morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Mountain Collins Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Me, Tal and Dylan set off early. We talked about important matters such as the Starwars saga. Dylan is going to share a room with me in town, i think he will be alot of fun to chill with in town. Tal was telling me off for my shy approach to hitching at the gap. However I proved myself by flagging down a pickup truck. As we all piled into the back Indy andy came running out the woods shouting 'wait for me'. It was a awesome ride in the back with the wind rushing through our hair as we winded down the road. The guy who drove us was going to protest against George Bush, GOOD LUCK was my message to him. We got a room at the Grand Prix hotel. There was internet and they would put a few boxes of doughnuts out in the chill out room. The reception women was a little off her rocker. I went up to sign in and she shouted out in nobody's direction "Im talking" then she screamed "is it clean" She started taking my payment and then stopped everytime someone came to the desk. I felt i was not being treated properly.Wild Bob and the quartet were her too. Me, Dylan and indy went to Pizza hut. I got a large meat lovers pizza, indy got a medium deep pan pizza and Dylan got Large cheese pizza, Ham with salad, and cheesesticks! He nearly finished off the lot. Me and indy were lost for words. I boxed up all my scraps, I remember my friend Terry did the same when we were hiking in England. I laughed at him as i thought it was a little desperate but now i understand that mentality completely.We got up to go all feeling full. I was walking down the stairs and saw Dylan with his arse up in the air and his head in this barrel. He was chucking up the lot. I was laughing so hard i nearly went the same way. We went for groceries but somehow managed to miss the blue trolley to the supermarket everytime. Me and dylan split alot of multipacks but we had like a trolley load. Indy thought we were mad but we planned to eat anything we couldnt pack tonight.I tried to figure out how to split the receipt but after 2 years at tesco i lost the ability to add up. Me and dylan chilled with our feet in teh pool at night and wild bob plus the quartet joined us. Wild Bob is awesome and seems to save everyone in their times of need. He's really hardcore. The quartet were talkative, they were so quiet back at Blue mountain. A storm brewed and we ran in. Its good to be in bed and warm as lighting flys around and the rain falls down hard. plan a zero tomorrow. dandy
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I managed to convince the guys to stay on another day. It wasnt too hard. I shouldnt really try to influence people but with 3 of us in here its a cheap room.Dylan sat in bed all day watching TV. I called him a big fat slug, he laughed and carried on doing nothing. I guess its a zero day. I was really bored to be honest. The trail is calling me. Gatlinburg has very little depth. Its just hotels, pancake houses and crazy golf courses.We went to dine with cheesecake and obi which was cool. Nice to say bye to Cheesecake before she goes. She has been very kind to me and as we prepared to pay the bill she said she had taken care of it. Dylan felt bad because he ordered loads of food and they hardly know him. He said he will stick with me to get all the freebies. I just pretend to be a poor, starving, lost english boy needing help. works a treat! The rest will do me good but time to move on, one thinks.dandy
Date: 2005-04-24
From: Gatlinburg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Cant believe it,NOOOOOOOO, stuck in town another day. Big snowstorms came in and the road out was blocked. I was talking to Hannah in the office (one of the quartet), we were just moaning about it. We both felt the same about being stuck in town. On the upside I guess im safer here. The girls offered to share a room with me and dylan. Split the cost further. I was suprised as i thought they would want there privacy but they were more bothered about money. They were on like a budget of $250 for 6 weeks. They have a reputation on the trail because they have been seen hiking bare foot. imagine stubbing your toe. I think I'll wear my boots. I imagined trying to explain to friends the idea of me and a 28 yr old guy sharing a small room with 4 teenage girls... think it would raise an eyebrow but me and dylan hit the floor and it was really cool. True gentlemen. Me and Sarah went into town to get Hannah a birthday cake. When i heard it was her birthday I had to go get some cake and candles. We all went to pizza hut....this time dylan held down his share.We had a good time today but we are all itching to hit the trail This town absorbs money. Everyone started to go to sleep except dylan and mel. They were laughing at the TV all night. See what Gatlinburg can do to you. I think We may hike with these girls tomorrow. Good fun. Dylan is really easy going, he just makes me laugh because he is such a slug. dandy
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Gatlinburg

