morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

Well, so much for coffee this morning. It did a major freeze last night and everyone had blocks of ice. Breakfast was Clif Bar and jerky. I've discovered I really prefer the non-chocolate Clif Bars. Or maybe it's because TrailAngels feed us Snicker Bars and I don't do a lot of chocolate. Today was a "short day" 7.7 miles. The group I've been hiking with is starting to spread out and disappear. Two drop outs at Neel's Gap for sure. Peter and Joe decided to head into town for tonight. They invited me to come along. I told them thanks but see you farther north.Ran into KC#2 along the trail (Gainesville mandolin player) we chatted. He had gone into Helen on Sunday. The pizza place and the Mexican food place were closed. My paty is still frozen. I've had it sitting on top of my pack as I walked but it hasn't been warm, just sunny.Got here by three. Claimed my space, no one else here. Putzed. Then Largo showed up. He's in the mood to eat and sleep. He ran into Newt and Kat, they may make it here tonight.Eat hardy tonight, it's going to be another COLD night. Rumor says slow warming starting tomorrow.I think I've started getting the hang of which knee gets the brace and which knee responds to the Ibu. I'll test the idea tomorrow.Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap Shelter (Blueberry Patch Hotel)
Miles today: 10.6

It was another night of freezing weather. This time I tried something else. I emptied the Platy except for half a liter, blew the water out of the sippy tube and made sure the top was on good and slept with it. I had water for coffee and breakfast!Last night shelter company, Logan, who is doing this a second time and Apple Pie, from CA via Holland. They both were punchy and we had great conversations until one of started snoring and that was it for the night.The sunrise was wonderful. Went to the privy to do my thing, the sunrise made the trees in front look like they were on fire, very cool.Tough to start out in the cold but start off I did. Logan and Apple pie passed me as they had decided to go into town for a hotel. As I walked along I kept thinking about how nice that sounds. I made a decision that I would walk to Dicks Creek Gap and if I could hitch a ride within five minutes, would see if there was still room Blueberry Patch. And I got lucky, second truck and two beds left.Just got done taking a HOT shower and now munching on homemade pickled okra with Kickstand who is reading about blisters.Neat-o stuff today: little yellow flowers. Little teal over white birds when I dropped a peanut.A doe! The deer here are HUGH! She was about twenty feet from me and we were eye to eye! My first SOBO. He started Sept 15th. ANDI went out on a Blue blaze to a vista, where I could see for miles when head that wonderful sound of a jet blasting through the sound barrier. I looked in that direction and saw a jet at eye level banking over. It was cool to watch a jet at eye level running before its sound.And to top it all off, I have a trail name. I'll tell on another day, but my name is now StiffSox.Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Dick's Creek Gap Shelter (Blueberry Patch Hotel)

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

Got a slow start out of Blueberry, they served breakfast, family style with prayer. Pancakes, sausage and blueberry sauce. Loaded up and off we went. Ran into a group coming out Hiawassee so there was a gang going up the hill.I think besides Rosalynn, I was the slowest one up the hill. Rosalynn and I leap frogged each other all day. We stopped at the Plumorchard Shelter to look at the famous triple decker shelter. While there, "my Montana boys" showed up. They had done a zero day. It was good to see them both. They now have trail names, Ryan is now Heads Up and John is MC Goober. I got a picture of us in front of the shelter.Rosalynn and I decided to stop tonight here, and when we got here, it was tent city. One group is on the north side of the ridge and our group is on the south side, "our group" is Rosalynn, Yertle and Grant. Nice little fire going and conversations.Some P and P thoughts.This trail life is like a microcosm of the world. There are friendly folks and people who are possessed about this. Some folks are obsessed with mileage, some with weight, and then there are folks who are out for a walk. When I get asked about if I plan to go to Maine, I've started telling people I'm day hiking to the next shelter.   One day at a time, one mile, one upward climb, one descent at a time. My world converges to a four square foot area in front of my feet. I'm glad I'm slow and sore. I stop every twenty steps and turn around. The trees are bare and I can see for miles. The sun goes down and we can see the lights down below. It's a wonderfully narrow world that flows like life should. Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Twelve miler day, had hopes of making it to Carter Gap S. But fell three miles short. The plan for tomorrow may not happen either. I may accidentally give myself a zero day in Franklin. We'll see. Today started out with Grant but after 3 miles he was gone. Okay with me. Met Brother Brutus and finally Bear Back. Bear Back and I walked for nearly an hour and half yakking about the wonders of Biology. He's thinking about going back to school to become a Biology teacher. My trail name somehow has gotten shortened to Sox. Brutus and Bear Back know me as Sox. That¢s okay with me. My sharing o-sembe (Japanese cracker) at Neel's Gap precedes me. Midnight and his dog Jesse and I were the first to this gap. We set up and now there is a crowd. Some scouting group. I'm glad I'm tarped away from them. Midnight just wants to sleep. He's worried about Jesse. Apparently Jesse wasn't trained up for this. Went out onto the Standing Indian Summit. It was a great view but I couldn't find the Indian. Oh well.Found out that the lace fantasy I've been walking through are rhododendron thickets. Sure would be pretty when they bloom. I may be out of here before they start.I think I have the knee braces right and my pack tweaked and the ibuprofen dosing good for at least a twelve miler. Tomorrow I'll test it for a 15 in hopes of getting to Franklin Ealt Sat.Getting dark and I'm pooped.   Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Beech Gap

