morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: nowhere
Miles today: 0.0

Took a zero day today at Spence Field chillin' with Aurelius. Not even one cloud all day. In the morning a deer walked through the campsite, and then around it. It just kept eating whatever until someone would feed it real food. A raven flew right above our heads in the field. Then another one came and they talked to each other. We probably sat in the field for eight hours straight without moving. It was certainly worth it. Apparantly Gypsy has been all over. (Note to self; definitely go to South Dakota) I thought I'd get some writing done today, but it was cool just talking all day.
Date: 2003-03-25
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: clear sky

Hiked my first 20 today, Spence Field over Clingman's Dome to Mt. Collins Shelter (0.5 miles of the trail). Big supper. Hot chocolate and now I'm drinking hot milk tea in front of the fire. Staying with Scamp and Greylock, four kids in two groups, and Aurelius made it out here. Hiked with him most of the day. Had a hot lunch and kept going. Got M&M's for giving a guy who had pneumonia or something some medicinal tea. Thought the visitor's center would be up on the dome and I could get soda, but no. Today was probably the last nice day for a while. Some remarkable views on the ridge going up. Ran out of water 4 miles from the shelter, not good. Noticing my pack weight and the mountain. Just kept climbing. All in all an awesome hike, great day. Let's see how I feel tomorrow.
Date: 2003-03-26
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Hiked about 4 miles from the Mt. Collins Shelter and got to the road and monument where Aurelius and I were interviewed by a couple of crazy old people. Gypsy went into the parking lot and called me telling me telling me we had a ride into Gatlinburg so...o.k. we went into town. The girl who picked us up was the coolest angel. She brought us to Wal-Mart then to an AYCE pizza, pasta, salad place (6 bucks). It was a kid's place really. They had tons of different pizzas, even dessert ones. We ate for five hours and talked, then Gypsy and I played a game of air hockey. I picked up my pictures from Wal-Mart and they came out great. Then she brought us around town to look for a hotel. We stopped at about seven of them and ended up staying at a place that cost us $16 each including a continental breakfast. Sat in the hot tub for about an hour, then washed our clothes and went into town for ice cream and fruit and stuff at the market.
Date: 2003-03-27
From: Gatlinburg

To: Tri-corner Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke to the phone wake up call, went down to continental breakfast, ate a lot of cereal, toast, and bagels. Started packing, and Aurelius left. Finished packing. Checked out and went down the road to exchange the shoes I just got for a larger size. I now have a wardrobe in black and red. Shoes, shorts, gloves, shirt, hat. Cool. Almost total chance too. Hitched for about 20 minutes and a guy in a Jeep Cherokee Limited picked me up. Drove me to the post office so I could send some stuff home. He got gas and picked me up and drove me to the visitors center. There was a taxidermy museum with a bear, boar, snakes of various types including copperheads, birds, and stuff. Hitched up to the trail head. Didn't even get to the road before someone picked me up. A man and woman from New Hampshire area. Cool people. Got to the trail head and explained my trek to some day hikers, one older man who asked how far that trail went. Hiked out to Tri-Corner Knob Shelter, 16 something, in the most remote area of the park. Everything this side of the forest is dying. Charles Bunion was amazing. This freak outcropping provided the most breathtaking views yet. (editor's note: this feature was formed by a landslide after a bad rainstorm) This shelter is on a little uphill and around a corner, thought it was another hill. I was about ready to set up the tent because it was basicly dark. King Harvest is here. I don't know what became of Aurelius. Probably stayed at the last shelter.Tuna casserole stuff with peppers is good, next time dried jalopenos.
Date: 2003-03-28
From: Tri-corner Knob Shelter 

To: Davenport Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: broken clouds

