morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-29
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

"Two woods diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that was all the difference.            Robert Frost "The Road Not taken"This entry is by Margies'/ Molasses dad. Anne and I drove down to Hot Springs, NC on sunday April 27th to meet her at the Mountain Magnolia Inn - a bed & breakfast. We got there at 5:00 PM and she was there ahead of us and was just coming out of the jacuzzi tub. I had had trouble trying to make a motel reservation and stumbled onto the Mountain Magnolia Inn by luck. It is a magnificent restored Civil War victorian house filled with antiques. Our room was the former servants quarters at the rear of the house that has been converted into a 2 bedroom suite with a large living room and a terrific bathroom. Outside of the room is a private patio looking out to a huge magnolia tree. The view from the front porch of the Inn looks up into the gorgeous mountains. On monday the three of us went to the Hot Springs spa and had a great soak in a large hot tub filled with the 102 degree water that comes out of the ground. The tub was secluded in a wooded area on the side of French Broad Creek and is very picturesque. Anne and I had a great time during the 3 days meeting and talking to many thru hikers that Margie has met along the trail. We had dinner twice at the Paddlers Pub where the hikers hang out. There was a great bluegrass band there sunday night and the place went wild when they played "Rocky Top, Tennessee. Hot Springs is a small town that has seen better days but which attracts hikers to stay for a day or two to relax, have fun and resupply. We also met a legitimate Trail Angel named Wendy. Her daughter, Heather, is hiking the "5100" mile International Trail from Key West to northern Canada. Wendy has been following Heather in a van meeting her periodically. In between she is a Trail Angel providing fresh fruit, veggies, hot dogs, cold beer, soda and water to the thru hikers at the many road crossings. She said that she gave out over 100 pounds of Easter candy on the day before Easter sunday. Anne and I are planning to be Trail Angels up around Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2003-04-30
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Allen Gap
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: few clouds

"What counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog."      Dwight David Eisenhower Up at the crack of dawn and ready to slack pack!!! Planned to walk southbound 14.7 miles back to Hot Springs from Allen Gap.   Beautiful weather this morning! Bright blue skies and warm. Picked up a belt bag and bottle holder at the Hot Springs outfitter and caught the 9:30 shuttle to Allen Gap along with a gang of other thru hikers. Hiking in sunshine by 10 am. Walked 4 miles to Spring Mountain Shelter and grabbed a snack with the gang, Red Rover, Peregrine, Strider, Pushing up Daisys, Bumpkin, Baltmore Jack and a few others. Started walking after a 15 minute break. Suddenly, the skies got dark. And within minutes I heard thunder, then it started to rain, soon, it was pouring. Then the "hail" began. Within minutes I was soaked.   What I thought would be a brief shower ended up being a "6" hour deluge. Well, I failed the boy scout test by not being prepared! I was only wearing my kilt and sleeve less shirt. I didnt have my rain gear. My gaiters were loose and rain soaked my socks and the inside of my boots! That never happened before. After 5 plus miles in the rain, I was getting very cold. When we hit Tanyard Gap, a road crossing, I had to bail out! Fearing hypothermia even with Striders fleece pull over, I couldn't get warm. I ended up skipping 5 miles when I hitched back into Hot Springs. I feel awful for yellow blazing, but I was wet and cold and wasn't warming up! I was totally shocked when Bumpkin told me Atwanabe had a stroke while on Clingmans Dome and had to get off trail. Apparently, she is recovering well. My thoughts and prayers are with her and her family. I think she is a kind warm person. Atwanabe gets credit for naming me Molasses. (She is on Trail Journals Tomorrow is a toss up between shuttling to Erwin and slacking sections from there back this way. Or simply hop the shuttle and head north from Allen Gap. I'll know what to do when I wake up...
Date: 2003-05-01
From: Allen Gap