To: tricorner knob shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

We raided the doughnuts again and made our way to the road. We split into 2 groups as we tried to hitch. It was not looking good but then a couple pulled over and said they could take four, so the girls went in. Me and dylan got picked up by a guy called Shane driving a breezer. He worked in Cherokee and i think he took pictures of models from what i could figure. Dylan wish he had got his business card, maybe a job as shanes assistant after the trail. The trail was real icy and i had my first wipeout. I saw hannah slip just ahead of me but i was so close i didnt see how icy it was and i fell straight onto my back. Charly bunion was cool, a rock outcrop with sweeping views of the snowcovered hillsides. The snow always makes everything look pretty. We caught Tal up and he seemed excited to see everyone. He thought we had left yesterday and thus was trying to catch up till he realised we were behind him. I managed to get space in the shelter. I hiked in with Sarah, she's a really strong hiker, never seems tired. Tal was entertaining everyone with his cooking and humour, him and mel were having a banter at each other. Mel was losing miserably. I felt withdrawn and just hit the sack. Dylan set up on the bench, its so narrow that if he rolled over he be in the mud. First day my feet got wet, the slushy snow just soaked my boots. dandylion
Date: 2005-04-26
From: tricorner knob shelter

To: Davenport gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Putting on the wet socks, such a joy in the morning. I hiked well today through the snow and felt really good. I was like a walking jukebox, singing down the trail. Hiked a little with Obi and talked more about massage. When i get home i will have to look into it a little more. I took a long break at the next shelter and the girls caught me up. Mels struggling with her knees. The girls, who have a reputation for hiking barefoot, have converted to boots because of the snow. I moved off alone again and as i dropped down the snow was gone. I was in solo hiking mood today but when i got to Davenport shelter i was ready for a laugh. I was on the bottom shelf and was invited up top because we were all chatting but couldnt see eachother. I squeezed in between mel and sarah, we were packed like sardines. All i remember about the night was tal told this joke he converted from hebrew. We laughed because it was tal telling it but it didnt really make sense. He said 'its better in hebrew' so i replied ' lets hear it then!'. He told it in his native language and we laughed so hard. I believe the joke had something to do with a magic dwarf. dandylion
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Davenport gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Me and tal headed down to standing bear farm. I didnt intend to eat their but got sucked in.It was a nice setup with phone,laudry and honesty shop. The shop was full of many wonders but had cheeseburgers you could buy and then cook in the kitchen. I indulged of course. I pulled myself away after a couple of hours.Tal gave me some history lessons on israel's forming and conflicts with jordan and syria. I think the two wars he talked most about were 67 and 73. It was a real treat to have someone from such a politically hot area talk openly about it. I caught up the girls, Mel being the first as usual. As we summitted snowbird mountain it hailed really hard but this gave me a adrenlin rush which helped me up. Storms always make me excited. It cleared quickly and the top was grassy. It was a breeze all the way down to Ground Hog Creek Shelter. I took a space in teh shelter while the rest of the group camped a ways down. Met ramblin man and corpal. Ramblin man had thru hiked before and his son is joining him for this attempt. We got a cool fire going thanks to Chipmunk, hail the chipmunk. He's a very happy guy, thats the best way to describe him. He dont say much but always smiling. Toasted a bag of marshmallows and told jokes over the fire. I love this socialising with great people after a days hiking.dandylion
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Kale gap
Miles today: 13.9

