morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Fontana Dam Motel

To: Mollie's Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

TV...how I have missed TV but I didn't realize it until I spent an entire day watching it. I had the good fortune of hitting town on Thurs. night so I watched a little Survivor and CSI. I love Survivor!!! I somewhat reluctantly left the warmth and comfort of the motel and gorged myself on the free breakfast. I had 4 danishes, 2 muffins and 2 bowls of cornflakes...over 2100 calories. The crazy thing was that I wasn't even really that full. I hiked all day with Eatz from Texas who I met back at Neels Gap (mile 30) but hadn't seen since today. He's a really good guy and it was fun to spend the day with him. We climbed up Shuckstack fire tower and it was a bit dizzying. The stairs were a bit rickety and it was a long way up. But the view was spectacular. I think the good people from Smoky Mountain National Park know how to make a well-graded trail. The climb today was long and tough but there were a lot of switchbacks so it wasn't torturous. Perhaps they could teach something to the people who made the trail between the NOC and Fontana Dam. My body enjoyed the day of rest and I walked an entire day pain free! The sandals appear to be working out for me and I'm a lot more optimistic about making it to Maine. I hit my low point of the trail so far coming into the NOC and its just gotten better each day since then.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Mollie's Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: broken clouds

Trail magic, sweet trail magic. The grand total was 2 apples, 1 banana, 1/2 bag of baby carrots and a handful of assorted candy. The dayhikers and weekenders were out in full force in the Smokies. I started talking to a couple of dayhikers from Knoxville and they gave me the goods! MmmmmmmToday's hike was only 11.7 miles but it was tough. Clear, dry trail was the exception, not the norm. The trail was covered in snow, ice and mud and it made for a hard time walking. It felt like I hiked 15 miles, not 12. Plus the AT shares the trail with horses part of the way through the Smokies and walking in a horse crap/mud/snow mixture was a bad time. Plus the horses chew up the trail. Anyway, enough complaining because the views were beautiful! Besides the initial climb into the SMokies the AT follows the ridgeline so there's amazing scenery everywhere you look. I can definitely see why the Smokies are so popular. However, the popularity is killing the Smokies. Bears are habituated to people because of the stupid people that feed them. Then they have to be killed or relocated. It was their home first, not ours. The trail, at some points is a 1/2 foot high trench, due to overuse. There is no outhouse at most of the shelters so the designated "bathroom" area is a bit of minefield with little scraps of toilet paper everywhere and digging a hole is a bit risky because whatever spot you think is good, someone else has probably thought the same thing. My body is still feeling good. My feel and ankles were a little sore at the end of the day but my knee didn't hurt at all. Yeah!
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collin's Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I realized that the 2 locations for sending me mail I gave a while back may not have allowed enough time for it to get to me so hopefully this is better:Jackie Bolenc/o Kincora Hiker's Hostel1278 Dennis Cove RoadHampton, TN37658AT Hiker, expected arrival: April 2It's all downhill from here. Quite literally. At 6643 feel Clingman's dome is the highest point on the AT. How satisfying it is to reach another milestone on my long walk to Maine. I shared the occasion with Lars and Maisey, my friends from the first night, Eatz from Texas, Boy Wonder and Walks ALone, a couple guys who are doing some huge miles. There was a funky looking alien spaceship observation tower at the top. Exciting, but also very cheeeezy!The first 6 miles were mercifully free of snow, mud and ice. I was extrememly grateful. Even big up and downs seem easy now when it's not slippery. The last 7 miles were more or a skating rink than a trail. I felt fortunate to have only fallen 3 times, my hiking poles saved me from much worse. Tonight at the shelter I'm with Lars, Maiseyt, Eatz and some spring breakes. How happy I am to be back with a group. Small groups I can deal with. I was a bit lonely being an independant and there's definitely safety in numbers. It was a long day today and I'm tired. ZZzzzzzz
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Mt. Collin's Shelter

