morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-12
From: Blue Mountain Shelter

To: Addis Gap
Miles today: 13.4

Day 9 Nice weather again---Another good night in the hammock. Again, I was one of the first ones up and the last ones out of camp. What's my deal?? The sunrise this morning was gorgeous! There's some bad weather coming so recom, Moonlight, Karma and myself decided to push ourselves 13.4 miles to give us a short day of 5.4 miles tomorrow to get into town while it's raining. Recom is pretty cool he just retired after working for Congress he's a fellow Conservative. I'm surprised to have met so many Conservatives out here. I thought they'd all be a bunch of Liberals carrying copies of Al Gores "An Inconvenient Truth",LOL! The funniest thing happened today. An older guy who has been at the last couple of shelters with us sat down next to me when we all took a break at Indian Grave Gap and started muttering about a mouse in his shoe. The next thing I know I look down and there's a dead mouse on the ground!! He actually put his boot on that morning and crushed a mouse in his boot! He said he thought his sock was just bunched up. He walked 5 miles with that mouse. We all laughed our asses for a while and still giggle when it's brought up. Oddly enough, his trail name was already "Tunnel Rat"! Most everyone stayed at Tray Mountain Shelter for the night which was probably the prettiest shelter site yet. We finally caught up with Chef again after she pushed on the day before. She rocks!! I left my buddy Voodoo for the first time in a week. So the four of us pressed on. The last few miles were really hard. We barely made it to camp, set up, ate, and hung bear bags before dark. The bear bag hanging was hilarious. I found a spot and Karma hung he and Moonlights bags. When I was finished eating I hung mine as well and it made there's hang so low that somone from the lollipop guild could've grabbed it. At this point it was pretty much dark and I was delirious from hiking all day and was tangled up in 50' of bear bag cord Karma untied their's and proceeded to be temporarily blinded by a piece of bark. With one good eye and me laughing hysterically at him and myself, we eventually got them tied up and into bed. Not together you pervs!!!
Date: 2009-04-13
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: light rain

Day 10 Hiawasee---We hiked to Dicks Creek Gap today to go into Hiawasee, GA. Within a few minutes we got picked up by by a crazy redneck in a little Ford Ranger. He proceeded to do 60mph down a wet, curvy road with us in the back. I felt like Steve Martin and John Candy in Planes, Trains, and Automobiles! Karma sat in the front and the dude tried to sell him weed and regaled him with the local lore of all the pot growers in town including the former Sheriff. Everyone actually pressed on and made it into town eventually. Voodoo, Old Soul, Chef, and even the elusive Queen Becky. While we were at the restaraunt Tim even showed up who stayed an extra day at Neels Gap. Karma and I got some beer and that's how we spent most of the afternoon. After the AYCE buffet Voodoo, Goathy, and myself sat around chatting while Goathy was feeding me cheap whiskey and we sat outside in the cool evening air, good times!
Date: 2009-04-14
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Hiawasee Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Day 11 4-14-09 Hiawasee Zero Day-------------Not much to speak of today. Just did all the things one does when you're in town. DQ for lunch and Daniel's buffet for dinner. The guys that run the Hiawasee Inn are straight outta "The Bird Cage"! They're really cool. It feels really good to relax, but 2 zero days out of 11 is not what I planned.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: few clouds

Day 12 Back on the trail--------------11.8 miles today. I hit my first milestone, North Carolina baby!!! The miles were hard, but fulfilling. At least 8 of us stopped just over the boarder to bask in our small accomplishment. Karma and I have been hiking together a lot. He's a bit faster than I am, but doesn't seem to mind slowing to my pace.
Date: 2009-04-16
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: few clouds

