morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

After leaving the shelter the first bit of excitement was Big Butt mountain. You're required to walk a narrow ledge with a deep cliff on one side. But, what a view! I had been hiking alone for several hours and as I was walking across this ledge I stopped mementarily to enjoy the view. I unconsiously said aloud. "Wow, what a view". When I said that I startled a bear which was 20 yards below me on another ledge. It took off running down the steep ledge breaking bushes and limbs as it did. Startled me too!Albert Mountain has an awesome fire tower on top. As tired as I was I still climed the tower and enjoyed the views in alll four quadrants. I've been hiking for two days now without Bat when to my surprise I saw him walking towards me. He ended up taking a down day and knew if he back tracked a little he would run in to me. What a nice surprise. He will get off the trail soon for his daughter, but said he would look up my location and join up with me when he returns. He'll then come back and do the part of the trail he missed. Great!Stopped at Rock Gap Shelter for the night.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

The big event for the day was Wayah Bald Mountain. It had an old stone observation tower on top that gave you the impression of standing on an old castle. Great view. Pictures to follow.Another day of beautiful woods. But its obvious that more weather is moving in soon.Entry from Debora:Morningcrow called from the top of Wayah Bald (5340') at noon today. He was having lunch with some other thru hikers and was lent the use of a cell phone. He said he could see in all directions for miles and miles. He was ready to sit down to his peanut butter rollup. Yum!He has had a few cold nights - spent the night in the snow, and hiked in the snow. But now the weather is improvong.The crowds are thinning out, but the shelters are still full at night. Tomorrow he will be at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. Little does he know but a friend from Georgia is going to meet him there.Morningcrow will update the gaps after he gets to Nantahala.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Rain, thunder,and lightening all night. I was glad to be in a hotel room. Even if it was noisy. Cars, trucks, people, more people, kayakers, canoers, mountain bikes etc. Human beings are a noisy animal. It's amazing how accustomed you get to the quiet and peacefulness of the woods. Biut there was alot of good food and a good outfitter store. I dumped some gear and I bought some gear. More on that later. Today's the 5th and it's time to get back on the trail.Today is a zero mile day.I will be mailing home my heavy jacket and a disposable camera. Soon there will be photos added to my journal. Man I have seeen some beautiful sights.There are times when I am walking on a 12 -18 inch path with a 200 foot drop off. My wife couldn't (wouldn't) do the trail because of these drop offs. Although if you fell you would just bounce from tree to tree, there are so many. A lot of mountain tops have fire towers. It's hard to finally reach the top of a mountain and then climb a tower, but I have to do it, it's so beautiful.I'm still making equipment adjustments. It's so important to get your pack as light as possible. There are so many people put here with 50 - 60 pound packs and it's killing them. They are the ones dropping out. It's starting to be the die hards left. I wonder low long I'll make it?
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It¢s raining, raining, raining! I¢m sick of being soaking wet. I want to come home now. I¢d rather be home with my family. There is a big void not being with my wife and children. I think I¢ll sit another day in this crummy hotel.The crowds are awful! I came for the solitude and the other day I was in a shelter made for 12 and it had 23. The crowds are enormous! People are fighting for places in the shelter. I¢ve never been stepped on, squashed, prodded, and poked as much as on this trail! It¢s a race of the masses from one shelter to the next. That¢s not what I cam out here for!What am I getting out of this? By far, I miss my family the most. I had no idea how much I would miss my children. Work? I don¢t even miss work. I could care less about work.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Fontana Dam