To: Gatanlinburg
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Towns...how easily I get sucked into the vortex and I have to fight to get out. Last night, Eatz desperately wanted to go into Gatalinburg and I said I would go if it was raining in the morning. Sure enough it was and now I'm in the Cheez capital of the USA. Good times all around. Plus getting here was my most sucessful hitch ever. Eatz and I talked to some hikers in the parking area at the gap and they just offered us a ride. I just ate 7 Krispy Kreme donuts, took a shower and washed my clothes and now am on my way for some good times in the big city. I will write more upon my return.Gatalinburg...how to describe it? It's quite a bizarre and disturbing place and I would still even say that if I hadn't been out in the woods for 3 weeks. Bill Bryson aply described it as pear-shaped people in running shoes waddling from ice-cream store to fudge store to candy store. Speaking of food...we went to the All you can eat buffet at Shoneys and gorged ourselves until we were almost sick. It was deeeeelightful. My body was craving fruits and vegetables and now it's satisfied. Good company (Lars, Maisey + Eatz), a warm dry motel room, a full stomach and mildly amusing distractions make for one happy hiker formerly known along the AT as Jackie B but now known as "Tell it like it is."   This is my official trail name that has lasted the distance. Others included the radiator and firefeet but this is the one that stuck. The reason for this name is probably pretty self-explanatory...if I'm having a crappy day, I say so! If someone is carrying over 50 pounds, I let them know that I think they're crazy! Now that I'm meeting new people and introducing myself by my trail name I'm finding it a bit hard to live up to. People expect me to be obnoxious and overbearing, telling them like it really is...but I'm finding it hard to live up to. Maybe I'll grow into it. Hopefully not.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Gatanlinburg

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Today I started out with the breakfast of champions: 2 bananas, 1 apple and 6 Krispy Kreme donuts. I love Krispy Kreme donuts a lot and find it quite delightful and very enjoyable that I can eat large amounts of them and not worry about becoming obese. As one lady at the library in Hiawassee said about Krispy Kreme donuts...it goes into your lips and straight to your hips. Not for me!I got a hitch back to the trail with 2 triathletes from Wisconsin who were in the Smokies to do some bike training. They said they were going anywhere I was going because they were only out sightseeing today. That's the best kind of hitch.The scenery today was spectacular...the best of the trip so far. The climb up from the gap was touch but then the hike was mostly flat, along ridegline with amazing views on both sides. The view was ever-changing, from foggy to sunny to rainy. The clouds sure move fast in the mountains. I felt happy today, happy to hike, happy to be alive.Resistance is futile. Why do I even try to keep my socks dry? Today the trail resembled a small, rocky stream in many parts and it was actually quite freeing when I decided to give up with the dry feet thing and walk straight down the middle of the trail. I felt like a little kid who goes and plays in the puddles after a big rain. My feet stayed really warm...Smartwool: you do some good work!Weekenders and spring breakers thoroughly entertain us thru-hikers. I saw a teenage boy and his dad at about mile 5 today...and quickly passed them. I watched them ahead of me for a while and they were really struggling on this icy part. I was a little apprehensive because they looked like they were having a really hard time. I got through it in about 15 seconds what probably took them 5 minutes. They pulled into the shelter a good 4 hours after me. Now that's a tough day! Anway, if they are at the shelter before me they are almost always in their sleeping bags shivering away in their damp cotton clothes because none of them are capable of finding firewood and starting a fire. If I am at the shelter first, I watch them stagger in, with dazed looks on their faces, thoroughly exhausted. Then the chaos of cooking, getting ready for bed and other camp chores ensues. Tonight is a full shelter, with Maisey, Lars and Tortoise (Martha) from North Carolina along with 7 people out for shorter hikes. Lars and I lit a fire in the fireplace much to the excitement and surprise of everyone. The wood was wet but it wasn't that hard.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Brrrr...it was seriously cold last night and today. I thought I had escaped the curse of unpredictable and nasty weather in the Smokies but I now know first hand what it was actually be like. I'm writing this lobster style with my wool socks over my hands curled up in my sleeping bag trying to stay warm. I'm thankful that it didn't rain or snow today because at least all my gear is dry. Not much else to say today but in case anyone is wondering this is my typical schedule:6:30-7:30 Wake up time...depending on how many miles I'm doing that day7:00-8:00 Pack up and eat. Takes 1/2 hour to 45 min. I'm usually the first one on the trail because I don't cook a hot breakfast.8:00-3:00 Hike...I seem to finish around 3:00 most days because I vary my start times3:00-3:30 Claim my spot for the night in the shelter, hang wet clothes, use the privy3:30-4:30 Cook, eat, wash my pot and hang my food bag on the bear cables4:30-5:30 Write in journal/read5:30-7:30 Sometimes I make a fire, most days I crawl into my sleeping bag to stay warm. Lots of socializing...usually my favorite part of the day7:00-9:00 Start my beauty sleep****Repeat endlessly, day after day, after day!
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farms Hostel
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I was a case of hypothermia wating to happen. It was snowing all last night and then it turned from snow to sleet to rain to hail as I walked. My hands were so cold at the end that they couldn't grip my poles and I had to hang them around my wrists and just drag them along behind them. I was planning on doing 17 miles today but in the interests of not dying I thought better of it. I covered 9 miles in 3 hours without stopping, knowing that if I stopped I would just get colder than I already was. My lips were only slightly blue when Lars, Maisey and I pulled into Mountain Mommas for a giant cheeseburger. The cheeseburger didn't really live up to it's reputation. We then gave a quick phone call to Standing Bear Farm and they came over and picked us up...although we had to walk down the road a bit because the Mountain Momma people don't really like Standing Bear people to come onto their property. I'm now engaging in some serious relaxation...shower, drying clothes, putting my journal on the net for ya'll to read. I wanted to skip this place over and head straight to Hot Springs but I'm happy I didn't. The ironic thing is that as soon as I came here the rain stopped and the weather got a lot nicer. Why does it always seem to work that way? Oh wait....there's some more rain pounding on the roof now and I'm sure happy to be inside.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Standing Bear Farms Hostel

