morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.7

7.7 miles....Today started out a little funny. I woke up early in the morning to a mouse on my forehead...needless to say, the mouse flew. Kevin (Radio) woke me up later just as the sun began to rise. We stoked up the fire from the remaining hot coals and watched the sunrise. It was absolutely beautiful. That was about the only appearance the sun made today. We had a short day and we're tenting out at the Tray Mtn. shelter. I have been feeling pretty crappy today. The cold has gotten worse since yesterday. We set up the tent and I creahed out for a while while Radio filtered water and put the rain fly on. (What an awesome guy!) I'm about to eat my second hot meal for the day, (I discovered I was carryiny an extra dinner, so I did what I thought was best, and I ate it! Radio is fixing his shoe right now and I'm going to get my stove going...
Date: 2005-03-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.9

14.9 miles....Our longest day yet at almost 15 miles. The rest of the "Ides" group went into Hiawassee, so me and Radio are ahead. We pushed on to the Plum Orchard shelter. We got within a few miles and it started raining...I was unaware I could hike a mountain that fast! Today is also our last night in Georgia! Wahoo!!! Only a few days left until me and Radio hit up the dollar menu at McDonalds. I have a feeling we're going to resemble the feeding of a caged hungry bear in the zoo. It's going to be great! The weather for the next few days is supposed to be great. (Hopefully the weathermen are right on this one!) Even after the rain, my spirits are still very high. I know that many times people have started out hiking with a partner and it goes downhill, but it is the best thing that has happened to me. At times when I am down, Radio helps me out. We'll it is after 6, so it's bedtime!
Date: 2005-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.2

12.2 miles....Today has been a great day. Bottoms Up went off trail for a few days, hopefully he'll be back soon. Kineo Kid is with us again tonight; I love listening to him talk. The Maine accent is great. Marion stayed up with us, but he's camping just below the shelter. I caught up to Mothergoose today, I've been reading what she writes in the register. She's been having a rough time with the weather out here. She was telling me and Bottoms Up about her four kids and husband at home and how much she misses them. I really hope the sun comes out tomorrow so it will help out her outlook on the trail. As for me, the day was a little difficult after the long day yesterday, but tomorrow will be short, and my body seems to have adjusted well. The wind is blowing and my hand's going numb. **Dreaming of the dollar menu** North Carolina! Wahoo!
Date: 2005-03-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.6

7.6 miles....I always forget what I want to write about by the time I get to the shelter. As soon as we get adjusted to the miles, we can take a longer lunch and I can write more. Today was the most beautiful day yet. We topped Standing Indian and saw Brasstown Bald. Just sat in the glorious rays of sun for an hour or so. It was great! A little down from the summit, I discovered a nasty blister on the back of my right foot...doesn't really hurt though. We made it to Carter Gap today... The "Hilton" and not the run down shelter. Kineo Kid is here with us again. There are a lot of other people here I have been reading about. Hike-Ku, Rabbit, Sunshine, and Jacob. It's great to be around new people. Hike-Ku worked at the REI in Atlanta, and I found out he graduated from Brookwood in '01, so we're rivals... ha ha. Having Mushroom Ramen for dinner tonight. Only a day and a half before the McDonalds in Franklin is raided! I can't wait! My eyes are probably bigger than my stomach, but I'm thinking of starting off with a Big Mac, a double cheeseburger, fries, and a few apple pies. Then go back for seconds! Speaking of food, dinner should be soon! P.S. Also saw a grouse making that cool heartbeat like noise.
Date: 2005-03-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.1

12.1 miles....Springer mountain..A freezing nose..A firetower..After burritos..A hundred miles..Are on the books..And still we get.. Just crazy looks.. We still continue..A steady pace..Soon we'll climb up..Katahdin's face....Today was a longer day, but it has been one of the best days yet. Me and Radio finally hit some trail magic. We got to this huge tent about 10:00 am and we each ate about 3 burritos each and a Coke. It couldn't have hit at a better time. We also crossed the 100 mile mark today. That was a very good high point of the day. We also got some great trail magic there too. We got a trail size Snickers and either an orange or an apple. I love it out here!!! We're hitting up Franklin tomorrow morning. I think I've convinced Radio to stay the night in town. Hopefully we'll run into To and Terry. It would be great to see someone from home. I'm also excited because I came up with some poetry. That was one of the things I'm hoping to improve on while I am out here. Well, we're here at Rock Gap shelter after a beautiful day of hiking. Last night at Carter we had a good campfire going and Toolman's guitar. It was awesome! Well, I'm going to go and check out some crazy big Poplar tree. Krazy
Date: 2005-03-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.7