To: Davenport Gap, Tn. -Mountain Momma's
Miles today: 0.0

I am at Mountain Momma's in Davenport Gap, Tn. Tomorrow morning I leave the northern boundaries of the Smokey Mountains. I expect to be in Hot Springs in three days. I¢ll take a zero day and try to relax and catch up on journal entries. A few days after that I'll be abeam my friend John's cabin. Hopefully I can meet him there.The weather has been consistent - bad! I hoped with the cold winter there would be a nice spring and summer, but so far I've hiked through snow, sleet, hail, rain, and MUD, lots of MUD. However it's been absolutely beautiful in spots. I'll be sending more photos home when I get to Hot Springs.I also am planning on calling Bill (Bat) when I get to Hot Springs. I wonder if his daughter has had her baby yet, and then when he is planning on coming back to the trail. I've been hiking alone for the most part since he's left. I spoke to my children tonight, telling them how much I miss them. They both said, "Dad, you can't come home!" It's not that they don't want me home, they are just really proud of their Dad. :) More later, it's bedtime.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Davenport Gap, Tn. -Mountain Momma's

To: Gatlinburg, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well, I've lost a few days. I got extremely sick just as I was ready to leave Mountain Mamma's. I went to see a doctor, got some antibiotics and was told to get off the trail for a while. So,I found a ride back to Gatlinburg and started recouping. I was a hairs breath from getting off the trail. I looked into getting a greyhound to Wooster, but nothing left from Gatlinburg. The closest Greyhound station is Knoxville. Although... when I started thinking that I would leave the trail, something kept calling me back. I wondered how I would feel if I left, and if I accomplished everything I intended to. I think I'll keep going.I need to call Bat today. He was going to meet me in Hot Springs to continue the hike. I'm three days behind !The trees are starting to bloom. And, the trail is thinning out! It's nice walking along and listening; you can hear a waterfall a few miles away.I've sent a few more packages home; extra gear, camera, etc.
Date: 2003-04-25
To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Note from Morningcrow's wife:Nevin left a message stating he was in Hot Springs. We didn't get a chance to talk but it sounded like Bat was with him. Morningcrow has sent journals and more photos. I'll update the site when I receive them. He's over his illness and sounds great!
Date: 2003-04-27
To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

The climb out of Hot Springs was a real killer but it was good to get out of town. Naturally, my pack was loaded with 5 days of food which made the climb all that much harder. However, the views of town and the French Broad river from Lovers Leap Rock were well worth it. After the initial climb out of town the trail was realitive easy. I met alot of turkey hunters on some of the back roads which cross the trail. It was a long day and I was glad to see the shelter come into sight.
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Today was a hard day with several large boulder fields making up the trail. These sections have to be traversed using your hands and feet to scramble up and over large rocks that no way resemble a trail. Fortunally, the blazes were frequent enough to give you confidence that you were still on the trail. The trail today also had several memorials or grave markers. Some were memorials where a hiker died on the trail while hiking and others were where previous hikers had chosen to have their ashes scattered. There is also grave markers of two Confederate soldiers who were going home on leave in 1863 during the War of Northern Aggression when they were ambushed by a Union patrol.
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Big Bald was awsome. 360 degrees of unbelievable views. Fortunally the weather cooperated and you could see for miles. A good place to have lunch so it was off with the pack and a little relaxation. At Spivey Gap, a trail angel was waiting for hikers with watermelon and oranges. I stuffed myself before a thunderstorm broke up the group and we continued hiking in the heavy rain and hail.
Date: 2003-05-01
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I covered the 6.3 miles to Erwin in 2 1/2 hours. Just outside of Erwin the view of the Nolichucky River was beautiful with a view from at least a thousand feet above the river. I stopped just long enough to take a couple of pictures. Ahh, a zero day in a hotel is pure estasy.
Date: 2003-05-28
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

The highlight of the day was the White Rock Cliffs. The weather was good enough to give a beautiful view of the mountains so it was off with the pack and I enjoyed a much needed snack. With all the rain and a wet winter, water has not been a problem. All the streams and springs are running full making the logistics of pumping water easy. I,m sure things will change with the coming summer and hotter weather.
Date: 2003-05-03
From: home

