morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Standing Indian Shelter 11am

To: Betty Creek Gap campsite 4300' 4pm
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

Another late start due to the cold. Itwas a beautiful day out - clear skies, but cold and windy.Ate lunch at Carter Shelter. Kinda neat - had a bunk underneath to sleep also. Easy hike from Standing Indian Mtn to Betty Creek. Pretty much downhill. Nice place to camp out of the wind and low altitude makes for nice sleep and good campfire stories.Wish I had some Snickers!
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Betty Creek Campsite 9:20am

To: Rock Gap Shelter 
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Mountain Goat signing in. Today was cool. We started out about 9:20. Our first stop was Albert Mtn. UP! It was fun over rocks and CLIMBING and actual mountain. Once we reached the top it staring raining Dippin Dots and then snowing huge stikin flakes of snow.We ate lunch at the shelter (Big Spring ed.) at the bottom of Albert Mtn. It was nice - I crapped.We got to Rock Gap Shelter near Rainbow Springs. We walked to the campground and got pizza, snickers and postcards. We came back bumming a ride to get past the snow - 3 inches.We had a great fire and hung out for a while.
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Rock Gap Shelter 10 am

To: Siler Bald Shelter ~4700' 2:30 pm
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

We got a chance to see the 2nd largest Poplar tree in the world(Wasalik Poplar) and took pics. We hiked from there in the snow and met up with Arlene, Mickey one sock, Sugar Daddy, Deja Vu, and Alex (from Tray).It was a beautiful day with some incredible views - too bad we didn't have another camera. The place we camped was on the side of a mountain with a grassy knoll.Red Dog, Dragon Slayer, Slim and Biscuit showed up just in time for dinner with a box of wine and hobos for the feast. DS burnt the corn in my pot - it will probably remian there for some time! We cooked on the fire and then in the tent. Pretty chilly out - still snow.
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Siler Bald Shelter 4700' 7:15am

To: Cold Springs Shelter ~4500' 1pm
Miles today: 12.1

Today was very nice. The view from Wayah Bald was breathtaking. The sky a light purple blue and snow on the ground - just made it all worthwhile. We left really early this morning and the hike was Up and Down, but I think I am getting the hang of this- slowly.We had a nice nap after we arrived at the shelter and tomorrow is grub time down at the NOC - can't wait!Met a new hiker named Herringer from Penn. Micky is in the shelter tonight along with Arlene. Arlene is from the Ozarks in Missouri and lives with her son on a cattle farm. Micky is a retired principal from Atalanta and likes electric guitar.Hope the weather holds up.
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Cold Springs Shelter ~4500 7:40 am

To: NOC(Nantahala Outdoor Center) 1740'12:30pm
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

We left our cold, no sun shining shelter and hiked up to the wooden deck on top of Wesser Bald. The best view yet! No pics though. Heald said he saw a bear at the top. After we came down to the first shelter we hiked Up and Down and then DOWN Majorly!We made it to the NOC for lunch (cheese burger and fries). Then we washed everything and got our food box and took it easy. Talked to Meaghan and she said she wanted to meet up sometime.Supper was good but pricy. Chicken fried steak, zucchini, and fries. We camped with Red Dog's buddies.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: NOC 1740' 11am

To: Cheoah Bald 5062' 5 pm
Miles today: 11.1

We ate a very nice breakfast at the headwaters of the Nantahala. Russell and Eavin cooked us sausage and eggs along with a donut, banana and orange. We sparked the day off nicely then headed toward the NOC, which was at 1730 ft. We hiked to 5062 ft Cheoah Bald and saw a spectacular view on all sides - great place to spend the night. We had a freeze dried burrito :-( and watched the sun set :-).It was windy as hell so we had a fire to stay warm - really warm. Was quite windy.Eavin bought me and Adam a giant Snicker Bar :-)).
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Cheoah Bald campsite

To: Cable GapShelter 5 pm
Miles today: 14.0

Wow, that was a windy awakening. Right now I am in my tent listening to the rain fall on the rainfly.Today 30 min before lunch my left foot starting hurting - exactly where my right foot hurt earlier. Oh well, I guess it is the boot.We had lunch at Stecoah Gap. A thru hiker named Ox met us there with beer, sodas, oreos, cookies, snickers, oragnes, and strawberries. AWESOME. He spends his time helping thru hikers. This is like a brotherhood almost.We made it to the shelter around 5 and it strted to rain right after nightfall - talk about perfect! We will go into town tomorrow for a zero day. Hope tomorrow is good!
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Cable Gap Shelter 11:00am