10.7 Miles.....Beautiful day today! The wind was really going last night, so it must have blown out all of the clouds. We made it to the Rufus Morgan shelter, .6 miles shy to the N.O.C. We're planning on going there for breakfast tomorrow morning....Yummmm! The views were excellent today! Went to the top of the firetower on Wesser Bald and could see for miles! We're at a really low elevation compared to last night. Most of the trees here already have a lot of buds on them. I think I've got a shin splint in my left leg. It hurts pretty bad on the downhill, but I'm trying to stretch it out a little so maybe it won't bother me tomorrow. Hike-ku and Uncle Bill are heading to the N.O.C. for dinner and then hiking back to camp. Me and Radio have stove top for dinner. Should be really good. Things are still going great between us, it seems hard to picture this hike without him. Hopefully the rest of the trip will be as great as the first two weeks have been. I can't remember a time when I've laughed so hard and smiled so much. I might try and catch a bit of a nap for now...
Date: 2005-03-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.9

8.9 Miles.....What a beautiful day! Started off at rhe shelter and hiked to N.O.C. for a really good breakfast. After that, we gained over 3,300 feet to Cheoah Bald. The views were great all the way up, but nothing beats the magnificent view I have before me. We can see Fontana Lake from here, and what we think is Clingman's Dome. Absolutely beautiful. Today is the reason I hike in the rain. It's days like today that make waking up every morning worth it. I wish there was a way to capture the entirety of this moment and share it with everyone at home. To Mom, Dad, Troy, Melissa, and Josh, I love you all, and don't worry about me, I'm having the time of my life out here. I've already overcome some challenges, and my body has really adapted well to the daily abuse that I give it. We're at mile 142 right now and I feel like nothing can stop me on my way to Maine. My spirits are the highest they've ever been. I came up with a new name for Radio, though it's not really going to change...Radio Flyer, beacause as soon as he gets ahead of me, he is gone! (although usually he is waiting at the top breathing hard when I get there.) Wow...What a beautiful day!
Date: 2005-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

14 Miles.....Last day of March... Not really goin' out like a lamb though. Storms rolled in late last night. Thunder and lightning was awesome. It let up long enough to pack up our tent and then it rained some more. Refused to wear my jacket after the first short shower and got soaked. The weather warmed up a bit though, so my clothes all dried out. We made our second highest milege day today with 14. I think it's great easing into the higher milege. Only 6.6 miles into Fontana tomorrow. Cookies, here I come!
Date: 2005-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.6

6.6 Miles.....Got an early start this morning so we could get to Fontana for our mail drop. The homemade cookies were great, tastes best in combo with a cold Dr. Pepper! Found out that Freedom might drop off the trail today, she's taking a few days off in Fontana. I hope she sticks with the trail. Sitting on top of the visitor center at Fontana Dam right now. Great confidence booster to be here. I was here mid October last year, although it only took me 3 hours then...Just a little longer this time! Tomorrow will be a tough hike up, but it can't be too much worse than hiking out from the N.O.C. either way. I'm looking forward to this section. I can't wait to get to the top of Clingman's Dome and look South knowing I've been at the end of the horizon. Forecast is calling for snow flurries tomorrow. Weathermen here seem to be as accurate as they are at home though, so there's a chance it will be sunny and in the 70's! Well, about time to walk back to the shelter. Goin' into the Smokies with high spirits!
Date: 2005-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.4