To: Miss Janet's
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, May 3ErwinMy friend Alex from work drove me to Miss Janet's House in Erwin,where I met up with Leapfrog and her friend Nancy.  POG is hangingout when I arrive.  What a nifty surprise (for both of us!)  The placeis full despite a bunch of hikers heading to the hills for a cookout.At 11 two beds are still empty but have stuff on them.  Martha Grahamthinks the stuff belongs to hikers who've gone to the cookout andtells me to go sleep in one of them.  I do, and end up displacingsomebody who was there after all.  Martha Graham can be very firm.It all worked out.  The other top bunk was supposed to be takenby somebody who was really too sick to be climbing in and outof a bunk.  He slept on the sofa in easy reach of the bathroom.
Date: 2003-05-04
From: I-40 underpass

To: Painter Branch campsite
Miles today: 3.8

Sunday, May 4North of Davenport GapWith Miss Janet away for the overnight party, a hiker staying atthe house takes over breakfast preparations.  I have a yummybiscuits and eggs.  We all hang out in the back yard in thesunshine.  I notice a lot of things hanging out to dry.  Hmmm.Miss Janet brings the first load of hikers back.  She is goingto be very busy today.  A bored zeroing hiker offers to shuttleus to our starting point.  It will save us a lot of time.  Yay!  Wedrive and drive and drive and see a little bit of Ashevilleand finally get to the AT at I-40 near Davenport Gap.  We'veweighed our packs while loading up - 31, 31, and 34 pounds.Not to bad, for five days food.  The others take tonsof "getting ready to go" pictures, and we're off.It's really pretty out.  The sky is hot and blue.  You can smellthe pine trees.  I love that.Soon we have a stream to cross.  In our first injuryof the trip, Nancy falls in and skins her knee.  No lastingharm done, we doctor her a little and continue walking.I notice signs for Standing Bear Farm.In the late afternoon we arrive at our planned stopping point,a little spit of land between two streams.  The bugs areferocious.  We quickly set up and get in our shelters.My hammock fly ends up staked in the middle of the stream, asthere isn't enough land to go around.
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Painter Branch campsite

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 7.7

Monday, May 5Brown GapI wake up to the pitter patter of rain on the hammock.  Dang.I get up and start packing.  No movement comes from thetwo tents.I voice my opinion that it's not going to stop raining, and theother two start packing up.It rains.  Rain, rain, rain.  I arrive at the gap where theshelter is supposed to be.  There's a path.  I followit.  There are footprints on it.. there must be a shelter,right?Eventually the footsteps peter out and I'm in the middleof some very nice evergreens.  No shelter.  I go backto the trail and notice the real path to the shelter, 20yards down the trail.  Oops.  Once at the real shelter,I strip and put on warm clothes for the lunch break.After lunch we put our cold wet clothes back on andkeep walking.   We considered staying at the shelterbut it was early and we wanted to go a bit further.The campsite we aimed at turned out to be notso hotso,but we set up anyway.  Nothing else in the vicinityseemed better.Getting down to the campsite involves a steep slopeno matter how you do it.  We wipe out.  I do some damageto the seat of my Provent pants, sliding butt first.I set up my hammock on a slope, leaving the tiny valleyfloor to Leapfrog and 10-kid (Nancy's new trailname.)It's been raining quite a while and it's still dry, so it mightbe okay.During the night they find that it's not okay.  The watersbegin to rise.  The Nomads turn into small waterbeds.Leapfrog feels unwell during the night.  I don't feelso hot myself.  But at least I'm pretty dry.10-kid shouts over the rain that if a car comes, she'sgetting a ride.  Sometime during the night, a car doescome.  She shouts over the rain.  I can barely hear her.Not wanting to get out of my hammock, I say "Do youreally want to leave that badly?"  Silence.  "If youfeel the same way in the morning, we'll find a way out"I tell her.  The car has moved on anyway.Lightning crashes.  It rains really really hard.  Iput in my earplugs to sleep.
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Hot Springs