To: Fontana 2:30pm
Miles today: 5.5

It rained throughout the night off and on and the tent slowly filled. When we awoke I was fairly dry but TWT was wet. We slowly arose and packed our stuff and walked toward Fontana. As I was putting on my shoes Stu(Fozzy), Dave, and Seth showed up. I couldn't belive that they caught up with us so fast! They were three days behind at Rainbow Springs and they just booked it.We all left together and the hike was fairly easy except for the humidity which was dragging at our boot heels. We got to see some pretty streams and a patch of trillium starting to bloom - first sign of Spring, I hope!We arrived at Fontana Village and got hotel rooms for the night. Me, Stu, Dave and Seth roomed together while Adam, Pete, Colin(Slim), Sara and Pez's girlfriend roomed together. We partied that night for Slim and Seth's birthday. Dragon Slayer went to town and got a german chocolate cake and a crap load of chinese food. We had a marvelous time playing putt-putt in the hall and common room and had a nice fire to go with it.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: ZERO DAY- Fontana 
Miles today: 0.0

We took it easy and filled our gullet today. Played some putt-putt and hung out. Ate a big breakfast then later went over to the Fontana Dam (Hilton) Shelter - NICE! Right by the dam and roomy. Big Dam - straight, but everything was closed.Met back up with Red Dog.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Fontana Hilton

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter ~4300'
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Left the "Hilton" and took a slam at the dam (nice ballroom). The first 4 miles was UP and not that bad, but once we got to the top it was windy as a jet liner. We started to hike towards the shelter, and once we got to Doe Knob the wind starting blowwing the ice off the trees. It looked like the ice was crawling out of the ground.We had a full shelterwith some other thru hikers staying with us. The shelter had a fireplace on the inside, so we warmed the place up. It was COLD! The Jack went around to celebrate St. Pat's day. I slept well that night.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter ~4300' 10:30am

To: Derricks Knob ~4500' 5 pm
Miles today: 10.6

After a late start because of the rain we finally rolled on. We made it to Russell Field Shelter Shelter around noon and decided to eat lunch. The shelter had a bear fence around it. After lunch it was all up for 4 miles to Thunderhead Mtn. When we reached Spence Field it was beautiful. An open bald on the side of the mountain with grasses, moss, lichen, etc. I bet it is unbelieveable in the Spring.Once I made it to the top of Rocky Top I rested and it was a nice view. 2 seconds later a cloud took over and it started raining - again! We came to Beechnut Gap and got water from a spring there. We heard this sound like thumping that progressed louder - weird. The last five miles was tough up and down.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Derrick Knob Shelter ~4500' 10am

To: NewFound Gap 5045' 10 pm
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

What a crazy wacked out day. The view from Silers Bald (~5000') and Clingsman Dome(6643') - clearest day so far.We arrived at MtCollins Shelter (5900') late and started fixing dinner. Just then 7 Boy Scouts arrived and kicked us out. We decided to night hike on to Newfound Gap(5045') overlook and spend the night there. On the way to the gap we saw a crazy streak in the sky that broke apart like fireworks - a meteorite breaking up in orbit. Amazingly lit up the entire sky.Some southern baptists at the gap started screaming and yelling at the overlook?
Date: 2004-03-20
From: NewFound Gap 2:30 pm

To: Pecks Corner 6:30pm
Miles today: 10.4

What a Day! Awoke to people walking up to the lookout we had slept in at NewFound Gasp. DS slept at a hotel after getting a shuttle into Gatlingburg. We tried to get a hitch into town and the first guy in a truck said he gives no rides. The next truck we saw was heading to cherokee, but turned around and gave us a ride to G-burg. Nice folk - hikers- they took us to Shoneys to pig out. I ate hash browns, eggs, pancakes, 3 bacon, 2 sausage, frosted flakes, bananas, papaya, pineapple, gravy biscuits, french toast, country ham, melon, and OJ. WOWSERS!After breakfast Bisquit and Slim needed their package. It was 3 mi to the P.O. and he had an hour and a half to get there. He ran and returned at 12:15 after it closed at 12. A guy on the trolley gave him 20 dollars!We talked to some people from Kentucky that were in the hotel we stayed out front of. They were there for country live dancin and square dancin. After they left we hiked through the town and people thought we were crazy. We stopped at Burger King and grabbed two whoppers while S & B went to the store. As we crossed the street a woman yelled at us and said she would give us a ride back to the gap - talk about nice timing!She was also a hiker - go figure. When we got to the gap it was crowded. We left and started truckin it. We heard rain was coming around 8pm so we moved fast and made it to the shelter before it came POURING down. The views from Charles Bunion were awesome.Good company tonight with the mouth harp.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Pecks Corner Shelter 