Day 13------------Hit a 100 miles today. Not on the A.T., but including the approach trail. We all jammed out 12.5 miles today. AT 73, Windmill, Recom, Moonlight, Chef, Larry, Voodoo, Karma, and myself. I'm extremely proud of us! I've had so much fun with this group of cats. We're all planning to hit Franklin about the same time and zero together probably. Windmill and I screw with each other constantly, but's it's all in fun. He's a good man.
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Well it's been officially 2 weeks on the trail and a 100 miles on the AT! The gang did 12.1 miles today. We've averaged over 12 miles a day for the last 3 days. The group just keeps on growing. We now have "Scree Freak" with us who's a 19 year old kid from England. Karma and I hiked together again most of the day. Right after we got to camp Itay(the guy from Israel)showed up. I was so excited, I hadn't seen him since the Hiker Hostel. He's a beast! He did 20 miles today. I'd like to hike with him a bit, but he's way to bad ass for me to keep up with. We're all trying to come up with a name for our group we've formed here. Karma suggested the "Cluster F**K" which was embraced by most of us, but I don't think the old timers would like it to much. The hike today was awesome. We had to climb Albert Mountain which was the steepest thing we've climbed so far, but it was fairly short and the view was priceless from the top. Karma, Chef, Voodoo, and myself ate lunch at the top. As I'm writing this I'm watching a North Carolina mountain sunset from my hammock after a fulfilling day and days of hiking on a cool spring evening. I find it hard to believe anyone on Earth is luckier than I am right now!
Date: 2009-04-18
From: Rock Gap Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Just a short hike to Winding Stair Gap today to catch the shuttle to Haven's Budget Inn. Ron Haven is an amazing man who does a lot for hikers. His shuttle is a "short bus" school bus that's suggested capacity is about 2 dozen, but we had more than that including all our packs, LOL! We hit some great trail magic coming into the parking lot by a super nice church group that had coffee and snacks. After getting to the motel we had to wait for our rooms to be cleaned so I decided it was beer:30. I even set out a few cups for the next incoming shuttle as part of my own type of trail magic. After we got settled a bunch of us went out for dinner and had some cocktails and great conversation about movies and music. We all had a great time.
Date: 2008-07-16
To: #1 of 3
Miles today: 0.0

If all goes well this adventure will start march 14, 2009. It seems so far away to be writing about now.I suppose i should answer that old question, why are you doing this? Well for me it is a chance to hike a trail that every day will be new to me. I'm not complaining about my local trail choices but the thought of hiking the AT has just become too much to resist. This is also a chance to see part of our country i have never seen before. Drive through a place and you can say you have seen it, but hike a place and you can say you have lived it! The people you can meet on a trail are special. They are like you and yet everyone has his own story to share. The chance to leave the busy world behind is a plus. When your biggest decisions are about food, shelter, or just taking care of "you". Boomer
Date: 2008-07-16
To: yea! #3 of 3
Miles today: 0.0

This should be an interesting journal to follow. I truely believe i can do this, and can not wait to get started.Now for the fun stuff. I am a Cancer surviver,2 herniated discs in my lower back,a plate nine bolts and a wad of wire holding my left knee together,rhumatoid arthritus. I hope to do 20 miles a day avg. More in areas and probably less in other areas. As the days get longer the miles should increase. I don't plan many zeros. I work as a maint. tech in a GoodYear plant in Oklahoma. Next year will be 30 years for me. I have applied for adminastrative leave and planned my trip to take 100 to 130 days.My pack weighs 20lbs with food and water, give or take a pound. I plan on going without a stove, no mail drops, I will try too update my journal as often as possible!My next entry will probably be after the new year starts. Wish me luck!                                                Boomer!
Date: 2009-01-17
To: OH SO CLOSE
Miles today: 0.0

The months are flying by! The class of 09 is hitting the trail.Time to step up the training. I leave on friday the 13th of March for Atlanta. Start the trail on the 14th of March. Can't wait to see you guys. Gear is ready trip is a go.Thanks to the class of 08 and others for all the journals and advice. Thanks Rawhide, and Mavrick you guys had some great stories and were very helpful. The plan is still to make Maine Weather, Health, and God willing! The next few entries will come from my blackberry i hope. I just purchased it and boy this thing has a lot of bells and whistles. Glad i have some time left to work with it. See you guys on the trail!                        Boomer
Date: 2009-03-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Less than a week to go. This is a test entry again from my blackberry. I hope to be on the trail by next sat morning. I sent my pack to the HIker Hostel.The class of 09 has begun. The journals are now comming in from the trail. I'm very jealous and ready to join the migration north. Good luck to everyone on the trail and those yet to begin. Boomer
Date: 2009-03-14
From: springer mtn