Max patch was unmistakeable on approach. The only mountain which had a huge bald on top. It was like a beach up there, in hiker terms. I reached the top and found indy, sandy etc guys laying around. Saw Graceful today too. I was suprised she was still on the trail after all the problems she had early on with her feet. She was so miserable when i last saw her at blue mountain but now she looks really happy with the hike. I moved on as it cooled down and saw some lama's. I had to double take on it but yes, they were lama's. They were being used to carry the food for some group hiking. The weather took a turn for the worse, rainfall. The mileage was easy and i decided to take a break at the old shelter. 2 people, a hippy women and a mexican guys with a rainbow sweater were there. The lady looked like something out the village. She had a big heavy cloak on. It rained the rest of the day. I met firewolf which was a interesting experience. He was as high as clingmans dome and kept offering me sunflower seeds. I was like 'dude, im really okay, you keep those seeds'. Everyone just crahsed in their tents and me,tal and dylan spent the night just listening to the girls talk crap. they were loud as usual but entertaining nevertheless. I am always happy to hear hannahs laugh. dandylion
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Kale gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

Town was the aim today. Me and dylan hiked the last few miles together. He is such a easy going guy and i hope he keeps up. He was telling me how he did one term at college and then on the last exam he went for he drove there and thought, i really dont wanna do this, so he drove home. Been in coastguard as a cook, i find it funny how he is a cook but eats nothing but mountain house meals. He love the BBC so we have lots to talk about. Hot springs use to be called warm springs till they found a warmer spring so they felt they had to rename it hot springs! Whatever its name, we had trouble finding a place to stay. Tal and dylan got a room, it was small, no phone and caused tal to say 'fuck' repeatedly. We all hung there a while and the owner of the bridge street hotel got mad so we left. Maybe he found out we all took showers and drained the hot water tank..ha ha ha. he was a mean guy. Me ,mel and sarah stayed with obi and headfirst. It was like selling off orphans finding a place for us to stay. chipmunk took hannah and beth. I was in the loft of obi's cabin with the girls and obi ribbed me constantly about it. he was like 'okay, i think you should pay for the cabin because your getting the best deal okay,' or 'okay, i like how you managed to get 2 girls in the loft with you,okay, your smooth'. Obi says 'okay' alot. i had no comebacks to his ribbing, i really couldnt think of any witty returns. We all went for eats at the paddlers pub, good food, good company.dandylion
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Roasted last night. Obi had the heating cranked up so high. Mel got up to turn it off and i was really grateful. I had pancakes with headfirst and had far too much maple syrup. i felt really sick. I couldnt go to the spa with dylan,tal and mel. I managed to do some emails and saw pics of my friend tim with prescott on the campaign trail. It sucks that im missing the election build up and my first chance to vote.WE got out later than i wanted to and we missed the double blaze turning and lost 20 mins walking up and back down the road out. I saw the blazes but didnt see the path so i kept walking.Graceful later told me she walked a couple of miles up and then hitched backed when she realised she had gone wrong.The climb out was cool, up cliffs, there were numerous photo opportunities. Me and sarah hiked ahead for a while. It was the first time she said more than a sentence to me. We talked about her home schooling, travelling etc. I think i talked about England for 20 minutes, i realise theres alot i need to see at home still. The weather closed in and visibility dropped after lunch and we got to the shelter at 7.30pm.I set up my tent in the rain and just blocked out my mind, did what needed to be done.Had alot of fun today teasing mel. I would stop for a break so she could catch up, then i would pat my knees and call her like you would a dog 'come on mel,here girl' 'you can do it'. Im evil. Dylan rolled into camp late but we all made it here safe. I was warm but knew i would have a soggy morning to look forward too.dandylion
Date: 2005-05-01
From: Spring mountain Shelter

