morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Big Cedar Mtn

To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.7

ESD: 3 (pre-shower)Temp: 2,1 (2 top, 1 bottom)I peed on my rain pants. Sniff. Look before you release. I started the day a top Big Cedar Mountain. Gaia and Sasquach came past my campsite and I was packing up. I was very tired from my previous day's walk but was invigorated by the compacy of Chestnut and Claude. Both passed me but I caught Chestnut once before and we caught Claude at Blood Mountain.I meant to stay at Blood Mountain Shelter and Take a zero at Neels Gap, but the Shlter was icky- a beaute- feel stone structure but dusty and drafly.So tonight I sit in the hostel with JJ and TK from Maine, Chestnut who walked the entire AT in 2001 then from Srpinger to Damascus in 2002, Denver Dave whose feet are bruised but healing, Gaia and Sasquach from Hawk Mtn, two old men who are kind and funny, Mountain Man who is sunburnt like me, and one dude who's carrying a 70 lb pack! Included is a jar of instant coffee and a 2.5lb inch Bible he carries in his hand. Wacky!I'm trying to judge amongst all these thruhiker wanna-bes who will make it and who won't. I have doubts about the man with the seventy pound pack, but he seems stubborn enough that he just might pull it off. Otherwise I really can't tell.Everyone seems to have strenghts- enthusiasm, experience, fitness, stubborness, patience - and their weakness- enthusiasm, expereience, fitness, stubborness.I'm glad to be in uncommitted thru-hiker. The indecision suits me. I want to relax and not bear the weight of an enormous task.One day at a time. One step at a time.And you know, the weather has been perfect. A cold, rainy week will be good for us all.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Estimated Stench Depth (ESD): 1Temp: shorts and a long sleeve shirtI wore shorts today! I can hardly believe it. This is what I have deduced, staying on the cool sie while hiking keeps the ESD (Estimated Stench Depth) down. One day out of Neels Gap and one day from a shower and I'm a 1.As to the day, I left Neels Gap at about the same time as Jesus George (the chatty fellow with the seventy pound pack and the five pound Bible). Ihustled to get pst him and out of his "reach" as I don't think I could stand much more of his incessant talk of healing, miracle, prophecies, and absurdly unnecessary gear and food in his pack (e.g. jar of mayonnaise, jar of instand coffe, full roll of aluminum foil int he box!, etc)I ran into Gaia and Sasquach and hiked with htem until Hogpen Gap. Also met up with JJ and TK who we met at the Neels Ga hostel. They stopped for lunch, but I carried on, eager to complete the 4.6 remiaing miles to Low Gap shelter.The last two miles were rough. When I stopped, feeling returned to the soles of my feet - which were ACHING - so I couldn't stop. I met up with Chestnut and Mountain Man (also from Neels Gap hostel). Bogie and Bacall, and astonishingly in love couple of 35 years were also there. And Denver Dave (again from Neels Gap) pulled in at sundown. Gaia and Sasquach passed through earlier as did another couple who tented just up the trail from the shelter. Let me just say, the boyfriend was in for it. The girlfriend very nearly glared at us - as if we were a part of the conspiracy that got her out there.
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Low Gap Shelter

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

Estimated Stench Depth (ESD):3Temp: 1,1 (1 top layer, 1 bottom layer)I walked today from Low Gap Shelter, immediately unpacked at Blue Mountain Shelter, ate and took a nap. The snoring last night was a symphony of gurgles and snorts and moans and growls - none of it pianissimo (?). I hardly slept last night. I covered the distance from Low Gap to Blue Mountain with Mountain Man and the miles flew by.Mountain Man, Bogie and Bacall are sharing the shelter with me tonight. Gaia, Sasquach and Devenver Dave blew through before noon. I felt tempted to forge ahead - feeling a bit wimpy - but need the rest.Last night I spoke with Mountain Man and the Chestnut as the stars came out - all following Venus, which appeared bright and brilliant at dusk. It was a beautiful, quiet night and I enjoyed the evening talk very much.
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

