morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-15
From: Hawk Mt. Shelter

To: Gooch Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 7.7

Saturday, 15 March 2014 Hawk Mt. Shelter (8.1) to Gooch Mt. Shelter (15.8)Tossed and turned most of the night; I don't do well in a sleeping bag! According to Michael, however, I was making that sleep noise, somewhere between snoring and breathing deeply. He also asked if I'd heard the cayotes this morning. Nope. "Then you WERE sleeping!"Went up and over about 3 mountains; not an easy day, but we "only did about 7.7 miles.   Ooo, a short day!Had serious Trail Magic at Cooper Gap from Glenloch Baptist Church from Franklin GA. They come out one weekend a year and set up a few sites along the trail to hand out hot dogs, chips, soda, water, first aid stuff, wet wipes, and great fellowship! They had chairs and a fire. It was So good to take off shoes and socks and wipe down my feet. (I did this AFTER I ate!) Thank you SO, SO much folks for your wonderful ministry. WOW!Put on the shoes and pack and UP another hill, but at the bottom was a nice stream. Looked like Spirit Hawk and Solo down river a ways, doing the full body deal. THAT'S how warm it was. I again took off my shoes/socks and dangled them in the water. Anthony had caught up somewhere up, over the hill and was now hiking with us again as well. Several times I offered that he go first since I'm hiking so slow, but he kept with us, talking with Michael. We also caught up with Robin, an older woman, who was taking a break. We were going slow enough that she joined our little hiking team.We got into Gooch Mt. Shelter. Nice place, although it is on a hill. Many, if not all the camp sites are "cut" out of the hillside to create a flat area. But unfortunately, that means water (rain) probably runs into almost every single one, and it's supposed to rain tonight. But it is sunny and dry right now so I'll take it!Michael scoped out the site to put up the tarp. I'm his "assistant" in this area! I'm sure I'll learn but it's going to take a while. He showed me the knots at home but if I don't do them 3 time a day, it doesn't work! Michael was scinching up the tarp and one of the grommmets tore off. OK, so we undo the tarp and turn it around! "Should we have Dad order another one to have it ready?""No, we're OK, but if another grommet goes, then maybe." I'm out here in total reliance of Michael and his knowledge and expertise!There was a bon fire after dinner which was a very nice touch. People do pull together to make the trail experience fun!   So around the fire we had: Guy on a Buffalo, Solo, Jen, the Australian (Magic Mike), Robin (Rock Hopper), Nate, Ken, Jerry and a few others. Michael pulled out the vegan marshmellows that he packed in. People were in awe and most appreciative! They were a huge hit!Good night! -MarilynBuffalo says: The cameraderie is much different out here than on the PCT. The shelters, camp fires, hostels, and trail magic bring about a bond between all hikers- thrus, sectioners, and weekenders alike. Also, I was not really looking forward to all the road crossings, but since it seams like there is trail magic at every one, I guess it's alright!
Date: 2014-03-17
From: Neels Gap/Blood Mt. Cabins

