morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-31
From: zero day at Neels Gap

To: Another zero day at Neels Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Dan left this morning for Low Gap shelter at 0715. Very emotional to let him go on without me. Mark sent me a message saying " try and give it another shot. This is your dream! Hugging you in my thougts". I cried...everything is okay because he is still behind me and wants me to succeed. (Sorry hon if I gave too much info about you...but that was so sweet and very encouraging). Megan left to continue on her hike. Jane picked me up and took me to the clinic to get the feet checked out. Another hunk of money. He took a culture, put me on Bactrim and Indocin, and an antibiotic ointment. More money. Jane and Dave took me to their Wed. night prayer service. They served a free dinner to start and saw many of the people from the day before that were at the center. They were all praying for my feet. Back to Jane and Daves for some more elevating of the feet. Jane is soooo crafty and sews. She made some smocked dresses for her daughter when her daughter was little. After taking my meds...started to feel really nauseated. Hmmmm! Good-night.
Date: 2010-04-01
To: Zero day at the Garcia house
Miles today: 0.0

Made coffee this morn, shower and laundry in. Feet look and feel much better. Breadfast of champions...pancakes and bacon.Into town to craft town, and to Podiatrist. Nervous about what he would say. Blisters would heal, toenails will fall off, heel will be irritated again...bottom line...no permanent damage sooooo GAME ON!!! Now to get to the trail tomorrow and off I go again. New boots, new friends and a new attitude.Thanks for all the love and support from family, friends and my 3-South family. You are awesome.
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Zero day at the Garcia house

To: Zero day again
Miles today: 0.0

At the Blueberry patch. Yeah. Start hiking tomorrow. This is the first place i did a mail drop to. Awesome to get a box. one from me and one from Jenn C. It was so great...made me smile. Jenn...that card was so great. Jane drove me to see Tumbler and Ratman at the Hiawasee Inn then drove me back to the hostel. Dan's parents are on their way down to Unicoi to pick up Dan...he is not interested in hiking anymore. I hope not because I'm slow. He was so patient with me and walked very slow because of me. They gave me the food Dan had in his box, took me to lunch then left me back at the hostel again. Sad to see him go. This family, the Poteats, that owns the Blueberry Patch have been helping hikers for years. Gary hiked the trail in 1991 (I think). This Christian family offered us bunks, showers, frig full of food. They have a hiker box full of things other hikers don't want and we can take what we need. It's amazing the things people will carry in their packs. Didn't sleep much because of all the snoring again. There were Gonzo, Turtuga, John, Country, Naptime, another John and myself. Fun just talking and sharing stories about our experiences. In the morning they fixed us pancakes, sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, and coffee. They have donkeys and goats in their backyard. The shower is in the backyard...yes it is a flushing potty. Thank you Lennie and Gary...for you love, hospitality and kindness. You are in my prayers.
Date: 2010-04-03
From: Dick's Creek Gap 

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

Last shower last evening Gary Poteats son drove us about 3 miles to the trail head. Met Ratman and Tumbler and off we go...It was a warm day so eventually shed my pant legs and shirt arms (you'll have to realized that I can zipper off these portions of my clothing) Since we are in a gap...we always start on the incline. It's always up, up, and up. Sucking wind for awhile. Mostly your eyes are on the trail to see where you are going to step so there is not much view. Buggy again. Alot of bites. Set up tent. German Shepherd dog in our tent area and a bird would not stop squaking all night long. In bed by 8:30. Early to bed since it's so dark out. Really aware of night sounds...scary. Alot of snoring going on. Didn't sleep much. Tumbler, Ratman and Country camped close. See you in the morning.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter 

To: Carter Gap
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Most of today was small ups and downs. Easter trail angels fixed omlets and packed lunches for us. Big fire tonight. Feet ok but have new blister on big toe. Man at lunch was really encouraging saying blisters are apart of your feet now. Oh well. Guess we will have to deal with it. Tomorrow a big climb and a long day. Still hiking with the same couple, Ratman and Tumbler. Another couple is also staying at this site tonight. Hung our bags on bear lines so those pesky bears wouldn't bother our food. I have sunburn on my arms...never thought that would happen being in the woods most of the day. I hope to start posting some of my photos soon.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Carter Gap

