morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

This is the third try writing this entry, it keeps getting deleted for some reason. I left camp with wet clothes hanging all over from my backpack, hoping to dry everything out from yesterday.I identified a Lousewort (snapdragon family) on the walk.I walked at Alex's pace today, we are staying at the shelter again tonight, but have opted for tenting it again. We met Kevin at the shelter early in the day. Kevin was an environmental studies major and was able to show me some trees and birds, which I really enjoyed. We met two really funny guys from NY who were just out for the weekend.Late in the evening this guy with the trailname DOT rolls in. He was walking 20+ miles a day, drinking Guinness for lunch and sips on a bag red wine all day. burnoutlocal.com DOT shared some of the wine, we had a smokey campfire, life was good.
Date: 2007-04-28
From: Blue Mountain shelter

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

We were the last to break camp this morning. Had a mellow, slow walk to the next shelter. Heard tons of woodpeckers on the walk and saw a lot of what I believe to be Canada Warblers. Some nice overviews and sunny weather. Rumors of a fire were reported, but I never saw it.Pittsburgh and Audrey caught up and we talked about how our walks have been. Lots of folks talking about what they want to eat when the get to town. Met a few more thru-hikers who caught up to us. Early night to wake up for the sunrise in the morning.
Date: 2007-04-29
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

I woke up early this morning to watch the sunrise, which was nice, but cold. I was slow to get camp broke and actually met a few thru-hikers arriving at the shelter before we left. one thru-hiker, Blue, is from University of Dayton Class of 2004. Also met Lifesaver, who is mailing himself 12 rolls of lifesavers each week on the trail! and Jeff with a G.The walk was beautiful again, we stopped for a couple of long breaks during the walk. Saw some purple trilliums, and Alex reportedly saw a Ladies' Slipper in bloom. Spent the evening at the shelter with the aforementioned thru-hikers and Ridgerunner Josh. We shared stories of different bizarre and impressive thru-hikers we had met or heard of. Trapper James was mentioned with his 400 pounds of gear. There was a guy who started a thru-hike this year with a push-cart but gave up about 4 miles up the approach trail. Josh had met an ultra-marathoner who was pushing 40 miles a day through these mountains. There was a family of 4 who walked the trail a couple years ago and a 14 year old walking the trail this season. There is apparently a 70 year old who rode his bicycle from Chicago and started a thru-hike this season, three folks who walked the trail North to South, over this past winter. All kinds of stories that made us feel pretty normal.
Date: 2007-04-30
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Cloud 9 Hostel
Miles today: 3.5

First day in a Hostel, first shower of the trip, first time doing laundry and first opportunity to update my trailjournal. The trip has been fantastic so far. I am hiking with Alex, which is a slower pace than I had planned, but fantastic company. I've budgeted $20 a week for food, and after one week, I think I picked the right amount.I'm finding that I am in better shape and have more experience on the trail than most of my peers, which is a good feeling. I haven't had any blister issues as of yet. All is well. I will head to the grocery store this afternoon, make some phone calls and be ready for the trail tomorrow.Thanks for all of the emails and comments on here. I am enjoying myself and living out one of my dreams.Special thanks to Dad and Jody for helping me get to the trail and to Jody for all the borrowed gear, the weekend before the trail and for all the extra support to help carry out adventures like this. also want to thank Gene and Sheila for the Powerbars, Pittsburgh and Audrey for the numerous cholocolate bars, and the gorp I am munching on right now, and Lifesaver for the lifesavers. Enjoyed dinner at the all-you-can-eat southern buffett, followed by a gospel music show at the other end of the restaurant after dinner. After hitching a ride back to the hostel played a few rounds of pigs with pitstop, needles, Alex, and Don't Wait. Good times. Went grocery shopping before dinner and spent a total of $17.00 on 6 days of food. Staying within my budget.
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Cloud 9 Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

