morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Been staying at alot of shelter sites, but have yet to actually sleep in one, either because of the cold, or too crowded. Was going to tonight, since it was just Speed and Breathless besides myself, but it will be cold tonight and my tarptent will be slightly warmer.Last night I did a dumb thing. After I realized I was already in bed, I realized I had trash and a granola bar that needed to go in the bearikade. I got out of the tent, but could nt find the bearikade in the dark. So, I left it under a big rock just for the night, figuring it would be alright. Well, last night and this morning, it rained, and the rock sucked down into the mud, and I wasn't sure which rock it was anyway. So I had to leave it, even though I wasn't happy about it. The walking is on much more level ground than in Georgia, though a little more rugged at times. It's also living up to its reputation of a "green tunnel" more. Probably because of the rain. I walked all the way through Georgia, from Springer Mt. to Bly Gap without a speck of rain, but since getting into North Carolina, it has rained at night, in the morning, and at night again. Someone left 4 packets of ramen at the old Carter Shelter, so I snagged them. Hooray for trail magic
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Rained this morning at Carter Gap. Breakfast was Blue Mountain Bear Mush by Inertia Foods. Made from couscous (duck duck cous cous!), blueberries, raisins. Not bad. Better than the bulgar. Hit the trail about 8:10. A mostly downhill day, elevation loss of about 900, despite rugged climb up Mt. Albert. By far the most rugged climb of the first 100 miles, makes north side of Blood seem like a cake-walk! A few points where I had to pull myself up by hands, at one point had to toss my trekking poles up and ahead to scramble up. Unfortuneately, was socked in entirely by fog and snow, visibility was about 100 feet, so no spectacular views. It probably snowed 1/2 to one inch while I was up there. Had a very cold lunch on the shelter 1/2 mile past summit. Went on to Rock Gap Shelter. Was there by 2:20, so after leaving a note in the log, moved on to Wallace Gap, just another .7 miles, turned left at the road, and walked 1 mile to the campground, where I got pizza, ice cream, chips, & cheese, and a bed in the yurt, which is a big, round, semi-permanent structure used as a bunkhouse. Big John and his dog Bo, as well as Pirate, are here. By the way, hit the 100 mile mark near the end of the day. No sign to mark the spot, though, or even a landmark nearby.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left Rainbow Springs Campground fairly early. Walked .7 miles to new 64. After 15 minutes hitched a ride into Franklin. Hit the grocery, then the pharmacy for a knee brace, and library, to check internet. God bless 'em, the guys on trailtalk are organizing a food-drive for me (and some are betting on when I'm going to drop out!) I lingered too long in town and didn't think I would do the 7 miles to the shelter, but I did it in 3 hours, despite being mostly uphill. I'm amazed at how much faster walking is in North Carolina. In the shelter are Andrew, Stealth, Hot Rice, Mouse, Katie, and Beaudreau, an interesting south-bound flip-flopper. This is the first night in a shelter (on this trip) for me. The tenting area looked cold and lonely, so I decided to suffer in the shelter, with everyone else. I'm going to find my ear-plugs now so I can get to sleep.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: light rain

What a cold day! I'm writing this 2 days late, but the main theme of the day was cold. In the shelter was Mouse, who is ex-army, and speaks very carefully and slowly, and Cricket (whom I've taken to calling BedBug for some reason) and Andrew, who looks like a young Keanu Reeves, and is a very nice guy. There were 3 inches of snow on the ground, despite the prediction of 70 degrees down below at the NOC the next day. Cricket left her hat behind the shelter and I almost peed on it. I gave it to her the next morning when she mentioned losing a hat.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Cold Springs Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Stands for Nantahala Outdoor Center - a small mini-community centered mainly around kayakers. On the way, there was the Wesser Bald Lookout, with 360 degree panoramic views of the mountains, including snow-capped Clingman's Dome. Also, the Jump-Up, a rugged and steep knob with some good views. The loss in elevation today was close to 3200 feet. It was amazing to start the day near-freezing, and by the end of 11 1/2 miles, hiking in shorts and short-sleeves in near 70-degree weather. There were no rooms left at the bunkhouse, so Andrew, Cricket, and I walked down the train tracks and into the woods down a dirt road leading to some unofficial car-camping spots by the river. Cricket had a hard time deciding on a spot to tent for some reason. I laid my pad and sleeping bag down on the grass and cowboy-camped.
Date: 2004-04-04
From: NOC