To: Jerry cabin
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Dylan was really wet. His tents flysheet unclipped and he shouted to me that 'im not moving till i dry' as i went passed. The gang was in lazy mode so i moved out. I struggled with the first 8.6 miles. I met Fester and Indy andy at the shelter. Me and Fester are going to plot to free New mexico. I mentioned to him that it was the third largest nuclear power in the world on its own (Cheesecake told me this)and he was like, nobody cares about the new mexicans, we shall rise and break away from the U.S.A. Fester also announced that his thru hike is to be the centerpiece of the 68th anniversary celebration of the A.T. This was triggered due to wingfoot claiming his 1987 thru hike was the centerpiece of the 50th A.T celebration.....It seems a bizzarre claim, Did they have a parade hiking behind him? i imagine the scene in forest gump when everyone starts running with him. I dried out here and moved on. I thought everyone would catch me up but i guess i was too fast. There was a really steep climb after the shelter but i was feeling much better and really enjoyed the hike there on. Everyone rolled into jerry cabin as i was cooking except dylan which sucked. The highlight today was the hike across the white rock cliffs. It was a exposed ridge walk with some real rocky parts, the trail has only recently been re routed over here, glad it was. Tal, sarah and hannah were going to Cowboy and i decided to join them. I have to sleep under the stars if im out here. The girls were trying to describe their homestead to us. They attempted to live there without electricity but now they have a propane generator. When they said they have no TV Tal was shocked. He said if he visited he would get a motel for the night. For the second time i am going to refer to the 'village'. I am sure im well off the mark but thats how i imagine their lifestyle. They got a 100 acres which they grow some veg in and keep some livestock. Tal said it sounded like a shelter on the A.T. dandylion
Date: 2005-05-02
From: Jerry cabin

To: Pass Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: few clouds

There seemed alot of graves and memorials along this section today. Me ,han and Sarah set off together today, we all walk similiar speeds. Han saw a beer run acorss the trail. I was leading but i was so busy talking that i missed the whole thing. We later found bear tracks on the trail too. I should start hanging my bear bag again. I moved on alone after Flint Mtn shelter. North Carolina and Tennessee has been more colourful than Georgia and today we hit our first stile. Over 300 mile mark wahoo.We all gathered at Hog back and decided to move on abit ,mainly because we had marshmallows and didnt want to share! Apparently the author of 'walking on the happy side of misery' was at the shelter. We only went an extra 0.5 and cowboy camped around the fire toasting large clumps of melted marshmallows. Tal had been carrying them for some time. Me and han were rejects as we were the other side of the fire so we talked alittle before nodding off. Hannah managed to talk quietly which was a first, she's a incredibly lively person, great energy. Its great sleeping out, if you cant sleep you can just watch out for shooting stars. Clouds rolled in and i was just praying it would not rain.Dandylion
Date: 2005-05-03
From: Pass Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Temple hill gap
Miles today: 22.5

got away without rain last night. We were off early but Graceful still passed us this morning, that girl is up before the sun. We wanted to go as far as we could today to make a nero into Erwin tomorrow. Everyone hiked to their own tune today which was cool. I planned to literally eat the miles away. I stopped every 5 miles to cook or snack. I hit Sams gap and unloaded some trash. There was a guy putting up a sign saying "breakfast 1/2 mile up road. Tempting but to far to go today. The climb up bald mountain was fun,the top was like max patch and everyone was up on top chilling out. The wind was really chilling so i hiked down to the shelter to cook once i got pictures of everyone. I went to the privy and decided to multitask and write my journal. The time came to use the toilet paper and as i put my journal down my pen rolled away and down a crack into the pit. I couldnt believe i had lost another pen in such a fashion. I just laughed, thats all i could do. When i came out, there was a queue of about 4 people. I ate and moved on. I met a guy called Crazy horse today. I hiked fast and as i walked under high rocks i heard Hannah and mel talking above me. I sat down and talked to them for a while, it looked fun way up on those rocks. I was feeling good but my feet were sore as i approached no business knob shelter. I ate and the girls decided to push on a little more. I followed on later and we camped just off the trail, in fact my head was nearly on the trail. Tal stayed at the shelter. Awesome hiking day and town tomorrow. dandylion
Date: 2005-05-04
From: Temple hill gap

