morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We had a slow start but the hot oatmeal was worth it. THe hike moved slow as well. Normally i can get lost in my head and miles and hours will float by, not today, everything crept, including me. Our first snack was taken at Brown fork Gap SHelter. We killed the GORP, we killed the granola bars and we realized the shelter was really crowded. we were glad we did not push this far last night.   boy scout camp took over this shelter last night. THere are many mixed feelings about Scouts on the AT. either they will take over and be obnoxious or they will be polite and enthused by how cool hike can really be.We took lunch at a mountain road, sat on the side of the road and pulled out bagels and tuna and cheese and all that good stuff hikers eat. a family pulled up and filed out of a car like clowns, so many of them. "Oh, look at the thru-hikers in their natural habitat..."Just across the road and up the trail a mile or two we came across another shelter covered with scouts and their leaders. Mutual curiousity came about between us. there were lots of questions and conversation between us. IT was entertaining though. As we were leaving i dropped a line about snipe hunting...SHH, don;t reveal any of our secrets.we made the decision to push to the dam on the trail that lasted for ever. we could see the dam for a long while along the ridge but we did not make much movement towards it. A bit annoying. The shelter that sleeps 20 was full, packed and people were tenting it outside too. we squeezed in and watched the craziness that is the group on front of us.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The shelter as a flurry of activity in the morning. the group ahead of us had already taken a zero day and i sat up just to watch them get situated to hike out in to the Smokies and the rain. The hikers divided up into their separate hiking groups that was one big family last night. eventually Today and i mustered the courage to get up and make our way to the resort village and breakfast. Hiking and getting to towns is not a bout the beers some people live for, but rather the huge breakfasts we can eat. SHowers at the visitor's center, breakfast at the Inn, laundry, and movies at the outfitter. what a great day to spend with a Zero, Rain all day long.I found out that Chess pies will not travel well....I am sad but i understand. Just a pipe dream now.A big dinner and back to the shelter, very empty now and on to the smokies tomorrow. People have built the Smokies up a lot. Increasein elevation, increase in cold and snow, they are going to go up forever and be the hardest part of the trail..AHHH.
Date: 2006-03-21
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was interesting, beginning with Today deciding she needed to go to a clinic. We experienced town hardships today. $1 per mile per person, 27 miles to town, over a hundred dollars for both of us to go to town. that was silly for me to go, i did not need to get anything checked out in town. Roesch did not want to hitch by herslef on the way back, i do not blame her. we spent the first half of the day figureing out what we were going to do. After a few calls home ROesch was fine and we hiked out at about one thirty. Into the Smokies.....SO, i saw a bear today, and i thought it was a person tied up in a plasic heafty bag suffocating. I watch too much TV.The reat of the hike was rainy and foggy, we got into camp late in the dark and the fog and the cold. Uber Dude and Mountian Goat were there!!!Awesome.
Date: 2006-03-22
From: Mollies Ridge

To: Derrick Knob
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

We woke this morning to a frozen Hell. Frost took over our world and we did not want to get out of our sleeping bags. When we finally mustered the courage we found our bear bagged foo to be frozen as well, covered in ice; our boots were frozen, our pants were frozen. It was not fun. We had a bit of a scuff this morning as I was terribly cold and did not want to resupply on water, i wanted to start hiking and warm up. Elizabeth did not fully understand. I was grouchy and my toes were freezing so badly they stung. We had to start hiking. So we did.THe day went well, after fifteen minutes of hiking my hands were warm as was my core. it took a little longer for my feet to get fully warm but that is to be expected. Our day took us from the winter side of mountains to the spring side and back. It was very strange walking from season to season but beautiful at the same time.
Date: 2006-03-23
From: Derrick Knob