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

The elevation gain was 2600 feet but I still did the almost 7 miles in 3 1/2 hours. The climb up was relentless, almost never flat or downhill. The trail would go straight up the sides of very rocky knobs at times and veer off right before the summit. I made good time today by being efficient with my breaks. Once every hour, I would slow down for 5-10 minutes to eat a high-calorie snack, but I would not stop, and I would do this like clockwork on the half-hour. A couple of times, I would add a layer of clothing as it got colder and windier. I was amazed to get to the shelter when I did, considering this day was the most elevation gain yet. It helped that it was a half day. In camp there is Dreamer, Cricket, Mouse, 2Cents (who gives his "2cents" about everything), Rob, Down Under Bill, and a bunch of boy scouts. Fortuneately, it is a big shelter with two stories. After dinner I gave Cricket one of my medicine bags. In it I put a snail shell I found on the ground as I was eating dinner.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: HogBack Gap
Miles today: 11.1

Got the latest start I will probably ever get: 12:30. I really wanted to catch up to Mouse and Cricket in Cosby Gap just beyond, but it was getting late and Rob from Chicago stayed in Hogback, so I decided to stay as well. Getting too used to having company at night. Late start was all IceBreak's fault. We stayed behind and shot the breeze and just acted like goofs. Heard that Flyin' Brian was at Brown Fork Gap Shelter, where I briefly considered staying. All you smarty-pants know it alls can skip this next part, because I have to explain "Flyin' Brian" to my NON-backpacking friends and family. Flyin' Brian hiked the AT, the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT), and the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in 10 months. So he is somewhat of a celebrity in the hiker community.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: HogBack Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

After a brief climb, downhill all the way. Unfortuneately, downhills are not good on my right knee. Temporarily lost the trail when path veered away from the white blazes, right before started heading down for good. That section gets many hikers. Ran into Little Tree and Walking Stomach at Highway 28. Walking Stomach is a very attractive woman of 50 who does not look a day over 40. She does AT trail maintenance in Connecticut, the infamous "Connecticut Ledges". Walked a mile them to the Fontana Dam Shelter. The elevation profile lies! There isa a big up and a down between the highway and the shelter that does not appear on the profile. Arrived at the shelter, famously known as "The Fontana Hilton", because it houses 20 hikers and is new and nice-looking. Probably the only shelter on the AT close to civilization. Walked down to the dam to use the phone, and ran into Mouse, then got a shuttle into town, where I ran into Cricket and 2Cents and a few others. Got a few food items and went back to the shelter for the night.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitor's Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

First zero day! Shared a room with Rob at the Fontana Inn. Showered (nice hot water), picked up town-box (or bounce-box for those who know what one is), did laundry, picked up groceries and supplies, checked email and trailtalk (the greates forum on the net!) got dinner, re-packed, went to bed. whew! I thought zero days were supposed to be a day of rest!
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Visitor's Center

