortable. I sat up, I turned around, I layed on my side, the other side, It was no use. I sat and waited for morning. Bisbee curled up on the kid's pad and slept through the night. I'm still doing it, though!Happy trails,
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Muskrat Creek

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Yes! It's finally daylight! I can get up now and get going. The rain has stopped and it's a beautiful day! I was packed up and hiking before anyone else stirred. I stopped at the Standing Indian Shelter and found it all deserted. I cooked breakfast and dryed out my gear. Then back to the trail. I found it interesting that there was a note warning about some bear that had reportedly taken a pack from a hiker in this section, then a tree had a sign on it said Wildlife Bear Sanctuary. So, I'm thinking, I can't even defend myself if this bear wants my pack, he's protected by this sign. I hope the bear feels like that sign is going to do him about as good as my walking sticks are going to do me! So I go on down the trail and I'm singing in my head, I fought the bear, and the bear won, I fought the bear, and the bear won! I thought maybe I had finally left the crowds behind but just before I got to the shelter, Ramblin Man, Seeker, and Colonel passed me. Then Roadie showed up. I think steppen wolf too, but I'm not real sure I got the names right yet. It wasn't long before the place was packed again. I got water, cooked dinner and set up my hammock. The boys started a real nice campfire and we enjoyed the warm afternoon after a long days hike. I am still doing it!Happy trails,
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Trail Magic, yeah, this is what it's all about! I slept cold again last night, but I did get some sleep. Bisbee curled up on the ground under the hammock. I need my zero bag! Cooked a quick breakfast and got right back out on the trail. Another beautiful day. Started seeing more green trees and lots of Rhododendron! These ain't no flower bushes, they're trees! I had some great views and saw lots of waterfalls. Little, but pretty! I ran into a couple guys out repainting the white blazes around Mooney Gap. I told them how much I appreciated their work. Then on up towards Albert Mountain. Just before the steep part, I found a trail sign said "Trail Magic" and what do know! Around the corner, I met Gatorade and Fishing Fred. They had a camp trailer set up with a campfire, beans and rice cooking on a big saw blade over the fire and cold sodas. They were wonderful! Sat a chatted a while, signed their logbook and headed up the trail. Ramblin man, Seeker, colonel, Steppen wolf, Andrew and Diana caught up to me there. I never saw Andrew and Diana after that, but met the other four on top Albert Mountain. Great views from the tower, but alas I was out of memory cards for my camera! no pictures! I was so mad! With a broken camera, a couldn't even delete an earlier one, to take a new one! Anyways, I climbed down the mountain and tried digging up ramps. They're supposed to be good eating like a leek or scallion. I found two possible varieties and checked in with Ramblin Man at Rock Gap Shelter. He thought one kind was it, the other was a lilly. But it turns out the real thing was at the Standing Indian Campground where I spent the night. After getting to the trailhead, I hiked an extra 1.4 miles down a real lovely trail to see the world's second largest poplar tree. It really was a neat hike, but after already hiking 12.2 miles. It was tireing. Even leaving my pack at the trailhead! What amazed me the most was how much they revered this poor broken down example of the past! I'm from Oregon. I've been to see the Redwoods in California. Now those are some big trees! I met a couple forest service boys changing the backrest for the sign at the trailhead, then headed to the truck for a much needed shower! I met a couple hikers at Standing Indian. I know one of the names was KG for Korean Girl, but can't remeber the guy's name. I'm real bad at that. I try to write it down as soon as I can and I still forget some of the names. Mountain Man Dan was camped there too. He asked about Lost Yankee. He met him at Tenastee Gap, while I was getting the pork chops. Unfortunately the showers weren't open at Standing Indian so I drove down to Cartoogechaye Creek Campground, yeah, try and say that one! Paid $1.50 for a shower and $3.00 for a load of laundry. Went into Franklin to eat at Shoney's AYCE buffet and made as many phone calls as my battery would make. Returned to Standing Indian to sleep. I'm still doing it!Happy trails,
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Rock Gap