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

I must be nuts...15 miles today. But I wanted to be close enough to the road to make a run for the Post Office before they close at noon. Started out of Beech at 0700 and got here by 1730. Even did the scenic tour up Albert Mt. The ascent up Albert Mt was awesome. At one point, I stopped to look out on the vista and realized the ledge dropped off straight down. Couple places I had to crawl up the rocks handover hand. Not quite spaced for short people.I have no idea what my plans are beyond getting to the PO and getting a room somewhere I don't have to share. I'll make a decision Sunday about my hip and knees. I think if I back off the mileage and be okay with shelter jumping (about every seven miles) I could do this without pain.Today I met Sarge and Little Engine. Caught up with Coutney and Kelly. Good to see them again.Saw a blue butterfly. I think the critter I saw was a chipmunk. It looks like a squirrel with short tail. The moss are doing their sex thing. People do this for all kinds of reasons. Some, I have no comprehension. Like the lady with acrylic nails. I can't help but wonder if on her zero days she gets a manicure.I think I'll go to bed. I want to make an early day tomorrow.Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Got up early and got on the trail by seven. Did the 3.8 miles in two and half hours. Amazing how motivated getting to the post office before noon could be. The bigger variable was the hitch into Franklin, ten miles away. Everyone at the shelter wanted to know why I wanted to walk to the highway when I could take a short cut. Told them I'm trying to be a purist, white blaze all the way. Only had to wait about fifteen minutes for pickup. A couple on their way home to Florida. They had been out here while she was teaching a class in smocking. The wife and I had a nice conversation about sewing.They wanted to chauffer me but I told them dropping me off at the PO was more then enough.Package from Helen with the food drop. As I was leaving, Midnight came up to mail stuff home. He had stayed at the Microtel because of his dog. I walked to the Maven Hotel which advertises as "Hiker friendly." And for me, they were. I got me the last single.Opened the box from Helen, homemade chocolate-chocolate chip cookies! Took a shower and went in search of laundry. "Two lights down turn right quarter mile down on your left" I knew I was in need of supplementing the food drop so I took notice of the natural food store on the way to laundry. After laundry, had a 12 inch veggie sub at Subway and a Pepsi. Yummy. Then to the natural food store for some exotic lunch foods. Cashew Walnut chews, Lemon zest Lunabars, Cloud nine chocolate bars and Baker's breakfast bars. A hair over one pound extra food for the next five days.Sitting in the room sorting and repacking, I heard a familiar voice yelling outside. Other hikers were showing up and one set was my Montana Boys! Heads up and MC Goober are in the next room. Heads up and I sat and talked. He's dropping off due to injury, torn tendon. I told him he should have been walking with the old lady. He's going to come back later when he's healed up. I ended up giving him my trail journals name and my email and invited him to join up with me if he does.MC Goober will continue without him. We called in pizza. Goober's feet are swollen and I had thought if I got in before noon and was off my knees until morning, my knees would have about 24 hour rest. The best part today was finding a tiny pumice stone. 97 cents. I soaked my foot for half and hour and scrubbed off the calluses, did some minor first aid on my hammer toes, callus splitting.I've got a ride back to Winding Stairs Gap for the a.m. For the next leg, I will keep to less then 10 mile days to Fontana.Although today's walk was short, I saw a grouse.   Found bear turd for the first time. And coyote turds right on the trail! Bold critters. I also saw a tree grub eating bird that looked like a wood pecker.It was strange to be in town. The people once was in town have been nice. The weather is beautiful. I don't want to watch the weather. But tonight, I sleep between sheets in a room I don't have to share with no one snoring around me. I miss my tarp already.Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Franklin, NC

