morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

It rained last night, so the world around me this morning was shrouded in mist. Too bad I can't take a picture of the mist. It really is beautiful.Today's hike was also nice. I made good time. Ate lunch at Betty Creek Gap, which is a very nice spot. Unfortunately, my lunch was cold spaghetti and meat sauce. I couldn't finish it last night, so ate it cold for lunch. Still good.One comment made by many of the hikers that I talk to is that we all have lost our appetites. This absolutely does not make sense to me. I am hiking 8-10 hours a day and it is hard exercise. At home, I mapped carefully out an eating regime so that I could balance my daily calorie needs with my diabetes needs. After the first few days, "Patriot" and I had found that we just didn't feel like eating so much. We were carrying way too much food. I cut my rations by half. Now, I find that I am still carrying too much food. I force myself to eat when I am not hungry, because I really am never hungry. I put something in my mouth every half hour during the day. I'm sure it helps with my energy level. One hiker told me that he heard you don't really get your appetite back until Damascus, which is 466 miles! Even in town, my eyes are bigger than my stomach. But, it is easier to eat when you don't have to cook.To all those who may wonder about the diminished food intake and my diabetes. Thankfully, I have not had any lows. The food I do eat on the trail was made at home using organic, whole grains and freeze dried fruits and veggies. In town, I always have a salad and fresh fruit, and bring a fresh fruit with me going back out. No chips and dip!
Date: 2012-03-21
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Albert Mountain
Miles today: 0.0

I had to let you know about Albert Mountain. The climb up was incredible. A gain in elevation of 400 ft or so in just 0.3 miles. I think the incline was close to 70 degrees, and I'm not exagerating. At first there were "stairs", then began the rock scramble. Literally, hand over hand. I looked up several times, thinking, "where is the trail?" only to be greeted by a large boulder painted with a white blaze. Are you SERIOUS?! A difficult climb under any circumstance, but with a pack more so. A pack changes the center of gravity, so climbing can be precarious because it pulls you backwards. The view from the firetower on top was magnificent. My photo does not do it justice. Wow!I thank the Lord for Habbakkuk 3:19 "The Lord God is my strength and he makes my feet like hinds' feet and he makes me to walk upon my high places." I really needed those sure feet today. Thanks to all for the prayers.
Date: 2012-03-22
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

(Note: My photo-inserter, Amy, is on vacation. Check back in a week or so for photos that match the next few journal entries.)It has rained the past several nights but always stops when the sun rises in the morning. I am always thankful to not have to break down my tent and pack everything in the rain. That is miserable. After leaving the campsite, I again ran into a shelter maintenance crew. These folks were from the Nantahala Hiking Club. Big thanks to these dedicated volunteers coming to clean out the privy! Further along the trail this morning, I met Dave & Robin Hering. They had dropped off some section hikers at the trailhead & decided to hike a bit themselves that morning. They recognized me from reading my trail journals. How unusual, yet wonderful, to have a connection with people I've never met in person. Thank you, Dave & Robin for the encouragement! About half a mile before reaching Rock Gap, I saw a strange sight: a Rubbermaid tote suspended like a bear bag hanging in the trees! On a nearby tree was a note from trail angel "Gingersnap" congratulating hikers on their completion of the first 100 miles. Inside the tote were baggies containing homemade angel food cake and brownies. What a generous and delicious treat! THANK YOU to Gingersnap for her thoughtfulness! I missed the shuttle at the trailhead and had no phone service to call another. I asked 2 day hikers for a ride into town, but they said no. I waited for an hour and asked another set of day hikers for a ride, which they gave me. I gave them gas money for their trouble. The first hotel didn't have a vacancy, so I had to walk a mile on concrete carrying my pack and my mail drop box to the other side of town. The laundromat was "just a few blocks" away from the hotel in one direction while the outfitter (needed to buy fuel) was a mile in the opposite direction.  I was pretty frustrated with the whole Franklin scene, so decided to splurge on a steak dinner & Sunday  crossword puzzle.  Nice, too, to sleep in a quiet & comfortable motel and get a shower after the rainy day.
Date: 2012-03-23
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 8.0