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

ESD:4Temp: long sleeved shirt and SHORTS!Did you catch the mileage? 14.8. I am insane.Today was tough, but the last 1.9 miles really did me in. Kelly Knob! Ugh. It put me in mind of NPR's Sunday puzzler.1) Start with "Kelly Knob"2)Drop the "y"3)Move the "e" to the end of the first word and add an "r"4)Insert an "i" in the "e"'s former positionWhat do you get? That's right KILLER KNOB.My heal had been mysteriously burning for most of the day, so I walked with an abbreviated step on the ascents. I thought this was my biggest challenge, but as I descended Killer Knob, the dull ache in my right knee turn into a stabbing dagger. Poo.I will go to Hiawasse tomorrow and hope that a zero day will set me straight. I am at the Deep Gap shelter with MJ (of oatmeal fame), her father Yogi, and Mountain Man. They're playing a card game as I write - more and more slowly. I'm beat and off to sleep.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

ESD: 0Temp: 1, shortsI woke this morning at Deep Gap Shelter to thick fog and drizzle. I could see the fog creep in and out of the shelter entryway like breath. I slept warm last night and woke to a warm morning.Mountain man and I pakced up leaving MF and Yogi behind and hiked the three or so miles to US Rt. 76. We walked the road for 10 minutes or so trying to hitch to the Blueberry Patch Hostel, home of Gary, a '91 thruhiker and Lennie.We caught got picked up by a white pickup truck and were delivered to the hostel in minutes- a walk in the woods of the same distance would have taken over an hour.The Blueberry Patch at first seems spartan but after a shower, "free" Coke, and "free" cheetos, it seems downright luxurious. Plus Gary did our laundry and after our showers, we were smelling pretty fine- like apricots and oatmeal, or alow vera, or balsm, or ay of the other wonderful soaps and creams awaiting us in the bath house.We hitched into town with a generous local, ate a big lunch, ran errands, checked email, and hitched back with another kind local. Turns our the towns county's average age is 55. Hiawassee, the county seat, is full of transplanted retired folk, here to live the simple life surrounded by national forest.We hitched back before making a decen plan for dinner. Argh! So we might be eating the hiker box (dregs of the food bags of hikers before us) for dinner. Sniff. But alas, there will be pancakes in the morning. Let there be eggs too . . .
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

ESD: 1Temp: 2, shortsIt was too cold for shorts, but I wore them anyway. Brrrr.Mountain Man and I covered 11.6 miles today, chatting away the whole time. The miles flew by.We're sharing the shelter with Shot and his dog Governor. They're from New Jersey. Governor is a beagle. He sleeps in the bottom of Shot's sleeping bag.It's cold tonight, and not even sunset yet. I just want to snuggle down in my bag.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

ESD: 2Temp: 2,1I got my wish, it really rained today- a soaking rain - but fortunately only for the last hour or so. The rest of the day it drizzled on and off. The temperatures were probably in the high 40's or low 50's, so it wasn't bad.I walked again today with Mountain Man. We've been keeping pace or walking together since Noel's Gap- 70 miles. I'm grateful for it because we haven't seen many other folks. With our his good company, it would have been a lonely 70 miles.We crossed into NC yesterday, and so far the trail here has been more beautiful than Georgia. It's been greener with conifers and rhododendrons creating tunnels for the trail.One off the trail update: I've been accepted to the University of Michigan and Duke University- two of the top Environmental programs in the US. I didn't get into Washington. Poo. I've decided to enroll into Michigan in the fall. I will become a true Wolverine and commence a lively rivalry with my Buckeye brother.
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

ESD: 4Temp: t-shirt, shorts (WARM!)Bare naked, I probably don't smell too bad until you get real close. but in my long underwear, if I swept by you in the grocery store, you wouldn't buy whatever you had your hands on.Mountain Man and I covered the miles quickly today. After a touch climb over Albert Mountain (which was sort of fun in a sick, mind numbing sort of way), the route was moslty downhill- easy slabbing and switch backs.Slabbing is when you walk around a mountain, along its side, rather than up and over. I love slabbing. And I love the word "slabbing". Switchbacks are when the trail zig zags up or down the mounntain to reduce the grade.It is WARM, warm enough that the gnats are circling me in a drunken haze aof filth. They seem happy just to breath my fumes and rarely alight (sp?). I expect they'll eventually become too intoxicated to know the difference and will start slamming into me.Because it is warm, it is also beautiful in new ways. Glistening webs stretch across the trail and rhododendron buds are bulging.
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

