morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-09
To: Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We spent our final night in Auburn eating at a Mexican restaurant with our friends Alvin Walls, and Beverly and Randy Long, and sleeping on a luxorious king size bed at Beverly and Randy's new home. Today, the Longs drove us to Dahlonega where we all indulged in a wonderful meal at the Smith House Restaurant, and took the photo, attached. As Randy and Beverly dropped us off at the beautiful log house known as the Hiker Hostel, we noticed patches of a strange white substance that looked a lot like snow - why weren't we informed? Nothing like that had been seen in Hawaii, or even in Auburn, Alabama. We are going to assume that it was some kind of paper, and not snow. Our gracious hostess, Leigh Saint, herself an experienced hiker (AT 2000, the Long Trail, etc) and triathlete, met us at the door and showed us to our spacious room. This place is four-star! Her husband is off teaching a bee keeping class and we can't wait to meet him as well. I am typing this on their internet connection. The thermometer on the porch reads 39 degrees, the high for the day. We can't believe our adventure starts tomorrow. We hope we remember to pick up a rock at Springer Mountain to carry to Maine - make mine a teeny pebble!
Date: 2007-02-11
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

We had a delightful breakfast with Josh and Leigh and got dropped off at the forest road at about 10am. Temp was 34 and the sun shining. There was ice in wet places near Springer and more near Stover Creek. We selected 2 pebbles plus a spare to carry to Maine. We saw a spider on Springer, hiking in shorts like us. We had a philosophical discussion about individuation in marriage as we hiked. More later. Got to Hawk in 7 hours and spent pleasant night with 3 NC students' Chris, Sam & Scott; and Parker a UGA grad. During the night we heard a barred owl, a US Army Ranger chopper, and rapid automatic weapons fire. Temp was 40 degrees.
Date: 2007-02-12
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: few clouds

Left shelter and immediately hit a snow field on a north facing slope which slowed our pace. The foot path was slippery all day. Saw many US Army Rangers on 3 APCs, some with mounted M-60s' & several choppers coming thru gap. We got to Gooch in 7.25 hours and met a fellow NOBO (north bounder) named Hawk, & his dog Leila, a golden retreiver. Also met Early Bird, hiking on last night from Maine. He hiked thru Smokies in 4 days and 3 nights, an epic feat.
Date: 2007-02-13
From: Gooch Gap Shelter

To: Dan Gap
Miles today: 7.3

Early Bird left early to finish the final day of his SOBO hike. Temperature was 49 but dropped to 45. Rain came at Woody Gap & stayed gloomy. Saw a bluebird though. We tented on a gap during a lull in the rain. Ate cold food. We were snug but ice storm blew in after 2AM coating tent.
Date: 2007-02-14
From: Henry Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: clear sky

It is really tough to stuff a frozen tent into a sack with temperature of 28 & a howling wind. Hiked over blood Mnt with ice chips the size of stamps falling on us. It was beautiful on the top of Blood so we took photos and ate lunch in the stone shelter. Phoned relatives. Walked down to Walisi-yi in about 7 hours. We went for pizza in Blairsville with Otto, Hawk, Sardine & Mellisa, and Luke. Did laundry & showered.
Date: 2007-02-15
From: Neels Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We took a zero day to thaw and dry the tent and other gear. Staff at Walisi-yi were helpful, Alpine letting us trade for a larger pack cover, Daniel repairing our bladder spouts, and advising on a compreshion sack. We said goodbye to Otto & his shepherd, Mellisa and Sardine with their Weinmar(sp), and Hawk with his dog Leila. We may set out tommorrow if weather report improves. It is cold and windy but sunny. Gloria helped Luke, of PA, fit an ace bandage on his ankle which has kept him here several days. We traded some food items. Charged phones and repacked.
Date: 2007-02-16
From: Neels 