To: Spring
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

" The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."                        Lao Tse After a restfull slumber at the Alpine Court Motel in Hot springs, I woke up to no water. Seems the main broke across the street. Ah well, good thing I had a little water left in my nalgene from yesterday. At least I could brush my teeth. Leaving Hot Springs was harder than I thought it was going to be. When I arrived on sunday I didnt see what the big deal was. Everyone was talking about the vortex of Hot Springs. Well this morning I understood. It is a quaint little town. A lot of hikers and everything is within walking distance, so you get to meet a lot of people. Nice town, but its good to be back in the woods and out of the votex.I got the 10 am shuttle back up to Allen Gap, hunted and found a lousy water source, filled 1 nalgene and off I went back into the woods. Another very warm day with thunderstorms expected. Hiked the 5 miles to Little Laurel shelter in a little over 3 hours in blazing heat. Snacked as thunder began to roll in the distance and hung out till 3:45 as a light thundershower passed. I knew I wanted to get over Camp Creek Bald and tent near a spring. Camp Creek Bald was a tough 1.3 mile climb and I could hear thunder approaching in the distance as I neared the summit. I was not in the mood for a replay of yesterday. Got to the spring and quickly pitched my tent as light rain began. Crawled in waited and the rain stopped just long enough for all of us to cook and eat dinner. But once again it has clouded up and light rain is falling. Foggy too. "Hang on kids this could be a bumpy night!"
Date: 2003-05-02
From: Spring

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 209.6
Weather: broken clouds

"Damm the torpedoes, full steam ahead."            Admiral David Farragut - 1864 - Battle of Mobile BayIt was a very wet night last night. Apparently, thunder and lightning too, but it was news to me. I slept like a baby in my tent. Woke to gray skies and it stayed gray all day. A mile or so from the camp site, ran into 2 trail maintainers. They had to be 75 and 80. One of them was weilding a chain saw and the other had nothing. They were cutting away felled trees. They missed several, but they called them walk overs. They were also working on a relo {trail relocation} that goes way up to a rocky ridgeline. It opens in June. Thank god I wont have to go up and over it! I did come across one of their more recent relos... another pointless rocky walk down 50 feet and then back up 50 feet. Dumb, just dumb. Walked up a beautiful bald today and wanted to just pitch my tent and stay! It was awesome! Then climbed Big Butt Mtn. Very high 4840'. Passed the 300 mile mark today!!! Someone arranged rocks to spell out 300 and I posed while Niagara took my picture. Snacked at the Shelton graves site with Strider and Niagara until we startd to hear thunder in the distance. We had 3.1 miles to the next shelter and thought we could make it. After descnding 1000 feet, very quickly, hit Flint Gap and the skies let loose! Rain, hail, leaves, tree limbs, all came screaming down. Quickly put my rain cover and jacket on and hauled ass up 300 feet to the shelter. It was raining so hard I could hardly see 10 feet in front of me. And the lightning was terrifying. Got here to find Skidmark and Baloo and Niagara. I passed Strider as he was assembling his rain duds under a rhododendrum. Skidmark, Baloo and Niagara moved on .9 to a tentsite. Strider and I are in the shelter with the most annoying guy on earth! I have yet to hear a positive thing come out of his mouth. I hear he snores too. Terrific. Theres a pair of ear plugs in the firepit. I'll let you know if I have to dig them out. He's from Massachusetts. No kidding. Again, it may be a bumpy ride tonight!   PS: I finished my book {Good in Bed} finally. Any suggestions what I should read next are welcome! Peace - Molasses
Date: 2003-05-03
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite 
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

