morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Low Gap

To: Tray Mountain
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today¢s hike was planned to be the 15 miles to Tray Mountain. The weather took a turn for the better and the sun came out. During the morning I hiked with a different Brian and Mike. I¢d spoken to Mike last night and he put some new ideas in my mind about resupplying.   I had thought about heading into town at Hiawasse but I have enough food. He suggested a spot another 40 miles on that was only one mile off the trail ¢ so that looks like the new plan, not that there was ever really much of a plan in the first place.The walk itself took its toll on me today (the first time ¢ so far it¢s been tough but ok). We had a tough tramp up rocky mountain and then a steepish descent to Unicoi Gap before heading up Tray Mountain ¢ where I hit the wall and could only manage a few yards at a time. I blame Mike who started speaking about food at the bottom and for the first time I felt a little hungry. Anyway, eventually I made it and collapsed near the top where I chatted with Chris, Meredith, Marcie and a guy who reminded me of Mr Kumar from ¢The Kumars at No.42¢.However, today¢s big event was hanging my very first bear bag ¢ so far all the shelters had cables but tonight I had to find my own tree. You have no idea how chuffed I was with my efforts and took Brain and Mike down to survey my handiwork.(Please note ¢Bear Bagging¢ refers to hanging food not doing the toilet in the woods!)The rest of the evening was spent round the campfire listening to Mike and Kenny¢s jokes.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Tray Mountain

To: Plum Orchard Gap
Miles today: 14.9

Today was time to decide ¢ into town with the majority of the folks I had met or onto Wallace (for showers and laundry) in three days time with Mike.When we reached the road I had decided to go on and was pleased to meet ¢Tatter¢ and his granddaughter ¢Tattertot¢.   (For those who don¢t know part of the trail culture is that people adopt, or are christened, with trail names. However, I¢ve got to say I am less than comfortable with this ¢ I can¢t help feeling uncomfortable addressing some 50 year old stranger as ¢Ace¢ or ¢Slowcoach¢ or ¢Afterburner¢ or some such).Tatter and Tattertot were dispensing Trail Magic in the form of fruit and coke. I was especially glad of the coke, which is the thing I have been craving most so far (although it is early days yet).The weather was misty again today so I put on some music and was propelled up this afternoon¢s hills by some Madagascan accordion music and some Annie Briggs.It was reasonably early when we arrived at the shelter which was a big three storey affair ¢ so with only 6 of us staying there was plenty of room.After 7 days I finally changed my socks and washed my feet (people were beginning to talk) and settled down to a meal of tuna tortillas and a Mars Bar (Milky Way over here) ¢ what more could a body ask for?
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Plum Orchard Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter (New)
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: light rain

So what¢s it like out here?Well the countryside is pretty rugged but softened by the trees that cover everything. At the higher elevations the trees are only just starting to bud. You can see through them to the ridges beyond while being washed by the sunshine coming down from above, except on a day like today of course when soon after starting it was thunder and lightening and lots of rain. (Oh well ¢ you can¢t have it all)I got soaked but as a result made good time and cruised past the Georgia/North Carolina State line. North Carolina greeted us with a stiff climb before we headed for a snack at the first shelter.There were lots of people sheltering from the storm hoping for a break in the weather. However, I had decided before I started that I¢d try and walk no matter what over the 150 days or so. I guess I¢ll see a bit of everything.Anyway, it was on and on and on but at least it brightened up and I was more or less dry by the time I reached the last shelter.The shelter was Hilleberg Akto City tonight (my make of tent). I hadn¢t expected to see another and there were 3 here tonight. There¢s another Brit here tonight ¢ Ian from Birmingham ¢ so we shared visa and immigration stories before heading to bed at 9pm.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Carter Gap Shelter (New)