I was the only hiker on the shuttle van heading back to Winding Stair Gap. No wonder- it was still raining.  The rain continued steadily for the 4 miles to Siler Bald Shelter. My original intent was to stay there for the night, but it was still early in the afternoon. Too early to stop for the day. If I wanted to stay warm, I needed to keep moving. I was surprised at my pace: 4 miles in 2.5 hours. Normally, my pace is 1 mile per hour. Speeding right along! One man passed me along the trail. I was startled to see him. I thought that I was the only one hiking in the rain. As I approached Siler Bald it stopped raining long enough to have a pleasant conversation with three gentleman section hikers. They were so encouraging to me and I felt much better for having met them. The rain continued intermittently throughout the rest of the afternoon. I quickened my pace as much as I could. My hope was to reach a certain camping area before the downpour began in earnest. The sky was dark and threatening; the wind increasingly violent. "Please, let me get my tent up before it rains" was my repeated prayer. I didn't make it. Passing up three campsites on the way to "the one" with a stream, I waited too long. The heavens opened up with Biblical proportions and the deluge began. I went off trail, quickly found what I hoped was level ground and pitched my tent. In my handwritten journal I have six pages describing this day. Some people say I'm too wordy, so let me just say I ended the day safe, warm and dry.
Date: 2012-03-24
From: Stealth Campsite

To: Burningtown Gap
Miles today: 7.4

The trail today was pleasant. Not knowing exactly where I was on mileage, I hoped soon to come to the stream that was my goal last night. With pack on and trekking poles in hand, I marched north. The stream was less than 30 yards. I took off my pack, got water, treated the water, put my pack back on and started hiking again. Wayah Bald, elevation 5342 ft., was the high point of my morning. On top is a stone viewing tower from which, apparently, you can see three states: GA, NC, TN. I didn't climb the stairs. The view was stupendous from below.  "DK", a young woman hiker, shared a pleasant conversation and her raspberry fig newtons with me. I hoped to make it to the next shelter before the rain fell. Again, I was thwarted in my efforts by the weather. It started drizzling around 4:45 and the once light grey clouds were now black and ominous. Should I walk another hour to the shelter where a water source was located and try to beat the rain? No, I decided. I would make camp at the nearest opportunity and stay dry.  Lightning is a very real danger when you are exposed to a thunderstorm. I tried to pick a place to pitch my tent where the tent- or me in it- would not be the tallest object around. Also have to look up in the trees for "widow makers"-- limbs or branches that might fall on me during high wind.  Added to these considerations is trying to find a level spot, or at the very least a not- so- badly-sloped spot. I fell asleep before it was dark, thankful to be dry and safe. I woke up later when someone else decided to pitch their tarp in the same area. Their headlamp shone into my tent & they were noisy. But, it was raining after all. I wondered why they waited until past dark to make camp.
Date: 2012-03-25
From: Burningtown Gap

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent a lovely drizzly breakfast break with hiking buddies "No Trace", "Unbreakable" and "Rainbow". Out of the blue, No Trace said "True Blue, you are really doing it! You are hiking the AT!" They were so encouraging to me. How could they know the discouragement I was battling? Perhaps God gave them the right words to say to me to give me strength. Thank you all for believing in me!! I met two lady hikers, "Swinging Jane" and "Spirit", during a lunch break at Tellico Gap. I was much impressed with their strength and tenacity. Jane is 71 and completed her thru hike a few years ago. Spirit is in her early 60's and is attempting a thru hike for the third time.  They both outhike me. I met up again with them at Wesser Bald Shelter later that day where we shared floor space in the shelter. It was very nice meeting them and talking about our families.  Sorry to have missed the opportunity to take a photo to remember them by. Also met " Ray L", "Sticks", and "Slingshot" & "Frenchie" A nice group. One hiker, (I didn't get his name) came in after supper. He had hiked 2,000 miles already on the Atlantic Crest Trail. He started in November from Key West, FL and planned to end in Newfoundland, Canada. Now, that is ambitious! P.S. Happy Birthday # 6 to Tarin!! I love you lots from Gramma
Date: 2012-03-26
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: clear sky