To: Just north of Max Patch Bald...
Miles today: 13.8

What a difference a day makes. Yesterday: first stages of hypothermia. Today: sunny, hot and beautiful hiking weather. Today was an awesome hike with 2 long climbs. The first was to Snowbird Mt., which has a FAA homing transmitter on top. It emits an audible hum and looks like a spaceship. What a bizarre sight on top of a mountain. The second climb was up Max Patch Bald, with amazing views in every direction. A bald is a mountain that is below tree line but for some reason is like a grassy meadow instead of covered with trees, really cool! There were a lot of crows on top hovering around in a pack. This kind of freaked me out. If you've ever watched the movie "The Birds" you'll understand.The shelter distances from Standing Bear Farms were either 7 or 19 miles, so I decided to stop at 14 and use my hammock. Everyone else I stayed with last night are camping on the summit but I had to go a bit further to find some trees. Solitude is nice for a change.Today I ran into Waterfall and Walks Along...2 nice people who've been travelling together for a while. I think they hike together most of the day, which seems kind of crazy to me. I don't think they really talk that much, so maybe it would be kind of nice to have the company and the solitude at the same time. Fully depends on who it is though.I'm lying in my hammock writing this marveling at how comfortable it is. I can't believe I haven't slept in it yet, because I definitely should have. I hear rumors of a giant pack a couple of days behind me and there's only small shelters ahead, so I might be found using it whether I want to or not.Something sad happened this morning before I left Standing Bear. One guy phoned his girlfriend to tell her to put batteries in the next mail drop. Her dad answered the phone, and told him that his girlfriend had fallen off the ladder while painting and things aren't looking too good as she is now in the hospital, seriously hurt. So his AT hike is over. Nobody knew what to say. It was very sad.JB, Tell it like it is...
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Just north of Max Patch Bald...

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

So much for solitude last night!! After dark I kept seeing headlamps going to and fro. When I woke up in the morning it appeared that I had picked the most popular camping spot in the area. There were at least 20 tents in the immediate vicinity. So needless to say I did not really have a pleasant sleep.The hike today was amazing the first 5 miles from Max Patch to Roaring Fork Shelter were flat and the scenery was beautiful, probably the nicest of the trail so far. Today was my longest day of the hike so far. I was grateful for a few miles of easy walking. The first 12 miles or so my body felt good and then I started to have a lot of pain in my feet. Crappy sandals!! I think I need to buy a pair of shoes and I really am hoping that somewhere in Hot Springs has New Balance. If not, then I will buy some other type of shoes and hope for the best. I'm basically crippled again and can barely walk around the shelter to do the chores, like getting water and cooking. I think it's mostly from the cracks in my feet due to the extra aeration from the sandals.I'm not alone at the shelter anymore! A giant group of Boy Scouts just showed up. Maybe I'll see if I can get a little extra food. One of the boy scout leaders hiked the AT a few years ago and we've had a good talk. I think he's happy to get away from his Boy Scouts for a while!On to Hot Springs tomorrow, it's only a 3-mile hike and then some serious R&R for the rest of the day. I¢m excited! I have a feeling Pilgrim and Lulu may be there. I haven¢t seen them in days.Before I forget, THANKS to everyone for checking out my journals and signing my guest book. I¢ve been encouraged by what you¢ve said and touched by your genuine concern. For you strangers out there that take the time to send email, my hot mail account filters junk mail. I usually check it but be very specific in the subject line (i.e.: mention the AT) or else I will probably end up deleting your message without reading it.The Boy Scout leaders say rain and 40 mph winds are on the way. I¢m happy I¢m in the shelter and on my way to town tomorrow.JB - Tell It Like It Is!.....
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Deer Park Mountain Shelter