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, May 7Hot SpringsThe day dawns.   I still feel ooky.  The power is back, though.  Wego do laundry.  By now several people have told me I shouldgo see a doctor, so I do.  The doctor is sympathetic but unhelpful.I have a virus.  I should rest and push fluids.  And eat more protein.My diet is not helping my hypoglycemia.Water and protein.  Check.  Rest.. well, I have another night in town.That will have to do.We check out the outfitters, ooh and ahh, and buy gear we probablydon't need.  I buy some bright yellow Waldies.  They feel sooo goodon my feet.Everywhere I go people look at my Waldies.  When I said bright,I meant BRIGHT.Also, I'm stiff and sore.  I'm waddling around in bright yellow shoes.Leapfrog starts imitating me in the room, wobbling around saying"Quack!  Quack!"  A trailname is born.  I am Quack Quack.  Fearmy shoes.-Quack Quack
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Hot Springs

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Thursday, May 8Groundhog Creek ShelterOur schedule has been thrown off by the unplanned day in town.New plan:  finish the trail up to Hot Springs, then skip up to Allen Gap.Fine by me.  I'm hiking, I'm happy.The day is glorious.  Max Patch has a tremendous view.  We bask.The trail after Max Patch is soft on my feet and easy walking.We chat and joke and have tons of fun.  We stop at Roaring ForkShelter, then go on to Groundhog Creek Shelter.  The bugsstart biting.  I've bought a mesh headnet in town, which I use.Everybody puts on long underwear just to keep the bugs off.We camp out but go to the shelter for company and the smokyfire.There's a thru-hiker there named Tipperary.  He's a riot.We all like him immediately.  I tell him my name is Quack Quackand he starts calling me Duck Duck.(Note: I'm transcribing this fifteen years later. I am no longer certain of some mileages and starting/ending points.)
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Friday, May 9Hot SpringsWe're going to do 13 miles into Hot Springs to get goingon our new schedule.  I think it will be hard for me, and I'mright.  It's hot out.  10-kid's feet are shredding.  Leapfrogdoesn't like hot weather.  I'm still kind of nauseated.But we hike and hike and hike and soon enough wecome to Hot Springs.  After a meal at the Diner wehead up to the Magnolia Inn, where Leapfroghas wangled reservations.  It's gorgeous.  We findout they have a gourmet chef and are distraught.We've already eaten!It's 10-kid's birthday, so we at least get dessert and a candlefor her.   Leapfrog has thoughtfully picked up a present intown.  And one for me too, because my birthday istomorrow.  Aw...
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Allen Gap

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: light rain

Saturday, May 10Little Laurel ShelterWe arrange a shuttle to Allen Gap from the outfitter.  After packing7 days of food (ouch) we stagger around in our packs.  Goodthing the first day's not steep.  Or far.  We have inky dinky daysplanned for the next three days, which is fine by me.At lunch 10-kid pulls a nalgene jar of pickles out of her pack.Pickles!  I love pickles!  It's my birthday so she shares.  :)After a short day we stop at Little Laurel Shelter.  The springthere is great.  It's buggy again, so we put up our tents and hammockclose to each other and hang out inside them.Somebody makes a fire in front of the shelter.  I go hang out.Soon 10-kid and Leapfrog round the corner, bearing a miniaturemuffin with a miniature candle in it.  I'm serenaded with "HappyBirthday to You".  I love it.
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

Sunday, May 11Jerry Cabin ShelterLightning!  Thunder!  Things flying through the air!We don't want to go up on the bald in the lightning so we dawdle.Eventually we get going.  Strangely, there is no bald after all.No cliffs, either.  Maps lie.It's a cold, wet day.  Eventually the sun comes out, as we finishour brief hike to the next shelter.  We set up and dry out a bit.I nap in my hammock, which for once is warm.  10-kid isimpatient with our early stop, but I love it.A bunch of school kids on a trip come in.  They're fun.We talk to them in the evening.  One is memorably namedNaked Man.   He does not appear to actually be naked.
Date: 2003-05-12
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: unnamed campsite
Miles today: 7.7

