morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Gooch Gap

To: Blood Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Here I am sitting on a rock at Blood Mountain summit looking to the North East at the sprawling metropolis of Blairsville, Georgia. The same group of thru hikers is at this shelter tonight as was at Gooch last night with the addition of Graham. He's just out here doing a month before his next semester starts at GA State University. Cool guy.The hiking today was really nice, much more green than the previous days and I feel like I'm starting to get my hiking legs finally. I'm a little sore but it's all good.My left shoe had the stitching tear out the day before I left for the trail today, the right one ripped on a rock when I was on my way up Blood Mountain. They're both messed up. I'm going to try to call Montrail tomorrow from Walasi-Yi to see if they'll send me new ones at the NOC and allow me to send these torn up ones back to them. In other gear related news - it seems as if my pack repair worked. It's been much more comfortable these last two days. I got a bit of a sunburn today on my arms and legs, I was wearing my hat so my head was good. After I realized I was burnt, I put on some sunblock, I'll make sure to keep on top of that from here on out. We've all piled into the shelter tonight because it's supposed to rain and there are no good places to tent on this rocky summit.Tomorrow, I plan to hike 2.4 miles into Neels Gap to handle the shoe BS and to pick up food, wash clothes, and maybe snag a shower. Some people are talking about getting a cabin, who knows, I may be into that.My body is getting used to the abuse now and it's been treating me really well. I'm looking forward to giving it and easy day tomorrow.This dude told me I look like Sinbad today - that's the closest thing to a trail name so far. But for my buddy Ryan's sake, I'm not going to go with it.(Ryan HATES Sinbad). Someone also suggested Bacon for a trailname today because up to this point I've had bacon in every meal. I shot that one down quick, I'd rather not be named after swine. I appreciated the attempt though.I'm off to bed now.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Walasi Yi Hostel

To: Chattahootcchee Gap
Miles today: 15.6

The weather cooperated today but it definitely wasn't as nice as the other days out here. The temperature was much cooler and the wind was howling and it's still howling as I write this at about 8 pm.I'm glad to be back in the woods. I'm camped here at Chattahootchee Gap with Liz, Blip, Switchback, Palmetto, Tar and Indiana Slimin in the vicinity. I'm beat after the longest day as of yet. I got to the camp at around 5:30 pm, set up my tent, made some mac & cheese, ate Oreos for dessert and had a pot of tea. Then hung the bear bags and hit the tent.The hiking was beautiful today. There was much more green again. I saw lots of Mountain Laurel & Rhododendrons.Peppermint Patty suggested that my trail name be Big J, she's hiking with her son, Strawhat. Not sure if the name Big J will stick, we'll see.The new shoes gave me a blister on the heel of my left foot. I duct taped it, it should be fine.I'm tired, I'm going to bed.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Chattahootcchee Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

This is a really nice campsite. Its slightly down from the summit in a grassy clearing overlooking the valley below. My favorite site so far with the Gooch Gap one following at a close second. We had a good sized campfire with Mover, Trucker, Bingom Indiana Slim, Moose, Cackalackee, Sunrise, Starbuck, Liz and Shreck in attendance.I got a trailname today. It's Thirsty. In the past two days I've had about 12 liters of water, one Sprite, one Yoohoo, two Gatorades and a couple of shots of Peppermint Schnapps.As I was stumbling down Blue Mountain today I saw a wonderful sight. It was my friend Cadcalacket(formerly Palmetto Tar) standing in Unicoi Gap next to a pickup truck with a cooler in the back. Upon closer inspection I also see a grill and boxes of cookies. Hell yeah! Trail Magic! The trail magician was an '02 thru hiker name Dale Aamerica. He fed me three hot dogs, a bunch of Oreos, a few Chips Ahoy, some potato chips, and a Sprite and a Yoohoo. What an awesome thing to do. I hope to do the same thing some day. Thanks Dale America!The hiking is getting easier to recover from. I'm getting my hiking legs.Tomorrow I'll walk to Dick's Creek gap for a hitch into town to resupply for 7 days to get me to Fontana Dam,NC for a maildrop.I'm hittin' it.
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