To: Mount Collins
Miles today: 13.5

Today there were many spring breakers out on trail, mostly from Maryland (who would have thought?). THey were quite pleasant and interesting to talk with. I was hiking up to Clingman's Dome when a guy came running past me up the trail. No body runs on trail, that is just crazy, especially if you are going up hill. THis kid was running. I caught him near the top (and by caught i mean he stopped and was waiting for the rest of his group). I asked him why he was running and he said that some people get their wind going up hill, crazy is what i thought. he was nice and i gave him a trail name "ridge jumper". he liked it. On top of Clingman's dome i could see Tennessee, and thus felt at home. terribly windy, roesch and i did not stick around long but long enough for more spring breakers to give us hard boiled eggs, quite a treat. THe rest of the trail down to mt collins shelter was very icy. it was like walking down frozen streams and we nearly face planted a couple of times. We came upon a ridge runner who told us of bad weather headed our way with potential to close the gap going down into Gatlinburg...uh-oh.I hiked on and lost roesch when she needed to take a 'tree stop'. I caught the spring breakers that gave us the eggs and were going to our next shelter so i hiked with them. THey helped the hike go by nice and quickly. At the shelter were some older gentlemen who were as well nice and fun to chat with. But i began to get worried when Roesch did not show after thirty minutes of hiking...the gentlemen kept asking me about her and whether she was going to make it. I was terribly worried. So, i told them to make her stay put if she showed up and i was going to go and look for her the last place i saw her, at the tree stop.SHortly up the trail i came across Uber-dude and asked if he had seen Today, no he had not, but he stuffed his pack on the side of the trail and came with me to look for her. we came across Turtle D and M, they had not seen her either...then Mountain Goat and he had not seen her...We hiked over three miles SOuth on the trail looking for her and her tree spot. Once there....there was nothing to be found. Exprecting the worst yet knowing she was probably fine, Uber-DUde calle dhis dad to get the ranger's phone number. we also called our cell phone to leave a message for her to leave a message. We hike back to the shelter, three plus miles. And there was Roesch, she over shot the turn off for the shelter and she was fine. Needless to say, she owes somebody a beer, or two.
Date: 2006-03-24
From: Mount Collins

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light snow

WOW!! Today's hike was 4.5 miles in six inches of snow. I did not take breaks or wait for anyone to catch up, i knew if i stopped i would get really cold. The wind was terrible and it was still snowing. My goal was the heated bathrooms at the gap. I started counting to entertain myself, once i go to a thousand i would start over. I know it sounds exciting.At the gap i found the heated bathroom and the joys of running water...I would make rounds from the bathroom to the gap to look for my followers 4-Today, Uber-dude, and Mountain Goat. Once, by the bathrooms i was talking with htis man about being a thru-hiker and anoter guy came up asked if i were a thru-hiker, was really excited when i said yes and asked if i needed a ride. Yes, I did (you see, hitch-hiking is illegal and the rangers would not be happy if they caught you doing it, so you have to be sly and ask people near the bathrooms for rides). I wanted a ride but i needed a ride for three others as well. That was not a problem, this dude lived for helping hikers. THus the beautiful relationship with Stephen and Wendy Essex began. This trail god, as my companions and i call them, went above and beyond the call to help us. They dropped Mountain Goat off at a hotel, took us to the Post office, the grocery store, made a few purchases for us, dropped us at the brewery for lunch and promised to join us later for a drink. Stephen catered to our every need and desire and would not let us buy him a beer. SO we invited he and his wife to breakfast the next morning near the Hotel.At the Grand Prix we had a lot to do, showers, laundry...well, that is about it, but it takes a long time. The guy who runs the place, James, is very cool and has a cute puppy Boston terrier "bubbs". we took dinner at the KFC near by and i tried to get in touch with friends from work who were a short drive away....unfortunately i feel alseep before we could meet up. Sorry, yo, hikers rise and fall with the sun.
Date: 2006-03-25
From: Gatlinburg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It gets better:the three of us took breakfast with the trail gods, Mountain Goat needed some space. It was over three hours of talking about the trail and river guiding. Elizabeth has a new career. They took care of breakfast and it was awesome. We met up with other hikers stranded in town (the gap was closedm and we could not get on the mountain) and went to explore the exciting city of Gatlinburg starting at the Jerky shop. Then the outfitters... then Today decided she wanted to try riding the mechanical bull. It was hilarious.THe town ate my soul and i wanted to leave. Hour went by and we walked, talked about the tourists and finally sat down for lunch. again our meal conversation over stayed our welcome, another three hours worth at TGI Fridays. and then back to the hotel. Mountain Goat was watching creepy movies and then left for dinner. We wanted to give him his space so our trail angels took us in (all the hotels were full due to tourists and the hikers stranded off the mountain).Stephen gave us a beer when we walked in and then cooked us dinner. SLeeping on his floor was great.
Date: 2006-03-26
From: Gatlinburg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It gets better still:THe neighbors cooked us breakfast: pancakes and sausage, latte's and juice. more than we could eat. WE spent the day there, with the neighbors, Tom and Lyn. Fabulous day of movies ( they have over 1000), eating (lunch of burgers with grilled accessories, and dinner that was topped with freshly baked cookies and whipped cream).I do not know how to thank you all but your kindness and hospitality have been wonderful. You have helped make my trip theough the Smokies one to remember with good thoughts as opposed to cold and wet ones. Take care and God bless.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: New Found Gap