"You can't steal second base and keep one foot on first base."                           Satchel PaigeAnother long day. After we left the most annoying and negative man alive. (no need for earplugs, his bark was worse than his snore} Hiked 4 relatively easy miles to Devils Fork Gap. Then it was 1500 feet up - wicked! At the top there was no vista or view, just the top. Pointless! Hiked another 6 milesto Hogback Ridge Shelter, way off the trail, the water source was 1/4 mile from the shelter, horrible. Then hiked another 3 miles to here. Supposedly there was water 2 miles back but it was invisble - so on we went. Missed a big party {pig roast} to get here before dark. Almost had to go another 3 miles, but stumbled upon Brad and this water source. Not great, but home for the night. Todays highlights include a neat waterfall and some cool bugs. Little herds of crickets or grasshoppers would jump like mad when we stirred their nest. More neat black and yellow millipedes and the standard 3 inch black and orange millipedes. Getting dark, weather was good today and looks like more of the same tomorrow! Should be in Erwin late Monday and Mexican food!PS: I have my down sleeping bag back. It smells like Hazel. I miss her!Peace, Molasses
Date: 2003-05-04
From: Campsite 

To: Spivey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

" Hitch your wagon to a star."                        Ralph Waldo Emerson A beautiful morning became a beautiful day! Hiked up 1500 feet to the top of Big Bald. A difficult climb but the result was worth every step! The top of the bald was amazing. It started out as a cherry and apple orchard then the further up I went it turned into a huge meadow. Then the top was simple awesome, nothing around but views of mountains as far s the eye could see. Amazing! Lingered for an hour or so, ate lunch and chatted with some folks who drove up. One couple asked if we wanted beer. I jumped up and drank two Budweisers. The sun was shining and there was little to no wind. It was simply perfect. Gazelle and Naomi showed up and we hung out, ate and looked at the views. We also snacked on some strawberries provided by the folks who gave us the beer. Finally, an hour later, saddled up and moved on. Went past Bald Mountain shelter and ended up at Spivey Gap. Tenting here tonight are Gazelle, Naomi, Strider, Myself, Skidmark, Baloo, Loser, The Littlest Hobo and Mr. Annoying from last night showed up late. Loser is playing his guitar,very nice. All in all a beautifull day. This is why I am here! Tomorrow, 10.6 miles to Erwin. Its Cinco de Mayo! Burritos, Coronas, what more could I need? Peace, Molasses.PS: Note from Molasses' Dad - New pictures from April 14 - April 19 have been added and are located before the Hot Springs pictures.
Date: 2003-05-05
From: Spivey Gap Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

" I love a brave soldier who has undergone the baptism of fire."         Napoleon Bonaparte So today is Cinco de Maio. All hopes of a quesadilla and several Coronas have been dashed. The Erwin Burrito Company is closed - sacrilege. Yes I have made it to Erwin, TN, home of Miss Janets Hostel and it is shear hiker mayhem. There must be 24 of us here. The place sleeps maybe 12, and we are all here because it is pouring again. Woke up to rain and thunder and lightning at Spivey Gap. Fearing a replay of 2 and 3 days ago, I opted for the road, which was right there. I had no idea which way to go, but I opted for left. I walked 6 miles in the rain, thumb out, begging for a ride. Finally after 2 and a half hours a kind hearted woman picked me up and delivered my shriveled body to the Mega Mart here in Erwin. I got a cup of coffee, dietpepsi to go and headed for Miss Janets Hostel. Miss Janet is the best trail angel ever. She does nothing but open her home to hikers, shuttle us wherever we need to go and is genuinely kind. She took 13 of us to Johnson City and the outfitter. I got some new rain pants, Marmot Precips. Hopefully they'll work.Skid Mark, Balloo, Groovy, Brew, Firefeet, Nuts and Twigs, Psychopat, Niagara, Bumpkin, Pushing Up Daisys and Baltimore Jack are all here. There are many others too. Jack is on his 8th thru hike and is a regular celebrity. He is, according to him, devestatingly attractive. He organized and cooked dinner tonight - lasagna, killer salad and garlic bread. Yum. Littlest Hobo provided desert cake, pie and ice cream. Yes, I am full! When I got here I was a little overwhelmed as to the laid back atmosphere, but after 3 hikers told me to claim a bunk, kick back and relax, I mellowed. Niagara gave me a beer and pointed out the shower. He was proud as he had just cleaned it. Now 10 of us are watching a video. Its 11:30 pm and time for bed.   Tomorrow hopefully a post Cinco de Maio celebration and town chores. I hope that I'll get to telephone and speak with all of those I have been trying to get a hold of. Imagine (1) phone line, 24 hikers and 2 teenagers. 1 teenager has a chronic phone problem. Other than that, life is grand.Peace, Molasses
Date: 2003-05-07
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