I skipped breakfast this morning because I thought it was only a 6 mile hike into Dick's Creek Gap for some reason. I learned something from it though. Being hungry definitely effects how much I enjoy my hiking. I could have stopped and made breakfast but I just kept going anyway. I got to Dick's Creek Gap at around 1:30 pm. I left camp at around 8:30 am. It took me about 40 minutes to get a ride, it was the first time I've ever hitch hiked. I pick hitch hikers up all the time, it was strange being on the other side of the wheel. I am staying in Mull's Motel with Dirty Dave from PA. All of my stuff was wet from that storm last night so I just figured I'd dry it off in a hotel room. The first thing we did after finding the room was go to Hardees across the street. For my left coast brethren, it's the same as Carls Jr. The sourdough bacon six dollar burger was my weapon of choice to combat my hunger. That and a large fry and a milkshake set me up real nice. After the meal I went to the grocery store with Dirty Dave to get some beer. We sat on the front porch in rocking chairs and drank them until it was too cold outside. I called home, now I'm going to bed.
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: broken clouds

I got out of the hotel room at 11 am after eating breakfast at Georgia Mountain Restaurant. It was six bucks for AYCE breakfast and all I could drink sweet tea. I was a happy man. I had bacon, eggs, biscuits, grits, french toast(or freedom toast if you're in Congress), fruit, ham and gravy. Deelicous.Right now I'm freezing my ass off in Plumorchard Gap shelter. It snowed last night on the trail in the area and it has done so here since I got here at around 2:30 pm. It's all good though, it's going to be 75 degrees by the end of the upccoming week. Snow is definitely better than rain.Tonight in the shelter are 4 people I hadn't met until today. Graham and his dog Harley, Erin, Amanda and Burrito. Graham has been laid up in the shelter for a few days on doctor's orders to rest. He had to stay here at the shelter because no hotels in Hiawassee would let him keep the dog in the room.I'm going to try to get to Standing Indian shelter tomorrow which will take me into North Carolina. I'm definitely going slower than I expected but I just want to make sure I really enjoy myself and not get too anxious to do big miles. I got plenty of time.I've taken quite a few good pictures but I still have to take about 40 more to fill up the first card. The pictures can't do some of these overlooks any justice and they definitely can't capture the good vibes you get from the whole trail community.Lovin Life.Thirsty
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: few clouds

It was very cold today. It snowed some more last night. I'm camped just outside the shelter. I got in at dark because I got such a late start (11:30 am from Plumorchard Gap). I got into North Carolina about 8 miles ago. The welcoming committee of a couple of large mountains and cold wind was a real treat. I'm going to bed, it's a bit nippy.
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: clear sky

I woke to more wind and cold but I heard good weather forcasts on the radio last night. After two hours of walking, the wind died down, the sun came out and it was once again perfect hiking weather.I'm really taking it slow right now. I'm in no rush at all. I'm having so much fun, seeing so many beautiful sights and meeting so many cool people. I met Slip & Trip from Ohio, Scott from New Hampshire and Ben Here from Indiana this morning. Ben Here hurt his knee on the way down Standing Indian Mountain and is getting off the trail. That sucks.Standing Indian was the tallest mountain we've gone over yet at 5498 ft. There was a sign at the foot of the mountain that said there is a bear in the area that has been known to snatch packs and has no fear of hikers. I took a picture of the sign. Speaking of pictures, I have about 90 so far, I'll be sending them in to be posted when I get to Fontana Dam.Over the last few days I've gone past or over some very oddly named places. Yesterday was Chunky Gal trail, the days prior I went over Little Bald Knob, Swag of the Blue Ridge and Young Lick Knob. Big Butt Mountain comes tomorrow.Betty Creek Gap is an awesome place to camp. The area is densely covered with rhododendrons and there are plenty of places to pitch our tents. Camped in the area tonight are Scott, Amanda, Erin, Rhonda, David, Slip & Trip. We played super happy fun ball (Trip's Nerf Basketball) and had many a laugh watching Erin and Amanda hang their bear Bags.Well, with another great day past, I'm drifting off to sleep.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: clear sky