To: Neels Gap/Blood Mt. Cabins
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Day 5: Monday, 17 March 2014 Zero day @ Blood Mt. CabinsWe had to check out of the Bobcat Cabin, but the Raccoon Cabin was available. I secured it for Michael, Solo, me, and Rock Hopper (Robin) and Greg, the Australian, whenever they come rolling in off the trail.It was a good day to relax - rain and cold outside, warm and friendly inside. Except for a wallk up to the Neels Gap outfitter store, Michael and Solo watched HBO movies pretty much all day. Greg and Rock Hopper knocked at the door around 3ish. Great to see them!Nothing outstanding or exciting happened today, except for a great day with trail friends, so let's talk FOOD! What do hikers eat out on the trail? Anything that's light weight and high calorie, and, well, tastes good too! At the outfitter's, Michael and I bought, amoung other things, individual packets of flavored oatmeal and grits, YES grits. They were cheap AND we were given a discount for buying so many! The grits, along with a Mountain House pack of dehydrated veggie mix will be cooked together, seasoned with our pre-made garlic salt/herb blend, and spooned on tortillas! Now, doesn't that sound like a Sunday dinner with company!We've also been having versions of PB&J on tortillas, like peanut butter, brown sugar, and dried fruit. Ate some of the dried cherries that Scott Penner gave me at the end of the 2012-13 school year, along with the dried fruit we got from Jen and Brian. YUM!For dinner, we had leftover seasoned couscous with an avocado that Jen bought for us yesterday. I guess you could say that in the food department, Michael and I are not proud! But it all tasted good.See, Marty, I'm giving you "ideas" to try at home while I'm gone!!!Oh, and I got my Trail Name - The Mum, thanks to Australian influence! I wondered if it might be a version of MOM, or something like that. When we were hiking with Anthony, he called me "mom". When Michael introduces himself, I say that I'm the mom. But in the cabin today, between Rock Hopper and Greg, I was officially dubbed, The Mum!I know it's a zero day, no hiking, but it's been great fun these last two days with trail friends, sharing cabins.Light's out... -The MumBuffalo says: Hey Mum, why you keep callin' me Michael? Who is Michael? I'm Buffalo!
Date: 2014-03-18
From: Neels Gap/Blood Mt. Cabins

