morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-01
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained all night but we slept warm. PB for breakfast, of course. Got out of camp at 9 am, started hiking in the rain. The trail was almost tropical, winding along a clear creek through rhododendrons with twisty branches. My pack straps were creaking like crickets all day. Stopped at Long Creek Falls, a beautiful cascade. It was an easy hike to Hawk Mountain shelter for lunch and water. From there, it was getting sunny and hot, it was a LONG hard climb over Sassafras & Justus Mountains ¢ 8 miles- with no water. Very grateful to get to Justus Creek - drank TONS of water & soaked our feet, then hiked the last 112 miles to Gooch Gap Shelter barefoot. The soft ground felt so good. The shelter¢s crowded, B.S. & Peregrine, Keychain and Slow Go¢en, a crazy sectioner named Spizz, two PA girls, Trout & Neon and a bunch of others. We made a little fire and cooked Chicken Fettuccini and relaxed. Legs a bit sore-hell of a second day!
Date: 2008-04-02
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Wood's Hole Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: few clouds

So much for taking it easy ¢ 12 miles to Woods Hole Shelter! PB with dried apples for breakfast. Rained some last night with a little lightning, but we slept well. The trail was easy to Woody Gap ¢ it was sunny and there were lots of little springs along the way, so we stayed well hydrated. Flowers are beginning to bloom and there were swallowtail butterflies everywhere. We enjoyed the privies (with toilet paper!) at the road crossing [Woody Gap], and then began the climb up Big Cedar Mtn. We startled an owl, who sat in a tree by the trail and let us take some photos. The view from the summit was stunning-purple rolling hills off into the distance. By the end of the day, I was getting tired ¢ my period had started which wasn¢t helping either. Good to be in camp. Slow Go¢en, Trout & Neon, a couple of guys named Sea Bass & Y2K (all his trail food is left over Y2K rations) are here and settling in for the night. Chickpea Salad & graham crackers for dinner. Feeling strangely light-headed. Hope I¢m not getting ill.
Date: 2008-04-03
From: Wood's Hole Shelter

To: Whitley Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Poured rain all day. Not a bad climb over Blood, though. Foggy, wet and chilly. Finally, we'd had enough and decided to hike over a mile downhill off the trail so we could be in a shelter. The ridge was beautiful, covered with clumps of foam-green moss and tangled rhodedendrons. Met Adam and Doxie, the PA girls joined us, as well. We closed off the front of the shelter by tying together our various tarps and rain flies-at least we stayed dry. Hole burned in the floor of the shelter dubbed the "alternate privy." PB for dinner.
Date: 2008-04-04
From: Whitley Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Long haul this morning uphill back to the trail. A relatively easy day, but chilly and WET! The last few miles were amazing - the fog was lifting a bit, and you could see it blowing through the gaps like smoke, like East Fork Camp in Colorado, all mysterious with the pine trees on the mountains. Before Blue Mountain Shelter we had a 2 mile climb over a field of greenish boulders. It was slick and tricky and my knee was acting up and I was beginning to despair, all sweaty and out of breath. So glad to reach the shelter! It got crowded with the PA girls, Bloody Mary, Swami, Duckfeet, Big Ease, Spizz and a bunch of others, including 2 tents under the overhang, a dog and a hammock. Spizz goes home tomorrow ¢ sad to see him go. He made a nice fireball with his white gas stove. Gave me some extra soup packets ¢YAY, free food! Some weekend hikers wanted to lighten their load, so they let me use their propane stove to cook my polenta. Some thunder and lightning, but we¢re dry.
Date: 2008-04-05
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: moderate rain

Easy day today ¢ trail magic at Unicoi Gap, PowerAde and bottled water. The one boyscout troop was doing their annual hikers feed- awesome folks. Had a fire going, tarps strung up, which was wonderful, because it was raining. They cooked us hot dogs, burgers with all the fixings, chili, fruit, Gatorade, candy bars ¢ so generous!! We ate ¢til we were good and stuffed then climbed to Tray Mtn for the evening. Local sectioners, Chuckwagon & Keith were camped at the shelter and we spent a good evening talking with them. They graciously shared their Jim Beam and made us coffee. Great guys ¢ glad we got to meet them. Sharing the shelter was a girl named Bear Bait, a kid named Maineiak and a mad Aussie named Daisy.
Date: 2008-04-06
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 10.6