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Lazy morning. Slept hard, slept good. Another sunny day in paradise! Made some oatmeal and played with Bisbee. Around noon, I donned my pack and headed back on the trail. Hiked an easy 3.7 miles and called it a day. It was a steep start, but then a nice hike along the ridge top. Lots of hurricane dammage. At the top near a waterfall, there was a bucket tied to a tree with some garbage in it. I thought it was odd, so I took a closer look. There was a journal in it from a would be thru-hiker who wanted to leave some trail magic. I found the lid down in the water and put it back on the bucket. I'll try to go back up this afternoon and empty the garbage and put something in it! I'll try anyway. It's taking forever to get my pictures downloaded, copied to CD, journal updated and I haven't even started checking my email! So much for the relaxing afternoon. The good news is that K-mart had a canon powershot A85 and I can take pictures again! Woo hoo, woo hoo hoo! I'm doing it!Happy trails,
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Best day yet. Perfect weather, good trails, great views! Wish you were here Chuck, get well soon. First thing off this morning I found a bag of peanut butter cookies in a tree on the trail. My favorite! Packed a light pack today as I can get out at Wayah Bald, so hiking was a real treat today. Saw my first bald, Siler Bald, a grassy hilltop with awesome views all the way around. Bisbee loved rolling in the grass. He raced up and down the path. Took pictures of Topper and Tweeter, others chose not to do the side trip! They really missed out. Then ate lunch at Wayah Picnic Area and on up the trail. Always up! Though not too tough today. Met Heather, Bonzai, and Pogo at a road crossing. Met a guy named Bill Houston from Franklin up digging up ramps with a shovel and a grocery bag. I talked with him a while and dug me up sum too! I was right the first time. The ones I had tasted two days ago were the real thing! He suggested I fry them up with potatoes and eggs so that is exactly what I done. He has lived here all his life but has kinfolk in Cedar Wooley, Washington and hopes to get out there someday. When I reached the observation tower at Wayah Bald, it was incredible. The views were spectacular, everyone (about 15 hikers eventually) took off their shoes or boots and layed in the grass soaking up the sunshine. One of the guys mentioned work, so I called Kristie to harrass her at work. I am so happy to be here. This is it. I am doing it! Woo Hoo!Happy Trails,
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Wayah Bald

To: Tellico Gap
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

Spent a quiet night at Wayah Crest Picnic Area and then shuttled back up to Wayah Bald. Left Wayah Bald at 8:50 and hiked to the campsite. Yesterday¢s group was still camped. Bisbee ran around camp with Vedder until I was afraid they would tear up someone¢s camp. So, off I went. I took a while, but eventually they started to catch up with me. Moose passed me and then I caught up to him and ate a sandwich at Licklog Gap. Steppen Wolf passed me later on and then I caught up to both of them at Cold Spring Shelter. I see Taz was through 2 days ago. Ramblin man, Seeker, Corporal, and another are long gone too! Vedder and Diana caught me at the shelter. I let them play a little then moved on. Met Al, a trail maintainer just before Tellico Gap and he was saying they had to do the reroute because of a slide caused by Hurricane Ivan. It took the whole mountain down to the bedrock! I called it an early day at Tellico Gap instead of pushing on. I don¢t want to push too hard and end up with an injury! Gave out an orange pop to a girl that passed me at Cold Spring and Steppen wolf drank a grape juice. Topper left his wine bottle with me to dispose of. Made up some mashed potatoes and chicken gravy and relaxed all afternoon! Vedder ate all Bisbee¢s dog food and Bisbee ate all the left over chicken gravy! Beautiful weather! Sunny, not too hot, cool breeze. Couldn¢t be better!
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Telico