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We walked "where the trail passes through" between the store and hostel. On the trail after our first zero. Planning to do about 11 miles. Rain, misty rain, wind on the windward sides of the hills, and of course, rocks to navigate through on the trail. Slow and rough, inch by inch, we progress. Stopped at a rock that I'm sure would have been a "scenic overlook" had it been sunny, and ate lunch. At least at that moment ist was not raining. Soon after, I moved my left knee the wrong way and oops, not a good feeling. I was limping a bit and taking it even slower. Coming down Cowrock Mt., we saw a road, then a trail head parking area, and could it be? Trail Magic at Tesnatee Gap (along side GA 348/Russell Hwy)! King Tut and J Griff offered me the chair with a "foot stool" after I told them about my knee. They brought me a cup of hot cocoa and a packet of Tylenol! I took one of the Tylenol pills and rubbed my knee. Started to feel better but we had to climb up Wildcat Mt. The climb wasn't too bad, and my knee was pain-free, relatively speaking.We soon came to Hog Pen Gap, where we cross GA 348. Heard a car and since it was foggy, we waited. It was a truck with a couple ladies. They asked how far we were going. The driver mentioned that a friend's son did the AT. "He took his time, staying in all the brothels along the way!" We HOPE she meant hostels!Saw Rock Hopper @ Hog Pen Gap. She road walked from Tesnatee Gap. She's taking it easy after the frozen greasy pizza she had last night in the cabin.We passed a college group - not too many with hiking poles and all with big packs. I guess they're young!We got into Low Gap Shelter. It was cold, misty, with a slight wind. Lots of people there already. Saw Mark from way back at the Hiker Hostel when we got picked up! Solo got his space in the shelter. "Hi Mum!" he called out. Michael scoped out the area and found a suitable place near Greg's tent, down hill if it rains, but it's NOT going to rain!My legs must have been having spasms. My feet and torso were warm but my legs were quivering and cold. Finally, that stopped, and I was warm.-The MumBuffalo says: Talking to Greg the Australian, He gave me the idea to hike the Bibbelmum Track in Australia. It sounds quite different than anything I've done before! He also gave Mum the idea to go into Hiawassee tomorrow from Unicoi Gap, even though we have food to make it 3 more days. With these roads everywhere... Wait, why am I complaining?! It's just weird to be in town so often, but I'll adjust!.
Date: 2014-03-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Well it rained at night. We stayed pretty dry but now the tarp resembles a huge leaf of wilted spinach! Yuck!Greg was up and out, heading to Hiawassee for a zero. You know, that sounds like a good idea.We couldn't tell if it was raining or if the trees were just dropping water. At some point, it was starting to get warm, maybe because we were going up and down, up and down.The trail presented a lot of rock navigation. Not fun for me, especially when the rocks are wet. Unfortunately, I did a lot of complaining, a LOT of complaining. "This isn't fun for me. I hate navigating these rocks. Maybe this isn't for me."Well, I got the what for from Michael! It was one of those things that we knew would come up but not sure what would erupt.We decided to go to the Budget Inn at Hiawassee since they drive you back to the trail head. We finally got to Unicoi Gap trail head and noticed a car with a hiker getting out. We went over to the driver and he asked us where we were headed. He took us to to the Budget Inn and waited until we got a room.Hot shower. Warm room. Real bed. Michael was stringing up the tarp outside and Greg came out to talk. This is definitely a hiker spot - all the rooms are full with only one or two cars out front!Michael and I talked out the problems of the day: how to compromise my emotions with his logic! "Mom, just tell me how I can help you. If you want me to go first and show you how to go through the rocks, just ask me." And so it went. I'm not going to quit, and I'll rely more on Michael to help me through the rough spots.But one night in the rain...... It's enough for me.We walked the town to find a restaurant for dinner. Almost at the other end of town, we found a Mexican restaurant and had a great meal! Hiked back to the motel for the night.-The MumBuffalo says: I got really worried today that Mum wanted to quit. She kept talking about how she hated everything except the sunny days on flat easy terrain. I thought she knew what she agreed to! Later on though (once we had a warm hotel room!) I realized she didn't actually want to get off the trail, but that I have to be more understanding of her comfort level, which is much lower than mine. I love the rocks, and the rain is the seasoning on my hiking experience!
Date: 2014-03-20
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We signed up for the 11am shuttle back to the trail. As we were loading the van, Greg came walking in with 2 bags of groceries! A sunny morning and it's suppose to be nice all day! Looking forward to it.At the trail head, there was Trail Magic but we didn't go over. Solo was there. He had a couple hamburgers but commented on the beautiful girls. It was a college group that was doing the Trail Magic. He hiked with us up the hill, talking about the cute girls! He was pretty funny. We stopped on a rock with a view for a break. At that point, Solo took off to get to the shelter and get a spot.We stopped on a gravel road for lunch, I think it was Tray Mt. Rd. USFS 79, according to the description in AWOL AT guide. As I sat there looking out over the hills, I thought, "This reminds me of home." But it occurred to me that it wasn't my Olympia, WA home, but my childhood home in New York. The rolling hills covered with leafless, deciduous trees. It was like a momentary flashback to my childhood.Just before the hill up to Tray Mt. Shelter, we met Albert, another Trail Angel. An older guy with his dog, which was sleeping in the truck. Albert said that he'd come up here and see other people doing Trail Magic, so this year he thought he'd try it. He said he enjoyed it, met a lot of people. He had a little camper trailer there that he stays in. We stopped for a soda and some cookies. Thanks so mcuh Albert. Welcome to the world of Trail Angels! You did well! Oh, and as we were leaving, he was putting potatoes on the fire for whomever comes by!For my family: I asked to take a peek inside the camper and sure enough, It looked like Aunt Mary and Uncle Benny's camper. Looked about the same vintage, but probably patched and repatched, but the same inside, including the "bunk" over the table/bed area!Got to the shelter area. It was still warm, so Buffalo put out the ground sheet and rolled out his bed. "Do you want to cowboy camp Mom?" The wind was starting to come up. "Nope!" The tarp will at least cut the wind.I went over to talk to Solo. He asked if we'd seen the German guy with the big dog. Hmmm. There could only be one... Sure enough, about an hour later, Denny and his dog, Balu came wandering through the camp area, cursing the trail and the weather! He's the same guy from the Hiker Hostel, before we left for the trail. Ole Balu nipped at me in the hostel!Michael and I put up the tarp. The sun was going down and the chill was coming up! Berrrrrr!Someone started a fire and Buffalo took the rest of the vegan marshmellows. Another big hit.Well, it's getting cold. Looking forward to a cold night!
Date: 2014-03-23
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: mist

