morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Nantahala River

To: Sasafrass Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

8:10 pm...let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! The mountains are truly a wondrous place. On the way up¢¦and it was a long, 8 miles up!...you could totally notice the change from the warm, sunny valley to the cooler, windy, cloud dominated mountains. Even cooler (literally) is that the rain that was forecasted for tonight has changed to snow! And it¢s pretty damn cold, but I¢m not doing too badly in my 40 degree bag. I¢m trying the ol¢ boiling-water-in-the-nalgene-at-the-foot-of-your-sleeping-bag trick¢¦and it¢s keeping my footsies mighty toasty, let me tell ya! This¢ll be my earliest night in bed yet, probably before 9¢¦.or I could watch the snow collect on the ground and ponder on how well my sandals will do tomorrow. Man, it¢s going to be cold¢¦better just stop thinking about it. Bob keeps farting next to me¢¦nice guy though. He¢s up here for a week with his son and this other dude from their home in Gettysburg, PA¢¦and he even offered me a place to shower and stay when I pass through! Lumber and Skibum (a couple of dudes I met last night at the NOC) are a couple feet away as well¢¦I¢ll probably hike with them tomorrow. We¢re thinking about pulling a 22 mile day tomorrow to get to the Fontana Hilton¢¦one of the nicer shelters on the trail (hence the nickname ¢Hilton¢). Apparently, there are people from the Hiker¢s for Christ grilling food for us hikers¢¦I¢m always a sucker for free food! Dude, there¢s a lot of snow out there! Last random side note, its cold and I have to make a mad dash to take a wiz¢¦.and¢¦.go! [zoom!]Umba-band song of the day: ¢turn me on¢ ¢ nora jones
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Sasafrass Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 21.8
Weather: light rain

10:10 pm¢¦.damn pool¢s too cold It¢s finally happened¢¦a day so crappy, so demoralizing that I wanted to sit down and cry. Yes, snow is normally very beautiful, but just not today. It began with like three inches of fresh snow and some two foot drifts and I had to wear my boots¢¦the ones that hurt like a bugger. Didn¢t have much choice, though, as Lumber, Skibum and I decided to make the break for Fontana¢¦a 22 mile break! And I got almost no sleep due to the freezing cold last night. So, to make a long story short¢¦8-6 of pure hiking¢¦all pain, exhaustion and mud¢¦lots of mud! I slipped around and swore a lot, but Fontana offered rest and free food¢¦thanks Hiker¢s for Christ! But I did get some inspiration¢¦the one thing I search for daily to keep me going¢¦I met the family and support team of One-Leg, the bionic hiker¢¦with one leg, of course. I talked to them for a while and they gave me some granola bars and peanut butter cups¢¦but I missed meeting the man himself. Apparently he was ahead of me coming down to the NOC, but he got off the trail for a couple of days and I blew right past him without even knowing it and now he¢s behind me. Oh well, meeting his family was cool and all things happen for a reason, right¢¦thanks to the powers that be. And, of course, being the lush that I am, myself and the other two decided to split a room at the Fontana Inn. So, after a shower, a warm bed, and a complete day of rest tomorrow, I should be ready to start one of the coolest parts of my journey¢¦the Smoky¢s! If that doesn¢t get me stoked, I¢m not sure what will. Until then, I¢m just gonna watch a little bit of ¢The Fifth Element¢ and go to bed. Man, 14 days straight¢¦I think I deserve a break.Umba-band songs of the day: ¢Love Child¢ ¢ the Supremes ¢My baby, she wrote me a letter¢ ¢ some oldies song
Date: 2004-04-16
To: mom hass - Fontana Village/Bryson City
Miles today: 0.0

Chris is taking the weekend off and spending time with Tim from Michigan and his friend who leaves in Bryson City, not far from Fontana. He will begin his hike across the Great Smokies starting at Fontana Dam either Sunday or Monday. He has lost 5 pounds and shipped his boots home -too heavy. He is shopping for lighter weight boots to continue the journey.
Date: 2004-04-18
To: Mom Hass - Fontana Dam & Great Smokies
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