To: cooper gap
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: moderate rain

Day 1 Hi guys it rained all day. Foggy. And 39Degrees. Stopped at Cooper Gap about 3:30 this afternoon. Decided to. Call it a day. Met a ridge runner today named Many Sleeps he's about 72 years young and has done the whole trail. He takes down all your information and answers all your questions about the trail. Haveing a blast wish you were all here. Boomer
Date: 2009-03-15
From: cooper gap

To: Slaughter creek campground
Miles today: 15.7

Long day lots of puds"pointless ups and downs" Made 15.7miles today. Its rainy foggy and 53.Saw a bright red newt today on the trail.The sun is supposed to come out tomorrow.I'm camping with 5 college kids on spring break.We are camped at the base of Blood mtn. Highest point in georgia.Said goodbye to the appalachian mountain club (amc). Very nice people, I willMiss hiking and visiting with them. Well I guess I will turn in for The night.
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Slaughter creek campground

To: Hogpen Gap
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: light rain

Today was more of the same. It was the worst so far. The cold and wetCombonation is causeing hypothermia concerns. Stopped at Neels Gap today. The trail goes right through the building. It is an outfitters store/hostle/grocery store.There were trail angles there feeding the thru hikers all the burgers they wanted. I had the outfitters store go through my pack and tell me what I could do without.I sent 14.5lbs home. Every thing in my pack had finally gotten wet and caused my Pack weight to be 42lbs. Now I'm at 27 again and should get lighter as my pack dries.I'm hiking with a young men named Trevi,lumber jack,and others.My miles today were 9.8 making my total trail miles 37.1 Climbed over Blood mtn today. Highest point in Georgia.Hikers midnight (dark+30min) is here so bedtime is now here. Goidnight all.
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Hogpen Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 4 The sun came out today. We had our first views of the Georgia mtns.About 2 more days left in Georgia. Stopped today at blue mtn shelter and Hung out my wet clothes to dry. Visited with several other hikers. When I got to Unicoi Gap I no sooner set my pack down and 2 young men stopped and gave Me a ride to Hiawassee. When I checked in at the hostel there were 2 hikers I knew Staying there also. High tops and Finch. Another hiker named Spoon was there.The owner of the hostle gave us his van to drive into town. We ate at an all you can Eat place(AYCE). Then we did our resupply at the grocerie store. Miles today:13.8. Trip total 50.9mi. Talk at you tomorrow.
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Dicks creek Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 6I left Georgia today.hiked with "x" today. It was a perfect day.60's no rain but still no pictures.Camera is kaputz. The legs are comming around.Thank you all for the mail. It means a lot to me.If you have questions just ask. I'm in North Carolina now.I actually hiked several mtns today without sucking wind too much.Well goodnight its hikers midnight.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Franklin,NC
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 7 I didn't mention it yesterday but I injured My leg comming down a mtn. It felt bad For the last 14 miles yesterday, and the First 10miles today. Then it just quit hurting.Things on the trail come at the most needed time. A cool breeze on a hard climb,a stream when your water Is low,a trail angle handing out snacks and drinks when your Hungry. I'm stopping in Franklin for a zero day with pappa novemberHi tops,finch and spoon. See you guys.
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Franklin,NC

To: trail magic tent
Miles today: 14.3

Day 9Miss Janet fed us eggs florintine this morning.Awesome! I got 3 blisters friday comming into Franklin.Today I got 3 more. I was worried I might have to go off trail. Then we came across the Jones and she told me to hike in my crocs. My feet are so happy. I am back in bussiness. Then we came Across an orange tent in the woods. Trail Magic at its best. Apple was glad to put us up for the Night. Heat lights and everything! I'm here with Chocolate Bandit,Jones,High Tops.This is great! Later guys! Oh by the way Elvis has posted some Of my pictures for me. Thanks Elvis!
Date: 2009-03-23
From: trail magic tent