In between the two shelters today is Standing Indian Mountain, but it was well switch-backed and easy. There were a couple of very sketchy rock scrambles. At one, I looked down and said, "Michael, I don't know how I'm going to get down this." He went first and talked me through it step by literal step!We got passed the rock scrambles and had smooth sailing, until I caught my toe on a root end that was sticking up. I was watching the rocks and big roots but this took me by surprise. I tumbled, landing on the left side of my head. I looked at the ground and saw blood!"Mom! Are you OK? Can you move?""Yes, slowly. But something is bleeding." He looked and it was my nose. I think when my head hit the ground, and fortunately, I had my thick hat on, my glasses got jarred and the bridge cut into my nose. Michael helped me up and set me down on the other side of the trail and opened up his Magic First Aid Bag. He irrigated the cut and I used my bandana to sop up the blood. It soon stopped, but I couldn't wear my glasses for the rest of the day!So, this may be a good time to give my impression of the trail. It is a foot path and sometimes, literally JUST a foot path, especially when cut into the side of the mountain. It doesn't seem wide enough to walk on the trail with two hiking poles! I hike with the pole on the down-hill side well on the trail, with my feet near the up hill side. Mentally, I am 'leaning' toward the uphill, with the pole on that side 'bracing' me on the uphill side. Now, throw in tree roots and rocks to navigate over, especially on turns, and I am going at about a 15-second count for each step! My whole being is tensed and focused on each foot and pole placement. These sketchy areas are also usually on good 'tumble down' hills, some where you'd get battered and bruised pretty bad, others that, well, it may not matter how battered and bruised you'd get! Since I am not very balanced or sure-footed, it's pretty scarey to me sometimes. I should have done more yoga before I left! And I keep singing, "I want Jesus to walk with me!"-The MumBuffalo says: Despite a rainy start and a facial injury inflicted by the trail, Mum logged her longest day yet- 12.5 miles! And then it got cold at night. Loving it!
Date: 2014-03-26
From: Winding Stair Gap - into Franklin

To: Franklin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 14: Wednesday, 26 March 2014 Zero in FranklinDecided to sleep in, even though there is a free breakfast for hikers at the local Baptist Church, but we'd have to be ready to go by 7am! Too early!Buffalo and Stewart made a resupply and breakfast run, came back and sat around talking. Katie and Stewart left at about 11:30am and we paid for another night. I called Roberta, Rose Mary's daughter in North Carolina, to let her know we were just a few days from the Nantahala Outdoor Center, close to where she lives. I was only able to leave a message.We tried to do laundry at the motel but someone's clothes were done and another guy was ranting. We decided to walk up the road to the town laundromat. Roberta called back while we were there and told me to call when we get to the outdoor center. We're planning to get in on Saturday and stay with her for a zero day on Sunday and go to church with her.Back to the laundromat..... it's a clean place and we had it mostly to ourselves. It even cost a bit less, although we bought a one-load bag of detergent for 50 cents at the motel. Walked back to the motel, then to the Post Office to mail a couple books home and the original data pages we brought. We then walked to town for lunch (Rosebud Cafe) and to Outdoor 76 for fuel. (I also picked up a 'Cocoon' inflatable pillow.) I would say that we walked about 6 miles today, since the laundromat, Post Office and town were in three different directions!We met Alex (from the first Hiker Hostel) at the outfitter store. He was out last night, and it was really, REALLY cold! Glad we were in town!So, if you recall, back on the 23rd of March, I took a tumble. Fortunately, nothing broke, although I felt as if I twisted my left wrist. I got a slight abrasion on the left side of the forehead, which made me glasses cut into my nose. I was more worried about that cut on my nose but ended up with a slight black eye! My first EVER black eye (thank you AT!), but as black eyes go, it was rather 'pretty' - a reddish purple in the crease of the eye lid, with a light blueish purple below the brow, almost as if I'd used make-up. Only problem was that my other eye didn't have the same affect! My right eye, however did have some fluid build-up under it, for whatever reason. It was really puffy under the eye. It almost felt as if I'd gotten a cold that settled in the eye.Back at the room, I sat writing word documents for the journal while Buffalo took a nap. Our plan was to update the online journal while in town. We're leaving tomorrow so now's the time to do it, and we have about 8 days to post!We stayed up WAY too late posting journal entries and photos, but at least it's almost caught up.Did we mention that we've gone over 100 miles already?! I'm impressed!Light's out for The Mum!
Date: 2014-04-02
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 136.8
Weather: few clouds