To: Tri-Corner 
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

So, in typical Stephen fashion, he took us to breakfast for a good feed after a good sleep. "Double cool!!" Pancakes, eggs, sausage....coffee. I could have stayed with them forever, but i guess it will juat have to be if i ever want to go on a river trip now. And i will do that some day, maybe this fall before the river closes.THe hike was interesting out of Newfound Gap. The fresh snow added an interesting feel to the hike, cushiony yet unstable but just hiking felt right. There were day hikers out in the snow having fun. Oh the joys of family vacations... Roesch and i took our pictures on Charlie's Bunion, looking like we were on top of the world. The first shelter we reached was an easy hike in and made for a good spot to take second breakfast. The snowy trail was not bad, but the sludge and water soaked my boots, not the tops of my socks or even around the ankles but the foot part of my socks and thus my feet.We decided to take lunch at the second shelter three hours away. I got into a groove and hiked my hike. I lost roesch but was very much in my wolrd and hiking at a good pace. at 2:30 i stopped at the intersection that lead to the second shelter, layed down my pack and sat on my rain coat to eat some gorp while i waited for Today to catch up. Eventually she arrived, after word from another hiker, Switchback, that she was shortly behind him. We had lunch on the trail not wanting to take the added miles of walking down to the shelter and back. The thirad shelter was five miles away. I told her that i would meet her there, she said she would be there eventually but not to worry. At Tri-COrner we ran into a bunch of old familiar faces. Uber-dude missed us and was upset that we caght him on our first day back on the trail. Silly boy. I had to wring out my socks again, they were soaked and so were my boots.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Tri-Corner 

To: Davenport Gap
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

The morning's forecast was rain, thankfully that did not happen. I told ROesch that i would wait for her after 3.2 miles. THe trail seemed quick to that point. Beyond that I stuck with Uber-Dude who pushes my pace just a bit. I squeezed yellow brown water out of my socks at lunch, yuck. I hung them in the sun at the shelter and hoped for the best. The best did not happen. I put wet socks back on to finish out my day. The hike itself was very nice, a mostly pleasent downhill rolling effect. Coming out of the winter wonderland through the slush and much to dry land lifted the spirits. At one point coming off the mountain the trail took a sharp turn to the left and straight ahead a huge boulder made a great photo op moment. Uber-Dude and i watched the countryside open up before us. (Just to think that i could be standing on concrete all day in the middle of a warehouse....i do miss it though...). We ran down the slopes, letting gravity do the hard work and just avoiding the bigger rocks that would turn our ankles. It was freedom, freedom of the snow and hardshipos that are the Smokies, knowing that we survived the portion of the trail that people look at with the up most respect for the conditions and hardships of that Park.
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Groundhog Creek