To: Bartram Trail campsite
Miles today: 10.5

Got out of Franklin a reasonable hour and on the trail by nine. Just before leaving found out Heads-Up will stay around in Gatlinburg untilGoober gets there and will try to get back on the trail.I swear I walked slowly but I made Siler Bald Shelter in 1.5 hours. Decided to slow down more but the terrain did it for me. Two 900feet elevation change in 8 miles.At Siler Bald found out that Courtney will take time off at Fontana until Kelly gets there. Her knee is giving her problems. Siler must not be too popular a shelter, the register had writings from the Feb. gang. A note from Stanimal made me smile.Finally got passed by Katie and Grizzly Adam and their two dogs. Rest of the afternoon we leap frogged.Got to this campsite first and found a nice spot to pitch the tarp. Katie and Grizzly decided to go to the next site. Started re-hydrating dinner when River Queen and her guy showed up. They sat and took a break, chit chat about who is still on the trail, who is off.Who is where and where we plan to be when. They moved on. As the day moved into late afternoon, I started getting company that decided this was a good stopping place. Bear Behind, MC Goober and SweetLeaf. Dinner was interesting. Everyone had different stoves different kinds of food. We talked about stoves, tasted each other's cooking and had a nice dinner together. I really like this. Shelter is nice but camping is good too. The next three nights I'll shelter. Bear Behind is thinking he wants to walk with me to Fontana. He needs to slow down. I told him my goal was to do less then ten miles a day until Fontana.Today's sightings: big fat hairy caterpillar, brown and black, more little blue butterflies and a different kind of squirrel. I heard some thrashing down the hill from me at one point but I couldn't see what it was. Periwinkle and a yellow flower that looked like a pansy of some sort. And all the little stick trees have tiny buds, getting ready to bust out.Okay, so I learned, once again, not to judge a book by its cover. River Queen with her acrylic nails is an accomplished bicyclist. She road the vertical length of New Jersey (over two hundred miles) in less then one day. It's late and dark. I think I would like to read some before going to sleep. I promised Goober to get him up early because he wants to make 18 miles. Crazy boy...Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Bartram Trail campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Got Goober (now called Ayce) up at 630 as promised so he could do his 18 miles.Headed out with BearBehind and Sweetleaf tagging behind. Soon enough got passed by both.Met up with Sweetleaf at Cold Spring Shltr around 100. We decided it was too early. So we walked to the next campsite. It was only 230. We kept pushing and next thing we knew we were here by five.I saw a blue jay, a turkey taking flight, and tonight, shelter mice. New little white flowers along the trail on Wesser Bald.I'm pretty pooped. I didn't mean to put in this many miles but when you start walking at seven or eight, even a 45minute mile goes a long way.I am missing some of my earlier friends. Peter and his dad. Little Newt. Camron and Brandon. I can't help but wonder where they are. PA Mule is doing this a second time. He says it's part of the trip.I told Marion in an email that this whole thing just may be weird enough for me. The getting up and knowing that all I was going to do today was walk up and down some big hills. AT the end of the day, eat, drink hot cocoa, brush my teeth, make sure my lotion is the food bag with my toothpaste, hang the bag up in the air. Tomorrow morning, take down the bag, eat, drink hot coffee, and fix munchies for the walk up and down the big hills. And somewhere in all that walking up and down some big hills, I see spring creeping up. I make friends that come and go. I don't know very much about any of them except like me, we are driven to go for a very long walk, up and down some very big hills.   Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: light rain

Woke up to the sound of rain. We all sat up in our sleeping bags and moaned. There seem to be a group idea that staying in bed sounded like a good idea. So, I got out of my bag and got everyone's food bags and we got out of bed and got coffee and breakfast and packed up. After all, that is what we are here to do...walk..rain...snow...shine. It rained for most of the morning. Everyone got ahead of me as this was an all downhill to the Nantahala River. The path was muddy and slippery. I think I pushed myself too hard the day before and my hip was really aching. Too bad it's the one part of my body that doesn't respond to ibuprofen.Between too many miles the day before, slippery path and aching hip, I made a slip with my right foot, landed on my right hip slid three feet before hitting my right elbow on a tree stopping my fall farther down the hill. I lay on my back looking up at the trees and feeling the rain. It was wonderful. Then I got up and realized had pain shooting from my hip down onto my knee. I gimped down the hill, taking over an hour to do half a mile. Not looking good for the campsite 2 miles past the river.Originally, Sweetleaf and I were planning to eat lunch at NOC and head out to the camp site. When I finally made it to NOC, she had elected to get a bunk. I realized I needed to do the same. So, after a hamburger and fries and a salad, got a bunk and a quart of Gatorade. Sleep on a real mattress tonight.So, two weeks into this craziness. I have fallen down twice, slept between sheets twice. Stayed in a shelter six times, tarped six times, three hostels and one night in a motel. Walked three days in rain, two days in sub freezing weather and the remainder in pleasant cool, sunny days. Tonight is forecasted for snow in the upper elevations. Spring is creeping into the hill side. Lots of little flowers blooming making me wish I had the flower book.I admit I am disappointed in my body. I am reminded of an old joke where the punch line is "if I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of my body."Met up with the Weatherman, first time since the first day. He's been laid up with a swollen ankle, heard they took Rosalynn off Standing Indian by ambulance.I'm running into people who say, wow, you're Sox? Makes me wonder what everyone is saying about me. Not really, I hear what we say about each other on the trail. They are all lies The sun is disappearing. I paid for a hot shower. And to bed on a mattress. Namaste'
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Started out early, seven. 2500 feet elevation change in six miles. I figured to go to the shelter at the top, take a nap and hike a couple more miles to a campsite.The day started pretty. A little chilly but nice. As I started up the hill, I realized I wasn't taking as many breaks. Getting in better shape. Then it started to sprinkle, then hail, then big fat snow flakes, then wind and pellet snow. I had calculated to be at Sasafras by 1230.   Checked the clock and realized I was within half an hour from the shelter. I figured it was better to keep walking.Got here at noon thirty in pelting snow to find Cuppa Joe sitting in the shelter.The snow kept up and more and more folks showed up. This shelter is a double decker holds 14. There are 19 of us here tonight. Much discussion about tomorrow. I think I'll be a wimp and do the nine to the next shelter for my hip. Others are talking about doing the 23 miles to Fontana.It's been a hoot watching everyone staring at the snow. Hands getting cold. Snuggle into bag and go to sleep. Get an early start.Namaste'
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: light rain