I met the new owner of Rainbow Springs Campground when I was eating the oh so delicious AYCE breakfast at the Georgia Mountain Restaurant in Hiawassee last Sunday. He asked me if I planned on stopping in. I told him that I wasn't planning on it but that I'd stop anyway. I'm glad I did. I was able to wash my clothes, eat ice cream, pizza, some more pizza and then some Little Debbie snack cakes and Yoohoos, then take a shower and camp under the stars by the Nantahala River. This is such a cool place to have a campground. I highly reccommend it to any car camping family.The whole crew that I've been bumping into the entire trip is camped here tonight. We had a little going away party for Hobbit. She was originally only out here for two weeks but now she's going back home, giving her two weeks notice and coming back to the trail. I don't blame her one bit. There's no way I could go back to the hum drum of every day life after two weeks of this. I am sacked out with a star lit ceiling above me for the second time this trip. Just as I settled into my bag and started writing this entry, a meteor whizzed by. No need to make a wish, I'm a happy man.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Siler Bald
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: clear sky

The kind folks at Rainbow Springs ran me into Franklin because I needed a fuel canister for my stove. I got onto the trail at 1 pm after splitting one more pizza with Granite. It was a short hike of about 8 miles after taking the blue blaze to the shelter for some water. Starbuck was at the shelter taking it easy because he's sick. I also met Leanna from DC there.Tonight I'm camping under the stars again hoping for another great sky. The sunset was beautiful, lots of color. I enjoyed it with Starbuck, Cookie, Tadpole and new friends Dingleberry aand Snotrocket from Wilmington, NC. They also have a journal on trailjournals.com.Camped near me also sleeping under the clear, starlit sky are Granite, Trip Slip, Dingleberry, and Snotrocket.Good Night
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Siler Bald

To: Campsite &Spring 2.2 mi no of Cold Spring Sh
Miles today: 13.8

The clear night as we went to bed last night was deceiving. We awoke this morning to howling wind and a very wet fog. My sleeping bag is pretty wet but my spirits aren't dampened. I love the ease of packing up in the morning and not having to worry about a tent. I was on my way within 15 minutes of getting out of my sleeping bag. The hiking today included several long climbs, plenty of green and lots of fog. I stopped for lunch at the stone observation tower on Wayah Bald. Wayah is the Cherokee name for wolf. The AT linked up with the Bartram Trail today for a bit. The Bartram Trail is a 100 mile trail that is thought to be nearly the same route taken by the naturalist named Bartram back in the late 1700s. I wish I remembered more from the sign about it but I don't. As I was setting up my tent tonight, it started raining so I get another soggy night in the sleeping bag. That's OK though, tomorrow I'll make it to Nantahala Outdoor Center for a cheeseburger and a new food stuff sack...in that order.In other news-I stink! My pack stinks, my sleeping bag stinks, and my clothes stink, that's what once a week showering and walking all day with a 40 lb. pack will get you.Well, it's late -like 8pm or something. I'm going to shut off the headlamp and let the pitter patter of the rain put me to sleep.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Campsite &Spring 2.2 mi no of Cold Spring Sh

To: NOC
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: moderate rain

Lots of downhill to NOC. Aching knees needed rest. Growling gut needed food. NOC is like Disneyland. Drank a few beers and had a great cajun-spiced, pan-fried steak courtesy of Joe and Matt, a father and son from Kentucky that are staying at NOC for a springtime rafting, mountain biking, hiking trip. Thanks.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: NOC