After spending the weekend in Bryson City with Sheriff (Tim Morrill) and friends, white water rafting, shopping in Asheville for new boots, etc., Chris started his trek thru the Great Smokies around 1:00 PM by crossing Fontana Dam. He planned to hike until 8 PM in order to get some miles in. He will take some downtime on Thursday (thru Sunday) to spend time with stepmom, Stacy, and Aunt Melanie, in Asheville. He is anticipating reaching Erwin, TN and Miss Lisa's B&B on Sunday/Monday 5/2 or 5/3. He is approx. one week behind his original schedule but still shooting for Trail Days in Damascus, VA 5/8. Next roll of film should arrive at home on Monday 4/19 and on the web shortly after. Pocketmail ordered today for delivery by 4/30 to Miss Lisa's House.
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

8:55pm...minute rice rocks When do the doubts go away? When do the fears that creep into your mind stop? I¢m ready. I¢m ready to start enjoying this adventure for what it is and what it could be if I just let it. I keep trying to figure out if my reasons for being here are the right ones, yet I can¢t even put those reasons into words! Am I really here to fulfill a dream? Or am I doing this for the image¢¦so, I can tell people that I¢ve done the A.T. and, in doing so, improve my own self image or the way people look at me. Am I doing this for me?...or my image? I¢ve long thought I¢ve never really cared much what other people thought of me¢¦that I was secure enough in myself to be the real me and nothing less. I believe that to be true. But I¢m also starting to realize that I do care about image, if only a little...but I think it¢s only natural for most people to care about their image. Am I doing this to fulfill a dream? If so, then, no worries. Am I doing this for the image, for bragging rights? I really don¢t see a problem with that...but that reason makes completing this trip just a little less important in my eyes. That all the heart ache and the hardships may not be worth the reward. When do the doubts stop? These are the thing I contemplate when I¢m exhausted¢¦the ramblings of a madman. But I had a fun weekend with the Sheriff and his friends in Bryson City. Derek and Jen are incredibly warm and generous people. We just relaxed on Thursday night and got some Chinese takeout form the Yummi Yummi (great name, huh?). Friday, we bummed around the city, did some laundry, relaxed and made some pizza. Saturday we went rafting on the Nolichucky river¢¦I got horribly burned¢¦and headed into Asheville for some shopping and dinner. Tons of fun¢¦thanks Derek and Jen! But taking days off is not without its drawbacks. It reminded me of the life that I left at home...of the beautiful girl I could walking with (I talked to her today...damn I miss that one!), of friends I could be drinking beer with and of family I could be with. But as I dragged my tired legs up the mountain today, the beautiful vistas, the beds after beds of wildflowers and the birds singing and flittering in and out of the branches won over the pain in my foot, the constantly tripping over rocks and the exhaustion that ultimately leads to my nagging fears¢¦just barely. But it did win. So, when do the doubts end? As I look into the clear starry sky I think they should end soon, I just need more time. But I¢m ready¢¦I need to be ready¢¦because I fear....Umba-band song: ¢white flag¢ - dido
Date: 2004-04-19
To: mom hass - Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

5:30- PM Chris hiked 17 miles today and will be staying at Siler's Bald Shelter tonight. Tomorrow he will climb to Clingmans Dome, the highest point on the AT at 6,625 feet. His new boots haven't solved the heel pain problem. Encouraged him to stretch Achilles Tendon and Calf muscles and take ibuprofen for inflammation. Will he do it? He is very tired today (too much fun with Sheriff and gang over the weekend perhaps?) which also brings on homesickness. This too will pass with the approach of other hikers to the shelter whom he could hear in the distance. He is missing the company of Sheriff, Krewser, and others he has met on the trail. His big news in calling home today - he met Scott Rogers, aka "One Leg", and his family yesterday in Fontana. Got a picture with the fam and signature on the article from the Grand Rapids, MI Press that he has been carrying with him for the occasion. He was very impressed!
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Icewater Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

