morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-19
From: IceWater Spring Shelter

To: Tricorner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

Everyone at the shelter was sorry HBB and I had such a great dinner last night! All the other hikers were soooo jealous! We were asked repeatedly what we ate, and our menu was always answered with oooohs and ahhhhhs. Also, all the food gave us extra energy, like we're not hyper enough as it is.Owing to his intense if brief relationship with the cheese biscuit last night, we decided Viking should change his name to Sex Biscuit (shouted punk rock style with lots of imitations of angry guitars). He turned many interesting shades of red and tried his best to ignore us. Of course this only served to egg us on.Our gear got all damp from the fog and drizzle last night. Ugh, hate packing up cold wet gear. The sun burned off the clouds early, though, and we had a spectacular day's hike. One of the first things we reached was Charlie's Bunion. This is a rock outcropping with incredible views. It got its name from two men hiking up there one day who decided it looked just like the bunions on one's feet! We were soon joined by Superman?, Heather and Sleepy Floyd. We had a good long break there, ate the last of the biscuits from last night and took lots of pictures.HBB and I took a long break in the hottest part of the day and hung all our gear in the sun to dry. Everyone eventually passed by us, but when Viking came by with Superman?, Heather, Sleepy Floyd and Michele, we stopped him. I called Viking over and said, "Viking, we've come to realize that you are morally opposed to the name Sex Biscuit. You are too unique a fellow to share your name (there are two other hikers out this year named Viking). Since you claim that your relationship with the cheese biscuit was much deeper than we realized, how about if we call you Love Biscuit?"Once again he turned several lovely shades of red and said he'd let us know. Of course, now our whole group is calling him Love Biscuit.The whole day was filled with amazing views. It was disturbing to see the great number of dead pine trees, though. Some blight --- the Southern Pine beetle, I think --- has killed off most of the mature pines in much of the forest here. It makes for a very bleak landscape, and somehow made my mood more somber, if only temporarily.We made it to the shelter with plenty of time to make camp, cook and socialize before bed. We have a big day ahead of us tomorrow, starting with a killer climb right out of camp!
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Tricorner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap (Mountain Moma's)
Miles today: 15.7

Goodbye, Smokies!First, I have got to say that I am really enjoying myself at Mt Moma's! The place has a kind of bad reputation on the trail, but I think it is undeserved. The food is great, I mean really wonderful cheeseburgers, and there's nothing that warms the heart of a thru-hiker like good food! It is NOT a fancy place, but hey, for 15 bucks you get a bunk, free use of the laundry (most places are coin op) and showers, and a shuttle back to the trail. It's humble but clean, and that's as much as I'd expect for the price!Hiker-Biker Babe and I were extremely low on food and all I could think of was that cheeseburger. The kitchen closes around 5:30 and the hostel is 1.3 miles off the trail. I practically ran down the trail, especially the last several miles which are downhill. I'll be paying for that tomorrow!I managed to make it to the road crossing by about 4:30 (17 miles in 8 hours, with breaks, very fast for me!!), and lucked into a hitch about 2 minutes down the road. A couple of guys had been up the mountain fishing and let me jump in the back of their pickup. No sane person would let me into an enclosed car with them, considering it's been nearly a week since my last shower!Moments later I was faced with a glorious messy loaded cheeseburger, the kind that you take a bite and toppings fall all over the plate. Mmmmmm. Definitely worth the sore muscles that are in my future!I am here with only three other hikers --- Master Gator (whom we all just call Doc), Jim (known as Thunder for his outrageous snoring) and Hans from Germany. I had a bunkhouse all to myself!Hiker-Biker Babe opted to stay at the last shelter, just 0.9 mile from the road. Some of her things got damp last night and she took a long break at a shelter in the early afternoon to let them dry. We plan to meet back at the trail in the morning.I should mention that the hike was truly gorgeous today. Sometimes the hiker obsession with food blocks all other conscious thought! The predicted rain held off and there were some magnificent views. Also, I saw lots of new wildflowers today, including tiny wild iris.It's interesting that with all the dire warnings in the Smokies ("Bear attacks have occurred, resulting in injury and death!"), not one person I have spoken to saw more evidence of a bear than a pile of scat that could have been created by almost anything. Also, we haven't heard of ANY bear attacks on the AT in a very long time, perhaps even ever. Perhaps they meant that attacks occurred some time, in some place, that killed someone? Anyhoo, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in the Smokies. A lot of the hikers out here got through the park as fast as they could to escape the heavy regulations. I AM looking forward to once again having the freedom to camp where Hiker-Biker Babe and I please... but the Smokies were worth all the rules. I hope to hike here again some day after this crazy journey is over.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Davenport Gap (Mountain Moma's)