Stayed the evening at Muskrat Creek Shelter. Didn't see any muskrats. Saw tons of wildflowers on today's walk. Really slowing down the pace, stopping to smell all the flowers. Met a nice group of folks from inspirezone.org who talked with us for a while about flowers and taught us the difference between vasey and catesby trilliums. Flowers identified today include Flame Azalea, Soloman's Seal and tons of trillium. Saw our 1st lady's slippers in bloom this season. Big climbs all day led to and early night.
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw tons of new trout lillies and wood anemone. At the sumit of Standing Indian mountain we met some day hikers who gave Alex and I about a pound and a half of brie, 2 vines of grapes and crackers, awesome! I love brie! Played pigs this evening with walking stomach and sorefoot. Good times!Stayed at Carter Gap Shelter. Heard coyotes in the middle of the night.
Date: 2007-05-03
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Long walk today. Alex spent the day hoping for some orange Fanta trail magic. A miracle that never happened. Steep, but fun, climb up Albert Mtn., 360 views from the tower on top. Tented it in the rain, heard barred owls hooting near camp. Enjoyed a fresh mango for breakfast that Alex carried for the last 3 days.
Date: 2007-05-04
From: Albert Mountain

To: near Wayah Bald
Miles today: 14.5

Opted for a no-cook breakfast and went for granola and coffee drink breakfast shakes instead. Walked 14.5 miles today - one of the longer days I've walked. Saw tons of trout lillies and louse wort today. Saw our first Jack-in-the-pulpit, a lot of big hemlocks in this section.Met a 67 year old gentleman thru hiking, he has never been backpacking before in his life. Trail name is Tennis.Tenting just beyond Wayah bald, a place where I have taken a few 3 springs groups after rafting on the Nanty. Still no orange fanta.
Date: 2007-05-05
From: near Wayah Bald

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: moderate rain

Rain started up while breaking camp. Opted for another no cook breakfast. Stopped at a shelter 6 miles down the trail for a proper cooked breakfast. Stopped at a shelter wet and cold and never ended up leaving. Tented just behind the shelter. There are probably about 14 other folks at the shelter tonight. Ate 3 cooked meals after lunch today. I was dubbed a trail name tonight, as was Alex. I am now laughtrack and Alex is raindrop. I got my trailname becuase of my laugh. I've done well with food packing so far, running out of food right on schedule. Saw bell worts, lady slippers, and trout lillies among others today. Raindrop saw a weasel.Played pigs with raindrop and waterlady at the shelter.
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

No cook breakfast for the 3rd morning in a row today. Long walk down hill to the NOC today. Met some day hikers wearing bear bells on the walk. Raindrop treated me to dinner at the Rivers End Restaurant on the Nanty this evening, and then live music at the NOC pub to finish off the evening. Special thanks to Lars and Kara for the Lipton rice sides and Gorp, Jeff with a G for the cookies, Nature boy for the cinnamon oatmeal, Gene and Sheila for the powerbars and the mountain house eggs and J-dog for for awesome mail drop of goodies; including vitamins, spices, rice, tea, dates, and pudding.
Date: 2007-05-07
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: clear sky

