morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Unico Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

I had a ham and cheese omelet at about 8 am. Then I started looking for a ride until a lady turned around in the middle of the road. "You hikers going to the AT? I'm going that way." Her name was Cindy and she enjoyed our company as much as we did the ride.The omelet was a bad idea. 1000+ feet straight up to start the day. 16 miles to Dick's Creek. The plan was 8 miles the first day and 8 more on the second day. But lack of water made it 10 and 6. Well at mile 7 I was beat. Everything ached. Mike was ahead and no water for 3 miles. I hiked sore and eventually hurt my back.By the time I got to the gap, I couldn't bend over. It was a dumb move to push myself that hard. Mike had a campfire going. I struggled to set up my tent. I ate and went to bed.I heard owls again during the night.Scuba
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: broken clouds

Chilly morning but lots of sunshine. Sore is an understatement. Mike helped me pack up. It took until noon to do the 3 or so miles to the shelter. Mike is waiting at the Blueberry Patch hostel for me. The pain was bad and not worth trying for 3 more miles.I have 1 more day of food and I will wait until my back feels better. I took 800mg of ibuprofen.I was spaced nicely from hikers, only seeing a few a day. As soon as I slowed up tons have passed by.Hopefully my back is better tomorrow. I need to resupply in Hiawassi. Chaffing is a lot better. Blisters are not a factor. I'll be happy when my body toughens up more.Only 2 days of hiking left in Georgia!Scuba
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Deep Gap

To: Dicks Creek
Miles today: 3.5
Weather: clear sky

Last night was fun at the shelter. Three teachers that called themselves "The Rainmakers" spoiled us with food. Fresh vegetables, fajitas, cheese cake, cappucino, you name it! The sawed a ton of wood and made a nice fire. I was up early and left the shelter at 6:30. I hobbled to Dicks Creek, it took me until 1:00. My back is still sore and it's caused me to pull muscles in my legs.The rain makers were at the road and gave me a snickers bar. I hitched with two other hikers to Mullins Motel. Big mistake! I am moving to Holiday Inn tomorrow. My dad says Mullins is the motel talked about in the book "A Walk in the Woods." I'm feeling better but I need another day of rest.I saw snow on Georgia's only ski resort. I keep hearing lots of grouse drumming but no gobblers yet.Scuba
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Holiday Inn

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I decided to leave with my back still sore. I mailed some gear home and some farther down the trail. Gary gave me a ride to the trail head. Hitching has been easy lately.At the road I saw bridget from the first day. She was sick and took a few days off. I got to the shelter at 2:00. A guy named "Wounded knee", also from the first day is here, along with "Smokey mountain Steve"I made Mac 'n Cheese with real cheese. Karen would be jealous. I will make it to North Carolina tomorrow.Scuba
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: few clouds

A few guys came to the shelter last night late. They were going to tent but good old "Smokey mtn Steve" made room. He drug their packs up to the third story....everyone was awake.I was slow starting, I set off at 8:00. My back and legs ached at first but after awhile it was minimal. I crossed into North Carolina at 10:30. "Wounded knee" and I exchanged photos. We ate lunch at the large gnarly tree at Bly Bap.The start of NC was steep. I took it easy and got to the shelter at 2:00. I only had one liter of water the whole day. Somehow I missed the spring at Bly Gap.Adios GeorgiaScuba
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

"Ranger Rick" and "Tanglefoot" also stayed at the shelter last night. Rick is from St. Cloud, FL. He helped build the Stick Marsh where I fished last winter. He was also at the Fellsmere Frogleg Festival I attended. His pack was the heaviest I've seen at 86 pounds.I woke up early to grouse drumming but didn't leave until 8:00. I forced down 3 liters of water. Thats alot of water at once!I rested and ate lunch at Deep Gap. The next climb was the highest yet at 5500'. Standing Indian Shelter had a warning notice up from the ranger. "Dangerous bear at trail took packs and showed no fear of humans" Wish I hadn't cut my food rope up for tarp ties. Georgia had great bear cables but none in NC yet. Each day I feel better. Cold, snow, and rain forcasted for the weekend. The last three miles were easy and I tented for the night. Bridget and "Wounded knee" camped nearby. About eight of us camping at this gap. The girls are scared from the bear warning and asked people to camp close. They asked "Wounded knee" to move his food bag farther away. Then they came across to my area and asked "Mind if I dump my left over food here?"....heh whatever.Scuba
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I slept awesome in the tent last night. The soft grass beats the hard shelter floors. I ate some breakfast bars and left camp at 7:30.There was lots of rhodedendrum again. Still none in bloom though. It's neat the way you get half mile long canopies of it.Several miles were relatively flat. As I saw it never gets easy, just less hard. The day being cool and windy makes for short rests. Overall a great day for hiking.I've been seeing lots of bloodroot, used by indians for war paint. A few daphodils are up also.I had lunch at Betty Creek Gap. I cooked ramen noodles despite being very low on fuel. A slight drizzle during lunch. It was nice to relax alone for awhile.Just before getting to Albert Mountain I saw a couple of guys running bear hounds. I told them I use to have rabbit beagles and asked them what type of dogs they had. "Dem dare is hounds"....really.Anyway Albert Mountain was straight up. Knee to chest high boulders to climb over. Luckily it was only .3 miles to the summit. A spectacular view up top. I didn't climb the 5 flights of stairs up the fire tower...I arrived at the shelter at 1:30, I could have done another 5 miles but wanted to take it easy on my back."Wounded knee", Charity, Bridget, "Wanderer", "Fish", "2 paws", Steve, "Gazelle" were all at or near the shelter.Scuba
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