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

First day in the Smokies. Feeling strong after taking a day off, and knee feels good. Mostly an up day, so that will be even better on my knee. Starting elevation is 1710', 4.4 miles later at Shuckstack, 4020', plus a climb up the lookout tower, with a good view of Fontana Lake below. After getting up to Shuckstack, it was back to the regular up and down rather than just up. On top of the ridges were small pretty bluish-white wildflowers which made the walk even more pleasant. Got to the shelter at 5, a half-hour before I expected to (I love it when that happens). I was amazed that I did that last 5 miles in 2 hours. A wild turkey was strutting about 150 feet from the shelter, and I got a few decent pictures. Heard him gobbling in the morning but did not see him. Also have seen more bear scat than before, but still have not see an actual bear.
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Longest day since leaving Springer. This day started with a fun and rugged climb up to Rocky Top (yes, THAT Rocky Top), some parts very steep. Many places where vegetation was scarce, giving decent peeks here and there. Rocky Top was not bare, but was rocky with no trees and some shrubs, with 360-degree views if one climbed on top of the rocks. Looking at the elevation profile, it looked like after an initial sharp up and then down, it was going to be gentle up all the way from Derrick Knob Shelter at about the 10 mile mark, to Silers Bald, 5 1/2 miles later. Found out that "gentle" is relative (and I should know better than to trust the map anyway!). It was a long, hard climb, capped with a really nasty climb up Silers Bald, after which I would have despaired had that not been the final climb of the day. I was starting to bonk at one point, so I stopped and pulled out my food, and ate 2 Snickers bars, 3 packets of sugar, and a couple of mouthfuls of peanut butter. I was still exhausted in body and mind, but at least I had energy. When I finally got to the shelter, it was a relief to hear voices as I arrived.
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Took my time getting up and ready since today was to be a short day. I was the last one out, shortly before 10. Hiked 1.7 miles to Double Spring Gap Shelter. Watched a deer for about 40 minutes, got to about 20 feet once, saw him in the clearing as I stood next to shelter at another. Made good time up to Clingman's Dome. Was able to maintain 2 miles/hr despite uphill all the way. It was a gentle uphill for the most part, some rugged but never really steep, some good views on the ridges. Fontana Lake was still visible, lots of blue ridges to see. From Double Spring up to Clingman's, the trees were practically all evergreen. Clingman's was disappointing with all the tourists. Coming down the other side was very treachorous with the unmelted snow on the rocks. I fell on my rear once. After several minutes of thinking I should be at the side trail to the shelter, I finally found it. Got to the shelter and found TRAIL MAGIC! Someone had left three bags of dehydrated food: instant potatoes, apple cobbler, and maple syrup. I made the mistake of bragging about it to some later thru-hikers, because one of them came up and started rummaging around and took one of them. I know I shouldn't be a greedy hog, but the food was laying amongst the rest of my gear, not separate. I had obviously claimed it. I thought he was a little rude, but I didn't want to look like a greedy jerk, so I didn't say anything. It was free anyway. I was the first person here, but now there are a blue million people here. Vocal is the funniest guy with the best stories. I changed my mind about plowing through the Smokies without re-supplying. I filled my Bearikade and my pockets with food at Fontana Dam, but my appetite is just growing exponentially. There is no way I can make it all the way through on the amount of food I packed. I am just eating like a horse. I would have no problem consuming 3000 calories a day. Time to read and go to bed.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Mt Collins Shelter

To: Ice Water Spring Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: moderate rain

Hit the road crossing at Newfound Gap before anyone else, but almost didn't get a ride into town. Fortuneately, some nice tourists/hikers gave me a ride to Shoney's in Gatlinburg AND gave me $10 for breakfast! After the AYCE (all you can eat) buffet, got groceries and hitched back to the trail. It was a steady climb up, but only 3 miles. Set up my tent in a really prime spot amongst some pine trees. The Offensive Six (Vocal, Flippy, Opie, Norway, Big County, and Speedstick) showed up late and drunk, Speedstick being the drunkest. He left his food at the bar and was too drunk to carry his pack up the mountain, so Norway carried it for him after he brought his own up.
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Ice Water Spring Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: moderate rain