To: Rainbow Springs
Miles today: 12.8

Didn¢t sleep too well last night ¢ it was cold and still was in the early morning. My boots and socks were still soaked from last night so I braced myself and put them on when every part of me was screaming ¢NO!¢. I had dry socks but didn¢t see the point of putting them on seeing as my boots were soaked.Another good decision (more by luck than judgement) as everything kind of dried out during the first hour or two.Today was a short but steep climb up Albert Mountain then it was going to be a nice trot down to Wallace Gap and a one mile road walk to the Rainbow Springs campground and laundry and a shower. That was of course until Mike and I took our first big wrong turn and walked an extra three miles going nowhere. But all¢s well that ends well and we got where we wanted to be.I shouted us a cabin and it was very nice indeed ¢ porch with a view of the river, nice kitchen and bathroom. Mike got inspired and decided to hitch to town and get some food for dinner and breakfast but perhaps even more importantly he surprised me with a bottle of wine ¢ how civilised.Spoke with some of the other guys and didn¢t feel so silly when we found out that Chris also took the wrong turn.What do they say about fools seldom differing.........?
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Rainbow Springs

To: Cold Spring
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

Woke early to the delights of Cabin 4 and Mike¢s cheese omelettes. Mike reheated the left over pizza for himself so it was omelette and orange juice on the porch for Chris and myself. Took one last shower and then packed ready for a big mile day.Ended up wasting some time waiting for a shuttle that didn¢t quite come, so Mike and me set off on foot, to be passed by the shuttle 20 minutes later. It was only one mile to the trail though and by the time we reached it the sun was out and warming things up nicely.The walking was much as usual ¢ ups and downs but nothing too bad and the views were pretty special along the way. All day we had been passing and were being passed by Jeff (a young guy with a very light pack ¢ and for some unfathomable reason a water pistol).   When we reached the lookout tower on the top of Wayah Bald he decided he was going tot make it to the top but that we wouldn¢t be using the stairs¢¦.Anyway after an abortive attempt at the south west ¢ridge¢ he made it up the south east ¢ridge¢ without too much trouble (although at times I thought he was more likely to break his neck).For the first time, this afternoon felt like hard work ¢ the late start, hot weather and big miles taking its toll and removing the smile from my face. But we are here now and although my feet are sore and I have sun burnt arms I am contented and have nothing to complain about.
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Cold Spring

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Another big day planned ¢ Mike is looking to make the post office at Fontana Dam by Saturday morning and I am tagging along. We still have 38 or so miles to do in just over 2 days. However, there would be no point to any of that ¢if there were not some recompense to comfort those who mourn¢ and today the recompense was a lunch stop at the Nantahala Outdoor Centre for burgers, key lime pie and to stock up on snacks. Unfortunately, however, this was sandwiched between a knee busting downhill and a lung busting uphill. We took our time on the uphill with lots of stops for ginger snaps and rolled into camp at 6.45pm where after a ¢lovely¢ dinner of tuna tortillas it was time for bed.
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Cable Gap
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Slept in the shelter last night and it was quite chilly with the wind whistling down the back of my neck from time to time. As a result I ended up with my sleeping bag completely over my head which helped a lot and in the end I slept quite well.Mike and I hit the trail at 8am and it was soon clear that Mike was having real problems with his knee. We have been hiking together for about 7 days and it looked like this might be the parting of the ways ¢ so we swapped contact details and headed on expecting Mike to stop at the next shelter while I carried on.However, as we walked he started feeling better and decided to continue on and we both made it to the campground at 5.15pm tonight. I have been catching up on writing these journals ¢ I have been keeping notes in my diary but now need to put pen to paper if I am to have anything to send home tomorrow when I reach the post office.It¢s an early start tomorrow (plan to be up before the sun) so that we make town nice and early.Oh well off to see which of North Carolina¢s 20 or so country music radio stations takes my fancy tonight.p.s. This is a really nice spot to spend the night.
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Cable Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