Walked from NOC to Sassafras Gap Shelter after Raindrop bought me breakfast at The Rivers End restaurant (biscuits and gravy). I spent this morning catching up on journal entries and getting little things like topping off the fuel bottle taken care of. We hit the trail about 11:30 and we walked up hill for the better part of the afternoon. Saw lots of Flame Azaleas and Mountain Laurel, more Pink Lady Slippers, Bushy Asters and Violets. Saw our first Fire Pinks and a few more Southern Blue Flag Irises. The shelter was full of hikers, including some rather loud proud-to-be-potheads types. They already had trail names, but we called them ¢the dudes¢. I cooked dinner over a campfire and kept a small stick fire going for the evening. We met F.R.O.G ns enjoyed conversations with him. Turtle, Blue, Sprocket and Longstar among others around the stick fire. Sprocket decided to thru hike the AT 4 days before starting the trip!         I really enjoy the fellowship of the other hikers on the AT. Unfortunately everyone is pushing the miles because thru hiking the trail is perceived as a better experience than just hiking on the trail for six months. I feel many of my peers are missing the trail experience because they are more worried about doing 20-mile days than hiking the trail. And to make matters worse, I have to walk at their pace in order to continue to enjoy their fellowship.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cody Gap Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Walked from Sassafras Gap Shelter to Cody Gap Campsite.    Raindrop and I were the last folks to break cap this morning (as is typical). The walk was nice, with a good mix of uphills and downhills we arrived at Brown Fork Gap Shelter about 5pm. We made a huge dinner of Cajun rice and lentils (thanks J-Dog) and decided that since there were no flat tent sites and we were both feeling strong, to move on to the next water source before night. We walked 3 miles after dinner and arrived at the camping spot just before 9pm. Raindrop and I had a big discussion about what to do with the food and finally decided to just hide it behind a tree out in the woods.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Cody Gap Campsite

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: few clouds

Walked from Cody Gap Campsite to Fontana Dam   Today¢s walk was mostly downhill. We saw lots of flowers, nothing new. We were at Lake Fontana Marina in the early afternoon and got a ride into Fontana Dam Village Resort. A weird town built in the 1940¢s for the dam builders to live. The town seemed desperate for hiker business, offering us free internet access, free showers, free coffee, at TV with sofas for us to use and an indoor swimming pool. Not so bad, besides the dam.    I talked to my folks today, they are picking me up on the 11th for a family gathering, so I will be hanging out here for 2 days by myself.    Staying at the ¢Fontana Hilton¢ Shelter tonight. Probably one of the worst shelters I¢ve come across in my times walking the AT. Built and operated by the TVA - go figure! The permanent fire ring has about an 8-foot diameter easily large enough to burn 4 full size trees at once. They put concrete slabs everywhere that could possible be used as a tent site, like backpackers carry freestanding tens. The shelter is 300 yards away from the road, we are less than a mile from the Smokies and there are no bear precautions. I could go on, I think the dam puts me in a bitchy mood. This dam has killed the latter parts of the Nantahala, Tuckaseegee, and Little Tennessee rivers.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Fontana Dam

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

   Today is my 1st zero day of the trip. Waiting for my folks to arrive in the morning, catching up on journals, washing clothes, maybe making a few phone calls about getting a job. All is well. I said good-bye to all my trail buddies this morning. I will see them again in 5 days.    I think I would rather continue on the trail than take the time off for a family gathering, but it will be all right.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Davenport Gap

To: Painter Branch
Miles today: 4.5

Returned to the trail, it feels like I have been off forever. Plans went according to plan. Raindrop met me at Davenport Gap and my parents graciously took us into town for an excellent lunch in the nearest town with a restaurant. Mom and dad drove us back to the trail and walked about 2 miles with us before saying our goodbyes.We saw some Flame Azaleas, Mountain Laurel, and Fire Pinks among others. We stopped by the Standing Bear Farm Hiker Hostel for cold sodas and to let Raindrop grab a shower. We contiuned on two more miles and tented at Painter Branch. Downhill, blue, longstar, and lifesaver joined us for the evening. Downhill is from Israel, he started the trail with 5 liters of water (I carry 1) becuase it is typical to carry 6 liters (12 pounds) of water in Israel.The boys (myself and Raindrop excluded) all decided to wake up early and try to walk into Hot Springs, NC the next day. A distance of 31 miles.
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Painter Branch

