morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-02-02
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Camp By Stream
Miles today: 15.5

Before our journey...my bag weighed (with food and water) 32 lbs. We started at Hawk Mountain Shelter and finished our 15.5 miles by a stream of water. We woke up to a beautiful sunrise and I had my Flintstone vitamin. What? It tastes much better than the adult vitamins (lol). Anyways the trail was muddy with tons of leaves. Yesterday felt like winter but our day 2 seemed as though we went though the other 3 seasons. We stopped and had lunch at the Gooch Mountain Shelter. However, I dropped my pink gloves somewhere along the trail. I did go back and get them, but I will never do that again. Sometimes I forget how much longer I have got (2,159.1 more miles left). We slept in the tent last night. I love the tent! It is a Lunar Duo made by 6 moon designs.
Date: 2008-02-03
From: Camp By Stream

To: Hogpen Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

I slept pretty good last night. The weather was also good but we did get sprinkled later on. We passed the path where Meredith Emerson was missing. We had a moment of silence for her and her family. We got up to Blood mountain shelter and had a break. There we met a group of people that maintain the trail and they were good company. Then had lunch at the Neels Gap Hostel where we also showered and resupplied. Neels Gap is usually where majority of the north bounders quite. Met a guy that goes by the name Pirate and also met another through hiker Clinton aka Wheezer....later on trail, now known as Vagus. We did end up tenting again for the night. It down poured rain and hiking Blood Mountain about killed me. I kept saying to myself I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful..from the movie "What About Bob?" Waterbear 0 vs today¢s hike 1.
Date: 2008-02-04
From: Hogpen Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

This is our 4th day and we had a late start this morning because of the rain. There was not much of a view because of the fog. Most of our hike consisted of hurdling over fallen down trees. We had lunch at Low Gap Shelter and at the end of the day we met back up with Vagus and met another through hiker named Dozer. We had good company the fourth night. So far is so good and have not seen any mice. Waterbear 1 vs mountains 1.
Date: 2008-02-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

We are now on day 5 and the morning started out pretty good. Our hike was humid and tedious. We came across familiar grounds¢¦here at Unicoi Gap which I have hiked from here to the Smokies. Boars must love Georgia because they have torn the trails up. I got mad at the sticks that was laying on the ground because I step on it just right and end up scraping myself or lose my balance. I even got frustrated hiking behind Stormennorm.. whether it's because he's hiking "too slow" or whatever. It was just one of them days when everything drove me crazy.We ran into Dozer again at Deep Gap Shelter. The shleter has 2 stories! We slept on top to stay warm. I hope that the rain does not get us to a late start tomorrow, because I am looking very forward to the Chinese buffet.
Date: 2008-02-06
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Hiawassee inn 
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: light rain

We are now on day 6. The weather looks good enough to head out besides it is only 3 miles. Just our luck, 1/2 mile later it started to down pour. We were soaked from head to toe. Stormennorm tried calling for a shuttle at the road but his phone did not work. Time for plan B.--to start walking to the hostel that is the closest (which was 2 miles away)..UNLESS we get a ride, then we'll head to Hiawassee Inn instead. One car went by, but a 2nd car came through and offered a ride. We've heard if you are hiking with a woman or a dog it is easier to get a ride¢¦.guess they were right. We rode in the back of a pick up truck with our hoods covering our face to block the rain. I was thinking to my self, "This is cool", "should I tell my family about the hitching?" while praying that we wouldn't die because the roads were slick and they were driving alittle on the fast side...guess they were thinking that the faster they get us there, the "less" wet we will be. hahaWe ate at the chinese buffet and it was delicious! I enjoyed the peppered chicken. I was so hungry that I ended up eating more then norm and Dozer! I have to admit... my name is waterbear and I am a buffet-holic. (LOL) Today was also the 1st for us to go resupply (grocery shopping). All in all it was a great and relaxing day.
Date: 2008-02-07
From: Hiawassee inn 

To: Standing Indian shelter 
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