To: Campsite
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

THis morning was slow going. THe old guys that slept in the shelter kept me up all night. After breakfast and a refill on water we were off for our daily adventure. EIght miles to the next shelter for lunch, very doable. After a bit of Leap Frog with Uber-Dude he decided to slow up and hike with Today so i skipped ahead. I pushed the never-ending uphill in the Cherokee forrest and took the down hills easy. Oddly enough, I was alone in the forrest and could not go on. I would just stop walking and i had to remind my body that i was there to hike and so i had to move on. Once, i took a breath and swore i could smell the ocean. call me crazy, but the idea helped me keep moving on. At the second road, six miles out, i needed a snack, Roesch had them all. Bad planning. Six mile in two hours, not bad at all if i may say so myself. We three stayed together for the next portion, and a good thing we did. Llama Mama treated us to lunch.
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Jenkin's Knob

To: Helvey Mill
Miles today: 14.1

We roused at seven. My legs hurt so badly last night that it was hard to sleep. I should have taken some Vitamin I and some melatonin. I got to meet the sectioners that gave us water last night when we wandered into camp after dark. Dudes from Ohio, outside of Dayton, Mountain 'Goat', Chico, and Just Every Day Jacob (JED). Nice guys who gave us coffee and a cliff bar over stories and morning chatter. During this great convo deer crept into camp munching arouns us. I was amazing they felt unthreatened and were willing to wander so close. Goat even walked out of camp through them and they just let him by.The first half of the day was a lot of creek crossings. It took a while for us to get wise and take off our shoes to wander through the creeks in our crocs. This allowed us to just tromp thru and shock our slowly dying feet. There was potential for some exciting trail magic in a styrofoam chest but to no avail, just ice water. The rest of the hike was easy grades of ups and downs. I hiked it alone and i hiked at a nice quick pace. My feet hurt and i was hungry for a snack but my will pushed on. I reached the road and Sasporilla and Daniel from laurel creek road (7 miles) in about two and a half hours. I was proud and excited and energized and loving life!!
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Montebello, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am sorry everyone, i have been terrible about keeping up with this thing. I really wish my time in towns was a bit less stressful and more lax so that i could write everything about every day. I really want to share it all with you because i know you look forward to the next posting and then you realize it is not there. I guess i just want to tell you tat i appreciate your support and the little notes you leave for me. It means so much to have a community out there, meaning not here on trail, that would do so much for me and give me the little chats or words of encouragement that is needed when the trail seems endless and tiresome. A few quick notes as a crummy update into my hike: Virginia is simply lovely to hike, ust beautiful and pleasent; if you think you know what skunk smells like, you do not, i have had first hand experience of a fresh spray; Trail days or bust, I am going back to damascus to get gear fixed for free and live the legend that is the trail party of the year and help build a new shelter. Take care all, I love you dearly.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Camp Rim Rock, WV