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Having laid out clothes & lunches the night before, Gloria heard something rustling in her gorp. She got up, took the bag out to the lighted common room & saw a mouse nibbling on her gorp. Now, what is a poor southern girl to do - all the menfolk are asleep in the bunkroom? She flung that rodent to the floor & stomped on him! When he moved again, she flung him out into the single digit cold. Although known to all the world as the gentle Toesocks, she'll always be Nurse Mouse Stomper to me. We got an early start, going ten pus miles in 8.5 hours. Along the way we passed the campsite where Otto and Hawk were still in their bags. They reached the shelter shortly after us. We stayed the night with Nighthawk, Bonaventure, & La Mas Hardcore, whom we refer to as the Princeton Boys, and with Grateful, of North Carolina. Temp ranged from 16 to 20, but we had to remove and add layers continually. We boiled water & kept it in our sleeping bags to prevent freezing. Some water left out froze within an hour.
Date: 2007-02-17
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Blue Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: broken clouds

After a cold night in the shelter, which we shared with Hawk ( who is Turkish & who lives in Delaware) & his golden retriever Leila, we found our water bladders frozen. We had water from our sleeping bags, and cooked breakfast. We had frozen ground, which made for good hiking, with temps 32 plus/minus 2 degrees all day. Made Blue Mountain Shelter in 5.5 hours and the weather started worsening as snow flurries began. That didn't stop a trail angel from Helen named Slowfoot, from showing up with a bag of fresh apples to brighten our day. 6od bless him, and his huge blond dog named Bennett. Otto, Grateful and Hawk had tents up when we arrived. We set up our tent in the shelter. The hikers all visited as we hurriedly ate and prepared to hunker down for an impending snow storm. 6rateful, a retired Catholic Army Chaplain with a very evident spiritual world view, remarked on the apparent strength of our (Toesocks) marriage. I guess he hadn't heard about our discussion of marital individuation the other day. Mike had started it with this, "I think my trail name should be MISTER TOESOCKS."'Oh' no," said 6loria, "We together ARE Toesocks." "But," said Mike, "what if we are at table, and I am next to the bread, you can't expect people to say, 'Hey you, pass the bread.'" To which 6loria said "Oh, that's easy, they should say, 'Toesocks, please pass the bread,' and then if I am closer, I will pass it, and if you are closer you will pass it. Besides, its too late to change your name, because I already posted it on Trailjournals." "Hrrmph, Mike fumed as we trekked on, "I ain't passing no bread, unless they call me Mister!"
Date: 2007-02-18
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: clear sky

We awoke to 2.5 inches of snow and frozen water bottles. We barely got the whisperlite started to heat some ice water from our insulated pot. The five hikers all decided to hike out to Unicoi and get shuttles to town. Grateful and we went to Hiawassee Inn; and Hawk and Otto with thier dogs went to Cloud Nine. The hike down through brilliant and glittery white snow was breathtaking in its beauty, if a bit slippery. We are glad for a night to thaw our water filter and boots. Even our tent in the shelter was covered by an inch of snow which had swirled under the eave of the northfacing wall. At the notel, we met the propriators from last year, Ron and Sam. They are lending us a car to eat out and resupply at Ingles. We also found Mellissa and Sardine holed up here with a sore ankle and a tired Weinmar(sp) puppy.
Date: 2007-02-19
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We enjoyed a great breakfast in the kitchen of Ron and Sam at Hiawassee Inn, before being shuttled back to Unicoi by Tumbler (aka Ken). Temp was 18 deg, rising to 45. The day was beautiful, with great open views, sunny weather, an inch of snow in many places, with only occasional drifts and icy spots. Amazingly, we saw 2 mosquitoes. We also saw pileated, hairy and downy Woodpeckers, black and white warblers, juncos, chickadees and wild turkeys. We ended the day at the Tray Shelter, where Grateful also stopped. Sardine and Mellisa pushed on another few miles. We went thru tunnels of rhodadendron, which are starting to bud. Hiking time today was 5.5 hours.
Date: 2007-02-20
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke to a misty windy day with temps of 40, rising to 45. We used pack covers and raingear, pausing under a dry hemlock or two for snacks and potty breaks. We heard grouse on the trail and saw a hairy woodpecker. We heard barred owls in a brief duel in the evening when we got to Deep Gap Shelter, which is large and well maintained. Mellisa and Sardine with their dog Gunner were already set up and we followed suit. 6rateful wrote in the log that he was pushing on to Dick's Creek Gap to take a zero day at Cloud Nine.
Date: 2007-02-21
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain and thunder swept in at about 3am, but all were snug in their tents within Deep Gap Shelter. Then the barred owls resumed a hooting match from the previous evening. Upon rising, you can imagine my surpise when we shook out the usual mouse turds from our packs and discovered a large volume of nesting material, about 4 cups, which a mouse has built in the pack of the lovely Toesocks during the night. Can anyone be safe? There I slept with Nurse Mousestomper at my side, and the fiece Gunner in the next tent, and still this happens. I felt betrayed because we had left out a small offering of 6 M&Ms, 2 peanuts, and a cashew, the night before, as a peace offering, a sacred propitiation - might as well say it - protection money. The little rodent took our bribe and welshed on the deal, thus violating an implicit social contract! Not only that, but it gnawed on Toesock's new Osprey Pack. Now I'm really mad. Therefore, I am announcing a bounty of two handfuls of gorp to the hiker who will bring in the Deep Gap Shelter mouse, dead or alive. Bring in Osama too, and the reward will be doubled! The temperature today ranged from 40 to 49, with early mist but eventual sun. The foot path had an unusually soupy consistency, made even worse by the soggy leaves. The Trail teaches many things in zoology, horticulture, meterorology, and today, in fluid mechanics. We came out at Dicks Creek and phoned Joyce and Sally to come fetch us. We sit in the library at Hiawassee typing this. Then we eat at Daniels Steak House.
Date: 2007-02-22
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