Days like this are the reason we are out here. Started the day slow. Woke at 7, it was foggy, damp, and dark. Ate a cold breakfast with a hot drink, once I got out of my sleeping bag, and just talked while packing slowly. Hiked with King Harvest, talking about many things. Hiking down was painful, hiking up was exhausting. Ate lunch with some fellow hikers for an hour. Lightened my pack. Hiked off the mountain. Eventually got to Davenport Gap, where we de-packed and headed for Mountain Momma's. This was the best decision yet of this hike. 15 miles and then packless. Hiked to Tenn 32 where two woman sat in a car drinking water. We asked "which way to Mountain Momma's?" "Right" So we started walking slowly hoping they would give us a ride. "So its that way?" "Yeah, I think we past it up here, didn't we?" "Ah, yeah, I think we did. Its a ways back." "Yeah, its quite a ways down." "O.K., thank you." So, they never gave us a ride. Hiked down the winding road toward Mountain Momma's. My knee feels like its breaking. After several switches a stereotypical country crossroads was revealed to us, with four houses spread out, two looking decrepit, one, a trailer, and another with a green roof. Then a sign saying "Mountain Momma's Country Store, Your're nearly there." Sunlight poured over the fields. The fields emitted the kind of smell you can sense only, the one on a beautiful summer day, only in the country. We followed the road, which was flanked by a llama farm and a brook, to the store. Signs bearing cigarette logos spring from the ground, stuck like gravestones in the earth. The parking lot is filled with unusable cars, trucks, and even a bus. We walked up the steps into the store and the woman immediately asked if we wanted anything. Cheeseburgers, fries, soda. We sat surrounded by candy. One wall was filled with cartons upon cartons of cigarettes. Elsewhere there were autographed pictures of Dolly Parton, signed by her over the years. Poured vinegar on my fries. Ate and drank. This was the most satisfying eating experience I can remember. Bought more stuff. A man, his wife, and his grandchild enter. The man gets a box, then proceeds to hand cartons of cigarettes to the grandchild, then stacks them in the box. Then they bring the box of, at least 15, cartons of cigarettes to the register and he pays in cash, a full $200. We payed and asked for a ride back. We also decided to return for breakfast. As she drove us back a country song twanged soothingly from the speakers. A perfect end. But the night's enjoyments did not end there. We returned to the shelter to find John and Josh, both our age, both thru-hikers. King Harvest gave Josh, whose diet apparantly consisted of sardines and Pop-Tarts, a can of sardines. He ate and we decided to build a fire. So we gathered wood, broke logs, and found a hellbender salamander. We stayed up until 10, talking by the fire. A warm breeze completed the scene.
Date: 2003-03-29
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

Woke for a view of the sunrise from my sleeping bag, then went back to sleep. Woke to birds and a warm sun. Packed up and hiked down to the road to meet John and Josh who were up earlier. Clouds started moving in and we put on pack covers and put our packs down the banking. A car drove by and we waved and then the girl recognized King Harvest and pulled over. So we crammed ourselves into a four passenger car, that already contained three. A perfect thru-hiker moment. They drove us to Mountain Momma's where we all consumed pancakes, scrambled eggs anyway, bacon, toast, and hash browns. I had coffee and orange juice. Great start. The three hikers drove past several times. They eventually stopped again and we got another free ride to the trail. My pack had somehow relocated up the hill next to the road and rested against a tree. I don't know...At that point it had begun to rain. Aurelius showed up and we greeted and then he went into town. We hiked down under a highway and didn't stop for 10 miles, the next shelter. We lunched here. We continued on after that up a killer hill and I hurt myself. We came to a stream and found a cache of diet soda. The rain was almost freezing and as we were donning our hat and gloves, along come two kids, 13 or 14 years old, apparantly alone, in this hypothermic weather. We were going to make them come with us as there was nothing where they were going and no one. Then the rest of their group came around through the hillock and warned of wind. We climbed the Patch of Max and were immediately blasted by cold wind. That was one big, cold field. Darkness was approaching from the East. We hiked faster and faster as dark and panic closed in. Finally the sign for the shelter became visible in the fog. Came into a great shelter. 22.2 miles! King's first 20. Three guys were cooking fajitas. We ate all of what we had. A radio played irish music all night. Hiking with someone makes it much easier. Conversation moves time along and company pushes aside panic.
Date: 2003-03-30
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

Awoke to a snow covered night. Went back to sleep and found another meaning to "white blaze" the next time I attempted to open my eyes. Blinding white light as the sunlight reflected off the snow covered forest. A foot and a half of snow had fallen. We eventually hiked out of camp and came to a road where 7 cars were parked and more men. The troup was rescued I guess. I had all my winter gear on. I was just about to send it all home that day too. It is very difficult to hike uphill in the snow. We came to another lean-to and some others had broken a trail. How much difference that made I don't know. Coming down the mountain in the snow was kind of nice though, until the laurels. The rhododendrons and even pines were tilted into the trail making travel extremely difficult. Go around where you could, through, or mostly crawling or falling under. Which reminds me. In front of the shelter as I awoke this morning was the saddest pine I've ever seen.Anyway, we finally made it into town, and a joyous site it was. We went straight to the other end for the Paddler's Pub. Our calories were zero'd out. Great atmosphere, great pizza, and great service from the one waitress/bartender. two pizzas and two Black and Tan's with an appetizer of quesidillas. Bluegrass and blues rock played all night. We reserved a room at Elmer's Sunny Brook Inn. We eventually left the pub and headed to the Inn. This is a remarkable place. Extensive collection of Asian art and literature. Van Gogh's hanging on the walls and a music room. The entire place is a library. My room was in the basement with a desk, lamps, Asian and Van Gogh art on the walls, and a radio. An awesome place all in all. Showered and slept.
Date: 2003-03-31
From: Hot Springs