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

Started out at around 0830. Sunny and warm. Six miles down the trail...not bad hiking. Tumbler and Ratman stop every hour to take off packs and take a break. Around 1230 is when we started to climb Albert Mountain. In less than 1/2 mile it went straight up about 700 feet. Not bad when looking at the numbers but when you are climbing it...WOW. At the top of Albert was a fire tower (I did not climb it). The view was amazing. The little bugs that bite are out so you don't sit for very long. One girl has a bug net over her face...not a bad idea. Took lots of pictures. (I don't have any way of downloading these photos until I get to a library.) Took off shoes to give toes a break. This is really hard on the feet Love the mountains...the views, the smells, the people. I can't get over how helpful everyone is on the trail. The decent from Albert was all downhill...and we really made time on the downhills. We got to Rock Gap Shelter around 4 PM. Ratman really wanted a pizza and tried to get someone to pick him up at the road that we could see from the shelter. No go on that one. Can you believe it...I made the fire for us tonight. I also had ramin noodles with a can of chicken for dinner and used the can to make a mouse rope for me above my head. I was so proud of myself. It's the little things in life. I slept in a shelter last night and probably had the best night sleep on the trail so far. (four other guys in the shelter...nice snoring music to sleep by). Will try to make it into Franklin, N.C. tomorrow.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Rock Gap Shelter 

To: Franklin, N.C.
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: clear sky

Up at 0600 to hike 3.8 miles onto the road and wait for shuttle to take us to Franklin. Got a room. To Hardee's for breakfast. Showers, laundry, and food supply. Good meals, talk to family then tomorrow head to free breakfast at church down the road then off to the trail head.
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Franklin, N.C.

To: Franklin, N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just read all your encouraging words on my guestbook. This is an amazing journey. Miss all of you back home. My feet are healing and I am hiking with amazing people that really watch over me. Learning alot...about myself...what I can and can't do. Relying on our Savior for protection, healing of the feet, loneliness (you can be lonely even when you are surrounded by wonderful people) and plain old food and water. This is like a jigsaw puzzle. Putting pieces together...sometimes they fit and sometimes you just have to rearrange so they do fit. Can't tell you all the emotions that surge through you when you think about home, work, smells out in the woods, campfires, bears, mice in the shelters, and peeing in the woods...there are some things that you just have to do. This journal doesn't do justice to the things you hear and feel as you are climbing a mountain. Serveral songs go thru my head as I'm heading out (and you always head out to climbing a mountain), Climb, climb up sunshine mountain. AND my favorite Psalty song...We're going camping now, we're on our way, we're going to climb up that mountain and run and jump and play and as we hike along we're going to sing, hallelujah to the King...Hallelujah to the King every day, every moment for His amazing creation. Thank you all for your encouragement. See you next time...same BAT time...same BAT channel...woops...I should say Hiker time and channel...you get my drift anyway. Loves. We have been to Hardee's for breakfast, mexican for lunch, and Dominos for dinner. In between a shuttle took us to WalMart and groc. I also bought tulle at Walmart to make a bug net for my head. So far so good. Just returned from a run to McDonalds for a hot fudge ice cream. Good night all. Loves
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Franklin, N.C.

To: Cold Springs Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

The sun was shining thru tent walls. Need to be up. The wind was so strong last night blowing against my tent. We camped with Zoe, a young girl from Florida that kept getting lost. Throw It Down was there with his dog, McKinley, me, Tumbler and Rat Man. Also at the shelter were Troll, Hobbit, Hillbilly and Ramblin Man. They had a nice fire going. Left the site at 0800 this morning and an hour later the clouds rolled in and started to sprinkle. Packs off and rain gear on just as the sky let loose and poured on us. There was thunder and lightning. We covered 11 miles in the rain. Trees down over the path that had to have just happened. Soaked and cold. Shoes so wet on the inside that I squished with every step. The rain was so heavy that I couldn't see thru my glasses. Ate dinner with John, whom I met at the Blueberry Patch.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: scattered clouds