"Go in peace."   Exodus 18 I have been remiss and sucked into the vortex that is Miss Janets. Its all good. Very good. WIll update further north! Note from Margie/Molasses dad: She is hiking north and plans to be in Elk, NC by sunday May 11th. She also plans on being in Damascus, VA. by May 16th and will zero there for a couple of days as that weekend is the annual Damascus Trail Days hiker festival. Damascus has been called the friendliest town on the AT. If any friends or relatives want to send her a note or anything, Damascus would be a good place. (Mail to General Delivery, Damascus, VA. 24236 "Attention -Hold for AT Hiker Margie McQuillin" ETA May 16)
Date: 2003-05-08
From: Indian Grave Gap

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."                  Charles Dickens - "A Tale of Two Cities." A beautiful day! Woke to the morning sounds of Miss Janets. Hikers filling packs and others AM hustle and bustle at 7am to catch the early shuttle to the next trailhead. My shuttle wasnt leaving til noon or so, so I had time to recover from last night and finish my town chores. Yesterday I sobo, (southbound, slack packed 8.9 miles from Indian Grave Gap back to Erwin. It was a wonderful hike! Especially wonderful with no more than 5 lbs on my back and mostly flat or downhill. Got to thinking - I should do more slacking! Saw a beautifl waterfall full of orange newts! Stopped for lunch at Curly Maple Shelter and read several messages to me in the registers. Hellos from Mag and Dag whom I met on Springer and a few others. It made me feel good. Hiking out of the shelter, the spring grew and grew from simply a trickle of water bubbling out of the ground to a creek to a stream to more cascading waterfalls to the Nolichucky river. Crossed it several times over logs and bridges, but had to ford it the final time, about 15 feet. It was neat and I didn't fall in! Got my boots a litle wet but I resealed them the night before.Last night a bunch of us went to see Bela Fleck in Johnson City. He's an excellent banjo player. Probably one of the best. It was just him and Tony Tristi, his teacher. Very good show. I would expect nothing less being in Tennessee. The encore was the two of them playing the same banjo. Very cool.Todays hike was a bit more challenging! Up to the beauty spot, a very pretty bald, then up 1500 feet to the top of Unaka Mtn. It kicked my butt and had several false summits. The first was a bald, the second an old spuce forest, then a grove of rhododendrums, then an old stand of hemlock. In Deep Gap at 3900 feet and 1 mile from the shelter we went up again, 500 feet then down to the shelter, a real kick in the shorts! Tonight at the shelter its Wing'in It, Yonder, Tapeworm and his dog Kabala, Bilgy, Dirtnap {legally had his name changed}, Strider and another guy named Strider and me. Mover stopped in for water and kept going. I am tenting. As we ate dinner a mouse dashed across the beams, yuk. yeah tent! Hearing some new and intersting birds this evening. Haven't heard them before. And I think a coyote is off chasing something. Life is good. Peace - Molasses
Date: 2003-05-09
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

"To appreciate heaven well, it is right for a man to have an hour of hell."                     Will CarletonYesterday, friday was my longest day yet! 15 miles with over 3700 feet of elevation rise and lots of pain and sufffering. Heard thunder and lightning overnite and was very thankful to wake to sun. A beautiful warm day hiking by 8:45 am. Ran out of water twice but found a few poor springs and drank murky, but treated water. The ups were hell and the downs were worse. Finally, summited Roan High Knob at 8 pm, just in time for a beautiful pink sunset. Got more water at the restroom on top and made it to the shelter at 8:30. I was so tired i didn't cook dnner. Just ate cold and crawled in my sleeping bag. Roan Mtn Shelter is the highest shelter on the whole AT at 6275'! It was also pretty cold. Slept like a log with three other guys downstairs and 4 other upstairs. Had very vivid dreams!Peace = Molasses
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