To: Robbinsville, NC
Miles today: 13.6

Long climb with lots of elevation going out of NOC. I was planning on staying at the Sassafras Gap shelter but decided to move on when I saw that there was a crowd of about 20 people there at 2 pm. Granite and I walked to Stecoah Gap in the heavy rain and thunderstorms. My pack cover wasn't on right and my sleeping bag got really wet. We hitched a ride into town and stayed at the Microtel and had Popeye's food for dinner and a continental breakfast. I took a shower and caught up on the war news. Time for bed.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Robbinsville, NC

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Stayed in my tent outside the full shelter. I'm getting a shuttle into town for my maildrop tomorrow morning. This shelter area is nice, there's running water, a shower, and flush toilet-ahhhh, the finer things in life. I hung out with Jiggle and Puffy for a bit before walking to the Dam to see what it looked like in the dark. It's supposed to be the highest dam on the east coast. Took some pictures and now I'm going to bed.Tomorrow I start the Smoky Mountains-sounds like fun!
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Birch Spring Tentsite
Miles today: 5.9

Did I say the Smokies sounded like fun? I got a late start after sorting through my maildrop(thanks, Risse), I bounced about half of it to Hot Springs. I have another drop coming in Gatlinburg, TN. I should be there on Friday morning. Back to the hiking...what a mess. My pack cover and pack leaked getting my sleeping bag and tent wet, my rain pants soaked through, my socks and shoes were soaked and my rain jacket was also soaked through. Did I mention that it started pouring from the time I got on the trail at 2 pm? The weather report doesn't look promising. Rain today, tonight, tomorrow and into Thursday. It should finally let up when I get my first true zero day in Gatlinburg. There are a bunch of us going into town for the zero. We're planning on a mini-golf tournament after a few hours in the brew pub in Gatlinburg. Most of the people I've been hiking with started earlier this morning than I and are at the next shelter at Mollies Ridge. Granite, Nothing Decent and I are the only ones at this tent area tonight. We'll have to make up the five mile difference tomorrow or Thursday. I'd like to write more but the sound of the rain on the tent fly and the impending darkness are putting me to sleep.
Date: 2003-04-13
From: Gooch Gap

To: Gatlinburg,TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My first zero day. I haven't written in awhile because literally everything but one t-shirt, one pair of underwear and one pair of socks has been wet. That includes my journal. I've never hiked through such miserable weather. Since my last entry I've had one day of rain, one day of snow, one day of rain and snow and one day of everything melting. My down bag got wet again and I spend one very cold night in it despite the fact there were 20 people in a 12 person shelter. I hit my head on a blown down tree and damn near knocked myself out. I got hit in the head with a piece of ice about the size of a softball. It's been tough going but it's really made me see what I can handle. I'm thinking that these last four days will probably be the worst weather I'll see until Northern New England, at least that's what I hope.I'm still hiking with Granite and Llama quite a bit. I've met quite a few people in the Smokies because you have to stay in the shelters. Cuss and Snackattack from MD and Apple Chillun from Chapel Hill, NC have been great too.I took a lot of pictures in the Smokies, another lots of pictures of people and of the actual trail so y'all can see some of what I get to see every day.I'm going to end this now, I'm heading to the Brewery tonight and on to Outback tomorrow. I'm hungry and of course....Thirsty.
Date: 2003-04-25
From: Erwin Tenn