Buffalo here! On my own now, so the entries won't be as frequent, but I'll post what I can from town.Left the NOC on a warm sunny day and made it to Fontana the next day, but then got sick. I threw up that night (I want my mommy!) and had no appetite for the next two days, but I dragged myself up into the Smokies. By the third day, my hunger returned and so did my energy and I started doing 20 mile days, no problem. I reached Hot Springs this afternoon and spent two hours on the phone instead of shopping so I guess I will spend the night at a hostel (if there's space!) and get my food tomorrow.I do miss hiking with mom, but since she wasn't enjoying the challenges as much as I was, I think we both made the right choice. I am really getting into hiking by myself, since I've never really done that before. Fast and far! I am trying to push myself physically, but my body has been holding up so well, I still haven't reached my limits. Night comes too early!Food I LOVE: chips, dark chocolate, Mom's homemade granola (just got a huge bag of it in the resupply box!), fruit, sunflower spread. More chips.Food I hate: oatmeal packets. I am so done with them.Thanks to you all for supporting my mom on her hiking! We had a wonderful time together out here. Way to go, Mum!
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 68.1
Weather: overcast clouds

The Mum, here...No, Buffalo isn't "Bear Magic", he just hasn't had a convenient place to connect to a computer. I'm stepping in to make updates by the phone calls he's made home.On Friday, 11 April, Buffalo called from Erwin. He was waiting on a rendezvous with Mango, a gentleman he'd met 2 years ago, who is from Johnson City, TN. Mango was section hiking the PCT when Michael and friend Connor did the 500-mile Oregon Section in 2012. Buffalo also ran into Mango last year on the PCT! I do regret not staying on the trail long enough to meet Mango, but maybe someday...Sounded like Buffalo ran into Anthony, the young man, also an Eagle Scout, with whom we'd hiked for a couple days early on. We met Anthony the first night at Springer Mt. Shelter!Anyway, Buffalo was planning on staying at the hostel in Erwin and said there was an outfitter nearby. He's doing great, putting in an average of 20 miles+ per day and loving every minute of it.Speaking of Connor, he's planning to thru-hike the PCT this year. Buffalo reminded me to contact him and offer Trail Magic. We're within a day's drive to Ashland, OR, to the south, and Canada (Manning Park) to the north. Since I'm back home, it'll be easier for us to do Trail Magic for him.Buffalo and I will be exchanging SD memory cards from his camera, so I will eventually be able to upload photos of his journey.Thanks for following...The Mum of.....
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Erwin, TN

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 74.3
Weather: moderate rain

This is Day 33, the Mum keeps track of little things like that!Another phone call home....Buffalo was still on the trail when he called. Said he had about another 10 miles to go to get to Kincora Hostel, which would put him at about 32 miles for the day, and that he was going to skip going to Hampton.He said that yesterday was the most beautiful day of the trail so far - open balds and clear. But apparently, it was super windy last night and another grommet snapped on his tarp. I THINK that's Number 3! He tried holding the edge of the tarp down but that really didn't work very well and thought it would just make another grommet snap. So, at 3am, he got up, packed his things as best he could in the wind, and road-walked the outside edge of the guard rail with a dying headlamp. And he calls THAT fun! "Mom, you probably would have been [mortified]!" Got THAT right! (He's getting another, smaller tarp in his next box!)He went 25 miles just before leaving North Carolina for the last time. Won't be long and he'll be out of Tennessee.He gave me an update on Erwin:Mango took him and Anthony out to dinner and to do some resupply shopping. Thank you, Mango!The hostel in Erwin is right off the trail and there was Trail Magic breakfast in the morning! Said the hash browns were made fresh and the best he'd ever tasted!There were three 2013 thru-hikers doing Trail Magic later with coolers of soda/beer and fresh sandwich fixings. Said it was the BEST! (And maybe a good idea when we're in Virginia!)Buffalo is happiest when he's hiking (or climbing) and eating, so this is the best of BOTH worlds! (Don't forget Buffalo, you can hike AND eat at the same time, but it's not practical to eat while climbing!)The Mum of....