ESD: could be 7Temp: high 50'sJust stopping into Franklin to pig out and resupply with Mountain Man. Today will be a short day (7.5 miles). All is going well. I smell freakishly foul and really pissed off the guy behind me (in the adjoining booth) at Shoney's (yummm Shoney's all you can eat breakfast buffet). I swear that one fella could smell me from 7 feet off. No shower today, no shower tomorrow, maybe a shower the day after - depending on the my pace. Will be past ripe and all the way to rotten by then.North Carolina is beautiful. Spring is coming at the lower elevations. We've seen rhododendron buds - lucky hikers behind us are going be in paradise as they strol through blooming BLOOMING tunnels of rhododendrons. The trees near town are budding, and the daffodils are up (yep you poor shmoos in Michigan - the daffoldils are up).The weather has been beyond perfect - one half day of rain and the rest has been all sun. I can't believe my luck. It has been the perfect sort of weather to keep me moving. I haven't had a single thought of giving up - though I have thought an awful lot about being in chilly Michigan with my wonderful beau.Sigh.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

ESD: 7?Temp: (3,2) w/rain coat and rain pants (i.e. chilly)It was a windy, chilly walk today, with Mountain Man and Professor T. As with the preceding walk, we saw no thru-hikers and have the shelter to ourselves.It is cold cold cold. I crawled into my bag early after an early dinner and plan not to come out til dawn. I will drink nothing to secure my position (i.e. to avoid a midnight pee).
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Nantahela Outdoor Center
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

ESD: 0Temp: COLD!!!It was 15 freakin' degrees this morning. 15 degrees Fahrenheit! Geez ouise and HOLY TOLEDO!Mountain Man, Professor T and I climbed out of our bags RELUCTANTLY, but were very efficient at packing up and getting moving. Most of me warmed up quickly, but my butt waws cold for 3 hours.As the day progressed and we descended from approximately 4200 feet to 1740 feet, it warmed to about 45 degrees. We arrived at the NOC early in the afternoon--resupplied (mail drop), showered, did laundry, and now are waiting for the dryer so we can hitch to dinner.I'm afraid it will be a difficult hitch, and I'm hungry. wimper.Saw some wildlife today . . . a ruffed grouse. Add that to the chipmunk I saw four days ago to bring the wildlife sightings to a hefty 2. That's not counting the many junkos (?) -- a small grey bird -- that seem to be everywhere.PS the hitch was easy--again!PPS The rhododendron change completely in the cold. The leaves drop and roll up length-wise, upside out. Also, hoarfrost is beautiful--long bands and threads of delicate ice that seems to grow out of the ground like reeds.
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Nantahela Outdoor Shelter

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

ESD: 1Temp: Shorts and a long-sleeve shirtMy ESD is pretty low, but I think the fumes are irreversibly accumulating in my clothing. Plus if I flap my arms, my ESD goes up-markedly.Speaking of stinky things (this is where the faint-hearted should click "next"), I had my period last week. Let me first say that I'd rather not have it at all. Frankly, you'd think that mother nature would cut me some slack afterhauling 25-30lbs over an average of 10 miles a day up and down hildd (they call them MOUNTAINS), but she didn't. And it wasn't all that bad. In fact, it was actually better (I know!) than at home. I usually have cramps that make me feel inside out. But I didn't have a twinge of pain, YAHOO! I'll withold the details . . .   unless y'all start clammering for more via my guestbook.OK, call back the fainthearted.Just a few other notes about today. The weather was beautiful once again. It will be cold tonight, though. I already have on all of my clothes. We climbed about 3,000 ft today over 7 miles, and it didn't suck! I was sucking wind for a good part of it, but enjoyed it nevertheless.
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