I am sitting in the common room of Blueberry Patch Hostel writing this entry. This morning, Chuckwagon gave us some poptarts to eat with our PB (we¢ve finally eaten the whole jar!!)and some instant lemonade mix. He and Keith cheered us on our way down the trail. There was a stunning sunrise which I watched from a rocky outcropping near the shelter. The sun slowly illuminating everything, morning mist rising in ropes, sunny but not too hot, which is good because my right arm got sunburnt the other day. Kelly Knob was a CLIMB! But the view was worth it. Felt like we were going down into Dick¢s Creek Gap FOREVER. We started walking [on the road] but the lady from Cloud 9 hostel gave us a welcomed lift to the Blueberry Patch. At the hostel, Gary Poteat, the owner, did our laundry for us ¢ what a great guy. Got a nice, hot shower and spread out all my gear to dry. The hostel¢s on a beautiful bit of property here in the valley. The grass is green, everything is covered in flowers- hyacinths, daffodils, pale purple violets, forsythia. The Poteats have two donkeys and a little herd of goats. The PA girls, Bear Bait, Maineiak and a couple name Joel & Lexi are here with us. Joel and I hit it off immediately, talking of guns and giving hallucinogens to animals. We cooked a big pot of Mac N Cheese, trying to lighten our achingly heavy food bags. Spent the evening playing Uno, talking about crazy stuff, eating junk food.
Date: 2008-04-07
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast was incredible - Gary cooked whole wheat pancakes with maple syrup and fresh blueberry syrup, cheesy biscuits, sausages, strawberries, coffee and OJ. He drove us back to the trail in the back of his pickup-exhilarating rush of air on the highway. Hit the trail in good spirits, although it was hard leaving the green valley. Hot and sunny day, easy at first, Oatmeal and Trout were far ahead. I hiked some with Neon. Dead tree trunk by the trail looks like a cactus skeleton, insect eaten. Bits of mica make the whole trail glitter. Large chunks of white rock remind me of glacial ice. Crossed into NC in the afternoon ¢ appears they haven¢t heard of switchbacks here ¢ straight up and over 3 big hills, walking alone. I have sore knees and am not a happy hiker. Panting over rocks, the only reprieve from the sun was the tunnels through clumps of rhododendrons. Blaze caught up to me 1 12 miles before Muskrat Creek Shelter and we walked in together. The place was packed, so we pitched our tarp nearby then got a fire going¢¦.had a fun night around the fire ring with TR & Rough Rider, The Breeze (Debris), Daisy, the PA girls & Blaze, who has been re-named, Tiny Sticks, due to his ineptitude in fire building. No bear cables, so we had some fun hanging the bear bags. It was a damp night.
Date: 2008-04-08
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Got moving quickly in the morning - wasn¢t feeling too great at first, but my knees loosened up after a bit and the trail was lovely and misty with lots of mossy rocks, little plants, like adder¢s tongue. I startled a salamander while digging a cathole, and we found some delicious ramps. Partway up Standing Indian Mtn, the sun came out and we could see the blue-hued mountains. The hike was easier than anticipate and we soon came to a running brook ¢ lovely cold water in which to soak tired feet. I kept telling Oatmeal, who kept saying how pretty the mountains were, ¢Don¢t talk to the Mountains ¢ you¢ll only make them mad!¢ We got to camp at Carters Gap early, got a fire going. I am sleeping in the dungeon under the shelter by myself. Great shelter site ¢ hemlock trees, rhododendrons, a nice fire pit. Good crew tonight ¢ a guy named Bulldog (who was at Muskrat Shelter as well), Bear Bait, Maineiak, PA girls, Tiny Sticks and Mr. Kennedy are all here. Mr. Kennedy is now ¢Daisy¢, thanks to his Daisy Duck spoon. I cooked some blueberry muffin mix in a pan like pancakes ¢ so tasty!!Easy going evening loungin¢ in the sun.
Date: 2008-04-09
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Mice were bouncing off the walls all night. Worst mouse night since one ran across my face at Tray Mtn Shelter. Big spiders under the shelter too. Hit my head on the shelter floor ¢ whoops. My ankle is killing me today. Bulldog saved the day sharing his Icy Hot. Happy to see the sun ¢ beautiful views off Big Butt Mtn. Limped up the trail enjoying watching the valleys below. Climbed up huge rocks to the summit of Mt Albert. Tricky, but a lot of fun and the view from the fire tower was breathtaking. Bulldog hiked with us most of the day ¢ going slow thanks to the ankle. Took a break at Glassmine Gap ¢ hard to believe we¢ve come 100 miles so far!!! The little flowers of the blue-eyed grass kept my spirits up. Got to Rock Gap ¢ crappy Shelter, but glad to stop moving for the day. Pony Boy, Daisy, PA girls, BearBait, Maineiak, Bulldog, are all here. Joel & Lexi finally caught up, too. Lexi kicked over Daisy¢s tent ¢ she is now named, ¢Tent-Slayer¢. Got a fire going, finished eating the 5 lbs of dehydrated potatoes. I accidentally took a swig from our fuel bottle ¢ didn¢t swallow any but the taste was horrible! I was spitting and vomiting for about 15 minutes. Just disgusting. My throat feels like it¢s been sandpapered. Of course, Daisy just sat there looking at me, "Is it OK to laugh now?" Slept very comfortably after another evening by the campfire.