8:30pm...last night¢s lamentations So, where do I even start? Well, yesterday I went from Mollies Ridge Shelter to the Siler¢s Bald Shelter. Wildflowers, wildflowers, wildflowers! Almost the entire forest floor was covered snowehite with wildflowers. Just gorgeous! I was still dawgin¢, being tired from never sleeping well at shelters and my weekend of ¢rest¢. Funny thing, I was talking to this cool Californian from New York City named A-Dawg at the shelter...it ended up being just him and me that night...then it ended up being just me. Around 9ish, he had the ¢herb-induced¢ impulse to night hike! I was just too damned tired (and I really wanted to go because I¢ve always wanted to try a night hike) but I had to pass. I just can¢t help but feel that I missed out on something cool...but we did have a good talk during dinner before he left. He helped me realize that when I¢m feeling down that the good times should always outweigh the bad...so that¢s something I¢m gonna have to try to remember...thanks man, for helping me chill! Today was really fun, too. I got to see Clingman¢s Dome, the highest point on the A.T...again. Last time I was there it was all snowing and I couldn¢t see anything, but this time I saw it all. And the scenery also changed from boring green tunnels of Rhododendron to cool tunnels of hemlock and spruce¢¦and excellent trade, if you ask me. Now everything¢s all green and mossy and ancient looking! Oh, and I keep grinning ear to ear thinking of a surprise I have in the works for my favorite girl...hee, hee, hee. Oh, and the best part of the day¢¦Newfound Gap! Thru-hikers (apparently) are a bigger attraction than the gap itself! I talked to a bunch of old people for over an hour and I even gave a little imfromative speech to a tour bus from Greenbay, Wisconson! It was way too much fun and I got pop and candy and granola bars! Thanks for the free stuff tour people¢¦and I even met someone who has seen my jounal! A guy named Neckbone who was there giving rides to hikers who needed to go into Gatlinburg...nice guy. So the Smokies are notorious for bears. And, although, I haven¢t seen one yet, I¢ve seen plenty of evidence...poop. So, I¢ve started the official Great Smokey Mountains National Park Poop Tally! Yesterday, I saw 12 piles and today I¢ve seen 10. Only two more days for the official tally total! Ooohhhh man, the little things that make me smile...like yelling ¢poop¢ when I see some...ah, yes, these are the days!Monday¢s Umba-band: ¢cock the hammer¢ ¢ cypress hillToday¢s Umba-band: ¢don¢t say you love me¢ ¢ m2m and ¢rockin¢ robin¢ ¢ oldies
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Icewater Spring Shelter

To: Cosby's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

8:42pm¢¦.inspiration up the wazoo I¢ve never see anything like it¢¦except in Colorado! The scenery today was just unbelievable! It started with a glorious mountain sunrise while laying in my bag in the shelter. From there I hiked up to the ridge of the Smokey...and almost never came down. The trail followed ridge after ridge, always with an amazing mountain view on the left side or the right side...or both! And it started out at this really cool rock outcrop called Charlie¢s Bunion (apparently the discoverer was name Charlie and one of the friends thought the outcrop looked like the bunion on Charlie¢s foot...no southern jokes, please!). I spent almost an hour there just soaking in the majesty. Tammi and Sue, two gals from Boston, took some pictures for me...thanks. Then I kind of leap-frogged everyone else I stayed with last night: Icebreak, Wildman, Halfmoon, Tammi, Sue, M, Dawn, and Jeff...but I was alone my mussing for the vast majority of my day...my 20 mile day! The scenery more than made up for the exhaustion I feel now! And the memories will help get me through the hard times to come...must remember the good outweighs the bad! Oh, Halfmoon saw a bear today! Lucky dog. But I only saw 4 scat (poop) piles today...maybe because I was looking around so much. And I almost fell off the ridge multiple times today because of that! Silly boy...but, alas, I leave the Smokey¢s tomorrow¢¦sniff, sniff. It¢s just weird that one of the best places on the A.T. is only like 4 days long. Oh well, I¢m sure there¢s more to come. My step mom and aunt are picking me up at Mountain Moma¢s just down the road from Davenport Gap tomorrow for some more R and R...not that I need it, but I¢m anxious to see at least some family after so long...or what seems like so long. Wow, so much happened today that I just can¢t think anymore...better go to sleep.Umba-band: ¢Aquarius¢ - Hair
Date: 2004-04-22
To: mom hass - Davenport Gap
Miles today: 0.0

12:00 noon - Chris is at Mountain Mama's at Davenport Gap, just exiting the Great Smokies. He is waiting for Stacy, his step-mom, and Aunt Melanie to pick him up and they will be off to Asheville for a couple days of R&R. (They arrived at 3:00 PM.) Chris will be back on the trail in 2-3 days on his way to Erwin, TN. His PocketMail Composer shipped yesterday and should be waiting for him at Ms. Janet's B&B when he arrives. With Pocketmail and a cell phone connection, he will be personally updating his journal on a more consistent, almost real-time basis.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Cosby's Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