This was a glorious day for hiking! Although the wind howled like a freight train over the northern slopes, the southern exposures were calm and almost balmy, eventually warming from 55 degrees to 65 degrees. We hiked on a trail which overlooked coves that were carpeted with a thick layer of brown leaves from the oak, beech and chestnut. The tall, slender, gray, denuded tree trunks stood in orderly rows and columns, casting long, black, pencil-like shadows that moved in unison like a gigantic solar clock, if only the hiker lingered a while to observe. Here and there on the slopes, were a sprinkling of green clumps, made up of pine, laurel or rhodadendron. The mosses and lichens which coated the rocks, stumps and downed trees, displayed their brightest shades of green, as though striving to utilized every possible sun ray. We saw more rhodadendron tunnels today, many in bud - a sign of spring. We even encountered our first spider web strung across the trail, and later saw our first flying insect, perhaps the spider's intended prey. The overlooks are terrific this time of year, with open views unobscured by leaf cover. We hiked comfortably in shorts, gaiters, a short-sleeve running shirt, and a running cap. This all changed when we crossed over to the northern slope. It felt like we had entered an icy wind tunnel. We picked our way past frozen water falls and over icy inundations of the footpath. We finally yielded to the cold and donned an additional long-sleeve running shirt, glove liners and a balaclava. The howling wind swayed all but the stoutest oak trees. Dead tree trunks whined and groaned as they rubbed against the living trees which held them upright in a final embrace. Each snag swayed to and fro, like the Sword of Damocles, as it awaited its time to come crashing down against the forest floor. We scurried past these danger zones anxiously, hurriedly, while spacing ourselves fifty yards apart, to ensure that at least one of us would remain uninjured in the event of an actual blowdown. We crossed into North Carolina after seven hours of hiking and found a sheltered spot to tent, out of the wind, some 200 yards down from the crest of Bly Gap, near a water source. Although the winds howled all night long above us, we were safe and snug below. In all, what a marvelously varied day this has been - first balmy and calm, then cold and blustery, and ever exhilerating!
Date: 2007-02-24
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We continued through the long, green, Rhodadendron tunnels today, in 38 degrees. The ground is still frozen, however, we still cross icy areas, and the winds are still cold. We hiked 5.5 hours. We were alone at the shelter and set our tent up within, knowing that a storm with rain and strong winds was headed our way. Soon a thru hiker from 2006, Five Leaf Clover, arrived and set up her sleeping bag, which has sleeves and a zippered bottom, allowing her to walk around in the bag. She shared many tales about her thru hike, spoke of her current home in Charlotte, and previous homes in Italy and Russia. She is a very kind lady, for example, sharing her extra large rasberry dessert with us, and sharing water.
Date: 2007-02-25
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We decided to take a zero day and stay at Carter Gap Shelter today rather than risk an ascent of Albert Mountain in bad weather, because Albert involves a number of rock scrambles. The rain stopped by about 11am, too late for us to decamp and make it over Albert before dark. We spent the time calling Alvin Walls, our friend in Auburn, to check on our mail. We thought a lot about our running buddies in Auburn, knowing they had run on Saturday and celebrated the WebMaster's (Greg Lanier) birthday. Hey, if any of our running buddies are reading this, do us a favor - phone our dentist, Dr. Michael O'Brien, and assure him that we are still brushing twice and flossing once daily. Oh, and if you are at Health Plus Fitness Center and happen to see our physician, Dr. Kevin Royal, ask him about this blackish, bluish discoloration we both are getting under our fingernails - is it some kind of cyanosis, or just trail dirt? Oh, and if you are out on a run, and happen to see Gloria's radiation oncologist, Dr. Wes Glisson, or better, his tech, Beverly Long, ask them just how many rads did they give her? Toesocks still glows in the dark! Hey, I'm not complaining - she makes a great little night light in the tent. And, when I'm just too tired to filter water, I just ask her to stick a finger in the water bottle and it irradiates all the pathogens.   Enough of that, at about 4 pm, several thru hikers showed up, including Alley Cat (an 18 y/o female who has a pilots license, plans to attend Yale in the Fall, join the Air Force, and then go into politics); Osprey (a 17 y/o male from Montana who has done 20 - 30 mile days and who has more gadgets then I knew existed); Juniper (a 21 y/o English major who is going to graduate school in the Fall and is an aspiring college professor); L-Train ( a 19 y/o male from Chicago who is getting college credit from a school in Arizona for hiking the trail); Salamander (a 19 y/o male with whiskers and a great disposition); and our old freind, Hawk, whose parents have taken home his dog Leila. Later, a SOBO named Easy Feeling, stopped by for a short chat, but kept trekking. It was a lively evening to watch the youngsters share food and advise. Toesocks was soon doctoring on the feet of the young ladies.
Date: 2007-02-26
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