To: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The AT has lead me to the promised land, a place filled with warm beds, good food and flush toilets. I got here around 9:00 a.m. and headed straight to the Smokey Mountain Diner for a plate of greasy home cooking. I ate with Heald, who has done some serious miles on the AT and has a super-cute dog named Annie. He starts in Maine every year around September or October and then hikes to Georgia and then turns around and comes back until late July or so when he goes and works again for the summer months. Quite the life I would say. Then I went across the street to Elmer¢s. Elmer¢s reminds me of my grandma¢s old farmhouse, lots of wood, old furniture with a definite homey feeling.While I was hiking, I realized that it was Sunday and that I would be able to go to church. So I went to the Hot Springs Baptist Church and they welcomed me with open arms, BO, dirt and all! It was a little bit humbling.Then off to the outfitters to get some food and a new pair of shoes! How happy it made me feel to know I wouldn¢t be walking out of here in those sandals. I tried on every pair of trail runners in the store and settled on some Technicas. The difference was almost immediate. No more limping was the main difference and I felt a bit of a spring in my step, just like good old days before Neel¢s Gap. The best part was that the shoes were free because my super-mom was concerned about me hiking in sandals, so she gave me money to buy shoes. I think that telling people you¢re walking in sandals sounds a bit worse then it really is.Then I did an hour of vacuuming and dusting for some credit towards my bill at Elmer¢s. I¢ll do some dishes after the gourmet vegetarian dinner.There is a whole lot of people here tonight, 10 at least and maybe more. Many of then started Feb 29 ¢ March 1st & 2nd. They are all really nice but it is a bit intimidating because they all seem to know each other. Most of them have done some 20¢s and I struggle to not feel dumb for having an average of about 10 miles, this first month. Last night with the By Scouts I talked for a couple of hours with 2 of the leaders who had thru-hiked a couple of years ago. I¢m on the exact pace they were and they assured me that it¢s good to start slow. Then I start to lose my confidence when I¢m around the fast pack. Anyway I should just stop thinking about it and just hike however many miles my body feels like. Easier said then done, I guess.My 3 stars for today: 1. Mom, for the new shoes.2. Hammock Hanger, for faithfully transcribing my journal notes and the awesome package that surprised me at Elmer¢s. 3. Baltimore Jack, who I met and had a good time talking to at the outfitter's.JB - Tell It Like It Is!...
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Elmer's Sunnybank Inn - Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

TRANSCRIBER NOTE: Jackie's mom has downloaded a number of pictures. Check them out by clicking on the Photo section on the left sidebar.===============================================================The gourmet vegetarian meal at Elmer's did not disappoint. It was probably the best meal of the trip so far. Cream of broccoli soup, salad, homemade bread, pasta and key lime pie, mmmmmmmm :D. I had a good talk with Captain Hook after supper and before I knew it, it was 9:00 pm, way past my bedtime. I secured a single room with a double bed so off I went for some sleep. As I was in the half-sleep stage I heard a cat meow but in the morning there was no sign of it. Bizarre.I awoke in the morning and as I lay in my warm and comfy bed I had serious doubts about hiking today. However, my rational side overcame the vortex of town and I got up. How could I justify taking a zero day when I only did 3 miles yesterday?On the way out of town I swung by a little camp store for a bacon, egg & cheese biscuit. Stomach happiness for only $2.24. Then I spent the next half hour in a futile search for the trail, until a kind police officer went out of his way to give me directions. He said everybody gets lost. You wouldn't think it would be that hard to follow white blazes, but it is if they are not there.Today was an enjoyable day of hiking. How nice it is to do an easy 11 miles and to still have energy left when I get to the shelter. The climb out of Hot Springs was beautiful with great views of the town and the French Broad River. A long climb is enjoyable when the weather is nice and the legs are fresh. The air was crisp but the sun was out, a perfect day for hiking.Tonight at the shelter is Ben, a sectioner from Atlanta, who gave me a piece of banana bread. Trail magic! Pilgrim Soul and Lulu just stopped by to eat supper and are moving on to camp a bit further up the trail.If anyone is wondering what kind of food I eat, this is the breakdown:BREAKFAST: pop tarts, bagels w/peanut butter, and cereal or granola w/powdered milkLUNCH: trail mix, beef jerky, bagels w/cheese, granola bars, and dried fruitSUPPER: mashed potatoes, stovetop stuffing, Liptons' noodles or rice w/tunaBEDTIME: Glucosamine sulfate for joints, multi vitamin, Tums for the extra calcium to avoid shin splintsI don't bring much candy or junk food. Everything I carry I try to make sure it has some nutritional value and isn't just empty calories. That's the 411 on food.JB - Tell It Like It Is...