As I am writing this entry, it is the 23rd, so I am officially 11 days behind. The next several entries may be short due to not remembering everything. Sorry. What I DO remember about this day was that it was along high ridges and extremely windy, gusts up to at least 40 or 50 mph. It was very exciting, but too bad the views were non-existent. Stopped at Charlie's Bunion, a very cool rock formation just off the trail. The very close fog made it all seem very spooky and ethereal, a very wilderness-type experience. Coming into the shelter, Speedstick and I were leap-frogging each other. At the end, I could have passed on the downhill, but let him stay in front. Turns out he got the last spot in the shelter, which turned out to really bad news for me.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: light rain

Woke up around 2 or 3 in the morning to rain. I decided to sleep on the dirt floor the night before. That would have been an ok decision, but I neglected to do some things first. I should have laid a ground-cloth down under my sleeping pad and bag. I also should have found someplace amongst everyone else's gear to hang my pack. The reason being, by 4 am, the ground was saturated from the rain (the spring 50 feet away contributed to that immensely, I am sure). Everything I owned ranged from wet to soaked. Needless to say, I was in a sour mood that morning. After some people cleared out of the way, I climbed into a bunk and packed my wet gear. Even my sleeping bag was wet (and heavy!). I hit the trail grumpy and wet. This was the last day in the Smokies, so that meant a big downhill. I had just bought a knee-brace in Gatlinburg, but it was still pretty bad at the time. If I would stop for any length of time, it would be really stiff and painful upon starting up again, so the key for me was not to stop. I was grimacing and grunting so much that Pokey was worried about me and asked another hiker if I was coming.The plan for the day was to get to Mountain Momma's for shower, laundry, and a clean bed. However, I stopped in at Davenport Gap Shelter to use the privy (a lawn chair with the bottom cut out!), and as I was about to leave, Katie (formerly known as Cricket) called out my name. Well, I was really excited to see her, and my knee was killing me, so I decided to save Mt Mama's for the next day. We got caught up, and the Offensive Six were there, and then the real fun began. Berkely Bill showed up, a hardcore thru-hiker who has done the PCT and CDT. Everything was casual and we had a friendly conversation going with the new guy, when out of the blue he starts swearing and getting extremely confrontational because someone got a tiny bit of water on his sleeping bag. Vocal and Flippy eventually talked him down. It was quite entertaining, although it made Katie a little nervous.
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Got down to Mt. Momma's and talked her into letting me do my laundry for a small fee even though I was not staying. Got re-supplied and a HUGE cheeseburger and headed back up into the hills. It got colder, snowier, and windier gaining elevation. Two things kept me going: trying to keep up with the Offensive Six, and the thought, half in jest, "I don't want to die on the mountain!" At one point, nearing the top of Snowbird Mt, I was getting pelted by frozen chunks of snow blowing off the trees. I actually received 2 small cuts on my hand for my effort. I was surprised to see Little Tree and Walking Stomach at the shelter, I was so excited to see them, as well as Katie and Larissa (Sunshine), who is the nicest girl on the trail.
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: campsite .3 past Big Rock Spring
Miles today: 17.4

First night camping alone since Powell Mt in Georgia and longest day so far. Was feeling really good and it was still early when I reached Walnut Mt Shelter, so I cooked dinner there and went for another 4 miles. Plus I wanted to have a short hike into Hot Springs the next day. I was not ready to quit at 17 miles, but the shadows were getting long and an uphill was coming up, so I decided to call it a day. I could have defineitely done another 5 or 10 miles. It was nice to have a small site to myself and spread out without worrying about losing gear in the chaos of the shelter or hostel. Looking forward to Trailfest tomorrow.
Date: 2004-04-16
From: campsite .3 past Big Rock Spring

To: $5 campground in Hot Springs
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hike down was rather uneventful, ran across a nice backcountry gravesite. Got down to Hot Springs and the party began. Got a six-pack of Mike's Hard Lemonade, which everyone gave me a hard time for since I don't drink beer, and got wasted with the Offensive Six while a young man making a documentary interviewes us. Ran around town catching up with old friends and just having fun and relaxing. Miss Janet showed up later that night and blew away my perceptions of her as a kindly little old lady. The woman is a party animal (what happens on the trail stays on the trail).
Date: 2004-04-18
From: 5 campground in Hot Springs