5.4 Miles.....Yesterday was quite a day. By far the toughest out here, possibly the hardest I've ever faced. Started with a gentle rain coming off of the dam, but with gaining elevation it quickly turned into snow. I figured it would stop after a few inches, but it kept coming. The shelter we were headed to saying that it was just too much. But of course, we kept going. I really started dragging with less than 3 miles to go. The snow drifts were sometimes mid-thigh. We made it to the shelter at 2:00 with Echo, Raider Dog, and Deacon right behind us. Snowman showed up a couple hours later. I heard that Red Hat and Double Healer were on their way up, butI still haven't seen them yet. Draggin and Kineo Kid were planning on coming up, but I think they headed back. Me and Radio are attempting to defrost our gear in the sun right now, with plans to go at least 6 miles today, if not more. The wind has died down a good bit. But is still going. Echo headed out a few minutes ago, so when we leave there will at least be some broken trail. Back to enjoying the great rays of sun, more later... Made it to Spence Field and decided not to go further. Hiked through tons of slush to get here. Heard that Red Hat and Double Healer turned back last night and went back to the Fontana Dam shelter. Rocky and Hairball camped last night...I guess they were too tired to hang their food bags, because a mouse chewed in their tent. That sucks! Snowman (from South Wales) made it here tonight. Extra hour of light today, that's exciting! Well, it's still early, but I can't think of much else to write....Going to play a few games of Hangman now! (Hey to all of my family and friends! Hey to everyone at REI!... Haven't made it to the Golden Arches yet, but Hot Springs is our next big stop!)
Date: 2005-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.8

11.8 Miles.....Got to write down this joke that was in a trail register: What's the difference between beer nuts and deer nuts? Beer nuts are $1.75, Deer nuts are under a buck...Ha Ha Ha! Made it 11 sloshy miles to the Siler's Bald shelter. Kineo Kid, Smilin' Joe, Rawhide, David, and Lisa caught up with us. Most of them are planning on going into Gatlinburg tomorrow. We're shooting for a 15.5 mile day tomorrow. I hope it goes better than today. My feet were soaked within a couple of minutes. We stopped at Derrick Knob to ring out our socks, just to get them soaked again. I almost lost my shoe in a mud hole about 50 yards from the shelter, but I managed to get my foot back into it before it disappeared into the black hole. Had a dream about McDonald's last night. Probably because that's the last thing I wrote about before I went to bed. I was able to eat half of a Big Mac, a double cheeseburger, and some fries, and I even went up to the counter and ordered 2 apple pies and another burger....But then I woke up. So as soon as I got up, I looked in my handbook to find the nearest McDonald's and discovered that the first one we will stop at is over 130 miles away! What am I going to do??? Enough for the night...tired.
Date: 2005-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.0

8 Miles.....Wow, what a day! Planned on pushing 15.5 miles today, but a lovely "Trail Magic" sign swayed my decision. Wildcat, a thru hiker from 2004, brought enough food for a small army. So far i've eaten some bread, cheese, 2 bananas, an orange, some (well, a lot of), cookies, some ice cream, a little sip of beer, and potatoes and onions are on the fire with pork tenerloin for later! Oh, I forgot about the ginger bread and moon pies. So yeah, today's been spectacular! Went over Clingman's Dome today, most beautiful views I've seen from the top. There are a lot of people here now. About 4 or 5 that I've just met for the first time. Kineo Kid heads home tomorrow. He's been with us since Plum Orchard Gap in Ga. well, going to go converse with everyone.
Date: 2005-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.5

4.5 Miles.....Made an unexpected stop into Gatlinburg today. Had to get new shoes. Kind of a weird situation... David was trying to dry them out next to the fire, but it ended up melting the shoe and shrinking them. I called Merrell in hopes that they could help me out, but they showed no compassion. I've switched to a lightweight non-goretex montrail. Maybe these will dry out faster... Minus the camp fire... ha ha. Oh, and after reading in the handbook that there was a McDonalds in Gatlinburg... well, just had to go! I was amazed at what I was able to eat!! I started with a Big Mac, a double cheeseburger, and a medium fry. Round 2 was a McChicken, an apple pie, round 3 was a hamburger and yet another apple pie... It was sooo good! Radio ate more than I did. I was disappointed at myself, but proud at the same time. Now I have a new goal though...3 double cheese burgers, a Big Mac, a McChicken, medium fry, apple pie, and a sundae...It's doable! We're pretty cashed out at the moment...Way past bedtime (almost 10 o'clock). Maybe a long day tomorrow, maybe short, it will be great either way! Another day on the A.T.!!
Date: 2005-04-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.1