There are two differences between the youngsters and us on the Trail - they hike long and fast, we go slowly; and they sleep all night long, while we oldsters are getting up two or three times during the night. Athough I try to be quiet about it, I half expected them to grumble or tease me the next morning. Instead, they said nothing at all about it. This might be because some of them fall asleep with their ipods playing in their ear, but more likely it is because their parents have done a superb job of rearing children who are kind, considerate and respectful, as well as extraordinarily energetic and self reliant. Kudos to the parents. If you could see the caliber of youngster hiking these mountains - and that includes the young US Army Rangers whom we met near Slaughter Gap - you would be optimistic about the future of America. Again, kudos to the parents. This was a beautiful day for hiking, with clear views at the top of Albert Mountain. We still saw patches of ice, but these are rarer, though the ground is still frozen on the northern slopes, which makes for sure footing. We had gone about 10 miles, at a rather fast rate for us when Toesocks tripped on a root (we call these "toegrabbers") and went sprawling to the ground. She managed to twist a bit to the right, letting her pack absorb much of the impact, but her left knee took some of it as well, and her back was jarred. She couldn't get up until I lifted her pack off of her. She got back up and started hiking, but it wasn't the same. We decided to call for a shuttle at Rock Gap, and Ron Havens came to get us. God bless him. Ron runs what has to be the best hostel on the AT, called Havens Budget Motel. We got there, checked in, and found Mellisa, Sardine, and their dog were already there. We also found L-train and Osprey. Crutch, a thru hiker whom we had met at Walysi-yi, has been working here, and drove us to the laundry and to a great steak house. After a shower, that is. We decided to slack pack tomorrow and catch up on our trailjournal. We also plan to resupply.
Date: 2007-02-27
From: Rock Gap