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Silar Bald Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Stiff, painful ankle. We all said our good-byes to everyone heading into Franklin at Winding Stair Gap. Awesome trail magic there ¢ applesauce, cookies, chips, drinks and chairs to sit on. The Breeze had been into town and was already gone when we arrived, but he left us a six of beer which was greatly appreciated. The PA girls took 3 and we took 3. Headed north with the ankle screaming in protest. My spirits were lifted by the waterfall crossing just after the road. Pushed on to Silar Bald Shelter - beautiful area, thick grass, plush, purple violets with their perfect soft shapes. Spent the afternoon resting the ankle, bathed and did laundry in the clear brook by the shelter. The smell of wet earth and leaves is very strong. Old gnarled dead oaks on the hillsides, a great view of the mountains. Almost feels like you¢re on a grassy knoll in Faerieland. Started a fire, cooked tea and spicy lentils, drank our beer. It was getting chilly and a girl named, Bar Fight, showed up early. Oatmeal practiced on the tin whistle which added to the magical air of the place. Odd late afternoon light on the still lichen-covered trees with their red buds. Held breath of the world. Late evening, a guy named SweatHog rolled in to camp. Boisterous conversation ensued, talking of life and Tom Waits. He shared chocolate and coffee with us before bed, owls calling to each other in the night. Slept warm but fitfully.
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Silar Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Out of camp by 7:45. Long 12 mile climb up the bald to the AT. Ankle¢s doing better ¢ we flew down the trail. Awesome area - all mossy old oaks, wet rocks in the fog, dripping old man¢s beard, plants shooting up everywhere. Long but easy climb up Wayah Bald ¢ no views, very windy. We raced the rain clouds all day, singing up the trail. On the climb out of Burningtown Gap, we ran into Baltimore Jack, his pack loaded down with town food. We cruised into camp, his promise of a meal with meat getting the blood pumping. Cold Springs Shelter right on the trail, small and old. Guy named Rest Stop, was there--working on his second thru. We chatted and built a fire, and Baltimore Jack arrived shortly after, trailed by Pony Boy & Bear Bait, who camped on the ridge with a group of high schoolers, then Sweathog & Bar Fight & a kid named Magus. Jack shared his "James Pibb¢ & cooked an awesome meal of sweet and sour noodles & pork alfredo with onions & peppers & chocolate for dessert!! Delicious!!! Thunder started rolling in & Jack headed for his tent & the shelter crew rigged a tarp over the entrance- roof leaked- so Rest Stop patched it with duct tape. Lots of lightning ¢ glad we weren¢t on the ridge. Stayed dry, stayed up late talking about traveling with Rest Stop. Sweat Hog¢s snoring rocks the shelter floor.
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Got up and waited until the rain let up to start hiking. Easy haul up to Wesser Fire tower ¢ the sky had cleared and the view was tremendous, so many mountains left to climb, such glory in the shadows of clouds rolling along the folds of North Carolina. From there, a crazy climb straight downhill, jagged silvery rocks among oak trees covered in algae-like moss. Slow going. Getting tired of all the PUDS ¢ glad to reach the final downhill stretch to NOC. Found some wild morels ¢ cooked them with olive oil & chives for dinner ¢ YUM!! It¢s amazing how you can watch spring advance, how everything grows a little day by day. Then you get off the mountains into the valleys, and its instant spring, everything¢s green & blooming ¢ Solomon¢s Seal, May Apples, Anemones, Trilliums, Yellow & White Violets. We got curious looks from the vacationers at NOC as we lounged by the river in the sun, raided the hiker¢s box (fruit, nuts, oatmeal, fuel). Rest Stop hung out with us for awhile before heading to do laundry. The bold ducks by the river came right up to beg for handouts. Jack showed up & lead us to a great stealth site by the river. We lay around watching the blue sky through the new green leaves lying on a bed of ivy. We got a shower at the hostel and Sweat Hog bought us some beer, which we drank with our dinner of Polenta. Cowboy camped under the stars, with Spring Peepers filling the night. Sunset of purple, billowing clouds rimmed pink by the sun. The night sky was spectacular.
Date: 2008-04-13
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sasafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: broken clouds