At such close quarters, once one person is awake, everyone is soon up. All six people moving about, packing gear, cooking breakfast. I was thankful for my breakfast shake this morning. I could drink it while packing up. All the people I was sharing the shelter with were really nice, but I wanted to get out where I could have some space.There were a few small ups and downs. The trail descended for four miles. Down, down, down. Hard on the knees. At a few points, the trail ended at some pretty large boulders where the only way down was to sit and scoot. Not easily done with a pack. Views were magnificent, and worth the price.I took quite a few pictures of flowers and ferns. That's what I saw all day because I was cautiously placing every step.Nantahala Outdoor Center was a welcome sight. I spent the night in the bunkhouse, took a shower, washed clothes, picked up my resupply box and ate a good breakfast the next day.
Date: 2012-03-27
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafrass Gap
Miles today: 6.7

I ate a delicious omelette and toast for breakfast at the NOC restaurant. Friendly group of fellow hikers: Spirit, Swinging Jane, Swamprat and Turtle.The climb out of NOC was six miles of uphill. Payback to yesterday's miles of downhill. Once past the first mile of steep grade and rocks, the trail was pleasant. There were switchbacks and views.I don't take many pictures of the "views" because mostly they are seen through tangles of trees and rhododendron. I find, also, that my iphone camera just doesn't do the photos justice. Looking down on, or across, layers upon layers of shadow and mountain ridges has such a sense of AWE to it. You really have to earn it and feel it to appreciate it.
Date: 2012-03-28
From: Sassafrass Gap

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I started out the day weepy. I hadn't slept well for the past week. It was a steep uphill out of the gap. I was carrying 3.5 liters of water-- about heavy 6 pounds! I was cranky.Every 30 -40 yards I had to stop and rest. My pack was heavy. The guide showed no water available for 9 miles. At my hiking speed, that is all day. I had to carry all I would need.The 5 miles downhill really took a toll on my right knee. It had bothered me off and on since that fall at Red Clay Gap. It seemed that I was slower than ever and that made me more weepy and discouraged. Then, a black king snake on the trail!I felt like leaving the trail for good. Instead, I decided to take a zero day and rest. There was no reason to be so emotional; my body was just exhausted. Later, I realized it had been 11 days since I last rested. No wonder. (Imagine if you had to work 10 -12 hour shifts for 11 straight days. You'd be tired too!)Donna from the Hiker Hostel came to the gap and picked me up. She brought me to her hostel where I had a shower, did laundry and rested. She fed me two delicious breakfasts and was good company during my time there. Thank you, Donna!
Date: 2012-03-30
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Another rainy day. Jacob's Ladder is quite a steep climb. Famous for it's difficulty. Later, I was told that it had many "not so nice" names before it was called Jacob's Ladder. I took it very slowly and rested often. Made it to the top, Hooray!It rained hard for several hours, then stopped. The woods were especially pretty after the rain. I took several pictures of flowers. I sang that song to myself by Jean Urshan "Sunshine in the Shadows". How often we focus on the negative (like this rain) and don't see God's blessings even when the bad times come. I met Professor Oak, Lemmiwinks, Stretch and Early Bird at the shelter.
Date: 2012-03-31
From: Cable Gap Shelter

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

I was up and out of camp by 8:40. I thought Early Bird would have left first, but no. All those guys were still in the shelter when I left. After an hour on the trail, they all passed me. LOL.The descent to Fontana Dam was long and riddled with large rocks. They were slick after the rain. I was especially slow and careful, yet my feet slipped several times. The Lord kept me safe.Spent the night at The Hike Inn. Nancy picked me up at the dam, did my laundry and took me to town for resupply. I bought a Subway sandwich for supper and another to take back on the trail for the next day's lunch. She also took me back to the dam and shipped some boxes ahead for me. That and a good clean room were well worth the price. A good value.Bought a knee support for my right knee. Krystal sent a video clip of Sawyer laughing. Melted my heart. No phone service here, so didn't talk or text anyone. My phone charger doesn't work, so the next 5 days will be hiked with only 1 charge on my phone.
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Dear Gentle Readers
Miles today: 0.0