To: Davenport Gap (Mountain Moma's)
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day at Mountain Moma's! Hiker-Biker Babe showed up early, and we enjoyed a huge greasy breakfast and way too many cups of coffee (like we're not hyper enough...)We had a little miscommunication with Hammock Hanger... when we were together at Fontana, Hammock Hanger suggested that we just carry the 7 days of food we needed to get through the Smokies, then she would meet us at Mountain Moma's with the rest of our food. We each had another three days' food to get us to Hot Springs.Since this meant lighter packs by probably four pounds, we eagerly agreed. The problem was, HH remembered saying that she would meet us there Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning, and I remembered hearing Sunday night or Monday morning. Hiker-Biker Babe was relying on hearsay, and all she had to go on was my version of events. Oops! HBB and I decided to zero and hope that Hammock Hanger would show up. If HH didn't make it, we would spend the night, resupply at the store at Mt. Moma's and head out in the morning.We hung around the store eating and socializing with the hikers that steadily trickled in, and kept drinking coffee. About 4, HH rolled up and couldn't figure out why we were quite so elated to see her. Again, oops!HH stayed the night with us at Mountain Moma's; the three of us shared the "Honeymoon Shack," a 10x10 shed painted pink and filled with bunks. The night before, I had stayed in the Hilton, a similar shed painted mint green.We didn't have our usual slumber party, opting instead for an early bedtime. All that greasy food wears a girl out!Tomorrow, back to the woods! My arteries are begging for us to go back to Ramen noodles...
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Davenport Gap (Mountain Moma's)

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 12.5

Starting location: Mountain Moma'sEnding location: Brown GapDistance: 12.5 milesHooray for Hammock Hanger! She agreed to slackpack us again, then meet us at the end of the day and camp with us.While we didn't cover much distance, the day was difficult for me. My stomach was a little upset from the collection of huge, greasy and delicious meals I had eaten at Mountain Moma's. Also, we had a lot of big ups and downs to cover!The day was quite cold, in the mid-40s, overcast and misty. Boy, was I glad to see HH's fancy jeep at the end of the day!Since it was so cold and getting colder, we decided to go find a cheap motel and sleep in style. We found a Motel 6, but the room ended up costing HH (who generously treated, like all this driving us around wasn't enough) 50 bucks!I decided that Pete really wanted to buy us ladies dinner, so we went to the steakhouse next door and I paid with his credit card. Thanks, sweetie!!! My dinner was strictly OK, but the dessert was awesome! (Note from Pete: Wow!! That was exactly what I was thinking after Silver Lining told me that was what I was thinking!!!!)We watched TV for a little while (the guilty pleasures of Anna Nicole --- two episodes!) before dropping off to sleep. Hammock Hanger is going to slack us the rest of the way to Hot Springs, so we have big miles to make tomorrow!
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Brown Gap