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: light rain

Flash split early so that left Llama, Cuss, Snackattack & myself. We checked out of the hotel at noon, stashed our packs in Blip, Switchback, Charity, & Rocky's room, then hitchhiked to Pizza Hut for the AYCE buffet. While gorging on pizza, pasta, salad & breadsticks Granite and Miss Janet popped inn. Also at the Hut were Kakalaki, Boy Named Sue, Paw and Oopala. Kakalaki played mod country music on the jukebox, I'm not sure if that is what caused my stomach ache or if it was all that food. Miss Janet gave all of us a ride to Food Lion where I bought way too much food. She came back and took us to the post office and then to her hostel. She's got a great place and if I'm ever back this way again I'll be sure to stay there. I got the chance to talk to her a bit and asked her if she makes enough money in thru hiker season to get her through the entire year. She said she also has another job in the off season and that she makes enough to keep the whole thing running. She provides free shuttles to anyone in town too. She helps the hikers out alot. Once we got back to Holiday Inn, Chillin showed up to give us a ride back to the trail. Chillin is a first rate person. He got off the trail to take care of his golf fix. Hurry back brotha, you'll be missed. The hike into the shelter was short, we packed in some bratwurst and enjoyed a great dinner over the fire with chocolate pudding and graham crackers for dessert. Tonight at the shelter we have Snackattack, Buzz, Burn, Cuss, Llama and Pez, Carrot Slayer is tented nearby.Today on the way up to the shelter Llama, Cuss, Snackattack and I came across Gypsy Wind. This dude is probably the strangest cat I've ever met. He is a "traveler" that claims to have started hiking in Isreal in 1993. He says he island hopped in the Greek Isles, the Carribbean and intends on going on to Belize after another stint on the AT. Now to the teachings of this fella. He told us that he was abducted by the government when he was a child and they hijacked the idea for the skateboard, the jely bean jar, and silly putty from his brain. He also told us that Bill Clinton's brother is a stalker of children and the reddish stars in the sky "fart" out gray matter that is used by the government to control the people. We talked to him for at least a half hour but it was getting dark and we had mountains to climb. I'm not talking about Gypsy Wind to make fun of his views or say that I don't believe what he told us, I'm just doing my best to describe a truly unique character I ran across on this great trail.I had a great time today and tonight with these folks, tomorrow promises to be another great day.
Date: 2003-04-27
From: Chery Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Bluff
Miles today: 14.5

Happy Birthday Adam! One of my two brothers is 25 this fine Sunday. Tough hiking today. Lots of straight up and down with a whole bundh of elevation gain and loss the biggest climb was from Hughes Gap at about 4000' to Roan High Bluff at 6100' in two miles. It wouldn't have been so bad except it came at the end of a roller coaster hiking day. The bugs sucked bad too, I couldn't rest because as soom as I stopped I got swarmed. I'm camped under the stars with Cuss, Snackattack, Buzz, burn, flash, Otter & Sherpa. Llama is in his tent. Otter and Sherpa are from California. Otter's father lives in Boulder Creek and Sherpa was also in the Coast Guard. They live in San Diego and Sherpa surfs with the old drummer from Slightly Stoopid. The got to hear the band practice from their back yard. What a cool place to live. It's cold and the dew is forming so I'm pulling my tent fly over my sleeping bag and hitting it.
Date: 2003-04-28
From: Roan High Bluff

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 15.2

The hiking yesterday was spectacular! We spent most of the day on a grassy ridgeline in the Roan Highlands. I finally fot to see some deer, they were drinking from a spring, it was a great thing to see that they drink the same water as I do. Cuss and I stopped at Overmountain Shelter after we ate lunch at Stan Murray Shelter with the ret of the gang. It was the best shelter yer for scenery. It is a big red barn situated ina cove facing a huge green valley with a bald mountain on the left and a steep wooded one on the right. I took a few pictures, laid in the frass for a bit, got some water straight from the spring and signed the register. I'll definitely be back there again some day. Tonight I'm in Apple House Shelter with Llama, Snackattack, Buzz, Healer, Burn, Speilburg, and Cuss. Flash, Soy Nut, Flying Cricket, Sassafrass and tow others are tented nearby. Tomorrow I plan to walk a mile to get some breakfast, visit the porcelin and move on to either Moreland Gap Shelter or to a campsite nearby. Today was probably sone of the top three hiking days for me so far on this trip. I'm loving every minute.