To: Nolichucky river
Miles today: 3.9

Easy to get up when a buffet awaits. Buffets are america's finest gift to the world. I was fascinated watching mel get up. She looked like a giant worm as she stood up in her sleeping bag with it all zipped up. She managed to get fully dressed in there and i would not be suprised if she cooked breakfast or brush her teeth while in there.Our group marched towards the sound of the train whistle echoeing down the valley. Met a crazy guy on the way down who said he use to run with the indians up here....What indians? He was also wearing a fully insulated suit. He looked like he was going to the moon as opposed to Davenport gap. He must of been so hot in that suit. We came to the river and i went into Uncle johnnys and got some gas and a pen. He was really helpful and we decided to hike the mile to the holiday inn. When i got to the entrance phoenix appeared, from the flames. She wanted to share her room with me and then when tal and graceful came along, get them in secretly. Thats what hiker trash does.The girls were honest about how many they were going to have in the room and got stung for $90. I love the setup at these places. internet, breakfast bar,laudry and hottub. In phoenix's room there sat a trolley of soda and snacks.....cruel temptation to a hungry hiker. She let me have a soda to keep me sane. I was excited about shopping, got tortillas,mushrooms etc. Me and tal were really hyper, racing our shopping 'carts' around the store and laughing at the amount of food we were buying. The pizza hut buffet was soooo good. good to feel full. I stockpiled some pizza crust and broccoli for the trail ahead. We got a ride back to the inn off a southern boi. He drove in a worrying fashion, often not looking at the road ahead for long periods of time. Me and tal being the classy brand of thru hiker we are, hit the hot tub with 2 lbs of strawberries that we dipped in sugar. This trail lark is tough. Terry rang me in my room, was really cool to chat. He sounded drained after his all day meeting at work.We all met later again in the hot tub and even dylan joined us. The slug always catches up in the end. He was night hiking till 3am and slepted on the white cliff ridge. crazy. Me and tal shared a bed which was great once i stopped him trying to steal the fleece blanket....you have to keep these jews inline or they take advantage. dandylion
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Nolichucky river

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Ate as much as i could this morning at breakfast. The girls were reluctant to leave. I never seen them like that. Me and dylan went for a milkshake. i love my milkshakes. I walked the mile back to the trail, my leg was horribly stiff for a while. It worried me a little. I came to cross the railway and the trail stopped as i got there. The sign said it may stop for a brief time so i waited. Sandy,brad etc came along and they just went under the train.Dylan came along and didnt want to go under so he said 'i dont mind a detour'. I tried to explain to him that the train was probably a mile long but he went off anyhow. i decided to go underneath. the guys said it may be here for hours and they made it look easy. 2 minutes later the train started up. It was a uncool move i think. I try to wait for dylan but no sing of him. I figured he was fine as i heard no screams. I was excited about cooking my lipton with mushrooms and broccoli. Met Obi and Dandy at Indian grave gap. They had slack packed. Which is a hot trail issue. I want to hike a traditional hike, i like the continuity of the hike and the fact im carrying all i need on my back. I dont discourage slacking, hike your own hike. We made our own fire at camp when i caught up the girls, we didnt want to disturb the residents nearby.dandylion
Date: 2005-05-06
From: Deep Gap

To: Clyde Smith shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Steep climb straight away up Unaka Mtn. Had long break at Cherry Gap Shelter. there was alot of anti slack packing comments in the registers. People should just hike how they want, one entry said slackpackers were pussy's! nobody should be out here to look matcho. I was talking to this old guy at the table and he said ' i aint stupid, i know englands a big place but do you know Collin' I was like 'what, Sunburn!'. It was so random, small world. I hiked with sunburn back in England on the pennine way. Thats when i met Terry also and this whole crazy adventure was born. He was a trail angel to Terry and i was updating him on terrys domestic details. I told him terry and joanne had two children and he was like 'she a baby machine or something'. His name was Fannypack(Bumbag for the folks back home). I cant wait to let Terry hear about this story. I was also recored saying a few lines by this guy. He said his friend always trys to do a English accent so i gave him a message. I heard Mudbutt and Me-Me got called hippies by a passing car the other day...he he he. They are hiking the A.T as a honeymoon. First big test in their marriage i imagine. Decided to stay at Clyde smith shelter tonight. Me and the gang sat around the fire which Fannypack built for us. Hannahs laughing was awesome. She reminds me of my friend Hayley back home. She use to get us kicked out of the libary because her laugh was so loud. dandylion