What a pleasant day!Got up early to walk the 5.5 miles to the road turn off to Fontana Village. I then walked the extra 2 miles into town and cokes and crisps.There were lots of hikers hanging around the post office collecting mail drops and sending unwanted stuff onto the next place. It reminded me of something I read once about how the Post Restante used to be a great meeting place for travellers before the advent of internet cafes and it seems that that spirit lives on out here. I caught up with some old faces before sending off my mail, then it was off for a hearty meal at the restaurant.Next it was resupplying on groceries for the coming 5 nights through the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.Mike has come up with a great plan after that as some of his friends are going to collect us at the end of the Smokies.   We will then head for Knoxville and music and beers. Mike¢s a bluegrass fan and it would be great to catch some if possible.After the essentials it was time to relax and meet some new faces. I cadged a shot of Rob¢s Martin backpacker guitar ¢ if it is true that you can¢t lose what you¢ve never had then I certainly haven¢t lost any of my musical ability ¢ it must have been painful for those within earshot but I was happy. I handed it back and focused on ice cream before heading out to the shelter and a good laugh talking rubbish before bedtime.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

What a great day!What a great day to lug a full pack (with 5 days food) up a THREE hour climb under a hot sun as rivulets of sweat run down your chin ¢ and all that said ¢ it really was a great day.It started with a walk across the top of Fontana Dam ¢ or rather that was after I dipped into the visitor¢s centre for a quick shower ¢ why there are showers there I am not sure but they are much appreciated by the hikers.Peer pressure makes me wash more that I would like too! I think that as the trail gets even more popular more and more home comforts become available and are therefore ¢normal¢ out here. But people should really be leaving those comforts behind and enjoying the liberating effects of being really stinking.The scenery of the Smokies is much like what we have seen already but somehow it does seem more remote with no road crossings and little, to no signs of civilisation. There was a nice view for a lookout tower at the top of today¢s climb that gave a feeling of what lay ahead.The walking is getting a bit tougher ¢ but I think that is just the cumulative effects of 13 days walking and anyway it is now under 2,000 miles to go!!!Spent the night at the shelter with some of the crew from last night and sat around chatting with Ann, Amy, Mark, John, ¢Popsicle¢, Wendy , Mike and Laurie. Then I introduced Mike to the music of ¢The Old Blind Dogs¢ and it was time for bed.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Russell Field

To: Sillers Bald
Miles today: 14.7

It¢s Cheesecake Day!It didn¢t start out as Cheesecake Day but Cheesecake Day it ended ¢ of that there is not doubt at all.Today started out as much as any other. Mike and myself weren¢t planning anything too strenuous so we left Russell Field shelter at 8.30am.Things were a fair bit slower today ¢ I think the honeymoon period is certainly over and the cumulative effect of 13 days walking and camp food is beginning to take its toll. That said we made it up all the ups and down all the downs with climbs up Rockytop (Tennessee) and Thunderhead. The forest was awash with flowers through this section with a carpet of flowers replacing the carpet of leaves we have become accustomed to.We had decided to stop early at Sillers Bald Shelter while most other hikers headed on another couple of miles to the next shelter. Word of a group of 5 high school kids and their 2 teachers sent the last couple scurrying on up the trail but Mike and me stuck to Plan ¢A ¢ along with Popsicle and CeeBee which turned out to be a very wise choice.The teachers arrived and handed round the ginger jellys (an adequate replacement for our now absent ginger snaps) and orange candies. Eventually 3 of the kids arrived, tired but happy, with word that the other 2 were a little further back. After about another 45 minutes the other 2 still hadn¢t turned up so I offered to head off up the trail and track them down to maybe help carry a pack or something. Anyway I found them about half a mile back and walked back to the shelter with them.After I¢d polished off my own dinner the kids presented the 4 of us with a whole cheesecake which was lovely, really lovely.Anyway thanks again kids. Hope you get home safe and sound and enjoy the rest of your trip.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Sillers Bald