Just a milage entry....nothing to see here....actually, I'm at the Holiday Inn Express (it's actually the 23rd) in Asheville. My stepmom, Aunt Melanie, and myself went rafting today and we're going to see the Biltmore Estate tomorrow...which is freakin' cool. But it's back to the trail on Sunday...for real! Heading to Erwin, TN with an arrival date of Friday the 30th. No more big breaks until Trail Days in Damascus, W. VA on the weekend of the 14th. Just straight, balls out hiking! I'm ready and excited. I'm getting more technology crap when I get to Erwin...email so I can update this thing almost daily!...I'm such a dork...no wonder my pack weighs fifty billion pounds! Anyway, I'm going to bed. See yall later. Oh yeah, and I saw 2 poops today, so that brings the Offical Great Smoky Mountain National Park Poop Tally to: 28! I know everyone's been anxious to hear the results.
Date: 2004-04-24
To: my bed...on the floor
Miles today: 0.0

So, I'm off tomorrow...off hiking that is. It is about that time to start walking and to make some tracks. I should be in Hot Springs, NC on Monday or Tuesday and then onto Erwin, TN by Friday or Saturday. Gotta get moving....all this relaxation is making me soft...or is that the special things I do for special people. I sure do love surprises! Aaaaahhhhh...amor...[smile]...and I'm off to bed. Gotta get up tomorrow and eat everything I can at the Holiday Inn's great breakfasts...I've been averaging 5-6 cinnimon rolls a morning for the past two mornings, plus other stuff. Man, do that have great rolls, though...I wonder how well they pack? I'll check it out tomorrow...mabye I'll throw a couple in for the next couple of days. Mmmmm....cinnimon rolls.....I'm gonna miss easy livin'! I'll see yall on the flip side!
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Davenport Gap

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: overcast clouds

8:10 pm.....speaking of telling stories   As always, the first day back on the trail after a taste of ¢real life¢ is the hardest...but even more so because it was family that I was with. Today was the first day that I cried...after my step mom dropped me back off to the trail. Seeing family, people that I really missed, made me really realize just how much I missed home and the people there. Even the surprise I organized for my lovely gal back home (which the thought itself had be geeked all last week) has me home sick. I just wish I could have seen her face light up or could have heard her squeal like a little girl...but really I just wish I could have been there for the hug. But I was able to hear her voice tonight and even that made me smile and helped to put my fears at ease...hhhuuhhhhh...[smile]. Sidetracked, oh yeah, missing people. It feels like I¢m starting over again¢¦or it did until I ran into Cil (now named Ursa Minor)...one of those I started with. I walked with her for a while and she told me that the Sheriff and Trucker were only a day or so ahead. I could catch them easily. Then I walked into the shelter and who should I see but more familiar faces, Fly and Dreamcatcher...more inspiration. Honestly, now, I¢m feeling better. Thins are already returning to the trail life I used to know all those 3 days ago...but now I¢m back to my old thoughts and fears. Should I move at the pace I want or should I hang back and enjoy the company of those I¢m currently with? I still want to get done fast and get back to those that I miss...and I still do and every step brings me closer to home. But I also need to realize that I have to chill and enjoy the experience while I¢m out here. I might miss my home, my family, my friends, and my girl and I might complain and cry...but I¢m not going to quit. I may still be trying to figure out my reasons for this trip, but quitting as never been part of my struggles. Oh, I¢m going to make it...and I¢m going to enjoy it, dammit! The good always outweighs the bad, my home is (for now) where I am tonight, and I¢m here to grow and have fun...enjoy this while it lasts. Besides, absence makes the heart grow fonder, right?Umba-band: ¢keep walking¢ ¢ my current theme song (thanks cass!)
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

6:55 pm.....pass the prune balls, please Rain, rain, beautiful at times, but not so much when it¢s all day. But today wasn¢t THAT bad. It poured for around a half an hour...just me and my umbrella. Otherwise, it just kept me wet and cold all day so I stopped kind of early, around 2:30. It¢s always been hard for me to stop that early. I just get restless and I guess I feel like I¢m not accomplishing anything...and, normally, I push on. But I¢m learning. It was just too far to the next place of comfort and I was just too wet and tired (so I kept telling myself)...so I just chilled...difficult for the hyper-active me, but manageable. So I got dried off, warmed up, rested for a little...ooo! ooo! We¢re all watching a mouse run around the shelter! I made some chattering sounds and Seth said he hoped it chews on my beard tonight....sidetrail. Anyway, it¢ll be an early night. I just bought this little radio and it¢s so cool...I get weather band and TV stations! So I may listen to a little bit of Dateline, read some Plato, listen to some radio and hit the ol¢ hay. Oh, I passed over this huge grassy area today called Max Patch and I¢ve never seen fog roll and swirl in such a cool way! It was straight out of a Van Gogh painting. Fog and rain do weird things to you. It¢s really funky to take off your boots and look at your white, pruny feet. Sheriff said it best today in a shelter register (for all of those that don¢t know, there are registers at each shelter and everyone signs them so those behind can know what those ahead are doing and whatnot...it¢s how the trail vine works!): ¢dear sir or madam, I regret to inform you that I have prune balls!¢ I should catch that man tomorrow in Hot Springs...yeah beer! I might share a room with Sal Paradise, Seth, and Enigma...some guys I¢m staying with tonight. Fly and Dreamcatcher are doing their own thing, and I have to visit Kat, our raft guide. I¢m a busy boy considering all I do is walk everyday! I¢m looking forward to an extended stay in Erwin...and a letter from my girl!...and I¢m smiling.Umba-band: ¢Going under¢ ¢ Evanescence
Date: 2004-04-28
To: Rich Mountain
Miles today: 0.0