Dear Gentle Readers, Tom told me that many have called him with concern that I was ok. I hadn't posted in my trail journal for a few days and they were worried. Thank you for your concern!!Let me tell you that I only can post to my trail journal when I have internet access. This is mainly when I am in a town. So, there will be days of no journal entries while I am hiking, then several entries added when I am in town.I am hiking in the mountains, and have very LIMITED cell phone service. Sometimes, there is a small area on a ridge or gap where I have a smidgeon of a bar on my phone. I use that to text Tom my location for the day. Then, I lose the signal again. There have been times when I was in a town where I didn't have a signal either. Believe me, it is as frustrating for me as well.I appreciate all of the encouragement on the guest book, as well as texts and emails. I can always read them when I get to town. If you text or email, I'll get back to you as soon as possible. And, ALWAYS, I need your prayers. There is no distance or time between your prayers and God's ear. He has been so faithful to me in so very many ways. I know it is because of the many friends and family that keep me ever in His care.Thank you and miss you all!Teri
Date: 2012-04-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Birch Spring Gap
Miles today: 5.6

It was foggy this morning and cold. Andrea, the shuttle driver, was wearing three shirts. I was in my short-sleeved hiking tee-shirt.She dropped me off at the Fontana Dam Visitor Center, where I filled out a back country permit for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. I was in the Smokies!The walk across the dam and up to the road to the woods was on concrete. Hard to walk on concrete. After a mile, the trail takes you into the woods and steadily uphill all day. The fog on Lake Fontana was pretty. I ran into "Doubleback", whom I met before. He had to leave his pack at the entrance to the park and walk back across the dam to the visitor's center. He was missing his water bottle. That cost him extra mileage of two miles (one in each direction). I smiled. Whoever gave him his trail name knew what he was doing!The woods were alive with the beginning of Spring. Everything under six feet tall had budded and most plants were already showing leaves. Some flowers are out already. Finally, I know what trillium looks like: it has three leaves and a flower with three white petals.I had a hard time with the uphills today. I rested several times and even stopped to eat lunch on the uphill climb to Shuckstack Mountain Fire Tower. Several day hikers passed me. I was concerned that they were doing a hike of several hours up and then down a mountain without water or trekking poles. Could be dangerous.I bought a knee support for my right knee yesterday. Didn't notice much difference in the uphills. Hopefully, using it during the day will help me sleep better during the night. In the Smoky Mountains, you have to camp or stay only in designated areas. There was a ranger at campsite 113. Thankfully, I was the second one here and obtained one of seven campsites. I set up camp, ate, brushed my teeth, and hung my bear bag. Got in my tent and was ready for bed-- it was 4:45! Three hours until sunset and bedtime. Thankfully, Tom sends Sunday crossword puzzles in my resupply boxes for such a time as this.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: My First Encounter With Wildlife
Miles today: 0.0

I wish that I could set the stage of my tale with a descriptive phrase such as: "I was eating my lunch beside a beautiful stream when I looked up and saw..."Or, "It was just before dawn when I crawled out of my tent and beheld an amazing sight..."But, no, I have to start my story like this.As I lowered myself to sit on the seat of the Carter Gap privy, I had my first encounter with wildlife. I was getting lower and lower, while, unbeknownst to me, a giant black horsefly was trying to get out of the privy. We collided quite unexpectedly. Oh! I jumped up! He buzzed and circled my head quite angrily, and then flew away. I don't know which one of us was more surprised.I had to look down the hole to make sure he was the only one trying to exit. Then I sat down and laughed.
Date: 2012-04-02
From: Birch Spring Gap