3.1 Miles.....Another short day of hiking today. We were able to get to Newfound. First time hitch hiking! (Don't worry Mom, I am okay!) We got a short ride in the back of a truck to the information center, then were able to ride inside a truck up to Newfound Gap. The second ride we got was cool, turns out those people were from Grand Rapids, Mi. My new shoes are working great. Made it here before the rain, so my feet are dry. Ate a big breakfast this morning. Rehydrating some soup for dinner. Talking with Sunshine and Hopeful Hiker, so enough for now.
Date: 2005-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.6

12.6 Miles.....Decent miles today. Got some KFC last night from Phoenix and Butterfly Moon. Greatest piece of fried chicken I've had in a while! At the Tri-corner Knob shelter right now. We're talking to the Ridgerunner (Mindshatter) about stuff. He's also a Ridgerunner in the Whites for the summer. Hopeful Hiker just finished telling his mouse stories...Anyway, today was great! Got a view from Charlie's Bunion and hung out there for a while. We passed the spot on the trail where Radio fell last October. About a mile or so past that, I stepped on a slippery rock and lost my balance and tipped over the edge. I caught myself with one foot. What's sad is that 5 steps (if even) later, I did the same exact thing... I never claimed to be the brightest crayon in the box. I think I fell about 3 or 4 other times today, but all is well. My new shoes are great! Well, I'm going to crash out now...
Date: 2005-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.9

16.9 Miles.....Long day today, out of the Smokies! Mostly downhill today, bothered my knees just a little... Good 'ole "vitamin" I took, took care of it though. It was crazy though because we got a couple thousand feet lower and it was like walking into spring. There were several varieties of wild flowers blooming and leaves on the hardwoods. There are even some trees that have beautiful purple blooms on them. We camped about 7/10 shy of the Standing Bear hostel where we intend to resupply tomorrow. Figured it would save us a little cash, also gets us away from everyone for the night... Shelter hopping through the Smokies was fun, but crowded. Everything from here to Nahmakanta Lake (in Maine) will be new to me. That's great because now I won't dread hills that I know are coming up. Only 8, but crashing early, gorging myself on junk food tomorrow morning...
Date: 2005-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.8

10.8 Miles.....Great day today! We had a short hike to Standing Bear, where we resupplied. Of course, while we were resuppling, we ate junk food that consisted of a frozen pizza, a small pecan pie, and 2 cokes. We lounged around in the sun and took off at about noon. We hiked to the top of Snowbird and sat for about an hour. There was an FAA tower up there that was weird. The mountaintop was mostly grass, so there were great views. We made it to the first shelter at about 4:30 or so, but we'd already decided to push on. We're at Hawk's Roost right now. It's a little campsite that has tons of dry firewood. First fire I've actually started! Wahoo! Tons of beautiful wild flowers are blooming. It's great to walk up a hill and discover a scent other than your own, and a good scent at that! I stood next to the flowering fields for a long time, and when I felt that I was getting adjusted to this new fragrance, I would lift my arm and smell, which made me snap back into the moment! I love it out here! Going over Max Patch tomorrow. Toughie, but we've heard rumors of beautiful views... I can't wait!
Date: 2005-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.2

14.2 Miles.....Made it to Hot Springs this morning for a skillet breakfast... Good doesn't even begin to describe it! Ate junk food, did laundry, took showers, (thanks Macgyver and Just Passin' Through!), bought food to get us to Erwin, ate more junk food (yum!), and then ate dinner at the Paddler's Pub with some beer before heading back to the trail. We were planning on stopping at 9 miles in from Hot Springs, but it was rainy and only a few more miles to the shelter. Now we're at the shelter, camped in our tent because it was full. Can't say this has been the best day, but i definitely can't say it's the worst either. Beats working! Both mine and Radio's clothes are soaked from the rain...Boy are those going to be cold tomorrow morning! Supposed to clear up tomorrow...I am keeping my fingers crossed. Enough for now... More on this krazy adventure tomorrow! Stay tuned!
Date: 2005-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.9