Chris left Hot Springs around 1:30 PM. No cell service so he called from pay phone. He caught up with some fellow hiker buds. Will probably arrive in Erwin, TN on Sunday. Spent the night in his tent (for a change!) on top of Rich Mountain where there is a fire tower from which to watch spectacular sunsets unfolding!
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Rich Mountain
Miles today: 8.3

W/ Caterpillar, Critter, Swissmiss, Sheriff, Pitaman, Bentframe, Can¢t Zip11PM.....listening to the amplified wookie Aaaaahhhh, nothing more refreshing than an overnight stay in a town. Yesterday, I hiked from the Walnut Mountain Shelter into Hot Springs...where the trail goes right though downtown. So, I couldn¢t resist the lure of a town when you have to walk through it anyway, so I stopped and got a room with Sal at the Bridge Street Caf©. Jay, the owner, also known as Yogi (another thru-hiker) gave us a great deal and was a really nice guy...we even got a complimentary beer! So, I stayed there, had lunch with Sal and Not Yet bummed around town, went to dinner with more people and that¢s about it. I even got a bed...that was stellar. Then, today, I had a great breakfast at the Smoky Mountain Diner (run by another hiker!), mailed some stuff, lost my knife, hiked up a couple of mountains, and called it a day. Now, I¢m laying on the ground and it¢s windy and the weather monitor by the fire tower is making this really funky noise...like a wookie! But the sky is clear and beautiful and I didn¢t think that I needed a tent tonight. We¢ll see if I regret that decision tonight. Well, I think I¢ve finally figured out how to view this trail. You see, trying to envision everything all the way to Maine is a little too much for any sane person to fathom...it¢s just overwhelming. Just focus on the town to town...one place to the next...one day or week at time. That¢s how I¢m used to hiking, so I should be able to do that...too bad it took me a whole month to figure that one out! Oh well, at least now I can sleep better...under the stars...sort of.Umba-band: ¢wooly-bully¢ ¢ oldies
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Rich Mountain

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

w/ Swiss Miss, Sheriff, Fly, Seth5:55pm....damn my hyper-active-add-self Man, am I tired. I didn't sleep too well last night. Sleeping under the stars is wonderful and beautiful....but it never lets my brain wind down, so, I was up until like 2 listening to music and watching the stars move...and I was still up with everyone else this morning. I did get to hike with Sheriff today and that was cool. We got to the first shelter around 3:30..which still makes me restless. But I really didn't feel like going the 6.7 to the next shelter and I wanted to chill with Sheriff seeing as how I only have a couple of weeks left (he's taking a short leave of absence after Trail Days to go to his brothers graduation). And so I stayed, feeling restless and tired...which leads to feeling emotional. Why do depressing thoughts have to take advantage of exhaustion? And I still can't figure out why this happens to me so much. I mean it's only natural to miss people when you're on your own...and I'm not even on my own! And I'm crying...why am I so pathetic that I can't be away from home? I'm a big boy...I can handle this, right? I don't know...I'm just sick of feeling this way. I'm sick of having no answers to so many questions in this jumbled head of mine...I'm sick of being such a pathetic sap! But it's fine, really. Emotions are good, even the sad ones. And really, I'd never change who I am, it's what makes me unique. Sooooo, I'm going to make some dinner, read a little, maybe listen to a little music. Then I'll go to bed, and when I wake up, it'll be a new day...with new battles, sure, but I'll be new as well. Either way, I'll just keep smiling...it's what I do afterall.Umba-band: "My Immortal"-Evenescence