To: Icenater Spring
Miles today: 15.5

I was a little excited about today as not only were we going up and over Clingman¢s Dome, the highest point on the trail, but I¢d go through Newfound Gap where some 9 years ago I¢d first heard of the AT.Packed up reasonably early and said goodbye to the school kids before heading up what turned out to be a fairly easily graded route over Clingman¢s Dome (certainly nothing to worry anyone). When we got there the elevation afforded us a complete 360 degree view of, well mist and fog (no doubt obscuring what would otherwise have been a wonderful view). Oh well, no rest for the wicked and it was back to the trail where I met Mark. He was short on water so I shared mine (which he insisted on filtering for me ¢ a chore I always rather avoid). Also met some hikers from New Jersey who shared their food with us.Lunchtime found me once again at Newfound Gap where me, Mike, Rod, Popsicle, Ann, Amy and CB sat around chatting with each other and some interested tourists. From the Gap it was a steady haul up to the shelter and what I thought would be another uneventful evening. However, strange forces were at work and other people had different ideas¢¦.As I was kicking off my boots and resting my weary feet little did I know that Mark, who had hitched into Gatlinburg, was slowly but surely making his way up to the shelter weighed down with a proverbial ¢Aladdin¢s Cave¢ of goodies ¢ apples, oranges, pretzels fig newtons and beer. His arrival and subsequent unveiling of the stash warmed the cockles of our hearts and filled the air with good cheer and goodwill to all men.However, even that was not all, for as we were toasting Mark¢s effort Jeff was moving quickly and stealthily towards us. He had put in a 27 mile day with a stop in Gatlinburg to buy donuts to be shared when he appeared in out of the darkness at 9pm as we were all getting tucked up in bed.Cheers Lads!
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Icenater Spring

To: Cosby Wood
Miles today: 20.3

Had a big day planned today (over 20 miles) that would allow us (Mike and me) to leave the park tomorrow and head into Knoxville for some much needed rest and recuperation.Fortunately, and more by luck than judgement, the days walking turned out to be both easy and very pretty ¢ the most scenic section I¢ve seen so far. The morning¢s walk was predominantly along a ridge with great views either side. We made good time so stopped for a long lunch beak to rest out weary feet before starting the final seven miles of the day.Like the morning this proved to be memorable but for different reasons¢¦ The weather had taken a turn for the worse and for an hour or so thunder rumbled around me as I plodded onwards, although fortunately the rain wasn¢t too bad.What with the rain the shelter was crowded and it was hard to get organised or to relax as everybody was trying to go about their business in a fairly limited space.However, eventually things did settle down and Rod treated us to some guitar playing and a bit of a sing-a-long.So all together now¢¦¢First thing I remember knowingWas a lonesome whistle blowingAnd a young uns dream of growing up to rideOn a freight train leaving home¢¦¢¦
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Cosby Wood

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 8.0

Today we were heading into town for what I consider to be a well-earned day or so off.We had 8 miles to go to Mountain Moma¢s Kountry Store where, hopefully, we would be picked up by Mike¢s friend Martha and whisked off to the bright lights of sunny Knoxville.But first I begged a favour from ¢Litebrite¢ during breakfast. Last night I found out she could speak Nepali and she was good enough to write down a few words for me to send to the guides I met in Nepal. (Hopefully I¢ll send it from Hot Springs in a few days).My feet were aching today but my spirits were kept high by being given an orange from two trail maintainers and a poptart from some other hikers before I made it to ¢Moma¢s¢ for cheeseburger, coke and ice cream and pictures of Dolly Parton on the walls. The other hikers I¢ve been around for the last few days rolled in and it was nice just lounging about and shooting the breeze.Martha arrived and it was off to civilisation and some Guiness which surprisingly enough was really, really tasty.After getting cleaned up and being introduced to Martha¢s dogs ¢ Grace, Parker, and Dizzy. It was into town for some grub and liquid refreshment (including some rather nice 10 year old Balvenie Malt Whisky). This was all before having a look at the singer songwriter night going on down the street. However, this turned out to be a bit different from what we expected as it seemed to be a Christian singer songwriter open mic night. We stood out a bit when the whole place joined in on one of the ¢hymns¢ while we were struck dumb in complete ignorance of the words.We beat a hasty retreat and headed to another of Mike¢s friend¢s (Stuart) place for beers on the balcony while listening to Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers.A not wholly unsuccessful night, all in all.
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Knoxville