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Raindrop and I heard the boys stirring around 4:30ish, we laughed, wished them well and then went back to sleep, breaking camp before noon ourselves. Some thru hikers have the goal of "10 before 10", meaning they try to walk 10 miles before 10am, to gaurantee they make the necessary milage each day. Raindrop and I coined our own sloan of "1 before 1", being we have no strict mileage requirements. We saw a lot of May Apples in bloom, and sadly, many of the pink lady slippers and triliums are starting to pass away. We stopped for a long lunch and were joined by 2 college girls out fo the week. After the meal was mostly finished, the girls, to my delight, pulled out a Frisbee out of their pack. We threw for about 30 minutes and decided we better move on before it got dark. The rains started after lunch and were cold and heavy at times. Max Patch Bald was rough with heavy winds and cold rain. After making it back to tree cover we went for some carmels which proves extraordinarily difficult with cold shaking fingers.We made it to the shelter just as the rain started to die down, quickly changed into warm clothes, ate dinner, and went to bed. We stayed at Roaring Fork Sheter.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Everyone had left the shelter by the time we climbed out of the tent this morning. We were glad to see a sunny morning, to dry us out from yesterday's adventure. The walk was mellow, with nothing worthy of note occuring, as far as I can recall. We arrived at the shelter and met some nice folks from Bowling Green, KY out for a few days. Later, Tennis arrived. Tennis is 67 and has never been backpacking before this trip. He had walked 23 miles today and a total of 62 over the last 3 days with plans of walking 20+ the next day as well. We had a huge pot of rice and lentils for dinner. After we were asleep, we heard more hikers arrive.
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Deer Park Mountian Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC/Damascus, VA
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: broken clouds

Larz and Kara arrived to camp last night after dark. We had a slow morning with coffee and conversations and then headed down the 3.2 miles into Hot Springs, NC in hopes of finding a ride to trail days. We met the college girls in town, they had lost their food, presumbly by a bear and had to walk out a day early. We also learned that Downhill was the only one to complete the 31 mile challenge. We had no luck scoring a ride in Hot Springs and Raindrop used to live in Asheville, so she called a friend and we had a ride to Asheville. We then had simpler access to a phone and the internet and were able to find a ride in an RV, from Ronnie from Franklin. It was toally random, we didn't know who we were calling. Raindrop got the number from some thru-hikers she had met in the Smokies. When all other options seemed to fail, I was ready to give up, but Raindrop decided to call Ronnie one more time (she had tried the number before, but was never able to get ahold of him.) Ronnie said "no problem" and we made plans of where to meet in Asheville, which Raindrops friend was happy to give us a ride to. We arrive in Damascus about 2am sharing the RV with Ronnie and his lovely family, 2 breakdancing DJ thru-hikers from Miami, Florida who had walked 75 miles in three weeks and were planning to quit and go home, Casper from Alabama, and a guy from the Norhwest whose name escapes me.
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Hot Springs, NC/Damascus, VA

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up in "tent city", Damascus, VA at trail days. Free coffee and Little Debbies for breakfast from the Backpacker Magazine representatives, then a walk into downtown Damascus for the festival activities. Lots of vendors and time catching up with folks we had met on the trail, free hotdog for lunch from a local outfitter, a parade, the thru-hiker talent show, (which included 1 breakdancing thru hiker), and then bluegrass music and finished the evening off with a bonfire. Raindrop treated me to pizza for dinner.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Trail Days zero
Miles today: 0.0

Had another Backpacker Magazine breakfast and then started working on a ride back to Hot Springs. I hitchhiked, getting a ride from a former thru-hiker named Wolf. Tented in the woods near Hot Springs, right off the trail, as I have errands to run in town tomorrow. I said goodbye to Raindrop today, she was out for a month, and, sadly, is back to work in the morning. I will miss her companionsip on the trail, and do hope to see her again, and wish her all the best. She walked 280 miles in 30 days.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I scheduled a phone interview for next Friday afternoon, so I will have to ensure I make Erwin by then. Left Hot Springs 10:45ish and stayed the evening at Spring Mtn. Shelter. There are atleast 15 folks at the shelter this evening, including a high school P.E. class, some southbound section hikers, and many of the folks I've been northbound with. Saw Turtle this evening for the first time since before the Smokies. There were rumors she was contemplating leaving the trail, so it was good to see she's still here.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: clear sky