To: Cosby Knob Shelter ~5000' 6pm
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

When we left Pecks Corner it was a little crisp, but I still had my shorts on. The sky was clear and sunny so we set off after a breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. As soon as we came to the top of the mountain it was like hell froze over. Swoosh - a blast of wind that would make the ice man shiver. Every part of the mountain that was exposed to the NE was overcome with blasts of ice cold wind. The trees were covered in frost in those areas because of the cold.We ate lunch at Tri-Corner Knob Shelter. Nice, but still cold so we ate a hot lunch and moved on quickly.Once we got to the North side of Guyot Mtn it was covered in sheets of ice as slippery as roller skates on glass. It was a task just to make it through that Km long section. After that it was pretty smooth sailing into Cosby. Once we arrived at the shelter, me and TWT collected firewood for a fire. Slowly people started to pour in ( Tenn Jack, Johnny Flash, S&B, Happyfeet, Sylvan the Poet, and D.S. We kept each other company and froze while we slept.
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Cosby Knob Shelter ~5000' 9 am

To: GroundHog Creek Shelter 2900' 7pm
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

We got up early to make it to Mtn Mommas for cheeseburgers. The hike wasn't that bad - Up then Down, Down, Down.Once we arrived at Davenport Gap (1975') Hans Solo was waiting. We started towards Mommas when suddenly someone picked us up. They had oranges, apples, and Soda. Got to love that Trail Magic!!As soon as we got there me and TWT recognized it from our previous venture up Low Gap or Big Creek Trail or something (ed. a year ago at Christmas time). The hamburgers and fries hit the spot. We repackaged and were on our way. We kinda took a short cut to the trail and someone picked us up on the way. The stream beside us was awesome.We took a side trip to Standing Bear and ate some oranges and drank a Guiness. Then started up the mountain. The first part was tough but we just kept going Up, looking for a place to camp along the way. We came to an amazing patch of Spanish Oak on Snowbird Mtn (4263'). It was a grassy knoll for awhile and the view was great. We kept looking for a campsite with water but no luck, so we filled the water bag and kept going till we realized that the shelter wasn't far. We arrived at dusk and met back up with Fozzy, Hoss, RedDog, and Rocky. We cooked some crazy stuff that was gross and then had a large cup of Cocoa.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter 2900 ' 9:50 am

To: Walnut Mtn Shelter ~4000' 5 pm 
Miles today: 13.1

This morning we had cheerios w/ dried fruit - mmm. Once we left the shelter it was 20 degrees F - pretty chilly, but we were going UP until Max Patch Mtn (4629').We stopped for lunch on the side of Max Patch and soaked in the sun. It was a beautiful view - from the top you could see straight to the Smokies. Definitely a must see. The mountain was a grassy patch with a muddy trail, but amazing.The hike down was nice. We saw a huge pine tree on the way. It was flat and followed streams. TWT found a black and blue butterfly on the top of Walnut while he watched the sunset.We met Devil Weed, Lucky Day, Came and Early Bird today. D.S., Fozzy, Rocky, and Hoss did 23 mi today.
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Walnut Mtn Shelter ~4000' 7:20am