We got off to a late start this morning,again. Dozer was not feeling well so he is going to stay another night. It is still reallycold with leaves everywhere. All but my eyes were covered to stay warm. There was a light dusting of snow on the side of the mountain. We did get into North Carolina and it kicked my butt. The hills were torture! Switch backs after switch backs. Do you remember on the Price Is Right were they had the hiker going up the mountain? Well..it was as if he was going faster then us. We stopped at the Muskrat Shelter to filter more water and ran into 3 Canadians who were also thru hiking. They were staying there for the night. So we decided to keep going.   At Standing Indian there were some school kids (12 yr old or so?) and a chaperone, therefore we had to tent. The night was very cold again and I slept horrible.
Date: 2008-02-08
From: Standing Indian shelter 

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

This is the first day we climbed over 5000 ft. Right before lunch we saw SEVERAL young boars (babies) on the trail. By the time I caught up to Stormennorm, I only seen 3 or 4 trumping off the trail. It was really neat!No worries, Family... We still have not seen any bears. lol.. and they think that bears are the main worry...haha..think again! The most I have ever hike was 96 miles. Today I surpassed that goal. I got to Albert Mountain and started rock climbing. I said to Stormennorm that I didn't sign up for rock climbing. I signed up for hiking. (lol) He stated, that this should be the least of my worries. He heard that there is ALOT more and HARDER rock climbing to do up north. Albert Mountain wasn't bad, but I just thought that "hiking" is just walking up and down hills over small rocks, roots, and dirt. Not actually using all of your body to pull your self up to the top!None the less, it was a good day.
Date: 2008-02-09
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Wayah Bald shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

What a day! We seen a deer before lunch. We ate beside a waterfall at Winding Stair gap. Once lunch was over, the wind started to pick up. We hiked into the night through gushing wind. I believe this was the coldest day yet brrr! The winded sounds like a train passing through, and as the leaves blew by us, it sounded like a rain stick...it was pretty cool.Doing everything by foot, I start to notice more of my surroundings of what is going on and appreciate nature alot more.
Date: 2008-02-10
From: Wayah Bald shelter

To: Weeser Bald shelter 
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Today and tomorrow will be our short days, because we are planning on staying at the N.O.C. http://www.noc.com One good thing about today being short is we came across a huge orange and white expedition tent. It has a sign that read, ¢Free hot dogs and hot chocolate etc.¢ Norm stuck his head inside the tent asking, ¢Is this for real?¢ Yes! It was for real! I slapped myself to make sure I was not dreaming. The guy who ran the free hotdogs and such is name Apple. He had a gas stove, microwave wood stove, and much more inside! This is NOT the type of tent that you would see out in the woods..especially down south! It was truly a hiker¢s paradise. This was the 6th year Apple volunteered food for the thru hikers along with maintaining the trail. Typically, you don't see trail magic this early in the year. Majority of them help during the "main heard". May God bless you Apple and to all of the other volunteers! It really makes our day to know that people care about hikers and the beauty of the outdoors. It was hard leaving the place because the wind was going what seemed like 40mph. On top of that we were in leaves up to our knees. Hopefully, the wind will stop by morning. Oh and before I forget, I finally learned how to use the MSR White gas stove. Whoo Hoo!!
Date: 2008-02-11
From: Weeser Bald shelter 

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 5.7

Finally! The heavy wind have stopped by the time we got up. I kept waking up because I kept thinking that I heard a mouse. Norm kept telling me it was the leaves and go back to sleep. That morning, however, Norm said that he did hear a mouse that night running by our heads. I knew I was right!Ended up staying at the N.O.C. for a nice warm bed and shower. The place is just a very small dorm room with double bunk beds and one small window. The room is probably the size of a small kitchen. Kitchen and bathrooms are in a different building just across from the room that we stayed in. Stormennorm and I had the pleasure of eating with Vagus at River's & Restaurant were we ate a delicious calzone.
Date: 2008-02-12
From: N.O.C.