It was cold last night, and for good reason. We got 6 inches of snow. I woke everyone up when I noticed it had snowed. Soon after, "Fish" came running to the shelter making lots of noise. He slept in a hammock and was covered in snow. The hammock has a cover but it's crazy in my opinion.I hussled to get ready. I wanted to be the first down the trail. It's kind of like being the first down the ski slope. As others complained about the snow I took off and made the first footprint.The snow made the trail seem alot more remote. It was the best day of hiking yet. Absolutely beautiful. The snow was untouched for about 4 miles of hiking. I took a water and food break and then got passed.I finally saw some deer tracks, so some do exist. Mostly easy terrain again today. I saw "Fish" and "2 paws" at old Rt. 64. They were walking a mile down the road to a campground. I kept on at a good pace and finished 9 miles by 1:30.I was worried about getting a ride. 11 miles from town is a long way. All the snow and being a Sunday was not in my favor. 5 minutes of waiting and Mike pulls up in his truck. He works at a nearby outdoor center. Off to Franklin we went.By the time I check in, eat, buy detergent, fuel, food, do clothes, shower, and email people....when do I rest? Gotta love a hot shower though after 4 or 5 days.No fuel at Wally World, but I did pick up a turkey call. Hopefully I can get a few to gobble. Oh, I also bought ear plugs. Dang snorers in the shelters.I'm not sure if I tell enough about the people I meet. As hiking gets easier I will have more energy to write more. The stories are endless. I wouldn't have enough paper to write about them all. But you people can get off your duffs and hear them for yourselves.Scuba
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Gap picnic area
Miles today: 5.9

I got in several hours of CNN this morning. I grabbed a muffin at the continental breakfast. After that I called a cab to take me to the outfitters for fuel. "Fish", "2paws" and "Shawn O" were there.I had the cab drop me at the grocery near the motel. I loaded up with way too much food. I am trying fajitas this time. I also bought alot more snacks.I got back just in time to pack and get out of the motel before the noon checkout time. I started hitching on a busy 4 lane highway. I was worried about the police hasseling me.Mike picks me up and asks for gas money. Good thing I said yes, he was out of gas and down on his luck. The first gas station was closed...all I'm thinking is I really dont want to run out of gas 5 miles in the wrong direction. We got some gas and off we went.I hit the trail at 12:30. I only saw 1 hiker. He said it was 15 degrees last night....brrr. There was a lot of snow still around. Frozen on one side of the mountain and slush on the other.I couldn't make it to my planned camp area. So I stayed at a wayside picnic area with "No Camping" signs. There was large areas of green grass to camp on. It was my first night camping alone....ever. I should not have teased Charity so much about the bears. It's cold already at 6:00. I'm going to sleep in all the clothes I have.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Wayah Gap picnic area

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

Well I survived my first night alone. It was pretty chilly all night with high winds too. As long as I kept everything inside my sleeping bag I was warm. Problem is when you take an arm out you freeze. The bag fits like a condom so keeping arms and head inside is a tight fit. If I had it to do over again I would buy a larger bag.The cold kept me in until 9am. Thats a long time since I went to bed at 6:30 last night. First part of the day was mostly uphill. Mud, slush, and snow made the trail.I took a 2 hour lunch on Wayah bald. It was hands down the best view yet. There was an old stone tower to climb. You could see 30 to 50 miles in each direction. Clingmans dome in the smokies, Albert fire tower, and Standing Indian Mountain were all in view. "Fish", "2paws" and "Shawn O" were there. They stayed at the Franklin Inn while I was at the Comfort Inn.I was lazy for most of the day. I kept pushing though and got to a full shelter at 6:00. I set up my tent and cooked chicken fajitas...not bad! I had blueberry cobbler for desert. I hung my food bad and went to bed at 7:30.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Cold Spring Shelter