Had an early no-cook breakfast and was the first to break camp at 6:30 this morning. Met some real nice folks, Chopsticks and Alright and walked with them for a bit. They are both doing bigger miles than I, so probably won't see them much, nice lunch chats.Met a long distance southbounder at the shelter who spoke well of Zero.Rhodendron was in bloom for the first time on the trail, how exciting.Had a campfire at the shelter, a few folks stayed up enjoying campfire conversations.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

Just finished a beef stew and lentils dinner and climbed into the sleeping bag, after two long days of walking. The sun is setting in the distance and the birds are still singing, I love being out here.Corn grits for breakfast, Had a pretty intense thunder and hail storm about halfway thru the day. After the storm, the sun came out, so it was sunny on the trail with big piles of hail everywhere, kind of cool, walked over a big bald at the end of the day, very pretty (even had views).I spent most of the day walking with Alright. We seemed to pass each other as the other would take breaks.A lot of false Soloman's Seal and white violets on the walk today.Early night.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night, middle of the night, had to get up to put the rainfly on the tent, not because of any rain, but because the fog was so heavy, it was making everything wet.I traded Pittsburgh and Pippy (formerly known as Audrey) 1 instant chocolate breakfast for three Baby Ruth candy bars this morning.Hung clothes from backpack during the walk to dry everything out.Lots of reported bear sightings at the shelter I am tenting near.Had a nice conversation about Nashville with Lazy Legs this evening. Four from the northbound group are slackpacking today, saw them at the shelter late this evening.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Walked into Erwin, received a ride from Miss Janet to her hostel. Took care of laundry and had a phone interview for a camp job this afternoon.Interviewer: What are your future plans/goals etc.?Me: I would like to learn to identify birds.Interviewer: What would your past co-workers say about you in regards to staff housing?Me: I used to ride my unicycle around the house a lot, so they would probably mention that, and I can make some pretty good curry.I think the interview went well.A section hiker named professor made some lasagna for dinner for everyone and all was well, sat around for a long time enjoying trail talk.Jody and friends showed up around midnight, sayed our hellows and everyone went to bed.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Hwy 107

To: Unaka Mt. 
Miles today: 0.0

This is "Rhody" writing for laughtrack. Me and a few friends joined him for a few days on the trail and he asked me to update his journal for him. Being that Jessica, Short Stix, and I do not have our hikers legs laughtrack arranged for us to hike a somewhat easier section of the trail. After an awesome breakfast at Miss Janet's house and meeting several of laughtrack's new friends, we began our trek from highway 107, Iron Mt. Gap. This meant that we were hiking south for 3 days, back into Erwin. It was a beautiful hike! We stopped for lunch at Cherry Gap Shelter where we ran into Turtle and another thru hiker whose name escapes me, but his dog's name was Obie. The hike had a few ups and downs, but the trail maintainers did a good job of avoiding too many PUDS. Of course, I kind of think the whole AT is a bunch of PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs), after all, we are climbing up and down mountains, right? It¢s all worth it, every bit of it! We got a little bit of rain today; enough to soak us pretty good, although it only lasted about 45 minutes. Jessica's rain jacket was not waterproof; rather, it was made for a light rain. So, she was given the trail name "Light rain". Our campsite was not near a shelter; we were on top of Unaka Mt. It was covered with huge Spruce trees, which made it very dark. There were lots of stones and moss growing on things. It looked exactly like the Oregon and Washington states, it was fabulous! I have never seen anything like it in the southeast!For dinner we enjoyed Hobo packs. In them we cut up some butter potatoes (thanks to laughtrack for carrying them), carrots, dehydrated squash and cucumbers, fresh garlic, and a bunch of spices. They were very tasty! For dessert we made s¢mores in a bag. We filled baggies with chocolate chips, gramcrackers, and walnuts and then placed the baggies in boiling water. This melted the chocolate and we ate it with a spoon. It was very tasty! We sat around the fire for a while and then retired to our sleeping bags.