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

Up and out of camp by 8:30. Of course, there was an uphill out of the gap. It was foggy- the kind of fog that is dense and thick and you think you are in the middle of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. Some of the trees made grotesque shapes in the fog. I played a game with myself, trying to imagine what the shapes looked like. Dragon? Horse? Dog?By lunch the weather changed completely. I enjoyed the clear, sapphire blue color of the sky through the bare branches. One nice change was seeing a carpet of small white flowers poking up through the mass of dead, dried leaves. It lasted about a mile. Very pretty. I hope the picture shows the flowers well enough.Reached my goal for the day, Russell Field Shelter, at 4:00. Several others moved on to the next shelter, only 2.9 miles away. I was tempted to go also, but decided to not push myself too much. I already hiked one of my longest days so far. As it turned out, it rained hard around 6:00 and if I had gone ahead, I would have been caught in the downpour.The shelter was full to bursting with 15 in the shelter and 2 in a tent outside.
Date: 2012-04-03
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Views today were spectacular! Rocky Top, elevation 5440ft., had almost 360 degree views. I took a short video clip. I wonder if everyone gets the song "Rocky Top" by Dolly Parton stuck in their heads like I did? I was able to take my pack off and just let my mind and body drink in the beauty of the moment.I was tired all day. Tried to take a nap twice, and both times was interrupted by other hiker's conversations and couldn't rest. After Rocky Top, Thunderhead Mountain, elevation 5720 ft. The descent down Thunderhead Mt. was very rocky. It was as if the trail went directly in the path of a river which flowed down from the mountain. Maybe it did.The sky overhead quickly filled with grey, threatening clouds and the wind started blowing. As Scooby Doo says, "Ruh roh". The rain came quickly. I had just a short amount of time to put on my rain gear and then the storm broke loose. Heavy rain, thunder and lightning. It is very scary to be on a mountain ridge during lightning. The trail stopped going down and leveled off. This was not good.I prayed, asking the Lord for protection. I was still several miles from the nearest shelter, but there was no where to pitch my tent or to duck for cover. I reasoned that there were trees around me taller than I was, so if I kept moving I probably would not be hit by the lightning. I hiked on in the rain and wind, down the slippery, rocky trail.Then the hail came. Falling down from the thundering skies, the hail was the size of a dime. It hurt a little when it hit my head directly- otherwise, not too bad. I was so surprised by the hail that I had to take a picture. Who would believe me?I hiked 4.5 miles in the storm. The trail finally descended again, then climbed up to Derrick Knob. What a muddy, rocky mess! The mud made walking even harder by sucking each step down. I had to work hard to go forward. I was very tired, wet and cold when I finally reached the shelter. I only had half a cup of water left in my water bladder. It wasn't enough to make a hot supper. So, I had a cold supper of peanut butter and jelly on pita bread with the small amount of water. I would wait until the storm was over in the morning and get my water then. In the meantime, I put on warm, dry clothes and crawled into my sleeping bag to stay warm until morning.
Date: 2012-04-04
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

"It's snowing still", said Eeyore"So it is.""And freezing.""Is it?""Yes," said Eeyore. "However," he said, brightening up a little, "We haven't had an earthquake lately." -- A.A. MilneThe rain stopped somewhere close to dawn. It had thundered and stormed very loudly most of the night. I was very thankful for the tarp curtain that covered the open length of the shelter.Packing up went slowly. I was still tired. My clothes were damp and filthy. Very discouraging to put my dirty feet into damp, dirty socks and then into wet boots to begin the day.I decided to leave the trail. However, I knew that making that decision on a bad day was a bad idea. Thanks to Richard and Carol Robinson "The Canadian Geese" GA-ME 2010 for their trail journal quote: "Never quit on a bad day." It helped me to keep perspective that a bad day doesn't last for the whole trail; it's only one day. Met "Gato" and "Davey Jones" who are uber-hikers with infectious positive attitudes. A full shelter tonight.