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was tough. Didn't want to leave the N.O.C.. We hiked up a hill that seemed to be 90 degree angle for 2 miles. The leaves still being up to our knees didn't help any either. However, the wind helped it to be alittle more standable. We started another fire once we got to Brown Fok Gap Shelter. Told many stories from our pasts... Can't wait to see our moms tomorrow! Going to have a lovely early Valentine's Dinner that consist of steak and potatos! I can REALLY go for a real good meal!
Date: 2008-02-13
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light snow

VERY cold snowy day. Once we got to the marina, we ran into 2 other thru-hikers, Rachel and Anne (aka Torchy + Stride) in the wmn's bathrooms were they were trying to warm up. Around this time of the journey is when I started to become irritable. I was hateful and acted like alittle girl at times. I was actually annoyed with Stride and Torchy because they were all giggly and what not..I don't know if it was because I was tired and/or if it's because I'm away from work, friends, and family. It could also be just that time of the month. Got to Fontana Hilton Shelter and had a wonderful time with our family and friends. Lucky for us, we had heated restrooms where we ate our steak, potatos, bread, chocolate, cookies and beer. We used the women's bathroom as a dining room eating. Sounds weird and yucky, but the bathrooms was heated..and that's all that mattered to us was to stay warm. The men's bathroom was used to dry out our boots and wet clothes. Go in the men's, and you would surely pass out over the horrible smell. Our moms were also kind enough to resupply us for the next few days. Still feeling good. No blisters...just chaffing in between my thighs. Getting that problem fixed right away by getting a pair of slider shorts next time I go to the store.It felt so wonderful seeing those that you love and enjoying their company.
Date: 2008-02-14
From: Fontana Hilton Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Today was good and bad all at the same time. The weather was good...just had to hike an extra 2 1/2 miles because the dam was closed due to construction. Apparently, the "dam was moving". Crossing the dam might be "unsafe", but hiking below the dam is just as "unsafe" if not worse! There would be more of a chance of something bad happening to us by going the extra miles below the dam verses going a 100-200 yards over the bridge. Where's the love people? It's Valentine's Day (LOL)! Oh, well...that's just the way it is sometimes. I struggled hiking today. I had no energy what so ever.Anne, Rachel, Clinton (Vagus), Norm, and I gathered wood to have a fire for the night. As everyone gets ready for bed, Norm pulls out of his pocket and lights up a little heart candle and gave me a sweet kiss as he says happy valentine's day. He is so thoughtful. After a frustrated tiring day, that little sweet of kindness was much needed. I'm just so blessed to have the friends and family that I do. I LOVE AND MISS YOU ALL! Happy Valentine's Day to everyone! Water Bear vs Mountains 5-6
Date: 2008-02-15
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Nice sunny day. We laid around in two grassy bald areas soaking up the sun for a LONG time before and after Rocky Top. It just felt too nice to hike...we wanted to enjoy and take in the beauty. Even though today was semi-short, everyone turned in early for the night. Oh well, can't let the fire go to waste. I ended up staying up just watching the fire burn for awhile longer. I have been real crabby lately...goin' try to do better. How in the world do you take frustration off when there really isn't anything to help? I am use to either running or hitting a punching bag to help relieve my frustrations. Hugs helps too, but sometimes I need more than just that. Maybe just space. I don't know... So far, we have been lucky with having good weather in the Smokies.
Date: 2008-02-16
From: Derrick's Knob Shelter