At Fontana Dam shelter. Want shower and lunch and laundry. Also running low on alcohol for my stove. Have to get ride into town. Will cost $3.00 each way. Could not get phone service this morning. Still hiking with Ratman and Tumbler. Have met a number of others. Tomorrow we start into the Smokie Mountains. Concerned about the bears. It will take about 5 days to get through the Smokies. I will probably not have any phone service during that time unless we get off the trail and go into Gatlinburg. Mark will be loading some of my photographs. They can be seen in the photo section.
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Double Springs Gap

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Stayed at a very full shelter last night. 15 people. Left this morning around 8:30. It was straight up to Clingmans Dome. There is still snow on the ground. Hiked 14 miles today. So many things to see and hear. You cant capture it. The birds chirping early, then the bugs buzzing and cool breezes just when you need it. The guys hitched a ride into town to get us pizza and pop. We are so hungry. Three more nights in the shelters and then to a hostel. Cant wait for a shower. Its the little things we take for granted. Its Ratmans birthday. Still hiking with him, Tumbler, Six Course and Fog. I met two other nurses but dont remember their names. The weather is fine but sometimes chilly. My feet still hurt but I am coping. I dreamed for the first time last night which is good. I know I have lost at least 10 pounds. I have to use a safety pin to hold my pants up. Since I cannot journal everyday, the mileage on the web site is not correct. My records show that I have hiked 163 miles. I am now a member of the hundred-miler club :-) Thank you to those that have encouraged me with you calls, notes and prayers! No bears so far!
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Pigeon River
Miles today: 18.4

It rained a little before the sun came up. But not much. It was a cool, breezy day and we hiked right out of the Smokey Mountains after hiking 18.4 miles. The last seven were all downhill. Got to Standing Bear hostel and there was "no room at the inn." Mostly guys there and everyone was drinking alcoholic beverages. Not really a friendly bunch. We decided to leave there and are now camped by the Pigeon River. Just our three tents. We should be at Hot Springs by Sunday. Ate dinner of alfredo noodles and cookies for dessert. Let Dr. Doench and his office know that I have been brushing. I even took a picture of me brushing. Will try to put that one on computer later this week. Got a new blister on my foot. Check out my photos that I recently uploaded. My hiking companions are still Ratman (Winston), Tumbler (Marsha) and Six Course (John). We hike about the same speed and get along well.
Date: 2010-04-17
From: I-40

To: Walnut Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: light rain

Biggest day ever to hike. 21.2. WOW. It sprinkled a little all morning then after lunch turned to sunshine. Trail magic at one of the roads. I ate 2 hot dogs and 2 cokes. That caffeine really helped me make it up the hills. We tented by the Pigeon River off I-40. Really a different experience to be on a dirt road just the three tents. We were packed up before the sprinkle came.
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Today was an unusual one. We were up before daybreak, 0630, packed and ready by 0645 to hike 13.1 miles into Hot Springs, NC for a room with a shower. Arrived into town at 1230. Showers and food are #1 priority. Then off to do laundry. The interesting thing about today was that the wind at Walnut Mountain was so strong and the shelter was full. We did tent, but it was in the low 30's. Brrrrr. The hike was mostly downhill and tomorrow will be a big mileage with starting uphill. That's the way the hike is...into town is downhill and out of town is uphill. Met Cookie and Tic, Conan and Backwards in town. Fog staying at same place we are. Kinda neat to run into people that you have camped with in the past. It looks like alot of rain this week. Can't wait to see Mark on Friday...of course Ratman, Tumbler, and 6-course are anxious to meet Mark too Will try to give more info in the next town which will be Friday in Erwin, TN.
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at the hotel in Hot Springs,NC at the Alpine Lodge at 1100. The first part of the day flew by even though it was a tough uphill climb. We visited a fire tower which I could only climb to the first level. (The steps are all wooden). When we arrived at the shelter we met Turtle and Catcher. He is retired and she "catches babies" (midwife). We were in the shelter by 8:30 and Tumbler and Ratman are stoking the fire. There are quite a few tenters here. 6-course and Trooper are both asleep already.
Date: 2010-04-20
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Cool this morning...then a drizzle, drizzle, drizzle. Saw two deer this morning as we started off. Stopped in for a snack at Little Laurel Shelter. It was a seven mile slow climb...then came Blackstack Cliffs and Big Firescald Knob. It was like climbing a huge rock with no ropes. The wind was fierce and we seemed to be on top of the world. It was a good thing that there were some bushes around or I might have had to take the "bad weather" trail. We made it though. Not alot of pictures due to the fact that the fog was so thick, we couldn't see very far. There were alot of people in the shelter tonight because of the bad weather...it really was raining by now.
Date: 2010-04-21
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: broken clouds