To: Ain't Movin'
Miles today: 0.0

Woke to the breakfast bell. A community breakfast with many grains and canteloupe. All organic and vegetarian. Soy milk in granola and grain muffins with honey, organic jam, coffee, and tea. After breakfast did errands, got lunch at the campground, a great sub. Went back to Elmer's and King Harvest had found the music station. Listening to The Melancholy and The Infinite Sadness, then Bob Dylan and The Band. I finished the second half of the giant sub. I was then informed that an appointment had been confirmed at 5:30 for The Hot Springs. We walked over and the air was cold. We entered the hot spring and immersed ourselves in the geothermal minerals that they bring. King Harvest, Slowride and I sit for an hour in the supposed revitalizing waters as hundreds of hawks glided over the snowy mountainside. We then walked again to Elmer's and joined the dinner already in progress. The dinner began with an immaculate black bean soup, then salad with homemade dressing and organic vegetables from their garden, then continued with rice piled with (whatever you put on rice for asian/Indian food). The meal ended with a bananna cream pie that could be served in heaven. At that point Josh walked in. He hiked 20 miles in from Max Patch through 1.5 feet of snow for the first 5 miles and began by digging out of a four foot drift. Amazing. The night ended with all thru-hikers in the living room watching a documentary about the Appalachian Trail. I was reading the Tao of Pooh from the house's extensive library and was half way through by the time I fell to sleep with the house cat curled up on me at 1 in the morning. Great night's sleep. Now I sit in the diner recollecting after another grand and fatty breakfast, enjoying the solitude. But now I must return...
Date: 2003-04-01
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: few clouds

Awoke and packed, then ate breakfast at the Smokie Mountain Diner. Amazing painted doors. Bacon and eggs were awesome after having only vegetarian food, amazing in flavor and texture though it was. The grase and fat are necessary. Mailed more stuff home; still 47 pounds. I dunno. Checked my bank account on-line and its not good, so I have to rethink some plans. Hiking in, went shirtless through the snow. 70 degrees, flat out and great weather. 12 today to Spring Mtn. Shelter. Chillin with Alaska, King Harvest, Slowride, and Rafiki.
Date: 2003-04-02
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

A rather uneventful day. 23.9 miles to the shelter. All to ourselves. Split, each got a side. Used a candle that I picked up at the shelter we took lunch at. Used a lollipop stick for the wick and put it in a chicken can as a candle holder. Worked well. Finally went to sleep and I hear knawing on the wood. So I moved my stuff to find the mouse, then suddenly there is shrieking from underneath my side and a lot of scuffling. I'm freaking out. I think first maybe cats fighting, then maybe a wild hog, and then I was thinking banshees or something were going to break through the boards. Then a skunk runs out, sprays a little, I think a porcupine too. Interesting beginning to the night. Slept well the rest of the night.
Date: 2003-04-03
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Not '01 as Homerun claims in his entry. Got up early-ish and a guy on a 4-wheeler came up and we asked him what he was doing. He said he came down from the mountain...o.k. He said it was 4:15. Hiked down into a country road. Awesome day. Stopped twice to eat and eventually made it to Big Bald. Thought the last eight would never end. Last part wasn't so bad but we were feeling the hike. We got up to the bald and watched a 360 degree view of a mountain sunset. It's stuff like that that makes it all worth doing. Hiked down to the shelter and met Siestad.
Date: 2003-04-04
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Erwin
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

An easy hike to Erwin from Bald Mountain Shelter. We made it down and hitched in with a rafting guide. We ate at the Erwin Burrito. Big Burrito, 4 quesadillas and an amazing plate of nachos. A must for a thru-hiker. A really cool hippie family talked to us and offered us a ride to the Food Lion. They ended up letting us take their car there! Amazing! So we drove over, got what we needed and drove back. We then walked to Miss Janet's, who is another amazing person, also very busy. Between a family and thru-hikers, very busy there. But she makes time for everyone somehow. We walked from there to the movie theater and smuggled in Ben & Jerry's, which was gone in the first few minutes of The Core. An awesome movie. After the movie we sat around and talked with people til about 1 in the morning. We then retired to the back of the van. Interesting night.
Date: 2003-04-05
From: Erwin