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

Well it's been a long day. It's 8:15 pm and I am still awake.The couple who tented near me brought my food bag to me this morning. I was cold and Windy so breakfast in bed was nice. I got going at 8am. My tent pole broke while packing it. Most of the day was down hill with one big climb up. I took a break at Telica gap. Mostly to eat some of the horde of food I've been carrying.Just as I was about to leave 2 men called me over to their truck. "Captain" had given another hiker a 5 hour ride back to the trail. He had taken 2 weeks off to heal his knee."Captain" also brought trail magic to share. I enjoyed a fresh orange and a cold brew. Ahead was another tower with an incredible view. 2nd to yesterdays though.From the tower it was around 7 miles down, down, down to Nantahala Outdoor Center. It was easy but it's torture on the knees. I finally got to Nantahala at 4. I signed up for a hostel spot and went to the outfitter.I drank 2 cream sodas while the outfitter epoxyed my tent pole for free. It should be a permanent fix. Still chaffed I hobbled to my 8x8 closet. The rooms are not much but this complex is a rafters paradise. You have to see it....I took a shower and ate a burger with "Gazelle", "Sherlock", "Circuit Loop" and others. I'm back in my closet and going to bed...8:30!!! super late.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, I took my 2nd zero mile day. Rest is always good but the main reason was to slow my arrival into Fontana Dam. The rate I was going placed me there saturday after post office hours. Which means I would have to wait until Monday morning.So...this place is so neat I stayed here. I went whitewater rafting. It was class 2 to 4 rapids. Nothing extreme but well worth 30 bucks. My guide Corry was a friendly young man. Only 19 years of age, he reminds me of myself at that age. He drove me 30 plus mile to an ATM.I just lounged around in the late afternoon. "Wounded knee", bridget, charity and "Wanderer" arrived."Slow walker", the irishman who was a trauma surgeon in chicago is here. I spent the first night on the trail with him in Stovercreek shelter. He walks slow long days. He has been keeping up with the fastest people who started when I did. Now however he is limping with both knees sore. He has been resting here for 6 days now. Hope he gets back on the trail soon.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

At the last minute I decided to have breakfast at the restaurant. I checked out of my closet at 10:00. A brutal uphill climb awaited..8 miles up up and up.I hiked with "Red '97" a bit. Then I saw "Sheepstuff". I talked with her for ahile. She has new hiking poles but a sore foot. The picture I sent home of a guy in a kilt is her son, Jake.I hiked alone the rest of the day. Since I am going slow to pick up my maildrop on Monday, I stopped at the shelter. Great plan! Thunder and lightning and hail all night. People envied my fajitas again....they are good."Pippi", "Wounded knee", "Red rover", "Peregrin", "Scottish father and daughter", "Sheepstuff", and "Red" made for a full shelter.There are lots of flowers out. Violets, daisies, butter cups and 4 or 5 more I can't identify.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Sassafras Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: moderate rain

Glad I did not tent, there was a big storm all night. I waited until the weather broke at 9 to leave. Another tough day. I took lots of long breaks. 2.5 hour lunch/nap. "Ox '97" set up a tent with sodas, oranges, and cookies at the gap.Then came another vicious uphill climb to the shelter. At least I saw some wildlife. I spooked a gobbler at Lewis Cove gap. He flew down the gap so I got to see him well. He wouldn't answer to my yelps though.More flowers along this section of trail. I skipped dinner since all of the snacks earlier. "Red rover", "Peregrin", "Wounded knee", "Wanderer", "Nothing decent", Pippi, the scotish family and some scouts here.The Smokies are visible....and yes I am having fun for those that ask.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Brown Fork Gap shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Comfortable night in the shelter. I hear mice but have yet to see one in any shelter. I woke up early and made oatmeal and hot coco. It's been days since I made a hot breakfast. I left the shelter at 8:00 "new" time.I hiked alone and fast. At 11:00 I stopped for lunch at the next shelter. 6 miles in 3 hours with half the day over with. I made spaghetti and took 2 hours to chat with others as they showed up for lunch.The second part of the day I hiked with Pippi. We had a thunderstorm and rain for awhile. I made plans with "Wounded knee" to share a room at the Hiker Inn. The phone at the parking lot was gone. There was a house phone to Fontana Village though. They shuttled Pippi and I to the village for a buck each.We used the pay phone there to find out there was only one room at the Hikers Inn, so I let her have it. I stayed at the Fontana Inn. It looks like a scene from the Shining. 26 bucks for a decent room. Everything within walking distance.I saw "Wounded knee" at dinner. He got his own room after he figured out what happened. 12 oz. ribeye for dinner and CNN before bed.Tons of wildflowers on the lower part of the mountain.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: light rain