To: New Found Gap...home!
Miles today: 18.0

It's been an interesting long day. The beginning of the climb was all up hill and the last half of the trail was all down hill. Parts of the trail was icy, but not hard to go around. The shelter that we were going to stay at had many 14 year olds throwing an ax around and goofing off. Bummer! Because my ankels and feet were killing me! I really felt like I couldn't go any further. I didn't really care if we stayed with a bunch of kids..I'm just worn out! Apparently, I was out numbered..Rachel, Anne, Vagus, Norm, and I hike an extra 4 miles to New Found Gap. I barely made it. I was in SO MUCH pain. The plan was for them to stay in Gatlin Burg and while we head back home in Knoxville. Instead, there were no rooms available for them and all of us ended up at Norm's mom's house. We got in very late that night. Enjoyed the nice warm shower. Got to shave my legs and everything! The next morning, together we fixed a huge pancake breakfast. It was great! Thanks Lisa and Ed! While Norm and the gang did their thing, I did mine. I mainly went to visit my family. My zero day flew by so fast, I could hardly believe it. I wished there was more time in a day...I just wasn't done visiting with everyone. Regardless, just remember that I love you family and that I am thinking about you all everyday.
Date: 2008-02-18
From: New Found Gap

To: TriCorner Shelter Knob
Miles today: 15.6

I am in a much better mood than I have been in the past few days. Being home visiting with everyone really helped my attitude.Even though it's only been alittle over a couple of weeks, you just don't realize how much we take the simplist things for granted such as a pillow...or running hot water...etc. etc. Today, was the first day that I fell. Through out this trail, there were many fallen trees that we had to climb over...and I mean BIG ones! Went to bed early tonight. That is about it for the day...nothing too exciting to say...
Date: 2008-02-19
From: TriCorner Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to 20 degree weather. Our food bags that were hung up in bear hangers were covered in frost.For the most part, the day was windy, snowy, COLD. Seen some more beautiful views...which I don't believe there is ever a day that we don't see any beautiful views. Stormennorm and I just flew on our last few miles to Standing Bear hostel. Got to the hostel and met another thru-hiker name Dr. Pepper. I really enjoyed having clean linens on the bed along with a pillow. The simplest pleasures in life...sigh...Boy, do I miss them! Still no blisters....THANKS Rachel and Anne for suggesting the slider shorts! They really are helping my legs from getting chaffing.
Date: 2008-02-20
From: Standing Bear Hostel

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Good weather, yet windy. We use to take long lunch breaks when we first started our journey; however, here lately it has been real short because of the weather being so cold. Lunches went down from an hour to 15/20 minutes now. Reached one of my favorite areas today...MAX'S PATCH! I recommend that everyone should see from this hill top. Normally, the wind is like 5-10 miles an hour, but today was different. I have never felt it so windy before. The wind was pushing us over. There were many times that I had to turn around just to catch my breath. It was funny though. Stayed at the shelter with the gang + Dr. Pepper.
Date: 2008-02-21
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's the day when "our group" splits up. Hopefully, we'll see each other at least once more time before Maine. Considering this area is calling for freezing rain/thunderstorms and the fact that we're so close to being home...we decided to go home one last time to see our family. I still didn't get to visit with everyone that I wanted to Friday. I hate being away from my family and friends for such a long period of time and I have a LONG ways to go still. I will mainly be struggling with the seperation from them than anything else. Thank goodness for phones! Even though I love buffets, I am starting to notice that my body will not accept the foods that I use to eat before the hike. Some things I can still eat, but then I will start to have a huge belly ache. Or I can only eat alittle at a time (such as grapes) until my body is use to it again. Not that I am meaning to or want to, but I lost another lb. since I've been back. Trying to eat as much as I can to keep me going. Norm and his mom got on to me (in a nice way) about how much food I've been carrying. Lately, I have been carrying 4-5 days of food when I really don't need to be at that time. Just trying to save money. Maybe here soon, I will learn...maybe. I know. I know. Only carry what you NEED. Well, I'm still carrying a couple of my girly products to help me from looking old by the time I get through with my journey. I just hope that I won't feel old. haha
Date: 2008-02-23
From: Hot Springs