ESD: 3Temp: warm. shorts and T-shirt @ Stecoah Gap (5.7 mi)afternoonI set foot on the AT for the first time in 1993 after visiting the graduate school that would beat me into submission over the coming 2.5 years. I was in Shenandoa National Park taking the long route back from Charlottesville, Virginia to Wooster, Ohio via Skyline Drive and Washington D.C.I was excited and giggling as I put first one foot then the next on the trail, striking a military straight posture and assuming a far away look in my eyes. I knew hardley anything about the trail, except that it was "big". I had no idea the significance i would foist upon it. No idea.In 2002, I tried to section hike the "Hundred Mile Wilderness" with a 40lb pack and virtually no experience. I made it up Katahdin but hiked less than 50 mils of the "wilderness". you might think the section hike was a disaster, but I learned almost everything I needed to know to be here now.Today I've been ruminating over why I'm here. For my health right? Right. But Ted suggested that this is an opportunity to get closer to the environment I'm going to school to protect. That's a good one, eh?My thought is that this visceral connection I hope to develop and strengthen is seeping into me without my noticing. I seem to either think of nothing at all or settle old arguments that no longer matter.Slick just said all he thinks about is where to put his foot down. I think about that a lot too.--@ Cable Gap Shelter:I smell awful. I've only been out 2 days and I reek. I'm convinced that the washers at the NOC and the baggie of powdery substance were fake! Either that or the ugly truth about Capilene is that it holds onto stench almost as well as it wicks and insulates.i'm tenting tonight at the shelter. Boy Scouts have taken over the shelter- a nice crew of scouts. We thru-hikers are tenting together-Missouri, Mountain Man, Curious George, Ben, Slick, and Porfessor T.I'm beat. 15.2 miles! AH! The shelters just aren't spaced to mly advantage. 10 is too little. 15 is too much.Despite being a long day, it was a beautiful one. Perfect weather and wonderful company. I'm happy that Mtn Man, Professor T, and I are finally meeting and walking with other thru-hikers. Hurray!
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: broken clouds

ESD: 0Temp: warmIt was a short hike today into Fontana Dam. I had a headache yesterday into this morning and the last mile had me wondering if I whould go home. Maybe I had giardia! HA! I was tired-- maybe dehydrated. A coke and a meal rectified everything.Missouri, who goes by "Mo" (get it?) is great. I suspect we'll hike through the Smokies at more or less the same pace. She's a yoga instructor, here to rebuild herself spiritually (my words not hers). I'm enoying getting to know her.It's a nice lazy day. Hanging aorund chatting with thru-hikers. It's a good day with, once again, perfect weather.
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

ESD: 1Temp: Warm (Shorts and a t-shirt ALL DAY)It's not spring yet here in the southern Appalachians. There are some very early signs of spring at the lower elevations, and as we hikers trudge up and down the mountains we step out and in to very early spring.There are a few wild flowers at upper and lower elevations. Not vast fields of them, but one or two yellow or blue flowers tucked into the duff. And at the lowest elevation we've seen so far, 1800 feet at Fontana Dam, the trillium is just barely blooming.Trillium doesn't look at all ike it sounds. To me it sounds like it should be a spray of tiny, delicate, pastel flowers. Instead, it is a beefy little plant, with three mottled leaves-- lighter toward the center and darker green toward the edges. Altogether the three leaves are a little larger than my palm and close to the ground. From the center of the three leaves protrudes a narrow bud-- as tall as the leaves are long. When it opens, three sharply shaped petals splay out over the leaves and a dark magenta flower unfolds."Trillium" sounds like something you'd wear in your hair. It is instead simple and bold.With the exception of very few flowers and the occasional green of conifers, grass, rhododendrons, moss and lichens, the forest is a lesson in greys and browns. The leaf litter is the middle of the spectrum, with dried logs and nearly white lichens at the light end, black soil and slick stream bottom rocks at the dark end.The weather was incredible today-- at least 70 degrees and suny. The Smokies have so far proven to be beautiful. A few of the mountain tops today were really flat or just rolling-- covered with slender trees coated in silvery lichens. It reminded me of an aspen grove.I am spend from the day. I should have stopped at Mollie Ridge rather than press on 2.5 more miles. I arrived at Russel Field very grumpy and swearing.I have refueled my body with the strangest and most satisfying mix of food. Dinner tonight was instant mashed potatoes with dehydrated mixed vegetables, TVP (textureized vegetable protein), and tuna. I would eat it all over again if I could. Yumm. The only thing lacking is cheese. I need cheese. 6 days until cheese.
Date: 2004-03-27
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: clear sky