To: Garenflo Gap
Miles today: 16.7

What an incredible day! The sky was a perfect unclouded blue. The wind had a chill, but there's no better hiking weather!We had the perfect day to experience Max Patch Mountain. Max Patch is a grassy bald with unsurpassed 360 degree views. We hiked to the top and shared a lunch of Colby cheese and wheat thins. I was unable to resist belting out a few strains of "The Sound of Music," and we sat for a while and enjoyed the view.When we arrived, there were a few dayhikers up top but they were unusually unfriendly. Our banter must have disturbed their peaceful reverie or something, because they glared at us a lot then stomped off.We then met two more dayhikers, charming ladies from Tennessee. One took several pictures for us, then gave us her phone number so we can call her when we reach Erwin. She's willing to drive 45 minutes to pick us up, then take us in and let us shower at her house! The kindness I see on the trail is overwhelming sometimes.These ladies are also wildflower enthusiasts, and named all the wildflowers surrounding us. I like to take pictures of each new flower I see, so I really enjoyed the lesson.Hiker-Biker Babe and I soon moved on. Eventually, HBB got ahead of me and I had a glorious afternoon just reveling in my surroundings. I am amazed by how green the forest is suddenly! The rich brown of the trail is very striking in the sea of bright spring green, all accented with wildflowers.When I finally came upon HH's awaiting chariot, I still had miles left in me. This slackpacking business is great! HH managed to get the three of us a room at Elmer's in Hot Springs. Elmer's is a trail icon. It's an old inn filled with antiques and hikers. We are looking forward to having dinner here tomorrow, as gourmet vegetarian fare is served. My arteries are already grateful!We walked down to the Paddlers' Pub for dinner. Beer!! I had an excellent locally produced ale (Kind Ale) and mountain trout. Not surprisingly, the place was filled with hikers and we got to socialize some more. We were very excited to see Love Biscuit/ Viking walk in, since we thought he'd already left Hot Springs. However, we discovered that he thoroughly hates his new trail name, so we made a point of reverting to calling him Viking. Sigh.HBB and I sat up for a while journaling (me) and reading (her), as well as bouncing on the creaky bed and giggling maniacally at the slightest provocation. Poor Hammock Hanger, having to put up with our silliness. Not that she's not silly herself, mind you.Life is very good indeed. Can it get any better? Well, maybe if I saw a little more of my honey. But all I know is, I am going to miss this crazy life more than I can express when I have to get off the trail in a couple of weeks. (Note From Pete: Hope she doesn't take it out on her students or me)
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Garenflo Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is my anniversary --- one month on the trail!!Hammock Hanger dropped us off at Garenflo Gap around 9:15. The walk back to Hot Springs was good --- mostly downhill but not too steep, that is!! --- and we made it back to town around 12:15. It seems like we've been here forever with the slackpacking, but we are just officially arriving today.Dinner at Elmer's is a don't-miss event, but Hammock Hanger, Hiker-Biker Babe and I all really wanted to soak in the hot springs and get long massages today. By the time we got back, we could only do one or the other, and the tired old bones and muscles were yelling louder than the stomachs!The three of us shared a hot tub at the springs. We were scheduled for an hour, but we ended up getting an extra 15 minutes or so. We all started getting kind of queasy and dizzy at the end, but wanting to get our money's worth, refused to get out before we had to.The massages were good, but everyone I have spoken to who got a massage there asked the same question: "Did your massage therapist talk the whole time?" The therapists are nice and mine did give a good massage, but they all seem to talk nonstop, a million miles an hour for the entire hour and a half!Hammock Hanger has been feeling a little under the weather. After her massage, HH went out to visit with Miss Janet (of the hostel in Erwin, who was in town for the evening) for a few minutes and headed back to Elmer's and bed. HBB and I went to the Paddlers' Pub for dinner and a couple of beers. They have great beer there, much of it local microbrews, and good food, but it's a touch pricey for us homeless folks. We chatted with the other hikers there and decided on a zero day for tomorrow, even though it feels like we've been in Hot Springs for a week!After our couple of beers, we too were ready to make our way back to Elmer's and bed. HBB is staying up to read, but I am only moments from unconsciousness myself. Our zero is going to feel mighty good tomorrow!
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Trapped... in Hot Springs vortex... must... escape...I think the diner is drugging the food here! (It's worth it, though: those are some fine biscuits!) All day long, HBB and I walked about in a stupor. We did manage to get two naps in and our town chores done, but I'm ready for bed again!After lunch today at the Pub (which included another sampling of the fine local brews), HBB and I were ready for some kind of gooey rich dessert. The pub had one that sounded perfect, but of course they were out of it. We walked over to the little store here in town and saw frozen Pepperidge Farms cakes. Since we couldn't agree on a flavor, we each got our own cake!   Mmmmmmm, cake...Tomorrow we have a big climb out of here. I have high hopes that the 12 hours of sleep I'll have gotten today and tonight will give me some energy. I have nefarious plans to carry some of those diner biscuits in my pack, though, so if that's what's drugged I'm in big trouble.Must... hike out... must escape... tomorrow...
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Tanyard Gap Campsite
Miles today: 4.9