Walked in the rain most of yesterday. Just a drizzle but a cold drizzle. Got a spot in the shelter. It rained off and on during the night. Still rainy and cold this morning. About 10:00 am I was surprised by a friend on the trail. His name is Ron, trailname McGiver. During the past few years, I have hiked sections of the AT with him and his wife, Sue. As Ron and I hiked to the road, we were met by Sue, who was there waiting for us with food. Great trail angels! Cool hiking weather with another 15 miles down. Thanks to Jim and Jane for their encouraging phone messages.
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we hiked up to Big Bald. Really a neat view all the way around. We wanted to hike all the way to the shelter that was closest to Erwin but it seemed that everyone was heading that way. We found a clearing in Spivy Gap and set up camp with a nice fire going thanks to Tumbler. Another couple came in behind us, Minnie Mouse and Confusious with their dog (can't remember his name). Carrie and Carl came in behind them and set up their tent and Lone Wolf 55 came in after them...so we had a group with us. The creek was right there for the water then it started raining around midnight and didn't stop til the morning. Didn't sleep well. Looking forward to a hotel room with a nice shower...hate to tell you that it's been 5 days since my last shower. YUK...it really makes you appreciate the "little" things in life
Date: 2010-04-23
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

It rained most of the night so we folded up our tents in the drizzle. It was not a very big hike into town. Just a few uphills and alot of down. Mark sent a message that he had 150 miles to go and we still had two hours of hiking left. The timing was perfect. He picked us up and went straight to the Pizza Plus for their buffet. Mark could not believe what I was eating and took a picture of my plate I guess hiking all those miles makes you hungry. I have lost enough weight that I had Mark drive me into town to buy a new pair of pants. They say you can burn up to 5000 calories a day hiking all day. I just haven't gotten my hiker appetite yet...or have I? Mark and I sent shopping for the pants then he took me to Texas Roadhouse for dinner. YUM. Now I'm just catching up on all my journals. We all had to set up our tents in the back of the Motel 8 to dry them out. Now with a backpack full of food we will be in great shape when we climb out of this town on Sunday. Sadly it's supposed to rain for the next 4 days. Don't like carrying a wet tent. BOO HOO.
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Deep Gap

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain on the tent at midnight. It rained all night long. Tumbler said that about 2:30 am a car drove down the gravel road and blew his horn as he went by. I never heard it so I must be sleeping better. There were about twenty tents camped. Walked in the rain all day. The temperature dropped and I was shivering and sniffling. So tired I am going to bed. Hoping tomorrow is better for hiking. We covered 14 miles from Deep Gap to Clyde Smith shelter. Thanks to all of you who send me messages on email, Facebook and Trailjournals! I read them all. They keep me going when I start to get discouraged. Sorry that I don't have time to respond to them. In case you are wondering, when I am on the trail I text my journals to Mark who puts them on line. I can only put up the journals myself when I come off the trail and can get to a computer somewhere, usually a hostel or hotel or library.
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Roan Mountain
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