To: Hot Springs NC 1326' 1:30pm
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke to the sound of owl hoots and bear snores (TWT). The sleep was not very good seeing as how I was in a hole half the night and S&B were carrying on. Oh well, what can you say.We hiked up a pretty nice climb( Bluff Mtn 4686'-ed.) , but from there it was downhill for 10 miles. Stopped for lunch at Deer Park Mtn Shelter. Kinda small and crappy - glad I didn't stay the night. Got there at 10:45 and a hiker was just waking up! He asked if the next shelter was going to be full and I figured it would seeing as how he didn't get any early start.Red Dog showed up so we hiked with him to Hot Springs - only 3.2 miles from the shelter. On the way he stumped us with trivia (Sewantenco) from Shaw Shank Redemption. The hike into town was interesting, but nice. Small hiker town with cool, friendly people. When we arrived we were expecting a four star cabin for only $15 a night. Unfortunately they were closed until April 1. Seems like that is the magic date in all towns. We ended up staying at Creekside Inn. Small but Cozy. Johnny Flash slept on the floor. Johnny is an interesting character from Vermont with a 22lb pack with hardly anything in it. We met many other hikers in town. Most everyone was staying at Elmers. A phat place to stay with nice beds, a library, music room with jimbe various hats and two digory dos.We ate at the Peddler's Pub and had a terrific pizza with sausage and portabello mushroom. Nice night. Hans Solo showed up at 10pm after hiking from Brown Gap - crazy Dude (23+mi-ed.). We had no room for him to sleep, so he ate a whole pizza and camped. We just hung out and drank some beers.
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Hot Springs, NC 1326' 1:30pm

To: Rich Mtn FireTower 3600' 5pm
Miles today: 8.3

As soon as I woke up I went to the store and bought a box of Fruity Peebles, a quart of milk and two fruit pies. Fruit pies are loaded with fat so that is good because I have lost like 20 lbs. After breakfast we called Dad and told him to meet us at Allen Gap. We hung out at the outfitters for awhile and watched everyone try out summer bags then we packed up and got out.On the way we stopped at the campground store and got a foot long sub with everything. It was huge! We saw a bunch of hippies from the area and got to talk to John on the phone for awhile (best friend in Murphressboro, TN - ed.). Troy had gotten in a bad accident and luckily is still alive. John also told me there would be a guy hiking the AT with an orthopedic leg -crazy!! The hike out of Hot Springs wasn't too bad. At first it was so hot on the side facing French Broad - rock faces. Then it was Up for the rest of the day. The pond we saw today was nice. I wanted to jump in it. It was a dammed spring with trout and salamanders all in it.We met up with Tenn Jack and Sylvan Poet and decided to camp out for the night at the Fire tower. It was nice except for the bugs.We saw Johnny Flash leaving and Eats and some other chubby guys leaving to head for the Spring mtn Shelter. Some other hikers are also staying here tonight. I hope it doesn't rain.
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Rich Mtn FireTower 3600' 10 am

To: Little Laurel Shelter 3300' 5pm
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We slept in some because we know that mom and dad might be a little late going to Allen Gap from Alabama. Breakfast was good and directly afterwards I had to use the bathroom. I was running around trying to find a good log to use and finally found one and tried to dig a hole. It was close to impossible to dig through the roots, so I look over and the log had a perfect Y score! However I still had to bury it. We won't go into detail on that.We made our way to Allen Gap (2234')- which was supposed to be downhill all the way! We went thru a part that was black like a forest fire had come thru, but none of the trees were burnt. It was a controlled burn where all the leaves are burnt but nothing else. Pretty cool. When we made it to the Gap Johnny Flash from Vermont was there, so we told him to hang for awhile. We set up shop near a broken down old gas station. Dad and mom and Danny passed by us the first time then turned around and it was heaven. Finally got my Thermarest! Bananas, apples, Sobe, BlueBerry Fluff, Mountain Dew, Butterfingers, homemade cookies,etc. We dropped off some extra clothes, etc. and packed up and started up the hill. Pretty strenuous hike uphill for about 5 miles. Danny and dad were kinda slow but making it. We showed at the shelter at 5pm and only Sylvan Poet was there. We had been rehydrating Spaghetti for dinner so I started back down the trail to lighten the load on Danny and dad. I grabbed dad's pack and it was lighter than my pack with nothing in it!Once we got back to the shelter RedDog showed up, then the Lost Boys, S&B,LWOP,Pez, and Rocky. It was a bumping night. The spaghetti was swell. D.S.came wandering in after supper and whipped up some kinda of pudding treat we all shared. Rocky whipped out his smores and RedDog sang the Mountain Mams song.It was a great night - clear sky and everything. I slept great even with the snores, thanks Thermarest.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Little Laurel Shelter 3300' 8:30 am