Well, I escaped the vortex, but not by choice. HBB and I spent last night at the Alpine Motel... very quiet, and comfy beds --- ah, the luxury of having a whole double bed to myself!! We decided one minute before checkout that we should just stay, but the motel was booked solid. Well, it turns out everywhere in town was booked solid! The only place that had space was the campground, and if I am going to hang my hammock, I'm not going to pay five bucks to do it half a mile from the trail!HBB had a hard day today. She bought a new pack at NOC and the shoulder strap started to rip from the pack body. When she went to the outfitter here to see about getting it repaired, they gave her a really hard time about it. She finally ended up getting the pack replaced, but felt like she had to sell her soul to do so.When I found out there was no room at the inn --- any of the inns --- we decided to hike 4.9 miles out of town to the first campsite. Since HBB wanted to make a few phone calls and since she hikes faster than I do, I decided to head out, figuring she would catch me. It was almost 4 by the time I got on the trail.Well, I found Viking, Captain Ben, Auntie Em, Superman? and Headlight (formerly known as Heather) scouting for a good campsite, and I have set up camp with them. We had a good time telling tales around the campfire Headlight managed to build in the rain.HBB is nowhere to be seen. We put a couple of signs out (written in the dirt) with her initials and a big arrow to point the way to us, but I figure (and am hoping) that she just decided to stay in town. Superman? first, and then I, sat by the trail until dark in case she came down the trail, but no luck... although I did have the pleasure of watching a couple of hummingbirds dueling over a particularly fragrant bush.I'll probably just loll about camp until late morning tomorrow to see if she shows. If not, I'll leave a real note on paper and hike a short day so she can catch me. I can't lose my HBB!Only a week until Pete meets me in Erwin. I am dying to see him, but this time it means getting off the trail for almost two months! I am going to have to beat my body into shape all over again when I return!!! I AM looking forward to teaching my class (although I had my first nightmare about it last night), but I know I will miss the trail and my trail family something awful.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Tanyard Gap Campsite

To: Allen Gap Campsite
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

We didn't get started until 10:30 this morning! As planned, I left a note for HBB at the trail as I headed out. Everyone decided to stop for lunch at about 1:30 at Hurricane Gap. I was overjoyed to see Hiker-Biker Babe stroll down the mountain ito the gap!! She left Hot Springs this morning and was bearing gifts for me (egg and cheese biscuit with country ham, mmmmmmmm) from the diner in town.We were so excited to have the team together again. We were even wearing our Team Hike shirts! (HBB and I ended up buying the same shirt, in the same color -- aqua --- in Hot Springs. Today HBB posed the following question: if our shirts get commingled, will we be able to tell them apart by smell? I found the question very disturbing and therefore laughed maniacally.)Since we got such a late start, took an hour's break for lunch and kept stopping for half an hour here and half an hour there, the Bunch had to stop at the 10 mile mark in order to make camp before dark. We are: HBB, Viking, Headlamp and Superman?, Captain Ben and Auntie Em, and myself. We had fun telling stupid jokes and distastrous date stories (well, Viking told disastrous date stories) as we made and ate dinner. An early night for us tonight, and hopefully we can get going in time to make some miles tomorrow! I'm hoping to get to Hot Springs (about 53 miles in 4 days, should be no problem) by Thursday, in time to call Pete before he leaves. That way he will know where to meet me and doesn't just drive aimlessly around the Tennessee/ North Carolina border looking for me.Tonight is the first night I have dared pitch my hammock without the tarp. It was perfectly clear when we set up camp; let's hope it stays that way! I'm looking forward to gazing at the stars after I write... a real perk of hammock life.Here's to the reuniting of the Daring Duo? Pugnacious Pair? Tantalizing Two? Hmmmm, perhaps I will dream up the right name for us tonight.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Allen Gap Campsite