To: NOC
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: clear sky

Steep hike up to the tower on Wesser Bald, where I met Chef. He thru hiked I think he said 2001. Quit his job to do it. Now has his own catering business in New York. Set up an awesome trail angel at a local park where the AT crosses. He was quite interesting to talk with. Took photos and continued on. Short hike but what a change in flora! It¢s like I just walked into spring. Coming down in elevation to the Nantahala Gorge was a complete change in habitat. Flowers were blooming, trees greening up, it was beautiful, as was the view from the Jump up or Jump Off, anyway, had to get photos of that! Caught up with Tweeter and Steppenwolf again as well as the couple that camped across from me last night. Met Chicken Knee. He¢s an older guy with a huge pack. Said he liked chickens and their legs bent the opposite way from ours. He said he had always been different. I think he has a point! Made good time and coasted into the Caf© at the River¢s end for a Wesserburger and Blue Corn Chips and salsa. The gang was already there of course. Chilly, Chad, Kilt guy, Andrew and Diana, (Vedder) Steppenwolf, Moose and more, and then off to find a ducky. Stinky clothes, pack and all, I reserved a ducky for the 2:00 shuttle and hurried off to change. Thankfully, they included a wetsuit as the water is very chilly! I would have just loved to have had my Dagger, and they wouldn¢t rent a hardshell, so ducky it was. Had a wonderful 8 mile trip down the Nantahala river, visited with a guy from Canada who is a locomotive engineer, Chris, in a hard shell all the way down. Watched as the rafters got hung up on rocks and dumped passengers at the falls. Had to buy the souvenir photo of course, which nearly doubles the price of the trip! Then off to a wonderful dinner at the Nantahala Resort. The local goat cheese was incredible as was the chicken wild forest pasta. No room for desert, but the Key Lime Pie was sure tempting. Love days like this! Maybe I should find a way to paddle all the way to Maine!
Date: 2005-04-20
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

Most grueling day yet! 8 miles with no breaks of straight up! This was the first day Bisbee showed any hesitation. I think it is getting too warm already. He sure drank a lot more water. Instead of sitting down during breaks, it was more like a plop! I started early, but as usual, the gang started to pass me. Steppen wolf and Moose and then Topper, all passed me before I got to the shelter (The half way point) There was a group of 5 or 6 from a church in Florida headed southbound and they came trickling in. Topper found a dead rabbit at the spring! The privy needs a new toilet seat. Otherwise, it was a fine shelter with a second floor! Ate lunch and continued on. There were some awesome views, though the haze was thicker today. I would have like to have stopped about 2 hours earlier than I did, but I was traveling light, so I pushed on to the gap. Several hikers were resting there. They continued on up to the next shelter, but I was done! Met Will, another light hiker and talked to Chad and another hiker, don¢t think I caught his name. Chad is also on trailjournals. It is amazing how many people I have met. I am going to have to start deleting names so I can remember the new ones. It¢s terrible, this sometimer¢s disease. I¢ve found that if they talk to me long enough, I remember something that ties their name into my memory! Fried up a breakfast steak and some squash and put it over rice for dinner. Yummy!
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.7

Slept in this morning. Just wanted to stay in bed a little longer. It was another beautiful sunny day in paradise! Popped my head out to see the sunrise, then went back to bed for another hour or so. I knew then that it would be a short day. I could get out to the Hike Inn after a short (though steep) 7.6 miles. The southern exposure was so beautiful. Wildflowers blooming, ferns unraveling, trees budding out! I stopped to gather a few so I could try to identify them. I got to the guidebooks my mom so graciously lent me and found that I had one on insects, one on birds, and one on weather, but no wildflower guide! I thought maybe they would make me smell better too, but I was too far gone! It¢s time for a shower and some clean laundry! So, I took my time crawling up the steep steep hills and only fell once on one of the rock slides that slid across the trail. It hurt a little, but no damage! And emerged early in the afternoon just in time to secure the last room at the Hike Inn! Taz and Baloo were already there as well as Andrew and Clock. I¢d seen their logs, but hadn¢t really met them. They say they remember Bisbee from the Hawk Mountain Shelter! Wow, has it really been that long ago? Taz is headed for the Hospital tomorrow. Hope it¢s not Giardia! That will keep her off the trail for a few days. Thinking about a flip flop in the Smokies. Start from the middle and work my way out. That¢s what the quidebook suggests anyway. Today was my first day of solo hiking. Besides Bisbee, I didn¢t see a single soul on the trail. It¢s like there is this big gap between the large group I have been following and the next wave of hikers. I rather enjoyed it! So, as I was saying, I got to the Hike Inn and got a great shower and sent my clothes of to get laundered. Except, I forgot to throw in my shirt, and a set of socks! And they really smell too! Then I sat out on the porch swing and visited with the other guests. This is really great, sharing experiences, talking about the other hikers we¢ve met and trying to identify the flowers, now wilted, from the guidebook at the Inn. Jeff and Nancy were very interesting and they have a very impressive collection of arrowheads and other artifacts in their office. Near the phone is their Wall of Fame, a collection of finisher¢s photos over the years! Hearing of their experiences was fascinating. I am so glad I stopped here!