Spent last night watching wispy clouds blowing across the bright half-moon in the warm night. Oatmeal for breakfast with Jack¢s coffee. Bulldog, Daisy, Slayer & Joel (now named Ularu) arrived shortly before we left. Seven miles uphill out of NOC. Getting sore & pissed. Bluish rocks in flat chunks piled up like Mayan ruins ¢ very cold day. The views of the mountains like rumpled cloth, bright colours everywhere. Having a hard day, but not thinking of quitting or of being anywhere else. Got to Sassafras Gap Shelter and made a good fire. Sweathog, Jack, Bar Fight, Daisy, Slayer & Ularu, Rookie & Night Walker here. Jack cooked for us again, an awesome Chicken Alfredo with lots of parmesan, mashed potatoes with garlic & chicken and the less successful Raspberry Crumble (¢goat afterbirth¢, as it was affectionately dubbed) The privy was a sight ¢ real disaster area.
Date: 2008-04-14
From: Sasafrass Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light snow

Slept a bit cold ¢ woke up to pelleting snow, ground frozen in thin arabesques, hoarfrost in delicate formations on the leaves. Slippery climb down Cheoah. Easy going to Stecoah ¢ there was a cool, rocky cave to hide from the wet, wet snow. Took a break with Rookie at the road crossing before beginning the hideous death march up Sweetwater Mtn, cursing all the way. Got to Brown Fork Shelter cold & made a fire quickly. Cooked ramen & peas & rice & coffee. Jack arrived & cooked a Sweet and Sour Chicken & Noodles dish, which was delicious. Then two ladies finishing a section hike emptied their food bags on us ¢ dehydrated mandarin oranges, fresh green beans & peas, jerky and cheese. Quite the feast! Privy was just a pit with a seat & a roof ¢ Daisy says, ¢The leader of the free world and you can¢t even put walls on your toilets¢. Team Caboose showed up playing Creedence songs on guitar & harmonica. Cold night, again, restless sleeping¢¦.
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: few clouds

Easier day on the trail, but my knee was killing me, which made it difficult to enjoy¢¦very glad to get to the top of the hill and finally be able to see the lake ¢ seemed like we¢d never get there. Painful, long climb down off the ridge. Flowering trees everywhere, chilly but sunny. Got to the road crossing, legs in pain. Rookie & I were going to call a shuttle, but Sgt. Rock showed up looking for Jack and gave us a lift to the Village. Oatmeal went to the Fontana Hilton to shower & set up camp. Got our mail drop ¢ it was like Christmas, a great quantity of food! Daisy, Ularu & Slayer, Bulldog, Bar Fight, Word & Taz were there. The lake¢s amazing ¢ so BLUE - with the flowering trees all around it, the Smokies looming beyond. We made a big fire and feasted on hot dogs, hot chocolate, marshmallows and Daisy¢s beer.
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Fonatana Hilton

To: Fontana Hilton
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A chilly breeze off the lake, we slept ¢til 9 AM, nice, lazy zero day here at the Hilton. Weather forecast is good for the week, so hopefully the Smokies won¢t be too bad. The shelter¢s surrounded by bees right now. The day is warm ¢ HOORAY!!
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