11.9 Miles.....Dramatic difference in the weather today! Went to bed with clothing sopping wet, and when we woke up, the sun was shining on the tent, so we set our clothes in the sun to dry out. (Which they did). We got a really late start though, didn't get out of there until 12:30! (Not to mention we realized we had 2 extra days of snacks... they disappeared). Never realized Nutella is so good! Tastes like chocolate frosting. Great on candy bars and granola bars! We hit a sign at a road crossing that mentioned "Trail Magic" so of course we made a detour. We spent 2 hours just talking with the very nice folks about the trail. They thru-hiked in '99 and got a bad wrap this year. I thought they were wonderful people. It's a shame that such things are being said. They gave us some soup with some fantastic bacon-cheddar bread, and followed up with a very tasty pie. We've pushed to Blackstack Cliffs, falling a few miles short of our goal, but today has been worth it! Looking to get into Erwin Monday morning. Hoping to do the town without staying again. Sun has set, it's bedtime!
Date: 2005-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.2

18.2 Miles.....Today has been a long day! We only planned on going 16 miles today, but we must have missed the campsite we were aiming for. I don't feel too bad after 18 miles though, I guess the real test will be tomorrow morning! We hit our one month from start date today. We also passed the 300 mile mark. Overall, today has been an exciting day! We got to cross some exposed ridgeline today, it was so beautiful! There were tons of rock steps! Working on the trail crew in Maine makes me appreciate every single step and the hours of labor that go into each one. The work does not go unappreciated, thanks so much to the crew that put those in! Well, I'm exhausted! Good night!................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................"It's so warm and sunny, it's so nice and calm... I want this day forever to last and never end." -The Samples
Date: 2005-04-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.6

15.6 Miles.....So much I was trying to remember to write today, and what comes to mind when I pull out the journal?....Nothing! I wanted to write about some prescribed burns a couple of days ago, but I forgot. It was before the "Trail Magic" at Allen Gap. Saw a sign for it a little later that said the burning took place not even a week earlier, so that was pretty cool. Met a guy yesterday, Oriental Legs, who is from Japan. He doesn't speak much English, but he's a really cool guy. Met Chef Boyardee and Lojack today on top of Big Bald. Yappy, Hawkeye, and Dead Aminal were also up there with us. Skeemer, Kit, and Doc were at the shelter last night with us, but I think they pushed on today. Also met hikers on their way to Damascus. Well, I think that covers most of the people I've met recently. Felt amazingly good after such a long day yesterday. We decided to push past a shelter to a campsite so we could be in town tomorrow. That really excited me because I got to eat all the extra granola bars. We've already wiped out all of our lunch stuff, so that's another reason. But the best reason is.....town food! There's a pizza hut and a McDonald's in town, what could be better? Hmm.... I think that's all I was thinking to write about...
Date: 2005-04-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.3

11.3 Miles..... Decided to push into Erwin today so we could get some food. Also need to get a camera battery because we haven't been able to take pictures for the past 40 miles or so. We passed a deer that was about 30 feet from us. It didn't move at all, but just continued eating as we walked by. We stopped at Uncle Johnny's hostel, but they only had bunks left, so now we're at the Best Southern Motel. The people that run this place, Tina and Keith, are incredible! I know they've got some competition with Johnny's and Miss Janet's in town, but I hope a lot of hikers stop here. It's worth it! Well, we're going to take down the dollar menu now...Tomorrow, buffet pizza!
Date: 2005-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.2

4.2 Miles.....Today has been quite a day. I talked to more people from home today, so that was cool. We went to a pizza buffet today and I stuffed myself. The best part of the buffet was the salad...Yum! Tina and Keith let us check-out of the motel late, so we got our fill of television. We watched Family Feud, it was absolutely hilarious. I forgot how stupid T.V. is! Did short miles out of town...stomach never leaves enough room for the lungs! We keep hearing about how unfriendly the town of Elk Park is to hikers... Good thing we've got a mail drop there! Erwin has been the most friendly, with the exception of our 2.5 mile road walk to the hotel without a ride. Hoping Elk Park won't be that bad...Sweet dreams for now! Hopefully when I wake up, the pizza will be fully digested!!!