To: NOC 
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 10Only 13 miles today. Big climb tomorrow morning. Today was tough. Lots of puds not much to take a pic of. Maybe tomorrow.Two more days I'll be at the smokies doorstep Fontana dam.Rain is due wednesday. I'm still hiking In my crocs. There are about 6 or 8 people in our Daily travels. I'm still hiking with Hi Top.See you guys!
Date: 2009-03-24
From: NOC 

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 11Hard climbs today. Feet are doing a little better.Saw a turkey today. I only mention it because there are No wildlife to speak of so far. We skirted a forest fire today.It got close. High Top ran down the trail to get away from it.LolTonight the rain is supposed to set in. Going to bed now. Its 8:30p. See you later.
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Hello It started raining about 3 am. slept good in the shelter at brown fork. dry and warm. Down hill from there. Rained off and on all day winds up to 30mph. Still hiking in my crocs. Blisters doing better though. We are going to take a down day before heading into the Smokies tomorrow. Had dinner in robbinsville, NC. Did our resupply for 5 days in the smokies.Still hiking with High Top. See ya!
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Fontana Dam

To: FONTANA DAM
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

ZERO DAY TODAY. Heavy rains all night. glad to be inside. heading out tomorrow. Should be through the smokies in 4 or 5 days. Having trouble getting the internet here. 4 of the 6 blisters are healed 2 to go. look out miles here i come.Lol
Date: 2009-03-27
From: FONTANA DAM

To: Spence Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: moderate rain

Left Fontana Dam this morning. Rain held off till 11am. We are now in The Smokies. We followed Moses into the mountains todayWell that is his his trail name.After today we have less than 2000mi.Today was rainy 49degrees and windy.At the shelter was Augie Dog,Carolina,High Tops.
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: light rain

Bad day. Cold 48 windy 35mph heavy rains. Got to the shelter About noon and stayed there. Augie, Carolina,Toad,Greg, and Smerfett. Smerfett tended the fire and rotated everyones wet clothes through her Dryer fire system. She burnt High Tops sock. Oh well it wasn't a perfectSystem. We played cards all afternoon and sat around the fire.Not a bad day after all. See ya
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Gatlinburg,Tn
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The rain quit about 5am. It beat down hard all night.The trail was muddy all day. The temp stayed in the 20s all day.We crossed over Clingmans Dome today. Highest point on the appalachian trail.6643ft. We are over 200mi. When we reached Newfound Gap the snow was blowing hard.We are in Gatlinburg,Tn to regroup. Everything we have to wear is soaked or frozen.Tomorrow we are back to the Smokies. Two more days and we will be out. By the way I'm wearing trail runners now.My feet are healing good. Crocs are back in the pack.See ya
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Gatlinburg,Tn

To: Tricorner Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Today we hitched a ride back to newfound gap and headed north again.This was our forth day in the smokies and it was beautiful!The skies cleared and the temperature rose. The Smokies are awesome!Staying at Tricorner gap tonight with High Top,Wishi Washi,Unplugged,MD3,Jammin Sam.Tomorrow we should leave the Smokies. See Ya
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Tricorner Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked out of the Smokies today. Weather was overcast but warm.Crossed I40 today. Kept going north. Hiking in the Smokies was easy grades but Yucky weather.Staying in shelters more. They have mice and people snore.Reached standing Bear Farm (bunkhouse). About 25hikers here tonight. Expecting rain tonight.Took a shower in an outdoor shower. It was different. Going to bed now.See Ya
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Walnut MTN Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Broke my leg today. April Fools!We crossed Max Patch today. This is a bald mountain top all grassy. No trees. The views are awesome from the top. We ate lunch there and soaked up the sun.Great day. We hiked with Pony Express today. She neerly killed us. We had good weather And a great hike. We made the shelter by 4pm. Called it a day.Had a chipmunk in our shelter tonight. He chewed on some wood all night. No sleep tonight.See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Walnut MTN Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Reached Hot Springs NC about noon today.Staying at Elmers Sunnybank Inn. Its an old victorian style house.About 130 yrs old. Elmer has been putting thru hikers up since 1978.High Tops and I visited the local hotsprings spa for an hour of soaking.Had a wonderful dinner of liver and onions and lots of salad.Went to the local pub for a few beers and am ready to hit the trail tomorrow.We had to say goodbye to Pony Express and her uncle Wounded Knees. This was their stopping Point. Tomorrow we head for Erwin,Tn. I sent some more pictures to Elvis. Hope you look at them.See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-03
From: Hot Springs NC