To: Springer Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We woke up early to get started on the trail by 8:30; however, because it was still raining we didn't want to go just yet. Ended up eating breakfast at Smokey Mtn. Diner and going to the outfitters to buy a stuff sack (Sea to Summit ultra lite) for my food. I enjoyed walking by the French Broad River. For the most part, the view was foggy yet the weather was good. I was surprised to see how many people were day hiking for such a "yucky" day.
Date: 2008-02-24
From: Springer Mtn. Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I really enjoyed today. Before lunch, we ran into a trail runner which was neat. After lunch, it started to snow. The snow was little pieces of ice. At first you couldn't see it, but you could hear it. It brought a smoothing and relaxing day for me. What was interesting was that we heard an owl during the time of the snow/ice fall. Then we came up on a long rock climb which seemed to be a mile long. In the middle of the climb was the peak of the mtn.. Looking out on one side reminded me of the view when I went sky diving (just how far out I can see). Looking out the side was just like a typical view of seeing more mtns. Both sides were very nice to see. Got to the shelter and built us a nice fire. Had a couple of inches of snow so I decided to build me a snow man. Haven't done that since I was a little girl...so that was enjoyable.
Date: 2008-02-25
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Hog Back Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Started off with an inch or two of snow. It is very beautiful and peaceful. Seen a variety of animal tracks in the snow: coyote, partridge, squirrel, and rabbit. Had some confusion a time or two because everywhere and everything was white..and when we were able to see the white blaze, we questioned whether it really was or wasn't a blaze. The blazes was fading away. By the time lunch was over, the snow had already melted. Today, seemed like a very long hike. I don't care what the book says...I think that we did more than 14.7 miles. (lol)
Date: 2008-02-26
From: Hog Back Ridge Shelter

To: Big Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.1

We decided to wait until the rain cleared before we took off this morning. The rain came back a couple miles later. It was horrible! The cold wind was kickin' and the rain was just comin' down. The view on top of the bald, which seemed to be a mile long, was foggy along with heavy winds, rain, and small hail. This afternoon, we heard that there was a chance of 2-4 inches of snow...in the evening, they bumped it up to 4-6 inches...and then as we were laying down, it then went up to 6-8 inches! Hopefully, we'll be in Erwin by tomorrow night and avoid all this mess. It's soooo cold!
Date: 2008-02-27
From: Big Bald Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to 2 feet of snow!! Even though we were on the 2nd deck of the shelter, the snow was still blowing in on top. Luckly, we had phone service to figure out which is the best direction for us to get out. By the time we figured out what to do, we probably had another inch or two by the time we left. My sleeping bag and all of my gear was frozen over. Packing all my gear up was EXTREMELY hard to do! The temperature had to have been 0 degrees. I couldn't feel my fingers nor my toes! I tried my best to keep them warm by moving around, but I had no luck...even when I was packing. I started to panic and cry. I'm sure I didn't make it any easier on my love, Stormennorm. Even through this crisis, he appeared calm through the entire time. I was scared in the beginning, but Norm helped me to stay strong. Gotta love him!I was worried because with everything being white and the blazes being white that we couldn't find our way out. Plus, I didn't have any gaiters. About 5-10 minutes into our hike, I was fine. "It wasn't as bad as I thought it was". It probably would have been if we wasn't close by a road. I'm really surprised that I didn't get any snow in my boots considering the snow was up to our knees if not higher. We ended up back tracking to where the road/blue blaze was and followed it all the way down to the ski lodge. Seeing everything white was just amazing and beautiful! I've never seen so much snow in my life! It was a winter wonderland for sure! Once we got to the lodge, we had uncle Johnny pick us up and take us to his hostel. Was so thankful that he could come and get us. Ended up meeting a SOBO (south bounder) name Skipper along with being back with our "original gang" (Dr. Pepper, Vagus, Stride, and Torchy). Later that night, we ate out at a nice Mexican place. Boy, was that good! I enjoyed my banana foster!2/29/08 Stride, Torchy, and Vagus are headed back out on the trail this morning. Norm and I are planning on staying back for one more day.***In the green book of the Appalachian Pages 2008, Uncle Johnny's number is wrong. However, the other Appalachian book is correct. His number is (423) 735-0548...for anyone who is interested.