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Well, I guess hating two days out of 5 weeks on the trail isn't bad...The morning started out badly when I ruined my second favorite pair of shorts. Now I'm down to a single pair --- good thing I bought the new ones in Hot Springs!The first part of the day was all uphill: really uphill! We gained over 2500 feet of elevation in the first 6 miles, and there were some sharp downhills in there too. After this point, the map indicated that we'd have a fairly graded ridge walk. But the map didn't mention the rocks!My very least favorite thing about hiking is rocks. I realize that rocky terrain is part of hiking, and yes, I have hiked in Pennsylvania, so I know what I have to look forward to. (Explanatory note: the northern half or so of the AT in Pennsylvania is EXTREMELY rocky, with miles and miles of trail that is made up of rocks piled on rocks piled on rocks.)All these things don't keep me from hating rocks. Yeah, I hike in sandals by my own choice, and I don't regret that. But now, lying in my hammock, my feet are throbbing. I didn't fall today, but it was slooooow going and that is frustrating for me. I hate being the slowest one in the group!So that's all that happened to me. No injuries or mean bears or lost food or other disasters. Just a lot of hard punishing miles today and the deep shame of being the slowest hiker in the universe.Oh, I do have the added annoyance of some kind of reaction on the tops of my feet. They are blistered and kind of hot feeling, but don't hurt or itch. It's hard to tell through the thick coating of dirt, but I don't think they are badly sunburned. Something to keep an eye on.Adding to my turmoil is the fact that Pete comes to pick me up Sunday. I miss him something awful, but his appearance means getting off the trail for almost two months. I hope my class appreciates the sacrifice I'm making for them! (Note From Pete: As I go to work everyday, let me just say that Yes I feel your pain about having to work for 2 months!)
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Erwin Super 8

To: Erwin Super 8
Miles today: 0.0

Woooo-hooooo! I loooove town days!HBB and I got our town chores done in pretty short order today... we only had to do laundry and pick up maildrops from the post office and Miss Janet's. We had originally planned to spend tonight at Miss Janet's hostel, but we heard it was full and got another night at the Super 8.When we arrived at Miss Janet's to pick up our packages, chaos ruled. I was nervous for hours afterward! The bottom floor of the house and the front porch were packed with hikers. We got to see Parkway and Sidewinder, among others! (Booble is a few days ahead and making big miles, according to the other two.) HBB finally figured out how to find her package. We said hello to Miss Janet, who was busily shuttling hikers, and took off for Erwin Burrito.If you are ever in Erwin, go to Erwin Burrito at least once! The spinach and mushroom quesadillas (and chips and salsa and sweet tea!) were just magnificent. We enjoyed a spectacular thunderstorm, complete with pea-sized hail and flooding, from the safety of the restaurant, and hoped that all the hikers out in it are safe. We heard later that a steeple on one of the town's churches was struck by lightning.By the way, if reading my journal leads you to believe that hikers are obsessed with food, we are! It's not just me --- really! We sit around in the shelters or around campfires and talk about food for hours. It's frustrating when all you have in your pack is ramen noodles and Snickers bars, but we can't seem to help ourselves.The best part of the day was at the end: HBB and I got to be girls!HBB's ground control, Pat, is wonderful. She has a business making natural beauty products. This mail drop contained, along with the usual food staples and several yummy treats, a three-step foot treatment! HBB was generous with the goodies, and we soaked, scrubbed and hydrated our poor feet for half the evening.I wish I had taken before and after pictures! My feet were revolting, even by hiker standards. I've been hiking in my sandals without socks for weeks now, and the dirt had gotten ground into my feet. Also, I have developed several interesting callouses. No amount of scrubbing made a dent, until tonight! Thanks, Pat, and thanks for sharing, HBB! If Pat has a website I'll post the address so you can see her wonderful stuff for yourself!!After our glorious foot treatments, HBB and I stayed up for hours watching the style channel. I think that's pretty ironic for two women who bathe about twice a week on average, but it sure was fun! We gaped at the magical box until nearly 1 am, when we reluctantly turned off the lights and went to sleep with girl thoughts dancing in our heads.