I started the day with an All You Can Eat breakfast. Then I made my way to the post office. It was closed for lunch to open in 5 minutes. I left my packages to mail in the lobby. The one person to walk in before me asked the postwoman if my boxes were free hiker stuff. He liked my sil-nylon poncho...2 hours later I saw him and got it back. I should have been more careful but it was totally just bad timing. I only left it for 2 minutes.I mailed food to gatlinburg. Some gear to Hot Springs. Water pump and sunglassed home. After laundry I decided to hike the 1.4 miles from the road to the dam. I took a shuttle to and from. I met Charity at the dam and showed her the way to Fontana village. I got a picture of the hilton shelter. I ate All you can eat lasagna for dinner...that ran out. More CNN and off to bed.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well I caught the shuttle at 9 am. I didn't have my gear packed so I missed breakfast. After I got my permit for the smokies I walked across the dam and entered Great Smokie Mountains National Park. Prince Albert was there to take my picture at the entrance sign. I hiked with him a few miles.I finally got a turkey to gobble with my call. He only answered once and was a long ways off.The trail was mostly uphill into the clouds. Then came the rain. Cold and hard. I hiked 2 hours in the rain before reaching the shelter. About 16 people piled in. Gear was everywhere, some still had to tent.A chain link fence on the front of the shelter to keep bears out. A care taker at the trail head said there was no chance to see elk. They are in another area. Most of the bears are at low elevation where food is growing.It rained hard all night. I had freeze dried lasagna for dinner...it sucked. Another shelter was only 2.5 miles away but the rain was too hard for me to leave.Wounded knee, Baby steps, Wanderer, Pippi, Red rovber, Pereigrin, Veridity, Bob, Swithback, Bud, Erin, and Amanda are a few of those here with me.I am not too impressed with the first day in the Smokies but mostly because of the rain. It looks similar to other parts of the trail at this point. No camp spots outside of the shelter gives it more of a remote look. Lots of green growth on lower elevations todayScuba
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Spence Field
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: light rain

Rain rain...it let up about 10:00. Then everyone tried to get ready at once. It was crowded so I stayed in bed until most were done. 12:00 start.I ate at the next shelter 2.5 miles away. Then on 3 more miles to Spence field. It was a short day but I walked wet in the clouds all day. Zero views. Mudslide trails make it hard to walk. Easy uphill today except for the mud. Sliding every step sucks.I tried to start a fire at the shelter but no luck. It's an old stone shelter with a fireplace. Most shelters are wood with a fire pit outside.I'm caged in again. Cold and off to bed.Scuba
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Spence Field

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: snow

Welp I woke up to 2 or 3 inches of snow and it was still coming down hard. I did not put on my rain gear early yesterday so my shorts and shirt are wet. Laying them out to dry with the snow did not help much.After an oatmeal I suited up with my dry long johns. That leaves me with only a dry fleece coat and hat.I started hiking with Pippi and Babysteps for the first mile. When they stopped for a break I kept on and blazed the trail for everyone else.Rocky Top was very neat. To bad visibility was 100 feet.When I stopped for a break Pat caught up with me. He is a teacher from Michigan out section hiking for spring break. We hiked together to the next shelter for lunch. We got so cold fast..we had to get into out last dry clothes and sleeping bags.There were 2 guys at the shelter who decided not to hike in the snow. Our plan was to stay there for 3 hours until we were warm then go 5.5 miles to the next shelter. Well 3 hours passed, then 4, then 5 but we didnt want to get into our wet clothes.It was still snowing with 6+ inches at this point. Then people started showing up. Not many I knew. Finally 19 people in a 10 or 12 person shelter and more tents outside. They tossed snowy gear on clothes I had been trying to dry for 5 hours.Pat had a car at Clingmans dome. He turned around and was hiking back to it when the snow started. The plan was to do 4.5 miles tomorrow to drive out of this winter nightmare.At 5:45pm we took off to the next shelter 5.5 miles away. People thought we were nuts. We hiked as hard as we could go in the snow. Temperature was falling with approaching darkness. Snow was coming in sideways and the 1000fo elevation change had us in 12 inches with knee to waste high drifts. I doubt I have ever been in weather like this in my life. Certainly not 30 miles from town.We hiked together and watched out for one another. During the later miles we got cold. It was hard to hike fast enough to stay warm. With headlamps on we saw the next shelter. It was 8:30 pm. We prayed there was room in it. 5 good friends with tarps set up to block the wind.Pippi, Babysteps, Wanderer, Nothing decent, Kakilaki. We stripped out of wet stuff and got into out bags. Pippi game me a space blanket and after an hour of shivering I fell asleep.Hypothermia was a valid concern. I am not trying to be dramatic, but I was very focused and frightened about the situation.A chance to drive out tomorrow, no extra food to stay out the storm, and a chance my folks would be in Gatlinburg Saturday are the decisions that pushed me on. My parents might even be at Clingmans tomorrow if they get there early.Scuba