ESD: 3Temp: WarmOn the trail I think about 1) Nothing, 2) Where to put my feet, 3) Food, 4) Why I'm here, and 5) how much it hurts and 6) my boyfriend -- not necessarily in that order.Yesterday I thought of my boyfriend most of the day. This is my boyfriend:He is kind, generous, sincere, and courageous. He is unabashed and unembarassed and though he claims the normal allotment of insecurities, he has a (parents turn your heads) sexy sort of confidence.Ted is also my transcriber and deserves ample praise for meticulously typing every word, misspelling, and gramatical error I send.I was the last of the thru-hikers to leave Russell Field Shelter this morning, and arrived at Derrick Knob Shlter to find they all had continued on. That makes me the big LOSER. I could have pressed on and I would have been miserable. Mountain Man, Professor T, Mo and Slick are all ahead of me now. Sniff.The walk today included Rocky Top- a beautiful rocky summit with grasses, low trees and amazing views. Visibility was very good and the sky and clouds were full of vibrant blues, rich greys, and bright whites.The rest of the walk was also lovely, but I was beat. It took me 5.5 hours to walk 9.2 miles. Phew. Now that's slow.I spent about an hour at Derrick Knob Shelter before Moonshine and Ben arrived. The three of us whiled away the afternoon, napping in our bags under the clear blue sky.Later, Swayne and Matt arrived-- vacationers on a one week backpacking trip.Another day of perfect weather comes to close.
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

ESD: 3Temp: Warm (shorts and t-shirtI covered 14 miles today including the .5 miles to the shelter. It was a great day for hiking; beautiful views, clear skies. I kept pace-- most of the way, with Moonshine and ben. We topped Clingman's Dome today-- the highest pointt on the AT.I saw the first real signs of spring today. At the top of the mountains, between Derrick Knob and Silers Bald, green leaves emerged all over from under brown leaves. Along the trail edges, tiny white flowers with light pink centers top the sunder leaves. The flowers had five petals and were no more than a centimeter across. I imagine that not long from now, those mountain tops will be covered with little flowers. They seem to be capturing the sun before the trees fill with leaves.I got my first trail magic today (not including the fantastic, many easy hitches in Hiawasee and Franklin-- Thanks Trout and Joan). A former thru-hiker, Wiseman '95, gave me Nutter Butters. He and his friend are on a short backpacking trip. Thanks to Wiseman and his pal.
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

ESD: 4Temp: Warm (Shorts and t-shirtI actually hiked 1.5 miles more than my official AT miles of 14.9. I walked .5 miles from Mt. Collins Shelter to the trail, .5 miles from the trail to the Peck's Corner shelter, and .5 miles on the stinkin' boulevard trail.I missed a turn, which is completely moronic, given the excellent signage. Seriously.Ben, Moonshine, and I got a ride into Cherokee with Moonshine's excellent friend Marie at Newfound Gap (4.5 mi.) At Mariel we ate AYCE at Big Boy, resupplied and hit the trail again around 2pm. We had about 10.5 miles to go, and at my stealthy pace, that take 5 hours. I was hauling as fast as I could to reach the shelter by sundown.I made it! And everything but my feet feels good. My feed feel black and blue, but astonishingly (and also frustrating!) they look perfetly normal. I am not alone in this phenomenon.Everone here tonight is a thru-hiker: Camel, the Wrens, Hoplight, Unfinished, Tumbling Top, Rainbow Bright, Ben and Slick. I think that's everyone. most of them were together last night at Double spring Shelter. They walked 211 miles today!It seems another wave of speedy folks is about to pass me by. Hrmph!Another beautiful day. Dense fog in the morning that burned off and became a clear, bluest, puffy white cloud day. hurray!
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

ESD: 3Temp: (2,1) Long underwear and fleece.It started out misting and drizzling this morning. It burned off more or less by the early afternoon and made for some beautiful views. My feet are killing me, but the rest of me feels good, including my gut.Today is my 22nd day of hiking. 8 days until my deadline for deciding if I dare (?) the thru-hiker mantle.I thought a lot about if I should cocntinue after my first 30 days. I miss my boyfriend and familiar faces. If I stay on the trail, I'll miss the idyllic weekends on Mullet Lake at the Lawrence cottage, and practical concerns nag me as I walk.But if I leave the trail, I'll miss spring in the Shenandoah, the unique comraderie of the trail, the fitness, and the thousands of shades of beautiful.