Monday, May 12unnamed campsiteWalking up the hill after the shelter, the weather isbrisk.  I take my time but soon find 10-kid and Leapfrogadmiring the view from a hillside pasture.  It's too coldfor me to sit long, so I keep walking.  I see them againat a small overlook at a gravesite.  I don't see themagain for hours.There's a little bit of rock scrambling, then the trailfollows an old road for ages.  I fish out my radioand sing along to country songs as I stride out.All is right in my world.UNTIL.. I hit the downhill that never ends.  The hillshall henceforth be known as The Kneecrusher.I am nearly crying in pain and frustration as Iget to the bottom.  I grouse and pound advil.The other two caught up with me on the hill.  Westart up the next rise.  I live in fear that it will belike the The Kneecrusher, only going up.  It'snot.  In fact it's lovely.  Soon we come to a niceshelter surrounded by rhododendron, whereI learn a valuable lesson about portion sizingand hummus.There's supposed to be a campsite out a littleway, so we start walking again.  The campsiteturns out to be in a wind tunnel.  There's nothingelse useful in either direction.  It's a loud night.-Quack Quack
Date: 2003-05-13
From: unnamed campsite

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: clear sky

Tuesday, May 13Hogback Ridge ShelterThe walking in the morning is easy.  We are in good spirits.  10-kidand Leapfrog are thrilled to leave behind the wind tunnel.We come to Devil Fork Gap.  As we're leaving, a trail crew drivesup with Trail Magic.  Cookies!  And soda!  And they'll take ourtrash!  We are agog.  Soon our mouths are full of sugary goodness.Then we go up.  Up up up.  It's pretty and it's endless.  Or atleast it seemed that way at the time.We stop for lunch in a little gap.  Leapfrog notices a long ropehanging from a tree.  Somebody obviously forgot theirfoodbag rope.  And hey, I needed a longer rope..Toward afternoon we hit Hogback Ridge.  I like it.  Upsie Downsie.Some people evidently find it irritating but it's just right for me.We head down to the shelter, which has lovely tenting around it.The stream is way the heck away, but it's not a bad walk.  Weget lots and lots of water and attempt to do some laundry.Fortunately there's lots of sunshine to dry our gear with.Tipperary shows up, and provides evening humor with his attemptsto put a rope up a tree.-Quack Quack
Date: 2003-05-14
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.6

Wednesday, May 14Unnamed campsiteLeapfrog and 10-kid have a bee in their bonnet.  They want to getto town early and spend a night in a motel.  Okay, says I.  I'll do it.But the longer days will mean sore feet and possibly a crankyQuack Quack.  They feel it's worth the risk.I plan to take it slow and steady.  I did okay on the slow, butsteady got lost after my faceplant.  I do a slo-mo fall onto rocks.Fortunately I landed on my face, protecting my vulnerablepack from damage.I get up, spit out dirt, and check that all major joints function.My face feels funny.  I have some road rash on my knees andarms.  I think I'm mildly concussed.  I can still walk, so I do.Farther up the trail, 10-kid watches until she's sure I'm mobile.I feel odd.  I think about things I haven't thought about in years.They make me cry.  I worry, distantly, about my emotional stateand head injuries.Eventually I meet up with my cohorts.  We are about to climb BigBald.  The climb seems too easy.  The view from the top is nice,but I just want to keep moving.At the next shelter I make hot food and rest my sore feet.  I justwant this day to be over with.There are two possible tentsites for us.  We miss the first one.Having had the decision made for us, we press on to the second.I believe my gait on arrival may be described as "tottering."It's jammed with people.  They've all camped to the left of thetrail and hung food over the sites to the right.  Oh well.  Sowe'll get eaten by bears.  I don't care at all.-Quack Quack