"To be or not to be - that is the question."               William Shakespeare - Hamlet Saturday was another beautiful day - weather wise as well as hiking, not as long thankfully, 12.6 miles. Climbed up Round Bald and Janes Bald in the morning followed by a nice dowhill section and then a nice flat section. Met 2 nice women, Christine and Joan and chatted. They remarked how big my pack was and nearly passed out when I said I had been hiking since March! They were out with a group and we stayed close a good part of the AM. I got a little concerned when I realized how much up hill they had back to their car. The afternoon was consumed by Little Hump Bald and Hump Mountain. Little Hump was a good hill to a bald summit. Rested on some sun warmed rocks then set off for Hump Mountain. 700 feet up, work, to spectacular views. It was cool because as I looked back I could see where I started my day on Roan. Weather was building and it's not very smart to be on a bald in an elecrical storm. Got to the top as the weather blew by and sat with Strider and Bob Vettel, he's sction hiking the AT. Excellent views in all directions. At 5 pm it was time to scoot and noticed that the trail crosed another bald. This one happened to have a dozen or so long horn steer on top. Sure enough we walkwd right through the herd. It was awesome! They were huge and for the most part ignored us. One however was infatuated with the ziplock in my hand and got REAL close. I confess, I was scared and bolted! Made it to the campsite by 6, chores, ate and off to bed. Sharing this nice tentsite with Strider, Bob, 6 boyscouts and their 3 leaders.Peace, Molasses
Date: 2003-05-11
From: Campsite

To: Newland, NC
Miles today: 9.0

The trail is the thing, travel too fast and you miss all you are traveling for.               Louis l'Amour - "Ride the Dark Trail"Well, seems I caught the bug that has been plaguing hikers. The first bug, bronchitis /pneumonia hit a lot of folks early on. This second bug, a stomach thing hit folks hard in the Erwin, TN area. A girl that I have been hiking with the last 2 days, Spitfire, caught a urinary infection and went to the hospital. I woke up Sunday feeling blah. Didn't sleep well and felt like I had been hit by a bus. Couldn't even drink my coffee! Now, if you know me, the inability to drink my morning coffee is huge!!!Monumental!! I knew there was something amiss. Packed up and was hiking by 8:15 am. Another rarity! Strider and I were to meet his daughter and her friend John Henry at the road, just under 3 miles away. Met up with them a mile and a half down trail and they said they would take me into town. I arrived at the Shadylawn Motel in Newland, NC., Called my folks, ate a little something then went to sleep for 17 hours. I woke up this morning feeling a pale shade of yellow and this afternoon I'm proud to say I ate some eggs, bacon, toast hash browns and yes, COFFEE!!! Yum. walked around town, got some supplies and hit the library. Checked out trail journals site. "Thanks everyone for all the messages. "Now, I have to finish town chores and arrange my shuttle to Hampton,TN. Yes I am skipping a few miles. I really want to get to Damascus on time and make most of the Trail Days event - so I will make up this section later. It is a sunny, cool and very windy day. There are forecasts of wind gusts up to 60 mph at 3500 feet. Glad I'm not up there today. Also glad I still have my long underwear with me. It should be chilly at night! I am now craving a chicken and broccoli pizza, no red sauce, and lots of cheese! like alfredo sauce! It's amazing, I can pretty much eat whatever I want and still don't gain weight! The AT diet is awesome!Gotta scoot, I have a date with dehydrated milk, instant breakfast and ziploc baggies! No, those arent trail names, Its breakfast for 4 days!Peace, Molasses