Nine point one miles. Should have been easy. Except for the four inches of snow that had fallen the night before. Or the bitter wind and sleet pelting down.Everyone at the shelter had ideas of making it all the way to Fontana or going the 15.2miles to CableGap S. I only knew I couldn't do 15 miles. My best to date has been 12. And I hurt the next day. My plan was this 9.1. Let the youngsters do the 15.Include two nearly 1000ft. elevation changes, the weather and my hip still aching, I thought I did well. I had estimated I would arrive around three and I made it by 2:30 and found Cuppa Joe nursing his ankle.As time went on, we have been joined by the next batch of fast walkers, don¢t know any of 'em, except Dingle. The night sky is clearing. Not a good sign for temperatures. Everyone here is talking Fontana tomorrow. 12miles. Half of it down hill. It¢s the down hills that kill me. If I dose with Ibu each time I get up tonight, I should be able to get there. As much as I hate it, I think I¢ll get a bunk at the hostel. These cold nights are rude even though I've been very happy with my bag. The problem may be the Mail drop. I'll need a place to set up and sort. I am no youngster. A real mattress would be good. Heat would be nice.Today was a wonderful day. Got up to a winter wonderland. Trudging through the snow, grateful someone had left earlier then I, who had broke trail.Moving north and lower elevation, the snow became less dense. The trail more muddy and slippery.The second big elevation change happened less then 2.5miles from the shelter. I was already aching. But the return of the flowers had for a pleasant stagger up the hill.I had enough fuel to make a hot lunch. Read. Chit chat with new friends. Listen to the wind. Tummy full of Split pea soup.Life is good..Namaste'
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

The night was disturbed by mice sounds that turned out to be Dingle's jerky he forgot in his pack, which was hanging over my head.The morning was cold and brisk, but no freeze.I really didn't know if I could make it here but, Mumbles and Dingle gave me the rally cry. I made it to Cable Gap Shelter (6.1mi) in 4 hours, 11a.m. I decided to over dose on Ibuprofen and lay down for half an hour. I took 600 mg and had lunch when two day hikers came by, then two thruhikers I hadn't met and then Dingle and Mumbles. So much for a nap.The morning walk was brisk and cool. Some sleet, but mostly blistering cold wind. It wasn't as bad as the day before but it sure wasn't much prettier. The afternoon part of the walk (5.5mi in 4hrs) was colder, some light flurries, and lower elevation. The path became muddy and slippery. The problem with being the end of the group to be on the trail, everyone else has had a chance to mess up the trail.I made it to the Fontana/escort Shuttle phone at the Marina an hour before cutoff. Thank you. I ride in a heated vehicle to the Inn. It has occurred to me that both mail drops have somehow forced me to pull some tough miles. I decided the Universal Forces is trying to get me to take a zero day. So, I gave in. I elected to get a room in the motel section and not the hostel. I figure I wanted to sleep and regroup. Pennsylvania Mule and I will get together tomorrow and see how to make this thruhike more pleasant for me. This time of year, the resort isn't geared up yet for tourists (Highest dam east of the Mississippi). Thru hikers filled the dining hall. Everyone knew I had been having problems with my hip so they were all glad to see me show up. It is nice to know there are people who genuinely care.So, after eating at the all you can eat dinner of fried catfish, I came back to my room, one long hot shower and the heat cranked. I'm just getting too old to be cold all day and all night for all the time. BearBehind and Booboo (both veterans) say I have what it takes to make it thru. Mule will help me with some schedule changes. I only know I want to make it to Virginia.Sleepy. It's 730. Late by hiker time. Tomorrow, with all the time in the world, I'd like to share more P and P thoughts about trail life. Namaste'