To: Flint Mtn Shelter 3550' 5:15pm
Miles today: 12.6

Everyone got up around 7 and started cooking b'fast. We had a huge bowl of oatmeal and some other snack foods and we were on our way.The first mile was tough even by my standards, but dad(GoLight) and Danny(Cardiac) made it up in a little more than an hour while me and TWT hiked up to the firetower(4750') and took a look at the view. Nice and a little hazy, but pretty. You could see Greenville to the left. After we hiked down from the top, the hike down was not bad.However the hike over the ridge line (5500') that they just relocated in Oct 2003 was crazy. All quartzite at about 45 dip to the SE and we were on top o' it. The views were nice, but at a price. Once we hiked down out of that we decided since it was past noon we should stop and have a rest break (to help out the old men, no doubt - ed.) The hike down wasn't too bad and soon enough we were at the Jerry Cabin Shelter(4150') having a nice lunch. Tuna wraps and PB&J on raisin bread - nice lunch and a refill from the spring nearby. We left the shelter at 2:30 and I went ahead to get to the site early and start cooking the dehyd. chili dad had brought. Once you start up Big Butt (4750') it was a pain. Fast increase in altitude with switchbacks. But once you get up that part was a nice patch of level ground and grass for about 1/2 mile. A past hiker guy had his ashes buried in a small bald overlooking Greenville. It was nice so I sat and got a little water. Once you got to the top it was rocky like crazy. After that it followed an old road for a while and slowly went down towards the a flat grassy walk past the graves of the Civil War guys.After the graves it was STEEP downhill for 2 miles and then a short increase in elevation. Why? You tell me why! The shelter was not far from thereand it was getting late. I jetted to the shelter and started the chili and went to get water from the stream nearby. S&B got a fire going and TWT showed up and went back to get their stuff. They showed up around 7pm and dad was happy cause he wasn't carrying anything but a hydration pack, but Danny looked pretty beat. (ed.- Dad said he wanted to rename TalksWithTrees to 'PackTaxi' because he was taxi ing the packs for him.)Oh, the chili was great and now its time for chocolate pudding. At least these guys will sleep good tonight! (and we did - ed.)
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Flint Mtn Shelter 3550' 8am

To: Low Gap Campsite 3050' 
Miles today: 14.9

Today was a tough day. Not only physically but mentally as well. It isn't the food that matters, we can get that anywhere. The hard part is leaving the ones you love, and parting into a totally different 'real' world. Not being able to love someone freely is impossible. It was hard to say goodbye again, and setting out on our quest once again. That is what life is about - a whole bunch of goodbyes and hopefully we will meet once again.
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Low Gap campsite 3050' 9am

To: No Business Knob Shelter 5:15pm
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today the menu is omelet a la splat. Not bad but you could do better (definitely). The hike up to Big Bald (5516') was not that bad. The last part of it was rocky and then opened to a beautiful field of grass. We ate a snack and talked to a section hiker from Miami. We ate lunch at a gapper with shotty water and drank a Dew. After lunch I hiked to the rocky overlook and took a picture. Uplifting till you go down.The river we followed uphill was nice - I wanted to jump in, but ther was a trail to burn. Then there was another controlled burn and the trail went kinda like this ^V^V^V - kinda sinusoidal if you like to look at it that way. If you're a hiker you see as - damn, didn't I just hike this 9 times already! Little Creatures of Love.We ate well and finally got to meet Hippy Long Stocking. She is everything I expected her to be. Witty, talkative, nice, and all around chill. Well, that's about it pardner.
Date: 2004-03-30
From: No Business Knob Shelter 7:30am

To: Erwin, TN 1700' 9:45 am
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Nice hike out of the shelter downhill for the most part except for small Ups and Downs. The rain started into the night and lasted most of the day. We stopped at Uncle Johnnys and dropped some bombs and then started into town.Some guy in a truck picked us up with a cab and took us near Miss Janet's Hostel. We walked to Miss Janets and saw S&B. Bisquit had a mullet haircut! We left there 'cause Miss Janet wasn't home yet.Went to Pizza Pizza and had a $5 pepperoni. Nice and a gatorade, cereal (frosted Flakes) and some more stuff and then back to Miss Janets. We hung out there a bit and she came up to us as we were about to head and said 'stay here, its OK'. Well, it didn't take much convincing, so we decided to help around the house sanding stairs and had a nice warm place to stay. While we were sanding, it started to rain and then hail small ice cream salt size pieces, so that convinced us.We ate dinner at Erwin Burrito. This place was exactly like Banditio - what is the deal?? Good people , good company, good eats. Eats was here and zeroing for another day. This place is unbelieveable and the best thing is going to be the breakfast! Can't wait!! Met Lars and Macie from Maine and a wad of other guys around. Wowsers!