First night in the Smokies and we are staying at Russell Field shelter. It¢s a bit chilly now, but it¢s been a beautiful, warm and sunny day. Had a nice zero yesterday, lounging around the Hilton in the sun. Had another big fire with hot dogs and ketchup, cookies and marshmallows, slept soundly. The moon was big and bright, made dappled shadows on the pavement. This morning we were out of camp by 7:30 and had a 2.5 mile re-route around the dam a bit annoying and my ankle was screaming. Was pleasantly surprised by the easy, well graded ascent up Shuckstack. A rocky outcropping provided a great vantage point. Oatmeal was way ahead of me; I didn¢t see her all day. I saw a little anole on a tree by the lookout tower. Butterflies were everywhere ¢ swallowtails, monarchs & little blue ones. Got to site 113, where we'd been planning on stopping...only to find a note from Oats telling me that she'd gone on to the next shelter. Took a long lunch break before deciding to push on. Beautiful fields of spring beauties - thousands of them blooming. Reached the shelter to find another note, saying she'd gone on to the NEXT shelter....frustrated, I hiked on. I startled a doe by the spring. It was a good long hike. Sunny & Share, Paxalot & Buckeye, Adam & Doxie, Equinox, Slayer & Ularu are here. Pleasantly surprised by the ease of the Smokies so far.
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: few clouds

So much for 'ease of the Smokies'. It was well into the upper 70¢s today and the terrain was a lot tougher and less gradual¢¦..it was a long 14.5 miles. The views from Rocky Top were amazing, and Spence Field was beautiful with the long grass surrounding the trail. It was very pastoral. Again, walking through fields of flowers, found some very tasty ramps. Took a few good long breaks which helped a bit. Got to Derrick Knob Shelter and ran into Baltimore Jack, who offered us lasagna, but we opted to push on to Silers Shelter-long last 8 miles. I was totally exhausted, had a nice dinner of red beans and rice. Sweathog is here which is nice ¢ he shared chocolate & beef sticks with us. Equinox & Adam & Doxie are the only other thrus here tonight. It¢s getting very windy and cool, hoping it stays dry.
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt Collin's Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Poured rain all night. There was a leak in the roof over my sleeping bag, so I had to get up and crawl into the bottom bunk in the middle of the night. We weren¢t feeling particularly motivated in the morning and stayed in camp until 9 AM when the rain let up a little. The climb up Clingman¢s Dome was beautiful ¢ a variety of mosses growing thickly on every surface. Colors from pale green to bright emerald. The pine trees were close together and massive. It was very much like a fairy tale forest, shrouded in mist. Further up the mountain, it began to pour down rain. With the wind speeds well over 40 mph, it was miserably cold. The climb wasn¢t that hard but I was soaked and afraid to slow down. The trail was literally a river and it was slippery going over all the rocks downhill. Very glad to get to Mt. Collins Shelter. We got dried out and cooked a hot lunch. The shelter filled up fast and some folks showed up with bread, cheese, bologna & mustard for the thrus. AWESOME magic. We¢d been craving cheese pretty badly. The night was cold and I saw mice running up the walls.
Date: 2008-04-20
From: Mt Collin's Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Cold, windy morning. We took off down the trail fast ¢ nearly 3 mph. Flew fast down to Newfound Gap. The sky cleared enough for us to have a spectacular view off Charlie¢s Bunion ¢ the rocks were spectacular ¢ the mountains reminded me of Colorado. They were steep and jagged and stark. The walk over the Sawteeth was incredible. The trail ran along a thin ridge with sheer drop-offs on either side. It made me feel very strong walking up above the world, but also very small. Probably my favorite section of trail so far, very harsh & powerful. A nice couple near Charlie¢s Bunion gave us Mounds & Snickers bars. Got into camp freezing cold and took some time to get a fire going then cooked barley & peas, macaroni, brownies, tea & polenta. The hiker hunger is setting in big time. Slept oddly ¢ woke to see the bright moon.
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: few clouds

Beautiful sunrise over the privy at Peck¢s Corner. Got on the trail by 9 AM, rolled quickly up the trail. It was a nice easy day. I¢m getting better at going up these mountains and my knees and ankle are holding up nicely. The pain is past, it seems. I am grateful for this. I¢m really beginning to enjoy my time on the trail. The majesty of the mountains, the peace of the forest, the camaraderie of camp¢¦all adds to my enjoyment. The Smokies have been easier than expected and we did 13 miles to Cosby Knob Shelter. Got a fire going cooked some food, relaxing around the shelter tonight.