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: moderate rain

Woke this morning to a massive thunderstorm with hail outside the van. The storm eventually passed and King Harvest and I went in for breakfast which the hikers fix in the kitchen. Awesome pancakes, eggs, and bacon. Did some cleaning, worked out my mail drop, sent a bunch of stuff back home including my boots. Today was my first day with the shoes. Still too early to tell how they will work. Redneck, who made the pancakes, dropped us off. He hiked in '99 and was visiting. We hiked out of Erwin in blistering heat. I found out that a Powerade bottle fits in my pack cup holder so I bought one of these. Cheaper and lighter than a nalgene anyways. 16 miles into Cherry Gap Shelter. Made it in at dark but the last climb was unexpected. Thought it would be smaller. Very long at the end but we made it. Sire, Mr. Cranky Pants, and the Duchess of Denmark, stayed as well, talking nonsense and making my head spin, especially with how tired I was. Too late for such abstract and unreal babble.
Date: 2003-04-06
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Really lack-a-daisical feeling today. Awoke to find everyone gone. King Harvest and I were still in the middle of the shelter sleeping, but everyone on either side was gone. Slept well anyway. Hiked to Clyde Smith Shelter and decided to eat lunch there. Ate lunch and decided that we didn't feel like moving. Then the thunder started and gave us an excuse to stay. We had gone about 9 miles. Trail Frog, Grasshopper, and Johnny Walker or whatever came by, stopped for a break and moved on. I guess they hiked to Roan in the thunderstorm. About an hour later two more people were coming up the trail. When they got to the shelter I realized it was Josh. He pulled 25 miles! He was just as surprised to see us. The other kid was Gonz after Gonzo...the stuffed Gonzo he was carrying. He told some weird, paranoid, schizophrenic stories and went for water. When they returned I found out he was fromMaine too, awesome. We cooked and then I hauled out the marshmellos and roasted them in the thunder and hail. Ended up finishing my book, The Pearl, by Steinbeck. Glad we stayed. I came up with the name Jack In The Box for Josh. All agree.
Date: 2003-04-07
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 19.7

Woke from a really good sleep. When I woke Jack In The Box was about heading out. He did another 20. Insane. The three of us remaining eventually broke camp and started our hike. We were planning the 20 ton Applehouse as well. Gonz, who had been out for two months had never pulled a 20. We started up and immediately lost Gonz and his giant staff. Roan Mountain was awesome. Very challenging. Another foggy day, perfect for hiking. Got to the top and met (...?} slacking. Chatted and breaked and moved on to Roan Mountain Shelter., the highest on the A.T. It was at the high point of Roan. It was a large cabin though. We snacked and hiked on to the next shelter where I found I had left my maps and people info at Roan Shelter. Kept going after a lunch until the Overmountain Shelter which we depacked to go see. It was a barn turned shelter and amidst an immaculate setting above the valley with a stream sounding nearby. We returned to the trail and continued on. The whole day consisted of going over balds once we receded from Roan and the weather was perfect. It was like going through Ireland. We were eventually hiking in the dark for and hour with a sliver of a moon behind the clouds. Finally arrived at the shelter and everyone was asleep. It was packed. Josh, Jack In The Box, Five Alive, and (?) and Justin were here at last. We then noticed the giant staff. Gonz was here as well...what the..? We thought we lost him before. Somehow he pulled a 20 and passed us when we were either in Roan or visiting the barn. I'll find out in the morning. Breakfast in town, I hope.
Date: 2003-04-08
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke, packed. Gonz told us he actually byellow blazed and that he was getting a wolf, then hitched into town. (?) was even looking at us. We started walking and finally a Jeep Wrangler puuled off the road coming straight at us going 50 mph. A girl our age was driving. We did errands and went to Bob's Dairyland. Had cheesesburger, fries, soda, and then an amazing strawberry-bananna shake. We hitched a ride out of town and got to the trail about noon. Met Chaos slackpacking. 17.8 miles, Moreland Gap, the last bit in the dark and rain. Again and again, a full shelter. The stirfry is great. We ended up sleeping on the ground under the awning. Mr. Cranky Pants lit a cigar and hiked off into the cold, wet night.
Date: 2003-04-09
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.0

When I awoke my bag was soaking wet and my thermarest was a raft. Going to a hostel today We hiked a moderately easy 15. The Pond Flats didn't live up to its name in any respect. Hiked out and waited an hour for King Harvest's parents to pick him up. We actually got up early and finished the same. They gave me a ride into Kincora Hostel. 5 alive, Trail Frog, Jack In The Box, Sire, and Mr. Kranky Pants were already here. Finally Mr. Kranky Pants identity was revealed (he is from Maine). A very interesting night of singing and talking. Nickel & Dime showed up with a third. Stayed up talking to them til midnight. My dinner consisted of entirely scavenged food.
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Right Here
Miles today: 0.0

Ended up taking a zero day. Nothing was working out for leaving. 5 Alive and crew, Nickel & Dime and Sam, slacked the section over Pond Flats. Sire fell in the river. It was snowing. I was warm at least. Gonz and his friend showed up. Ate the food I got in town. Decided to attempt a 40+ mile hike into Damascus with Nickel & Dime and Sam.