To: Knoxville
Miles today: 0.0

My first zero day.Not a day to so absolutely nothing but definitely a day to eschew the boots, take it easy and clock up absolutely no official AT miles.The day started with a lesson in trail nutrition. From time to time I have craved a Guiness on the trail (full of nutrients and yummy, I thought). However, this morning¢s visit to the bathroom after last night¢s libations focussed my mind more on the negative affects Guiness might have on trial hygiene and how it would necessitate carrying much more loo roll. Oh well you live and learn¢¦.We had planned the usual town type activities and some much needed rest and recuperation. I had my photos developed, ate some lunch and bought some food and then it was off to the music shop where Mike bought a mandolin to take on the trail with him (inspired by the sight of Rod¢s backpacker guitar).In the evening Martha, Mike and myself went out for some mexican food and a quick look around the book shop, where I bought a new book for the miles ahead. All this before it was off to the land of nod in preparation for an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Knoxville

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 16.5

Oh well back on the trail and it appears that the rest day hasn¢t quite worked the miracles on my aching feet that I had hoped for. I am guessing it might be like this from here on in now ¢ anyway no point complaining.Martha drove us back to the trail today after being the perfect hostess over the last couple of days. Thanks a lot Martha and Good Luck with the exams.Today¢s walk started with a long uphill that took it out of me a bit, as once again I have a full load of food to carry. Eventually though I did manage to haul my sorry carcass up to the top where we sat down to have lunch in the shadow of an air traffic control tower.Fortunately this afternoon¢s walk was fairly easy and very rewarding as it ended a top Max Patch, a grassy hill with great views all around. We sat up there and regained our composure before getting tucked into dinner. Just me and Mike at tonight¢s campsite and it feels good to be camping again.I love my tent! Not in the fetishistic way some people love frozen chickens or high heeled shoes but in a warm affectionate sort of way.She was neglected through the Smokies, where they ask hikers to stay in the shelters if there is room. I don¢t always treat her right but she never lets me down ¢ heck I really don¢t deserve her.
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Max Patch

To: Deer Park Mountain
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Today was pretty much the same old same old. Had planned 16 miles to leave us a short walk into Hot Springs tomorrow morning so there was no real need to crank out the miles and things just kind of flowed along nicely.During the day we met a bunch of French folk out for the weekend. They were really nice and it was fun just sitting chatting with them and another couple of thru¢ hikers, Jimmy and Andrea.Got to the shelter early and did all the usual chores before heading off to bed to read a few chapters of the new book I bought in Knoxville. According to the cover ¢¦¢Max was just a hillbilly until he became Starman Jones ¢¦¢Oh it¢s so exciting, I just can¢t wait!
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Deer Park Mountain

To: Spring Mountain
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Early start today to walk the 3 or so miles into the town of Hot Springs and the lure of restaurant food.Got to the breakfast place early but, I was delighted to see, not as early as some old familiar faces who were happily ensconced round a big table at the back of the restaurant. It was great to see Anne, Amy, Mark, More, Popsicle, Doug and Ben all tucking into great looking breakfasts and great to have caught back up with them after our day off in Knoxville.Breakfast was yummy (biscuits and gravy and some apple juice), then it was off to do some town chores ¢ buying food, sending postcards and buying a belt.   For the past week I have been walking around like I work on a building site. I fear I am losing too much weight and these trousers don¢t fit quite as well as they used to.Today it was rain, rain, rain and there was some debate amongst the troops about arranging a ¢slack pack¢ back to Hot Springs. To explain -this is where you get driven up the trail and can walk back ¢sans¢ backpack then start off at the same drop off point the next day.This, however, isn¢t for me. There are many ways to ¢walk¢ the AT but for me it¢s about walking from Springer to Katadin and that means walking north under my own steam. Walking south just doesn¢t make any sense to me.Anyway, set off on the trail after 4 hours in town and arrived at the shelter soaked. It was pretty full with some folks who had stayed there all day to sit out of the rain. Our gang went about setting up their tents and getting comfortable before standing around chatting and listening to Rod and Mike ponder their guitar/mandolin duet for the talent show at Traildays. Somehow tonight though I felt a bit distant ¢ like I was on the outside looking in rather than augmenting the whole experience. Maybe I¢m just wet and tired.