This has been one long day. As we started up Roan Mountain is was rainy and cold then it started to SNOW. Can you believe it? It was beautiful but as we climbed higher it started to accumulate. Got to about 1/2 in of snow on the ground. Six Course was way ahead and Tumbler and Ratman were not far behind but I couldn't see them. By the time we got to the Roan Mountain Shelter we couldn't feel our hands and we could see our breath. We stayed for a few minutes then started downhill. This was one of the highest shelters on the AT. The snow stopped and it was just wet and our shoes were soaked. We were determined to get to Overmountain Shelter which is a big barn and then it started to sleet. Little balls of white hitting us in the head. Just got to our "hotel" for the night. The old Barn. We cook downstairs and sleep in the loft. We have endured rain this morning, snow and sleet this afternoon. Yuky day. We might be calling someone to see if we can get a ride to hotel. We could hike six miles to hostel but its the same price. The group has nothing dry. Me, I am ok. Thanks to my winter coat and gloves. Thirteen miles thru yuk. Up over Roan Mountain. Now trying to stay warm in sleeping bag. I had crackers for dinner. Not really hungry. Will try to do better tomorrow. Can see my breath in the barn. Cold.
Date: 2010-04-28
From: Overmountain Shelter (the Barn)

To: Mountain Harbour B&B
Miles today: 9.2

We left the Barn about 8ish and again climbed straight up. It was beutiful...with all the snow on the ground. Took many pictures. THEN we started over the balds. I cannot tell you how much I wanted to give up. It was exhausting. The wind was so strong that when my nose dripped from the cold the wind blew those snot drops straight out at a 45 degree angle. Had to hold on to my bandana cause it would have been gone. I felt like I was in the Hymalayas or something...it was probably about 32 degrees and the wind was at about 55MPH...but who knows. We talked to some other hikers later. They left the barn about 2 hrs after we did and the snow was gone and the wind died down. We did get the good pics though. There was an all you can eat steak place 1/2 mile up the road so we hiked up there...it is only open Th,F,S,and Sun. which is bad cause today is WED. A nice man drove us down about 3 miles into town to a BBQ place...the best tasting food and ice cream...YUM. His son then drove us back to this B&B and John and I stayed in the trailer while Marsha and Winston stayed in the hostel part. $18.00 per night. Laundry done for us for $5.00. Set up wet tent to dry out for awhile.
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Mountain Harbour B&B

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Cold morning in the trailer at the hostel. Eighteen dollars for the stay and five dollars for them to do our laundry. Ate donuts and hot tea for breakfast. Left this morning at 9:00 am and finished hiking at 6:30 pm. 18.4 miles covered. It was pretty rolling terrain today. Ratman and Six Course led us up this road which was the AT then it veered to the right. However, they didn't see it and led us straight up. We still managed to end up at the right place anyway. However, because we are "purists", we dropped our packs and ran back down to the official AT trail and followed it back up to where we were. We must not miss any of the trail It only took a few minutes. It was fun running without our packs. Freedom: if only for a short time. Arrived at camp and set up my tent. I cooked dinner of Ramen noodles on my little stove and added tuna to it for protein. Now staring at a fire with Whamo, Blue Meanie, Tumbler, Ratman, Six Course and Holy Smoke. Nice evening.
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

This was a great sunny day. Started this morning at 0800 and hiked to Kinkora Hostel...we thought they might have food but didn't have anything.We hiked to Laurel Falls and it was beautiful. Alot of cliffs and a bridge that I wasn't sure of...many steps up and down on the rocks. Ratman and Tumbler wanted to hike another mile into Hampton, TN for lunch. Six Course wanted to keep hiking cause we had a giant hill ahead of us. Ratman and Tumbler hid their packs in the woods...and I carried mine the three extra miles into town...the waitress filled my water bottles and platypus full of clean, fresh water. Very heavy as I started up that hill. Tumbler started complaining about her stomach. Uh oh...there have been about 50 hikers that have come down with the "plague". That's what they are calling it. We hiked to the lake and Six Course had already been there a couple of hours and had a swim in the lake. I took my shoes off and washed my feet...and did it feel cold and good. We hiked another 1.8 miles around the lake to our shelter. There was room for 5 of us. Tumbler and Ratman set up there tent in the back of the shelter. We hung our food from a tree about 30 feet away. There were also several tenters there.