To: Spring Mt Shelter
Miles today: 10.8

The hike out of Hot Springs was nice. It paralleled the French Broad River for awhile, then climbed up to Lover's Leap Rock, with a good view of the town. Caught up with Little Tree and Walking Stomach while Katie and Andrew took an extra zero day. Cowboy camped at the shelter, lots of stars in the sky.
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Spring Mt Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

The highlight of the day was an wonderfully fun and rugged high ridge between Blackstack Cliffs and Big Firescald Knob. The Cliffs would have been the highlight because of the great views and high exposure and high winds. However the high ridge was even better. At one point, I doubled back on my route because I wanted to be 100 percent sure I was still on the trail before I attempted a particular climb down. More fun than even Albert Mt. Lots of up and down scrambling over rocks of several hundred pounds to a few tons. Was wore out by the time I got to the shelter, but feeling good.
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: HogBack Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Ran into Cat and her godson out for a jaunt just after I left the shelter. Other than that, cannot remember much memorable about the hike in. The most memorable thing of the day was the quarter-mile hike to the water source, and the noxious gas that someone had that nearly tore the shelter down.
Date: 2004-04-21
From: HogBack Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

My one-month-out anniversary AND my first 20-miler of the trip. Hiked it in approximately 10:45. Enjoyed the hike up Big Bald, as did one of the Hobbits, who remarked in the shelter register she wanted to do cartwheels and just play on the summit all day long. Was glad for the easy traversing to finish the day, as I was going purely on adrenaline, although I was feeling good enough to hike the last 6.3 miles to the road into Erwin, although there would have been no point in it. Someday, I want to hike 26 miles so I can say I did a marathon with a 45 pound pack on my back. Got to the shelter a little earlier than expected. I was hiking up the last switchback to the shelter, expecting about another 10 minutes, when I see someone walking down the hill without a pack. That must mean I'm close! It's Holly Hobbit! I yell "Hobbit!" and run to greet her with a big hug because I'm so happy to see the end of the road for the day. After a very satisfying dinner of salmon with cayenne pepper, I retire for the night under the stars.
Date: 2004-04-22
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Miss Janet's, Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Great views of the Nolichucky coming down out of the mountains. Thirsty walk most of the way because I didn't take enough water. Walked/hitched into Erwin and picked up bounce-box at post office, then headed for Miss Janet's, the nicest lady in Tennessee.
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Miss Janet's, Erwin, Tn

To: Beauty Spot Gap
Miles today: 11.0

Ms. Janet's was incredible. She cooks the most amazing breakfasts and dinners, and only charges $15 to let you stay in her house. She will take her guests anywhere they want to go in town.Would have left by 10:30, but got about 30 seconds into the woods and realized I left my camera at Ms. J's. So I hitched a ride back into town and back to get the camera, and two hours later, I'm back on the trail. Got to Curley Maple Gap shelter, and I just wasn't feeling it, and was thinking about staying until a herd of boy scouts invaded the shelter, which convinced me to go further, crossed Beauty Spot and made camp about a half mile later.
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Beauty Spot Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Caught up to Little Tree and Talking Stomach today. We were really happy to run into each other again. Leap-frogged with them most of the day. Today was an excellent day for Trail Magic. At Cherry gap shelter, some weekenders had left lots of food. I snagged three items including a 20 oz. Mountain House dinner! And at Iron Mountain Gap, 2 cents had left a 6 pack of cold Pepsi.It was also a day for people going the wrong way. Grizzly dave walked the worng way for a while after a side trip for water, and another hiker took the wrong way on a side trail to a hostel. Both showed up a little put out. The shelter is crowded because it looked like rain today, which never materialized.on the trail today, there were Maxapples, and Jabberwocky picked some ramps and shared them with everybody. I put some in my mashed potatoes.