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

It was 58 degrees this morning and went down from there. We are at Little Laurel Shelter. It is 39degrees now and going to Get colder tonight. No wildlife today. Left Wounded Knees and his niece Pony Express Today. We had a 50 percent chance of rain today. Got luckyAnd stayed dry. Supposed to be nice this weekend. Tomorrow we reach the 300 mile mark.Going to bed now. Its 7:30p hiker midnight approaches!See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today started out cold and wet. And by noon we were in shorts. Looks like we have bad weather comming. Again! Snow monday and tuesday.We should reach Erwin mon about noon. Going to take a down day tue in Erwin.We took longer breaks today. Had trail magic today. Dr Pepper and snacks from Cascades Parents who had come out to visit with her. They were great people.This was a great day! We have hiked past everyone we know. So now everyone we meet is new to us.I'm writing this by a very nice campfire with Tagless and Tagalong.Bed time soon. See Ya
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

Well this is a surprise. Two good days in a row. Sunshine again. Sunscreen and lots of water. Today went over Big Bald Mtn today. Grassy mtn top.Ate lunch on top and soaked up the sun.We are settleing in on 20+ mile days. The trail gets easyerEvery day. Not just because we have our climbing legs. The grade Of the trail is getting better. Oh by the way, Tagless and Tagalong Fed me last night at hogback ridge shelter. Chicken and stuffing with lots of Vegies in it. (BROCOLLI) it was great!See ya!
Date: 2009-04-06
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin,Tn
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: light rain

The nice days are gone. Winter has returned. It rained last night.Then this morning the cold set in and snow is comming. We hiked into Erwin,Tn.Beat the bad weather just In time. We are taking a zero day tomorrow and will hitThe trail again wed.Our next leg will be to get to damascus,Va. I'm now into my 4th week.Saw a rabbit yesterday! Woo hoo! We are so spoiled back home.See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-07
From: Erwin,Tn

To: Erwin,Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today was our first zero day since Fontana Dam about 170 miles ago.It has snowed all day. Should be back on the trail tomorrow morning.We hope to reach Damascus,Va in 5 days. That's 123 miles. That will Depend on the depth of snow and footing.We have been hiking with the Weather Guy off and on.He lives here in Erwin and he and his wife are taking Hi Top and me to dinner.Hi Top and I have been hiking together pretty much since georgia.He was an accountant for the NH government.He is also 51 yrs old. We have 1 more week together and then his wife will be joining him.He's been a great hiking partner. Well its dinner time.See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Erwin,Tn

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 24.3

Today we postholed through the snow. We were the first onesOn the trail today. It was beautiful today. Everything was white.I ate a lot of snow, it helped keep me hydrated. We made it to greasy creek hostel.This place is great! There are about 10 of us here.Connie is the owner of the hostel. Her neighbor hates hikers. He runs his mower all night.Bangs pots and pans, and plays his music really loud.Talk to you later.See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-09
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Today was more postholing and sloppy trails.We hoped to reach the next hostel. Another 24 mile day.But we came out at carver gap and there was trail magic to be had.That cost us several hours. They fed us good. Nice people.So we had to cut our miles back. Great day temp wise but nasty trail conditions.Saw 4 deer yesterday and 1 turkey. Overmountain Shelter is an old barn and there are about25 hikers here. Going to bed now. See Ya!
Date: 2009-04-10
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Abbys Hostel
Miles today: 21.8

Today was a strange day. We started out hiking in snow then the winds tried to blow us off the mountain. By 10am the rain began to pour on us. We thought we had seen it all till about 11am when three of us lost the white blazes. that cost us about an hour and a half. We reached Abbys hostel about 4pm. The storms are rumbleing outside but should clear by morning. We are going to try to reach Damascus,Va by sunday evening. So we have to do 63 miles in the next 2 days. I'm starting to lose too much weight. If the scales are right here at the hostel i am at 175lbs. But i feel good. Well i guess i'll go eat something. See Ya!