To: Luray, Va
Miles today: 0.0

This morning we watched one of the camp counselors chases in the horses for their daily grooming and feeding. 4-Today and I helped Nat in the upper barn with the 'problem' horses. After convincing them to get in their specific locations I was allowed to groom two, Chief and Rosey. THis was great fun for me, as i have not been around horses since my days at Camp Skyline a good five years ago atleast. After the grooming and feeding it was time for our own meal. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, bacon swirls, bagels and cream cheese, whichi threw into one big sandwhich, or two rather, and a cup of hot chocolate and coffee. After breakfast we ventured back to the barn so that the counselors could go on their morning ride, and in hopes that we too could ride. Unfortunately riding was out of the question for us, who would want a girl who was known to be afraid of horses and her unknown friend to be out on their horses. Oh well, I got my journal and the CD Brittany sent me and headed for the lower staff house to update and hang out. after a long while it was lunch time and all the counselors were back from the trail reeking and smelling of barn and sweat, which is a pleasent change from the hiker woods not bathing for days kind of smell. After a lunch of tunafish and egg salad sandwhiches with chocolate cake we went back to the barn to clean up a bit more, this time it was putting away of the feeding bins and weeding.We said goodbye to Rim Rock around three and hiked back up the country road back to the life of hitching rides. Hitch 1: country road a few miles to the post office by a father enjoying his sunday afternoon off. Hitch 2: College boys who passed us and then turned around to give us a ride all the way to Winchester after having spent the weekend at a Physical Ed conference/weekend party in WV; we played mind games like "listen, the ship sank, the ship sank, the ship sank; did the ship sink?" In Winchester we walked back to the Daily grind for one last smoothie while we waited for the extended family i had never hear about to drive and hour and pick us up. Jim Braunworth drove us down to Luray and his home talking often about geneology of the Sharwell line and various historical facts. We dropped off our packs and headed straight to a local restaurant owned by the gallery next door. I had the Grilled stuffed portabellos and cheesecake. Afterwwards at this house we looked in depth at our geneology, showered, laundry and settled down for the night.
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Mount Greylock

To: Seth shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Hello all,well, by the end of today i will be in Vermont, how sweet is that. We are taking two easy days after a good push and hella rain in CT. I have had wonderful hiking company with Longhaul and Soft lipped Swamp Donkey. Maybe i'll catch them again later. Looking forward to the big sha-bang in Brattleboro, VT for the fourth. Should be an awesome time. I am getting stoked for the last bit of my trip. Sad to leave my group but the great beyond beckons and my spirit is will for the adventure of a lifetime. Take care all and live in the present!!
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Glencliff, NH

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Thus far i have not been very impressed with New Hampshire. THe trails are poorly maintained, water logged, and very bushy/limbs everywhere. Which all gets worse when it is raining for days, like it has been. But the company is awesome and I am getting geared up for the Whites!! I keep passing more and more southbounders and all they talk about is how cool the Whites are. And how do i reply to that?! Well, I am almost done and i am coming up on the best part of the trail, and you have just begun and have already completed the best part of the trail. I just wish it was not a contest or that people needed to feel validated. I miss my ladies and their good cheer. I am like a broken record without my other three quarters. All is well on the western front for me. Body feels fine, pushing the miles is working out well for me. I am missing the company walking down the trail, but hey, you can't always get what you want. RIght now i am on track for an August 13th ascent of Katahdin. Other thoughts, if i finish early, i might could travel to Boston or Philly and check out some freinds before i hit up home and the pampering of a lifetime for myself.
Date: 2006-07-27
To: Sugarloaf condo in Stratton, MAINE
Miles today: 13.5

Hello all of you wonderful people supporting me on my hike!! I am in Maine!!! And i am going strong!! If i want to finish with the group with whom i am hiking I have to average less than 16.5 miles a day. As it looks presently, i will be in Baxter around the 8th and then i might go to Portland for a few days to await Don and Mom's arrival for the big summit of Katahdin!!!! I am using so many exclamation points because Boston U wants me to go to Grad school with them!!! and they want to pay my tuitio and they want to give me a stipend and more!!! ahhh, what do i do, um yes, i want to go there. I am super stoked, or as they say here in the New England, This is Wicked Awesome!!!! Take care all and have a good one!!
Date: 2006-08-07
From: The Birches

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: overcast clouds

So, i summited Katahdin. I carried my full pack minus food because i am hardcore. We went up in a cloud and could not see anything. It was a technical climb and very curious. Do i want to finish my hike and move back to the real world and deal with everything again? Things are so simple out here. I am only responsible for myself and what i have to do for the day. Why would i want to rush back into the front country to loose all of the freedonm i attained out here. But the mountain called and up i went. Onward and upward, and back into the 'real' world.