To: Winding Stairs Gap
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

Crutch drove us to a terrific country breakfast restaurant and then shuttled us to Rock Gap for some slack packing. Osprey set out today, determined to catch Alley Cat, Juniper and Salamander. Those youngsters can hike. L-train has shin splints and will stay another day. Mellisa and Sardine remain as well. Gloria's knee tested out well on a pleasant 3.7 mile hike today without a pack, and we will be ready to leave Haven's Budget Inn tomorrow. The owner, Ron Haven is a hiker who grew up here in Franklin, NC, but has worked as a mortuary student, profession wrestler, truck driver, and lettuce broker. He currently does real estate and runs two motels, one for hikers. His current helper, Crutch, and thru-hiked several times and is a wealth of information about the people and the Trail. He is a very helpful and interesting guy. We highly recomment staying here. They have two internet terminals and a generous shuttle system. The temperature today was 30 degrees at Franklin, but seemed quite moderate because of the calm wind and sunshine. The trail was dry and easy. We continue to marvel at the green moss growing on the tree trunks and fallen logs. We are now caught up on our journal, and need to do a bit more laundry, get supplies for three days and eat at that fabulous steak buffet again tonight. We are focusing on salad, fresh fruit and protein, which is largely deficient in our trail diet.
Date: 2007-02-28
From: Winding Stairs Gap

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

After a huge breakfast with Crutch, he shuttled us to the trailhead. The temperature ranged from 28 to 68, and we still saw some patches of ice, but the hiking was pleasant. We saw a bluebird, robin, pileated, nuthatch, and song sparrow today, and heard a barred owl in daylight. We tented as daylight fell, after 8.75 hours. L-Train, the 20 y/o lad from Chicago showed up shortly. This may be a good time to talk about equipment. The non-hiking reader may be interested to know that the AT is a very damp place, and so we avoid taking anything made of cotton, with two exceptions. We carry the oldfahioned, gauzy operating room sponges, and we carry blue bandanas. These can serve a hundred and one functions - head scarf, neck scarf, hand warmer, foot warmer, bandage, brace, carrying handle, lash, water strainer, hotpad, dish towel, dishrag, hand towel, bath towel, washrag, sweat rag, snot rag, and, in a tight pinch - no pun intended - butt rag and toliet paper. To the fastidious would-be hiker who is aghast at that last one, we offer these reassuring thoughts. First, nothing in the human body or in the wilderness is sterile anyway, so why worry - be happy. Secondly, you will be safe if you merely follow two simple procedures. One, carry a small bottle of anti-bacterial wash and apply before eating or drinking. And, two, never handle another hiker's blue bandana.
Date: 2007-03-01
From: Campsite 

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: moderate rain

We awakened before 5AM, determined to break camp before the predicted thunderstorms came. As we were preparing to leave, L-Train was still asleep, cowboy camping - he lay in the open, his sleeping bag on a blue plastic tarp, with no tent. I had been entertaining the fantasy of stealing quietly away, leaving L-Train to awaken later to our empty tent site, and exclaiming, as we hiked out of sight, "Whither goest those stealthy oldsters?" But then my paternal instincts kicked in when it started to rain and I calculated that his boots, standing on his blue tarp, would collect about an inch of rain before he awakened from his adolescent slumber. And so I decided to awaken him. But being a retired VA psychologist who has worked for years with veterans diagnosed with PTSD, I am pretty careful about how I wake up a stranger. Thus, after positioning myself beyond the effective range of fists, feet and small caliber handguns - in other words, from behind a tree - I authoritatively intoned, "L-train, are you AWAKE?!" There was a muffled reply from deep within the bag. "L-Train, it is starting to rain. We are leaving. I put your foodbag near your pack." From deep within the bag there came, "Thank you, sir...mumble, mumble." As we saddled up and moved out in full raingear and pack covers, I looked back and saw L-Train crawling out of his bag, looking sleepy and befuddled. In just that instant, the rain stopped as suddenly as it had started. I hoped that L-Train wouldn't crawl back in again. In the next hour, the predicted thunder storms ensued, - sending a dead tree crashing down - a reminder to us to space ourselves apart. The youthful twenty-year old L-Train overtook and passed us in about 2 hours, but he saved us the choice spot at the next shelter. After hiking in cold rain and thunder for 3 hours, we called it a day, changing into dry clothes, hanging wet packcovers, pumping water, and heating a hot breakfast. It isn't even evening yet, and the resident mouse has been all over our stuff. But I ain't worried - I brought Nurse Mousestomper.